sr-032409-1gCity Council Meeting: March 24, 2009
Agenda Item: ~ "f G-1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Eileen Fogarty, Planning and Community Development Director
Subject: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to the
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for funding under the
Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Transportation. Planning Grant Program,
Community-Based Transportation Planning; to execute an agreement for
such funding and any amendments thereto; and to submit or execute-any
related documents necessary to participate in the 2009-2010
Transportation Planning Grant Program to study the feasibility of capping
the I-10 Freeway between 17t" and 14t" Streets in the Memorial Park area.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution and authorize
the City Manager to:
1) submit an application to the California Department of Transportation for
funding under the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Transportation Planning Grant
Program, Community-Based Transportation Planning;
2) execute an agreement for such funding and any amendments thereto;
3) submit or execute any related documents necessary to participate in the
2009-2010 Transportation Planning Grant Program to study capping of the
I-10 freeway between 17t" and 14t" Streets in the Memorial Park area; and
4) approve the budget actions as set forth in the Financial Impacts and
Budget Actions section.
Executive Summary
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to submit an
application for funding under the Caltrans Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Transportation
Planning Grant Program, Community-Based Transportation Planning, in the amount of
$250,000 to support the preparation of a feasibility study for capping the I-10 freeway
between 17t" and 14t" Avenue in the City of Santa Monica, in support of the LUCE
Framework vision for the Memorial Park area. This feasibility study is one component of
planning for this area which will include the Memorial Park Master Plan, EXPO Light
Rail Station area planning, and a future specific or master plan for the district as
proposed in the LUCE. This report also recommends that the City Manager be
authorized to submit any and all related supplementary documents and execute a grant
agreement and any associated amendments to that agreement.
Background
Each year the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) issues an invitation for
grant applications for transportation planning projects. The grant program promotes a
balanced, comprehensive, multi-modal transportation system. The planning grants
should ultimately lead to the adoption, initiation, and programming of transportation
improvements. This year, there are four types of grants available. This application is
being submitted under the Community-Based Transportation Planning (CBTP) grant
type, which is funded by the State Highway Account. The goals for this grant type are
set forth by the State, and are to:
1. Improve mobility and accessibility,
2. Preserve the transportation system,
3. Support the economy,
4. Enhance public safety and security,
5. Reflect community values, and
6. Enhance the environment.
The CBTP grant funds coordinated transportation and land use planning that
encourages community involvement and partnership. Projects must support
livable/sustainable community concepts, with a transportation or mobility objective and
promote community identity and quality of life. The final product is expected to be a
documented study, plan or concept that can be used to further smart growth and
community sustainability. Grant applications are capped at $300,000, and require a 20
percent local match. Half of the local match can be in-kind services. Applications to
Caltrans for Fiscal Year 2009-10 funding are due on April 1, 2009. Funds awarded must
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be encumbered within the first fiscal year and spent by the end of Fiscal Year 2011-12.
Approximately $3 million in grant funds are available ih this year's funding cycle.
Discussion
As authorized in the attached Resolution, staff is preparing a grant application for
submittal to Caltrans on or before the April 1, 2009 deadline. The application will
request $250,000 in grant funds to support a feasibility study for capping the I-10
freeway from 17th to 14tt' Avenue. The LUCE Strategic Framework recommends
exploration of freeway capping in the Memorial Park district, in support of a coordinated
planning effort that includes the Memorial Park Master Plan, integration with EXPO
Light Rail, and a future specific or master plan for the district. LUCE envisions the
freeway deck as an opportunity to expand open space, explore joint development, and
repair connections with neighborhoods that were broken by construction of the freeway.
The deck area would introduce a stronger connection between the park and areas south
of the freeway. Capping the freeway would create up to 7 acres of additional land area.
City staff met with Caltrans representatives in January and February 2009 to discuss a
range of capping options for the I-10 freeway. Staff has developed a sequence of
project steps based on discussion and research, beginning with a conceptual feasibility
study. Caltrans staff recommended the grant program as a funding source for feasibility
studies. Similar feasibility studies have been prepared for segments of the 101 freeway
near Hollywood (the Hollywood Freeway Central Park) and in the City of Ventura. The
grant application contains a commitment to a 20 percent match of grant funds, should
the grant be awarded. Half of the matching funding may be in-kind services.
Budget/Financial Impact
The recommendations in this staff report have no budget actions at this time. However,
should the grant be awarded both the grant receipts and appropriations will be
increased in the Miscellaneous Grants fund (20267) of the Community and Strategic
Planning Division. A 20% local match consisting of in-kind services and an amount
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of $25,000 would be required for this project. Funds for the match are available in
account 01267.555060.
Prepared by: Francie Stefan, Community and Strategic Planning Manager
Approved: Forwarded to Council:
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Attachment A: Resolution
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Reference Resolution No.
10387 (CCS) and Contract
No. 9046 (CCS).