Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - Formation of a Citizens Bicycle Safety CommitteeCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 16 August 10, 2010 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Public Works Department Stephen G. Badum, Public Works Director 949 - 644 -3311 or sbadum @newportbeachca.gov SUBJECT: FORMATION OF A CITIZENS BICYCLE SAFETY COMMITTEE ISSUE: Formation of Citizen's Bicycle Safety Committee RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Adopt Resolution 2010- establishing a seven - member Citizen's Bicycle Safety Committee to make recommendations to improve efficiency. 2. Direct the City Clerk to invite members of the public to apply to be appointed to the Citizen's Bicycle Safety Committee. DISCUSSION: At the conclusion of the report from the Citizen's Task Force on Bicycle Safety on May 11, 2010, Councilwomen Gardner recommended that a permanent Bicycle Safety Committee be considered. Also, recent tragic bicycle accidents point to a need for improved bicycle awareness and safety. Staff has reviewed the Task Force's final report and has compiled a list of potential duties that a permanent committee might undertake. In general, those tasks include: • Creating a web based bicycle trail map • Educational outreach to schools • Community outreach • Review the City's existing bicycle facilities and make recommendations for potential modifications, repairs, and additions. Using performance based budgeting techniques, staff has prepared the following list of potential tasks and the associated costs. Formation of the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee August 10, 2010 Page 2 Analysis of Potential Activities as proposed by the Task Force on Bicycle Safety Final Report Dated May 11, 2010 I . Education and Outreach A. Update Bicycle Facilities Map Produce an updated Web based map that would include bike routes, lanes, and trails; safety information; points of interest; mileage; and family friendly routes. Committee work tasks: 1. Using current City Master Plan, GIS, and available documents, review current facilities 2. Research maps other web based maps (Google) 3. Determine safety information, points of interest, mileage, and family friendly routes to be included 4. Solicit a volunteer Graphic Mapping/Web Designer within the community 5. Provide input to the designer to determine layout, colors, symbols, etc. and compile map 6. Make recommendation to City Council supporting a web based map. Staff work tasks: 1. Staff progress meetings as required (estimated 2 meetings) 2. Review drafts as compiled by the committee 3. Write /facilitate City Council report for committee recommendations 4. If approved, arrange for inclusion on City's web site. Estimated staff hours = 40 hours Staff costs (inc. benefits & overhead) _ $4,000 B. Schools Outreach Jointly develop and implement a plan to provide student bicycle safety outreach with Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) Committee work tasks: 1. Contact representatives of NMUSD, meet and discuss potential outreach programs 2. If NMUSD approves, work with NMUSD to develop outreach programs 3. Submit outreach program to City Council & NMUSD for approval 4. Upon City Council &NMUSD approval, implement outreach. Staff work tasks: 1. Attend joint meetings with NMUSD (estimated 2 meetings) 2. Review draft programs as compiled by the committee 3. Write /facilitate City Council report for committee recommendations. Formation of the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee August 10, 2010 Page 3 Estimated staff time = 80 hours Staff cost (inc. benefits & overhead) _ $8,000 Miscellaneous costs for educational material = $1000 C. Community Outreach Develop and implement programs to educate and promote safety and encourage bicycle use for health, recreation and alternative transportation. Committee work tasks: 1. Develop a bicycle safety program that can be linked or posted on the City's web site 2. Plan and conduct an annual event to educate, promote safety, and encourage bicycle use for health and alternative transportation. 3. Work with local businesses and Chambers to encourage bicycle commuting. 4. Network with other cycling groups. 5. Host workshops and forums to promote understanding motorists /bicyclists Staff work tasks: 1. Attend committee meetings (estimated 3 meetings) 2. Review safety and promotional programs as compiled by the committee 3. Write /facilitate City Council report for committee recommendations. Estimated staff time = 80 hours Staff costs (inc. benefits & overhead) _ $8,000 Miscellaneous costs for program materials = $1000 II. Road Improvements A. Bicycle Facilities Annual Review Review the City's bicycle facilities and provide input to City staff on maintenance and minor improvements. Committee work tasks: 1. Conduct annual reviews of existing bicycle routes, lanes, and trails and report pavement, striping, signing, and signal push button /detection problems to City staff. 2. Report operational problems and make recommendations for potential improvements to City staff. Staff work tasks: 1. Receive committee reports and respond to reported maintenance issues 2. Receive input regarding reported operational problems 3. Write /facilitate City Council report for committee recommendations to remedy operational problems or approval of extensive maintenance programs. 4. Upon City Council approval, prepare capital improvement projects to address operational or maintenance issues as required. Formation of the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee August 10, 2010 Page 4 Estimated staff time = 180 hours Staff costs (inc. benefits & overhead) = $18,000 Capital repair and improvement projects = $ To Be Determined B. Bicycle Master Plan Review the City's current Bicycle Master Plan and make recommendations to City Council for modifications and additions. Committee work tasks: 1. Review the current Master plan looking for gaps and potential new opportunities. 2. Discuss potential changes and additions with City Traffic Engineering staff. 3. Make recommendations to City Council upon completion of the Committee's review. Staff work tasks: 1. Provide copies of Master Plan and General Plan circulation Element to committee members. 2. Receive input regarding potential modifications and additions to the City's Bicycle Master Plan (estimated 3 meetings) 3. Write /facilitate City Council report for committee recommendations. 4. Upon City Council approval, prepare capital improvement projects to address operational issues as required. Estimated staff time = 80 hours Staff costs (inc. benefits & overhead) = $8000 C. Task Force Projects Review and prioritize the 18 recommended projects from the Task Force on Bicycle Safety Final Report Dated May11, 2010, including potential locations for bicycle racks to promote bicycle usage. Committee work tasks: 1. Review and prioritize potential projects list with staff 2. Make recommendation and submit a prioritized potential project list to City Council. Staff work tasks: 1. Review the recommended projects and determine preliminary design and cost. 2. Investigate 'Sharrows' demonstration project on Bayside Drive and /or Back Bay Drive northbound. 3. Attend committee meetings and establish priority list (estimated 2 meetings). 4. Write /facilitate City Council report for committee recommendations. 5. Upon City Council approval, prepare capital improvement program to implement approved projects as required. Formation of the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee August 10, 2010 Page 5 Estimated staff time = 300 hours Staff costs (inc. benefits & overhead) _ $30,000 Capital repair and improvement projects = $ To Be Determined Total Estimated City Costs = $78,000 The estimated staff time to manage this committee annually is approximately 760 hours at a cost of approximately $76,000 (based upon an average hourly rate including benefits and overhead of $100 /hour). An additional $2,000 is estimated for incidental program materials. The tasks listed above can be categorized into one time activities and ongoing activities. One time Activities • Web Based Bicycle Map • Bicycle Master Plan Update • Task Force Projects Ongoing Activities • School Outreach • Community Outreach • Bicycle facilities annual review To reduce the annual cost, Council may chose to defer certain activities to future budget years and /or limit the amount of staff time to be expended. It is staff's recommendation that the first year activities of the committee be limited to a "One time Activity" such as the production of the web based bicycle map and the initial steps for the "On -going Activities ". In keeping with the City's goal to utilize performance based budgeting, staff recommends that the committee establish an annual work plan listing planned activities and expected outcomes. At the conclusion of the first year, the committee would provide City Council with an annual performance report citing their accomplishments. Based upon the results and costs to staff the committee, City Council would then reauthorize or disband the committee. Staff also recommends that committee member be appointed to a one year term with eligibility to be reappointed up to four years. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff determined that the formation of a citizen committee is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378 of the Guidelines. This action is not considered to be a project as defined by CEQA. Formation of the Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee August 10, 2010 Page 6 PUBLIC NOTICE: If approved by City Council, the City Clerk will solicit applications from the public. FUNDING AVAILABILITY: There are currently no funds appropriated within the current budget to staff this committee. Therefore, staff proposes that this committee operate with minimal staff assistance to keep costs down and to minimize taking staff away from current duties. If the committee holds meetings after normal work hours, additional costs for overtime could be realized. Some limited funding may be required for incidental expenses. Submitted by: Attachment: Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2010 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITIZENS BICYCLE SAFETY COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach supports bicycle usage for health, transportation, and recreational purposes; and WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach maintains a Bicycle Master Plan in accordance with its voter approved General Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach owns and maintains bicycle facilities such as bicycle routes, lanes and trails as well as bicycle racks; and WHEREAS, tragic bicycle accidents may have been prevented with improved education and awareness; NOW, THEREFORE, The City Council of the City of Newport Beach, does hereby resolve, determine and order as follows: Section 1. Establishment The Citizens Bicycle Safety Committee is hereby established for the purpose of promoting bicycle safety, education, and awareness. Section 2. Duties of the Committee The committees' duties shall include the following: • Produce an updated Web based map that would include facilities, safety information, points of interest, mileage, and family friendly routes. • Jointly develop and implement a plan to provide student bicycle safety outreach with Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) • Develop and implement programs to educate and promote safety and encourage bicycle use for health, recreation, and alternative transportation. • Review the City's Bicycle Facilities network and provide input to City Staff on maintenance. • Reviews the City's current Bicycle Master Plan and makes recommendations to City Council for modifications and additions. • Review and prioritize the 18 recommended projects from the Task Force on Bicycle Safety Final report dated May11, 2010, including potential locations for bicycle racks to promote bicycle usage. Annually, the Committee shall: • Prepare and submit a work plan listing planned activities and expected outcomes. • Prepare and submit a report on committee activities to City Council listing accomplishments and costs. Section 3. Composition of the Committee The Committee shall consist of seven community members appointed by the Mayor and ratified by the Council. Committee members will be individuals with background and experience in recreational and commuter bicycling. Section 4. Duration of the Committee Each Committee Member shall be appointed for one year and may be reappointed up to four years. The committee shall be reviewed by City Council annually in accordance with the City's Performance Based budgeting. The City Council may reauthorize or disband as appropriate. Adopted this 10th day of August, 2010 Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk