CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 17, 2015
PREPARED BY: Steve Maxey, Planner/Community Development
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGAN HILL AND THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR PROJECT READINESS ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE MORGAN HILL STATION AREA MASTER PLAN
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a funding agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for activities related to the preparation of a Morgan Hill Station Area Master Plan.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Enhancing public safety
Protecting the environment
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
2015 Focus Areas
Stimulate Economic Development
Participate in Regional Issues
Infrastructure Funding and Advocacy
Advance Downtown Revitalization
Advance Regional Transportation
REPORT NARRATIVE:
The City Council approved Resolution 6822 on March 19, 2014, authorizing the preparation and submittal of a grant application to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for funding of long range planning projects that would support regional transit within Morgan Hill. Among the projects included in the application were:
· Preparation of a Station Area Master Plan: The project includes detailed planning, conceptual design and preparation of an implementation strategy to optimize land uses, infrastructure improvements, and supporting amenities in the vicinity of the City's rail station with the goal of supporting station users and pedestrians to the maximum degree possible. Building on the City's recently adopted placemaking strategy, the Station Area Master Plan will focus on design, transit linkages and amenities in the vicinity of the City's transit stations as integral and special places in the Downtown. The Station Area Master Plan will include a strong implementation strategy, providing long term direction for improvements, including pedestrian and bicycle network enhancements, "quiet" rail intersections, and enhanced design guidelines.
· Analysis of development potential of the jointly owned VTA/City property: The grant also addressed future development of the VTA/City property located east of the railroad tracks. Analysis will identify feasible development models that achieve local and regional goals. The site will not have redevelopment funds to support development, and two key decision makers, VTA and the City Oversight Board, have mandates to generate revenue from these sites. The analysis will guide the development proposals and disposition of these sites to maximize development and/or revenue and guide the desired outcomes.
VTA awarded the City of Morgan Hill a $301,000 grant for the proposed projects. The projects funded by this grant are expected to take place over the course of the next two-plus years, with the projects reaching their completion before the end of 2017. The City anticipates moving through these projects at a quick pace to coincide with other Downtown-area projects and plans that are in place or under development. The Station Area Master Plan process will be presented to the community and City Council at a future meeting. The project is anticipated to commence in late summer, following a consultant selection process with VTA, who will negotiate and administer all consultant contracts for the project.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Collaborate
Community and stakeholder collaboration will be key to the success of the Station Area Master Planning efforts. And a community outreach plan will be developed and implemented in the early stages of the project following the City's model for a collaborative decision making process.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
If City Council elects to not authorize the City Manager to sign the funding agreement, the $301,000 grant award will not be received.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
March 19, 2014 - City Council approval of application for VTA planning grant.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
The City is required to contribute a local match of $38,100 toward the project per the terms of the VTA grant. Staff recommends that the City use a portion of the monies budgeted in Fund 207 for long-range land use planning contract services.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a Project
The activities allowed by this Council action will not result in changes to the physical environment as the activities constitute preliminary planning and feasibility analyses.
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Draft funding agreement