TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ALTA PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE CLAREMONT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (FUNDING SOURCE: PROPOSITION C FUND)
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont places value on supporting and encouraging alternative modes of transportation. Over the past few years, plans have been prepared to develop solutions to improve safety and accessibility through walking, bicycling and transit.
The Claremont Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP), adopted by the City Council on November 27, 2007, provided the framework to implement the vision of a bicycle friendly community. This plan was used to apply for and obtain several competitive grants, allowing the City to construct millions of dollars in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. In 2015, the Claremont Bicycle Plan was revised and updated to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive document through the preparation of an Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
During the preparation of the 2024-26 Budget, the City Council identified, as a priority, the need to revisit the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) guidelines and prepare an ATP that the City could use for consideration when applying for grant funding and while implementing subsequent capital improvement projects.
Staff recommends entering into a professional services agreement with Alta Planning and Design in the amount of $439,017 to perform the tasks necessary to prepare this specialized professional planning document.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Alta Planning and Design, Inc., for specialized planning and design services in the amount of $439,017, including a ten percent contingency in the amount of $43,902 for a total not to exceed agreement of $482,919.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The total cost of the professional services provided under the proposed professional services agreement with Alta Planning and Design Inc., is $482,919. Proposition C funding in the amount of $500,000 is included in the 2024-26 Budget for the Community Development Department to fund the preparation of this plan. A breakdown of the funding is included below:
|
Item |
Fund |
Amount |
|
Contract Award |
Proposition C |
$439,017 |
|
10% Contingency |
Proposition C |
$43,902 |
|
Total Budget |
Proposition C |
$482,919 |
The costs associated with the preparation of this report are estimated at $888 and are included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
The Claremont Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) was originally adopted by the City Council on November 27, 2007, to provide the framework to implement the vision of a bicycle friendly community.
In 2015, Birge Engineering revised and updated the 2007 Bicycle Plan, to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive document to be made available through the preparation of an Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The purpose of the ATP was to provide a more inclusive framework to address bicycle, pedestrian and accessibility needs, improve connectivity and create eligibility to apply for grant funds. Unfortunately, the lack of dedicated funding and limited staff resources precluded this plan from being adopted by the City Council.
Using the framework set forth by these planning documents, the City was able to construct bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, included but not limited to the projects described below. In grant funding alone, Claremont has received over $20 million for the implementation of several bicycle and pedestrian projects, including bicycle and pedestrian projects currently in the design phase. A list of projects is included below:
• Implementation of the Bicycle Priority Zone as designated by the General Plan.
• Construction of the Claremont portion of the Citrus Regional Bikeway.
• Implementation of custom designed bicycle racks for convenient bicycle parking.
• Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Pilot Program.
• Arrow Highway Accessibility and Lighting Project.
• Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign.
• Safe Routes to School Infrastructure projects:
o El Roble Intermediate School;
o Sycamore Elementary School;
o Vista del Valle Elementary School; and
o Sumner Danbury Elementary School.
• Foothill Boulevard Master Plan Improvements.
• Towne Avenue at 210 Freeway Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements.
• Towne Avenue Complete Streets Project.
• During the preparation of the 2024-26 Budget, the City Council identified, as a priority, the need to revisit the ATP guidelines and prepare a new ATP that the City could use for consideration when implementing subsequent capital improvement projects and when applying for grants.
With the funds authorized in the 2024-26 Budget, staff will be able to work with Alta Planning and Design to prepare a scope of work that will provide for a robust process for the development of the plan, to include extensive public outreach, and to consider existing City planning documents such as, but not limited to, the Local Road Safety Plan, Complete Streets Policy, Green Streets Policy, and the First/Last Mile plan to develop and enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, while providing programs to educate and encourage active transportation options.
The plan will guide the planning and design of existing and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the City, including a Citywide protected bike lane network and prioritization of active modes of transportation. As part of the City’s commitment to Complete Streets, which provide for equitable, safe, and effective use of all roadways by all roadway users, the purpose of the ATP will be to promote more cycling and walking through the creation of a safe, connected, and convenient network.
Comprehensive active transportation planning goes beyond facilities and infrastructure. Education and enforcement will be considered, as well as potential programs. In addition, the best plans are community driven, with collaborative efforts involving the City, its residents, local agencies and stakeholders. Developing an effective plan depends on their input, to achieve a workable network, along with associated policies and programs.
In keeping with strategy set forth by the 2007 Bicycle Transportation Plan and the 2015 draft ATP, the new ATP will be developed to build up and expand on existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to support a safe active transportation network, with the goal to continue to encourage and promote alternative modes of transportation, and in keeping with the City’s sustainability goals.
With the City Council's authorization to execute a professional services agreement with Alta Planning and Design, staff anticipates being able to provide a final ATP for City Council approval early 2027, as the proposed schedule for this project is approximately eighteen months.
The ATP to be prepared will include the following activities:
• Public engagement
o Public meetings with stakeholders
o Neighborhood meetings
o Online engagement
• Mapping of existing facilities
• Identifying systems gaps, barriers and access deficiencies
• Non infrastructure programs
• Needs assessment
• Protected Bike Lanes suitability assessment
• Preliminary design concepts
• Active transportation network and support facilities
• Design guidelines
• Goals, policy updates and performance metrics
• Identifying financial needs and grant opportunities
• Project prioritization and phasing approach
• Draft Final Plan
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds it relates to the City 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 Vincent Ramos
Community Development Director Associate Engineer
Reviewed by:
Maria B. Tipping P.E.
City Engineer