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Title:
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Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Application for Grant Funds Through Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program for Safety Improvements (Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure) at La Ballona Elementary School in the Amount of $600,000.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 05/11/15 Item Number: C-10
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Application
for Grant Funds Through Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program for Safety
Improvements (Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure) at La Ballona Elementary
School in the Amount of $600,000.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Gabe Garcia /
Rudolph R. Galindo
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5633
(310) 253-5618
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-mail) Agenda and Meetings – City Council (05/06/14)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (05/04/15)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/04/15)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (05/06/15)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/06/15)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution approving an application
for grant funds through Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program for Safety
Improvements (Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure) at La Ballona Elementary
School in the amount of $600,000.
BACKGROUND:
The City has successfully competed for Safe Routes to School funds in the past
and was previously awarded nearly $1 million. Recently, the safety
improvements around Linwood Howe Elementary School were completed as part
of an earlier Safe Routes to School grant award. The construction included
improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian access.
Currently, funding is available through the Active Transportation Program (ATP)
Cycle II, which was created by Federal legislation and funded through the State.
This new program consolidates several active transportation programs, including
the Safe Routes to School Program, into one ATP. The City has worked
collaboratively with the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) and the
community to develop a plan for submission of an ATP grant. In 2014, two
community input meetings were held at La Ballona Elementary School (on
Saturday, April 26, 2014 and Tuesday, April 29, 2014) as well as a presentation
with the La Ballona Volunteer Parent Group on Thursday, May 1, 2014. In 2015,
the Public Works Department revisited the project and participated in two parent
meetings at the beginning of the year to reinforce community support for the City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
project. The feedback from the meetings was used throughout the development
and refinement of the scope of working being submitted in the proposed ATP
Cycle II Grant Application.
The Public Works Department was successful in competing for and securing
grant writing assistance from LA n Sync. The grant writing assistance will be
used to compile the grant application for the safety improvements surrounding La
Ballona Elementary School.
The goal of the ATP and the proposed grant funded improvements surrounding
La Ballona Elementary School include: increasing the proportion of trips by
walking and bicycling, increasing the safety and mobility of non-motorized users,
enhancing public health by reducing childhood obesity, and contributing towards
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The safety improvements will consist of curb extensions and high visibility
crosswalks at several intersections surrounding the school. In addition to
crosswalk improvements, the proposed project will include a cycle track on
Elenda Street and a pedestrian signal crossing at Washington Boulevard and
Huron Avenue.
The construction of a cycle track and the safety implications of this type of bike
facility on Elenda Street were discussed at multiple parent meetings. The
concept was well received and supported by the parents and the CCUSD. A
cycle track on Elenda Street will not only provide a safe bike route to school for
students, but will also provide an alternative mode of transportation for the
neighborhood as well as access to new recreational experiences for the
community.
Through funding from the Office of Transportation and Safety (OTS), the City
was able to work with Fehr and Peers, a Planning Consulting Firm, to conduct
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Assessments in the City. The safety assessment
included a one day site visit at four locations in the City, one of which included
Elenda Street to review the potential for the construction of a cycle track.
A discussion with the community also took place related to the proposed
pedestrian signal crossing at Washington Boulevard and Huron Avenue during
this safety assessment site visit. The Fehr and Peers consultants gathered with
city staff, community members, and leaders of the King Fahad Mosque to visibly
evaluate safety issues on Washington Boulevard between Elenda Street and
Tilden Avenue. The pedestrian access issues were documented in the final
report from Fehr and Peers which recommended installation of a pedestrian
crossing.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Should the City Council so approve, the application will be submitted on June 1,
2015 for consideration of funding.
The proposed ATP Grant includes the following infrastructure and non-
infrastructure components:
Cycle Track on Elenda Street
? Washington Boulevard to Culver Boulevard
Signalized Pedestrian Crossing on Washington Boulevard
? Washington Boulevard and Huron Avenue
Intersection Improvements (Curb extensions and high visibility crosswalks)
? Elenda Street at Washington Boulevard
? Prospect Avenue at Matteson Avenue
? Girard Avenue at Matteson Avenue
? Girard Avenue at Washington Boulevard
? Prospect Avenue at Washington Boulevard
? College Avenue at Matteson Avenue
? Huron Avenue at Matteson Avenue
? Tilden Avenue at Matteson Avenue
? Bentley Avenue at Venice
? Tilden Avenue at Venice
? Culver Boulevard at Elenda Street
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The estimated total cost for the project is $700,000. The amount being requested
from the grant is $600,000 to cover the cost of input meetings, assessments,
design, and construction of physical improvements. There is no required match
for the grant. However, there is additional consideration given for those
applications proposing to contribute a hard match. The Public Works Department
is recommending a match of $100,000 as part of the City Manager’s Proposed
Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Proposed Improvements Presentation (with maps)
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTIONS:
That the City Council
Adopt a Resolution approving an application for grant funds through Caltrans’
Active Transportation Program for the Safety Improvements (Infrastructure
and Non-Infrastructure) at La Ballona Elementary School in the amount of
$600,000.