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Home My WebLink About2021-01-21; Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Complete Street Improvements Project; Gomez, PazTo the members of the: CITY COUNCIL Pate 'h1/.2..1 CA ~CC ✓ CM ~ACM ✓ DCM {3) v Jan. 21, 2021 Council Memorandum To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council · From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~ {cityof Carlsbad Memo ID #2021016 Re: Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Complete Street Improvements Project Update (District 1) This memorandum provides an update on the Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Complete Street Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program {CIP) Project Nos. 6019 and 3904 {Project). ·Background In keeping with the Complete Streets Act of 2008 {Assembly Bill 1358) and the city's Gene~al Plan Mobility Element, the Project provides complete street improvements along both sides of Valley Street from Chestnut Avenue to Magnolia Avenue and the north side of Magnolia Avenue from Valley Street to approximately 500 feet east of the intersection of Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue, as shown in Attachment A. Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users so that pedestrians, bicyclists,.motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities can move safely along and across a complete street. The Project is in a residential area near four schools {Carlsbad High School, Valley Middle School, Magnolia Elementary School and North County Academy) and is well traveled by pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. Currently, large portions of the Project area have no sidewalks or dedicated bicycle paths so pedestrians and bicyclists must share the narrow street with motorists. The Project goals are to: • Enhance mobility for all modes of travel • Create a balanced road that is safe and attractive for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles • Increase sustainability by incorporating green street features To meet these goals, the Project will make several improvements to the city's right-of-way including: • Americans with Disabilities Act {ADA)-compliant pedestrian curb ramps and sidewalks on both sides of Valley Street from Chestnut Avenue to Magnolia Avenue and on the Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsb~d, CA 92008 I 760-602-2730 t Council Memo-Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Complete Street Project Update (District 1} Jan. 21, 2021 Page 2 north side of Magnolia Avenue for approximately 500 feet east of the intersection with Valley Street • Separated bike paths on both sides of Valley Street in the Project area • Paved, parallel parking in the existing right-of-way, where feasible • High-visibility crosswalks in the Project area • Activated rapid rectangular flashing beacon lights at the intersection of Valley Street and Brady Circle • Eight new streetlights in the Project area to.increase night-time visibility • 27 new tree wells and sections of permeable concrete pavers Additionally, overhead utilities will be placed underground in the Project area, contingent upon funding availability and coordination with utility companies. In 2015, Underground Utility District No. 20 was formed by City Council Resolution No. 2015-280 pursuant to Chapter 11.08 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. The formation of this Underground Utility District was necessary to utilize the California Public Utilities Commission's Rule 20A funds. However, based on the most recent cost estimate from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the city's Rule 20A funds are inadequate to pay for the undergrounding of the overhead utilities. In addition to the roadway improvements outlined above, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District plans to replace an old potable water main and services in Valley Street either as part of the Project or as a separate CIP project. Discussion Preliminary designs have been completed for the Project, which were presented to the Traffic and Mobility Commission on Dec. 7, 2020. Some commissioners expressed concern regarding the separated bike paths proposed on Valley Street. In response to this feedback, staff will develop an alternatives assessment to the separated bike paths and obtain public feedback. After receiving this public input, staff will return to the Traffic and Mobility Commission for additional feedback and to request support of staff's recommendation to implement the final design approach. On the utility undergrounding issue, and as discussed in the Council Memorandum dated Jan. 14, 2021, SDG&E's most recent cost estimate to underground the overhead utilities in the Project area is approximately $3.4 million, which significantly increased from the previous estimate of $1.4 million. The city's current Rule 20A allocation balance is approximately $1.2 million, and the city is expected to receive approximately $160,000 every year hereafter in additional 20A allocation (the 2020 allocation was approximately $160,000 whereas the 2019 allocation was approximately $80,000}. At this rate of allocation, it will take almost 14 more years to receive enough Rule 20A funding from SDG&E to pay for the Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Project unless another funding source is identified. 2 Council Memo -Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Complete Street Project Update (District 1) Jan. 21, 2021 Page 3 Next steps Staff will develop an alternatives assessment to the separated bike paths and seek public input early this year. After receiving public feedback, staff will update the plans and associated technical documents, if necessary, to ensure the Project features remain aligned with community needs. Staff will then present the final design approach to the Traffic and Mobility Commission, which is expected to be later this year. Additionally, staff will look for additional funding sources for undergrounding the overhead utilities in the Project area as part of the upcoming fiscal year 2021-22 CIP Budget development process. Staff anticipates coordinating with utility companies for undergrounding overhead utilities through late 2021. Once public feedback on the design of the Project has been received and Traffic and Mobility Commission support has been obtained, staff plans to finalize the Project plans and specifications and obtain the necessary permits in early 2022. Staff plans to return to the City Council in mid-2022 with a request to approve the plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for construction bids. After the bidding process is completed, staff will return to the City Council to request award of a construction contract in late 2022. Construction is estimated to begin in early 2023. . . Attachment: A. Location Map cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Celia Brewer, City Attorney Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney Tom Frank, Transportation Director Ryan Green, Finance Director Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director Vicki Quiram, Utilities Director Dave Padilla, Utilities Engineering Manager Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Jonathan Schauble, Senior Engineer 3 LOCATION MAP- NOT TO SCALE PROJECT NAME VALLEY STREETAND MAGNOLIA AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS DRAJIN Bl'! SCOTT EVANS. CARLSBAD ENGINEERING DEPT. 211.0M C: \CAf!11'At. \LDC:.411'0,\I AMPS\(iOlg.ol!O ATTACHMENT A PROJECT NUMBER 6019