TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: OCTOBER 8, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
LOCAL ROADWAY SAFETY PLAN COMPLETION AND NEXT STEPS (FUNDING SOURCE: PROPOSITION C)
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SUMMARY
A Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) provides the framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements on local roads. The plan can be utilized for a number of purposes, including but not limited to meeting requirements to apply for specific regional, state, and federal grant opportunities, assessing current roadway safety conditions, prioritizing the implementation of safety improvements driven by the analysis of collision data, and identifying priority countermeasures that can be implemented to address specific public safety concerns.
The preparation of a LRSP is data driven; however, and while not required, the Claremont LRSP scope of work included public outreach efforts, which were conducted during the preparation of the plan to ensure that the community had an opportunity to provide feedback with regard to observed safety concerns. The valuable feedback received was considered and incorporated with the preparation of the plan.
The Claremont LRSP is a valuable tool to prioritize the implementation of safety projects through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) whenever feasible, and to monitor potential grant funding sources to assist with the planning and implementation of safety improvements at priority locations. As an example, the Claremont LRSP was completed in August 2024, in time to submit a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant application for the preparation of a complementary safety plan for Indian Hill Boulevard corridor between Arrow Highway and American Avenue, and San Jose Avenue between Mills and Mountain Avenues.
Moving forward, staff will use the Claremont LRSP to prioritize and schedule the completion of safety improvements and use it as a reference to conduct more in-depth studies where necessary to develop plans and specifications addressing high-priority locations with safety concerns as stand-alone projects.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the Local Roadway Safety Plan report.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost associated with the preparation of the Claremont LRSP was $172,140.
The cost associated with the preparation of this staff report is estimated at $866 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
In 2022, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued for the preparation of a Local Roadway Safety Plan. KOA Corporation was selected for the preparation of the plan based on its experience and qualifications. Plan preparation started in July 2023 and was completed in August 2024. The plan preparation was extended to incorporate additional public outreach and feedback.
The preparation of the Claremont LRSP was prompted by the need to provide a framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements on local roads. In addition, the LRSP was pursued to create eligibility to apply for certain state and federal grants and to assist with assessing the current roadway safety conditions to identify safety improvements and countermeasures.
In particular, the Claremont LRSP was prepared to include required compliance provisions necessary to apply for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program, which the City was not eligible to apply for without a LRSP.
The Claremont LRSP provides effective spot-location safety countermeasures based on industry standard practices, creates the framework for implementation that prioritizes infrastructure projects to achieve maximum benefit-to-cost ratios, and ultimately, provides a “living document” that can be continually leveraged into competitive grant application opportunities. As staff often receives requests for street improvements that far exceed City budget capabilities, having the LRSP will make the City’s grant applications more competitive.
The plan was completed in August 2024 in time to be eligible to submit an SS4A grant application to request funding to prepare a Complementary Safety Plan for Indian Hill Boulevard (Arrow Highway to American Avenue) and San Jose Avenue (Mills Avenue to Mountain Avenue).
In addition, the Claremont LRSP will be used as a supporting document to prepare an upcoming SB1 Local Partnership Program grant application to request funding for the construction of the Mountain Avenue Complete Streets Project. The plan is also being used as a reference to investigate stand-alone locations of concern and identify safety improvements and countermeasures that can be implemented to address site-specific conditions. In particular, staff is addressing collision pattern concerns with the intersection of Base Line Road at Towne Avenue, considering the countermeasure recommended in the Claremont LRSP for this location.
Moving forward, staff will continue to use this plan to prioritize safety improvements through the CIP, implementing improvements at smaller locations and stand-alone projects whenever possible. Staff will also pursue grant funding to complete and implement larger, corridor-type safety projects.
The Claremont LRSP is provided as an Attachment. The plan can also be accessed on the City’s website.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the city website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
Community Development Director City Engineer
Attachment:
Claremont Local Road Safety Plan