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Home My WebLink About2008/10/14 Item 6 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT , 10/14/08, Item~ ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING THE CONSERVANCY'S 2010 CAMPAIGN TRANSPORTATION . A. DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING [[297 INTERIM CITY MA.c~AGER s:;- OF THE CITY OF RAILS- TO-TRAILS FOR ACTIVE SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: 4/STHS VOTE: YES 0 NO ~ SUMMARY The Rails-to- Trails Conservancy is working to expand a Federal pilot program to get people out of their cars and into a more active mode of transportation - walking, biking or transit. The City of Chula Vista has long promoted the idea of providing its citizens with transportation choices. Tonight's action will officially support the Campaign for Active Transportation on behalf of the City of Chula Vista to expand the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program within SAFETEA-LU in the next Federal transportation re-authorization bill. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the proposed endorsement is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines and would not result in a potentially significant physical effect on the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION Council adopt the resolution. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not applicable. DISCUSSION In 2004, Federal legislation known as SAFETEA-LU, created the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program for the construction of a network of non-motorized transportation infrastructure facilities in urban communities. The legislation's goal was to demonstrate the extent to which 6-1 " 10/14/08, Item~ Page 2 of 2 bicycling and walking can carry a significant part of the transportation load and playa major role in transportation solutions. Four communities received $25 million each to get people out of their cars and into a more active mode of transportation - walking, biking, or transit. These communities are Marin County, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sheboygan County, Wisconsin; and Columbia, Missouri. Subsequently, a national non-profit multi-modal transportation advocacy organization, known as the Rails-to- Trails Conservancy, took the lead in seeking to expand the program in the next Federal transportation re-authorization to include at least 40 communities with $50 million per community over six years to promote "active transportation" (multi-use trails and bicycle transportation facilities) for mobility. The City of Chula Vista has a rich history of promoting alternative transportation choices. The City has partnered with HEAC (Healthy Eating and Active Communities) and Walk San Diego to identifY areas in need of improvement. The 2005 General Plan contains multiple policies, objectives and goals in this regard. The Otay Ranch General Development Plan approved by Council on October 28, 1993, the 2005 Bikeway Master Plan, and the currently under development Pedestrian Master Plan all outline policy to provide these transportation choices for the community. To this end three pedestrian bridges and miles of multi-use trails, bike lanes and paths have been constructed. The Campaign for Active Transportation would help provide additional funding for facilities such as the Bayshore Bikeway, the Otay Valley Regional Park, Greenbelt Trails, and other pedestrian and bicycle facilities needed by the community. Today's action will place the City of Chula Vista among those officially supporting the Campaign for Active Transportation. We would be joining the County of San Diego, City of San Diego. and SANDAG in support of Federal funding for "active transportation" for District I which includes Chula Vista. This action will also trigger the need to amend the City's Adopted Legislative Program which will come before the Council November 18 for comment and adoption. Appropriate language reflecting today's Council action will be included in the Legislative Program for Council approval. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. FISCAL IMP ACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. A TT ACHMENTS None. Prepared by: Rick Hopkins, Director of Engineering 'v!. "EngineerIAGENDA \CAS2008', IO-14-08\Rails 10 trails. doc 6-2 RESOLUTION NO. 2008- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING THE RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY'S 2010 CAMPAIGN FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, in 2004, Federal legislation knmvn as SAFETEA-LU, created the Non- motorized Transportation Pilot Program (the "Program") for the construction of a network of non-motorized transportation infrastructure facilities in urban communities; and WHEREAS, the legislation's goal is to demonstrate the extent to which bicycling and walking can carry a significant part of the transportation load and play a major role in transportation solutions; and WHEREAS, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a national non-profit multi-modal transportation advocacy organization, took the lead in seeking to expand the Program in the next Federal transportation re-authorization to include at least forty communities with $50 million per community over six years to promote multi-use trails and bicycle transportation facilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista has a rich history of promoting alternative transportation choices; and WHEREAS, staff wishes to join the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego and the San Diego Association of Governments ("SANDAG") in working with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to launch a campaign, called the 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation, to seek federal dollars to promote multi-use trails and bicycle transportation facilities; and WHEREAS, the Campaign for Active Transportation would help provide additional funding for facilities such as the Bayshore Bikeway, the Otay Valley Regional Park, the Greenbelt Trails, and other pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities needed by the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City ofChula Vista that it supports the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation. Presented by: Approved as to form by: Richard A. Hopkins Director of Engineering , , r,--""I/ ( ..~?tA. . ( Bart Miesfeld " Interim City Attorney ,1 (I "6 .,'/v/~~'" :J "'1-:\.....- H:\E:\GIN EER\RESOS\Resos2008\ I 0-14-08\Rails to trails reso reYis~ .!::v3c.doc