REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 17, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANDREW BENELLI, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - 23rd amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2015-104 to appropriate $64,500 for two State-funded railroad crossing safety improvement projects (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Council Districts 1 and 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the 23rd Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2015-104, to appropriate $64,500 for City design costs of street improvements associated with at-grade railroad crossing signal improvements to be installed by the railroad.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Public Works Department staff has collaborated with the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Transportation, Rail Safety Division, for Federal Section 130 Program funding administered by the State, to support railroad crossing safety improvements at two (2) heavily traveled locations within the City. These locations are Fresno Street at Floradora Avenue and Clinton Avenue at the BSNF Railway. To complement railroad-installed crossing safety improvements such as flashing light signals and gate arms, the City will be constructing vehicular and pedestrian safety improvements such as concrete median islands, sidewalks and light pole modifications. The anticipated costs of the two projects total up to $1,304,100. All costs associated with these projects, including staff time, will be reimbursed by the State. The design phase will be completed in FY 2016 and the construction phase will occur in FY2017.
BACKGROUND
The City has been awarded funding to initiate two (2) new capital improvement projects through the Federal Section 130 Program administered by the State of California Caltrans Rail Safety Division. The projects will provide enhanced safety for pedestrians and vehicles at these locations.
The new projects and work are described as follows:
• Fresno Street at Floradora Avenue. The City will reconstruct an existing driveway to a commercial building relocating it ten feet to the north. In the southwest quadrant, city crews will reconstruct the sidewalk, install a pedestrian ramp, and reconstruct curb and gutter. In the southeast quadrant, city crews will relocate a light pole, and reconstruct sidewalks around the railroad warning device. Additionally, the City crews will install detectable warnings on all sidewalk approaches and install a nine-foot wide raised concrete median on both sides of the crossing.
• Clinton Avenue and BNSF Railway Company’s tracks. The City will install a raised median on both sides of the crossing. The City will also reconstruct/repair each sidewalk approach. Install detectable warning on all sidewalk approaches and reconstruct/repave the roadway on both approaches.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply to the projects included in this report as this is new project appropriation for in house design only. Local preference (if applicable) will be considered at the time of contract award.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no new net impact to the General Fund. All proposed costs will be paid for from Section 130 Federal Funds administered by the State of California Caltrans Rail Safety Division and Measure C Flexible funding revenue sources. See attached Resolution for specific funds and associated costs.
Attachments:
Capital Projects Project Type Summary
Capital Projects Detail List
23rd Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2015-104