Public Works
by John M. Zukoski on January 18, 2010 | 
No Comments | Topics: Parks · Public Works
The City of Dublin, CA, strives to be one of the most bicyclist-friendly cities in the Tri-Valley. In July 2007 the Dublin City Council approved the first Citywide Bikeways Master Plan. The City created this plan to increase access to parks, trails, and open space, as well as to jobs and community facilities. The Bikeways Master Plan also takes into consideration the needs of bicyclists in balance with other modes of travel, while promoting cycling as a healthful and life-enriching activity. With the Bikeways Master Plan in place, the City of Dublin becomes eligible to compete for California state funding earmarked for bike path improvements.
Dublin residents currently enjoy a system of pedestrian-bicycle trails along creeks, channels, and some major roadways. Many of the new roads under development include either bicycle lanes or adjacent paths. The City has installed bicycle parking at key locations, including City Hall and the Dublin Library. Dublin Police Services organizes bicycle safety rodeos at several elementary schools each year and plans to expand this program in the future.
Some of the completed and ongoing projects from the Citywide Bikeways Master Plan include:
Continue Reading
by Eric Haggin on January 15, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Opinions · Public Works
Traffic engineers and planners like those who work for the City of Dublin, CA, call it “traffic calming,” but most of us call them speed bumps. Actually there are differences amongst the bumps, lumps, humps, and dips we see on city streets everyday.
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on October 11, 2009 | 1 Comment | Topics: Development · Public Works
The Dublin City Council approved a request to provide the Dublin Partners in Education (DPIE) with the right to name two streets in Dublin. DPIE will be auctioning off the street naming rights at their upcoming Celebrity Waiter “Dinner Partners in Education” event to be held on October 23rd.
The streets will be located in two of Dublin’s new developments:
- Schaefer Ranch in the west Dublin hills (in construction) developed by Discovery Homes.
- Fallon Crossing in east Dublin off of Tassajara Road (in planning) developed by Standard Pacific Homes.
Why would developers give the street naming rights away?
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on September 8, 2009 | 27 Comments | Topics: Announcements · Public Works
In the early morning hours of September 9, 10 and 11, 2009, I-580 will be closed at the Fallon Road interchange for bridge construction work. The construction contractor will be removing the existing barrier rail along the east side of the freeway overcrossing.
Westbound I-580 will be closed between midnight and 3:00 a.m. Eastbound I-580 will be closed between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Traffic traveling on I-580 will be detoured off the freeway at the Fallon Road/El Charro Road off ramps. At the end of the off ramps motorists will be directed across Fallon/El Charro Road and can reenter the freeway utilizing the existing on ramps from Fallon Road/El Charro Road. Access to Fallon Road and El Charro Road will be maintained. At no time will both eastbound and westbound I-580 be closed simultaneously.
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on August 12, 2009 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Public Works
In the early morning hours of August 13, 14 & 15, 2009, I-580 will be closed at the Fallon Road interchange for bridge construction work. The construction contractor will be removing the temporary wooden formwork for the new bridge.
Continue Reading
by John M. Zukoski on April 6, 2009 | 3 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Public Works
UPDATE – The Dublin City Council 4-0 voted to approve the east Dublin Transit Impact Fee adjustment to reduce per/trip fees by 3% – 11%. The Council will consider a future proposal supported by transit village project developers to add another fee reduction for just the transit village area. If approved, the remaining traffic infrastructure expenses would need to be passed on to other east Dublin developments in the form of higher rates. Please check Dublin Townhall for a more comprehensive summary.
The Dublin City Council will be discussing two proposed actions at an April 7th meeting that could help to reinvigorate development in Dublin. The first measure is to decrease the fees that developers pay to reduce the traffic-related impacts in east Dublin. These traffic impact fees are used to acquire land, construct roads, and make other improvements. The current fee schedule was established in 2004 and needs to be updated to reflect the drastically lower cost of land, changes in land use, and higher construction costs. If approved, the traffic impact fees for residential projects would decrease by 11% and non-residential fees would decrease by 3%.
The Council will also consider approving a 2-year suspension of the Public Art Requirement for residential projects. Currently, all residential projects with more than 20 units are required to make a contribution to the public art fund. The current fee is set at 1/2% of the building valuation. This would work out to a savings of $500K for every $100M of building improvements made by residential project developers (like Braddock & Logan with the Positano project).
Businesses and residents living along Amador Valley Boulevard also have some good news as the Council is expected to formally accept $289K of funds from the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency to repair, resurface, and restripe the portion of Amador Valley Boulevard between San Ramon Road and Village Parkway.
by John M. Zukoski on March 1, 2009 | 4 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Public Works
The Dublin City Council will be meeting on Tuesday night (March 3rd) at 7pm in Council Chambers. Tuesday night’s agenda is fairly light but will include a few notable items.
- Proclamation for Dublin Lt. Glenn Moon (Staff Report not available).
- Staff report letting residents know that AT&T U-Verse subscribers have access to Tri-Valley Community Television on channel 99 (select “City of Dublin – Tri-Valley Community Television” link). This is great for folks that want to watch shows like Slice of Life or live Council meetings from home.
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – Public Works Director Melissa Morton will provide Council with a report noting that Dublin is expecting receive $692K-$865K to rehabilitate two main arteries in Dublin: 1) Dublin Boulevard between Sierra Court and Dublin Court; and 2) Dougherty Road between Scarlett Drive and the Dublin/San Ramon border.
by John M. Zukoski on February 16, 2009 | 10 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Public Works
UPDATE: The Dublin City Council approved the funding of additional safety measures near John Green Elementary school tonight. Please check out Dublin Townhall for the related summary.
The Dublin City Council will be meeting on Tuesday night (2/17/09) at 7:00pm at 100 Civic Plaza. Some of the key items to be discussed include:
Please join the Around Dublin Team at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
by John M. Zukoski on December 2, 2008 | 10 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Local Businesses · Public Works
The Dublin City Council met tonight to discuss many important topics. The most notable discussions were related to safety improvements near John Green Elementary School and the creation of an Economic Incentive Program.
Safety Improvements Near John Green Elementary School
The Council unanimously approved the placement of:
- One safety guard at the Oak Bluff Lane and Newfields Lane intersection;
- Signs and street markings to let drivers know that the intersection is near a school area; and
- A no parking zone along Oak Bluff Lane (95 feet on the south side and 50 feet on the north side of street).
The Council also directed City Staff to prepare a study to evaluate the necessity of:
- A second crossing guard at the Oak Bluff Lane and North Dublin Ranch Drive intersection;
- Speed bumps in the Oak Bluff Lane and Newfields Lane vicinity; and
- Additional signage and/or any other related safety enhancements.
The funding for these safety improvements will be covered by the gas tax proceeds in the Dublin Street Maintenance Budget, so it won’t impact the general budget.
Council member Kate Ann Scholz, along with other Council members and residents in attendance, was adamant that the safety improvements and evaluation for further improvements need to happen as soon as possible.
Dublin Economic Incentive Program
Mayor Tim Sbranti requested City Council input on the development of an Economic Incentive Program and underscored the discussion with a comment about the recent economic downturn that caused stores like Mervyn’s, Circuit City, and a few car dealers to pull out of Dublin. Mayor Sbranti also noted the need for Dublin to remain competitive with other cities that have already implemented economic incentive programs to recruit and retain businesses. Some of the suggested or potential features of the program include:
- Development/Building Fee Deferrals
- Priority Permit Process
- Tenant Improvement Loans/Grants
- Low-Interest Loans for Businesses
- Tax Sharing Arrangements
Council member Kasie Hildenbrand also noted that Planning Commission Chair Bill Schaub had an idea on housing that should be considered for Dublin’s Economic Incentive Program. The Council expressed their desire for a phased approach to rolling out features of the plan with “low hanging fruit” like a Priority Permit Process for businesses that wanted to move into the Mervyn’s or Circuit City buildings implemented first (as an example).
The next step in the process is for Dublin City Staff to draft a high-level Economic Incentive Program plan proposal for the Council to review.
On an unrelated note, the Dublin City Council decided to make an appointment for the Council seat vacated by Mayor Sbranti. Please click here to view the application packet for all candidates interested in receiving the appointment.
