Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Don Horsley
Subject: Resolution authorizing the County Manager, or his designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for the design phase of the Gray Whale Cove Improvement Project
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Manager, or his designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for the design phase of the Gray Whale Cove Improvement Project.
body
BACKGROUND:
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Highway 1 Safety and Mobility Improvement Study (Study) were adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2009 and 2012, respectively. The Study was developed with extensive community input and focused on identifying measures that would improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety and mobility along the Highway 1 corridor throughout the Midcoast.
In 2012, the Planning and Building Department applied for, and received, $1.5 million in San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Measure A Highway Improvement Program funds to plan, permit, and design a series of pedestrian crossings, medians, left turn lanes, and acceleration lanes (the Projects) as conceptualized in the Study. In order to implement these Projects, the TA and County executed a Memorandum of Understanding appropriating a portion of the funds for the development of a Preliminary Planning Study (PPS) to evaluate the feasibility of various Project alternatives. The alternatives consisted of varying designs and styles of pedestrian crossings, medians, and traffic calming devices. During the development of the PPS, the County held four public workshops, provided four presentations to the Midcoast Community Council, and offered three opportunities for comment through an online forum. After evaluating multiple alternatives at each location, community input was used to identify a preferred alternative at each location. The PPS was completed in August 2015.
Gray Whale Cove received the greatest community support among the preferred alternatives, and the County has prioritized this location for safety and mobility improvements. The selected Gray Whale Cove alternative includes installation of a lighted pedestrian crosswalk with rapid flashing beacons, a painted median, a left turn lane, an acceleration lane, and a formalized parking lot entrance on Highway 1.
In April 2017, the TA reprogrammed the remaining grant funding to fully fund the California State Department of Transportation Permit Engineering Evaluation Report (PEER) process for the Gray Whale Cove Improvement Project, which is a more streamlined environmental review and design implementation process. Remaining grant funds will also be allocated toward the construction phase.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of the Gray Whale Cove Improvement Project is to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing Highway 1, as well as to improve vehicular mobility into and out of the parking lot at Gray Whale Cove. This Memorandum of Understanding outlines roles and responsibilities for the design, permitting, and environmental phase of the Gray Whale Cove Improvement Project and is necessary in order to implement this project. The County will be the project sponsor, and the TA will implement the Scope of Work, as outlined in the MOU.
The Gray Whale Cove Improvement Project supports the County Shared Vision 2025 goal of creating livable communities by improving safety and mobility for pedestrians and vehicles. Residents and visitors will have safer access to recreational opportunities at Gray Whale Cove State Beach on the San Mateo County coast.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the MOU and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact because no additional funding is required.