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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) 2010-12-10. MENDOCINO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS MCOG : 367 North State Street---Suite 206-1-lkiah- California-95482 MEMORANDUM TO: Lauren Sinnott, Mayor, City of Point Arena Tin? Eriksen; . Public ; Works Dir-ector, City, of Ukiah Dave Goble, Public Works Director, City of Fort Bragg PHILLIPJ. DOw, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Telephone 707-463-1859 Fax 707-463-2212 www mendocinocog.org DATE: 12/10/1:0 FROM: Loretta. Ellard, Assistant Executive Director SUBJECT: Funding Awards - LTF 2% Bicycle & ,Pedestrian Funding (20.10 Cycle) This is to advise you that at their meeting of December 6, 2010, the Mendocino Council of Governments. approved LTF 2% Bicycle & Pedestrian funding for the following projects- Applicant Project. Approved City of Point Arena Pedestrian & Bike FacilitiesProject - Schools $74,785 Project will realign intersections on State Hwy 1 in Pt. Arena, correct sight obstructions, calm traffic, and install sidewalks adjacent to Pt. Arena's five school campuses. City of Ukiah NWP Rail Trail, Phased $66,215 Project is a Class I Bikeway 0.78 miles in length, extending from Gobbi Street to Clara Avenue. in Ukiah: City of Fort Bragg Cedar Street Pedestrian. Enhancement - Design $26,000 Project is for design, component of new and replacement sidewalks along various sections of Cedar Street in Ft. Bragg, including ADA features. Total Funds Awarded: $16/,UUU These funds are now available, and may be claimed on a reimbursement basis. Congratulations on your'funding award, and please feel free to contact me with any questions at 707-463-11859 or ellardl@dow-associates.com. /le NO lJ~ l IC u~i DEC 13 2010 ~J JbAw MCOG MENDOCINO PHILLIP J. Dow. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COUNCIL O F GOVERNMENTS Telephone 707-463-1859 Fax 707-463-2212 367 North State Street---Suite 206-Ukiah-California---95482 wwwmendocinocog.org 2010 APPLICATION FOR MCOG FUNDING PEDESTRIAN and/or BICYCLE FACILITIES PROJECT Please complete each portion of the application in as much detail as possible/appropriate. 1. Project Name: 9. Line item cost estimate: NWP Rail Trail Phase 1 2. Applicant (City, County, MTA) a. Environmental Documentation City of Ukiah $0 (CEQA Exemption complete) 3. Estimated Total Cost: b. Design $662,150 $54,100 4. Funding Requested: $66,215 c. Right-of-Way $40 000 5. Other Funding: (identify amounts & sources) , BTA Grant $595,935 d. Construction 6. This Form Prepared By: $568,050 Tim Eriksen, Director of Public Works 7. Phone Number: 707-463-6280 8. Date: November 8, 2010 10. Description of project: Specify type of facility (pedestrian walkway, standard sidewalk, bikeway (Class I, II, or III) multi-use facility, ADA compliance, etc. How does this project implement the 2008 California Complete Streets legislation? The Ukiah Northwestern Pacific Rail Trail Phase 1 is a proposed Class I Bikeway 0.78 miles in length, extending from Gobbi Street to the south, to Clara Avenue to the north. The Rail Trail will consist of an eight foot wide paved path within the existing railroad right-of-way. The bikeway will include minimum 2 foot wide graded shoulders on each side, in accordance with Caltraris Standards for a Class I Bikeway. Project to include security lighting, and a barrier fence between the bikeway and the railroad tracks, meeting the requirements of the North Coast Railroad Authority. The Rail Trail will provide a safe non-motorized travel route for bikes and pedestrians through Central Ukiah. See attached map and cross-section. Bike & Pedestrian Application Page 2 11. How would this facility improve safety? (Upgrade existing facility, provide new facility, remove gaps in existing system?) For a person of average bicycling skill, State Street is a hostile bicycle environment due to parking lanes, high traffic volumes and speeds, narrow shoulders, cross-traffic, and other challenges. In contrast, the proposed Rail Trail would provide a safe, convenient and enjoyable trail, readily accessible throughout the City, and attractive to bicyclists of all skill levels. Security lighting will be provided to improve safety along the trail during dark hours. 12. How much use (in users per day, or per week) would this facility get? What is the basis for this estimate? (What is the traffic volume on adjacent street/road, if applicable?) The City of Ukiah has the potential to be a great bicycle commuting town due to its compact size, and moderate climate. However, the lack of safe bicycling facilities limits the widespread use of bicycle commuting within the City. The Rail Trail project will greatly expand the use of bicycle commuting since it will utilize a Class I bikeway, physically separated from vehicular traffic through the heart of Ukiah. At this time there are limited means to calculate the number of users that would use the proposed trail. However, since the trail will be centrally located in Ukiah, we expect a high volume of bicycle traffic once the trail is constructed. 13. To what extent would this facility be used by commuters? Commuters are people (including children) who use the facility for utilitarian purposes (including work, school, shopping, etc.). Identify below and on project map, non-motorized traffic generators and attractors (residential neighborhoods, schools, shopping, recreational areas, etc.) along or at termini of proposed project. Opportunities for bicycle commutes will be drastically increased with this project, providing a much needed safe and efficient north-south travel corridor adjacent to the busy downtown area. In addition to providing direct access to major employment centers, services, shopping, and residences, the Rail Trail will provide a crucial interconnect linking other key bicycle routes within the City of Ukiah. The northerly terminus of the project at Clara Avenue will facilitate access to the Ukiah Valley Medical Center, and retail centers to the east. Until the next phase extending to the north is completed, bicyclists continuing north will use North State Street to complete their trips to Ukiah High School, Low Gap Skate Board Park, Redwood Academy Charter School, Fairgrounds, and Crossroads Shopping Center, to name a few key destinations. Some origins and destinations in proximity to this Phase 1 project include the River Oaks Charter School, Ukiah Senior Center, Ukiah Valley Medical Center, Grace Hudson Museum and Sun House, Ukiah Railroad Depot, and numerous businesses. The southerly terminus of the Phase 1 project will connect to Gobbi Street, the City's primary east-west bikeway. Future extensions of the Rail Trail beyond the City limits, will link the City of Ukiah with Mendocino College, Lake Mendocino, and numerous employment centers and residential areas along a densely populated corridor of the Ukiah Valley, creating a truly regional facility for bicycle commuters. Revised form approved by MCOG 1014110 Bike & Pedestrian Application Page 3 14. What is the readiness of this project? Include milestones for each activity below: Activity Date (mo/vr) Environmental Completed Design 6/2011 - 12/2011 Right-of-Way 2/2011 - 12/2011 Construction 4/2012 - 12/2012 Revised form approved by MCOG 1014110 Bike & Pedestrian Application Page 4 15. Will this project completely or partially implement a specific plan that has been developed and adopted for the area? Examples are: Downtown Design Plan, Community Action Plan, Downtown Streetscape Plan, ADA Implementation Plan, Transit Service Implementation Plan. Yes, it will partially implement the City of Ukiah's Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan and the Mendocino County Regional Bikeway Plan. 16. Is the proposed project identified in or consistent with existing plans for the area (Bikeway Plan, City/County General Plans, Coastal Commission, Regional Transportation Plan, and others)? Identify where project is listed in plan or state how consistency with plan is achieved. Yes, it is consistent with the City of Ukiah's Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan and the Mendocino County Regional Bikeway Plan. 17. What alternate sources of funding have been sought for this project? Source Application Date Status Date Available if Approved BTA Grant 11/2009 Approved Available now 18. Is this non-motorized project a component of a larger project? If so, provide details of the larger project Yes, it is a component of the City of Ukiah's Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan and the Mendocino County Regional Bikeway Plan. Future phases of the Rail Trail will extend to the Ukiah City limits and beyond. Revised form approved by MCOG 1014110 Bike & Pedestrian Application Page 5 19. What other funds have already been committed to this project? Fund Type Amount Documentation (Funding Agreement, Resolution/Minute Order) BTA Grant $595,935 Approved Ukiah City Council Resolution on November 18, 2009 20. Does your agency currently have any open LTF 2% Bike & Pedestrian projects? If so, what is the status? Yes, ADA Curb Ramp Phase VI. Due to right-of-way constraints, several of the ramp locations would require easements in order to construct a typical ADA curb ramp. Staff is evaluating other compliant ADA Ramp alternatives which may be constructed within the existing right-of-way. Staff anticipates this project to be fully constructed by the end of the current fiscal year. Alternative ramp locations may be constructed to provide ADA access to the rail trail project. 21. Other Comments: Community meetings were held to gather input from the public on potential projects to improve walking and bicycling within the City of Ukiah. The concept of the Rail Trail was enthusiastically embraced by the public and ranked as the City's highest priority project. See attached letters of support (6) from various organizations and community groups. This project is also identified on the City's approved Capital Improvement Project list. Revised form approved by MCOG 1014110 N wgb~ 1 inch equals 500 feet Photo Date: March 2001 J 25 Ft Sete Fence to provide physical 0 ® 0 , barrier between railroad tracks and trail as required by the North Coast Railroad Class I Bikeway designed in accordance with Caltrans Standards 8 l't minfinunl I I.,42.ft. Min. graded shoulder i I each side North Coast Railroad Authority _ 419 Talmage Road, Suite M Ukiah, CA 95482 Jan Bulinski. District Local Assistance Engineer .Caltrans PO Box 3700 Eureka Ca 95502 January 27, 2005 RE. Ukiah NWP Rail Trail Bicycle Transportation Account 4 Dear Mrs. Bulinski, On behalf of the North Coast Railroad Authority l would like to offer support for the City of Ukiah's application for Bicycle Transportation Account funds to construct the first phase.of the NWP Rail Trail from Clara Avenue to .Gobbi Street. Your favorable consideration of this application will enable the City of Ukiah to complete a very important projebt•which will provide exceptional recreational opporhmities*for bicyclists and pedestrians. This project will add an important North-South link in the City's bicycle master plan. The first phase will construct a bicycle-pedestrian path which will connect Clara Ave with the existing Class 11 bicycle lanes and the existing sidewalks on Gobbi Street. At the Regular Meeting of the NCRA Board on October 20, 2004, a motion was made and passed with a unaniraous vote to support'this project. 'Specifically, the motion stated that the NCRA Board-of Directors. supports the bioyole•pedestrian'path provided.that the* path is compatible with future rail use, that a fence of sufficient height is constructed to protect pedestrians and cyclists, and provided that the city indemnified -the NCRA from liability issues related to the use of the path. P16pse give this project serious consideration for funding through the Bicycle 'T'ransportation Account program. Sing ~ ce rely, Mitch Stogner Executive Director° ' n . NCRA cc: Rick Seanor, City of Ukiah Phone: (707) 463-3290 Fax: (707) 463-3282 www.northcoashailroadorg OMn-Y'Ision - build maintain - enjoy Neil Davis President, UVTG 9680 Laughlin Way Redwood Valley, CA. 95470 January 27i 2005 Ms. Jan Bulinski District Local Assistance Engineer Caltrans; Office of Local Assistance 1856 UNION ST PO BOX 3700 EUREKA CA 95502-3700 e RE:.'. Ukiah Bicycle Transportation Account Applications Dear Ms. Bulinski:' am writing on behalf of-the Ukiah Valley Trail Group (UVTG) to express our support of City of Ukiah's NWP Rail Trail and Oak Manor Trail applications for Bicycle. Transportation Account funding. The UVTG's mission is to advocate in favor of trails; as well as to build and maintain trails for non-motorized use. The UVTG, which-formed just nine months ago, already boasts an e-mail membership of over ninety Mendocino County residents, primarily from the inland of Mendocino County. The quick rise in our membership is an indication of the great interest residents in this area have in increasing walking and hiking, opportunities. We have been very impressed with the ways in which City of Ukiah's proposals build on the. previous•'work of thi!~-'Mandccino Gbunty Regional Bikeway Plan of 2002; The City of-Ukiah's proposals offer an excellent combination of utility and feasability. We are particularly excited about the NWP Rail Trail project and expect that it will provide a valuable first step towards the more extensive rail-trail through fare that is so desperately needed in Ukiah. If volunteer labor would be of any assistance, I am sure our members will eagerly pitch in on the Oak Manor Trail" project. Our mission *includes trail advocacy and we look forward to assisting the City of Ukiah and the Caltrans in educating the public as to-the value of these projects. Please do award this grant to the City of Ukiah. Thank you, Neil Davis CHRISTOPHER D. BROWN AICP Air Pollution Control Officer DONNA ROBERTS NASH Program Coordinator MENDOCINO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT November 14, 2008 Mr. Bob Baca District Local Assistance Engineer Caltrans, Office of Local Assistance 1656 Union St. P.O.37°00 Eureka, CA 95502 Subject: City of Ukiah, Rail-Trail BTA Grant Application Dear Mr. Baca: 306 East Gobbi Street Uidah, California 95482 (707)_463-0354 Fax: 463-5707 mcagmd&o. mendocino.ca.us www.mendoairorg The Mendocino County Air Quality Management District supports the City of Ukiah's application for the Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) Grant for the Ukiah Rail-Trail Project. The proposed project has the opportunity to improve safety, reduce congestion and create a more walkable community. The proposed project will not only provide better bicycle connections through the City of Ukiah, it will also remove bicycle traffic from busy city streets and place it in a protected corridor where bicycle/vehicle conflicts would be eliminated. If funded, this project will also provide safe walking areas for children to and from school. If you have any questions, please call the District office at (707) 463-4354. Sincerely, Christopher D. Brown AICP Air Pollution Control Officer A^Letters\City of Ukiah Rail-Trail ```0~~■it Loaf:a v 0 . CTd U" 18 1 Holly & Scott Cratty Coordinating Committee Greater Ukiah Localization Project P.O. Box 1435 Ukiah, CA 95482 December 3, 2047 h1s. Jan Bulinski District Local Assistance Engineer CalftiL% Office of Local Assistance 1656 Union St. PO Box 3700 Eureka, CA 95502-3700 RE: Ukiah Bicycle Transport Account Applications Dear Ms. Bulinski We are writing on behalf of the Greater Uldah Localization Project (GULP) to support the City of Uldah's application for Bicycle Transport Account fimding to establish rail corridor trails within the City of Ukiah. GULP's mission includes working to establish a "self-reliant community which can provide for our basic physical needs." For our communities to become more self-relaint it is essential .to Have infrastructure that supports people circulating throught the city using their own power (as opposed to having to rely on a greenhouse gas emitting, petroR m import dependant means of transportation). That inftstructure does not exist today. Instead, people who wish to improve their own health, preserve scarce resources, improve air quality and the environment, and increase community interaction by walking or cycling are strongly discouraged from doing so because there is no safe, quick and reliable route by which to do so. The railway corridor path would be a key asset and would enable people to choose walking and cyclying as a practical alternative. The City of Ukiah's application is positive, proactive, forward-thinking and essential. Please award the grant as requested. Than k You, Q 45 Holly and Scott Cratty 11/19/08 Bob Bacca District Local Assistance Engineer CalTrans, Office of Local Assistance 1656 Union St. POB 3700 Eureka, CA 95502 RE: Ukiah Bicycle Transportation Account Application Dear Mr. Bacca The Ukiah Valley-Smart Growth Coalition (UVSGC) is writing'in support of the City of°Ukiah's Rail Trail application to the Bicycle Transportation Account for a local assistance grant. The UVSGC is a broad based community organization that was formed to assure the Ukiah Valley is planned and developed in a manner that maximizes the Walkablity and bicycle friendliness of our community. The Rail Trail as proposed by the City of Ukiah would be the biggest step forward for our community in making a safe North/South bicycle and pedestrian connection through the Ukiah Valley. Currently a daily bicycle commute through the valley can a harrowing experience. The Ukiah Rail Trail will open the possibility of safe and efficient bicycle commutes for residents of all ages. The trail will connect north and south residential areas as it passes through downtown Ukiah. The route is very near or goes through most of Ukiah's shopping areas and is a stone's throw from many of our area's largest employers. This proposal is consistent and a key element in the Mendocino County Regional Bikeway Plan adopted in 2002. As an infill project that gets people out of their vehicles, getting exercise and in contact with each other, it meets the criteria to be a true "smart growth" project. Thanks for you consideration of the grant. II the UVSGC be of service or can answer any.questions please contact us at smartgrowthukCcr)yahoo.com Sin rel , Richard Shoemaker UVSGC Steering Committee P.O.B. 597, Ukiah CA 95482 - http://www.ukiahsmartgrowth.org:- Wagenseller Neighborhood Association c% Susan Sher 307 Clara Avenue Ukiah; CA 95482 Tel. and Fax: (707) 462-6258 E-mail: ssher@pacific.net November 19, 2008 Bob Baca District Local Assistance Engineer CalTranns P.O. Box 3700 Eureka, CA 95502 Re: City of Ukiah Bicycle Transportation Account Dear Mr. Baca: I am writing on behalf of the Wagenseller Neighborhood Association of Ukiah, California in enthusiastic support of the City of Ukiah's application for the Caltrans Bicycle Transportation Account to provide funding for the Rail Trail Project. The Wagenseller Neighborhood borders State -Street on its west side, Orchard Avenue on its east side, Perkins Street on its south -side and Orr Street on its north side. Our neighborhood, once comprised of a manageable mix of residential and light commercial activity, has in recent years, become congested with poorly planned development and heavy vehicle traffic. We understand that Phase I of the proposed Rail Trail willextend from Clara Avenue to Gobbi Street. Many bicycle riders choose to travel on Clara Avenue in order to avoid the even heavier traffic of Perkins Street. Unfortunately, for the same reason, the numbers of motorists using Clara Avenue and Ford Street have also increased, making safe bike riding in the neighborhood more challenging. With continued infill construction, our small neighborhood has become dangerously burdened with a high volume of vehicle traffic. Due to the, absence of sidewalks. on large stretches of streets in our neighborhood, pedestrians, are forced to-walk in the street within just a few feet of passing cars, trucks and buses. The presence of a bike path along the railroad tracks would be a wonderful and safe alternative route for bicycle riders and we hope, would also encourage more residents to ride their bicycles around town rather than drive their cars. We are also very excited about the possibility of a northerly extension of the Rail Trail linking the City to Mendocino College and other points north. As you may be aware, riding a bicycle along North State Street is unpleasant andliazardous. An extension of the Rail Trail along North State Street would be a terrific solution. On a personal note, I am an avid bicycle-rider and am frequently accompanied by my 11 year old daughter while doing errands and short trips around town by bicycle. In fact, my P9 I a f 2. Bob Baca District Local Assistance Engineer Re: City of Ukiah Bicycle Transportation Account November 19, 2008 page two daughter often encourages me to not use our car unless really necessary. While I enjoy our bike rides around town, the constant presence of heavy vehicle traffic, however, makes me nervous while riding with a child. The creation of the Rail Trail would be nothing short of a dream come true. We encourage CalTrans, the City of Ukiah and the County of Mendocino to prioritize the creation of safe bicycle and pedestrian routes. We feel strongly that if walking and bicycling through our neighborhoods were more inviting, residents would be less dependent on cars, thus reducing emissions, lessening obesity and creating safer and friendlier neighborhoods. a~ Please let us know if we can be of any assistance to you in securing the Caltrans grant to the City of Ukiah. We greatly appreciate your efforts in this regard. Sincerely, rs. SUSAN SaR For the Wagenseller Neighborhood Association cc: Ben Kageyama, Senior Civil Engineer, City of Ukiah ps 9, OF 2-