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Home My WebLink About2007/04/24 Item 3 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT 4/24/2007, Item2 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE COMMITMENT OF MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE AVAILABLE BALANCE OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FUND SHOULD A GRANT BE AWARDED FROM THE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AT MAJOR INTERSECTIONS. CITY ENGINEER ~ / INTERIM CITY MANAGER ';/ SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: 4/5THS VOTE: YES D NO 0 BACKGROUND As part of a citywide assessment program, "Major Intersection Safety Program," thirty-one (31) street intersections have been identified for potential enhancements, As included in the March 27, 2007 citywide grant list report, an application for grant funding in the amount of $900,000 from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) was submitted to fund a project that will enhance safety (pedestrian, bicyclist and vehicular) and/or traffic flow at those intersections, Tonight's action fulfills a grant requirement for certification of a commitment of $100,000 in matching funds, which is available in the City's Traffic Signal Fund, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class I categorical exemption pursuant to Section 153301 (Existing Facility) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it involves installation and/or upgrading of various traffic improvements (traffic signals, pavement markings, cross walk lights, traffic calming devices, etc,) within existing streets, Thus, no further environmental review is necessary, RECOMMENDATION That Council adopt the Resolution certifying the commitment of matching funds from the available balance of the Traffic Signal Fund should a grant be awarded by the highway safety improvement program to enhance traffic signal and pedestrian facilities at major intersections, BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A 3-1 4/24/07, Item 3 Page 2 of 5 DISCUSSION The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a new Department of Transportation grant program in 2007 (essentially replacing the Hazard Elimination Safety Grant Program). HSIP is funded with Federal funds from the recently signed Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The HSIP grant program was created to support safety improvements to local streets, roads, and pedestrian/bicycle facilities. During FY2006-07, City traffic engineers conducted Phase I of a Major Intersection Safety Review Study of over 6,600 intersections (265 signalized, 6,402 non-signalized) located within the City of Chula Vista. Using grant-funded accident tracking software in addition to Police Department traffic data and other data collected by the Engineering Department, staff evaluated intersections including the following: . Intersection volume and geometry . Approach speeds . Turning patterns . Collision history and accident analysis . Public input . Missing equipment and needed upgrades Intersections were then prioritized considering these criteria and field investigations were performed by Engineering and Police Department staff on the 31 signalized intersections of highest priority. Recommendations for potential enhancements for both motorist and pedestrian safety were developed. Potential technological enhancements to existing facilities were also identified. These thirty-one intersections are listed by location (no priority should be inferred) in Attachment I, and include nine Northwest Chula Vista intersections, eight Southwest intersections, and fourteen intersections in the Eastern territories. Proposed Project: Phase 2 of the Major Intersection Safety Program involves making physical improvements to upgrade the 31 critical intersections. All proposed improvements are within existing, developed portions of City right-of-way. Improvements will include new traffic signs, traffic signal upgrades, and pavement markings. The project will also make improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians such as setback limit lines, enhanced pedestrian crosswalk pushbuttons and indicators, video detection equipment able to detect all bicyclists (unlike existing loop detection systems), and hardwired in-pavement crosswalk lights at two non-signalized locations. In conjunction with the signal work, the City will implement important traffic calming techniques such as radar speed signs, and continue researching, and potentially implementing (with Council approval), a red light running detection system (cameras) at certain intersections with a history of red light running. The grant would also support the work required to update traffic signal engineering plans for each signalized intersection in the City. 3-2 4/24/07, Item 3 Page 3 of 5 The grant would also allow continuation of the public safety education campaign launched last fall with the popular "Stop on Red" theme, including street side banners, pamphlets, bumper stickers and a targeted enforcement campaign. Not all of the named improvements will be made at every intersection as each intersection has its own unique needs. Individual intersection assessments were made allowing engineers to make specific recommendations tailored to each intersection. It is important to note that many of the scheduled improvements are at school intersections or on school routes or at other intersections where there is heavy shared use by drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles - particularly during peak hours. The many proposed improvements at these key intersections are designed to improve driver awareness, reduce accidents and promote pedestrian and driver safety. Project Costs: The total estimated costs to upgrade the traffic signal systems, improve bicycling and pedestrian facilities, and implement other planned enhancement at 31 intersections are approximately $1,000,000 (see Attachment 2). A grant application for $900,000 (the maximum available under this grant program) was submitted to the HSIP to help meet those expenses. The HSIP program requires the commitment of a minimum 10% City match of total project costs. Staff therefore recommends matching funds in the amount of $100,000 from the available balance of the Traffic Signal Fee Fund. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found a conflict exists, in that Council members Rindone and McCann have property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the properties which are the subject of this action. FISCAL IMP ACT As noted above, the HSIP grant was included in the March 27, 2007 grant opportunities list by the City Grants Development Manager and an application was filed to meet the submission deadline of April 13, 2007. There is no impact to the General Fund from this action. If the grant is awarded, staff will return to Council with a recommendation to accept the grant funds, add the new project to the FY2007/08 Capital Improvement Program, and appropriate the grant funds and the match. ATTACHMENTS 1. City of Chula Vista Intersections Identified for Improvements 2. Project Cost Estimate Prepared by: Catherine Burciaga/Jim Newton, Grants Development Manager/Senior Civil Engineer, Engineering Department 3-3 4/24/07, Item ::3 Page 4 of 5 Attachment 1 City of Chula Vista Intersections Identified for Priority Improvements Major Intersection Safety Review Study, FY2006-07 1. Bonita Road & Bonita Glen Drive 2. Broadway & E Street 3. Broadway & H Street 4. Broadway & I Street 5. Broadway & J Street 6. Broadway & L Street 7. Broadway & Moss Street 8. Broadway & Naples Street 9. Broadway & Oxford Street 10. Broadway & Palomar Street II. Palomar Street & Industrial Boulevard 12. Third Avenue & L Street 13. Third Avenue & Orange Avenue 14. Fourth Avenue & E Street 15. Fourth Avenue & I Street 16. H Street & Fifth Avenue 17. H Street & Third Avenue 18. H Street & Hilltop Drive 19. East H Street & Hidden Vista Drive 20. East H Street & Del Rey Boulevard 21. East H Street & Paseo Del Rey 22. East H Street & Tierra Del Rey 23. East H Street & Paseo Ranchero 24. East H Street & Otay Lakes Road 25. Otay Lakes Road & Gotham Street 26. Telegraph Canyon Road/Otay Lakes Road & La Media Road 27. Otay Lakes Road & Eastlake Parkway 28. Telegraph Canyon Road & Paseo Ranchero/Heritage Road 29. Olympic Parkway & La Media Road 30. Main Street & Melrose Avenue 31. Medical Center Drive & Medical Center Court Prepared by: Traffic Engineering Division, City of Chu/a Vista, FY 2006-07 3-4 4/24/07, Item 3 Page 5 of5 Attachment 2 City ofChula Vista Major Intersection Safety Project Project Cost Estimate Proposed Costs Amount Preliminary Engineering Environmental 0 Plans, Specs, Estimates (PS&E) $ 50,000 Right of Way Engineering 0 Acquisition 0 Construction Construction Engineering $ 30,000 Construction $ 830,000 Subtotal $ 910,000 Contingency (10%) $ 90,000 TOTAL PROJECT COST $ 1,000,000 Proposed Project Funding Federal Funds (HSIP Grant) $ 900,000 City Match (Traffic Signal Fees) $ 100,000 TOTAL FUNDING $ 1,000,000 Prepared by: Patrick Moneda, Traffic Engineering Division, City of Chu/a Vista, 3/15/07 3-5 RESOLUTION NO. 2007- RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE COMMITMENT OF MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE A V AILABLE BALANCE OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FUND SHOULD A GRANT BE AWARDED FROM THE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AT MAJOR INTERSECTIONS. WHEREAS, City staff has completed a citywide assessment of all street intersections within its jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, thirty-one (31) street intersections have been identified for potential enhancements; and WHEREAS, the identified improvements and enhancements to these thirty-one (31) street intersections. the "Major Intersection Safety Program", will improve pedestrian, bicyclist, and vehicular safety and/or traffic flow at these intersections; and WHEREAS, the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a new Department of Transpol1ation grant program administered by CalTrans which essentially replaces the Hazard Elimination Safety Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the HSIP grant was included in the March 27, 2007 grant opportunities list by the City Grants Development Manager; and WH EREAS, the estimated costs for the Major Intersection Safety Program can be met through a combination of HSIP grant funds and local matching funds; and WHEREAS, in order to be eligible for an HSIP grant, the City Council 11lust certify that matching funds are available within the fund balance of the Traffic Signal Fund that can be committed for the Major Intersection Safety Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City ofChula Vista that it ceI1ifies the commitment of matching funds from the available balance of the Traffic Signal Fund should a grant be awarded from the Highway Safety Improvement Program to enhance traffic signal and pedestrian facilities at Im~or intersections. Presented by Approved as to form by Scott Tulloch City Engineer i~U~ Ann Moore City Attomey 3-6 Resolution 2007- Page 2 PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, Calitornia, this 24th day of April 2007, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers: NAYS: Councilmembers: ABSENT: Councilmembers: Cheryl Cox, Mayor ATTEST: Susan Bigelow, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CITY OF CHULA VISTA L Susan Bigelow, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2007- was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 24th day of April 2007. Executed this 24th day of April 2007. Susan Bigelow, City Clerk H :\ENG1NEER\RESOS\Resos2()()7\04-24-0ToRESO.HSIP.041 ()O? revised by ec.doc 3-7