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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1 ToBidAlamoCrkBikePth CI'TY CLERK File # AGENDA STATEMENT CTTY COUNCTL MEETTNG DATE: May 20f 2003 SUBJECT: Approval of Notice of Exemption mhd Authorization to Solicit Bids Contract No. 03-08, Alamo Creek Bike Path - Amador Valley Boulevard to North City Limits Report Prepared by: Lee S. Thompson, Public Works Director ATTACHMENTS: 1) Project Site Map 2) Notice of Exemption 3) Biological Reconnaissance Survey 4) Fire Department Report 5) Police Department Report RECOMMENDATION: 1) Approve Notice of Exemption under 2002 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15301, Class  l(c), and Section 15304, Class 4(h), for Alamo Creek Bike Path, Amador Valley Boulevard to North City Limits 2) Authorize Staff to advertise for bids or provide Staff with alternative direction FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Budget for this project: FY 2002-03 FY 2003-04 Total Budget Salaries/Design/Misc: $ 52,100 $ 7,100 $ 59,200 Improvements: $ 107,000 $ 99,000 $ 206,000 TOTAL: $ 159,100 $ 106,100 $ 265,200 This project will be funded through a Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in the amount of $107,000 and through the Measure B Pedestrian & Bicycle Fund in the amount of $158,200. Failure to meet the TFCA funding guideline requirement of project completion by October 9, 2003, will result in the loss of the TFCA grant. Should this project not go forward, Measure B funds could be used on another project. DESCRIPTION: On May 6, 2003, the City Council continued the item for the authorization to solicit bids for the Alamo Creek Bike Path from Amador Valley Boulevard to North City COPIES TO: ITEM NO. ~ g:h'niscprojhAlamo Creek Bike Path~AS authorize 2 ~ ,~_?~_'~.~ Limits after receiving concerns from residents living along the proposed path. Some of those concerns included loss of privacy to adjacent property owners, disruption of wildlife along Alamo Creek, and potential noise problems from motorized scooters and children loitering on the path. The Council scheduled and attended a field trip to the project site to view some of the concerns firsthand on Monday, May 12th. At the May 12th field trip, the following concerns were raised during the walkthrough, and Staff offers the corresponding responses: Concerns voiced during May 12th field trip: Staff Comments: 1) Weed abatementalongthepath Any weeds between the fence along private property and the v-ditch will be abated. Where no fence exists between the v-ditch and hillside, a 12' wide area shall be maintained by removing all dead material only (green, live trees and shrubs to remain). The Fire Department has no requirements for vegetation within creek banks except for removal of dead material. (See Attachment 4) 2) Graffiti along the path Zone 7 has been contacted regarding the existing graffiti. Per the City's policy, subsequent graffiti will be removed within one day of notice. 3) Slope sloughing onDoughertyHills The original grading plan for the subdivision moved the creek away from the steep slope and built a bench under the slope to catch any sloughing material. 4) Median break and proposed crosswalk on The crosswalk will be striped with advance signage Willow Creek Drive not safe. for both motorists and trail users. There is good sight distance. 5) Closure of path entrances at nights and/or Entrance gates to the path may be closed one hour during high water in creek after sunset and at times of high water in the creek. To do so, maintenance staff would be required to drive along the trail to ensure that no one would be locked in. Note that there is currently no maintenance staff available to close the trail on weekends. 6) Erosion on Alamo Creek bank Zone 7 maintains slopes along the creek. Path will drain water away from creek banks and toward the v-ditch to reduce existing and further erosion at the top of the bank. 7) Illegal activities near trails According to the Dublin Police Department, there have been very few calls for service near similar City trails (see Attachment 5). Page 2 ~,~.~', 8) Vehicles entering trail Emergency and maintenance vehicles only will be allowed on the trail. A fence gate and removable bollard with a lock will restrict other vehicles from accessing the trail. 9) Issue of development in open space corridor The issue of creating pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian trails along open space and creek corridors is addressed in several places in Dublin's General Plan. Chapter 3, the Parks and Open Space Element, discusses preserving creeks and slopes over 30% as open space areas (Policies 3.1.A and 3.1.B). The same chapter also contains Policy 3.3.D, "promote the inclusion of hiking, biking, and/or equesthan trails within designated open space areas." In addition, Chapter 7, Conservation Element of the General Plan, contains a guiding policy to "promote access to stream corridors for passive recreational use . "(Policy 7.1.B). Although there are also policies in the Conservation Element which address restricting development on slopes of over 30% and in designated open space areas, the creation of a recreational trail along a stream corridor is not considered development. There are several other Open Space Stream Corridors in the City where a recreational trail has been created, including along Tassajara Creek in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Area, along Martin Canyon Creek in Dublin's western hills, and also along portions of Alamo Creek itself south of Amador Valley Boulevard. The Alamo Creek Bike Path project would construct a pedestrian and bicycle path along Alamo Creek between Amador Valley Boulevard and the north City limits. This project will pave the existing Zone 7 Water Agency's maintenance road along the west side of Alamo Creek, with the exception of the portion of the road within Alamo Creek Park (shown on Attachment 1). The asphalt concrete path will be approximately 12 feet wide running along the existing concrete v-ditch. This project was identified in the 2000-2005 Capital Improvement Program to begin construction in FY 2001-2002. Due to Staff workload and coordination issues with Zone 7, Staff requested an extension to expend the TFCA funds. The current TFCA funding guidelines require the project to be completed by October 9, 2003. If construction starts in July 2003, the project could be completed by September 2003. The project has appeared in the City's Five-Year Capital Improvement Program since FY 1994-95. It has also been identified in the City's General Plan since September 1992. Although the project would pave the existing gravel maintenance road along the west side of Alamo Creek, it would not require the removal of any shrubs or trees. Dry grass ~vill be cut. Staff anticipates that this trail would be used primarily as a jogging and walking trail by the people living in this neighborhood. The pathway would ultimately connect to other trails, but would not be a major regional trail. Page 3 ~ ~ Staff has determined that the Alamo Creek Bike Path Project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA under Categorical Exemptions, Section 15301, Class l(c), and Section 15304, Class 4(h). Under Section 15301, Class 1 (c) of the CEQA Guidelines, minor public alterations of existing public facilities involving negligible use beyond that previously existing at the time of the agency's determination are exempt from the provisions of CEQA. The existing public right-of-way is presently being used by Zone 7 personnel at least once a month to inspect and maintain Alamo Creek. Furthermore, access will be limited to daytime hours and closed during bad weather, and motorized scooters will not be allowed. The result of paving the access road to allow public access for walking and bicycling during limited daytime hours will have negligible impact beyond its current use. Although the maintenance road is currently closed to the public, allowing public access is considered a minor public alteration of the existing use. Under Section 15304, Class 4(h), the creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights-of-way which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes, does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In response to concerns brought forth by some residents regarding the disruption of wildlife along Alamo Creek, Staff retained a biologist to conduct a biological reconnaissance survey (Attachment 3). The report states, "wildlife observed or expected to occur along or within the creek zone are species that can inhabit an area with human activity" and, "wildlife species that are not adaptable to human activity have previously moved or been forced out of this reach of Alamo Creek". The report also states "opening the access road to use...will increase the level of human disturbance in the immediate vicinity of the pathway. This disturbance will cause wildlife species which are less tolerant of human activity to withdraw...during its hour of use. They should still make use of this area when people are not present." The City Council requested that Staff provide a comparison of creek and property setbacks for trails in the area. The following table outlines these comparisons: Setback to Setback to fence top creek bank at private property Iron Horse Trail (within Dublin City Limits): - South of Dougherty Road (Scarlett Place) N/A 70 FT - North of Dougherty Road (Park Sierra Apts) 2 FT 2 - 40 FT - North of Amador Valley Boulevard 5 FT 100 FT Iron Horse Trail in San Ramon (south ofAlcosta Blvd) N/A 45 FT Martin Canyon Creek Trail 0-100 FT 12-100 FT Tassajara Creek Wide sloping banks 8 FT Proposed Alamo Creek Path 5 - 10 FT Varies, minimum 6 FT 5 - 50 FT Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Notice of Exemption under the 2002 California Environmental Quality Act, Section 15301, Class l(c), and Section 15304, Class 4(h), and authorize Staff to solicit bids for Contract No. 03-08, Alamo Creek Bike Path Project - Amador Valley Boulevard to North City Limits, or provide Staff with alternative direction. Page 4 ~?!~ Alamo Creek Bike Path Amador Valley Boulevard to Notherly City Limits CITY OF DUBLIN 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, California 94568 Website: http ://www.ci.d ublin.ca, us NOTICE OF EXEMPTION TO: County Clerk - County of Alameda FROM: City of Dublin Public Works Department 100 Civic Plaza Dublin CA 94568 pROJECT TITLE: Alamo Creek Bike Path - Amador Valley Boulevard to North City Limits PROJECT LOCATION: From the intersection of Alamo Creek and Amador Valley Boulevard, continuing north along Alamo Creek approximately 0.9 miles to the north City/County limit line, in Dublin, Alameda County, California 94568. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction of a 12'-wide asphalt concrete bicycle path along the west side of Alamo Creek on top of an existing Alameda County Zone 7 Water Agency maintenance road from Amador Valley Boulevard north to the City Limits, approximately 0.9 mile in length. The City of Dublin, has determined that the above project has the following exempt status: Categorical Exemption, Section 15301, Class 1(c)and Section 15304, Class 4(h)of the CEQA Guidelines Reasons why project is exempt: Under Section 15301, Class 1(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, minor public alterations of existing public facilities involving negligible use beyond that previouslyexisting at the time of the agency's determination. Presently the existing public right-of-way is being used by Zone 7 personnel at least once a month to inspect and maintain Alamo Creek. The result of paving it to allow public access for walking and bicycling during limited daytime hours will have negligible use beyond its current use. Access will be limited to daYtime hours and will be-closed during bad weather. Motorized scooters will not be allowed. Although the maintenance road is currently closed to the public there has been evidence of illegal entry to the fenced public right- of-way thus allowing public access is considered minor public alteration. Area Code (925) · City Manager 833-6650 · City Council 833-6650 . Personnel Finance 833-6640 · Public Works/Engineering 833-6630 · Parks & Commun, PIa. nning/Code Enforcement 833-6610 · Building inspection 833-6620 PrinCed on Recyc/ed Paper Notice of Exemption: Alamo Creek Bike Path (continued) Under Section 15304, Class 4(h), creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights-of-way which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the provisions of CEQA. Telephone: (925) 833-6630 Signature: Lee S. Thompson, Public Works Director Date of Signature: May 21, 2003 Date of Filing: May 21,2003 g:\miscproj\alamo ck bike path~Alamo ck xmp.doc ~57 PARK PLACE: 510.236.6810 TEL BERKELEY RIVI~SIDE PT. RICHMOND) CALIFORNIA 94801 51o.236.348o FAX IRVIN~? ROCKLIN May 6, 2003 Mr. Ferd Del Rosario ~. City of Dublin Public Works Dept. , 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 Subject: Biological Reconnaissance Survey Alamo Creek Bike Trail, Dublin Dear Mr. Del Rosario: This letter presents the results of my reconnaissance level survey of the proposed route of the Alamo Creek bike trial in the City of Dublin. The segment of proposed trail I surveyed extends from Amador Valley Boulevard northbound to the County line and a connection with Crossbridge Road. The proposed trail route follows an existing Alameda County Flood Control District (ACFCD) access road located on the west side of the creek. The crushed aggregate access road is approximately 15 feet wide. I walked the entire length of the proposed bike trail route including the existing portion within Alamo Creek park which, connects the two proposed trail segments. The ACFCD access road is located above the creeks top of bank at varying distances from the creek depending on the meandering pattern of the creekbed. Existing residential development borders the access road to the west along approximately 3/4's of its length. The remaining area to the west of the access road is a steeply sloping hillside which is pan of Dougherty Hills park. The ACFCD access road is located approximately 30 feet above (higher than) the creek and i.s setback from 50 to over 100 feet from the creeks iow flow line. The area between the access road and the creek has in most locations a 2:1 slope. The creekbank has a more gradual slope where the access road is further away from the creek. Vegetation on the creekbank varies from a mature valley oak woodland to ruderal annual grassland. Sapling valley oak and to a lesser extent coast live oak are present on the slope at many locations. A few arroyo willow grow along the edge of the creek and there is one thicket of California rose on the slope. Nativ. e trees and shrubs have been planted along both sides of the access road with a greater density planted along the road edge above the creek. These plants form a screen along many segments of the road so that views of the road from the creek are obscured or blocked. 5/6/03 (P :\CDU730XDelRosario Ltr5-6-03.~vpd) Wildlife observed (list attached) or expected to occur along or within the creek zone are species that can inhabit an area with human activity. Residential development borders essentially all of the opposite (east) side of the creek and as noted above 3/4's of the west bank. Wildlife species which are not adaptable to human activity' have previously moved or been forced out of this reach of Alamo Creek. Construction of the bike trail will take place entirely within the existing bed of the ACFCD access road. The existing access road is 15 feet wide and the bike path will be t2 feet wide. The 12 foot bike path will borderthe existing concrete v-ditch which borders the western edge of the access road. The remaining three feet of access road, which is the portion on the creek side of the road, will be recompactedi There will be no grading or other disturbance of the creek bank associated with construction of th~ bike path. Vegemtic>n remora! w~!l be limited to pruning shrub growth which extends onto the .existing roadbed. Opening the access road to use by pedestrians, dog walkers and bicyclists will increase the level of human disturbance in the immediate vicinity' of the pathway. This disturbance will cause wildlife species which are less tolerant of human activity' to withdraw from the vicinity of the path during its hours of use. They should still make use of this area when people are not present. Please let me know if you need additional information. Sincerely, LSA ASSOCIATES, ][NC. Malcolm J. Sproul Principal 5/6/03 (P :\CDU730kDelRosarioLtr5~6-03.wpd) 2 Wildlife Species Observed - May' 5, 2003 .Alamo Creek Bike Trail, Dublin Birds Great Egret Black-crowned Night-heron Mallard Red-tailed Hawk gnnerican Kestrel Ring-necl~ed Pheasant California Quail Rock Dove Mourning Dove Anna' s Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Nuttall's Woodpecker Black Phoebe Western Scrub-jay Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Cliff'Swallow Barn Swallow Oak Titmouse Bushtit White-breasted Nuthatch American Robin Northern Mockingbird Europem~ Starling Wilson's Warbler Brown,.headed Cc, Wbird Lesser Goldfinch House Sparrow. Mammals Raccoon (tracks) Coyote (scat) Black-tailed (Mule) Deer (traCks) 5/6/03 (P 5CD U730'©elRos arioLtr5 - 6 - 03. wp d) 3 Fire Prevention Bureau MEMORANDUM DATE: May 15, 2003 TO: Steve Yee, Engineer FROM: Bonnie S. Terra, Fire Inspector SUBJECT: Removal of Vegetation along proposed addition to Alamo Creek Trail Attached you will find a copy of the City of Dublin/Alameda County Fire Removal Requirements for weeds and rubbish. With regards to the proposed extension of Alamo Creek Trail, the City or its contractor would be required to maintain the vegetation as follows. Maintains of vegetation consist of removal of all dead trees and trimming of weeds and other vegetation to a height of no more than four inches from the ground. On the southern portion of the proposed trail from Amador Valley Blvd. to the park the combustible vegetation (dry grass and shrubs) on the non-creek side should be maintained 12 feet back from the trail. Trees may be left but shall have low limbs trimmed to six feet from the ground. On the creek side of the trail only dead material are to be removed. No other trimming will be required The northern point of the trail from the park to the City limits will require the following abatement. On the creek side of the trail again only removal of dead material will be done. On the non-creek side of the trail adjacent to the ornamental iron fence and condominiums no abatement will be required due to the fact that this area is being irrigated by the condominiums. Therefore, all of the vegetation in this area is live. However, on the same side but in the area adjacent to the wood fencing and the single family homes all dead grasses and shrubbery is to be cut to a height of 4" and tree limbs cut to within 6' of the ground. It should be noted that Heritage Trees will remain and no trimming will be required. If you require any clarification or further assistance regarding this matter please contact me. City'o " f Dublin REMOVAL REQUIRElVlENTs · · Weed, Rubbish, and Litter Abatement The foliowing are the minimum requirements. for removal of weeds, rubbish, and ti~er. Please read.the'. entire list as more-than one category may apply to your property. BUrning is not allowed, except in agricultural applications and then bY permit .only. RUBBISH, LITTER .AND DEBRIS ID'" All Areas: Remove any rubbish:, garbage, litter, junk, old building materials, 'or other items completely from the property and appropriately dispose of them. Maintained throughout the year. WEEDS AND OVERGROWN VEGETATION [] All. Areas: Prune any overgrown plants, shrubs or trees; remove outings .ar!_d dead tree limbs. Keep ail trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, or portions thereof adjacent to any building or 'structure, f~ee froTM dead limbs, branches, and 'other combustible materials. Maintain five feet (5') of vertical clearance between roof surface and portions of trees. Maintain roof of building or structure free of leaves, needles, twigs, or other combustible litter. Maintained'throughoUt the year. [] Urban: Abate all exterior fire hazards; complete abatement may include a combination of discing, mowing, and spraying. Remove from the' property all dead trees and maintain weeds and other vegetation at a height of no more than four inches (4"). NatiVe shrubbery should be cleared to a distance of at least fifteen feet (15') from the structure. Maintain trees Within one hundred feet (100') of any building, structure, or within ten feet (10') from any roadway, highway, street, alley, or driveway, so that no leafy foliage, twigs, or branches are within six feet (6') of the ground. The otherwise required six foot (6')' foliage clearance may be modified for specific Fire Resistive Heritage Trees .as defined and further provided for in the City of Dublin Wildfire Management Plar~ Remove any portion of a' tree that', eXtends within ~en feet (10') of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. ,. [] Rural: Parcels, one acre Or less, shall require complete abatement of ali exterior fire hazards. Parcels greater than one acre should provide a minimum twelve-foot (12') f~rebreak. Firebreaks are to follow as closely as practical, the prope~-¢y line, ~ong one side 'offence lines, ditches, and-on top of ridges, or surrounding structures. Trees may be left within the firebreak and shall have low limbs trimmed up to a height of six feet (6'). All buildings and structures which are upon or adjoining hazardous fire areas, shall be maintained with an effective firebreak by removing and clearing, away ............ ~,~ and ,,om~u~b~e growth fi-om -w-i~ffin' thirty feet (30')of such buildings or structures. A firebreak of one hUndred feet (!00') may be required due to.re= '"ain,~[opography,,- or fuel. Where' practical, prov/de twelve-foot (I2') firebreaks from inside fence line. along all public roadways. Combustible storage, such as usable lumber, cord fire wood, hay or straw, shall be neatly · . ~aam, be removed :from within :m-teen £ee~ (i5') of'the stored materials. ~3' RUral Residential: Remove from me prOPerty, Within thirty feet (30') immediately s~ounding .. struc .rares, ail dead trees~ 'and maintain, ail weeds and Other vegetation, at a height of no more than four inches .(4"). Native .shrubbery should be cleared to a distance of.at least fafteen feet (15') of 'structure~ RemOve.any porti°n of atree,bran¢~ which extends within 'terr feet (10').of the outlet 0f a clSirnney or stovepipe. Keep all trees, shrubs, and other vegetation adjacent to or overhanging any building or structure free of'dead limbs,, branches,' or other.Combustible materials. Where practical, provide twelve-foot (12') firebreaks from inside t?enee line along .all pubI/c roadways. Combustible storage, 'such as usable .lumber,. cord' fire wood, hay or straw, slxall be neatly stacked and all combustible growth 'shall be' removed within fifteen feet '(t5')of stored material: No stack shall be located less than thirty 'feet (30') from a building or structure. Combustible trash, rubbish, or litter shall be removed from the property. If yon have any questions, please contact the Alamed~t-County Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, City of Dublin Division, 'at'925-853~6606. Police Services Department MEMORANDUM DATE: May 14, 2003 TO: Lee Thompson, Public Works FROM: Glenn Moon, Lieutenant SUBJECT: Alamo Creek Bike Path At the request of the City Council, research was completed regarding the existing trails of Martin Canyon Creek Trail, Iron Horse Trail and the Tassajara Creek Trail regarding calls for service. The period queried was for one year from May 2002 to May 2003. The following are the results of this study. Martin Canyon Creek Trail The Martin Canyon Creek area has always been open to the public, but became an official City of Dublin Trail in May 2001. The area is bordered by the streets of Silvergate Drive, Rolling Hills Drive, Martin Canyon Road, Bay Laurel Street, Dry Creek Drive and Inspiration Circle. There have been four (4) calls for service regarding activities along the trail during this study period. These calls were relating to juveniles playing paint ball wars in the creek area and similar disturbance calls related to juveniles making noise in the creek. There have been two (2) reported residential burglaries to residences that border the creek area. The residences were located on Dry Creek Drive and Rolling Hills Drive. There was no evidence from either investigation that access to the residence was made from the adjoining creek area. Iron Horse Trail The Iron Horse Trail extends from the Dublin-Pleasanton Bart Station north to the Contra Costa County line and continues north to the City of Concord. It encompasses two counties and travels through the cities of Dublin, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek and Concord. In the City of Dublin, both residential and open areas border the trail as it crosses the City. The trail intersects Dublin Boulevard, Dougherty Road, and Amador Valley Boulevard and continues into Contra Costa County as it crosses Alcosta Boulevard. Dublin Police Services shares jurisdiction over the Iron Horse Trail with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). The EBRPD also shares this arrangement with the other cities through which the Iron Horse Trail passes. There have been four (4) calls for services regarding the portion of the Iron Horse Trail that traverses the City of Dublin. The calls were for missing persons, injuries and motorized scooters utilizing the trail. There have been no residential burglaries to residences adjacent to the trail that could be attributed to access via the Iron Horse Trail. EBRPD Police were also contacted in order to research calls to their agency for service. During the one- year timeframe, there was only one call for service in the City of Dublin, involving a campsite along the trail. The remaining calls were in the City of San Ramon and all involved go-ped use on the trail. Tassajara Creek Trail The Tassajara Creek Trail is a newly-developed trail that has been open from one to two years extending from Dublin Boulevard north past Central Parkway and Gleason Drive to Casterson Drive. There are no residences that back up to the trail north of Central Parkway, but the trail is adjacent to housing between Dublin Boulevard and Central Parkway. The Dublin Police have had no calls for service relating to the Tassajara Creek Trail.