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CC - Item 4A - Resolution No. 2019-01 Adopting Complete Streets PolicyROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: GLORIA MOLLEDA, CITY MANAGER J, K4, DATE; JANUARY 15, 2019 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ADOPTING COMPLETE STREETS POLICY PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA COMPLETE STREETS ACT OF 2008 SUMMARY "Complete Streets" are streets that are designed to allow safe and convenient access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, motorists, and transit users of all ages and abilities. The State of California emphasized the importance of Complete Streets by enacting the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 which requires cities to adopt Complete Streets policies that identify how they will provide for the mobility needs of all users, recognizing bicycles, pedestrians and transit modes as integral elements of the transportation system. Beginning in January 2011, any substantive revisions to the circulation element of the general plan must include complete streets provisions. In addition, Complete Streets help to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions mandated by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (known as AB 32) and the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (known as SB 375), which require emissions reductions through coordinated regional planning that integrates transportation, housing, and land - use policy. The goals set by these laws will require significant increases in travel by public transit, bicycling, and walking. Annually, Metropolitan Transportation Authority allocates federal grant funds to the region to support streets, highways, mass transit, non -vehicular access and other infrastructure improvements. To receive funding through the program, a jurisdiction must have either updated its General Plan to comply with the Complete Streets Act of 2008, or adopted a Complete Streets Resolution that incorporates the required Complete Streets elements. STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Approve Resolution No. 2019-01 adopting a Complete Streets Policy; and 2. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4.A City Council Meeting January 15, 2019 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION The California Department of Transportation issued Deputy Directive 64 which explained that it "views all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers in California and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the transportation system." Jurisdictions interested in receiving funds are required to either update their General Plan to comply with the Complete Streets Act of 2008 or adopt a complete streets policy resolution (attached). The proposed Complete Streets Policy is intended to establish guidelines that the City of Rosemead may use to create safe places for residents to walk and bike, and to increase physical activity and access to transit, thereby making neighborhoods more connected and making the city a better place to live. The Policy is also intended to cover development and reconstruction in the public domain and street improvement within the City. It will also focus on the City's commitment to creating quality streets that are responsive to community needs, and safe for everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or mode of travel. The objective of the proposed Complete Streets Policy is to establish guiding principles and practices so transportation improvements are planned, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to encourage walking, bicycling, and transit use while promoting safe operations for all users based upon the following principles: • Serve all Users — Transportation improvements will be planned, designed, constructed, operated and maintained to support safe and convenient access for all users, and increase mobility for walking, bicycling and transit use, wherever possible while promoting safe and accessible operations for all users. • Context Sensitivity — The planning and implementation of transportation projects will reflect conditions within and surrounding the project area, whether the area is a residential or business district. Project planning, design and construction of complete streets projects should include working with various stakeholders and the Traffic Commission to ensure that a strong sense of place is maintained. • Complete Streets in Departments — Relevant City departments in the jurisdiction whose work affects the roadway must incorporate a complete streets approach into the review and implementation of their projects and activities. Potential Complete Streets opportunities could apply to projects such as, transportation projects, road rehabilitation, new development, utilities, etc. • Projects/Phases - The policy will apply, as feasible, to roadway projects including those involving new construction, reconstruction, retrofits, repaving, rehabilitation, or changes in the allocation of pavement space on an existing roadway, as well as those that involve new privately built roads and easements intended for public use. City Council Meeting January 15, 2019 Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT - There is no fiscal impact on the City's general fund for adopting this policy. However, the City would not be eligible for Federal or State grants (available for maintaining local streets) if the Complete Streets Policy is not adopted. STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT - None PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Prepared by: Rey Alfonso, P.E., Director of Public Works Attachment A: Resolution and Complete Streets Policy Attachment A Resolution No. 2019-01 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ADOPTING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY WHEREAS, the term "Complete Streets" describes a comprehensive, integrated transportation network with infrastructure and design that allows safe and convenient travel along and across streets for all users, including pedestrians, users and operators of public transit, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, seniors, children, motorists, uses of green modes, and movers of commercial goods; and WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead recognizes that the planning and coordinated development of Complete Streets infrastructure provides benefits for local governments in the areas of infrastructure cost savings, public health, and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, the City acknowledges the benefits and value for the public health and welfare of reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing transportation by walking, bicycling, and public transportation; WHEREAS, the State of California has emphasized the importance of Complete Streets by enacting the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 (also known as AB 1358), which requires that when cities or counties make substantive revisions to the circulation elements of their general plans, they identify how they will provide for the mobility needs of all users of the roadways, as well as through Deputy Directive 64 in which the California Department of Transportation explained that it "views all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers in California and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the transportation system"; WHEREAS, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (known as AB 32) sets a mandate for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in California, and the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (known as SB 375) requires emissions reductions through coordinated regional planning that integrates transportation, housing, and land - use policy, and achieving the goals of these laws will require significant increases in travel by public transit, bicycling, and walking; WHEREAS, numerous California counties, cities, and agencies have adopted Complete Streets policies and legislation in order to further the health, safety, welfare, economic vitality, and environmental well-being of their communities; WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), through its Metro Complete Streets Policy, requires that all jurisdictions address complete streets policies at the local level through the adoption of a complete streets policy resolution, which should include the "Elements of an Ideal Complete Streets Policy" developed by the National Complete Streets Coalition, or through a general plan that complies with the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 to be eligible for Metro Capital Grant funds; WHEREAS, the City therefore, in light of the foregoing benefits and considerations, wishes to improve its commitment to Complete Streets and desires that its streets form a comprehensive and integrated transportation network promoting safe and convenient travel for all users while preserving flexibility, recognizing community context, and using design guidelines and standards that support best practices; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the City of Rosemead adopts the Complete Streets Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A, and made part of this Resolution by this reference. SECTION 2. That the next substantial revision of the City of Rosemead General Plan circulation will incorporate Complete Streets policies and principles consistent with the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 (AB 1358) and with the Complete Streets Policy adopted by this resolution, as such may be amended from time to time by the City Council. SECTION 3. That the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of the Resolution and shall forward a copy of this Resolution to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF , 2019 ATTEST: Ericka Hernandez City Clerk Steven Ly Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Rachel H. Richman City Attorney Exhibit A This Complete Streets Policy was adopted by Resolution No. Council of the City of Rosemead on CITY OF ROSEMEAD COMPLETE STREETS POLICY 1, Complete Streets Principles. by the City 1.1. Complete Streets Serving All Users. The City of Rosemead expresses its commitment to creating and maintaining Complete Streets that provide safe, comfortable, and convenient travel along and across streets (including streets, roads, highways, bridges, and other portions of the transportation system to the extent they are controlled by the City) through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all categories of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, users and operators of public transportation, emergency vehicles, seniors, children, youth, and families. 1.2. Context Sensitivity. In planning and implementing street projects, all departments of the City of Rosemead shall maintain sensitivity to local conditions in both residential and business districts and shall work with residents, merchants, and other stakeholders to ensure that a strong sense of place ensues. Improvements that will be considered shall include sidewalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes, bicycle routes, bicycle boulevards, paved shoulders, street trees, landscaping planting strips, accessible curb ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, pedestrian signals, signs, street furniture, bicycle parking facilities, public transit stops and facilities, transit priority signalization, and other features assisting in the provision of safe travel for all users, such as traffic calming circles and other traffic calming devices, transit bulb outs, and road diet. 1.3. Complete Streets Routinely Addressed by All Departments. All relevant Departments of the City of Rosemead shall work towards making Complete Streets practices a routine part of everyday operations; approach every relevant project, program, and practices as an opportunity to improve streets and the transportation network for all categories of users; and work in coordination with other departments, agencies, and jurisdictions to maximize opportunities for Complete Streets, connectivity, and cooperation. The following example project types provide opportunities: pavement resurfacing, restriping, accessing above and underground utilities, signalization operations or modifications, and maintenance of landscaping/related features. In order to ensure coordination and compliance with this Complete Streets Policy across all Departments and Divisions, the City shall develop internal practices that guide routine staff actions and decisions. These practices shall be developed and updated by the Public Works Department in partnership with other relevant City Departments and Divisions. The Director of Public Works shall identify one or more Complete Streets policy coordinator(s) within each Division or at the Department level to oversee implementation of and future updates to this Policy. 1.4. All Proiects and Phases. Complete Streets infrastructure sufficient to enable reasonably safe travel along and across the right of way for each category of users shall be incorporated into all planning, funding, design, approval, and implementation processes for any construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, operations, alteration, or repair of streets (including streets, roads, highways, bridges, and other portions of the transportation system), except that specific infrastructure for a given category of users may be excluded if an exemption is approved via the process set forth in Section 3.1 of this Policy. 2. Implementation. 2.1. Plan consultation and Consistency. Maintenance, planning, and design of projects affecting the transportation system shall be consistent with applicable local bicycle, pedestrian, transit, multimodal, and/or other relevant plans, except where such consistency cannot be achieved without negative consequences, and if the head of the relevant department provides written approval explaining the basis of such exemption. Such exemption shall be presented to Traffic Commission to ensure that the Commission has the opportunity to provide comments and recommendations. 2.2. Design. City of Rosemead will generally follow its own adopted design standards, including Greenbook and Caltrans Highway Design Manual and California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and will also evaluate using the latest design standards and innovative design options with a goal of balancing user needs. The City shall continue to develop and regularly update and adhere to a set of roadway design guidelines that complies guidance from adopted plans, design manuals and local and national best practices, covering but not limited to the following topics: bikeway design; pedestrian design; traffic calming; roadway geometry signal operations; and other topics as deemed appropriate by the Director of Public Works. Wherever possible, specific dimensioned design details, cross-sections and plan views shall be provided for each of these elements. 2.3. Street network/Connectivity. As feasible, the City of Rosemead shall incorporate Complete Streets infrastructure into existing streets to improve the safety and convenience of users and to create employment, with the particular goal of creating a connected network of facilities accommodating each category of users, and increasing connectivity across jurisdictional boundaries and for existing and anticipated future areas of travel origination or destination. 2.4. Traffic Commission Consultation. Transportation projects shall be reviewed by the Traffic Commission early in the planning and design stage to provide the Commission an opportunity to comment and recommend on Complete Street features to be incorporated into the project. 2.5. Evaluation. All relevant Departments and Divisions shall perform annual programmatic evaluations of how well the streets and transportation network of the City of Rosemead are serving each category of users by collecting baseline data and collecting follow-up data on a regular basis. The Public Works Department shall develop appropriate performance metrics and annually assess the need to update them. These performance metrics shall be developed and updated in partnership with other relevant City Departments and Divisions as well as outside agencies. 3. Exemptions. 3.1. Leadership Approval for Exemptions. Projects that seek exemption from the Complete Streets Policy must provide written finding of why accommodations for all modes were not included in the project, and must receive written approval by the Public Works Director or their designated representative. Based on the Federal Highway Administration exemption policy, exemptions to the Rosemead Complete Streets Policy may be granted if one of the following criteria is met: a. Bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited bylaw from using the roadway. b. The cost of establishing bikeways or walkways would be excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use. In unusual circumstances, such as where natural features (e.g., steep hillsides, shorelines) make it very costly or impossible to accommodate all modes, "excessively disproportionate" is defined as exceeding twenty percent of the cost of the larger transportation project. c. Where sparse population or other factors suggest an absence of need. For example, all construction or reconstruction of public streets must include sidewalk improvements on both sides, unless the street is a cul-de-sac with few dwellings or the street has severe topographic or natural resource constraints. d. Transit accommodations are not required where there is no existing or, planned transit service. e. Routine maintenance of the transportation network that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, sweeping, and spot repair. f. Where a reasonable and equivalent project along the same corridor is already programmed to provide facilities exempted from the project at hand.