REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works 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
Actions pertaining to the dedication of those portions of City-owned property for the purpose of a public street easement, to accommodate the construction of Merced Street between Congo Alley and H Street (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Impact Report Number 10126
2. RESOLUTION - Dedicating those portions of City-owned property for public street purposes to accommodate the construction of Merced Street between Congo Alley and H Street
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302, Class 2 Replacement or Reconstruction and adopt a resolution dedicating those portions of City-owned property for public street purposes to accommodate the construction of Merced Street between Congo Alley and H Street.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno has been awarded Measure “C” Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) funding by the Fresno Council of Governments and the Fresno County Transportation Authority to complete Merced Street between H Street and Congo Alley. The adopted Downtown Specific Plans identified the need for the Merced Street Reconnection project to reestablish a 600-foot segment of Merced Street, between Congo Alley and H Street as well as the 230-foot northerly extension of Broadway Street from its current terminus at Broadway Street connector roadway (280-feet north of Fresno Street) to intersect with the Merced Street extension. The project will consist of the construction to the ultimate right of way for Merced Street which is located on City-owned property. The construction will consist of new asphalt concrete pavement for two travel lanes, concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk, and tree wells. It is necessary for the Council to dedicate a public street easement on those portions of City-owned property (APNs 466-206-31T & 466-206-29T) for public street purposes along the northwest side of Merced Street to accommodate the construction of Merced Street between Congo Alley and H Street. The proposed public street easement dedication is described in Exhibit A and is shown on Exhibit B of the attached resolution.
BACKGROUND
The Merced Street Reconnection project between Congo Alley and H Street was awarded Measure “C” TOD funding, one of the funding categories which were included in the 2006 Measure “C” Extension Expenditure Plan. The Merced Street Reconnection Project will consist of extending Merced Street from Congo Alley to H Street and extending Broadway Street from its terminus at the Broadway Street connector roadway to the new Merced Street extension. These new connections previously existed as evidenced by the existing street right-of-way for both Merced Street and Broadway Street. This project will remove the existing walkway and landscape to reestablish a 600-foot segment of Merced Street, between Congo Alley and H Street. The Merced Street project is being closely coordinated with the Hotel Fresno redevelopment.
The street design work is progressing well towards final construction documents, through an agreement with Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group for design and construction support services, as approved by the Council on May 26, 2022.
The proposed public street easement dedication as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B of the attached resolution would change the public use of that area to be consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan as previously adopted by the Council, allowing the construction of Merced Street, and allow the public utilities to be placed in the franchise area.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the attached Resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) Categorical Exemptions set forth in Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Section 15302, Class 2 Categorical Exemption consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. The proposed project would be consistent with the provisions of a Class 2 Categorical Exemption because it would be limited to the reestablishment of an existing roadway and associated improvements. The proposed improvements would not increase the capacity of the roadway. In addition, the project would not result in potentially significant environmental impacts associated with its location, cumulative impacts, scenic resources, hazardous waste sites, historical resources, energy demand, or otherwise have the potential to result in a significant effect. There is no substantial evidence in the record that any of the exceptions to these Categorical Exemptions, set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply to this project. Therefore, no adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply because the dedication of public street does not involve bidding or contracting.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is located in Council District 3 and will have no impact to the General Fund. The engineering design phase and street dedication work is being funded by the Measure C TOD grant for the Merced Street Reconnection Project, through funding included in the adopted FY2024 budget for the Public Works Department.
Attachment(s):
Merced St Dedication Vicinity Map
EA NOE Memo
Merced St Dedication Resolution