REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
CASSIE SCHOLZ, PE, Supervising Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Transportation Project Management
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Accepting the Fancher Creek Trail Plan (Council District 5)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the Fancher Creek Trail Plan, a conceptual study for trail feasibility along Fancher Creek from Jensen Avenue to Temperance Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fancher Creek Trail Plan (Plan) is a conceptual study for trail feasibility and enhancement along Fancher Creek from Jensen Avenue to Temperance Avenue. The Plan proposes conceptual trail layouts, evaluates right of way needs, recommends treatments for trail crossings, identifies public access points/gateways, and provides initial construction cost estimates. The purpose of the Plan is to fill the gaps in Fancher Creek’s trail network, better connect residents to future transit services, and provide safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities to residents. In preparation of the Plan, a broad spectrum of stakeholders and community members were engaged through pop-up outreach events, community meetings and a tactical urbanism event. The development of the Plan is funded by a grant through the State Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program.
BACKGROUND
In October of 2019 the City applied for State funds through Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program administered through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the application was conditionally awarded funding in June 2020. All conditions of Grant Acceptance were met, and the project was authorized to begin effective December 2020. Upon authorization of the funding, the City engaged a consultant to prepare the Fancher Creek Trail Plan and perform community outreach.
Meetings were arranged with each of the various key stakeholders involved with the project at the initiation of the Plan, and after the concepts were developed. These stakeholders include Fresno Irrigation District, Fresno County, Friends of Fancher Creek, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. In addition, a Stakeholder Advisory Committee was formed to gather input and support from other organizations with interest in the project. The committee actively engaged in reviewing and discussing the draft Plan both at the beginning of the project, and once concepts had been developed.
To engage directly with the public, inform them of the overall project and gather feedback, multiple public engagement activities were organized. Pop-up outreach events were held on October 7 and 8, 2022. One tactical urbanism event was held on November 19, 2022, and two community meetings on October 4, 2022 and January 31, 2023. The first community meeting was virtual, and the second was an in-person meeting at Fancher Creek Elementary School, with an online option. Property owners and residents adjacent to Fancher Creek, where the new trail is proposed, were notified of the project and invited to the community meetings. Over three dozen members of the community participated in the second meeting.
In addition to the outreach noted above, a Public Draft of the Plan was made available for a 30-day public comment period. Notice was provided by the following methods pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code 15-5007-F. Hard copies of the Plan were available at the office of Public Works Administration starting on January 11, 2023. The Public Draft of the Plan was posted on the Public Work’s page of the City’s website, and stakeholders adjacent to project areas were mailed notices informing them of the Plan’s availability for review. Notices for the Public Draft and second community meeting were sent to owners and tenants within 250 feet of the trail alignment, totaling roughly 1800 notices. The final version of the Plan, attached hereto, includes the comments and responses from major stakeholders such as the Fresno Irrigation District (FID), and comments received from the public.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Resolution to accept the Fancher Creek Trail Plan. The Resolution has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable as this item does not involve a bid or award of a contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not impact the General Fund. Acceptance of the Fancher Creek Trail Plan will prepare the City to pursue future funding opportunities for the design and construction of the trail. Any future awards of funding will be brought to Council for consideration. The development of the Plan is funded by a grant through the State Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program.
Attachments:
Resolution
Fancher Creek Trail Plan
Vicinity Map