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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdopt-A-Highway Pgrm Criteria, Admin, & Funding 4 ImplmntatnCITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: Approve Adopt-A-Highway Program Criteria, Administrative Process, and Funding for Implementation SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works DATE: November 12, 2009 CONTENTS: Program Information and Requirements Risk Acknowledgment and Individual Liability Release Volunteer Statement of Commitment Sample Courtesy Sign Recommendation By Minute Motion, approve the criteria, administrative process, and the expenditure of funds not to exceed $5,000.00 per year, for the implementation of the City's Adopt-A-Highway Program. Funds are available for litter removal supplies in Streets Maintenance Small Tools and Equipment Account No. 110-4310-433-2180. Funds are available for courtesy signs and safety supplies in Traffic Safety Supplies Account No. 110-4250-433-2145. Executive Summary On January 8, 2009, the City Council authorized staff to establish an Adopt-A-Highway Program to provide for volunteer litter removal along Highway111 and Highway 74 within the Palm Desert city limits. Details of the program have been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and the Risk Manager and are presented now for Council approval. The Adopt-A-Highway Program will allow interested individuals and groups to provide litter removal services that the City would otherwise have paid for. The benefits to the environment and to the City image will outweigh the minimal costs associated with the provision of supplies, acknowledgement signs, and staff administrative oversight. Therefore, approval of this program will result in a positive fiscal impact to the City. Staff Report Approve Adopt-A-Highway Program Criteria November 12, 2009 Page 2 of 3 Backqround When the City of Palm Desert assumed jurisdiction over state routes 111 and 74 in 2008, the Adopt-A-Highway agreements in existence with Caltrans became void for those sections of highway within our city limits. In response to inquiries by volunteer groups that had held such agreements, City Council authorized staff to create a program to allow volunteer litter removal along these roadways. During the subsequent design of our program, staff researched the Caltrans program and those implemented by other California cities. The following recommendation to Council is the result of this research and also reflects input from the City Attorney, the Risk Manager, the Director of Public Works, and the City Traffic Engineer. Staff hereby requests that City Council authorize the Public Works Department to establish an Adopt-A-Highway Program using the following criteria to guide the administration of the program: 1. The City will provide safety equipment (i.e., vests and gloves) as appropriate. 2. The City will provide litter removal supplies and tools (i.e., plastic trash bags and trash "grabbers"). 3. Volunteers will commit to a predetermined regular schedule for debris removal. 4. Filled bags will be left in designated areas for pick-up and disposal by City personnel. 5. The City will erect courtesy signs to recognize participants for their contribution. 6. The City will provide safety orientation to one or more group leaders. 7. The volunteer group leaders will provide safety training for all other participants. 8. The Program Coordinator, in conjunction with the Risk Manager, will obtain alt necessary agreements and waivers. Fiscal Analvsis The costs involved in administering this program will consist of administrative staff time, maintenance services staff time (to manufacture and install courtesy signs and retrieve bags of debris), and the cost of supplies and materials. Staff anticipates that the potential cost savings in actual labor to perform litter removal will more than offset the costs of administering the program. Staff Report Approve Adopt-A-Highway Program Criteria November 12, 2009 Page3of3 Funds are available for supplies in Streets Maintenance Small Tools and Equipment Account No. 110-4310-433-2180 and for courtesy signs in Traffic Safety Supplies Account No. 110-4250-433-2145. Prepared By: �. ���2 �� `�J ,�--�-�.-. Debra H. Lee Management Analyst ��� �� ,. Gary Rosenblum Risk Manager �,l:�c/" P ul S. Gibson Finance Director /� • a � --, r, �` ,� � ,�� Dav d f' in City Attorney CTfY COUNCILA��ON APPROVED DEN?FD RECEIVED OTHER MEET G DA� !�' �� `� AYES:�.f�S�'7, fE� �,�irl�'/i�� �I''��/��, � .� . NOES: �iIUYJ�, 'T' r���. ABSENT: n/f�?� 1 ABSTAIN: �,L�(��- • VERIFIED BY• ��/� ��G1�1 Originat on File with City G'�ef�c's Oftica �anager * Approved th� recomm�ndation, with staff �dditionally directed to review the potential for usin.g the Recyclirx� ' Fund f�r P1CPP_dldltUi�PS rPlatPd to this Program 5-0 /f . G/ ��i�w�.�i , � M.''�l�/ohlmuth Procedure 1. Obtain the application packet from the City of Palm Desert: a. Download from www.cityofpalmdesert.org b. Call 760-776-6450 to request by mail c. Pick up in person at City Hall, Public Works Department 2. Complete and return the application packet and liability waivers. Indicate your highway area of interest. 3. You will be notified when your application is approved, and you will be asked to attend a safety training session with a City representative. 4. Upon successful completion of the safety training, you may notify the City in writing of the date of your first clean-up event. Please allow for a 48-hour notice. 5. Pick up your safety and litter removal supplies at the Public Works Department 24-48 hours prior to your event. (You will be provided with safety vests and gloves, litter sticks, litter grabbers, and debris bags.) 6. Report back after each clean-up event as to how much trash and debris was collected, and whether you require a trash pick-up by the Public Works staff. Contacts Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator (applications, general information, road availability, supplies, safety training, scheduling, etc.): Debra Lee 760-776-6450 dlee@cityofpalmdesert.org 73-510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Director of Public Works (alternate contact): Mark Greenwood, P.E. 760-346-0611 Adopt-A-Highway Program Information and Requirements Safety The success of the Adopt-A-Highway Program depends on the common sense and responsibility of its participants. Volunteers must realize they may be working in a potentially hazardous environment and must diligently comply with all safety requirements. No work is to be performed until a group leader has received safety orientation by the City and all participants have received safety training from the group leader. All parking and traffic laws are to be observed at all times. Walk and work facing oncoming traffic wherever possible - be alert and keep an eye on traffic. Use caution when crossing streets. Use crosswalks and signals where available. Do not touch potentially hazardous or unidentifiable materials such as liquids, powders, suspected chemicals, weapons, needles, sharp objects, car batteries or dead animals. Report these objects to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. If any item found has a strong odor, leave the area immediately and notify the appropriate authority. Wear safety vests, gloves, long pants and sturdy shoes or boots; wear light - colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts, and sunscreen. Work must be performed during daylight hours. If any condition (including darkness) causes decreased visibility or a public hazard, work shall immediately be discontinued. Avoid over-exertion and drink plenty of water. Do not consume alcohol before or during the work event. Do not conduct work on or in the 24 hours preceding a holiday or on holiday weekends. Minors are not permitted to participate in the program. Group leaders are to review safety requirements with participants at the start of each clean-up session. Permits and Practices Permittee must notify the Public Works Department of their plans to conduct clean -up activities at least two days before the event. Changes to plans, permit provisions, or specifications must receive prior approval from the Public Works Director or his designee. Permit holders must notify the City of any change to permittee’s address or phone number. Work authorized by this permit shall begin no later than 3 0 days from the date of issuance. Courtesy Signs Courtesy signs will be installed after the first successful litter removal activity has been performed. The City will order a sign for each end of your segment. Sign placement, size, content, location and scheduling of installation are at the sole discretion of the City. Examples of acceptable language are the names of individuals, families, churches, clubs, and businesses; “Friends of …,” “Family of …”, “In Mem ory of …” or positive statements such as “Taking Pride in Palm Desert.” The Adopt-A-Highway Program and its courtesy signs are not a forum for advertisement or public discourse. No products, political or religious messages or slogans, phone or fax numbers, email or website addresses, ham radio IDs, or directions will be permitted on courtesy signs. Signs will only be replaced if unintentionally damaged beyond repair. Frequently Asked Questions Who can adopt a highway segment? Individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses, government entities, or any person or group of persons who want to take pride in our city may adopt a segment. How long are the highway segments? Segments are adoptable in minimum one-mile increments whenever possible. Smaller stretches may be available on a case-by-case basis. What commitment does the permit require? You are agreeing to clean trash from your segment of road a minimum of four times per year, for a minimum of two years. However, you or the City may cancel your permit at any time you are unable to meet the permit requirements. Permits may also be temporarily suspended due to road conditions or other safety concerns (including weather). Applicant Name: Organization: Date: SIGNATURE PRINTED NAME PHONE This form must be returned to the City's representative prior to participants' entry into the public right-of-way. I do hereby release and discharge the City of Palm Desert and its officers, agents and employees from all claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind whatsoever for any damages, death, or injury which may result from my participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program and my activities on or near the street right-of-way. I further agree to indemnity and hold harmless the City of Palm Desert and its officers and employees from any liability for any damages, death, or injury resulting from any negligence or willful wrongdoing on my part during my participation in the Adopt-A-Highway Program and my activities on or near the street right-of-way. HOME ADDRESS Adopt-A-Highway Risk Acknowledgement and Individual Liability Release Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579) and the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Civil Code Sections 1798, et seq.), notice is hereby given for the request of personal information by this form. The requested personal information is voluntary. The principal purpose of the voluntary information is to facilitate the processing of this form. The failure to provide all or any part of the requested information may delay processing of this form. No disclosure of personal information will be made unless permissible under Article 6, Section 1798.24 of the IPA of 1977. Each individual has the right, upon request and proper identification, to inspect all personal information in any record maintained on the individual by an identifying particular. PERSONAL INFORMATION NOTICE I, a participant and/or member of the above-named applicant to the Adopt-A-Highway Program, have read and do understand the requirements of the Adopt-A-Highway Encroachment Permit and the safety requirements attached to that permit. I have received a safety briefing by the City's designated safety representative. I acknowledge the potentially hazardous nature of the work involved and agree to abide by the terms of the permit and all applicable laws and regulations. The Adopt-A-Highway Program is a partnership between the City of Palm Desert and its citizens to provide for small debris removal over a mile or more along Highway 74 and Highway 111. Both the City and the individuals or groups adopting the highway(s) make a commitment to each other to perform certain activities for keeping the neighborhoods clean and safe. The Adopter agrees to: Remove litter and small debris along the designated section of highway a minimum of four times per year for a minimum of two years. Discuss safety precautions with project participants, require that participants sign in for each clean-up event, and assure that all borrowed equipment and unused supplies are returned to the Adopt-A-Highway Program Coordinator following the completion of each event. Assure that all participants are responsible individuals aged 18 years or older. Notify the City 48 hours prior to each clean-up event unless other arrangements have been made. Adhere to all safety guidelines provided, including the avoidance of potentially hazardous items (i.e., heavy objects, syringes, needles, used condoms, animal bodies, unidentified liquids, etc.). The City agrees to: Furnish safety and operating supplies (safety vests, gloves, litter bags, litter sticks and grabbers) and to make arrangements for free removal and disposal of litter from the project site. Furnish and install up to two Adopt-A-Highway courtesy signs (one for each direction of traffic) with the Adopter’s name on each sign, after the first clean-up has been completed. By: Adopter Date By: City of Palm Desert Date Adopt-A-Highway Statement of Commitment I have read and reviewed this agreement and understand the terms of our participation. The undersigned agrees that the work will be done in accordance with the City of Palm Desert rules and regulations and participation is subject to inspection and approval. City of Palm Desert Your Name Here Adopt-A-Highway