February 1, 2005

SUBJECT:  Authorization for City Manager to Execute Grant Funding Agreement for Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 Project and Budget Modification No. 25

REPORT IN BRIEF

The City of Sunnyvale has been awarded grant funding for the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project from the California Department of Transportation-Bicycle Transportation Account. This project would construct bike lanes on Evelyn Avenue from Sunnyvale Avenue to Reed Avenue.

The total project cost is $359,000. The City has been awarded $323,100 in funding from the California Department of Transportation Bicycle Transportation Account, and a $35,900 local match is required.  This report recommends Council authorize the City Manager to execute the funding agreement. The report also recommends Council approval of Budget Modification No. 25 to accept the grant, appropriate the grant funds and appropriate $35,900 in Gas Tax monies as local agency matching funds for the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project.

BACKGROUND

The Bicycle Transportation Account is a source of State funds created for the purpose of improving safety and convenience for bicycle commuters. Competitive grants are distributed to local agencies by the California Department of Transportation on an annual basis.  For the 2004/2005 cycle, $7.2 million was available statewide for projects.

On December 16, 2003, Council authorized staff to file grant proposals for bicycle projects with the Bicycle Transportation Account (RTC #03-433).  At that time, Council also approved a resolution certifying that a local match for the Bicycle Transportation Account funds would be available for the project submitted. This action was consistent with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommendation.

The Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project has been awarded $323,100 in funding from the California Department of Transportation Bicycle Transportation Account.  Local agency matching funds of $35,900 are required by the City.

EXISTING POLICY

The following documents contain policy direction on this issue:

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5: Support a variety of transportation modes. 

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5.4: Maximize the provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5.5: Implement the Sunnyvale Bicycle Plan.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.7: Pursue local, state and federal transportation funding sources to finance City transportation capital improvement projects consistent with City priorities.  

DISCUSSION

Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lanes, Phase 2 is a project that has been identified as a top priority in the 2000 Bicycle Capital Improvement Program Study and the 1999 Bicycle Opportunities Study. The project proposes to construct bicycle lanes on Evelyn Avenue from Sunnyvale Avenue to Reed Avenue. The project will provide connectivity to existing bicycle lanes, Sunnyvale Downtown and the Sunnyvale transit hub. According to the Bicycle Opportunities Study, the project will require the removal of one travel lane in each direction, and the inclusion of a two-way left turn lane.

The proposed project will provide a direct and convenient east/west commute route for cyclists on an arterial roadway.  This is consistent with the City's goal to provide efficient commute routes for cyclists on arterial and collector roadways in order to increase the modal share of bicycle commuters in the city. It will provide connectivity to existing bicycle lanes on Wolfe Road and on Reed Avenue and is consistent with the Citywide Arterial and Collector Street Bike Opportunities priority of the Sunnyvale Bicycle Transportation Plan. The project is also consistent with the new Downtown Specific Plan which identifies Evelyn Avenue as the main east/west entry point into the downtown for bicyclists. The proposed project will also connect to the pending and funded bike lane on Evelyn Avenue from Bernardo Avenue to Sunnyvale Avenue.

The proposed project will provide a bicycle facility in the major transit center, employment area and shopping district where one does not currently exist.  The inclusion of bicycle lanes along Evelyn Avenue, from Sunnyvale Avenue to Reed Avenue will directly serve the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station, as well as a major VTA bus stop.  The bicycle lanes will also directly link to the shopping and restaurants located in Downtown Sunnyvale, a four-block radius that consists of Sunnyvale's historic Murphy Street, the Sunnyvale Town Center Mall, and the Town and Country Village shopping center.

If council chooses not to accept the grant award from the Bicycle Transportation Account, the bicycle lane project will not be completed at this time and no City funds would be allocated. 

FISCAL IMPACT

The estimated project cost is $359,000. The City has been awarded $323,100 in funding from the California Department of Transportation Bicycle Transportation Account, and a $35,900 local match is required.  Council approval of Budget Modification No. 25 is recommended to accept the grant, appropriate the grant funds and appropriate $35,900 in Gas Tax monies as local agency matching funds for the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project.

Conclusion

The City has been awarded $323,100 in funding from the California Department of Transportation Bicycle Transportation Account for the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project. This project would construct bicycle lanes on Evelyn Avenue from Sunnyvale Avenue to Reed Avenue. The total project cost is $359,000. City matching funds of $35,900 would be required. In order to accept the grant award, City Council must authorize the City Manager to execute the funding agreement and authorize Budget Modification No. 25 to accept the grant, appropriate the grant funds and appropriate the required local agency matching funds to the project. City Council could choose not to accept the grant award. This action would result in the forfeiture of all grant funding. 

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

ALTERNATIVES

1.     Authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement for the 2004/2005 Bicycle Transportation Account Program. Approve Budget Modification No. 25 to accept the grant, appropriate the grant funds and appropriate $35,900 in Gas Tax monies as local agency matching funds to the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project.

2.      Do not accept the Bicycle Transportation Account Grant award.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff Recommends Alternative 1: Authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement for the 2004/2005 Bicycle Transportation Account Program. Approve Budget Modification No. 25 to accept the grant, appropriate the grant funds and appropriate $35,900 in Gas Tax monies as local agency matching funds to the Evelyn Avenue Bicycle Lane, Phase 2 project.

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose, Director, Public Works

Prepared by: Dieckmann Cogill, Transportation Planner

Reviewed by:

Mary J. Bradley, Director, Finance

Approved by:

Amy Chan

City Manager

Attachments

Local Agency-State Agreement, Bicycle Transportation Account Project (434 kb .pdf)