REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott L. MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: jill m. Gormley, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
The action pertaining to the dedication of those portions of City-owned property for the purpose of a public pedestrian easement, to accommodate the construction of a public pedestrian sidewalk on the east side of Peach Avenue for the new park (Council District 5)
1. RESOLUTION - Dedicating those portions of City-owned property for public pedestrian purposes to accommodate the construction of a public pedestrian sidewalk on the east side of Peach Avenue for the new park
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution dedicating a portion of City-owned property for public pedestrian purposes to accommodate the construction of a public pedestrian sidewalk on the east side of Peach Avenue for the new park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Peach Avenue Widening Project between Butler Avenue and Florence Avenue has widened Peach Avenue to the ultimate 4-lane arterial configuration with a complete street design including vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. In phased development, the yet to be named South East Park project along Peach Avenue will provide 49 acres of recreational amenities and green space to residents in Southeast Fresno and requires a public driveway approach from Peach Avenue, between the San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR)/Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crossing and Geary Avenue. City staff proposes a public pedestrian easement dedication of those portions of City-owned property (APNs 481-020-29T and 481-020-30T) for public pedestrian purposes along the east side of Peach Avenue to accommodate the construction of a public pedestrian sidewalk for the new South Peach Park. The proposed public pedestrian easement dedication is described in Exhibits “A” and “C” and shown on Exhibits “B” and “D” of the attached resolution.
The Peach Avenue Widening project is funded by local Measure C Regional Tier 1 funding and local developer impact fee dollars. The park project is fully funded from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Developer Park Impact Fees, and Measure P, Category 2 funds.
BACKGROUND
The Peach Avenue Widening project between State Route (SR) 180 and Jensen Avenue was voter approved as part of the 2006 Measure “C” Extension Expenditure Plan in 2006. The City entered into an agreement with Blair, Church and Flynn Consulting Engineers (BC&F) in February 2013 for the design and preparation of construction documents for the widening of Peach Avenue from two to four lanes between Jensen Avenue and Butler Avenue. In July 2014, Council approved the Second Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with BC&F which split the Peach Avenue Widening project into two phases due to construction funding availability. The two phases include widening Peach Avenue from Butler Avenue to Florence Avenue (Phase 1) and widening Peach Avenue from Florence Avenue to Jensen Avenue (Phase 2).
In January 2022, Council adopted a resolution supporting the development of a 49-acre park at Peach Avenue and California Avenue and making it a priority for City funding. In October 2022, the City entered into an agreement with BC&F for community outreach, master planning of the entire park site, and the design and preparation of construction documents for Phase 1 of the South Peach Park project. The project is currently in the construction stage of Phase 1, which encompasses the southwest quadrant of the southern park parcels (APN 481-020-29T and APN 481-020-30T).
In January 2023, Council approved the Fifth Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with BC&F for the Peach Avenue Widening project to complete the final construction documents for the Phase 1 Butler Avenue to Florence Avenue section and include a redesign of the median and installation of a public driveway approach to provide access to the South Peach Park.
In October 2023, Council approved a dedication of a portion of City-owned Park parcel APN 481-020-30T to allow the City to construct the new public driveway approach on the easterly side of Peach Avenue. This Resolution, Resolution Number 2023-285) was recorded by Staff on November 3, 2023.
A dedication of those portions of City-owned Park parcels (APN 481-020-29T and APN 481-020-30T) is required to allow the City to construct the new public sidewalk on the easterly side of Peach Avenue. Capital Projects staff has determined the required dedication area necessary for the construction of the public sidewalk to the South Peach Park, as shown in the Resolution’s Exhibits “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”. Adopting the Resolution authorizes the Capital Projects Director, or designee, to complete the dedication process.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the attached Resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Peach Avenue Widening project was adopted by Council on August 27, 2020, and the Notice of Determination filed with the County Clerk on September 1, 2020.
A Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment No. P21-00726) was prepared for Development Permit Application No. P21-00776 pertaining to the proposed development of the 49-acre site for the South Peach Park and was adopted on June 9, 2021.
An addendum to Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment No. P21-00726) was prepared for Development Permit Application No. P21-00776 pertaining to the proposed development of the 49-acre site for the South Peach Park and was adopted on October 10, 2024.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply because the dedication of a public pedestrian easement does not involve bidding or contracting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Peach Avenue Widening project is located in Council District 5. There is no new fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Project is funded by local Measure C Regional Tier 1 funding and local developer impact fee dollars.
The South Peach Park project is located in Council District 5. There is no new fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Project is fully funded from appropriated FY2025 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Developer Park Impact Fee funds, and Measure P, Category 2 funds. The Project was awarded a construction contract by Council on October 10, 2024.
Attachments:
Peach Ave Dedication Vicinity Map
Peach Ave Dedication Resolution