Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RECORDING A "NOTICE OF EXEMPTION" IN THE OFFICE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CLERK AND WITH THE STATE CLEARING HOUSE FOR PROJECT NO. 1657: TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT SIX INTERSECTIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 15301 OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
Project No. 1657: Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections is included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list for the following intersection locations: Figueroa Street at Victoria Street; Figueroa Street at 223rd Street; Figueroa Street at 234th Street; Main Street at Albertoni Street; Main Street at 220th Street; and Main Street at Victoria Street (Exhibit No. 1). The project plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) prepared by Parsons are available for review in the City Engineer’s Office. The estimated project construction cost is $3,189,937.85.
Staff is now requesting City Council to make the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) finding that this project is categorially exempt, and authorize staff to record this action with the Los Angeles County Clerk and with the State Clearing House at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. MAKE the California Environmental Quality Act finding that the proposed Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections Project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
2. AUTHORIZE staff to record the “Notice of Exemption” in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk for Project No. 1657: Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections (Exhibit No. 2).
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT APPROVE the above recommendations. However, staff will not be able to proceed with the construction of the project.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) calls for the construction of Project No. 1657 - Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections. The Project includes the construction of roadway and traffic signal modifications at six existing traffic signal-controlled intersections in the City of Carson. The six intersection improvements along Main Street and Figueroa Street are near and run parallel to the I-110 Freeway. Traffic from freeways at local interchanges adversely impacts the operations of these intersections. These impacts occur especially during peak hours, when traffic exiting nearby I-110 off ramps combined with the regional north-south traffic overwhelm the existing operational capacity of the intersections. The six traffic signals will be upgraded and improved to provide increased intersection capacity, upgraded safety lighting, new video detection systems, and pedestrian head upgrades. The traffic signal controllers will be programmed to ensure efficient and safer vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle travel, improve the level of service and reduce delays at the project intersections.
Based on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, the proposed project is categorically exempt according to Section 15301 of CEQA. The following sections apply to the Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections Project:
o Section 15301(c): Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety).
o Section 15301(d): Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as an earthquake, landslide, or flood.
The Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) for Project No. 1657: Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections have been completed by Parsons, Inc. and reviewed by the Engineering Services Division of the Public Works Department. A copy of the plans, specifications and estimates is available in the City Engineer’s Office.
This Project was approved for funding through two separate Measure R grants (MR312.41 and MR312.46) and the City requested Metro to program funding to cover the PS&E, Construction, and Construction Support phases. In addition, Metro offered the City of Carson the services to prepare and complete the plans, specifications and estimate for the project. Metro completed the PS&E and will also lead the Construction Support Services phase of the project. The City of Carson will be responsible for advertising the bid for construction, awarding the bid to the lowest responsible/responsive bidder, and managing the construction of the project.
The PS&E was previously approved by the City Council on February 7, 2023 and staff was authorized to advertise the project for construction bid. Due to additional approval required of the design at the Figueroa Street & Victoria Street intersection jointly shared by the City of Los Angeles, and pending electrical service requests with Southern California Edison, the project advertisement has been delayed.
The period of performance to complete the Project is twelve (12) months from the issuance of the Purchase Order. However, staff will seek completion of the Project ahead of this timeframe if it can do so without sacrificing quality of the deliverables.
The approximate timeline for the project is as follows:
Approval of PS&E [Completed February 7, 2023]
Execution of Funding Agreement with Metro [Completed May 16, 2023]
CEQA finding July 2024
Advertise Invitation for Bids August 2024
Award of Construction Contract September 2024
Contract Execution September 2024
PO Issuance October 2024
Start of Construction November 2024
Completion of Construction November 2025
V. FISCAL IMPACT
No funding is being requested as part of this staff report. Staff is merely asking for approval to file a CEQA categorical exemption and authorization to submit a Notice of Exemption accordingly. The preliminary estimated construction cost of the project is $3,189,937.85. The final project cost will be determined when bids are received.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Traffic Signal Installation at Six Intersections Location Map (Pg. 4)
2. Notice of Exemption (Pg. 5)
Prepared by: Dr. Arlington Rodgers, Jr., Director of Public Works, Gilbert Marquez, P.E., City Engineer, and John C. Merrill, P.E., T.E., Traffic Engineer