Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Regular Meeting of September 27, 2016
Title
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) CONCERNING THE MOBILITY AND ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY (PCH) BETWEEN HERONDO STREET/ANITA STREET AND ARTESIA BOULEVARD, AND ON AVIATION BOULEVARD BETWEEN PCH AND PROSPECT AVENUE
(Public Works Director Andrew Brozyna)
Body
Subject:
Adoption of resolution in support of a Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) concerning the mobility and access improvements on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Herondo Street/Anita Street and Artesia Boulevard Project, and on Aviation Boulevard between PCH and Prospect Avenue.
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution approving a Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) concerning the mobility and access improvements project on Pacific Highway Between Herondo Street/Anita Street and Artesia Boulevard, and on Aviation Boulevard between PCH and Prospect Avenue, whereby Caltrans will prepare a Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED); and
2. As part of the resolution, commit to $800,000 in funding for the PCH Project PA&ED using budgeted from CIP account 12-143, PCH/Aviation Project.
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Background:
Hermosa Beach has been working for many years on improvements to the Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard in various configurations and in cooperation with several agencies. Most recently, the City has been working with Metro and Caltrans on preparing a project that would be funded through Measure R. Measure R is a one-half cent sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in November 2008 to meet the transportation needs of Los Angeles County.
On January 25, 2011 Council adopted Resolution 2011-15 in support of the South Bay Measure R Highway Program Early Action Project List and approved the Hermosa Beach Projects that addressed improvements to PCH.
In 2014, the City worked with Caltrans to reconfigure the project to meet revised Caltrans design priorities. In cooperation with Caltrans, a Project Study Report - Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) was prepared and approved in January 2015. A copy of the PSR-PDS is attached for reference.
Most recently, the Council adopted Resolution 16-7044 in Support of the South Bay Measure R Highway Program Project List, Approving the PCH Mobility Improvement Project and Commitment of $40,000 of Hermosa Beach Local Match Funding for the Project on September 13, 2016.
Analysis:
The primary objectives of the mobility and access improvements project on PCH and Aviation Boulevard are to incorporate complete street features, improve pedestrian mobility and beautify the roadway, while enhancing traffic safety, and fulfilling American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
The City has been working with Caltrans on strategizing on how best to configure the project to maximize the efficient use of available funding. Among the alternatives presented in the PSR some were identified as more practical and cost efficient than others.
The City has also been discussing with Caltrans the preparation of the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED). In order to improve a state highway, it is Caltrans standard procedure to follow the Project Study Report (PSR) with the PA&ED phase. During this phase of the project, various environmental and efficacy issues are evaluated to ultimately select the best alternative to accommodate the needs of the community as well as agencies having jurisdiction and/or concern with the project. During this period input from various concerned agencies and the community is obtained and incorporated into the selection of the final alternative.
Among the issues to be discussed is the possible addition of a pedestrian bridge over the highway. The addition of the pedestrian bridge will improve pedestrian access and accommodate ADA requirements. The potential location and geometrics will be discussed by staff with Caltrans during the initial kickoff meeting and throughout the process.
Staff would be involved during the PA&ED development and will keep the Council abreast of the progress and will present the alternatives for review prior to finalization of the report. Moreover, Caltrans will be working closely with staff to best accommodate the wishes of the community through the PCH Advisory Committee.
It is proposed that Caltrans prepare these documents for the project. A proposed Cooperative Agreement has been prepared to formalize this. This agreement specifies that the PA&ED be prepared by Caltrans for a total cost of $4,600,000. Caltrans will fund $3,800,000 of the costs and the City is to fund $800,000 for the perpetration of the document. A copy of this proposed Agreement is enclosed. The PA&ED phase typically takes about 2-3 years to complete.
Fiscal Impacts:
The proposed Agreement provides that Caltrans complete the PA&ED for the PCH/Aviation project for a total cost of $4,600,000. Caltrans will fund $3,800,000 of the costs and the City will fund $800,000. There are available funds budgeted in CIP 12-143 to cover the City’s costs.
Attachments:
1. PSR-PDS for PCH Project
2. Cooperative Agreement
3. Resolution
Respectfully Submitted by: Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director
Legal Review: Mike Jenkins, City Attorney
Approved: Tom Bakaly, City Manager