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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09) 7G Reso MTA Call for Project Las Tunas Dr Project Support LtrCity Council January 15, 2013 Page 2 3. On November 2, 2012, the City's funding consultant, Avant-Garde, attended the 2013 Metro Call for Projects information meeting. The firm subsequently identified areas in which the Las Tunas Project could potentially compete well for a portion of the approximate $186.5 million of state, federal and local funds to be made available for transportation-related projects. 4. On November 14, 2012, FTS conducted the first community meeting with about 200 attendees at Live Oak Park Community Center. Their presentation introduced possible streetscape elements and roadway configurations that could transform the thoroughfare into a downtown destination, while also providing a review of current challenges and market realities for economic development consideration. The meeting concluded with an interactive workshop that solicited public response on the presented concepts. 5. On December 4, 2012, the Council awarded a $30,000 professional services agreement to Avant-Garde for grant writing services associated with submitting the Las Tunas Project for multiple grant applications under the 2013 Metro Call for Projects and Urban Greening Communities Program. The grant applications are due January 18, 2013. 6. On December 19, 2012, FTS conducted the second community meeting with roughly 100 attendees, again at Live Oak Park Community Center. FTS presented three streetscape scenarios for Las Tunas, based upon input received at the first community meeting. The design concepts primarily focused on modifying road and parking configurations, as well as integrating multi-modal amenities required by City policy (i.e., recommendations identified in the Bicycle Master Plan, Downtown Parking Study and Traffic Calming Study). Similar to the first meeting, community members concluded with an interactive exercise, submitting input on the three design options including gateway monuments and landscape schemes. 7. On December 27, 2012, the Council selected and approved Design Option Three, which proposes three lanes in the Downtown Core and to a portion of the Midtown segment. This scenario creates the greatest transformative effect for Las Tunas as it supports a more intimate, walkable village main street not found in Temple City or neighboring cities -while also making the Downtown Core a new regional destination. ANALYSIS: The 2013 Metro Call for Projects provides a significant opportunity for sizable grant funding-between $3 million and $6.5 million-to realize the Las Tunas Project through its proposed multi-modal and transformative design. As such, the City is in a position to submit the project for multiple grant applications in different modal categories. City Council January 15, 2013 Page 3 Based on the availability of Metro Call for Projects funding and the history of its competitive award process, staff believes the Las Tunas Project has the potential to submit grant funding applications in the following modal categories: pedestrian improvements, bicycle improvements, and transportation enhancement activities. Furthermore, in an effort to increase the competitiveness of each application, staff recommends that the Council formally support each of the aforementioned modal category applications through a resolution and associated letter of support (provided as Attachments "A" and "B" respectively), as approval will directly benefit the community and the City's individual goal to develop sustainable, multimodal transportation infrastructure. CONCLUSION: Adoption of Resolution No. 13-4886 and authorization for the Ad Hoc Committee to sign an associated letter of support for each modal category supporting the Las Tunas Project would enhance the City's application toward successfully securing funding in the 2013 Metro Call for Projects. FISCAL IMP ACT: This item presents no fiscal impact to the adopted FY 2012-13 City Budget. ATTACHMENTS: A. Resolution No. 13-4886 B. Support Letters ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION 13-4886 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DECLARING ITS SUPPORT OF THE LAS TUNAS DRIVE SAFETY ENHANCEMENT & BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT FOR THE 2013 LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY CALL FOR PROJECTS WHEREAS, on December 4, 2012, the City of Temple City, through its City Council, awarded a professional services agreement to Avant-Garde, Inc. for grant writing services associated with submitting the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project for grant funding consideration through the 2013 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Call for Projects and the Urban Greening Communities Program; and WHEREAS, the 2013 Metro Call for Projects presents a significant funding opportunity, ranging between $3 million and $6.5 million, for the purposes of converting Las Tunas Drive from an auto-oriented thoroughfare into a sophisticated pedestrian friendly downtown with all of the amenities and safety enhancements available today that will have a lifespan of 50 years or more; and WHEREAS, the City's support of the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project through this resolution and a formal letter of support for each eligible modal category will enhance the application toward successfully securing project funding through the 2013 Metro Call for Projects; and WHEREAS, the Temple City City Council authorizes the Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee to submit a letter on their behalf, supporting the project's grant applications. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City of Temple City supports entry of the Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement and Beautification Project into the 2013 Metro Call for Projects, and hereby authorizes the Las Tunas Ad Hoc Committee to submit a letter in favor of the project in the following modal categories: Pedestrian Improvement, Bicycle Improvement and Transportation Enhancement Activities. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of January, 2013. Mayor ATTEST: CITY CLERK I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 13-4886, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Temple City at a regular meeting held on the 151h day of January, 2013, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Councilmember- Councilmember- Councilmember- Councilmember- CITY CLERK January 8, 2013 Martha Welborne Executive Director of Countywide Planning Los Angeles County MTA One Gateway Plaza MS-99-23-1 Los Angeles, CA 90012 RE: PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ATTACHMENT B Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement & Beautification Project The Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee is pleased to submit this letter in support of the City's application to the Los Angeles County MT A 2013 Call for Projects in the Pedestrian modal category. This project will be a great addition to the San Gabriel Valley and will promote walking as a viable form of transportation in the city of Temple City. As representatives of the City Council appointed Ad Hoc Committee for this project, we are very excited about the possibility of funding. It would provide us an opportunity to implement much needed infrastructure improvements by constructing pedestrian lighting, sidewalk improvements, curb ramps, enhanced pedestrian crossing features, landscaping, signage, and street furniture. The proposed improvements directly seek to reduce vehicle trips; increase connectivity to public transportation; demonstrate to visitors the civic quality and values of our community; and invite them to shop, find entertainment, explore and linger in Temple City. The City has spent a significant amount of time and effort collaborating with the community to adopt their "complete street" vision for Las Tunas Drive. With secured funding the City will be able to deliver multi modal travel that supersedes basic access for pedestrians and bicycles. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Metro on this important and regionally beneficial project, and look forward to collaboratively working together. Sincerely, City of Temple City Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee Vincent Yu, Mayor Cynthia Sternquist, Mayor Pro Tern Jose E. Pulido, City Manager January 8, 2013 Martha Welborne Executive Director of Countywide Planning Los Angeles County MTA One Gateway Plaza MS-99-23-1 Los Angeles, CA 90012 RE: BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement & Beautification Project The Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee is pleased to submit this letter in support of the City's application for the Los Angeles County MTA 2013 Call lor Projects in the bicycle modal category. This project will be a great addition to the San Gabriel Valley and will promote bicycling as a viable form of transportation in the city of Temple City. As representatives of the City Council appointed Ad Hoc Committee lor this project, we are very excited about the possibility of funding. It could provide us an opportunity to implement much needed bicycle infrastructure improvements that will support bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation, as well as contribute greatly to other efforts being made in the development of a livable, walkable, multi-jurisdictional community. In anticipation of this important grant opportunity, the City contracted Freedman Tung & Sasaki (FTS), an urban design firm, to redesign Las Tunas Drive from an auto-oriented thoroughfare into a sophisticated bicycle friendly downtown. The proposed project consists of constructing bicycle related improvements along Las Tunas Drive within the city limits of Temple City. This includes, among other improvements, a road diet, installation of a designated bicycle lane, wayfinding signage, bicycle racks, striping and pavement markings. The proposed improvements seek to directly reduce vehicle trips; increase connectivity to public transportation; demonstrate to visitors the civic quality and values of our community; and invite them to shop, find entertainment, explore and linger in Temple City. The City has spent a significant amount of time and effort collaborating with the community to adopt their "complete street" vision lor Las Tunas Drive. With secured funding the City will be able to deliver multimodal travel that supersedes basic access lor bicycles and pedestrians. Integration of transportation and land use will help the city achieve high levels of non-motorized travel and transit use, and reduce vehicle trips while providing a high level of accessibility to Temple City. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Metro on this important and regionally beneficial project, and look forward to collaboratively working together. (continued on next page) January 8, 2013 BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement & Beautification Project Pg.2 Sincerely, City of Temple City Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee Vincent Yu, Mayor Cynthia Sternquist, Mayor ProTem Jose E. Pulido, City Manager January 8, 2013 Martha Welborne Executive Director of Countywide Planning Los Angeles County MTA One Gateway Plaza MS-99-23-1 Los Angeles, CA 90012 RE: TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement & Beautification Project The Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee is pleased to submit this letter in support of the City's application for the Los Angeles County MTA 2013 Call for Projects in the transportation enhancement activities modal category. This project will be a great addition to the San Gabriel Valley and will promote walking and bicycling as a viable form of transportation in the city of Temple City. As representatives of the City Council appointed Ad Hoc Committee for this project, we are very excited about the possibility of funding. It could provide us an opportunity to implement much needed infrastructure improvements that will support alternative modes of transportation, as well as contribute greatly to other efforts being made in the development of a livable, walkable, multi- jurisdictional community. In anticipation of this important grant opportunity, the City contracted Freedman Tung & Sasaki (FTS), an urban design firm, to redesign Las Tunas Drive from an auto-oriented thoroughfare into a sophisticated bicycle and pedestrian-friendly downtown. The proposed project consists of constructing transportation enhancement improvements along Las Tunas Drive within the city limits of Temple City. Improvements will consist of streetscape renovations, and architectural and environmental features designed to enhance mobility options along Las Tunas Drive within the city limits of Temple City. These proposed improvements seek to directly reduce vehicle trips; increase connectivity to public transportation; demonstrate to visitors the civic quality and values of our community; and invite them to shop, find entertainment, explore and linger in Temple City. The City has spent a significant amount of time and effort collaborating with the community to adopt their "complete street" vision for Las Tunas Drive. With secured funding the City will be able to deliver rnultimodal travel that supersedes basic access for bicycles and pedestrians. Integration of transportation and land use will help the city achieve high levels of non-motorized travel and transit use, and reduce vehicle trips while providing a high level of accessibility to Temple City. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Metro on this important and regionally beneficial project, and look forward to collaboratively working together. (continued on next page) January 8, 2013 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES Las Tunas Drive Safety Enhancement & Beautification Project Pg.2 Sincerely, City of Temple City Las Tunas Drive Ad Hoc Committee Vincent Yu, Mayor Cynthia Sternquist, Mayor ProTem Jose E. Pulido, City Manager