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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08281990 - 1.57 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on August 28 , 1990 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers , Torlakson, Fanden NOES: None ABSENT: Supervisors Schroder, McPeak ABSTAIN: None Resolution No. 90/582 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING SUPPORT TO CONSTRUCT A PEDESTRIAN/ BICYCLE WALKWAY ACROSS THE BENICIA-MARTINEZ BRIDGE AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO APPLY FOR FUNDING TO MATCH STATE FUNDS FOR THIS FACILITY WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation is presently constructing improvements to the Benicia-Martinez Bridge including widening of the bridge from four to six lanes; and WHEREAS, an immediate need exists for a bicycle/pedestrian crossing of the Carquinez Strait for both recreational and utilitarian purposes; and WHEREAS, on December 13, 1988, this Board unanimously adopted Resolution 88/750, endorsing construction of a bicycle and pedestrian path on the Benicia-Martinez Bridge when it is widened; WHEREAS, a bicycle/pedestrian crossing of the Carquinez Strait at the Benicia-Martinez Bridge is included in The Bay Trail plan prepared by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Bay Area Ridge Trail plan, and would be supported by the trails being planned by the East Bay Regional Park District; and WHEREAS, in granting permits for this project, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission received over 100 letters from individuals, organizations and public agencies supporting public access over the bridge, and finding that " . . there is a need to provide a public access connection across the Carquinez Strait at this time" , required Caltrans to provide some form public access to the bridge; and WHEREAS, Caltrans selected a van shuttle service to meet this requirement; and WHEREAS, the Executive Director of the California Transportation Commission has indicated that the Commission may be willing to reconsider the walkway proposal if local funds are assured such that the State's commitment would not exceed $2. 1 , million; and WHEREAS, potential funding sources for this project include Regional Measure 1, Coastal Conservancy, Measure C, and others. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County reaffirms its support for construction of a pedestrian/bicycle walkway as part of the widening of the existing Benicia-Martinez Bridge; and RESOLUTION NO . 90/582 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Director of the Community Development Department is authorized to prepare and submit applications for funding to match state funding for this facility including, but not limited to the following sources: 1. Regional Measure 1, Three Percent Reserve funds 2 . California Coastal Conservancy 3 . California Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program 4 . Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Measure C Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail funds 5. Local jurisdictions I hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervi%sfrs'on the date/shown. ATTESTED: 1�.4&'La G?e, I'?-'o PHIL BATCHEL6DR,Clerk of theoars o of Supervisors and County Administrator ey v Deputy RES'OLUT.IDN NO, 9.0./582 EHV\BIKE037 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FRI K: Harvey E. Bragdon Director of Cm manity Development Contra r• DATE: August 28, 1990 Costa W :`` u "7 Tq CU � SLWBC.T: Resolution in support of a Pedestrian/Bike Walkway on the Benicia Bridge and Authorizing Applications for Funding. SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMEIdDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Adopt a resolution reaffirming support for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle walkway as part of the widening of the existing Benicia-Martinez Bridge and authorizing staff to submit applications for funding to match State funding for this project. FISCAL IMPACT A local contribution of $25, 000 may be subsequently requested from the County in the event that the funding requests authorized by this Board Order are .favorably acted upon by the funding agencies. The Community Development Department is exploring using Regional Measure 1, Measure C, Road Fund, and .the Coastal Conservancy as a possible local match for state funds. Although not required by the grantees, matching funds from the cities and counties affected by this proposal would demonstrate local support for this project. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS On December 13, 1988, your Board unanimously approved Resolution 88/750 which endorsed the construction of .a bicycle and pedestrian path on the Benicia-Martinez Bridge . when it is widened, and directed staff toconsult with local agencies and CALTRANS to determine 'the technical and financial aspects of building an. approach to and a path on. the bridge. In April 1990, the County sponsored a symposium on bicycling . during which the need for a bicycle crossing at the Benicia-Martinez Bridge was identified as a high priority issue for the County. On May 1, the Transportation Committee approved a staff recommendation to investigate funding sources and work with local groups to develop a prop sal for . funding this project. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNA RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDAT ON OF DDARD COMMITTE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDEDOTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT JJI ]]Z ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. cc: Community Development ATTESTED , 90 PHILBATCHELOR; CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY EV/jb/pedbike.bos When it granted permits for the widening of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge in 1988, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission found that there was an immediate need for public access across the Carquinez Strait, and it required CALTRANS to provide access in the form of a ferry service; a van shuttle, or a 5-foot bicycle/ pedestrian walkway. CALTRANS opted for the van shuttle. Local groups continued to press for the bicycle/pedestrian path because of the increased level of service that such a facility would provide. Subsequently, the Executive Director of the California Transportation Commission stated that " . . .the Commission may be willing to reconsider the walkway proposal. . . if local funds are assured such that the State's commitment would not exceed $2 .1 million, " which represents the cost of the van shuttle service for ten years. At the present time, the only bicycle link between Contra Costa and Solano Counties is via the Antioch Bridge, a location too remote to be accessible to the majority of county cyclists. A bicycle path across the Benicia Bridge is included in two major regional trail plans: ABAG's Bay Trail Plan and the Ridge Trail and would be complemented by trails planned by the East Bay Regional Park District. The following have been identified as potential funding sources for the local share of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge pedestrian/bicycle walkway: Regional Measure 1 Regional Measure 1, which increased tolls on Bay Area bridges to $1. 00, provides that 3% of the increased tolls may be allocated by MTC to transportation projects which reduce vehicular traffic on the bridges, including bicycle and water transit. MTC estimates that $1,067, 663 is available for allocation for the northern bridge group in fiscal year 1990-91. (The Community Development Department submitted a preliminary application of $500, 000 of these funds in -July in order to meet a filing deadline. However, additional documentation is required to complete this submittal. ) Coastal Conservancy The California Coastal Conservancy provides grants to public agencies to enhance coastal and bay access and to protect the environment. The Conservancy presently has approximately $1.5 million available for trail projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Measure C Contra Costa County's sale tax initiative, approved by the voters in November 1988, included in its expenditure plan $3 million for regional bicycle and pedestrian trails. Propositions 108 and 116 In addition to these sources, the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program of Proposition 111 allocated $10 million per year for 10 years for projects which mitigate the environmental effects of existing or new transportation facilities. The Rail Transportation Bond Act (Proposition 116) provides $20 million for bicycle projects. Local Funds In addition to the above sources, a commitment of local funds, perhaps totalling $100, 000 from the counties and cities benefitting from this project, would demonstrate a strong commitment and local support for this project. This project involves many governmental agencies. Resolutions of support will be requested from the Cities of Martinez and Benicia and the Counties of Solano and Contra Costa. In addition, staff would coordinate efforts with the East Bay Regional Park district, ABAG, MTC, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and CALTRANS. A complete proposal identifying funding sources and including statements of support would then be submitted to the California Transportation Commission.