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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/09/13 Item 09;i' CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ,,,.~;;,~ cmr o~ CHULA VISTA 9/13/11, Item ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO BIKES BELONG' S COMMUNITY PARTNERSHII' PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS 1N CONJUNCTION WITH IMPLEMENTING THE GRANT AGREEMENT SUBMITTED BY: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANT DIREC R OF ENG E REVIEWED BY: CITY MANAG ~ ASSISTANT CIT MANAGER `> 4/STHS VOTE: YES ~ NO ~X SUMMARY The Bikes Belong Coalition is requesting proposals under its new Community Partnership Grant Program to improve the bicycling environment in communities through infrastructure improvements. The City of Chula Vista plans to submit a $10,000 grant proposal, in collaboration with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, to add more bicycle "sharrow" markers along bike routes in proximity of two Chula Vista Middle Schools. The requested finding will help address the bicycle infrastructure deficiencies recently identified through the City's current "Students Taking Active Routes to Schools" project and will contribute to reaching the goals outlined in the Chula Vista Bikeway Master Plan. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, because the activity consists of an administrative action involving the submittal of a grant application which will not result in a direct or indirect adverse physical impact to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary. Consideration of environmental factors will be done once a specific project is defined and funded. 9-1 9/13/11, Item Page 2 of 3 RECOMMENDATION Council adopt the resolution. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION City staff will be presenting the grant proposal to the Resource Conservation Commission (RCC) for consideration at their September 12th meeting. Staff can verbally update the City Council on the Resource Conservation Commission's recommendation, if requested. DISCUSSION The City of Chula Vista is committed to promoting and empowering active transportation throughout its jurisdiction and regionally. In 2010, Chula Vista adopted a new Pedestrian Master Plan through an extensive public participation process to provide a blueprint for vibrant pedestrian-oriented development patterns, which encourage walking and increased community interaction. More recently, Chula Vista adopted a new Bikeway Master Plan to provide a similar blueprint for an extensive and safe network of bicycle infrastructure. These plans are complementary to the City's community outreach efforts focused on bicycle education (Bike to Worlc Day and Bike Chula Vista Map & Guide) and advocacy (pending `Bicycle-Friendly Community' ,and `Bicycle-Friendly Business' certifications). The Bikes Belong Coalition was formed in 1999 by bicycle retailers and suppliers interested in working to put more people on bikes more often. In June, the Coalition introduced a new Community Partnership Grant Program to improve the bicycling environment in communities. Specifically, the program is designed to support cost- effective infrastructure improvements and to foster partnerships between local governments, non-profit organizations, and other local community groups ($10,000 maximum funding). In response to the grant solicitation, the City of Chula Vista plans to submit a $10,000 proposal, in collaboration with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, to add bicycle "sharrows" along approximately 2 miles of designated bike routes in the community. sharrows, or shared lane pavement markings, are placed to guide bicyclists to the best place to ride on the road, avoid car doors, and remind motorists to share the road with cyclists. Staff has selected two street segments -Fourth Avenue (C Street to H Street) and F Street (Broadway Avenue to Hilltop Drive) -for the proposed sharrow infrastructure based on the City's current "Students Taking Active Routes to Schools" (STARTS) project. The STARTS project identified bicycle infrastnicture deficiencies in a 1-mile radius around the following six Chula Vista middle schools: Bonita Vista Middle School, Castle Park Middle School, Chula Vista Middle School, Eastlake Middle School, Hilltop Middle School, and Rancho Del Rey Middle School. The new sharrows will also contribute to the Bikeway Master Plan's goal to create a safe network of bicycle paths, lanes, and routes throughout the community. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found a conflict exists, in that Councilmember Castaneda has property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. s-z 9/13/11, Item ~ Page 3 of 3 CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT The proposed grant project would not create a new impact to the City's General Fund. The grant would award $10,000 in Fiscal Year 2012 to the City to fund the installation of bicycle sharrows (labor and materials). The matching funds required for the grant ($11,000 total) would be covered through an existing capital improvement project, STM369 "Bikeway Facilities Gap." ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT The proposed grant project, if awarded, would fund the purchase of supplies and services associated with project implementation and would not create any ongoing net impact to the City's General Fund. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A -Bikes Belong Grant Proposal Prepared by: Brendan Reed Environmental Resource Manager, Public Works -Conservation Division H:IPUBLIC WORKSIAGENDAICAS2011109-13-IIIBikes Belong Grant Application_CAS DRAFT.doc 9-3 a~`rACrvr ~' Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant Grant Application Please note: The Lead Organization is the partner responsible for receiving and disbursing grant funds, and for providing project updates and the final report. The Lead Organization must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization or a government entity. Administrative Information: Date of Application: August 26, 2011 Name of Project: Follow fhe Sharrows Project Legal Name of Lead Organization: City of Chula Vista Address (street, city, state, zip): 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Website: www.chulavistaca.gov/clean Contact Person: Pedro M. Garcia Jr. Title: Conservation Specialist Direct Phone: (619) 409-1976 Email Address: pegarcia@chulavistaca.gov Type of Organization (501(c)3, government entity): Government Entity State and Year of Incorporation: California, 1911 Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN}: 95-6000690 Number of Full-Time Staff: 886 '' Number of Part-Time Staff: 319 Number of Volunteer Staff: 772 Number of Members (if applicable): N/A Amount Requested from Bikes Belong: $10,000 Funding Raised to Date: $11,000 Total Project Budget: $21,000 Total Organization Budget: $283.2 million 9-4 Partner Organization Name: San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Address (street, city, state, zip): 740 13th Street, Suite 502, San Diego, CA 92101 Website: www.sdcbc.org Type of Organization: Bicycle Advocacy Contact name and title: Maria Olivas, Education Program Coordinator Direct Phone: 858-472-6025 Email Address: education(a~sdcbc.org Partner Organization Name: South Bay Bicycles Address (street, city, state, zip): 250 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Website: www.southbaybikes.com Type of Organization: Bicycle Shop Contact name and title: Steve Bandoian, Owner Direct Phone: 619-477-1445 Email Address: southbaybikes(c~execs.com Partner Organization Name: Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce Address (street, city, state, zip): 233 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Website: www.chulavistachamber.org Type of Organization: Business Association Contact name and title: Lisa Cohen, Executive Director Direct Phone: 619-420-6603 Email Address: lisa(c~chulavistachamber,org 9-5 Narrative: Please provide the following information in narrative form, maintaining the headings for each section. Please limit the narrative to seven pages or less. 1. Organization Background a) Lead Organization Mission and History: The City of Chula Vista, located in southern California, is the 2"d largest municipality in San Diego County. The ethnically and socio-economically diverse community has been a regional and national leader in environmental issues over the past two decades. In the 1990s, Chula Vista became a charter member of ICLEI ("International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives"), which aims to help local jurisdictions improve their sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint. As a result, the City of Chula Vista now boasts myriad programs and policies to reduce energy and water use, integrate renewable energy systems, promote alternative fuels and transportation, transition to a zero waste society, and design bicycle and pedestrian-friendly communities. These efforts have been recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Sierra Club (San Diego Chapter), the California sustainability Alliance, the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the California Climate Action Registry, and the American Public Works Association (San Diego Chapter). Since 1996, the City of Chula Vista's bicycle-related efforts have been guided by a formal Bikeway Master Plan that establishes the amount and types of bicycle facilities .needed within the City to create a safe and extensive bikeway network as well as opportunities to integrate these facilities with existing regional bikeway systems in the San Diego metropolitan area. The Plan's recommendations are based on the best practices employed by other cities around the country and are in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and the Manuel of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). In 2011, the Bikeway Master Plan was revised as part of the City's ongoing efforts to improve bicycling accessibility for recreational and commute purposes. The Bikeway Master Plan is complemented by the City's community outreach efforts focused on bicycle education (Bike to Work Day and Bike Chula Vista Map & Guide) and advocacy (pending `Bicycle-Friendly Community' and `Bicycle-Friendly Business' certifications}. b) Past Successes: The City of Chula Vista continues to make investments in order to implement the Bikeway Master Plan and promote bicycling throughout the community. To date, the City has created over 113 miles of bike paths, lanes, and routes, which interconnect residential and commercial areas with public transit nodes. As part of the recently-revised Bikeway Master Plan, the City committed to 9-6 expanding this infrastructure with 50 more miles of proposed bicycle paths, lanes, and routes. In addition, Chula Vista applied and was awarded a grant from the San Diego Association of Governments to identify bicycle infrastructure improvement opportunities within a 1-mile radius around every local middle school campus. Under the City's "Students Taking Active Routes to Schools" (STARTS) project, detailed engineering surveys were paired with community meetings at each of the middle schools to better understand the parents and students' bicycle safety concerns and to jointly develop strategies to help increase bicycle use. Finally, the City of Chula Vista, in collaboration with the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors, was awarded a grant from the National Association of Realtors to educate large local employers and professional realtors about alternative commute options, with a special focus on bicycling. Over 300 businesses, employees, and realtors attended a presentation highlighting the economic, environmental, health, and broader quality of life benefits from bicycling. As part of this grant, the City also created its first "Bike Chula Vista: Map & Resource Guide" that included bicycling safety tips and local bike shop information. In partnership with all 8 bike shops in Chula Vista, over 5,000 bike maps were distributed to community members in less than 6 months. c) Partner Organization Background and Contribution: Under the proposed Follow the sharrows project, the City of Chula Vista's community partners provide critical project guidance and support that will help ensure implementation success: San Diego County Bicycle Coalition The Coalition is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to making bicycling better in San Diego. The Coalition achieves its mission through educational programs, promoting awareness of bicyclists and bicycling issues, reviewing infrastructure improvements, and acting as a voice for bicyclists to elected officials and decision-makers throughout the San Diego region. Under the proposed project, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition has committed to serving on the project's advisory committee and to share information about the new sharrows and other bicycle infrastructure through their regional outreach efforts. South Bay Bicycles South Bay Bicycles is a local, family-owned bicycle shop dedicated to providing high-quality bicycling products and services to southern San Diego County. Under the proposed project, South Bay Bicycles has committed to serving on the project's advisory committee and to share information about the new sharrows and other bicycle infrastructure with its employees and customers. Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce 9-7 With over 1,000 members, the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce represents the local business sector and strives to improve the economic stability of the community. Under the proposed project, the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce has committed to serving on the project's advisory committee and to share information about the new sharrows and other bicycle infrastructure with its members. **Please note if Community or Business Partner has applied for and/or received a Bicycle Friendly award from the League of American Bicyclists 2. Purpose of Grant a) Project Description: The proposed Follow fhe sharrows project would implement bicycle infrastructure improvements to create safer bicycling conditions and to help expand overall community bicycle ridership. Specifically, the City of Chula Vista will install Shared Roadway Bicycle Markings (or "sharrows") along approximately 2 miles of roadway in the proximity of two middle schools. Along bicycle routes (Class 3), sharrows help guide bicyclists to the best place to ride on the road, avoid car doors, and remind motorists to share the road with cyclists. The City has selected two street segments -Fourth Avenue (C Street to H Street) and F Street (Broadway Avenue to Hilltop Drive} -for the proposed sharrow infrastructure. These high priority segments feed into Hilltop Middle School and Chula Vista Middle School from surrounding neighborhoods and connect to the City's broader bikeway network. The street segments were identified through the City's previous STARTS project as being able to benefit from the proposed infrastructure. Finally, the project's community advisory group (see Partner Organization section above) will assist in determining sharrow placement and frequency along both roadway segments. The proposed Follow fhe sharrows project would utilize Bikes Belong grant funds to design and install the sharrow markings. The City's matching funds (52% of total project costs) would also support sharrow installation as well as project administration and engineering. Since the grant funds would allow the City to purchase a sharrow stencil to lay down the markings, the City would be able to expand the usage of sharrows more broadly in the future. If funded, final project design would occur from January through March 2012 and sharrow and signage installation would be completed by August 2012. As a result of the proposed project, the City of Chula Vista would successfully expand its bicycle infrastructure along arterial roadways near two middle schools. This new infrastructure would help to ensure that residents, visitors, and students could safely travel using their bicycles, while visibly educating 9-8 bicyclists and motorists about sharing the roadway. The project's goals also support the City of Chula Vista's longstanding commitment to create a more sustainable, healthy community. b) Population: There are 246,496 residents in Chula Vista, with approximately 11 % (26,500 residents) living within 2 miles of the project area (based on 2010 Census tract data). c) Miles Built/Connected: The new sharrows will be installed on approximately 2 miles of bicycle route- designated roadways, which connect to the City's broader bikeway network (113 miles total). d) Ridership: The estimated ridership is: - Estimated ridership in area/region - 7,785 - Estimated riders using the current facility - 544 - Estimated new cyclists as a result of project - 160 3. Evaluation a) Measurable Outcomes: The City of Chula Vista's proposed Follow the sharrows project will result in {1) expanded bicycle infrastructure (pavement markings), (2} safer bicycle routes in proximity of middle schools, and (3) greater public knowledge about properly sharing the road with bicyclists. More broadly, these outcomes help to increase bicycle ridership and improve local environmental and quality of life conditions in the community. b) Measurement: The proposed project's outcomes will be measured by (1) quantifying the exact roadway length improved with bicycle sharrows, (2) comparing bicycle- related accident incidences before and after project implementation, and (3) estimating traffic volumes (motorists & bicyclists) within project area that are exposed to the new sharrow markings and signage. c) Replicability: The City of Chula Vista will be one of the first jurisdictions in the region to integrate bicycle sharrows into its infrastructure. As such, the project will serve as a demonstration project for the San Diego metropolitan area and project outcomes will be communicated regionally through the City's participation in San Diego Association of Governments and through the Partnering Organizations. 9-9 4. Project Budget a) Total Budget: BIKES CITY BUDGET CATEGORY BELONG MATCHING TOTAL FUNDS FUNDS Project Administration & Construction Management $0 $2,100 $2,100 Engineering & Design $0 $2,100 $2,100 Sharrow Markings - Purchase of sharrow stencil & $10,000 $6,800 $16,800 installation of pavement markings TOTAL $10,000 $11,000 $21,000 b) Additional Funding: The City of Chula Vista has already committed $11,000 to implement the proposed project as part of its Fiscal Year 2012 Capital Improvement Program. In addition, Partner Organizations will be providing in-kind support through their time and services. 5. Required Attachments a) Partner Letters of Support See attached letters b) List of Board Members Cheryl Cox, Mayor Rudy Ramirez, Council Member Patricia Aguilar, Council Member Steve Castaneda, Council Member Pamela Bensoussan, Council Member c) IRS determination letter Not applicable d) Map/Plan See attached project map (with census data) e) Media Articles 9-10 Not applicable f) Organizational Budget http://www.chulavistaca.gov/City Services/Administrative Services/Finance/B udg_et Analysis/documents/FY12%20Proposed%20Budget.pdf g) Financial Statement http://www.chulavistaca.qov/Cit~ServiceslAdministrative Services/Finance/B udget Analysis/documents/FY12°Io20Proposed%20Budget.pdf Important Instructions: Please submit all grant information and attachments as one .pdf file. If the file is too large to send, you may submit the map/plan as a separate .pdf attachment. Please direct any questions or concerns to Zoe Kircos, Grants Manager, zoe ,bii<esbelong.orq, 303-449-4893 x5. 9-1 1 .~,~~~ ~~ August 25, 2011 Bikes Belong Grant Committee Bikes Belong Coalition P.O. Box 2359 Bot~Ider, CO, 80306 Grants@Bikesbelang.org RE: City of Chula Vista -Application for "Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant" Dear Bikes Belong Grant Committee, The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC} is pleased to support the City of Chula Vista's application fora "Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant." As a partner organization, The SDCBC whole-heartedly understands and promotes the positive impacts that bicycling can add to a community. The proposed project would add Shared Roadway Bicycle Markings (or "sparrows") on local roads to properly indicate where bicycling is allowed. Specifically, the grant would allow the City to implement its first roadway sparrow project providing complete bike route infrasiz~icture for approximately 2 miles of roadway. Additionally, this grant would build off of the City's ctu7ent "Safe Routes to Schools" mapping project, which includes surveying existing school routes for bicycling infrastructure deficiencies, student and community outreach, and the development of a safe routes to schools bicycling map. if the proposed grant is awarded, The SDCBC will assist and serve in an advisory role during the project's final design and implementation. We will also leverage our existing outreach and communication tools to help educate the community about the vital infrastructure improvements, which enhance bicyclists' safety, as well as promote using bicycling as an alternative transportation method. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the San Diego County Bicycle Coaliton's support for the City of Chula Vista application under the Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant. Thank you for your time and consideration of this worthy project. Sincerely, Andy Hanshaw Executive Director 9-12 August 25, 2011 Bikes Belong Grant Committee Bikes Belong Coalition P.O. Box 2359 Boulder, CO, 80306 Grants @B ilcesbelong. org RE: City of Chula Vista -Application for `Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant" Dear Bikes Belong Grant Cominittec, South Bay Bicycles is pleased to support the City of Chula Vista's application for a. "Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant." As a partner organization, South Bay Bicycles whole-heartedly understands and promotes the positive impacts that bicycling can add to a community. The proposed project would add Shared Roadway Bicycle Markings (or "sharro~vs") on local roads to properly indicate where bicycling is allowed. Specifically, the grant would allow the City to implement its fll-st roadway sharrow project providing complete bike route infrastructure for approximately 2 miles of roadway. Additionally, this grant would build off of the City's current "Safe Routes to Schools" mapping project, which includes surveying existing school routes for bicycling infrastructure deficiencies, student and community outreach, and the development of a safe routes to schools bicycling map. If the proposed grant is awarded, South Bay Bicycles will volunteer its time to sel•ve in an advisory role during the project's final design and implementation. South Bay Bicycles will also leverage its existing outreach and communication tools to help educate the community about the vital infrastructure improvements, which enhance bicyclists' safety, as well as promote using bicycling as an alternative transportation method. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the South Bay Bicycles' support for the City of Chula Vista application under the Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant. Thank you for your time and consideration of this worthy project. Sincerely, Steve Band~joian Q - PJ G-.~I ~ ,. 9-13 ~®~T~ ~~~ tel9) aa~aaas 2 1201 FIIGHLAND AVE111UE NATIONAL CITY, CA 91.950 August 25, 2()l l Bikes Belong Grant Ccsmrn.ittee Bikes Belong Coalition P.O..Box 2359 Boulder, CO, SQ3(?6 Grantti v.f3ikesbelong.org RE: City of Chula Vista -- Application for "Bikes Belong Camznunity Partnership Grant" llear Bikes Belong Grant Committee, The Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the City of Chula Vista's application far a "Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grant." As a partner arganizatian, the Chula Vista Chamber of Conunerce whole-heartedly understan. ds and promotes the positive impacts that bicycling can. add to a community. The proposed project would add Shared Roadway Bicycle Markitzgs (or "sparrows"} on Iocal roads to properly indicate where bicycling is allowed. Specifically, the grant rvauld allow Ehe City to implement i:ts first roadway span-ow project providing complete bike route inCrastntc;ture Por approximately 2 miles of roadway. Additionally; this grant would build off of the City's current "Safe Routes to Schools" mapping project, which includes surveying existing school routes far bioycli.ng infrastructure deficiencies, student and eommttn.ity outreach, and the development of safe routes to schools bicycling map. If the proposed grant is awarded., the Chula Vista Chamber a:f Connnerce tivill volunteer its time to serve izt an advisory role during the project's final. design and sznplementation. The Chula Vista Cbambe.r of Connnerce ~xrll also leverage its existing outreach and communication touts to help eciueate the community about the vital infrastructure itnproveznents; Gvhich enhance bicyclists' safety, as well. as proznai:e using bicycling as an alternative transportation method. Finally, the Chula Vista Chamber of Camrnerca is an 94-year organisation that serves as the voice of over 1,00 local businesses that provides jobs, generate tax revenue, huild infrastructure, and provide services far the City of Chula Vista. Our metnbers are the key contributors to the Chula Vista's ecotiozny and have helped :foster growth of new business and commerce thought the region. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce's support for the City of Chula 1~'ista application under tlae Bikes Belong Community Partnership Gr<1nt. Thank you far your time and consideration of this worthy project. Sincerely, Lisa Cohen CEO Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce Mobile (b 19} 341-431.3 lisa(a;;clnilavistaahambet•.ore 233 F,;;Furth Ave~u~e ~ C;lfultt viS123, Cif ~3191f) Erit7.42[L66{?3 fax (I~).42C7.1269 ~•rw~~~.clzzil ~r~~ist.iclzanzha~r,a~rl; 9-14 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO BIKES BELONG COALITION'S COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS 1N CONJUNCTION WITH APPLYING FOR, OBTAINING, AND IMPLEMENTING THE GRANT WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista is committed to promoting and empowering active transportation -walking and bicycling -throughout its jurisdiction and regionally; and WHEREAS, the Bikes Belong Coalition recently introduced a new Community Partnership Grant Program to improve the bicycling environment in communities through cost- effective infrastructure improvements; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista plans to submit a $10,000 proposal to add more bicycle "sharrows" along designated Bike Routes, which help guide bicyclists to the best place to ride on the road, avoid car doors, and remind motorists to share the road with cyclists; and WHEREAS, the specific location for the new sharrows are two street segments -Fourth Avenue (C Street to H Street) and F Street (Broadway Avenue to Hilltop Drive) -and are based on the recent outcomes of the City's "Students Taking Active Routes to Schools" (STARTS) project; and WHEREAS, the new sharrows will contribute to the Bikeway Master Plan's goal to create a safe network of bicycle paths, lanes, and routes throughout the community. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby resolve as follows: That it approves the submittal of a $10,000 grant proposal to the Bikes Belong Coalition's Community Partnership Program. 2. That it authorizes the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all documents in conjunction with applying for, obtaining and, implementing the grant. Presented by Richard A. Hopkins Director of Public Works 9-15