HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Traffic Mitigation Fees____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: 02/18/2020
Disposition: Accepted report
Agenda Item No: 5.e
Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Public Works
Prepared by: Bill Guerin,
Director of Public Works
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: TRAFFIC MITIGATION FEES
SUBJECT: ANNUAL TRAFFIC MITIGATION FEE REPORT
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the annual Traffic Mitigation Fee Report.
BACKGROUND: Traffic mitigation fees are a type of development impact or public facility fee.
They are charged by a local governmental agency to an applicant in connection with the
approval of a development project. They are not a tax or special assessment. Rather, their
purpose is to offset the cost of public facilities made necessary by the development project. In
the case of Traffic Mitigation Fees, the fees are collected to provide funds for increasing street
capacity to accommodate additional traffic generated by new development. Assembly Bill 1600
(California Government Codes §66000 – 66025) established requirements for how cities
collect, maintain and spend impact fees. The focus of this report is on the impact fee portion of
the law.
The City’s traffic mitigation fees were enacted in 1988 in connection with General Plan 2000
and that document’s projections for growth and future traffic patterns in the City. The
Circulation Element of General Plan 2020 calls for continued implementation and periodic
updating of Traffic Mitigation Fees in order to fund the long list of traffic improvements
mentioned in the General Plan as well as other circulation needs that may arise as the City is
developed. (General Plan 2020, Programs C-6, C-7)
Impact fees must demonstrate a reasonable connection between the fee charged and the cost
of the improvements for which they are collected, must be deposited in a separate account,
segregated from the City’s general fund, and used only for the identified improvements. AB
1600 requires cities to spend or commit the fees within five years of collection, or return them
to the developer unless a finding can be made that a reasonable relationship continues to exist
between the current need for the fee and the purpose for which it was originally collected (Gov.
Code §66001(d)).
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Of the City’s various development fees, the Traffic Mitigation Fee is the only such fee subject
to AB 1600 reporting. Pursuant to Government Code Section §66006, cities must publish
annual reports on these fees, which are to be available to the public.
ANALYSIS: The Traffic Mitigation Fee report consists of the following required seven elements
pursuant to the Government Code Section:
1. Fee description: The Traffic Mitigation Fee is charged to new development projects. It is
intended to pay for those circulation system improvements identified in General Plan
2020 needed to accommodate the proposed development or, as stated in section C-6 of
General Plan 2020, for “other recommended roadway improvements, including
additional improvements that may become necessary in the long-term and are desirable
to enhance San Rafael’s circulation system, but are not necessary to maintain Level of
Service (LOS) standards. Specific improvements will be implemented as conditions
require, and will be refined during the design phase. Recognize that other feasible
design solutions may become available and be more effective in achieving the same
goals as the improvements listed in Exhibit”. The Plan lists 32 long-term roadway
improvement projects, 24 of which are identified to be partially funded with Traffic
Mitigation fees and as noted above, also allows other additional improvements, not in
the General plan 2020 (such as improvements in the City’s approved list of Capital
Improvement Projects), to be made.
2. Amount of the fee: Each new A.M. and P.M. peak hour trip generated by a development
is charged $4,246. Fees are calculated based on land use types and their estimated
trips generated.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
3. The following is a table summarizing the beginning and ending year fund balance, as
well as specific revenues and expenditures for Traffic Mitigation Fund #246 for FY 2018-
19.
Fund 246 (Traffic Mitigation Fund) balance July 1, 2018 $4,688,850
Revenue (18/19)
• Interest income
• Traffic Mitigation Fees
$81,723
$2,356,530
Total Revenue $2,438,253
Expenditures (18/19)
• Capital Projects
Third & Hetherton Study #11303
Second & Third Street Signalization Study #11335
Transfer to Andersen Drive #11276
Operations: Concrete for Los Ranchitos Road
$16,695
$117,253
$3,380,892
$43,250
Total Expenditures $3,558,090
Net Change Fund Activity ($2,438,253-$3,558,090) ($1,119,837)
Fund Balance June 30, 2019 $3,569,013
4. List of improvements on which fees were expended, amount of expenditure and total
percentage of cost covered by fee: A list of all major planned circulation improvements
identified in the General Plan is provided in Attachment 1 of this report. Following are
the projects for which Traffic Mitigation Fees were used during the 2018-2019 fiscal
year:
a. Third & Hetherton Intersection Study (#11303) – the City contracted with Kimley-
Horn to study conceptual plans and define a project scope that will balance
safety and capacity at this intersection. The total study cost was $94,035, all of
which came from the Traffic Mitigation Fund. Final recommendations from the
Third and Hetherton Intersection study were brought to City Council on
December 17, 2018. Design and part of construction of the improvements is
being funded through a $583,000 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
grant from Caltrans.
b. Second & Third Street Signalization (#11335) – In preparation for the extension
of SMART to Larkspur, which includes rail line crossing Second and Third
Streets, the City needed to make signalization improvements. Design was started
in FY 2017-18, and construction was awarded by City Council on December 3,
2018. There is limited remaining signal work to improve safety.
c. Andersen Drive (#11276) – The project involves the reconfiguring of Andersen
Drive, including the installation of signal systems and related improvements to
allow an at grade rail crossing of Andersen Drive with SMART’s extension to
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
Larkspur. The MOU with SMART to construct the Andersen crossing
improvements was approved by City Council on March 20, 2017 which
authorized a total amount of $5,070,000 which included construction,
Contingency plus SMART’s staff time. The initial design for this crossing was
supported by redevelopment funds and the construction being supported by from
the Traffic Mitigation Fund. While the majority of the construction is completed,
additional property transfers and incidental work remain at this time.
5. Approximate date by which construction will commence when City has determined that
sufficient funds have been collected: See No. 4 above. Projects identified in General
Plan 2020 are major infrastructure improvements which often require substantial state
and federal funding in addition to Traffic Mitigation resources. Scheduling of those
projects therefore depends upon the availability of these supplemental funds.
6. Any interfund loan or transfer, including the public improvement where it will be spent:
There was a transfer of funds out from the Traffic Mitigation Fund in the amount of
$3,380,892 to support the Andersen Drive project #11276.
7. Refunds made due to sufficient funds being collected: No refunds were made.
An analysis of the accumulated fund balance follows. A first in, first out (FIFO) accounting
method assumes the first revenue collected is the first spent. Staff analyzed the annual
balances for the past 5 fiscal years and determined that no funds have been held for more
than 5 years, as shown in the following table:
Traffic Mitigation Fund #246
Revenues only:
0-1 Year 1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3-4 Years 4-5 Years 5+ Years
Unspent &
received in
FY 18-19
Unspent &
received in
FY 17-18
Unspent &
received in
FY 16-17
Unspent &
received in
FY 15-16
Unspent &
received in
FY 14-15
Unspent &
received 1/1/89
to 6/30/12
$2,438,253 $896,147 $382,554 $386,840 $660,888 ($1,195,669)
As evidenced by the projects described above, current traffic improvement projects underscore
the connection between the current need for the fees and the purpose for which they were
originally collected. The City anticipates the following projects will continue to incur Traffic
Mitigation Funds expenses:
• Andersen Drive (#11276)
• Second & Third Street Signalization (#11335)
• Francisco Blvd West Multi Use Path (partial funding resulting from transfer of funds from
Grand Avenue Bridge project)
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
While these are the projects currently under construction, it is worth noting that the total cost of
the 24 Circulation Element improvements in the General Plan 2020 is estimated at $57.95
million, of which $38.6 million (67%) would come from traffic mitigation fees.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with accepting the report.
OPTIONS:
• Accept the report as recommended.
• Do not accept the report.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the Traffic Mitigation Fee Report.
ATTACHMENTS :
1. Exhibit 21 from General Plan 2020: Major Planned Circulation Improvements
Amended and reprinted 01/18/13
Exhibit 21
Major Planned Circulation Improvements a
Funding Source
Proposed Roadway Improvements Projected Cost Mitigation Fee Redevelopment State & Federal Projected Project Timing (b)
1 Smith Ranch Road/Lucas Valley Road
Widen roadway to provide two westbound and two
eastbound lanes between Redwood Highway and
Los Gamos.
Widen northbound 101 off ramp and southbound
101 off ramp for additional right and left turn lanes.
$4,000,000 $4,000,000 Depends On Development Timing
2 Lucas Valley/Los Gamos
Widen Lucas Valley Road to provide two through
lanes for eastbound and westbound, and provide
two westbound left turn lanes.
Widen southbound Los Gamos to provide 2 lanes
for 300 feet and merge back to one lane.
Signalize intersection and coordinate with adjacent
intersections.
$2,000,000 $2,000,000 Depends On Development Timing
3 Las Gallinas Avenue (Merrydale to Del
Presidio)
Remove parking and widen street to provide four
lanes (one southbound, two northbound and one
two-way left turn).
$300,000 $300,000 Depends On Development Timing
4 Freitas/Las Gallinas
Upgrade the traffic signal system and operation.
Improve intersection geometry, cover portions of
drainage ditch
$650,000 $650,000 5-7 years
5 Freitas/Del Presidio
Explore feasibility of double northbound right turn
and southbound 101 on ramp widening
$900,000 $900,000 Depends On Development Timing
6 Freitas/ Northbound 101 Ramps- Redwood-
Civic Center widening and signalization.
Right of Way Required.
$7,500,000 $7,500,000 Depends On Development Timing
Amended and reprinted 01/18/13
Funding Source
Proposed Roadway Improvements Projected Cost Mitigation Fee Redevelopment State & Federal Projected Project Timing (b)
7 Grand Avenue (south of Grand Avenue bridge
to Fourth Street)
Widen north/south, add one lane as required, and
upgrade traffic signal system. Requires right of way
and major bridge widening.
$6,500,000 $3,250,000 $3,250,000 Depends On Development Timing
Signalize Grand/ Fifth, and restrict parking to
provide turn lanes.
$200,000 $200,000 5-7 years
Signalize Grand/ Mission, and restrict parking to
provide turn lanes.
$200,000 $200,000 5-7 years
8 Francisco Blvd. East (Bellam to Grand Avenue
Bridge)
Four lanes required. One southbound, one two-way
left turn and two northbound lanes. Major right of
way required.
$10,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 Depends On Development Timing
Signalize Francisco Blvd. East/Harbor.$200,000 $200,000 5-7 years
9 Lincoln Avenue (Second Street to southbound
101 ramps - Hammondale or as required)
Extend the existing PM peak northbound Tow-
Away zone for AM peak as well (four lanes may be
required). This parking restriction is likely to be
extended north toward the southbound 101 ramps.
$400,000 $400,000 3-5 years
Signalize Lincoln/ Grand, and restrict parking to
provide turn lanes.
$200,000 $200,000 3-5 years
10 Mission/Lincoln
Provide additional lanes for northbound, and
westbound; upgrade traffic signal system, requires
right of way.
$4,000,000 $4,000,000 Depends On Development Timing
11 Fourth Street (Miracle Mile)
Re-align Ross Valley and Santa Margarita and re-
design intersection operation. LOS may deteriorate
but community access will be provided.
$450,000 $450,000 5-7years
Additional Signalization
12 Signalize Fifth & H Street, and restrict parking to
provide turn lanes.
$100,000 $100,000 3 years
Amended and reprinted 01/18/13
Funding Source
Proposed Roadway Improvements Projected Cost Mitigation Fee Redevelopment State & Federal Projected Project Timing (b)
13 Signalize First/C Street, and restrict parking to
provide turn lanes.
$150,000 $150,000 3 years
14 Signalize First/ D Street, and restrict parking to
provide turn lanes.
$150,000 $150,000 3 years
15 Signalize Fourth/Union Street, and restrict parking
to provide turn lanes.
$200,000 $200,000 Depends On Development Timing
16 Signalize or Roundabout Mission/Court Street.$200,000 $100,000 $100,000 Depends On Development Timing
17 Signalize Merrydale/Southbound 101 Ramps, and
provide turn lanes.
$250,000 $250,000 5-7years
18 Signalize Lincoln/DuBois/Irwin and re-align
intersection. Right of way required.
$2,500,000 $2,500,000 Depends On Development Timing
19 Third/Union Street
Widen Union Street to provide 4 lanes between
Third and Fourth. Fire Station 4 modification
required.
Reconfigure Third/Union eastbound left turn
pocket.
Provide westbound right turn pocket.
Upgrade the traffic signal system and operation.
$900,000 $900,000 2 years
20 Kerner Blvd or Francisco Blvd. East. To
Andersen Drive Undercrossing
Provide a minimum 3-lane connector near
Shoreline Parkway. Signalize at both ends.
$8,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 Depends On Development Timing
21 Andersen /East Sir Francis Drake-eastbound
580 Ramps
Major widening and signalization.
$2,000,000 $500,000 $500,000 $1,000,000 5-7 years
22 Upgrade traffic signal system.$3,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 7 years
23 Install traffic monitoring sensors and camera
system.
$1,000,000 $500,000 $500,000 7 years
24 Install Fiber Optic network throughout the
traffic system.
$2,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 7 years
Sub Total $57,950,000 $38,600,000 $15,350,000 $4,000,000
Amended and reprinted 01/18/13
Funding Source
Proposed Roadway Improvements Projected Cost Mitigation Fee Redevelopment State & Federal Projected Project Timing (b)
Other Projects Projected Cost City Funds Redevelopment State & Federal
25 Implement Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan $5,300,000 $2,650,000 $2,650,000 7-20 years
26 Pedestrian bridge at Third/Hetherton – GGT
Transportation Center
$2,000,000 $500,000 $500,000 $1,000,000 Depends On SMART, 10-20 years
27 Pedestrian bridge to connect Canal to Andersen
Drive/Downtown.
$4,500,000 $1,125,000 $1,125,000 $2,250,000 10-20 years
28 Pedestrian bridge to connect Canal to Montecito
Shopping Center.
$4,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 10-20 years
29 Freitas / Northbound 101 Ramps - Redwood-Civic
Center or a new flyover from Civic Center Dr. to
Freitas.
$12,000,000 $6,000,000 $6,000,000 Depends On Development Timing
30 Second Street (from E Street to east side of A
Street).
The projected volume requires right turn lanes or
through/right lanes be added in the long term.Right
of way required.
$6,000,000 $1,500,000 $3,000,000 $1,500,000 10-20 years
31 Pedestrian bridge over Canal between the Canal
and Montecito/Happy Valley neighborhoods.
$4,000,000 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 10-20 years
32 North San Rafael Promenade $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 10-20 years
Sub Total Other Projects $39,800,000 $14,775,000 $7,625,000 $17,400,000
Grand Total Project Cost $97,750,000
(a)Priorities for circulation improvements are set in the Capital Improvements Program. This list may be amended as part of the five-year General Plan update.
(b)The timing for the improvements depends on the size, type and phasing of additional development. Policies LU -2 (Development Timing) requires findings when project-
related traffic will not cause the LOS to be exceeded.
Source: San Rafael Public Works Department