TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents including any subsequent amendments, including any amendment to the award amount, with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), to accept a grant for access to professional planning services to study curb space management. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) was awarded a grant through the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for the 2020 Sustainable Communities Program - Smart Cities & Mobility Innovations Award (SCMI). SCAG will manage the grant and provide a consultant who will study curb space management in Long Beach and two additional cities. The award amount for the study, which will be shared across other participating cities, will be determined after a scoping and procurement process is completed. City staff anticipates an allocation to the City for the curbside study in an amount of approximately $300,000.
In 2013 the City adopted a new Mobility Element containing strategies to address climate change, leveraging technological innovations, and redefined the modern street as a “Public Room," providing the opportunity to enrich the streetscape by diversifying outdoor public spaces. As demand increases for curb space in our "Public Rooms," competition will inevitably increase among the evolving list of users (delivery vehicles, motor vehicles, transportation network companies, e-scooters, bicycles, transit, and pedestrians). To better prepare to manage curbside challenges, the City needs to establish a strategy for curb space usage based on a consistent vision and public policy that standardizes curb space governance for diverse user groups with competing demands.
This study will provide staff with a clearer understanding of current curb space demand, best practices for ensuring equitable curb space allocation for competing needs (mobility, pedestrians, commerce, activation), review of existing curb policies, and curb space management recommendations. Stakeholder feedback and outreach efforts will guide study goals and recommendations. City staff will attend meetings, assist in the consultant selection process, review consultant products and deliverables, and provide input and feedback upon request to ensure the project advances in a timely manner toward completion.
Zoning and land use designations (commercial, residential, mixed-use, planned developments) will determine the study area to ensure land use type variety and advance environmental justice by focusing on communities disproportionately impacted by environmental factors and climate change.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Erin Weesner-McKinley on March 2, 2022 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on March 7, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
This grant seeks to further the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) vision to create a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable city to improve quality of life and enhance economic vitality for residents. The study will support greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions by promoting sustainable mobility and active transportation and providing policy recommendations for curb space demand management.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 22, 2022, to allow for agreement execution and ensure the timely completion of the study by June 30, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT
This action will allow the City to access consultant services to study curb space management. The award amount for the study, which would be shared across other participating cities, will be determined after a scoping and procurement process is completed. Staff anticipates an allocation to the City for the curbside study in an amount of roughly $300,000. SCAG will retain the grant funds and administer the effort, as well as pay the contract with the consultant who will study curb space management directly. This action will allow the City to access consultant services funded by SCAG and the grant has no match requirement. The awarded grant will only require the City to provide staff support to attend meetings, assist in the consultant selection process, review consultant products and deliverables, and provide input and feedback upon request to ensure the project advances in a timely manner toward completion. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER