City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 05/12/14 Item Number: C-9
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Application
for Grant Funds through Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program for the Safe
Routes to School Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure improvements at La Ballona
Elementary School, Traffic Signal Improvements at the Culver City Julian Dixon
Library, Bicycle Improvements along Braddock Drive, and the Development of a
City-wide Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Gabe Garcia
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5633
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 (05/06/2014)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (05/05/14)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/05/14)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (05/06/14)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/06/14)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution approving an application
for grant funds through Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program for the safe
routes to school infrastructure and non-infrastructure improvements at La Ballona
Elementary School, traffic signal improvements at the Culver City Julian Dixon
Library, bicycle improvements along Braddock Drive and the development of a
City-wide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The City has successfully competed for Safe Routes to School funds in the past
and was previously awarded nearly $1 million. Currently, there is construction
underway around Linwood Howe Elementary School as part of an earlier Safe
Routes to School grant award. The construction will provide improvements to
sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian access.
Currently, funding is available through the Active Transportation Program (ATP),
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 Active Transportation Program. The
City has worked collaboratively with the Culver City Unified School District and
the community to develop a plan for submission of an Active Transportation
Program grant application. Two community input meetings were held at La
Ballona Elementary on Saturday, April 26 and Tuesday, April 29. Also, a City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
presentation was made to the La Ballona Volunteer Parent Group on Thursday,
May 1. The feedback from the meetings was used to develop the ATP Grant
Application.
The goal of the ATP and the proposed 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.
DISCUSSION:
As noted above, the proposed ATP Grant has several components The various
components are summarized below:
Bicycle Improvements on Braddock Drive
Braddock Drive is the longest, uninterrupted residential street in Culver City.
Because of its length, is it commonly used by motor vehicles as an alternative to
Washington Boulevard, Culver Boulevard, and Jefferson Boulevard. The City
implemented traffic calming measures in the past to dissuade this behavior, but
based on the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, further improvements
are needed to ensure bicycle friendliness. Such improvements include the
installation of “sharrows,” signage, and other items.
Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Transition Plan
The development of the Transition Plan would be used as a guideline for
identifying and programming accessibility related improvements in the public
right-of-way and as a tool for seeking future funding opportunities.
Safe Routes to School - Infrastructure Improvements
Major Infrastructure Improvements
• Cycle Track on Elenda Street (Washington Boulevard to Culver
Boulevard)
• Traffic Signal on Overland Avenue at the Culver City Julian Dixon Library
and Adult School
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 City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
• College Avenue at Matteson Avenue
• Huron Avenue at Matteson Avenue
• Tilden Avenue at Matteson Avenue
• Bentley Avenue at Venice
• Tilden Avenue at Venice
Safe Routes to School - Non-Infrastructure Component
• 15 MPH School Zone Pilot Site (as authorized by AB321 of 2007) at La
Ballona Elementary School
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The amount being requested from the grant is $1,371,325 to cover the cost of
input meetings, assessments, and design and construction of physical
improvements. There is an 11.47% required matching amount for the non-Safe
Routes to School portion of the project. The matching amount will be satisfied
through requested funds in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014/2015.
Estimated Project Costs:
Braddock Bicycle Improvements $ 50,000
ADA Transition Plan $ 250,000
SR2S Infrastructure: Intersection Improvements $ 550,000
SR2S Infrastructure: Traffic Signal at Library $ 350,000
SR2S Infrastructure: Cycle Track on Elenda $ 150,000
SR2S Non-Infrastructure: Speed Zone Study $ 50,000
TOTAL Project Costs $1,400,000
Grant Funding Requested $1,371,325
Culver City Matching Monetary Contribution (11.47%)
(ADA Transition Plan Component) $ 28,675
TOTAL Funding Requested $1,400,000
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Proposed Improvements Presentation (with maps)
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council
Adopt a Resolution approving an application for grant funds through Caltrans’
Active Transportation Program for the safe routes to school infrastructure and
non-infrastructure improvements at La Ballona Elementary School, traffic
signal improvements at the Culver City Julian Dixon Library, bicycle
improvements along Braddock Drive, and development of a City-wide
Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.