REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 8, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
BY: DAVID A. CISNEROS, Projects Administrator
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an Agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to reimburse the City for expenses related to High Speed Rail project impacts on Roeding Park (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council approve an agreement between the City of Fresno and the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) substantially in the form presented, in the amount not to exceed $180,000 for expenses incurred by the City resulting from high speed rail project impacts on Roeding Park, and authorize the Public Works Director or his designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Agreement between the City of Fresno and CHSRA will allow the City to recover expenses incurred due to redesigning the proposed entrance to Roeding Park from Golden State Boulevard between Olive and Belmont Avenues. The City is responsible for the planning and environmental review steps necessary to make adjustments to the adopted Roeding Regional Park Facility Master Plan and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Facility Master Plan due to the high speed rail (HSR) project. CHSRA is responsible for the planning and environmental review steps to make adjustments to its adopted HSR Project.
The CHSRA will reimburse the City for actual expenses incurred by the City for its fulfillment of the planning and environmental obligations, including but not limited to costs associated design engineer, architect, planner, consultant, as well as expenses for legal actions challenging the modifications to the Roeding Regional Park Facility Master Plan, Fresno Chaffee Zoo Facility Master Plan.
BACKGROUND
In 2011, the City approved a Roeding Regional Park Facility Master Plan (the Master Plan) to allow for expansion of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and other improvements within the Park boundaries. The approved Master Plan called for a new entrance into Roeding Park along Golden State Boulevard, new parking on Golden State Boulevard, and other improvements inside the Park boundaries.
In 2012, the Authority approved the Merced to Fresno Project Section of the HSR Project. The high-speed rail alignment will be placed on Golden State Boulevard adjacent to Roeding Park. This alignment required the City to engage in additional planning and environmental evaluation to implement the parking and entrance adjustments to the Roeding Park Facility Master Plan. The Authority and the City agree that the HSR Project is the cause for the having to undertake changes to the adopted 2011 Roeding Park Facility Master Plan.
Over the last year, the City has been negotiating the recommended agreement in which the City will be reimbursed up to $180,000 to the City for expenses related to modifications to the Roeding Park Facility Master Plan.
This agreement has been approved as to form, substantially in the form presented, by the City Attorney’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
In 2013, the Authority completed the environmental analysis which concluded that the preparation of an Addendum to Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), SCH No. 2008031002, for the Roeding Regional Park and Fresno Chaffee Zoo Facility Master Plans (Addendum) was appropriate under CEQA Guidelines, sections 15164 and 15162; and, on November 7, 2013, the Fresno City Council approved the Addendum and approved the necessary amendments to the Roeding Regional Park Facility Master Plan.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference is not a factor since this is not a competitive bid process. This is a funding mechanism only.
FISCAL IMPACT
This agreement will reimburse the City for current and future expenses at a cost not to exceed $180,000.
Attachment:
Roeding Park Agreement