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Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to extend the Open Streets Initiative program including outdoor dining through parklet and outdoor activity permits, in compliance with applicable Safer at Home Health Order for Control of COVID-19 (Health Order); and, extend the intermittent closure of certain non-arterial, neighborhood streets as identified, to through vehicular traffic, beginning January 1, 2021 and assess and extend quarterly as need and funding allows, through any point of the Health Order;
Authorize City Traffic Engineer to review and adjust identified neighborhood street boundaries and closure hours, as necessary, for the purpose of increasing outdoor activities, and strengthening economic recovery, while maintaining appropriate physical distancing and adherence to the current Health Order, beginning January 1, 2021 and assess and extend quarterly as need and funding allows, through any point of the Health Order; and
Adopt resolution authorizing the temporary closure of Pine Avenue from First to Fifth Street, to through vehicular traffic for increased outdoor activities and a stronger economic recovery, beginning January 1, 2021 and assess and extend quarterly as need and funding allows, through any point of the Health Order. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On May 19, 2020, the City Council requested the City Manager to create an Open Streets Initiative and explore ways to open more public space throughout Long Beach to allow for increased outdoor activities and stronger economic recovery, while maintaining appropriate physical distancing, in accordance with the current Health Order.
On June 16, 2020, to support COVID-19 recovery for businesses and residents, the City Council approved an Open Streets Initiative to temporarily transform public areas into safe spaces for physically-distanced activity. Partnering with the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA), a full temporary street closure of sections of Pine Avenue was included in the Open Streets Initiative.
On August 18, 2020, under emergency COVID-19 guidelines, City Council approved the temporary closure of Pine Avenue, from First to Third Streets (Phase I), which began effective August 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. through October 31, 2020, or until the Health Order changes, whichever comes first. On September 15, 2020, the City Council voted to expand and extend the temporary closure of Pine Avenue until at least the end of 2020.
On October 6, 2020, to support economic recovery, the City Council approved the temporary closure of Pine Avenue from Fourth to Fifth Streets (Phase II), which began September 25, 2020 through December 31, 2020, or until the Health Order changes, whichever comes first.
The extension of the Open Streets Initiative’s parklet and outdoor activity permit program, neighborhood and non-arterial street intermittent closures (Attachment A), and closure of Pine Avenue from First to Fifth Streets (Attachment B) will continue to allow for increased outdoor activities and operations for residents and businesses, respectively; provide safer access to public transit, and support economic recovery while maintaining appropriate physical distance and adherence to the current Health Order through the repurposing of the public right-of-way (ROW), and open public and private property such as parking lots.
By authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to review the program timeline on a quarterly basis beginning January 1, 2021, the Open Streets Initiative’s parklet and outdoor activity permit, intermittent neighborhood and non-arterial street closures, and closure of Pine Avenue between First and Fifth Streets, City staff can continue to provide the necessary resources for residents and businesses according to the variable and unknown pandemic activity, in compliance with the prevailing Health Order, and according to available budget resources.
The City of Long Beach (City) has issued Health Orders restricting activities of the community as a means of slowing the spread of COVID-19. The Health Orders are in alignment with the efforts in the region, including Los Angeles County Public Health, the City of Los Angeles, and Pasadena Public Health, as well as the statewide orders issued by Governor Newsom.
The Departments of Public Works, Fire, Police, Financial Management, Development Services, Health and Humans Services, and the City Attorney have reviewed and coordinated various components of the Open Streets Initiative including the outdoor dining parklet and outdoor activity permit, neighborhood and non-arterial street intermittent closures, and the Pine Avenue closure. Updated guidelines for parklet and outdoor activity permits were issued on November 5, 2020, and address alcohol requirements, insurance standards, occupancy design conditions, and ADA compliance.
The matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber and Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on December 3, 2020.
SUSTAINABILITY
Neighborhood street closures focus on sustainability, efficiency, and alternative transportation modalities, which are intended to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions while also prioritizing and promoting healthy living opportunities.
EQUITY
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit into this recommendation as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. Creating an Open Streets Initiative and exploring ways to open more public space citywide, particularly in open space and park deficient areas, allows for increased outdoor activities and a stronger economic recovery, while maintaining appropriate physical distancing in accordance with the current Health Order.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 15, 2020, to ensure program extension beyond the current December 31, 2021 expiration date.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total costs associated with the requested recommendation are currently unknown and will be offset with the Open Streets grant from Metro, CARES Act funding allocation, and the Public Works Department General Fund operating budget, as available and necessary. To date, $732,000 has been budgeted for the Open Streets Initiative in the Public Works Department, including $432,000 from the Open Streets grant from Metro, which was adopted by the City Council on March 17, 2020 and $300,000 in CARES Act funding provided by the State and approved by the City Council on July 14, 2020. The CARES Act funding must be utilized by December 30, 2020. The Public Works Department estimates $60,434 in Open Streets Initiative grant funding for future parklet requests beginning on January 1, 2021. Any remaining costs after exhaustion of Open Streets grant funds and CARES Act funds will be absorbed by the Public Works Department General Fund operating budget, thus no additional appropriation is necessary. This request is anticipated to have a minimal impact on staff hours 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.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER