REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: HARMANJIT DHALIWAL, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Special Projects and Capital Management Division
RAFAEL SAUCEDO, Chief Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Special Projects and Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) (Council Districts 1, 2, and 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Approve the revised State Route 99 Freeway Maintenance Agreement
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council 1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; 2) approve the revised Freeway Maintenance Agreement for State Route 99; and 3) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute this agreement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) and Caltrans mutually desire to clarify and define respective maintenance responsibilities along the State Route 99 (SR-99) corridor within the City of Fresno limits. This updated maintenance agreement incorporates portions of the freeway corridor that have been realigned due to the California High-Speed Rail and the Veterans Boulevard Interchange. The Freeway Maintenance Agreement includes roles and responsibilities for the City and Caltrans that are consistent with other freeway maintenance agreements. This updated agreement supersedes all previous freeway maintenance agreements for SR-99 within the City limits.
BACKGROUND
The SR-99 corridor has a long history with several different freeway maintenance agreements between the City and Caltrans. The State of California (Caltrans) declared SR-99 a freeway by Resolution of the California Highway Commission on July 20, 1944, May 19, 1949 and August 21, 1956. The City of Fresno entered into a Freeway Agreement with Caltrans for SR-99 from Inyo Street to Thorne Avenue and from Belmont Avenue to West Avenue on January 13, 1966. Caltrans and the County of Fresno (County) entered into a supplemental Freeway Agreement on October 28, 1952, for a portion of SR-99 between Thorne (Tehama) Street to Belmont Avenue and from West Avenue to Clinton Avenue.
The City subsequently annexed certain areas including portions of freeway covered in the Caltrans and County Freeway Agreement dated October 28, 1952. Caltrans and the County entered into a supplemental Freeway Agreement on July 26, 1960, for a portion of SR-99 between Clinton Avenue to the Fresno-Madera County Line. The City subsequently annexed certain areas including portions of freeway covered in the Caltrans and County Freeway Agreement dated July 26, 1960.
The City entered into a Freeway Agreement with Caltrans for SR-99 from El Dorado Street to 0.9 miles south of Herndon Avenue on June 6, 2013. The City entered into a Freeway Agreement with Caltrans for SR 99 from 0.3 mile north of West Shaw Avenue to 0.9 mile south of Herndon Avenue on October 3, 2013.
This Freeway Maintenance Agreement will supersede the Freeway Maintenance Agreement dated May 27,1992. The Freeway Maintenance Agreement will clarify and define respective maintenance responsibilities along SR-99 within the City limits. Further, this agreement does not create any new responsibilities for the City.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved both the Freeway Maintenance Agreement as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference was not implemented as this item does not involve the bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
SR-99 is located within Council Districts 1, 2, and 3 and this Freeway Maintenance Agreement will not impact the City’s General Fund. Funds for the City’s maintenance responsibility will continue to utilize Gas Tax and Measure C Street Maintenance funds in accordance with the City’s adopted annual budget.
Attachments:
Freeway Maintenance Agreement
Current Freeway Maintenance Agreement (dated May 27, 1992)
Current Freeway Agreement (dated April 20, 2023)
Class I Categorical Exemption - Caltrans FMA