Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council
Regular Meeting of November 28, 2023
Title
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF $147,148
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS
TO CONSTRUCT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
COMPLIANT SIDEWALK PANELS AND CURB RAMPS
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allocating and authorizing the use of $147,148 of funds to construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk panels and curb ramps (Attachment 1); and
2. Approve an appropriation of $13,831 from the CDBG funds to CIP 624-CDBG Improvements.
Body
Executive Summary:
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and requires City Council approval to receive and allocate available funds for construction projects. Approval of the resolution approving the FY 2023-24 CDBG program would allow the City to receive and allocate $147,148 in funds to CIP 624-CDBG Improvements to construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk panels and curb ramps along Valley Drive, 2nd Street, and Monterey Boulevard (Attachment 2). This project is part of the City’s overall effort to increase accessibility for the public.
Background:
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The primary objective of Title I is to develop viable urban communities by providing housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
The CDBG program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), offers communities opportunities to compete nationally for funds to implement program activities that best meet the needs of their communities, in accordance with the national objectives and requirements of the CDBG program.
The City of Hermosa Beach is a participating city in the County of Los Angeles Community Development Block Grant Program. The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) administers CDBG funding on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, for the County and 48 participating cities.
The CDBG program has three primary objectives:
1. Benefit those with low and moderate income;
2. Aid in preventing neighborhood deterioration; and
3. Meet other urgent community development needs due to natural disasters or other emergencies.
Use of CDBG funds is limited to certain types of construction projects in Hermosa Beach and requires pre-approval by LACDA. CDBG funds cannot be used for paving but may be used for sidewalk and ADA curb ramps. The City receives approximately $60,000 to $100,000 each year through the program, typically accumulating funds for two to three years, while observing grant spending deadlines, until there is a sufficient amount available to advertise a larger project to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness for construction.
Past Council Actions
|
Meeting Date |
Description |
|
January 8, 2019 |
Approve and allocate CDBG funds for construction of sidewalk curb ramps. |
|
March 10, 2020 |
Approve and allocate CDBG funds for construction of sidewalk curb ramps along Prospect Ave |
|
January 11, 2022 |
Approve and allocate CDBG funds for construction of sidewalk improvements along Longfellow Ave. |
Discussion:
LACDA requires City Council approval for the City to receive and use available CDBG funds for construction projects. LACDA estimated the City’s FY 2023-24 allocation as approximately $147,148. If approved, these funds would be used for construction, and related services including, but not limited to, construction management and inspections.
Staff intends to utilize the funds to construct improvements to address high priority sidewalk panels and curb ramps including Valley Drive, from Herondo Street to 18th Street; 2nd Street, from Valley Drive to Monterey Boulevard; and Monterey Boulevard, from Herondo Street to Pier Avenue.
However, these funds are likely insufficient to cover all necessary improvements on these roadway segments and would be directed towards the locations with greatest need. Improvements include reconstruction of sidewalks to address barriers to accessibility such as trip hazards and areas that are too steep, deteriorated, or narrow. This project would further the goal of providing a safer and accessible path of travel for pedestrians within the right-of-way to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the latest Federal standards. These areas of sidewalk and curb ramps are part of the City’s Safe Routes to School program and would benefit disabled youth as well.
This project is still in the early stages of planning. As the design progresses, the proposed areas of sidewalk and curb ramp improvements may be refined to target areas in most need of improvements.
Staff recommends approval of the resolution approving the FY 2023-24 CDBG program to allow the City to receive and allocate $147,148 in funds to CIP 624, CDBG Improvements, to construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk panels and curb ramps.
ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Consistency
The recommended action is consistent with the goals of the Council Approved 2022 ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan as it directly works to advance the construction of improvements that remove physical barriers and facilitate access for all individuals.
General Plan Consistency:
This report and associated recommendation have been evaluated for their consistency with the City’s General Plan. Relevant Policies are listed below:
Mobility Element
Goal 2. A public realm that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel via foot, bicycle, public transit, and automobile and creates vibrant, people oriented public spaces that encourage active living.
Policies:
• 2.1 Prioritize public rights-of-way. Prioritize improvements of public rights-of-way that provide heightened levels of safe, comfortable and attractive public spaces for all non-motorized travelers while balancing the needs of efficient vehicular circulation.
• 3.2 Complete pedestrian network. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances pedestrian safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
Goal 3. Public rights-of-way supporting a multimodal and people-oriented transportation system that provides diversity and flexibility on how users choose to be mobile.
Policies:
• 3.1 Enhance public rights-of-way. Where right-of-way clearance allows, enhance public right of ways to improve connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, disabled persons, and public transit stops.
• 3.2 Complete pedestrian network. Prioritize investment in designated priority sidewalks to ensure a complete network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities that enhances pedestrian safety, access opportunities and connectivity to destinations.
• 3.10 Require ADA standards. Require that all public rights-of-way be designed per Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards by incorporating crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, and other components to provide ease of access for disabled persons.
Infrastructure Element
Goal 2. Roadway infrastructure maintenance supports convenient, attractive, and complete streets and associated amenities.
Policy:
• 2.4 Sidewalk Improvements. Consider innovative funding strategies, such as cost-sharing, ADA accessibility grants, or sidewalk dedications, to improve the overall condition, safety, and accessibility of sidewalks.
Fiscal Impact:
Approving the allocation of CDBG funds would allow the City to fund ADA sidewalk and curb ramp improvements included in the FY 2023-24 Budget under CIP 624-CDBG Improvements. Construction of the improvements is tentatively scheduled to begin in Summer 2024. Currently, CIP 624 has a budget of $133,317. An additional $13,831 would need to be appropriated from the CDBG funds to CIP 624 to capture the full amount of available CDBG funds.
Attachments:
1. Draft Resolution Approving FY 2023-24 Budget
2. CDBG Proposed Project Locations Map
3. Link to January 8, 2019 City Council Staff Report
4. Link to March 10, 2020 City Council Staff Report
5. Link to January 11, 2022 City Council Staff Report
Respectfully Submitted by: Andrew Nguyen, Associate Engineer
Concur: Stephanie Holst, Senior Engineer
Concur: Lucho Rodriguez, City Engineer
Concur: Joe SanClemente, Public Works Director
Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director
Legal Review: Patrick Donegan, City Attorney
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager