HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2021-058 Resolution adopting the Community Crosswalks PolicyRESOLUTION NO. R-202 -058
A RESOLUTION adopting the Community Crosswalks Policy.
WHEREAS, special painted crosswalks are a great way to represent a neighborhood and
the Yakima community; and
HEREAS, special painted crosswalks can be used to showcase a community's unique
culture and history or just liven up an intersection with artistic and colorful stripes; and
WHEREAS, community art enhances the beauty and livability of the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, many, but not all, crosswalks may benefit from the ability to be beautified
through artwork and markings upon application by a non-profit or community -based organization;
and
WHEREAS, it is also necessary to evaluate applications in light of the primary purpose of
streets is the safe travel for pedestrians, vehicles and other forms of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the right-of-way use permit system, with the additional Community
Crosswalks Policy, will provide applicants a method to apply to the City to paint crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, the painting will be at no cost to the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City and its residents
to adopt a Community Crosswalks Policy that allows limited artwork and markings within
crosswalks in some public rights -of -way, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The Community Crosswalks Policy attached hereto as Exhibit "1" and fully adopted herein,
is hereby approved by the City Council of the City of Yakima.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 4th day of May, 2021.
ATTEST:
,t
— Sony4 Car Tee, City Clerk
icia Byers, yayor
Community Crosswalks
Special painted crosswalks are a great way to represent a neighborhood. They can be
used to showcase a community's unique culture and history or just liven up an
intersection with artistic and colorful stripes.
Applicant
• Applications will only be accepted from organizations meeting one of the
following category criteria:
• Nonprofit Organization. A qualified nonprofit organization must meet
the following criteria:
• A city of Yakima -based organization; and
• A nonprofit organization, having obtained IRS certification as
tax exempt.
• Community Based Organization. A community -based organization
must meet the following criteria:
• A not for profit organization aimed at making desired
improvements to the community's social health, well-being
and overall functioning that may be tied to a particular
geographical or cultural community based in the City of
Yakima.
Registered with the State of Washington Secretary of State
as a Washington nonprofit entity.
Applicants must provide proof of a business license or proof that an
exemption to the business license requirements of YMC 5.52 applies
Application
Applications for painting or marking in the crosswalk shall be
Way Use Permit, pursuant to YMC 8.20.
ade through a Right -of -
When processing the application, the code administration manager shall examine each
application for compliance with the requirements of that chapter, and the requirements
outlined in this policy.
Applicant Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities and requirements of YMC 8.20, the Applicant is also
responsible for the following:
• Applicant shall list in the application the materials intended to be used,
including, but not limited to the specific brand and type of paint. The City,
in its sole discretion, may dictate the types of materials that may be used to
paint or mark the crosswalks. Failure to use the materials required will
result in a revocation of the permit and applicant shall pay any damages
associated with the use of non -approved materials.
• Applicant must fund the design, materials, installation, and any other costs
• Applicant must provide a traffic control plan as part of installation.
• Applicant must maintain the crosswalk design and secure any additional
temporary street closure and other permits to install and conduct
maintenance as necessary, in a timely manner, and at their own expense.
Condition of the crosswalk markings will be evaluated annually and the City
of Yakima Public Works Department (DPW) will have sole authority in
determining if markings need to be refreshed or removed. DPW will provide
notice to the Applicant of its decision and the Applicant will have fourteen
(14) calendar days to either refresh or remove the markings at their own
expense. Failure to do so will result in the City having the markings
removed and charging the costs and expenses to the Applicant. Applicant
shall pay those expenses within thirty (30) days of receipt.
Locations
To be considered for the crosswalks program, any crosswalk proposed by Applicant to
be painted or marked must meet the following requirements:
• The crosswalk must be at a location where there is a e dy a marked
crosswalk.
• The crosswalk must be at a location where a vehicle is a ready required to
stop, either due to a stop sign or traffic signal.
• To the extent possible, the crosswalk should be on the lower traffic volume,
shorter width streets at intersections. This will help extend the life of
markings, limit overall square footage, and bring cost down.
• Only local streets are appropriate. The following streets are not eligible
locations for this program: Streets classified arterial or collector streets; or
streets owned or maintained by Washington State, Yakima County or the
federal government.
• If multiple crosswalks exist at the location, crosswalks on all legs of the
targeted street should be considered for decorative crosswalks.
Pavement condition
When evaluating locations for an application, the following guidelines apply with regards
to pavement conditions:
• Pavement at the crosswalk(s) must be in good condition to help the colored
material bond well. If an applicant chooses to move forward with a project
at a crosswalk that may not meet these conditions, it does so at its own risk
of increased maintenance costs.
• The City is under no obligation to improve a street's condition to allow for
crosswalk markings.
Design
The Arts Commission and the City will evaluate the application taking into account the
following guidelines:
• The primary purpose of this program is to create a public benefit.
Therefore, images that convey messages appearing to advertise, or
promote a private entity (corporation, neighborhood business, chamber of
commerce, or other community organization) will not be accepted. No
logos, religious or political symbols, words, letters, or text, shall be part of
any crosswalk marking design.
• The crosswalk design must reside within the two white horizontal markings.
The City shall maintain the two white horizontal markings to ensure the
crosswalk remains compliant with Manual Uniform Traffic Control Device
(MUTCD) standards.
• Images that create a driver distraction or could be confused with traffic
signs or traffic pavement legends will not be accepted.
• The design should contribute to the visual quality of the streetscape. For
example, consider using a limited palette of colors and simple graphic
images to avoid visual clutter. This will also keep costs down. If original
artwork is being created, a lead artist/designer should be responsible for
designing the images.
If more than one crosswalk has been identified for the intersection, artwork
should have consistency of style amongst the crosswalks to create a
unified aesthetic appearance at the intersection.
• The City Traffic Engineer will review each application to determine its
appropriateness at the intersection. Applications are due 60 days in
advance of the desired date. The City shall have 30 days to review said
permit application and issue a finding.
Costs
Applicant is responsible for the permit fee as required under YMC 8.20 and all costs
associated with the crosswalk project.
• Costs for a typical crosswalk are estimated to be $25/square foot of
material, depending on length, design, and complexity of traffic control
during installation.
• It is likely that traffic will need to be detoured during installation and
maintenance activities, the costs of which shall be paid by Applicant (e.g.
traffic control, personnel, equipment).
aintenance
Applicant is responsible for all maintenance, and the costs and expenses thereof, during
the permit period and any extensions thereto,
• Depending on the amount of vehicle traffic on the street, painted
crosswalks can last 3-5 years. Right -of -Way Use Permits are issued for one
year. If you wish to extend your permit you may do so through the process
listed in YMC 8.20.070.
Approval Process
In addition to the process outlined in YMC 8.20 the foliowing are also part ofthe
application process:
Applications will be forwarded to the Arts Commission for review and
recommendation to City staff. As part of the review, the Yakima Arts
Commission shall evaluate the project based on the criteria listed herein.
The Arts Commission may review it as a full body or may appoint a sub-
committee to review such applications. If the Arts Commission does not
provide a recommendation to City staff within thirty (30) days of forwarding
the Application to the Arts Commission chair, the Arts Commission forfeits
its ability to comment on the application and City staff will move forward
with finalizing its decision.
Once the Right -of -Way User Permit for the crosswalk project is approved,
Applicant can move forward with coordinating installation with the DPW.
Applicant is responsible for installation of the artwork and/or markings.
Failure to coordinate installation with the DPW, failure to follow the permit
requirements, and/or failure to use the materials approved by DPW are all
grounds for revocation of the permit.
ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEM ENT
Item No. 10.
For Meeting of: May 4, 2021
Resolution adopting the Community Crosswalks Policy
Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
City Council was approached by community groups interested in painting crosswalks. At a
previous Council meeting, the Council asked the Arts Commission to create a policy for a
community crosswalk program. The proposed resolution and Community Crosswalks Policy
would adopt a policy that allows for non-profit and community -based entities to apply for a right-
of-way use permit to paint crosswalks. Locations, materials, and design would be limited. The
Public Works Department would have the authority to determine materials and location. Designs
would be limited to artwork and markings that do not include words, letters, logos or text and
could not advertise or promote a private entity (corporation, neighborhood business, chamber of
commerce or other community organization).
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
Res mmunityross alks Policy 4/2212021
oss al k painting policy 4/2:I2021
Type
Resolution
emo