REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL February 16, 2017 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Deputy City Engineer/Division Manager Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the dedication of a portion of a City-owned property for the purpose of a Public Trail and Pedestrian easement, to accommodate the rehabilitation of the Fairview Trail located on the East Belgravia Alignment between South Fairview Avenue and South Lee Avenue. (Council District 3) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301, Section 15302, and Section 15304 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. EA-16-039. 2. RESOLUTION - Dedicating a portion of a City-owned property for the purpose of a Public Trail and Pedestrian Easement, to accommodate the rehabilitation of the Fairview Trail located on the East Belgravia Alignment between South Fairview Avenue and South Lee Avenue. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Council adopt the attached resolution dedicating a portion of a City-owned property for the purpose of a public trail and pedestrian easement to accommodate the rehabilitation of the Fairview Trail located on the East Belgravia Alignment between South Fairview Avenue and South Lee Avenue. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The project will consist of the rehabilitation of an existing trail that is located on a City-owned parcel. This parcel is currently designated as open space for Hinton Park. The northerly portion of Hinton Park is where the existing trail is located on the City-owned parcel and in need rehabilitation. The rehabilitation will consist of reconstruction of a ten-foot wide asphalt concrete trail across the northerly portion of Hinton Park and continuing northerly along the South Fairview Avenue alignment into Edison High School. The project also includes reconstruction of portions of an existing six-foot wide meandering concrete path, and the placement of LED lighting along the trail. The proposed public trail and pedestrian easement dedication is described in Exhibit "A" and shown in Exhibit "B" of the attached resolution. BACKGROUND Hinton Park is currently managed and maintained by the City of Fresno PARCS department, which includes the maintenance of the existing trail. The proposed public trail and pedestrian easement dedication as described in Exhibit "A" and shown in Exhibit "B" of the attached resolution would change the public use of that area and allow the City of Fresno Public Works Department to assume the responsibility of the rehabilitation and maintenance of the existing trail. The Traffic and Engineering Services Division and other City departments have determined that existing utility easements exist within the area proposed for public trail and pedestrian easement dedication as shown in Exhibit "B" of the attached resolution. These utility easements are in favor of the public, as well as Pacific Gas and Electric Company and will remain in place. The City Attorney's Office has approved the attached resolution as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1, Section 15302/Class 2 and 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Under this Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines, exempts from the provisions of CEQA, projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting or minor alterations of existing public or private structures or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Examples include, but are not limited to, existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails and other similar public facilities (including road grading for the purposes of public safety); restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities or mechanical equipment; and, maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth, and water supply. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference does not apply because the dedication of public trail and pedestrian easement does not involve bidding or contracting. FISCAL IMPACT The project is included in the adopted FY2017 capital budget for the City of Fresno, with no impact on the General Fund. Attachments: Vicinity Map EA-16-039 Resolution