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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-12 Staff Report - MSRC Active Transp Grant ExtensionCONSENT ITEM E-12 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: DON PENMAN, INTERIM CITY MANAGER FROM: DANIEL BOBADILLA, P.E., DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER DATE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 SUBJECT: ACCEPT EXTENSION OF MSRC GRANT COMPLETION DEADLINE FROM THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, ALOSTA AVENUE, AND ROCKVALE AVENUE SUMMARY: On June 6, 2016, the City Council accepted a MSRC (Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee) grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for improvements at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard, Alosta Avenue, and Rockvale Avenue. MSRC is a matching grant in the amount of $474,925 to address infrastructure barriers which prevent that particular intersection from being pedestrian friendly. The original timeline of the grant required certain milestones to be achieved and that the overall project be completed within 31 months or by April of 2019. Due to design issues, Staff requested additional time from SCAQMD to explore alternate design options and was granted an additional year to complete the project. The proposed action accepts the grant extension which will allow Staff to reset milestones. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following action: 1) Accept extension of MSRC grant completion deadline from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. DISCUSSION: The intersection of Foothill Boulevard, Alosta Avenue, and Rockvale Avenue is not pedestrian friendly due to infrastructure barriers. These connectivity barriers prevent students and residents from walking and biking through this particular area. In addition, the area has several sidewalk gaps that force pedestrians onto streets to continue their journey. Furthermore, there is no crosswalk at the intersection APPROVED COUNCIL MEETING 9/18/2017 Accept Extension of MSRC Grant Deadline September 18, 2017 Page 2 of Foothill Boulevard and Alosta Avenue, which is the corridor between the schools on the north and the residential area on the south, causing several pedestrians to jaywalk across a road with high traffic volumes. Staff applied for and was awarded a grant through the SCAQMD’s Clean Transportation Local Government Match Program. The grant in the amount of $474,925, requires a local fund match of dollar for dollar. It will fund the following improvements:  Sidewalk gap closures at four locations  Realignment and enhancement of the intersection of Foothill Boulevard, Alosta Avenue, and Rockvale Avenue During the street layout design process, the City’s consulting firm, RKA Consulting Group encountered some design issues. Specifically, RKA identified the need to relocate utilities. The relocation of utilities would increase the cost of this project significantly and therefore, the City and RKA are exploring alternatives that are more affordable and which also meet the demands of the City. This project remains a top priority for the City due to the expected improvement in pedestrian accessibility and driving safety this project would provide the community. However, as a result of these design concerns, the City has been unable to comply with the current project schedule, as outlined in the original grant submission and has requested a one-year extension. SCAQMD has approved the one year extension. Staff anticipates that it will take up to six months to reach a decision on the appropriate street design and up to one year to complete the design. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Nikki Rosales Daniel Bobadilla, P.E. Senior Management Analyst Director of Public Works/City Engineer Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved: Louie F. Lacasella Don Penman Senior Management Analyst Interim City Manager Attachment: 1) Modification to Contract