TITLE
Resolution adopting the City of Long Beach Traffic Mitigation Program (TMP) Twelfth Annual Report; amending the Traffic Mitigation Program to add recommended changes to the City's Transportation Improvement Plan and making findings relative thereto in accordance with Long Beach Municipal Code Sections 18.17.170, 18.19.180 and Government Code Sections 66001 and 66006. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The attached Twelfth Annual Traffic Mitigation Program Report (Exhibit A to the resolution) summarizes the status of implementation of the citywide Traffic Mitigation Program (TMP), and provides detailed information on development, capital improvement, and financial activity related to the program. This report covers the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003.
The TMP is the City's program for implementing the transportation improvements needed to meet increased traffic resulting from economic growth using a combination of public funds, such as gas tax and federal grants, and impact fees from new development. The TMP was designed as the mechanism by which the City could implement its basic access strategy to support economic growth, while protecting neighborhoods and maintaining mobility.
The attached report describes program implementation during the reporting period of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003. This report is provided in accordance with Traffic Mitigation Program Ordinance No. C-6836 (as amended by Ordinance No C-6848), adopted on December 18, 1990, and Airport Area Assessment District Ordinance No. C-6776, adopted August 28, 1990, as well as Long Beach Municipal Code Chapters 18.17 and 18.19 and California Government Code Sections 66001 and 66006.
During the reporting period, the City issued permits for 876 residential units, 160,072 gross square feet of industrial development, and 633,290 gross square feet of commercial development, which will generate an estimated 2,174 afternoon peak hour trips each weekday.
A total of $1.5 million in transportation improvement fund fees was collected in FY2003, and $3.8 million was spent, reducing the fund balance to $14.7 million. From 2001 through 2003, the annual expenditure ofTMP funds has averaged $4.5 million. Assuming revenues remain constant at $1.5 million and expenditures continue this trend, the TMP fund could reach a negative balance in 2009, which supports the need to update the program. The existing Traffic Mitigation Program is largely based upon improvements identified in the Transportation Element of the General Plan, which was adopted in 1991. However, the City has begun the process to update the Transportation Element, renamed the Mobility Element, in conjunction with the update of the Land Use Element. It will identify and reprioritize transportation improvements needed to address the traffic capacity needs of more recent developments and proposed land uses that did not exist or were not anticipated over a decade ago. The Mobility Element will be completed in 2005, and will provide the foundation for the update of the Traffic Mitigation Program, including a project list and projected costs of capacity improvements citywide through 2025. The update will include revenue projections and the strategic use of TIF funds and other eligible transportation funding from local, regional, state and federal sources.
All Years TIF Revenues and Expenditures Actual (2000 - 2003) and Projected
(See document attachment to view chart)
During this reporting period, numerous traffic mitigation projects were completed or nearing completion. These ranged from traffic operational improvements to right-of-way acquisition. Notable accomplishments included:
• The widening of Spring Street between Long Beach Boulevard and California Avenue.
• Installation of enhanced landscaping on Lakewood Boulevard from Willow Street to Carson Street, to complete the $14 million street improvement project.
• The widening of Alamitos Street and other traffic improvements between Ocean Boulevard and 7th Street.
• The realignment of Alamitos Avenue at Orange Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.
Given the update that is currently underway, only one program is recommended to be added to the TMP at this time:
Capacity Enhancing Intersection Improvements
Aging traffic signal systems and increased traffic demand throughout the City can result in diminished operations and negatively impact traffic flow through heavily used intersections throughout the City. The following intersections have been identified to be upgraded to enhance capacity and improve the flow of traffic at critical locations: .
• Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway: Addition of a northbound right turn lane and signal upgrades.
• Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue: Left turn phasing and capacity enhancing improvements to address increased traffic congestion.
• Wardlow Road and Orange Avenue: Left turn pockets and signal modernization.
• 21st Street and Santa Fe Avenue: New traffic signal and additional turn pockets.
• Orange Avenue and 28th Street: New traffic signal and eligible capacity enhancing improvements related to the development of the Long Beach Sports Park.
Assistant City Attorney Michael Mais reviewed this letter and attached report and prepared the resolution on April 22, 2004. Budget Manager Michael Killebrew reviewed the letter on March 16,2004.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended action would have no fiscal impact, since it would not change TMP revenues or expenditures. These revenues and expenditures are allocated through the City's annual budget process.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
Adopt the attached resolution approving the Traffic Mitigation Program Twelfth Annual Report (Fiscal Year 2002-2003) and making findings relative thereto, and amend the Traffic Mitigation Program to add the identified project.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Adopt resolution for the TMP Annual Report FY 2002-2003.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ADOPTING THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TRAFFIC MITIGATION PROGRAM (TMP) TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT; AMENDING THE TRAFFIC MITIGATION PROGRAM TO ADD RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE CITY'S TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND MAKING FINDINGS RELATIVE THERETO IN ACCORDANCE WITH LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 18.17.170, 18.19.180 AND GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 66001 AND 66006
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTINE ANDERSEN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS