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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-172 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION CONTENT ON PALOMAR STREET BRIDGE OVER INTERSTATE 805 AND AMENDING THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT TO ENSURE CITY MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION CONTENT
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City is traversed by three major State Highways including Interstate 805 (I-805) which is currently under construction at the Palomar Street location. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is administering the I-805 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) project which includes a direct access ramp (DAR) structure at Palomar Street. The original Palomar Street Bridge has been demolished and the DAR is currently being constructed to provide direct transit and HOV access to the I-805 HOV lanes. The City has received concurrence from Caltrans to incorporate a bridge fence enhancement theme on the DAR. The theme will offer visual enhancement for the travelling public on I-805.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project falls under the Class 11 Categorical Exemption in accordance with Section 15311(a) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it involves only the installation of community identification content on the Palomar Bridge. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
Caltrans is administering the I-805 HOV lane project including a DAR for Palomar Street. The new Palomar Street DAR location provides a unique visual opportunity for travelers as they drive within the City limits. The bridge fence enhancement theme will enhance the visual experience of motorists by incorporating a stylized aesthetic theme that is based upon the City's logo and seal on the Palomar Street DAR.
The theme incorporates various colors that portray the mountainous terrain merging into the ocean waves with a setting sun that is typical terrain of the Chula Vista community. The use of bridge fence enhancements is an established practice in the State of California and offers unique means to identify the local community. Caltrans supports enhancement concepts that offer an enriching cultural and visual experience for the highway travelers as well as the local communities.
Additionally the Chula Vista Vision 2020 General Plan promotes a theme of "Strong Community Character and Image" which promotes the development of a City with a distinct identity. The principles of Context Sensitive Communities promote a collaborative process that incorporates the planning and design of transportation facilities that integrate community objectives and values relating to compatibility, livability, sense of place, urban design, cost and environmental impacts.
The County of San Diego and SANDAG are providing matching funds to construct the bridge fence enhancement. SANDAG's funding participation for construction is included in the I-805 Palomar DAR project. In June 2014, the SANDAG Transportation Committee approved a budget amendment to accept $118,000 from San Diego County's Neighborhood Reinvestment Program Grant for the bridge enhancement. Caltrans is providing Structural Design and Construction Management Support. Caltrans received a cost estimate of $338,000 for fabrication and installation of the fencing. The County of San Diego and SANDAG have agreed to fund the additional amount needed to complete the construction.
The Palomar DAR construction is estimated to be completed by December 2014. In order to approve and execute the construction of this type of community identification content, Caltrans requires a resolution from the City that commits to the following:
· Confirms City jurisdiction in the vicinity of the site
· Approves the content of the enhancement
· Ensures City maintenance responsibility of the enhancement theme
The City currently has a maintenance agreement with Caltrans for Palomar Street DAR. The agreement will be revised to include maintenance responsibility for the fence enhancement theme.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
This project support the City's Strategic Plan as it seeks to enhance a Connected Community by enriching the quality of life and fostering civic pride through provision of images that portray a transitional geographic continuum from mountainous terrain to ocean waves and a setting sun that is typical terrain of the Chula Vista community.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
This project is funded entirely by SANDAG and the County of San Diego - there is no fiscal impact to the General Fund during the current fiscal year. The total project cost is estimated at $338,000; these costs will be split equally between SANDAG and the County of San Diego.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The improvement will require routine City maintenance that may require repair, graffiti removal, and restoration maintenance for the fence enhancement. The City anticipates a nominal increase in maintenance costs over the 25 year life cycle of the enhancement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Palomar Bridge Rail Enhancement Plans
2. SANDAG Transportation Committee Agenda item 14-06-3
3. Exhibits "A" Sheets 5 and 5a
Staff Contact: Jose Luis Gomez, Principal Civil Engineer