TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $8,750,000, offset by Los Angles County Metropolitan Transportation (Metro) MM5509.05 grant funds for the Studebaker - Loynes Complete Streets Project, and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $12,250,000, offset by transfer of Metro MM5509.05 grant funds and by $3,500,000 to be made available through the Measure A Bond Program in Fiscal Year 2023.
(Districts 3,4,5)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group for the Studebaker - Loynes Complete Streets Project (Project) per Agreement 36096 (Agreement) between the City of Long Beach (City) and Los Angles County Metropolitan Transportation (Metro) and Measure A Bond Program funds. On January 20, 2015, the City Council adopted Resolution (No. RES- 14.15-0057) authorizing the City to enter into all agreements required by MTA for County funds that flow to cities to support transportation projects.
The grant agreement was executed October 21, 2021. The grant includes reimbursement of costs for preliminary design and for development of specifications and estimates, and requires a one-to-one match. The design is currently underway and the appropriation is needed to use the grant funds as intended.
Complete Streets Assessment
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1358 (the California Complete Streets Act), and as part of the implementation of the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan, the City’s practice is to conduct a complete streets assessment for roadway construction projects. The Project site is located in East Long Beach and zoned for park spaces, residential, and community-serving commercial. The Project will generally consist of complete street improvements including Class I/IV bikeways and other new bike/pedestrian facilities, bulb-outs, wayfinding signage, crosswalk, and transit stop enhancements, construction and reconstruction of curb ramps for ADA compliance, new and upgraded decorative lighting, flashing beacons, landscaping, and street trees, removing and relocating obstructions and utilities, and street furniture. This infrastructure encourages the use of multi-modes of transportation by motorists, bicyclists, public transit passengers, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Staff will return to the City Council as additional project funding is served to recommend award of a construction contract and implementation of the other requirements of the grant.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Vanessa S. Ibarra and Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on November 16, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
The project will improve overall mobility and safety along the five-mile corridor for East Long Beach, providing residents with more recreational and health benefits achieved by walking or cycling. The project will also allow for residents to use bicycles as an alternate mode of transportation, resulting in less vehicle usage and a reduction of air pollution harmful to the environment. Center medians will be upgraded with new landscaping native to the adjacent Los Cerritos wetlands.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to increase appropriations is requested on December 6, 2022, to ensure the funding is in place to complete the design and bid the Project expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total project cost, inclusive of design, construction, construction management, labor compliance, inspection, and project overseight is estimated at $18,571,279. The Agreement requires a one-to-one local match. The project and required match is currently appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department with additional funds allocated as contingency, and consists of $2,348,279 of Measure M Local Return; $4,100,000 of Measure R Local Return; and $1,023,000 of Proposition C funds. In addition, $8,750,000 of Metro MM5509.05 grant funds and $3,500,000 from the Measure A bond program, will support the project which is being requested to be appropriated in this letter.
The environmental and design phase of the project is estimated at $2,170,000 and is currently underway with Michael Baker International to deliver this phase. The one-to-one grant match for the design is $1,085,000 with Measure M funds.
An appropriation increase in the amount of $21,000,000 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. The grant agreement provides funds for design, construction, and construction support efforts, and staff is recommending appropriation of the entire grant amount. Of this amount, $3,500,000 will be made available from the Fiscal Year 2023 Measure A bond program, $8,750,000 will be offset with reimbursement revenues received from Metro and the remaining $8,750,000 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of grant funds from the Capital Grant Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group.
The Public Works Department - Public Services Bureau will be responsible for ongoing landscape maintenance including irrigation, landscaping, and debris management as part of their general operations. Operations and maintenance costs will be absorbed into the Public Service Bureau’s existing operating budget. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The number of additional local jobs created by this project will not be known until the contractors have completed their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
LINDA TATUM
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER