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Title:
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Discussion Regarding Dynamic Message Signs for the Downtown Real Time Motorist Information System Project and Direction to the City Manager/Executive Director Related Thereto.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: _11/07/11_ Item Number: J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM:
Discussion Regarding Dynamic Message Signs for the Downtown Real Time
Motorist Information System Project and Direction to the City Manager/Executive
Director Related Thereto.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Christopher Evans / CDD;
Todd Tipton / CDD
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5744
(310) 253-5783
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification (USPS) All Downtown Businesses within the Commercial Downtown
Zone (10/25/11); All properties located within 500’ of the proposed sign locations; (E-Mail)
Meetings and Agendas – City Council/Agency Board (11/03/11); Chamber of Commerce
(10/25/11); Downtown Neighborhood Association (10/25/11); Downtown Business
Association (10/25/11), Gateway Neighborhood Association (10/25/11).
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (10/26/11)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (11/02/11)
Murray Kane (11/03/11)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (11/02/11)
City Manager/Executive Director Approval:
John Nachbar (11/03/11)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council and the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
Board (Agency Board) discuss and provide direction regarding which type of
Dynamic Message System (DMS) signs should be included in the Real Time
Motorist Information System Project (Project) bid specifications.
BACKGROUND:
On June 13, 2011 the City Council and Agency Board approved a contract with
Kimley-Horn for engineering consulting services related to the Real Time Parking
Information System Project (Project)|1010|. Kimley-Horn’s services include an analysis of
Project needs and development of bid documents for construction of the Project. A
Project schedule is attached for reference (see Attachment 1).
Kimley-Horn is now working to finalize specifications for parking sign locations and
general functionality. Although grant funding requirements must be satisfied in
order to obtain reimbursement for Project expenses, the City does have leeway in
selection of the signage locations and functionality|1010|.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
The Project grant provides funding for the installation of four DMS signs at strategic
locations as motorists enter the downtown and Washington/National TOD areas.
DMS signs are designed to inform motorists of changing traffic conditions and
parking options and are intended to make finding parking more efficient. DMS signs
can also be used by the City to provide information such as Amber Alerts and
general traffic/event information.
In consultation with City Traffic Engineering staff, Kimley-Horn is proposing that the
DMS signs be installed at these locations (see Attachment 2 for location map):
• Culver Boulevard median in front of the Ince Parking Structure (westbound)
• Washington Boulevard at Wesley Avenue (westbound)
• Washington Boulevard at Mentone Avenue (eastbound)
• Culver Boulevard at Jasmine Avenue (eastbound)
Prior to Kimley-Horn completing the sign specifications, staff is returning to the City
Council and Agency Board to obtain input and direction regarding the type of DMS
signs that should be included in the Project bid specifications. Once Kimley-Horn
receives direction regarding DMS sign type and location, they will complete the
Project bid specifications and approval to bid the Project will be sought from the City
Council / Agency Board and Caltrans.
DISCUSSION:
There are two types of signs for City Council and Agency Board consideration –
ground level and pole mounted. The DMS signs anticipated at the time the Project
grant was awarded were ground level signs that provided information related to the
number of available parking spaces at each parking structure (see Attachment 3
for photo example & specifications). This type of sign could vary in size depending
on the information to be displayed and unique design features.
The City Traffic Engineering staff and Consulting Traffic Engineer believe the signs
would be more visible and less susceptible to damage/vandalism if they are
mounted on poles If the signs were pole mounted, their size would need to be at
least 3-4’ X 8’-10’ feet in order to display larger characters for improved visibility
(see Attachment 3 for pole and DMS sizes and dimensions).
Although pole mounted signs will be more visible and less susceptible to
damage/vandalism, the visual impact of pole mounted signs is greater than those
placed on the ground. Typically, signs like these are used on larger streets and
freeways. In order to address the visual impacts and maintain visibility, staff is
recommending that such signs be flush with the pole (see Attachment 4 for City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
examples of cantilever over the roadway signs and signs mounted flush with the
pole).
Parking Guidance Signs (PGS)
It’s noted for the City Council’s and Agency Board’s information that PGS will be
located in front of and within the parking structures. They will display parking
occupancy only (see Attachment 5 for PGS examples). The signs come in a
standard housing with minor variation between suppliers. The aesthetic
appearance of the signs could be improved with enhanced finishes and labeling,
but would result in additional Project costs.
Next Steps
The final bid documents and Project specifications will require the review and
approval of the City Council, Agency Board, Caltrans and the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA). The final sign designs will be presented to the City
Council and Agency Board for consideration in January 2012, which will occur prior
to FHWA/Caltrans review and approval to bid the Project.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The total cost of design and installation of the Real Time System is estimated to be
$1,072,000. The grant requires applicants to provide 20 percent of the total cost,
which results in an Agency contribution of $214,000 ($858,000 + $214,000 =
$1,072,000). The matching portions have been appropriated from Agency tax
exempt bond proceeds (48795200) and $858,000 in the Grants Capital fund (Fund
423) in the City Council Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2011/2012.
Maintenance costs for the Real Time System have been estimated to be $13,700
annually for all locations. Maintenance costs are not eligible for grant funding
reimbursement. Maintenance costs could be paid using either new tax increment or
the former Agency funds held by the City for a two year period following construction
of the Project if maintenance services are bid with the Project. Therefore, staff will
include the maintenance requirement in the bid specifications and other contract
documents.
Utility costs (electricity, internet) for the Real Time System have been estimated to
be $4,700 annually for all locations. Utility costs are not eligible for grant funding
reimbursement and will be paid for as an operational cost by the Agency.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project schedule City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
2. Proposed DMS & PGS location map
3. DMS Pole and sign plan examples
4. Skyline Products DMS sign photo examples
5. PGS sign examples
MOTION:
That the City Council and Agency Board:
Discuss the type of Dynamic Message System (DMS) signs that should be
included in the Real Time Motorist Information System Project (Project) bid
specifications and direct the City Manager/Executive Director as deemed
appropriate.
NOTES:
1 The Project consists of parking guidance signs that will be installed in the Watseka, Cardiff and
Ince Parking Structures and the planned Washington/National Transit Oriented Development
(TOD). In addition to parking structure locations, dynamic message signs will be located on
Washington and Culver Boulevards. The signs will communicate with the parking structures and
provide motorist with real time information as to the availability of parking as they enter downtown
and the TOD area.
2 The Project grant requires that parking guidance signage be placed at the entrance of each public
parking structure and that four Dynamic Message Signs be placed on arterials leading into the
downtown and the proposed Washington/National Transit Oriented Development (TOD).
MEETING DATE: 11/07/11
AGENDA ITEM: A Joint City Council/and Agency Board: Discussion
Regarding Dynamic Message Signs for the Downtown Real
Time Motorist Information System Project.
ATTACHMENTS
Item Description Pages
1. Project schedule 1
2. Proposed DMS & PGS location map 2 - 8
3. DMS pole and sign plan examples 9 - 11
4. Skyline Products DMS sign photo examples 12 – 15
5. PGS sign examples 16 - 18
ATTACHMENT 1
1Washington and Warner
ATTACHMENT 4
12Culver at InceStructure
ATTACHMENT 4
13Washington and Mentone
ATTACHMENT 4
14Culver and Jasmine
ATTACHMENT 4
15PGSSigns: Watseka PGS Signs: Watseka
ATTACHMENT 5
16PGSSigns: Cardiff PGS Signs: Cardiff
ATTACHMENT 5
17PGS Signs: Ince
ATTACHMENT 5
18