TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, Acting City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Ryan Heise, Acting Community Development Director
Katherine Doherty, City Engineer
Erik Zandvliet, City Traffic Engineer
Jeff Fijalka, Principal Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Lot 3 Parking Structure Local Emergency Update (Public Works Director Lee).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
A) DETERMINE THAT THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE THE EMERGENCY ACTION
B) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 24-0124
C) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
D) APPROPRIATE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTION RECEIVED
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
A. Determine, by four-fifths vote, that there is a need to continue the emergency action.
B. Adopt Resolution 24-0124, ratifying a contract with American Wrecking, Inc. for $238,887 for hazardous material abatement and demolition of the Lot 3 Parking Structure.
C. Discuss and provide direction regarding shuttle services for the Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House and the Holiday Fireworks Festival.
D. If the City Council approves the special event shuttle services, appropriate an amount not to exceed $85,000 from the unreserved Proposition A Fund balance for the selected shuttle services.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The original cost estimate for the demolition and replacement of the Lot 3 Parking Structure (Lot 3) with an at-grade parking lot was on the order of $3,000,000. Pursuant to Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Section 3.08.060.A.6.c, the emergency demolition and replacement phase will be carried out through multiple emergency contracts.
The amount of the emergency demolition contract authorized by the Acting City Manager is $238,887. Sufficient funds are currently available for the Parking Lot 3 Redevelopment Project within the Parking Fund.
The costs associated with the additional street parking alternatives are estimated to be on the order of $100,000. It is anticipated that these costs can be funded within Public Works’ current operating budget.
The costs associated with the proposed holiday event shuttle services for the Pier Lighting event and the Fireworks Festival vary based on the configuration selected, but are estimated not to exceed a total of $85,000. Staff has been in contact with Metro regarding the use of Proposition A Local Return funds to offset the cost of shuttle services. Should the City Council select to move forward with one or more of the proposed options, an appropriation in an equivalent amount is needed from the unreserved Proposition A Fund balance to fully fund the selected shuttle service programming for these events. If Metro determines that this is not a proper use of Proposition A Funds, the City will need to find an alternative funding source.
BACKGROUND:
Lot 3 is a City-owned facility at the southwest corner of Morningside Drive and 12th Street in Downtown Manhattan Beach. The 3-story structure was constructed in 1971 and contains 146 parking spaces critical to visitors and businesses in the Downtown area. In June 2024, City staff elected to close the structure indefinitely, following a series of onsite inspections and structural assessments indicating that advanced deterioration had significantly compromised the integrity of the structure. At the September 3, 2024 regular City Council meeting, City Council adopted Resolution No. 24-0105, declaring a local emergency at the Lot 3 Parking Structure and authorizing the City Manager to secure, demolish, and replace the structure.
In addition to adopting Resolution No. 24-0105, City Council directed staff to explore means to expedite the work, which may include, but is not limited to, extending construction work hours. Furthermore, City Council directed staff to discontinue temporary shuttle services and to identify and/or create additional parking spaces within walking distance of the Downtown area. City Council also directed staff to suspend parking restrictions in the Downtown Resident Permit Parking Area. Additional discussions included considering alternate locations for the Farmers Market, providing a shuttle service for special events, and evaluating the potential for valet parking.
Per Resolution No. 12-6422, which was adopted by City Council on December 4, 2012, in the event of an emergency, the City Manager is authorized to take action during an emergency pursuant to California Public Contract Code (California PCC) Section 22050. Section 22050 provides that the City Manager may order the repair of public facilities without advertising for bids when the repair is in the public interest and necessitates the immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health, or property.
California PCC Section 22050 requires that if the City Manager orders an emergency action, the governing body shall initially review the emergency action at its next regularly scheduled meeting and at least at every regularly scheduled meeting thereafter until the action is terminated, to determine, by a four-fifths vote, that there is a need to continue the action. This staff report serves as the update required by Section 22050. Previous updates were provided at the September 17, 2024, October 1, 2024, and October 15, 2024 regular City Council meetings.
DISCUSSION:
Emergency Demolition and Replacement
As indicated in the October 1, 2024 Lot 3 Status Update Staff Report, American Wrecking provided the low bid for the demolition of the Lot 3 Parking Structure. In close coordination with the City Attorney’s Office, staff prepared an agreement for the emergency demolition work, which was executed by the Acting City Manager on October 17, 2024. Per the agreement, American Wrecking will provide hazardous material abatement in addition to demolition services for a total cost of $238,887. A copy of the agreement is attached herein for review and ratification by City Council.
American Wrecking began work on October 17, 2024, with the removal of an asbestos-containing rolling door at the second level of the parking structure. This asbestos abatement work was finalized on October 18, 2024. Abatement of lead paint at the base of structural columns throughout the first and second level of the structure initiated on October 21, 2024, and was completed on October 25, 2024.
On October 22, 2024, the perimeter fencing around Lot 3 was extended to the north to enclose a portion of 12th Street. It is anticipated that the block of 12th Street between Crest Drive and Morningside Drive will remain closed to vehicular traffic throughout the majority of the demolition activities. The sidewalk along the north side of 12th Street remains open through this area.
Installation of a pedestrian protection canopy along the south side of Center Place began on October 24, 2024 and was completed on October 29, 2024. Demolition activities commenced on October 31, 2024. Demolition work will take place Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for a period of up to forty working days. A Resident Engineer contracted by the City will be onsite to observe all demolition activities and to address the needs of the nearby businesses and downtown visitors.
Parking Alternatives
At the October 1, 2024 City Council meeting, City Council directed staff to move forward with installation of approximately 90 proposed new parking spaces within the Downtown area. Based on the current schedule, all new spaces will be available to the public by Friday, November 8, 2024.
Project Impacts to Farmers Market
Per City Council direction, the Farmer’s Market that is held every Tuesday by the Downtown Business and Professional Association (DBPA) has been temporarily relocated from its typical location near 13th Street and Morningside Drive to the Civic Center Plaza and Civic Center Parking Lot. Staff secured an amendment to the City’s agreement with the DBPA to address this change. The first Farmer’s Market at the new temporary location was held on October 29, 2024. The Farmer’s Market will resume operations at its permanent location upon completion of the demolition.
The October 29 Farmers Market was well received by the public and well attended. The temporary location accommodated all current vendors and provided a welcoming space in the plaza area to enjoy the event. Eight parking spaces remained open in the parking lot for City Hall/Police/Fire visitors. One concern was raised by an attendee of an older adult class at the Joslyn Center who had difficulty finding parking. This concern will be addressed when 35 new alternative parking spaces are installed along Valley Drive adjacent to the Joslyn Center by November 8.
Shuttle Service for Special Events
In response to City Council’s request to provide a shuttle service for upcoming holiday events in the downtown area, staff reached out to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District to request use of two school parking lots as parking and passenger pick-up locations. These school parking lots would also be hubs for residents who wish to walk to the shuttle stop locations instead of taking a car to the events. In an effort to provide shuttle service that is convenient to residents on both sides of Sepulveda Boulevard, staff requested, and the District offered the use of parking areas at Grand View Elementary School and Manhattan Beach Middle School for the events indicated below.
For the Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House on November 20, 2024, staff proposes to implement a shuttle service from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Event hours are from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event attracts approximately 10,000 participants.
For the Skechers Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks Festival on December 8, 2024, staff proposes to implement a shuttle service from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Event hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event attracts approximately 40,000 participants.
CharterUP provided a proposal to operate a shuttle service for both events. Charter UP recommends using 10-14 full size buses at $1,600 per bus to transport 1,000 - 2,000 riders each way for the Pier Lighting event, and 20-26 full size buses at $1,920 per bus to transport 2,000-4,000 riders each way to the Fireworks Festival. Per the proposal, shuttles would operate two separate routes between the Downtown shuttle stops and each school to reduce time between departures. Each full-size bus can accommodate 56 passengers, while minibuses can accommodate 26 passengers. Shuttles for both events will cycle continuously between the schools and the event drop-off location on Valley Drive as depicted in the proposal attached to this report. The reason for the large number of buses proposed for the Fireworks Festival is due to the very large surge of departing participants after the fireworks show ends. If a lower ridership is desired, 25-person mini-buses can be utilized for either event, which would also be less impactful on residential streets. The cost for 26-person mini-buses is $1,140 per bus for each event. A breakdown of different service level options and related costs for each event is described below:
|
|
Pier Lighting Option 1 |
Pier Lighting Option 2 |
Pier Lighting Option 3 |
Fireworks Option 1 |
Fireworks Option 2 |
Fireworks Option 3 |
|
Estimated Ridership |
2,000 |
4,000 |
1,000 |
4,000 |
8,000 |
4,000 |
|
Number of Vehicles |
10 buses |
14 buses |
10 minibus |
20 buses |
26 buses |
26 minibus |
|
Hours of Service |
7 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
Price Per Vehicle |
$1,600 |
$1,600 |
$1,140 |
$1,920 |
$1,920 |
$1,140 |
|
Total Cost |
$16,000 |
$22,400 |
$11,400 |
$38,400 |
$49,920 |
$29,640 |
In addition, CharterUP recommends a shuttle stop attendant at each location to assist riders and answer questions about the shuttle service. Their proposed fee is $500 per staff member per event, which totals $2,000 per event. Alternatively, the City Council could choose to use CSC security staff for this service at an approximate cost of $750 to $1,026 per event respectively, or omit it altogether. The Communications team would fabricate special event signage to identify the shuttle stops and provide details to the riders at each location. The City would also heavily promote the shuttle service to the public before the events to reduce vehicle and parking impacts in Downtown. Total advertising expenses related to the shuttle services for both events are estimated to cost approximately $5,000. The results of the shuttle service would assist the City in determining if this service should be used for future events.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Formal public notice is not required for this item; however, the item was included in the agenda for this meeting, which was posted in accordance with the law. Additionally, staff has conducted significant outreach by speaking with businesses about parking impacts and coordinating communication and outreach with the DBPA.
An onsite meeting to discuss the demolition process with interested members of the public prior to the start of demolition activities was held on October 16, 2024. Meeting notices were mailed to residents and businesses within 150 feet of the site. DBPA members were also invited to attend. An additional notice was mailed to all residents and business within a 500-foot radius of the site prior to the start of demolition activities.
Additionally, a mailer was sent to all Metlox Parking Lot and Downtown Residential permit holders in to inform them of the modifications to these parking programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has previously reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the demolition of Lot 3 falls under the statutory exemption for Emergency Projects (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15269) because the demolition is necessary to address a clear and imminent danger and requires immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. Because the existing structure overhangs the public right of way on three sides, collapse poses a threat to life, health, property and essential public services.
Additionally, the City has determined that the interim surface parking aspect of the project qualifies for the following categorical exemptions:
- Class 1 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the project would modify the ground floor of an existing parking facility to provide fewer parking spaces than the existing facility, thus resulting in no expansion of the existing use.
- Class 2 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the existing parking structure would be replaced with a flat parking lot with substantially the same purpose as the existing structure and substantially the same capacity as the ground floor of the existing structure.
- Class 4 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the State CEQA Guidelines because grading necessary to accommodate a surface parking lot would occur at a lot that has less than 10 percent slope, is not in a waterway, wetland, or scenic area, and is not in officially mapped areas of geological hazard.
No further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24-0124
2. Resolution No. 24-0105
3. Agreement between City of Manhattan Beach and American Wrecking
4. CharterUP Proposal for Shuttle Service
5. Location Map
6. PowerPoint Presentation