SR 11-14-2023 5C
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: November 14, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anuj Gupta, Interim Director of Transportation, Mobility (DOT)
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to accept the awarded
Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant and execute an agreement with
the California Department of Transportation for the Santa Monica Boulevard
Safety Enhancement Study
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15252 of the
California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the
amount of $522,327, with a required local match of $67,673, from the Caltrans
Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program for the Santa Monica
Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study (Attachment A).
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the
grant and all grant renewals.
4. Authorize and appropriate the required local match of $67,673 from
Transportation Impact Fee revenues, for a total project cost of $590,000, as
outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report.
Summary
Santa Monica’s Department of Transportation (DOT) continues to advance Vision Zero
safety improvements, which will help achieve the City’s priorities of Clean and Safe and
Sustainable and Connected Community, and the City Council’s Vision Zero commitment
to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries caused by traffic collisions by 2026. The
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Communities Planning
Grant Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding for transportation
and land use planning projects to reduce transportation-related GHG emissions. On
March 9, 2023, staff submitted an application to Caltrans for the Santa Monica
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Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study to evaluate collisions and identify targeted safety
enhancements along the Santa Monica Boulevard corridor. The application was
prepared based on the priorities of the City Council’s adopted plans and programs. On
August 31, 2023, the City was awarded $522,327 in grant funds. Staff is requesting
authorization to accept the grant funds and budget the required local match of $67,673
from Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) revenues, for a total project cost of $590,000.
Discussion
Santa Monica Boulevard is one of the City’s principal east-west arterial roads with an
abundance of connections to transit, jobs, housing, services, and destinations along this
active and developed corridor. As part of Santa Monica’s Vision Zero program, the City
analyzed eleven years of crash data to create a “Priority Network” to prioritize roadway
safety enhancements. In the analyzed period from 2006 to 2016, the 2.4-mile Santa
Monica Boulevard corridor was identified as a priority corridor that experienced 8 fatal or
severe injury crashes.
In 2022, the City completed its Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), which analyzes the
most recently available crash data to further prioritize safety improvements (Attachment
B). During the analysis period of 2015 to 2019, Santa Monica Boulevard was once
again identified as a priority corridor that experienced 206 crashes resulting in 1 fatality
and 9 severe injuries. The LRSP identified six intersections (three signalized and three
unsignalized) along Santa Monica Boulevard as priority intersections.
Recognizing the importance and potential of Santa Monica Boulevard, the City’s Land
Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) calls for the transformation of the corridor into a
pedestrian-preferred transit street with a mix of local-serving commercial and retail
uses, housing, and regional healthcare services; emphasizing the need for enhanced
sidewalks, crosswalks, streetscape, and transit amenities that provide for safe and
accessible linkages and encouraging active modes. Building on this vision, the 2016
Pedestrian Action Plan (PAP) recognized a high density of destinations along the
corridor that include: community amenities such as the Santa Monica Main Public
Library, Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, McKinley Elementary School,
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high-density residential in the Mid-City and Downtown neighborhoods; and high-density
employment such as the Downtown, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, and
Providence Saint John’s Health Center.
To improve access to the activity centers, the PAP identified pedestrian safety
enhancements along Santa Monica Boulevard as priority projects to be completed
within 15 years. Additionally, Big Blue Bus and Metro bus services provide a critical
transportation link between activity centers, and the corridor is within walking distance of
three L.A. Metro E-line train stations, with the Downtown Santa Monica and 17th St.-
SMC stations, and Bergamot station, being located a 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile south of the
corridor, respectively.
The Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study will mimic the process of the Wilshire
Boulevard Safety Study (Attachment C), of which Phase 1 is currently being completed,
and Phase 2 has recently been funded by a Caltrans Active Transportation Program
Grant. The Study will identify targeted safety enhancements through a data-driven
assessment of crash reports, and extensive engagement with first responders and the
community. The outcome will be a community-supported safety plan with specific
recommendations for cost-effective, multi-modal safety measures and transit
enhancements for immediate implementation, identification of future measures that will
require further engineering and design, and a clear plan for funding and implementation.
Through a robust public outreach process, the project will build on the extensive
outreach and community engagement of prior planning efforts (i.e., LUCE, PAP, Bike
Action Plan Amendment, and Wilshire Safety Enhancement Study). Engagement will
include, but not be limited to, meetings with neighborhood organizations, public
hearings, workshops, walk audits, noticing (via website, local paper, local organization
mailing/email lists, newsletters), and online outreach tools.
Next Steps
If Council adopts the resolution to accept the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant,
Caltrans will issue a notice to proceed allowing project activities to begin after January
1, 2024. Thereafter, staff would release a Request for Proposals to procure a
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transportation design and engineering consultant to assist the City in conducting the
Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study. Staff would return to Council to
award the Professional Service Agreement for transportation and engineering design
services in Winter/Spring 2024. The project would be anticipated to begin in May 2024.
Environmental Review
Preparation of the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study is exempt from CEQA
pursuant to Section 15252 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) which exempts feasibility
and planning studies for possible future actions which the agency, board, or commission
has not approved, adopted, or funded. The study will identify safety enhancements
through analysis and outreach. Implementation of the improvements identified in the
study would be subject to future environmental review and approval. Therefore,
acceptance of the grant to conduct the study is exempt pursuant to Section 15262.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks the adoption of the resolution to accept the Caltrans Sustainable
Communities grant for $522,327 that will require local match of $67,673 from
Transportation Impact Fees (TIF) revenues, for a total project cost of $590,000.
Staff seeks authority to accept the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant
for the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study and appropriate funds for
the required local match of $67,673 from TIF revenues.
FY 2023-24 Grant Budget Changes
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number(s) Amount Account Number(s) Amount
20600XXX.XXXXXX 522,327 20600XXX.XXXXXX $522,327
1060000X.XXXXXX 67,673
Total 522,327 Total $590,000
If renewals are awarded, budget changes will be included in subsequent year budgets,
contingent on Council budget approval.
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Prepared By: Kyle Kozar, Principal Transportation Planner
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Santa Monica Local Roadway Safety Plan (Web Link)
B. Wilshire Boulevard Safety Study (Web Link)
C. DOT Grant Acceptance Resolution
D. Written Comments
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City Council Meeting: November 14, 2023 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT A GRANT AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT OF $522,327, WITH A REQUIRED
LOCAL MATCH OF $67,673, FROM THE CALTRANS SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SAFETY
ENHANCEMENT STUDY, AND TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO
ACCEPT THE GRANT AND ALL GRANT RENEWALS.
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica’s (City) continues to advance Vision Zero
safety improvements, which will help achieve the City’s priorities of Clean and Safe and
Sustainable and Connected Community; and the City Council’s Vision Zero commitment
to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries caused by traffic collisions by 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program
(Grant Program) is a competitive grant program that provides funding for transportation
and land use planning projects to reduce transportation-related GHG emissions; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2023, City staff submitted an application for the Santa
Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study to evaluate collisions and identify targeted
safety enhancements along the Santa Monica Boulevard corridor, and the application
was prepared based on priorities of the City Council’s adopted plans and programs; and
5.C.c
Packet Pg. 41 Attachment: DOT Grant Acceptance Resolution [Revision 1] (6025 : Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study Grant Acceptance
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WHEREAS, on August 31, 2023, the City was awarded $522,327 in Grant Program
funds, with the payment of such funds contingent on the City Council adopting a resolution
authorizing acceptance the Grant Program funds and appropriating a local match of
$67,673 from Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) revenues, for a total project cost of
$590,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica accepts the Grant
Program funds in the amount of $522,327 for the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety
Enhancement Study. The City Council also appropriates a local match of $67,673 from
Transportation Impact Fee revenues, for a total project cost of $590,000.
SECTION 2. The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to
negotiate and execute all agreements, amendments, and renewals thereto pertaining to
the Grant Program Funds.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
Doug Sloan
City Attorney
5.C.c
Packet Pg. 42 Attachment: DOT Grant Acceptance Resolution [Revision 1] (6025 : Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study Grant Acceptance
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Xavier Mota
From:Caro Vilain <carovilain@icloud.com>
Sent:Monday, November 13, 2023 12:13 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Support for item 5C
EXTERNAL
Dear council,
I’d like to share my support for item 5C.
As someone who lives right off of Santa Monica Blvd, I can’t stress enough how incredibly unsafe it is.
Just on my block, I’ve witnessed multiple traffic collisions, caused by cars making unsafe left turns onto my
street (so that they can then cut through and speed, in front of a preschool), by cars running lights, by cars
speeding, by drunk drivers,...
We also regularly hear and see drivers using it as a race track at night.
Either I’m walking or biking, I often find myself taking detours just so I don't have to cross Santa Monica Blvd
on my block, because the flashing beacon on my block simply doesn’t do much of anything to stop or even
slow drivers on this race track. But even when I cross at a light, cars make reckless right turns, and run the
light.
I’d love to see right turns only/ left turn restrictions at unsignalized intersections (similar to Wilshire). And truly,
I’d love to see a dedicated bus lane, either on Santa Monica Blvd or on Wilshire. We can’t keep dedicating
these boulevards to cars only, and expect them not to be incredibly unsafe. We’ve done enough of that to
know that it doesn’t work, for anyone, especially considering the large amount of businesses and health care
facilities located on these corridors.
Let’s put this grant to good use.
Thank you,
Caro Vilain
90404
ITEM 5.C. November 14, 2023
ITEM 5.C. November 14, 2023
5.C.d
Packet Pg. 43 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6025 : Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study Grant Acceptance Resolution)
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Xavier Mota
From:Cynthia Rose <Cynthia.Rose@SMSpoke.org>
Sent:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 12:30 PM
To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Oscar
de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; David White
Cc:cris.gutierrez@samosafestreets.org; Anuj Gupta
Subject:Support Agenda Item 5C
Attachments:2023- CC Support Item 5C SM Blvd Safety Study Grant.pdf
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Mayor Davis and City Council,
Please see the attached letter from Santa Monica Spoke and the Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance in support of agenda
Item 5C.
‐‐
Cynthia Rose
Director
Santa Monica Spoke
SMSpoke.org
ITEM 5.C. November 14, 2023
ITEM 5.C. November 14, 2023
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Packet Pg. 44 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6025 : Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study Grant Acceptance Resolution)
A community group dedicated
to biking and walking in Santa Monica.
Working to make the
City of Santa Monica a
more sustainable,
bikeable & walkable place to live, work and play.
November 14, 2023
Support: Agenda Item 5C, Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program for the Santa
Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study
Dear Santa Monica Mayor Davis and City Council,
Santa Monica Spoke and the Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance fully support agenda Item 5C to adopt
a resolution to accept a grant from the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program for
the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study to advance Vision Zero safety improvements.
Like the Wilshire Blvd Safety Study, this second safety grant will help set an important foundation to
build on achieving the City’s priorities of Clean, Safe, Sustainable and Connected Community, and
Santa Monica’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate preventable fatalities and serious injuries caused
by traffic collisions by 2026.
Thank you in advance for supporting staff's initiative and for Council's leadership moving our community
toward a safer, more equitable and connected Santa Monica!
Sincerely,
Cynthia Rose
Director, Santa Monica Spoke Cris Gutierrez
Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance
SMSpoke.org
SaMoSafeStreets.org
ITEM 5.C. November 14, 2023
ITEM 5.C. November 14, 2023
5.C.d
Packet Pg. 45 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6025 : Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Enhancement Study Grant Acceptance Resolution)