HomeMy WebLinkAbout1B OCRCITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: February 11, 2021 Consent Calendar
SUBJECT: APPROVAL TO MODIFY THE ROAD CLOSURE GATES ON FIESTA
ROAD, RODEO ROAD, VAQUERO ROAD, AND OPUNTIA ROAD
LOCATED SOUTH OF CHUCKWALLA ROAD
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Marcus L. Fuller, Assistant City Manager
SUMMARY
Councilmember Kors initially questioned Staff on the history of the road closure gates
installed across four streets located south of Chuckwalla Road between Via Miraleste and
Avenida Caballeros in District 3. Subsequently, Councilmember Garner shared personal
history on the background of these road closure gates that may have contributed to a
form of discrimination against lower-income residents living in the apartments along
Chuckwalla Road. At the July 23, 2020 meeting, the City Council requested Staff to
consider modifying the existing road closure gates installed across Fiesta Road, Rodeo
Road, Vaquero Road, and Opuntia Road located south of Chuckwalla Road. The
requested modification would provide an opening for pedestrian and bicycle access while
leaving the gates in place preventing vehicular access at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve modification of the road closure gates installed across Fiesta Road, Rodeo
Road, Vaquero Road, and Opuntia Road located south of Chuckwalla Road to provide
for pedestrian and bicycle access; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into contracts for the modification of the road
closure gates and construction of new sidewalk improvements as necessary in an
amount not to exceed $50,000.
BACKGROUND:
On November 1, 1989, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 16938 making findings
on a citizen petition filed with the City to form a new Assessment District No. 159 for the
purpose of performing certain work and constructing improvements to install new road
closure gates across Fiesta Road, Rodeo Road, Vaquero Road, and Opuntia Road
located south of Chuckwalla Road. A petition was filed by more than 60% of the property
owners living on these streets south of Chuckwalla Road and north of Chia Road.
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ITEM NOc-LgNSENT 1£? .
2City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 2 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates The boundary of the area in question formed as Assessment District 159 is provided as Figure 1. Figure 1 -Assessment District 159 Boundary In furtherance of the proposal to install gates across these streets, on May 2, 1990, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 17114 declaring its intention to partially close through-street portions of Fiesta Road, Rodeo Road, Vaquero Road, and Opuntia Road between Chia Road and Chuckwalla Road, as part of Assessment District 159.1 On October 17, 1990, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 17313, approving actions in establishing Assessment District 159, and ordering the construction of the public improvements proposed by installation of gates across these streets, and related improvements. Subsequently, on February 6, 1991, the City Council adopted Resolutions No. 17419, 17420, and 17421 authorizing the issuance of bonds, approving a Bond Indenture and Bond Purchase Agreement to finance the public improvements to be constructed in Assessment District 159. The total amount financed, including construction of the improvements, legal and other costs, was $187,900. At that time, the City Council also awarded a contract to Matich Corporation for $111,111 to construct the road closure gates and related improvements. 1 This action was the first step in formally vacating and closing to public use a portion of a public street; Staff cannot find a second action taken by the City Council to formally vacate and close to public use the through-street portion, which would be final step required in accordance with state law. Whether or not to vacate these public streets and permanently close them to vehicular traffic, and how to do so, will be addressed after options can be discussed with residents in person at a public meeting.
3City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 3 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates Work related to Assessment District 159 was completed in 1991. The Bond issued to finance construction of these public improvements was paid by the benefitting 40 property owners through a special tax assessment of $4,697.50 paid in annual installments on the property tax roll of $313.17 over 15 years. All required tax assessments have been received and the Bond was paid in full. No further payments have been required. The existing road closure gates at each location are shown in the following Figures. Figure 2: Fiesta Road ------------------Figure 3: Fiesta Road (Looking South) Figure 4: Fiesta Road (Looking North)
4City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 4 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates Figure 5: Rodeo Road Figure 6: Rodeo Road (Looking South) Figure 7: Rodeo Road (Looking North)
5City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 5 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates Figure 8: Vaquero Road Figure 9: Vaquero Road (Looking South) Figure 10: Vaquero Road (Looking North)
6City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 6 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates Figure 11: Opuntia Road Figure 12: Opuntia Road (Looking South) Figure 13: Opuntia Road (Looking North)
7City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 7 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates ANALYSIS: Modifying the road closure gates to provide an opening for pedestrian and bicycle access will require minimal work, generally described as follows: • Sawcut and remove wrought iron railing within the section of gate located across the sidewalk, and remove or trim conflicting landscaping, as an example the section shown in the photo below on Fiesta Road, or Opuntia Road2 2 A pedestrian access at Opuntia Road may require removal of two palm trees growing in close proximity to the sidewalk area.
8City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 8 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates • Construct portions of sidewalk to extend from existing sidewalk to the north to the nearest driveway to the south3, as an example the section shown in the photo below on Vaquero Road ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). The Guidelines are required to include a list of classes of projects which have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and which are exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In response to that mandate, the Secretary for Resources identified classes of projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment, and are declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents. In accordance with Section 15301 "Existing Facilities," Class 1 projects consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Therefore, in accordance with Section 15301 (c), staff has determined that modifying the existing gates to provide for pedestrian access is considered categorically exempt from CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff estimates the cost to remove sections of wrought iron fencing to provide for pedestrian access and constructing any related sidewalk modifications will not exceed $50,000. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in the Gas Tax Fund (Account No. 133-4298-50251 ). 3 It should be noted that there are generally no sidewalks along either side of Fiesta Road, Rodeo Road, Vaquero Road or Opuntia Road south of Chuckwalla Road. Extending sidewalks alone one or both sides of these streets would represent a major capital improvement project at an estimated cost over $250,000.
9City Council Staff Report February 11, 2021 --Page 9 Modification of Chuckwalla Road Closure Gates SUBMITTED Marcus L. Fuller, MPA, PE, PLS Assistant City Manager ~· x?-7~~ David H. Ready, Esq.,f>h.; City Manager