TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $225,000, offset by grant funds from the California Department of Transportation Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $225,000, offset by transfer of grant funds from the California Department of Transportation Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program from the Capital Grant Fund; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $543,000, offset by grant funds from the California Department of Transportation Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department and in Health Grants Fund Group in Health and Human Services Department for the environmental and non-infrastructure phases of the Downtown Walkable Corners Project (Project).
On May 31, 2016, the City Manager executed a Master Agreement with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under the authority of Resolution No. RES-07-0097, formalizing the terms and conditions of the administration of federal-aid projects. The Agreement specified each agency’s role regarding the funding.
On March 24, 2021, the California Transportation Commission awarded the City of Long Beach (City) grant funding for the Project, which will include pedestrian improvements throughout Downtown Long Beach to improve walkability through the installation of pedestrian refuge islands and curb extensions. The project limits are from Magnolia Avenue to the west, Ocean Boulevard to the south, 7th Street to the north, and Alamitos Avenue to the east. It will include the installation of 171 concrete curb extensions and 19 pedestrian refuges with green infrastructure elements at selected intersections.
The grant from the Caltrans Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program will fund 90 percent of the total cost of the Downtown Walkable Corners Project. The remaining 10 percent will be matched by the City. The grant includes funding in phases for the environmental review, design, construction, and a non-infrastructure phase of the project. The recommendation is for the first two phases of the project. The environmental review phase will be led by the Public Works Department.
The non-infrastructure phase of the project will fund a program led by the Health and Human Services Department that will include pedestrian safety education, targeted messaging, and interactive activities that model desired safety behaviors.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Erin Weesner-McKinley on April 7, 2022 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on April 11, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
The project proposes to improve the walkability of Downtown Long Beach through a series of 190 pedestrian refuge islands and bulb outs. The Project will also provide additional concrete separation for bicyclists using the parking-protected bike lane couplet on Broadway and Third Street. Additionally, existing angled parking along many of Downtown’s minor streets create an opportunity to build especially large curb extensions complete with bioswales and landscaping. Downtown will be more accessible by walking, better connecting recreational, employment, and retail opportunities, and reducing the City’s dependence on motor vehicles for local trips.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 3, 2022, to ensure timely completion of the Project in accordance with the Project schedule and the Active Transportation Program expenditure timelines.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the Project is currently estimated at $8,771,000 which includes environmental review, a non-infrastructure phase, design, construction, construction management, inspection, labor compliance, and project oversight. The City will receive $7,893,000 of grant funds from the Caltrans Cycle 5 Active Transportation program in multiple phases. The grant from the Caltrans Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program has a 10 percent match of the total cost of the Downtown Walkable Corners Project. The cost for the first two phases is $867,502, which include environmental review and the non-infrastructure phases of the project and is supported by $768,000 from the Caltrans Cycle 5 Active Transportation grant program, and the 10 percent match will be supported by $70,350 from the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Service Department and $29,152 of Measure M metro funds which is appropriated in Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Public Works will return to Council at a later date for approval of additional grant funding appropriation for the next phases and when match funds have been identified.
An appropriation increase in the amount of $450,000 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Of this amount $225,000 will be offset with Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program reimbursement grant revenue received from Caltrans. The remaining $225,000 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of the grant funds from the Capital Grant Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group.
An increase of appropriations in the Health Fund Group in Health and Human Services Department is also requested in the amount of $543,000, offset by Cycle 5 Active Transportation Program reimbursement grant revenue received from Caltrans.
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
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER