HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-03; Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Intersection Improvements Project Grant Update (District 1); Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date lb 13124 CA \/ CC ✓
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October 3, 2024
Council Memorandum
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Publ~orks
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2024073
Re: Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project Grant
Update (District 1)
This memorandum provides an update on the status of the grant associated with the Carlsbad
Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project, Capital Improvement
Program, or CIP, Project No. 6058.
Background
The last project staff report to the City Council was provided on July 18, 2023. Attachment A
provides the City Council Meeting Minutes for the July 18, 2023, meeting, which includes a
summary of the discussion of the project. Attachment B, which is a Council Memorandum dated
March 17, 2022, provides background information on the project.
The City of Carlsbad is committed to creating roads that are safe and accessible, while balancing
the needs of drivers, bicyclists, walkers and other road users. This is especially important around
our busy coastline.
This project is one of several that reflects state law, our Climate Action Plan and the
city's General Plan Mobility Element, a City Council policy approved in 2015 to transform city
roads into "complete streets." Complete streets are safe and accessible to drivers, bicyclists,
walkers and other road users. When most of the city's streets were designed, the focus was
mostly on managing car traffic.
The project at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue will:
• Reduce speeding
• Prioritize safety for drivers, bikers and walkers
• Create more parking
• Widen sidewalks, including across the bridge
• Move the bus stop out of the middle of the intersection so it's easier and safer to use,
especially for people with disabilities
• Ease traffic flow
The project status at a glance:
Public Works Branch
Transportation Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t
Council Memo -Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Intersection Improvements Update (Dist rict 1)
October 3, 2024
Page 2
• Several years ago, the city worked with project neighbors and the community to get their
input on potential designs.
• This project was started before the city's local traffic emergency, but its goals support the
Safer Streets Together initiative.
• The City Council asked to see data on how the Cannon Road roundabout performs before
authorizing construction of a roundabout at Tamarack Avenue.
• City staff will gather data for three months after the Cannon Road project is completed
and return to the City Council for additional discussion and direction on how to proceed
with Tamarack Avenue.
Additional background is provided at the following project webpage address:
https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/public-works/projects/our-coastline/tamarack-area-
coastal-project
Discussion
The project's funding includes a grant that is administered by the San Diego Association of
Governments (SAN DAG). City staff have been coordinating with SAN DAG staff on continuing to
utilize the grant, given the challenges of delivering a project of this scope involving multiple
agencies.
On September 24, 2024, city staff met with SAN DAG staff to review the project status and
options regarding the subject grant. A summary of the meeting includes:
• The original grant was approved by SAN DAG and the city in May 2016 and had two grant
extensions with a current target deadline of May 2025.
• The original grant was approved with a total construction cost of $1,804,000, requiring a
41.57% local match and a 58.43% contribution from SAN DAG, amounting to $1,054,000.
To date, the city has billed and received $334,285.12 from SANDAG, with $15,508.53 held
as a 10% retention. This retention amount will be released to the city upon project
completion.
• This is the only grant remaining in SANDAG's Active Transportation Program, so SAN DAG
staff would like to close it out as soon as possible.
• SAN DAG and city staff reviewed the pros and cons of three options for continuing to
utilize the grant including: 1) early withdrawal, 2) scope change and 3) time extension.
• The tentative recommendation from SAN DAG and city staff is to request a scope change
that would remove the construction phase from the grant's scope of work.
• This adjustment would enable SAN DAG to close out the grant more quickly.
• SAN DAG staff suggested finalizing the recommended approach by the end of October
2024.
Council Memo -Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Intersection Improvements Update (District 1)
October 3, 2024
Page 3
Next Steps
City staff will continue to coordinate with SAN DAG staff and are tentatively planning to present
the three options to the City Council for consideration on October 29, 2024.
Attachments: A. City Council Meeting Minutes for July 18, 2023
B. Council Memorandum dated March 17, 2022
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
Gina Herrera, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director
Zach Korach, Finance Director
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director
Mike Strong, Assistant Director of Community Development
Eric Lardy, City Planner
Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
Eric Zielke, Senior Engineer
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2
3. APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF THE OKTA SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FROM
CDW-G, LLC -Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-199 authorizing the City Manager or a
designee to purchase the Okta software subscription renewal from CDW-G, LLC, in an amount
not to exceed $406,944 for a three-year term ending Aug. 24, 2026. (Staff contact: Maria
Callander, Administrative Services Department)
4. REQUEST TO APPROVE THE REVISED AUTOMATED REGIONALJUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT -Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-200 approving the
Automated Regional Justice Information System joint powers agreement and authorizing the
City Manager to make the annual payments as required, including any annual cost
adjustment s. (Staff contact: Maria Callander, Administrative Services Department and
Christie Calderwood, Police Department)
5. AGREEMENT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL
REALIGNMENT RESPONSE GROUP PROGRAM AND ITS PROBATION COMPLIANCE CHECKS -
Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-201 approving the 2018 agreement for the Regional
Realignment Response Program and authorizing the City Manager to enter into future similar
agreements and to accept and appropriate reimbursement funds received from the County
of San Diego for the Regional Realignment Response Group Program. (Staff contact: Amanda
Baker and Christie Calderwood, Police Department)
6. USE OF CITY FACILITIES FOR 2024 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION VOTE CENTER
LOCATIONS -Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-202 authorizing the use of the Calavera Hills
Community Center Activity Room, Alga Norte Community Park Meeting Room 301 (General
Election only), Pine Avenue Community Center Activity Room and Stagecoach Community
Center Activity Room as vote center locations and waiving any associated fees for their use
in the 2024 Primary and General Elections. (Staff contact: Faviola Medina, City Clerk
Department)
7. ACCEPTING A $100,000 DONATION FROM GEORGE KRELL TO THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LIBRARY
& CULTURAL ARTS DEPARTMENT -Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-203 accepting a
$100,000 donation from George Krell to the City of Carlsbad Library & Cultural Arts
Department and appropriating $50,000 of the donation for purchase of new seating and
large-type books. (Staff contact: Suzanne Smithson, Community Services Department)
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None.
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION : None.
PUBLIC HEARING:
8. UPDATING CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 7.08 TO REFLECT CITY'S CONTRACT WITH
THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY AND ADOPTING USER FEES RELATED TO ANIMAL CONTROL
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3
AND REGULATION - 1) Introduce Ordinance No. CS-450 amending Carlsbad Municipal Code
Chapter 7.08 Rabies, Animal Control and Regulation; and
2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-204 adopting updated user fees for the recovery of city
costs related to animal control and regulation services. (Staff contact: Reid Shipley and
Amanda Baker, Police Department)
City Manager's Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing, introduce the
ordinance and adopt the resolution.
Police Captain Reid Shipley and Deputy City Attorney Marissa Kawecki presented the report
and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Mayor Blackburn opened the duly noticed public hearing at 5:21 p.m.
Hearing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Blackburn closed the duly noticed public hearing at
5:21 p.m.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Blackburn, Police Captain Shipley explained that the
employees of the human society can use discretion to be able to provide assistance or waive
fees as needed on a case-by-case basis.
City Attorney Cindie McMahon titled the ordinance.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to introduce
Ordinance No. CS-450. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt
Resolution No. 2023-204. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS :
9. CARLSBAD TOMORROW GROWTH MANAGEMENT CITI ZE NS COMMITTEE REPORT -Adoption
of Resolution No. 2023-205 accepting the Carlsbad Tomorrow: Growth Management Citizens
Committee's Report and directing staff to return to the City Council with an implementation
program and opt ions to update the Growt h Management Program consistent with the
committee's recommendations three months after the completion of the Housing Element
Rezoning Program. (Staff contact: Eric Lardy, Community Services Department)
City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution.
City Planner Eric Lardy, Community Development Director Jeff Murphy and Carlsbad
Tomorrow: Growth Management Citizens Committee Chair Eric Larson presented the report
and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4
Diane Nygard urged the City Council to consider directing staff to come back with a plan to
conduct proximity study for city parks.
Steve Linke expressed his appreciation for serving on the committee.
Dave Ordas expressed his desire for a new city park as a safe space for children.
Lance Shulte expressed his desire for a new city park.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, City Planner Lardy explained that the
standard for the Growth Management Plan is 15% open space that is not biological, and it
was adopted in 1986 before the ballot initiative. He added that it was estimated that at the
build out of the plan, the city would fall between 35% to 40% open space.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Community Development Director
Murphy explained that at the July 13, 2021, City Council meeting there was a discussion on
whether to acquire open space or park space in the southwest quadrant of the city. He added
that realignment of Carlsbad Boulevard was also discussed and would allow for up to 50 acres
of land that could be used to recreational or open space purposes.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, City Planner Lardy explained that the
Housing Element Rezone Program is required to be adopted by April 2024.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Parks & Recreation Director Kyle
Lancaster explained that the Parks Master Plan is scheduled to go to the City Council in
September 2023 and park equity will be discussed in that report.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Environmental Sustainability Director
Jaime Wood explained that a sustainability commission has not been considered or pursued
in the city but could be if directed by the City Council to do so.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Parks & Recreation Director
Lancaster explained that if the City Council directed staff to conduct a study on a distance-
based standard a consultant could be hired to complete the study, however it would likely
not take place until early 2024. He added that this would allow for the City Council to receive
updates on other items, such as the park equity maps, that are scheduled to be presented
before then.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, City Attorney McMahon confirmed
that any ballot initiative measures can only be undone by ballot measures, unless determined
to be void or voidable.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Luna, Parks & Recreation Director Lancaster
explained that there is a staff committee within the Parks & Recreation Department that
meets quarterly to review and discuss natural open space opportunities.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 5
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, City Planner Lardy explained that
generally, the four quadrants in the city are defined by El Camino Real between the east and
the west and Palomar Airport Road between the north and the south.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Tom
Frank shared an overview on the South Carlsbad Boulevard Climate Adaptation Study and an
established Capital Improvement Project in south Carlsbad that is not currently funded. He
added that with the Safter Streets Together Plan, a third project is currently funded to
consider an arterial realignment.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Blackburn, City Manager Scott Chadwick explained that
the city currently has approximately 17 boards and commissions.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Deputy City Manager Public
Works Paz Gomez explained that energy studies are spread out throughout various city
departments.
Minute Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, directing
staff to return to the City Council with a discussion on a distance-based park standard. Mayor
Pro Tern Bhat-Patel rescinded her motion.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt
Resolution No . 2023-205. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
In response to an inquiry from City Manager Chadwick, Parks & Recreation Director Lancaster
explained that staff could return to the City Council 60 days after the adoption of the Parks
Master Plan with more information on the distance-based park standard.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Parks & Recreation Director
Lancaster explained that the Parks Master Plan currently scheduled for September 2023 will
provide more information into park equity and if the City Council would like more information
into distance-based park standard, the City Council could direct staff at that time.
Minute Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta to return
to the City Council with a discussion on reevaluating Proposition H. Motion carried
unanimously, 5/0.
Minute Motion by Council Member Acosta directing staff to bring back an agenda item
regarding the potential formation of an energy advisory committee or a sustainability
committee with renewal energy as part of their scope and to consider the recommendations
as part of the current item. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Mayor Blackburn declared a recess at 6:55 p.m.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 6
Mayor Blackburn reconvened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
10. SELECTING INTERSECTION TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR THE · CARLSBAD BOULEVARD AND
TAMARACK AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT -1) Adoption of Resolution
No. 2023-206 approving a roundabout at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and
Tamarack Avenue as the preferred intersection traffic control option and authorizing staff to
move forward with the environmental review, permitting and final engineering design of the
Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project; or
2) Adoption of a resolution approving a traffic signal at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard
and Tamarack Avenue as the preferred intersection traffic control option and authorizing
staff to move forward with the environmental review, permitting and final engineering design
of the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project. (Staff
contact: Lauren Ferrell and Tom Frank, Public Works Department)
City Manager's Recommendation : Adopt the resolution that identifies the preferred
intersection traffic control method.
Transportation Director and City Engineer Frank and Associate Engineer Lauren Ferrell
presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City
Clerk).
Jerry Tucker expressed his support for an intersection.
Don Thorstenson expressed his support for a roundabout.
Mark Embree expressed his support for a roundabout.
Jon James expressed his support for an intersection.
Pat Ward expressed her support for a roundabout.
Michael Hedrick expressed his support for a roundabout.
Chuck Pateros expressed his support for a roundabout.
Loren Chaffin expressed his support for an intersection.
William Fowler expressed his support for a roundabout.
Christina McGoldrick expressed her support for a roundabout.
Robert Wilkinson expressed his support for a roundabout.
Steve Linke, representing a group consisting of Jan Neff-Sinclair, Hope Nelson and Scott
Engel, expressed his support for an intersection.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 7
Kris Wright, representing a group consisting of Elizabeth Banks, Sue and Barbara
Campbell, expressed her support for an intersection.
Sophia Gocan expressed her support for a roundabout.
Monica Gocan expressed her support for a roundabout.
Joseph Nevins expressed his support for a roundabout.
Judy Frankel expressed her support for a roundabout.
Pete Penseyers expressed his support for a roundabout.
Joe Whittaker expressed his support for a roundabout.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank
explained that city staff began to consider a roundabout option when discussing how to meet
the objective of improving active transportation uses among the coastline while also slowing
down traffic speeds.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank
confirmed that this project is not concurrent with other roundabout projects in Carlsbad
south of Tamarack Avenue.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank
explained that though staff currently have remote communication with the traffic signals at
the intersection, smart signals would not address the concerns that are being presented.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank
explained that the roundabout option has a less expensive construction cost, as well as a
higher cost-benefit ratio.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Wood Rogers Inc. Project
Engineer Mario Tambellini explained that the current study demonstrated that on a Saturday
in 2022 during a peak afternoon hour there were 200 pedestrians on the north leg, 70
pedestrians on the east leg, 1 pedestrian on the south leg and 30 pedestrians on the west leg.
Wood Rodgers Inc. Senior Engineer Melissa Gomez explained that their study captured 11
total accidents for the Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard intersection.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank
explained that from the community outreach that was conducted, the main concern from
residents was to slow speed, have a safe intersection for all users and to allow for different
modes of transportation to be utilized safely.
July 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 8
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Fire Chief Michael Calderwood
explained that the roundabout does not demonstrate any significant decline on emergency
response time. He added that the road plan also allows for ample area for vehicles to yield
and allow for an emergency vehicle to pass through.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank
confirmed that statistically a pedestrian struck in a collision has greater odds at survival with
the roundabout option.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank
explained that the Communications Department will be providing on-going information on
roundabouts as they become more popular in the city. He added that a helpful safety tip for
drivers to know is to be sure to use their turn signals when entering a roundabout.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank
explained that pedestrian flashing beacons will be considered once the project's conceptual
phase is complete and they enter the final design phase.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, Transportation Director Frank
explained that from his observation, in traffic congestion most gridlock occurs with traffic
signals rather than roundabouts.
In response to an inquiry from Council Member Burkholder, Transportation Director Frank
explained that when a pedestrian crosses the street with the roundabout option all other
traffic motions continue with the exception of the traffic directly next to the pedestrian
crossing, allowing for more vehicular traffic flow to occur.
In response to an inquiry from City Manager Chadwick, Transportation Director Frank
explained that there is another roundabout project at Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard
that could be evaluated for any issues before final construction of the Tamarack Avenue and
Carlsbad Boulevard roundabout. He added that temporary or interim roundabouts do not
allow for the full benefits of roundabouts to be utilized.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Burkholder, to adopt
Resolution No. 2023-206 with staff returning to the City Council within five months of
completion of the Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard roundabout with data for the City
Council to reevaluate and determine if changes are needed in the design of the Tamarack
Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard roundabout or to pursue other options for this intersection.
Motion carried, 3/2 {Blackburn, Burkholder -No).
This item was continued to a date certain of July 25, 2023.
11. WHAT WORKS CITIES CERTIFICATION FOR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND
Council Memo -Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack Ave Pedestrian Improvements (District 1)
. March 17, 2022
P_age 2
Commission, now known as the Traffic and Mobility Commission. Staff incorporated feedback
from these engagements to develop and refine design options for the intersection
improvements and associated technical studies.
During the preliminary engineering and assessment phase of the project, topographic and site
surveys revealed property line ambiguities in the right-of-way between the city and the
California Department of Parks and Recreation, or State Parks, property. Staff have been in an
ongoing coordination with the State Parks since early 2018 to address the long-term
maintenance and liability issues associated with the project.
City staff have also presented the State Parks staff with a draft reimbursement agreement that
would reimburse the State Parks for their staff's plan review and construction inspection
expenses related to the project. The draft reimbursement agreement was submitted to the
State Parks staff in fall 2021 for their plan check and construction inspection expenses. The city
has not yet received any comments from the State Parks on the draft reimbursement
agreement which has resulted in delays to the previous project schedule.
The city has worked with the State Parks to receive concurrence on conceptual intersection
control designs since portions of the project are located within the State Parks' right-of-way.
Three alternatives were presented to the State Parks for consideration, and additional
evaluation was prepared to address their comments. In 2021, city staff received a concurrence
letter from the State Parks staff on the project's conceptual designs.
Once city staff received the concurrence letter on the conceptual design options from the State
Parks, staff advertised a request for qualifications in summer 2021 to provide engineering and
environmental services for the project. The first-ranked firm that staff selected to perform
these design services had previously worked on the project in the grant writing and preliminary
design context. Accordingly, staff consulted with the California Fair Political Practices
Commission, or FPPC, to determine whether a Government Code section 1090 conflict of
interest existed with the first-ranked firm due to their previous work on the project.
Based on feedback received from the FPPC, staff determined that the first-ranked firm had a
conflict of interest based on their previous project work. Consequently, the city's selection
panel completed negotiations with the second-ranked firm, Wood Rodgers, Inc. On
March 8, 2022, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Wood
Rodgers, Inc. to provide engineering design and environmental services for the project.
Discussion
Due to the complexities of the project and maintenance agreement issues with the State Parks,
the project schedule has been significantly extended. Staff have coordinated with SAN DAG staff
and have requested a second 36-month grant \;!Xtension for the project after the current
expiration in May 2022. The process to seek such an extension requires city staff presentations