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
ANDREINA AGUILAR, Chief Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study, Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment, and to City of Fresno Truck Route Map:
1. RESOLUTION - Accepting the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study prepared by Arcadis, and the Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment prepared by University of California, Merced;
2. BILL - (For Introduction) Adopting changes and additions to the official list of designated truck routes within the City of Fresno pursuant to Section 14-1303 of the Fresno Municipal Code. (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the resolution accepting the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study prepared by Arcadis, and the Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment prepared by the University of California, Merced; and adopt the bill amending the official list of designated truck routes within the City of Fresno pursuant to Section 14-1303 of the Fresno Municipal Code.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On April 28, 2022, the City Council approved a consultant agreement with Arcadis (formerly IBI Group) and a research agreement with the University of California, Merced (UC Merced). Arcadis prepared a Truck Reroute Study (Study) and UC Merced prepared a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) within the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community.
The Study’s objective was to evaluate the current truck route network, decrease truck impacts, and improve community safety in South Central Fresno while maintaining, or increasing, goods movement productivity. The HIA’s objective was to assess the impact of air pollution, and proximity to truck traffic, on risk of common health outcomes across the lifespan. Both Arcadis and UC Merced had separate efforts but worked together throughout the process of the project to ensure their common goal was met. The HIA findings were used to identify existing truck routes that could potentially be removed or re-routed as part of the Study’s efforts.
Upon evaluation of the Study’s recommendations and the HIA’s findings, and a starting point, Staff brings to the City Council an updated City of Fresno Designated Truck Route Map proposed for adoption, see Exhibit A. The Study also provided a list of recommended strategies that can be considered and ultimately decided by City Council in the future.
BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617), signed by Governor Jerry Brown in July 2017, initiated a state-wide effort to monitor and reduce air pollution, and improve public health, in communities that experience disproportionate burdens from exposure to air pollutants through new community-focused actions. The South Central Fresno AB 617 Community (Community) was prioritized by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (Air District) and subsequently selected by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to receive clean air resources available under AB 617. The Air District formed the Community Steering Committee (CSC); the CSC is responsible for advising the Air District with efforts related to AB 617 and identifying areas of concern in the community where air pollution impacts sensitive receptors.
Through the CSC efforts, the Community Emissions Reduction Program (CERP) identified the need to reroute truck traffic away from sensitive receptors such as residents, schools, and parks. Community concerns with truck traffic and truck routes were also expressed and identified in the Southwest Fresno Specific Plan adopted by City Council in 2017. With this, the City of Fresno partnered with the Air District to initiate the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study (Study) and Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment (HIA).
Per City of Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Section 14-1303 Truck Routes, a truck route is a street designated for the movement of any vehicle exceeding a maximum gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.). The FMC also does not prohibit an operator of said vehicle to use a street, not designated as a truck route, for the purpose of making pickups and deliveries of goods and merchandise considering the origin or designation is located on such street. In addition, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) authorizes local authorities to pass ordinances that permit the operation of vehicles on city streets. More specifically, CVC 35701, 35702, 35703 state that local authorities can designate truck routes on certain streets by ordinance, said truck routes are exclusive to the local authority’s jurisdiction, and commercial vehicles can use a direct route to and from a restricted street if they are making pickups or deliveries, delivering materials for construction, alteration, remodeling, or repair, or if they have building permits. The City of Fresno designated truck routes does not restrict truck access to state highways or the use of county roads as it is not in the city’s jurisdiction.
The Study’s objective was to evaluate the current truck route network, decrease truck impacts, and improve community safety in South Central Fresno while maintaining, or increasing, goods movement productivity. The Study evaluated the community’s existing conditions and best practices when putting together their recommended implementation strategies and proposed truck route network. As part of the Study, a Community Advisory Group (CAG) was formed to ensure the process was community driven; it consisted of residents and business representatives in the AB 617 boundary. A Technical Steering Committee (TSC) was also formed to evaluate the technical components of the Study, this included representatives from the County of Fresno, Caltrans Air District, Fresno Council of Governments, and City Staff. The TSC and CAG met six times throughout the process to review, provide input, and provide guidance on important milestones. The Air District’s CSC members also attended the CAG meeting and community events. Both the CAG and CSC members were crucial in identifying locations and events where the project team could obtain valuable input from both residents and businesses. Through a variety of community outreach efforts, the project team was able to understand the community’s concerns related to truck traffic, safety, noise, air pollution, road conditions, and others. Based on the existing conditions, best practices, CAG, CSC, and community’s input, Arcadis presented possible strategies that could be considered for implementation and a proposed updated Truck Route network.
During a 30-day public comment period from May 10 through June 10, 2024, the City received seven comment letters from partner agencies, members of the public, community groups, and interested parties, in addition to comments delivered by attendees at community meetings. The City also received feedback via social media outreach. All comments received during the comment period were reviewed and considered, and where pertinent, incorporated into the final plan. A summary of outreach opportunities, meetings and events is attached. The meetings listed were organized by the consultant, by City staff, or by Council District staff. The project team ensured that different times and options were made available for the community and stakeholders to voice their concerns and recommendations. Meetings were held in-person, virtual, as interviews for a more focused approach, and as one-on-one’s (upon request).
The Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was prepared by University of California, Merced researchers. The HIA’s objective was to assess the impact of air pollution on risk of common health outcomes across the lifespan. The health outcomes included infant mortality, preterm delivery, asthma, and cardio cerebral vascular events. Researchers used population-based datasets along with publicly available data for their analysis. UC Merced researchers conducted a community-based health survey to further understand residents’ concerns, health outcomes, and health needs that were relevant to the Study; a total of 1766 surveys were completed and evaluated. The HIA’s findings were used to inform the Study in evaluating the truck route networks to reduce the air pollution exposure on residential areas and schools.
Through a vast amount of consideration, input, and technical analysis from the community, CSC, CAG, TSC, and HIA, the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study has presented a proposed Truck Route Map and possible strategies that could be implemented to address concerns. Staff recommends to the City Council to accept the South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study and the Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment.
The presented Truck Route Map proposes to remove approximately 43 miles of designated truck routes within the AB 617 community boundary, see Table 1 below. To provide alternate connections for the remaining truck routes, the Study proposes adding approximately 3.6 miles of designated truck routes, see Table 2.
|
Table 1: Truck Routes to be Removed |
|
STREET |
LIMITS |
|
A ST |
Trinity St - Snow Ave |
|
AMADOR ST |
Teilman Ave - A St |
|
B ST |
Cesar Chavez Blvd - California Ave |
|
B ST |
Trinity Ave - Fresno St |
|
BROADWAY ST |
Cesar Chavez Blvd - San Benito St |
|
BUTLER AVE |
East Ave - Cedar Ave |
|
CESAR CHAVEZ BLVD |
West Ave - C St |
|
CALIFORNIA AVE |
G St - Cherry Ave |
|
CEDAR AVE |
Church Ave - Jensen Bypass |
|
CENTRAL AVE |
Elm Ave - Cedar Ave |
|
CHERRY AVE |
North Ave - Central Ave |
|
CHESTNUT AVE |
Belmont Ave to North Ave |
|
CHURCH AVE |
SR 41 limit - West Ave |
|
DIVISADERO ST |
Echo Ave - G St |
|
E ST |
El Dorado St - Fresno St |
|
ELM AVE |
California Ave - Central Ave |
|
FRESNO ST |
B St - SR 99 |
|
FRESNO ST |
G St - H St |
|
G ST |
Divisadero St - Church Ave |
|
JENSEN AVE |
SR 41 - West Ave |
|
M ST |
Stanislaus St - Cesar Chavez Blvd |
|
MARKS AVE |
Kearney Blvd - Cesar Chavez Blvd |
|
NORTH AVE |
Walnut Ave - SR 41 |
|
NORTH AVE |
Maple Ave - Peach Ave |
|
O ST |
Divisadero St - Stanislaus St |
|
P ST |
Tuolumne St - O St |
|
PALM AVE |
McKinley Ave - Belmont Ave |
|
RAILROAD AVE |
California Ave - Golden State Blvd |
|
ROOSEVELT |
H St - Divisadero St |
|
STANISLAUS ST |
B St - Divisadero St |
|
THORNE AVE |
Whitesbridge Ave - Kearney Blvd |
|
TULARE ST |
1st St - Cedar Ave |
|
TUOLUMNE ST |
A St - G St |
|
WALNUT AVE |
Church Ave - North Ave |
|
WEST AVE |
McKinley Ave - Weber Ave |
|
WEST AVE |
Cesar Chavez Blvd - Jensen Ave |
|
WHITESBRIDGE AVE |
Brawley Ave - Trinity St |
|
Table 2: Truck Routes to be Added |
|
STREET |
LIMITS |
|
CALIFORNIA AVE |
Van Ness Ave - Cedar Ave |
|
CENTRAL AVE |
Cedar Ave - Maple Ave |
|
E ST |
Fresno St - Cesar Chavez Blvd |
|
FRESNO ST |
G St - H St |
|
H ST |
Divisadero St - Fulton Ave |
|
WEST AVE |
Golden State Boulevard - Olive Ave |
City staff has reviewed the proposed Truck Route Map presented in the Truck Reroute Study. Per Fresno Municipal Code Section 14-1303, the City Traffic Engineer shall maintain a “List of Truck Routes” and amendments to said list shall be adopted by City Council through ordinance adoption. Therefore, Staff recommends to the City Council, adoption of the attached ordinance to amend the official list of designated truck routes as listed above.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The current action is not subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The appropriate finding under CEQA will be considered at adoption.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this project does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact will occur as a result of updating the designated truck route map. Maintenance and replacement of any truck route signage is a regular budgeted expense which will not change as a result of this update.
Attachment(s):
City of Fresno Designated Truck Route Map (proposed)
South Central Fresno AB 617 Community Truck Reroute Study
Fresno Community Environmental Health Impact Assessment
Summary of Outreach Opportunities
Comment Letters Received
Resolution Accepting South Central Fresno AB 617
Ordinance amending the official list of designated truck routes
Presentation - AB 617 Community Truck Reroute and HIA