City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 08/23/10 Item Number: J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM: (1)
Amendment of the Street Tree Master Plan for that Portion of Sepulveda Boulevard
between Culver Boulevard and the City Limit Line South of Franklin Avenue as
Recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission;
and (2) Redevelopment Agency Board Approval of the Conceptual Design Plans,
and Authorization to Prepare Bid Documents for the Sepulveda Boulevard MTA
Grant Project.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Michael Pasternak/CDD
Todd Tipton/CDD
Phone Number: (310) 253-5708 and 5783
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: 08/03/2010
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
Public Notification: (USPS) All Property Owners, Businesses and Occupants within 500
feet of the Project Area (08/11/10); (Email) Meetings and Agendas – City Council
(08/18/10), Meetings and Agendas - Redevelopment Agency (08/18/10); (Public Meeting)
Business/Property Owners along Sepulveda Boulevard between Culver Boulevard and
city limit line south of Franklin Avenue (07/14/10 & 08/04/10)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (8/17/10)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (08/18/10)
Agency General Counsel Approval:
Murray Kane: (08/16/10)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (08/18/10)
City Manager/Executive Director Approval:
John M. Nachbar (08/18/10)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council amend the Street Tree Master Plan for that
portion of Sepulveda Boulevard between Culver Boulevard and the City limit line
south of Franklin Avenue as recommended by the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission;
AND
Staff recommends the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board (Board):
(1) Approve the conceptual design plans for the Sepulveda Boulevard MTA Grant
Project; and,
(2) Authorize the preparation of construction bid documents for the Sepulveda
Boulevard MTA Grant Project.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
BACKGROUND:
In October 2007, the City of Culver City executed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with
the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for projects
programmed through the Metro Call for Projects and State Transportation
Improvement Program - Transportation Enhancement (MTA Grant). The MTA Grant
was awarded in the amount of $291,000 for pedestrian improvements (P-797), which
include replacement street trees, pedestrian oriented lighting, new street furniture
and crosswalk enhancements.
The MTA Grant will fund improvements along Sepulveda Boulevard from the Culver
Boulevard intersection to the City limit line south of Franklin Avenue. The project
was included in the Redevelopment Agency work plan for Fiscal Year 2010/2011
and will be implemented by staff. The design and implementation process
(Attachment 6) is similar to the West Washington Boulevard Area Improvement Plan
(AIP) and will likewise improve the physical and economic quality of the area. Similar
programming related to façade improvements can also be implemented in the area
but will require budget and work program amendments under separate action by the
Board.
In June 2010, an administrative agreement was executed with Lorcan O’Herlihy
Architects to develop the conceptual plans and supervise the overall project design.
On July 14, 2010 a community outreach meeting was held to introduce the project to
affected business and property owners and receive input on the proposed
improvements (including street tree species). A follow up meeting with the owners
was conducted on August 4, 2010 to review conceptual design plans. The plans
were well received.
On August 3, 2010, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
(PRCS Commission) considered recommending an amendment to Street Tree
Master Plan (STMP) to replace the Yew Pine with the London Plane Tree and White
Orchid Tree as the designated tree species within the project limits. The PRCS
Commission voted 4-0 (with one recusal) in favor of recommending the tree species
substitution for adoption by the City Council.
DISCUSSION:
The portion of Sepulveda Boulevard between Culver Boulevard and the City limit line
south of Franklin Avenue is somewhat unique due to the reduced vehicle speeds
(caused by the narrow width of the street), neighborhood oriented business
composition, and access to bus lines and walking/bicycle paths. Due to these
factors, staff believes the addition of pedestrian oriented amenities would further
improve the boulevard by creating an environment conducive to walking, shopping
and spending time. The Public Works Department has agreed to incorporate the City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
maintenance costs for the project into their ongoing operations. Any improvements
beyond the MTA Grant’s scope of work would require supplementary Agency
funding and establishment of a maintenance assessment district.
The principal element in the conceptual design is the replacement trees. Staff
believes the London Plane Tree and White Orchid trees are best suited for this area
due to their canopy form/transparency/shade properties, hardiness, and growth
characteristics|1010|. The London Plane will serve as the primary tree species along the
boulevard accented by the flowering White Orchid at the crosswalk intersections
(Attachment 3). The design calls for trees to be spaced at 26’ – 30’ intervals to allow
for some flexibility in location, which will help minimize intrusion on commercial
frontage and preserve sightlines to business signage. The canopies of both tree
species will offer shade for pedestrians.
Per the MTA Grant scope of work, additional pedestrian improvements may include:
• Walk-able permeable paving along tree wells that will allow rainwater to infiltrate
and roots to expand without damaging the sidewalk.
• Pedestrian benches and trash receptacles. The benches will be installed at the
edge of selected tree wells, and will be placed perpendicular to the street and
beneath the shade canopy of the trees. The trash receptacles will be placed
along the boulevard per Sanitation Division guidelines. The type and number of
benches and trash receptacles provided will be determined in cooperation with
the Public Works Department. The conceptual plan includes a custom bench.
Staff recommends an off-the-shelf product rather than custom design and
fabrication of benches and trash receptacles due to the inherent risks in using
untested products.
• Mexican feather grass (low maintenance and drought tolerant) planted in the
parkway between trees and along crosswalk intersections. The grass will provide
an additional landscape accent that defines the sidewalk edge.
• Crosswalk enhancements in the form of decorated paving to improve visibility
and pedestrian safety.
• Energy efficient pedestrian oriented lighting, which will improve pedestrian safety
at night.
Staff believes this conceptual design honors the intent of the LOA with Metro to
improve pedestrian conditions along Sepulveda Boulevard. Further, the design is
efficient, low maintenance, and respectful of business store frontage and signage. If
implemented, the design will lead to a better organized public space that will benefit
business and property owners as well as neighboring residents, business patrons,
and bus riders.
If the conceptual design is approved and the preparation of bid specifications
authorized by the Board, staff expects to return to the Board in September 2010 for
authorization to advertise the bid (in accordance with MTA Grant and City
guidelines). In November 2010, staff will return to the Board with a request to select City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
a contractor. Should the Board determine to award a contract, staff expects
construction to begin in early 2011 and take 6-8 weeks to complete.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The Board budgeted $150,000 in Fiscal Year 2010/2011 for the conceptual design,
preliminary engineering/bid document preparation, and matching grant funds in the
Sepulveda Boulevard MTA Grant Program (55092910 & 57392910). The grant
funds are appropriated in the Sepulveda Streetscape Project, (42300797).
The cost for bid document preparation and preliminary engineering is approximately
$30,000; the work will be performed by CBM/KOA pursuant to their existing
professional services agreement. Maintenance of trees, trash pick-up, and street
furniture will be carried out by the Public Works Department, paid for by funds
allocated within the Street Tree Maintenance Program budget (10161600), Refuse
Program budget (20267100), and Street Maintenance Program budget (10161100).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MTA Grant Project Limits
2. Conceptual Plans
3. Concept Illustrations
4. Existing Conditions
5. Project Budget
6. Implementation Schedule
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Amend the Street Tree Master Plan for that portion of Sepulveda Boulevard
between Culver Boulevard and the City limit line south of Franklin Avenue as
recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission;
AND
That the Agency Board:
1. Approve the conceptual design plans for the Sepulveda Boulevard MTA Grant
Project; and,
2. Authorize staff to prepare bid documents for the Sepulveda Boulevard MTA
Grant Project.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
|1010| Culver City is fortunate to have a variety of tree species along its commercial corridors. Unfortunately,
the existing street tree species do not always provide the features (shade canopy, compact form, drought
tolerance, etc.) needed to create an inviting commercial corridor. To address the issue of suitable
replacement trees, staff from the Community Development Department, Public Works Department, and
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department worked together to establish street tree selection
criteria for commercial boulevards:
• Appropriateness to the scale of the street;
• Width of existing sidewalk and pedestrian clearance to ADA requirements;
• Tree maintenance, drought tolerance and resistance to pests;
• Impact on street maintenance budget, root damage potential, and droppings;
• Ability of tree canopy to provide shade for pedestrians; and,
• Compactness of tree form to preserve business signage.
Of the hundreds of species available, staff identified five street trees (including the London Plane and
White Orchid) they believe suitable for commercial corridors.
MEETING DATE: August 23, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: (1) Amendment of the Street Tree Master Plan for that
Portion of Sepulveda Boulevard between Culver
Boulevard and the City Limit Line South of Franklin
Avenue as Recommended by the Parks, Recreation
and Community Services Commission; and (2)
Redevelopment Agency Board Approval of the
Conceptual Design Plans, and Authorization to
Prepare Bid Documents for the Sepulveda Boulevard
MTA Grant Project.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. MTA Grant Project Limits
1
2. Conceptual Plans 2-3
3. Concept Illustrations
4-5
4. Existing Conditions
6-7
5.
6.
Project Budget
Implementation Timeline
8
9
Project Limits
Culver Blvd.
Bicycle &
Walking Path
LEGEND
0.2 miles to
Ballona Creek
Bicycle Path
Entrance
City
Boundary
Franklin Avenue
Culver Boulevard
Sepulveda Boulevard
MTA Grant Project Limits
The grant will fund:
• replacement street trees,
• crosswalk enhancements,
• pedestrian lighting, and
• new street furniture
along Sepulveda Blvd. from the Culver Blvd.
intersection to the city limit line south of
Franklin Ave.
ATTACHMENT 1
1ATTACHMENT 2
2ATTACHMENT 2
3S EAT I NG AL T ERNAT I VES
PUL L MEN BENCH
$750 ea.
S i mi l ar t o t ypi cal
Ci t y bench.
( PI CT URED)
PUL L ENI UM BENCH
$935 ea.
Cus t omi z at i on
r equi r ed.
35 “MI X”
$1, 187 ea.
No cus t omi z at i on
r equi r ed.
35 “S T AY”
$1, 038 ea.
Cus t omi z at i on
r equi r ed.
CUS T OM BENCH
$650 ea.
L ocal f abr i cat i on.
I ncl udes i ns t al l at i on.
ATTACHMENT 3
4ATTACHMENT 3
5Existing Conditions|101010101010101010|ATTACHMENT 4
6Typical
Street Trees
(Yew Pine)
Existing Conditions
Typical
Crosswalk
Typical
Furniture
Typical
Street
Light
Fern Pine
Ficus
Mexican
Fan Palm
Queen Palm|101010101010101010|ATTACHMENT 4
72-Aug-10
Sepulveda Boulevard Pedestrian Improvements
PPNO 315A41 / STIPLER-5240(013)
Funding Sources
Amount Program
291,000 $ MTA Grant (for Construction only)
60,000 $ Redevelopment Budget - Sepulveda MTA Grant (55092910)
125,000 $ Redevelopment Budget - Sepulveda MTA Grant (57392910)
$476,000 Total Project Budget
Line Item Budget Estimate
Item No.
Item Description
Amount
1 Design/Engineering/Bid/Construction Management $70,000
2 Mobilization/Demolition/Traffic Control $90,000
3 Crosswalk & Concrete Work $59,850
4 Street Furniture $24,850
5 Pedestrian Lights $78,660
6 Replacement Trees and Feather Grass $105,600
Item Subtotal $428,960
7 Contingency @ 10% $42,896
Total Budget $471,856
ATTACHMENT 5
8August 23, 2010 Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item: Approval of
Conceptual Design, Substitution Street Trees, and Consideration of
Construction Bid Documents
City Council/Agency Board approves substitute tree species,
conceptual design and authorizes staff to draft bid documents or
provides staff with alternate direction.
September 20, 2010* Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item: Approval of Final Design Plan
and Authorization to Advertise Construction Bid
Agency Board approves final streetscape design plan and authorizes
staff to advertise construction bid or provides staff with alternate
direction.
November 15, 2010* Redevelopment Agency Agenda Item: Construction Bid Award
Agency Board awards construction contract or provides staff with
alternate direction.
December 30, 2010 MTA Grant Deadline to Award Construction Bid
Agency Board must award construction contract or grant funds
rescinded.
First Quarter 2011** Anticipated Start of Construction – Replacement Trees
*tentatively scheduled
**other streetscape elements may be installed at a later date
Implementation Schedule
ATTACHMENT 6|10 13|