TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents and amendments, with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, for the Beach Streets Midtown event, and accept, expend and administer grant funding, in the amount of $190,000, to partially offset costs incurred for the event; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) by $190,000, offset by grant reimbursement revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 2009, the City of Long Beach (City) announced its goal of becoming the most Bicycle Friendly City in America. Since then, bicycling and walking in the City have increased in popularity, with the number of people riding bikes nearly doubling over that period. Beach Streets, the City’s signature Open Streets event, celebrates sustainable and active transportation, local businesses, and communities in a comfortable, family-oriented environment. In addition, Beach Street events promote first and last mile connections since many people arrive at these events using public transit service, such as Long Beach Transit and Metro Blue Line.
In May 2016, staff pursued funding for Open Streets events through the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Cycle 2 Open Streets Grant Program, a pass-through from Caltrans under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) of the Federal Highway Administration. In September 2016, Metro awarded the City $190,000 for the City’s third, full scale Beach Streets event, Beach Streets Midtown. The event took place on November 12, 2016, on East Anaheim Street from Orange Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway and showcased Cambodia Town and the Zaferia District, as well as Anaheim Corridor businesses. Programs along the Beach Streets Midtown route included skate parks, free yoga classes, bike maintenance, live music, and various food vendors.
City Council approval is requested to...
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