HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2021-145 N.C.S. 9/13/2021 Resolution No. 2021-145 N.C.S. Page 1
Resolution No. 2021-145 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BOLT MOBILITY TO OPERATE A BIKESHARE SYSTEM IN
PETALUMA AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO AN
OPERATING AGREEMENT WITH PROGRAM PARTNERS AND TO SIGN ALL PERMITS AND
RELATED DOCUMENTATION TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN PETALUMA.
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has acknowledged that bike share programs encourage mode shift from
single occupancy vehicles to shared transportation systems and this shift helps to increase health of the
community, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce traffic congestion, and help to fulfill the goals of
the Petaluma Climate Action Emergency Framework; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has determined the Bike Share Program is exempt under the Public
Resources Code § 21080.25 (Added 1-1-2021 pursuant to SB 288), in that the project meets the definition of
being one a project defined as “Pedestrian and bicycle facilities, including new facilities, a. For purposes of this
paragraph, “bicycle facilities” include, but are not limited to, bicycle parking, bicycle sharing facilities, and
bikeways as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.;” and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has further determined that the Bike Share Program is also categorically
exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301, as a minor alteration of existing public facilities, Section 15303,
as bike share hubs are small structures, and Section 15311, in that the bike share facilities are accessory to
established uses; and
WHEREAS, there are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the
exemptions inapplicable pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has declared climate change a top priority in policy and planning
decision-making through a climate emergency resolution adopted in January 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (“SCTA”) and Transportation Authority of
Marin (“TAM”) jointly applied for the Bike Share Capital Program through Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (“MTC”) and in August 2018, and were awarded a $826,000 grant for the implementation of a bike
share pilot program in Sonoma and Marin counties (“Marin-Sonoma Bike Share”) in connection with Sonoma
Marin Area Rail Transport (“SMART”); and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2020, SCTA approved a Program Agreement with Bolt to operate a minimum of
300 electric bicycles and designated parking spaces for the bikes program wide as a part of the Bike Share Pilot
Program and as a way to facilitate “first” and “last mile” connections to transit trip; and
WHEREAS, The City of Petaluma will work with the program partners to design and implement a
bikeshare system equitably throughout the community to maximize accessibility to the system for all
Petalumans; and
WHEREAS, a joint subcommittee of the City of Petaluma Transit Advisory Committee and Pedestrian and
Bike Advisory Committee was formed in 2019 and after meeting since that time recommends approval of an
operating agreement with BOLT; and
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Resolution No. 2021-145 N.C.S. Page 2
WHEREAS, Bolt will operate, and maintain the Bike Share Pilot Program within the City of Petaluma at
no direct cost to the city; and
WHEREAS, all monitoring and evaluation of the Bike Share Pilot Program will be conducted by Bolt and
overseen by the SCTA and TAM; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to enter into a Coordination Agreement with SCTA, TAM, Bolt, and
Participating Cities establishing roles and responsibilities for the Bike Share Pilot Program; and
WHEREAS, the City will seek to identify infrastructure safety improvements in the vicinity of any
bikeshare hub locations for potential safety improvements in the near term.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are incorporated into this ordinance as
findings of the City Council.
2. The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act for the justifications stated in
the attached Exhibit A.
3. The City of Petaluma authorizes Bolt the right to operate a shared electric bicycle system within the City of
Petaluma during the pilot period and beyond if extended.
4. The City of Petaluma authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Coordination Agreement
between the City of Petaluma, Bolt, SCTA, TAM, and participating Cities in Sonoma and Marin Counties to
implement the Marin-Sonoma Bicycle Share Pilot Program.
5. The City of Petaluma authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to sign all required permits for installation
of designated bike share parking and other documents related to the operation and expansion of the Marin-
Sonoma Bicycle Share Pilot Program on behalf of the City of Petaluma.
6. The City shall seek to identify any bike and pedestrian improvements in the immediate vicinity of bikeshare
hub locations for potential safety enhancements in the near future to ensure safe egress to and from the hub.
7. The City certifies that the project will be completed by a skilled and trained workforce.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 13th day of September
2021, by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: Mayor Barrett; Vice Mayor Barnacle, Fischer; Healy; King; McDonnell, Pocekay
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
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CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM
City of Petaluma, Planning Division
11 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone (707) 778-4470 E-mail: petalumaplanning@cityofpetaluma.org
DATE: July 29, 2021
TO: Jared Hall, Transit Manager
FROM: Olivia Ervin, Principal Environmental Planner
Krystle Rizzi, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Bike Share Agreement Project Exemption Justification
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of Petaluma Transit Division of the Department of Public Works in partnership with the Sonoma
County Transportation authority (SCTA) and other regional participants, is proposing to enter into an
agreement with Bolt Mobility, LLC., as part of a regional bikeshare program to introduce a pilot program
providing a system of e-bikes near SMART stations.
The project consists of authorization of an agreement to establish, maintain, and operate a Bike Share
system for a 36-month term, with optional annual renewals through April 14, 2025. The precise location of
where bike hubs will be located remains to be determined but is expected to occur at several locations in
central Petaluma including at the SMART station and various locations along East Washington Street and
downtown Petaluma. Bike share racks are un-powered modular installations that do not require a connection
to public utilities and do not require grading or other site disturbance prior to placement. Each individual
rack will have dimensions of a typical “U” bike rack. Multiple racks may be grouped together to create a
Hub. Related treatments include decals, paint, posts, and signage within City-owned right-of-way.
Construction associated with the Bike Share system will be limited to installation of hubs and is expected
to occur in areas that have been previously disturbed and improved.
Individuals may use bikes through smart phone app payments and/or memberships for regular use. Bike
Share systems provide an alternative to driving for shorter trips. In addition, the Bike Share system meets
several goals of the City including supporting SMART ridership by providing first and last mile
connections, contributing to vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions,
supporting economic development, providing additional low-cost transportation options, and supporting
reduced automobile dependence and healthier lifestyles by providing an active transportation option. Users
if the bike share program are expected to include commuters connecting to public transit, workers going to
lunch or on break, shoppers biking to local retail, and tourist riding to hotels, restaurants, retail, and events.
Execution of the agreement and installation of the Bike Share system is considered a project under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and as such, this memo in conjunction with the
corresponding Notice of Exemption (NOE) demonstrates the applicability of a statutory and categorical
exemptions to the project as further discussed below.
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STATUTORY EXEMPTION
The project is eligible for a statutory exemption from the provisions of CEQA under Section 21080.25(b)(1)
of the Public Resources Code, which applies to pedestrian and bicycle facilities including, but not limited
to, bicycle parking, bicycle sharing facilities, and bikeways, subject to the following criteria: 1) a public
agency is carrying out the project and is the lead agency, 2) the project is located within an urbanized area,
3) the project is located within an existing public right-of-way, 4) the project will not add new automobile
capacity, and 5) the project will not require the demolition of affordable housing units. The project meets
the identified criteria since 1) the City of Petaluma is carrying out the project as the lead agency, 2) the
project is located in downtown Petaluma, an urbanized area, 3) the Bike Share system will be installed
within existing public right-of-way, 4) the project is limited to Bike Share facilities and will not add
automobile capacity, and 5) no demolition of housing, affordable or otherwise, will occur to accommodate
the Bike Share system. Additionally, the City of Petaluma is certifying that the project will be completed
by a skilled and trained workforce. Therefore, the project qualifies for the statutory exemption.
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTIONS
In addition to being statutorily exempt from the provisions of CEQA, the project is also eligible for
categorical exemptions under Section 15301 (Class 1), which applies to projects consisting of minor
alterations of existing public facilities, Section 15303 (Class 3), which applies to projects consisting of a
limited number of new small structures or facilities, and Section 15311 (Class 11), which applies to projects
consisting of accessory structures, designed for public use.
The project involves the installation and operation of a limited number of Bike Share hubs located in and
around downtown Petaluma including at the existing downtown SMART station. Class 1, Class 3, and Class
11 categorical exemptions are applicable to the proposed project because of the following:
• Bike Share facilities will be located on sites that are currently improved with urban uses and within
the existing public right-of-way
• Bike Share is a system of automated, self-serve electric bike rentals and would not induce
automobile trips
• The Bike Share Program is intended to encourage alternative modes of transportation and provide
another option for shorter commutes within urbanized areas by making e-bikes available for public
use
• The project involves only minor physical modifications or alterations (installation of small
structures to support bicycle use) and is accessory to established uses
• There would be negligible or no expansion of use beyond what currently exists at established uses
where Bike Share facilities may be introduced
• No trees will be removed for the installation of the Bike Share racks or parking hubs
• Specifications for installation require that the units do not impede the flow of storm water into the
City’s storm water system
• There are no environmentally sensitive areas and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual
circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable
EXCEPTIONS TO THE EXEMPTIONS
Use of a categorical exemption would be prohibited pursuant to Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines
if any exceptions to the exemption apply. The City has considered the projects applicability to all of the
exceptions under Section 15300.2. An analysis of each of these exceptions in reference to this specific
project is provided below.
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a) Location. Class 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 are qualified by consideration of where the project is to be located.
Section 15300.2(a) states that a project that is ordinarily insignificant in its impact on the
environment may in a particularly sensitive environment be significant. The project would involve
installation of small structures within existing public rights-of-way, sidewalks, or existing on-street
parking lanes. The installation of these small structures would not result in environmental impacts
to particularly sensitive environments as these areas have been previously disturbed, are already
improved with impervious surfaces, and are substantially surrounded by established urban uses.
Consequential Stormwater impacts resulting from the project are not anticipated
b) Cumulative Impact. Based on the above analysis, there is no evidence of a potentially significant
cumulative impact on the environment from the proposed project. The project proposes the
installation and operation of a Bike Share system within existing public rights-of-way. Installation
of these small bike share structures in already distributed areas within the downtown core and
proximate to established urban uses, will not cumulatively impact traffic, noise, air quality, or water
quality.
c) Significant Effect. The project would not result in any significant effects on the environment due
to unusual circumstances as areas of Bike Share installations will be located in areas already
improved with urban uses and preclude sensitive environmental areas. The proposed project site,
in downtown Petaluma proximate to the existing SMART station and along major travel corridors
such as East Washington Street does not present any unusual circumstances that would negatively
impact the environment.
d) Scenic Highways. According to the California Scenic Highway Program, US 101 and State Route
116 (Lakeville Highway) are not designated scenic highways within the City of Petaluma, nor are
they considered eligible to be officially designated. As such, specific project sites would not result
in damage to any scenic resources and this exception to the use of categorical exemptions does not
apply.
e) Hazardous Waste Sites. It is not anticipated that the specific locations of the Bike Share program
will be implemented in areas included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the
Government Code. Furthermore, construction is limited to installation of bike racks, and does not
require substantial earthwork, trenching, or ground disturbance.
f) Historical Resources. It is not anticipated that the Bike Share system will results in damage to any
historic resources. The project consists of the installation of a limited number of Bike Share hubs
comprised generally of a series of “U” shaped bicycle racks to accommodate parking of e-bikes
available to the public. While some of these facilities may be introduced in and near identified
historical buildings and or within the City of Petaluma’s Historic Commercial District, installation
and operation of the proposed Bike Share system would not result in damage to historic resources,
nor would the project compromise historic integrity. Furthermore, the proposed Bike Share system
does not involve any permanent improvements that cannot be removed.
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