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CC - (1) Designation of the City’s Voting Delegate and up to Two Alternate-Delegates for the 2016 League of California Cities Annual Conference; (2) Consideration of a Position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution Pertaining to Vision Zero Submitted to the General Assembly for the League of California Cities; and (3) If Desired, Adoption of a Culver City Resolution Pertaining to Vision Zero.
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Meeting Date: September 12, 2016
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg, City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
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) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/07/16);
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (09/06/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) designate a Council Member as the City’s Voting Delegate and up two other Council Members as the City’s Alternate Voting Delegate(s) for the 2016 League of California Cities Annual Conference to be held in Long Beach from October 5-7, 2016 (Annual Conference); and (2) consideration of a position on the League of California Cities’ resolution pertaining to Vision Zero to be considered by the General Assembly at the Annual Conference; and (3) if desired, adoption of a Culver City resolution in support Vision Zero.
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City is a member of the League of California Cities (League). Each year, the League holds an Annual Conference during which time the General Assembly votes on various matters of policy, including any resolutions presented to the General Assembly in accordance with the League’s by-laws. To allow Culver City the ability to vote on those policy matters, the League’s by-laws require the City Council to designate the Voting Delegate (and, if desired, up to two Alternate Voting Delegates) to represent the City’s interests during the General Assembly.
In the past, a resolution presented before the General Assembly was expected to be passed without much or any opposition (and the City Council had adopted a support position). However, based upon discussion at the General Assembly, the motion became the subject of significant conversation and debate amongst the delegates. As a result of this past situation, the City Council changed its practice to allow the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate(s) sufficient discretion to react to a similar situation(s) should it arise at future conferences (and vote in a fully informed manner consistent with the general direction of the City Council). Accordinly, the City Council is requested to allow for some leeway for the Council Member voting at the General Assembly at the 2016 Annual Conference.
DISCUSSION
This year, Mayor Clarke, Council Member Sahli-Wells, and Council Member Small will be attending the Annual Conference. Mayor Clarke is serving both as a League General Resolution Committee Member and as Chair of the League’s Administrative Services Policy Committee. This year, the General Assembly will consider the following resolution (Attachment 1):
Resolution committing the League of California Cities to supporting Vision Zero, toward zero deaths, and other programs or initiatives to make safety a top priority for transportation projects and policy formulation, while encouraging cities to pursue similar initiatives.
About Vision Zero
Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has been implemented across Europe and is now gaining momentum in major American cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Portland.
Vision Zero sets a timeline and a commitment and brings stakeholders together to ensure a basic right of safety for all people as they move about their communities. The Vision Zero movement is described as a departure from the status quo in two primary ways:
1. “Vision Zero acknowledges that traffic deaths and severe injuries are preventable and sets the goal of eliminating both in a set time frame with clear, measurable strategies. This is a major shift for most American communities, by establishing clear accountability to ensure safe mobility. History has shown, with campaigns to reduce drunk driving and initiatives to increase recycling, that changing cultural attitudes and ensuring political accountability make a dramatic difference - and increase success. It’s time to take this level of intention and focus to the critical issue of traffic deaths.
2. Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse and necessary stakeholders to address this complex problem. In the past, meaningful, cross-disciplinary collaboration among local traffic planners and engineers, police officers, policymakers, and public health professionals has not been the norm. Vision Zero acknowledges that there are many factors that contribute to safe mobility -- including roadway design, speeds, enforcement, behaviors, technology, and policies -- and sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries.”
Staff has consulted with the Ad Hoc Legislative Policies Subcommittee (comprised of Mayor Clarke and Council Member Sahli-Wells) and various City departments about the proposed League Resolution. The Subcommittee discussed ways in which the City was already advancing some of the principles of Vision Zero.
For example, several City-supported projects have been approved by the City Council, such as bicycle and pedestrian elements that are consistent with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Future updates to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will involve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The Public Works Department has received grant funds for Safe Routes to School infrastructure improvements in the amount of $2.6 million through the Active Transportation Program. The scope of work includes upgrades to intersections, high visibility crosswalk, a new crosswalk on Washington Boulevard in front of the Mosque and separated bike lane on Elenda Street. The Public Works Department will also be implementing the Washington-Culver Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety project. Working diligently with project partners Baldwin Hills Conservancy and the State Parks and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the City also secured funds to implement the Hetzler Road Pedestrian Trail Project.
Additionally, the Police Department is implementing an $115,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to conduct DUI Checkpoints, DUI Saturations, Bicycle and Pedestrian Operations, Distracted Driving Operations, and Traffic Safety Educational Presentations. The Community Development Department is conducting a comprehensive review of mobility issues (transit, bike, car sharing, Transportation Demand Management, and pedestrian mobility design guidelines) in new developments. Future Zoning and Municipal Code updates will also seek to address mobility and livability.
In addition to the Subcommittee’s recommendation to vote YES on the League of California Cities’ Resolution, the Subcommittee is recommending the City Council consider adopting a similar Resolution for the City of Culver City (Attachment 2).
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Neither designation of the Voting Delegate/Alternate Voting Delegate(s) nor taking a position on the resolutions create a fiscal impact on the City. However, should state or federal legislation change in accordance with the intent of the resolution, the City may experience a fiscal impact, the degree of which is difficult to estimate at this time. Additionally, if the City implements any additional programs or projects related to the Vision Zero program, there could be potential fiscal impacts. Staff would bring any future items related to this effort to the City Council for separate consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Annual Conference Resolution Packet
2. City of Culver City Resolution in Support of Vision Zero
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Designate Mayor/Council Member _______________ as the Voting Delegate and Mayor/Council Member(s) ______________ __________ as Alternate Voting Delegate(s); and,
2. Take a position in support of the Resolution presented to the League of California Cities General Assembly for consideration as outlined in the staff report; and,
3. Authorize the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate(s) to cast votes exercising reasonable discretion in the case circumstances at the General Assembly warrant a change in vote; and
4. Adopt a Resolution in support of Vision Zero.