Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - April 26, 2023

The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the San Diego City Council met on April 26, 2023, with a quorum present. The meeting covered three main agenda items: an amendment to a fire station design contract, approval of road maintenance project lists funded by the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), and an update on the citywide street condition assessment. The committee also heard non-agenda public comment and recognized Denim Day for sexual assault awareness.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Public Comment – Randy Wilde, Senior Policy Advisor from Mayor Todd Gloria's office, provided three updates: (1) The mandatory pre-bid conference for the public EV charging RFP on April 14 had over 130 attendees from more than 50 companies. (2) The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) naming competition for the Pacific Beach circulator resulted in the name "Beach Bug," with pilot service expected later in summer 2023. (3) SANDAG's Board of Directors approved a $1.24 million California State Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant to support development of an accessibility safety plan for individuals with disabilities and disadvantaged communities, evaluating curb ramps, audible pedestrian signals, sidewalks, street crossings, and obstacles.
• Councilmember Von Wilpert noted that April 26, 2023, was Denim Day, an international day to raise awareness of sexual assault and victim-blaming, and thanked colleagues for wearing denim.

Discussion Item 1: Second Amendment with RRM for Fairmont Avenue Fire Station Design

• Staff Presentation – Jason Granny, Assistant Deputy Director of Engineering Capital Projects, presented the item. The second amendment adds 1,224,182 dollars (for a total contract not to exceed 2,462,132 dollars) and extends the term by 60 months (total 159 months). The amendment covers three new phases: Phase 3 (Environmental Impact Report – EIR, 400,477 dollars), Phase 4 (update of fire station design standards to comply with recent policies like ZEMBOP and sustainable building policy, 109,390 dollars), and Phase 5 (design and construction support for Fairmont Avenue Fire Station, 714,315 dollars, contingent on EIR certification). The fire station would serve Council Districts 4 and 9, addressing a response time gap identified in the 2010 and 2017 Citygate reports. The property has constraints including steep hillsides, habitat planning areas, and a 100-year floodplain. Community outreach led to the decision to prepare an EIR.
• Councilmember Questions – Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe asked why Phase 3 and Phase 4 were concurrent. Staff clarified Phase 4 updates the design standard unrelated to the EIR; Phase 5 will not begin until after EIR certification. Vice Chair Lakava noted that Phase 4 does not affect the EIR. Chair Lee highlighted the response time gap and the importance of the EIR for environmental impacts on Chollas Creek watershed, and praised the standardization effort for future efficiency.
• Vote – Motion by Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe, seconded by Vice Chair Lakava. Passed unanimously.

Discussion Item 2: Approval of FY2024 RMRA Project List for Slurry Seal Contracts

• Staff Presentation – Bethany Bizak, Transportation Director, and Patrick Hadley, Deputy Director of Streets Division, presented. The request seeks approval for sections of roadway funded by the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) for FY2024. The city expects 34 million dollars in RMRA funding in FY2024. Since FY2018, the city has received over 170 million dollars. The proposed project list includes four slurry seal contracts covering 96.8 miles in total, each contract about 8 million dollars plus TransNet funds for bike infrastructure. The presentation also introduced a new treatment called Cape Seal for streets with an Overall Condition Index (OCI) between 60 and 70, allowing repairs on streets in slightly worse condition than typical slurry seal (OCI 70+). The city’s street network is about 3,000 centerline miles. The anticipated schedule aims to advertise contracts early in FY2024.
• Councilmember Questions – Chair Lee asked about carryover miles from previous years. Staff explained that due to a wet FY2023, about 300 miles are carried forward, and they aim to complete most carryover in FY2024. Staff also discussed selection methodology including OCI, traffic loading, classification, and proximity to schools and emergency facilities. Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe noted that District 4 appears to have lower mileage but acknowledged overlay investments in the district. She also asked about the schedule for using the new OCI data from the upcoming assessment – staff confirmed it will be used for the FY2025 RMRA cycle. Vice Chair Lakava asked about using the Get It Done app for pothole reporting vs. crack sealing; staff explained they are working on educational updates and noted that crack sealing is for smaller cracks (half-inch or less). Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe asked about capacity issues and the possibility of in-house mill and pave teams; staff expressed interest.
• Vote – Motion by Chair Lee, seconded by Councilmember Von Wilpert. Passed unanimously.

Information Item 3: Citywide Street Condition Assessment Update

• Staff Presentation – Bethany Bizak and Patrick Hadley provided an update on the citywide street condition assessment contract. The assessment, awarded to Fugro in January 2023, uses a van with laser and photo technology to measure road defects and rideability. As of the meeting, about 70% of the total test miles (approximately 2,100 of an anticipated 3,000 centerline miles) had been collected, with a production rate of 400 miles per week barring rain. Completion of data collection, analysis, and quality assurance is estimated for summer 2023, with a final report to the committee in fall 2023. The assessment will provide more accurate OCI data than the previous 2015–2016 windshield survey and will also capture lane mile data. Staff noted potential to use photos for other asset inventories (curb ramps, signage) at an additional cost.
• Councilmember Comments – Chair Lee commended the effort and asked about the technology’s ability to capture bike lane and sidewalk condition. Staff stated the van can capture some bike lanes along street segments, but protected bike lanes and paths require separate assessment. They are exploring additional uses. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked about contractor warranty: staff confirmed a one-year warranty period, and contractors have been held accountable for failed slurry seal. Vice Chair Lakava expressed interest in focusing on bike lane pavement conditions. Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe asked about public access to data – staff said final report and OCI data will be available on the Street SD website.
• This item was informational; no vote required.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Fairmont Avenue Fire Station contract amendment): Approved unanimously. The contract with RRM Design Group is amended to add 1,224,182 dollars (total contract not to exceed 2,462,132 dollars) and extend the term to June 2028. Phases 3 (EIR) and 4 (design standard update) will proceed, with Phase 5 contingent on EIR certification. The City may expend up to 509,867 dollars for phases 3 and 4.
• Item 2 (FY2024 RMRA project list): Approved unanimously. The resolution authorizes the project list for four slurry seal contracts totaling 96.8 miles, funded by RMRA (34 million dollars anticipated) and TransNet funds. The list includes use of Cape Seal treatment for streets with OCI 60–70. Staff will advertise contracts early in FY2024.
• Item 3 (Street condition assessment update): Received as information. Data collection is approximately 70% complete; final report expected fall 2023. The data will inform the FY2025 resurfacing program and be publicly available on the Street SD website.