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FROM:
MEETING DATE: 10/07/14
ITEM NO: I
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER �✓�
SUBJECT: COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT 411- 812 -0123
A. PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON SCOPE AND LOCATION OF A
COMPLETE STREETS PILOT PROJECT
B. ADOPT A COUNCIL RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE TOWN'S
GRANT SUBMITTAL TO CALTRANS FOR THE 2015/16
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Provide guidance on scope and location of a Complete Streets pilot project.
2. Adopt a Council resolution supporting the Town's grant submittal to Caltrans for the 2015-
16 Sustainable Transportation Planning grant.
BACKGROUND:
Within the 2014 -15 Capital Budget, the Council provided funding for a Complete Streets pilot
project. Complete Streets can include many elements of street reconstruction. The discussion
below provides information to facilitate guidance from the Council on the scope and location of
a Complete Streets pilot project.
Grants may provide a significant funding source for future Complete Streets projects. On May
17, 2012, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) adopted the One Bay Area Grant
(OBAG) Program. This program provides funding opportunities in a wide range of
transportation areas. In order for the Town of Los Gatos to ensure eligibility for funding through
OBAG, the Town was required to demonstrate that the Town's General Plan complied with the
Complete Streets Act of 2008 (AB 1358). In the fall of 2012, the Town hired DC &E
Transportation Consultants to submit an assessment to the Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA) on the Town's behalf, verifying that the Town's General Plan complied with AB 1358,
Complete Streets Act. In November of 2012, following this submittal, VTA found the Town of
Los Gatos to be in compliance.
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
Director of Parks an Public Works
Reviewed by: LJT Assistant Town Manager N -W Town Attorney _Finance
PAGE
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT 411- 812 -0123
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
BACKGROUND (cont'd):
Following this finding, DC &E submitted a letter to the Town dated December 6, 2012,
recommending that the Town strengthen its commitment to complete streets by also developing a
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which the Town's General Plan also identifies as an action
item (Transportation Element Action TRA- 11.1). DC &E noted that in order to ensure eligibility
for funding through the State's Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA), the Town would need to
have an adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan that meets required elements of the
California Streets and Highway Code. A commitment here will also enhance the Town's ability
to compete for other grants as they come available. Staff recommends pursuit of Caltrans'
Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant as a source of funding for this effort.
DISCUSSION:
Complete Streets design emphasizes sustainability and functionality that enables safe and
efficient access for all users, not just automobiles. These additional users include pedestrians,
bicyclists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Each Complete Street is unique and the
features may vary in context with the community the street is serving and with the location
within the community.
Components of Complete Streets
Complete Streets can contain a variety of elements, including:
• Sustainability designs that focus efforts on retaining and treating storm water runoff with
bioretention planter areas and permeable surfaces
• Enhanced landscaping
• Road diets that narrow or remove vehicle lanes to rebalance for bicycle, pedestrian, and
transit use. This often has the effect of slowing traffic, which can be desirable in some
areas and not desirable in other areas.
• New bicycle lanes and /or converting existing bicycle lanes to green painted bicycle lanes
• Sidewalks
• On- street parking modification
• Utility undergrounding
These elements vary in ease of implementation, initial capital cost outlay, and on -going
maintenance needs. For example, addition of new sidewalks may be difficult to implement due
to the need for right of way and high capital cost outlay, but ongoing maintenance costs are
minimal. In comparison, implementation of green bicycle lanes would be easier to implement
and the initial capital cost outlay low, but ongoing maintenance activities of the painted green
bicycle lanes would be higher as these require repainting as often as every two years. The larger
concept of Complete Streets would include implementation of several or many of these items at
one time.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT 411 - 812 -0123
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
DISCUSSION (cont'd
Often Complete Streets elements require tradeoffs that can affect other priorities. For example,
increasing the use of right -of -way for sidewalk or bicycle lanes can potentially reduce the
number of travel lanes for automobile use. These competing factors play into decisions about
which projects to advance.
The undertaking of a Complete Streets project with many multi -modal elements provides the
opportunity to explore the undergrounding of existing utilities. Undergrounding of utilities on
larger Complete Streets projects will allow for more flexibility in the placement of multi -modal
elements, allow complete use of the right of way area, and help beautify the new corridor.
PG &E provides funding for some undergrounding; however, lengthy PG &E lead times can make
inclusion of this element challenging. A more likely scenario might be the inclusion of
Complete Streets elements in an undergrounding project.
Funding Complete Streets
The Town has both capital funds and traffic impact fees as potential sources of funding for
Complete Streets projects. Additional funding may come from various sources of federal and
state grants. In order to increase Town competitiveness for these funds, staff requests the
Council adopt the attached resolution supporting the Town's grant submittal to Caltrans for the
2015/16 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. If successful in this grant application, it will
allow the Town to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan along with a Complete Streets
Mobility Plan. If the Town receives this grant, there is an 11.47% local match requirement. As
noted previously, in order for the Town to be eligible for BTA funds, the Town is required to
have a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. In addition, developing a Complete Streets Mobility
Plan, which will establish a master plan for Complete Streets programs and projects, will allow
the planning of these future projects.
Pilot Project
The FY 2014/15- 2018/19 adopted Capital Improvement Program Budget has $100,000 allocated
for a Complete Streets pilot project. Acknowledging that bicycle safety is a significant concern,
staff recommends the pilot project focus on green bicycle lanes as a component of Complete
Streets. Several acceptable methods exist for delivering green bicycle lanes. One option is to
identify areas of potential conflict between bicyclists and vehicle traffic, most often right turn
lanes at intersections. Focused implementation at these areas will help to reduce the conflict,
allow for the greatest amount of green bicycle lanes within the allotted budget, and provide the
most economical ongoing cost of maintenance. Drivers may also take greater note of this
solution over the alternative as the green bicycle lanes appear at critical intervals, creating a
change in the pavement color that draws the driver's attention.
Alternatively, larger stretches of newer and /or existing bicycle lanes could go green. This would
include entire blocks or series of blocks. Because of the greater amount of paint required, this
solution has a higher cost, meaning the number of locations would decrease to fit within the
allotted budget. Although carrying higher initial and ongoing costs, this solution brings attention
to bicycle lanes for their entire stretch.
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT 411- 812 -0123
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
DISCUSSION(cont'd):
Some constraints exist in the implementation of green bicycle lanes. The biggest challenge
becomes space — not all of roadways in the Town are wide enough to accommodate bicycle lanes
at the standard four to five foot width. For the purpose of the pilot project, staff recommends
implementation where adequate existing widths exist.
Areas of consideration for a green bicycle lane pilot project include:
• Winchester Boulevard — In general, Winchester is wide enough from Highway 85
through to Blossom Hill Road.
• Los Gatos Boulevard — Many areas of the Boulevard provide prime locations for green
bicycle lanes. High bicycle and pedestrian traffic around the schools may make those
areas ideal candidates.
• Blossom Hill Road — The segment from University Avenue to Roberts Road East has
high bicycle use and vehicle speeds tend to increase on the downhill portion.
As alternatives to the focus on bicycle lanes, direction to staff could include projects that
encompass more elements of Complete Streets. In this case, the cost of the project would likely
require a small block or partial block implementation in order to stay within the allotted budget.
CONCLUSION:
Staff will take Council guidance on opportunities for a pilot Complete Streets. Once constructed,
the response of the Council and the public can inform future projects.
Staff recommends that the Town Council adopt the attached Council resolution supporting the
Town's grant submittal to Caltrans for the 2015/2016 Sustainable Transportation Planning grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff has estimated the cost for consultant services to complete a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master
Plan and a Complete Streets Mobility Plan at $200,000. Caltrans requires a minimum 11.47%
local match for the grant, which can be budgeted through the Complete Streets Pilot Project
capital funding.
Attachment:
1. Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute agreements with the California
Department of Transportation for the Town's Bicycle/Pedestrian and Complete Streets
Mobility Master Plans Project
RESOLUTION 2014-
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS
WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FOR THE TOWN'S BICYCLE /PEDESTRIAN AND COMPLETE STREETS MOBILITY
MASTER PLANS PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Town Council is eligible to receive federal and /or State funding for
certain transportation planning related plans, through the California Department of
Transportation; and
WHEREAS, a Fund Transfer Agreement is needed to be executed with the California
Department of Transportation before such funds can be claimed through the Transportation
Planning Grant Programs; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos wishes to delegate authorization to execute these
agreements and any amendments thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, authorize the Town Manager, or designee, to execute all Fund Transfer Agreements and
any amendments thereto with the Department of Transportation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos held on the 7`h day of October, 2014 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTACHMENT
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA