Loading...
CC 2015-12-17_5a BriscoMEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: MATT HORN, CITY ENGINEER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION OF THE TEST CLOSURE TERMINATION DATE FOR THE BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND UPDATE ON THE BRISCO INTERCHANGE PROJECT DATE: DECEMBER 17, 2015 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council: 1) Provide direction to staff on whether or not to request an extension from Caltrans of temporary closure duration until July 11, 2016; and; 2) Direct staff to return to City Council on February 23, 2016, with Test Closure data analysis. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: The impact on the project budget is unknown at this time. Costs that are incurred to maintain the closure are infrequent and minimal. If a more robust closure is required due to the extended duration, additional costs would be incurred. Those costs are unknown at this time. BACKGROUND: The Brisco Road-Halcyon Road/U.S. 101 Interchange project has been underway sin ce the late 1990s. Currently the project is in the Project Approval and Environmental Determination (PAED) phase. On June 23, 2015, City Council directed staff to pursue a test closure of the US 101 northbound on and off-ramps at Brisco Road. The timeline of activities related to the ramp closure is as follows: Date Activity  September 8, 2015 City Council Approved Test Closure Plan with test closure beginning on September 21 and ending on November 30, 2015.  September 29, 2015 Beginning of Test Closure is delayed due to rain until September 29, 2015. US 101 northbound on and off - ramps at Brisco Road closed on this date.  October 27, 2015 City Council unanimously votes to extend Test Closure termination date from December 7, 2015 to January 11, 2016. Item 5.a. - Page 1 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION OF THE TEST CLOSURE TERMINATION DATE FOR THE BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND UPDATE ON THE BRISCO INTERCHANGE PROJECT DECEMBER 17, 2015 PAGE 2  December 4, 2015 Council Brisco Subcommittee meets to discuss Test Closure termination date. Subcommittee decides to schedule a Brisco Project update on the January 12, 2016 City Council agenda, including discussion of a future potential closure through project construction (see Attachment 1 Brisco Interchange Project Subcommittee – December 4, 2015 Meeting Notes). Photo of Brisco Road during ramp closure PAED Work continues to complete the PAED phase. The main areas of work are divided into the engineering portion of the project and then the environmental review portion of the project. This project is subject to both State (California Environmental Quality Act - CEQA) and Federal (National Environmental Policy Act - NEPA) requirements. The CEQA document consists of an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration , both of which are complete. The NEPA document is an Environmental Assessment with Findings of No Significant Impact. The NEPA document is currently under development with an anticipated delivery date to Caltrans in late January 2016. Caltrans will then review the NEPA document. After Caltrans review is complete, the environmental document would then be made available for public review. Public review is anticipated to occur in late spring or early summer 2016. Item 5.a. - Page 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION OF THE TEST CLOSURE TERMINATION DATE FOR THE BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND UPDATE ON THE BRISCO INTERCHANGE PROJECT DECEMBER 17, 2015 PAGE 3 Engineering work is underway. Currently our project designers are updating the project's Design Exception Fact Sheets, preparing a Risk Management Plan, and updating the Draft Project Report. This work is scheduled to be complete this month and provided to Caltrans for review and comment. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: Test Closure On September 8, 2015, the City Council discussed the Test Closure timeframe and concluded that the Test Closure should end mid-December 2015, based on the understanding that the Test Closure would begin on September 21, 2015. The start period of the closure was delayed to September 29, 2015 due to rain, moving the Test Closure termination date to December 7, 2015. On October 27, 2015, City Council reviewed the Test Closure termination date and directed staff to request an extension from Caltrans of the termination date to January 11, 2016. Staff made this request of Caltrans on October 31, 2015 and the request was approved by Caltrans on December 3, 2015. The City has established an email address for the users of the Brisco Road area to provide feedback: brisco@arroyogrande.org. Photo of Feedback Signage at Brisco Road / West Branch Street Additionally, the City has established a web page in order to provide information about the Brisco Interchange project and information on the Test Closure. The web page can be found on the City website: http://www.arroyogrande.org/561/Temporary-Ramp-Closure-at-Brisco-Road ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration: 1. Provide direction to staff on whether or not to request an extension from Caltrans of temporary closure duration until July 11, 2016, and direct staff to return to City Council on February 23, 2016, with test closure data analysis; or 2. Provide other direction to staff. Item 5.a. - Page 3 CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF MODIFICATION OF THE TEST CLOSURE TERMINATION DATE FOR THE BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND UPDATE ON THE BRISCO INTERCHANGE PROJECT DECEMBER 17, 2015 PAGE 4 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: No additional environmental review is anticipated with this action to extend the US 101 northbound on and off-ramp test closure termination date. The future Brisco Interchange project is subject to both the California Environmental Review Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The City is the lead agency for CEQA and an Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared. Caltrans is the lead agency for NEPA and Caltrans and has determined the project’s environmental document should be an Environmental Assessment with Findings of No Significant Impact. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: A special meeting was called by the Mayor in accordance with Government Code Section 54956. The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall and on the City website on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Correspondence to the City Council received from the public regarding this item is included as Attachment 2. Attachments: 1. Brisco Interchange Project Subcommittee - December 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes 2. Correspondence to the City Council Item 5.a. - Page 4 CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE CALIFORNIA Page 1 Meeting Record Project: Brisco Interchange Meeting Date: December 4, 2015 Location: 300 East Branch Street - City Hall Participants: Mayor Hill, Council Member Guthrie, City Manager Thompson, Director McClish, City Engineer Horn Discussion Points Discussion concerning whether Brisco Interchange project should be placed on Council Agenda for December 8, 2015 occurred. Discussion occurred whether placing this item on the Agenda prior to SLOCOG December 16, 2015 was in the best interest of the project. Discussion occurred concerning whether a special meeting should be held specifically to discuss the Brisco Closure timeframe. Final direction concerning Council Agenda was to place this item on the January 12, 2015 meeting agenda as a project update, including discussion of a future potential closure through project construction. Subcommittee discussed when the test closure information / technical report would be available. Staff advised that information would most likely be available in February and should be presented to Council at that time. Subcommittee discussed options to make the test closure last longer or through project construction. Staff would explore options and alternatives for a future closure. Additional closure testing could occur prior to environmental document completion. Closure through construction could occur as a “phase zero” (future closure through construction) after environmental document was complete. Group discussion occurred concerning construction funding timeframe and environmental schedule. ATTACHMENT 1 Item 5.a. - Page 5 ATTACHMENT 2 Dianne Thompson From: Tim Brown Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 10:13 PM To: Dianne Thompson Cc: Heather Whitham; Jim Hill Subject: Fwd: Brisco Interchange Please forward to all council members Tim Brown, Council Member City of Arroyo Grande 300 E. Branch Street Arroyo Grande CA 93420 Begin forwarded message: From: Levonia Dodgen< Date: December 13, 2015 at 6:32:03 PM PST To: <tbrown @arroyogrande.org>, <Kbarniech@,arroyogrande.org> Subject: Brisco Interchange Dear Council Member: As a frequent traveler through the Brisco interchange both as an exit to my home and thoroughfare, I have found the closure of these exits have greatly improved the safety factor as well as the traffic congestion. Before the closure of these exits, no less than 3 times a week, I was cutoff by cars in the "left turn only lane" to 101 proceeding straight cutting me out of my lane. The signage printed on the road surface becomes useless when it is covered with cars. Otherwise there is no signage or unclear signage to direct the traffic flow. I always wondered why signage wasn't placed on the overpass for each lane where it would be easily seen. I've also considered the legal exposure to the city for such an unsafe traffic interchange with such poor markings. I have had to change my northbound exit habits to get to my home, but it is a minor sacrifice in exchange for not dying or wreaking by car by a driver cutting me off at the Brisco Interchange. Until a more permanent solution to the Brisco Interchange Disaster Area can be financed and built, I support the closure of these exits. Levonia Dodgen 1 Dianne Thompson From: Deborah Love [ Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 10:37 AM To: hill @arroyogrande.org; Tim Brown; Barbara Harmon; Jim Guthrie; Kristen Barneich; Dianne Thompson Subject: Brisco Road Exchange Closure Dear Council Members and City Manager, As a lifelong resident of Arroyo Grande, living in proximity to Old Arroyo, I wanted to share my thoughts on the Brisco Road ramp. The exchange at Highway 101 and Brisco Road has been bothersome and inconvenient and I have avoided using it for years. I will use Branch Street from Grand Avenue, or use the freeway and exit at Oak Park. Due to increased traffic it is much quicker than the now closed exit. If the concern to reopen the ramp is coming from Walmart and the other businesses, it is not a valid reason to rush through the end of the study. Perhaps some impact was felt early on, but as someone who frequents that shopping center, the closure has actually provided easier and less-stressful access. My vote would be to close it permanently Deborah Love "If I had but two loaves of bread I would sell one of them & buy white hyacinths to feed my soul." - Elbert Hubbard 1 Dianne Thompson From: Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 1:03 PM To: Jim Hill; Tim Brown; Kristen Barneich;jgurhrie @arroyogrande.org; Barbara Harmon; Dianne Thompson Subject: Brisco closure Dear Mayor, Council and City Manager, I will be out of town for the special meeting on Monday, December 14 and wish to reiterate my thoughts for this important meeting. Please consider permanent closure of the Brisco on-ramp and no new interchange reconfiguration. Traffic is handled successfully by Grande Ave and Oak Park. With Brisco closure, highway safety is improved because the existing access points are too close together. With construction of a new interchange, acres of impervious surfaces would result in increased surface runoff pollution, and loss of groundwater recharge. This would be an extreme unnecessary cost to taxpayers. Furthermore, there would be loss community character with the feeling of a Los Angeles entry. Thank you for your attention to this matter. This issue will have MAJ0R effect on our beautiful city. Marsha Lee, Arroyo Grande resident Sent from my iPhone 1 Dianne Thompson From: Gregory Pisano [ Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 6:38 PM To: Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown Subject: Brisco Underpass City Council and City Manager- I have lived in this city since 1989. I have watched the changes that have occurred at the Brisco Underpass develop over the years. It was recognized by many that the Five Cities Center development would wreak havoc on the Brisco Underpass traffic if the city did not address resulting traffic challenges. City administration at that time failed to take the action necessary to make any modifications. Prior to the recent closing of the northbound on and off ramps, traffic was a real mess and selfish and impatient drivers created many a close call. I have witnessed it personally many times. Now that these ramps are closed for study, traffic has never moved smoother. I have already submitted an email in support of permanently closing these ramps and now I reaffirm that position to each of you individually. Now is the time to take action on current traffic issues. Please move to permanently close these ramps. Thank you. Gregory Pisano ( 1 Dianne Thompson From: Amy Siroky[ Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 8:39 PM To: Dianne Thompson Subject: in support of keeping the Brisco ramps closed and effecting a solution immediately Ms Thompson; I work on Grand Avenue on the West side of 101 and live in the Rancho Grande area on the East side of 101; I travel through the Brisco underpass twice if not more times than that a day.While at first I was not in support of the closure of the ramps,the change in traffic has helped immensely and I have reversed my position. I can see the change at the end of the school day(St. Pat's, Ocean View)and at the end of the workday(5pm,traffic piling up turning under the underpass and only one car at a time getting through the light).Traffic flows much more easily and smoothly. I am in support of the$14m1n alternative that would improve the Camino Mercado and Grand Avenue exits. If I am traveling northbound on 101 to our home, I would normally take the Brisco Avenue exit, but this small change to either Grand Ave or Oak Park/Camino Mercado is not problematic in exchange for the ease in traffic.An additional exit at Rodeo is not necessary. Please have your staff work hard and quickly to help our City utilize the SLOCOG funds that are available. Losing$lmin in funds means that residents have to pay more taxes for this, and I would see that as a direct reflection of your staffs inability to implement this program. Thank you. Amy Siroky Resident,Arroyo Grande 1 Dianne Thompson From: Tim Brown Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 6:47 AM To: Dianne Thompson; Heather Whitham; Teresa McClish Subject: Fwd: Brisco On/Off Closure Please have these letters as part of packet Tim Brown, Council Member City of Arroyo Grande 300 E. Branch Street Arroyo Grande CA 93420 Begin forwarded message: From: Alicia Lara< Date: December 15, 2015 at 2:14:32 AM PST To: "jhill@arroyogrande.org" <jhill @arroyogrande.org>, "jguthrie @arroyogrande.org" <jguthrie @arroyogrande.org>, "tbrown @arroyogrande.org" <tbrown @arroyogrande.org>, "bharmon @arroyogrande.org" <bharmon @arroyogrande.org>, "kbarneich @arroyogrande.org" <kbarneich@,arroyogrande.org> Cc: Will& Sherrin Reichardt< , Chuck Kass < Subject: Brisco On/Off Closure City Council Members: Cal Coast News reported a delay in placing an item for discussion on the Council agenda to extend the on/off ramps closure until a decision is made with regard to addressing freeway access for the citizens and commuters of Arroyo Grande. I must express how disappointed I am with the appearance of the turn of events. I know how misinformation can spread quickly and one shouldn't believe everything the news media reports. I want to believe there is a valid reason why this item was not on the agenda for December 8, 2015. Under Ferrara/Adams, the City delayed in notifying our households of the pending direct impact, until January 2011 - three months after the City Council voted to move forward with Alternative 4 (now Alternative 4C). We were not properly notified timely, and as a result, did not have a voice in the Alternative 4 matter. I for one have never understood how Caltrans prefers Alternative 1, yet still requires the City to have another alternative to keep on/off ramps open at or near Brisco. I am now interested to get a copy of that document. As Council is well aware, I am one of representatives for the Royal Oaks Stakeholders Group. The Royal Oaks Stakeholders Group represents at least 75+households of your constituents that live on or near Rodeo Way, the neighborhood immediately affected by changes to the Brisco freeway exchange. As some of you may recall,many members of our group were quite active beginning in January 2011 at Council meetings, and even requested our own meeting in an attempt to get answers and workable solutions with regard to the Brisco project. The meeting at Grace church was very well attended with standing room only. 1 The City requested we narrow our representation of two or three individuals that could meet regularly with a Council subcommittee, to voice our opinions and provide feedback. As a representative to our group, I have been meeting in good faith with City staff and the Brisco Subcommittee for almost five years now. At the October 27, 2015 meeting, I again expressed that we support permanent closure of on/off ramp access at or near Brisco. A city the size of Arroyo Grande does not need five freeway access points from Traffic Way to Oak Park. I expressed that many would be sorry to see the traffic issues return and hoped the temporary closure could be continued. I understand there may be a special meeting on Thursday, December 17, 2015. Due to a prior commitment, I don't know if I will have an opportunity to actually speak during public comment, so I want to express the direct feedback I have received from our group since October 2015. Once the timing of the lights was corrected and commuters learned the flow of traffic, I have not received one complaint about the closure. No one expressed a desire to not extend it to January 11th. However, I have received a number of comments with regard to why the City can't petition Caltrans to simply keep the on/off ramps closed permanently, without expending additional funds. Since the closure, I regularly use Grand Avenue and Mercado, and have yet to see a traffic issue due to increased usage of those access points, even during the holiday shopping traffic. I support a City petition to keep the on/off ramps closed, if not permanently, then at a minimum until the Brisco Alternatives issue is completed. At this point staff or a consultant should have been reviewing preliminary data gathered to date. Perhaps the City can provide Caltrans with traffic data gathered since September, to support continuing to keep the on/off ramps closed. It does not make sense to expend extra funds to reopen the ramps on January 11th, then petition Caltrans to close them again at an additional cost and disruption to commuters. Thank you. Alicia Lara Executive Committee Member Royal Oaks Stakeholders Group 2 Dianne Thompson From: Theresa Schultz[ Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 9:34 AM To: brisco; Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown; Kristen Barneich Subject: Brisco Closures Dear Arroyo Grande City Council Members, cc: Arroyo Grande City Manager This is to notice you that our household is in favor of permanently closing the northbound on ramp and off ramp at Brisco Rd. and Highway 101. For thirty years my husband and I have lived in three different homes on both sides of Highway 101, within a one mile radius of the Brisco Rd underpass. We have obviously seen vast changes in traffic patterns over those three decades. Traveling in the Brisco/Hwy 101 vicinity has been a nightmare for many years. Now with the closure of the freeway ramps there is flow under the freeway that allows for emergency vehicles and drivers to get from one side of the freeway to the other safely and quickly. My husband and I commute to Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, and utilize the on and off ramp alternatives with minimal extra effort. We applaud the city's temporary closure for traffic flow analysis and ask that Council recommend Cal Trans permanently close the northbound ramps at Brisco Rd. Thank you, Richard and Theresa Schultz Arroyo Grande 1 Dianne Thompson From: Randy Tognazzini [ Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 11:34 AM To: brisco; Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown; Kristen Barneich Subject: Brisco Closures Attention: Honorable Mayor Hill, Council Members and AG City Manager: Our home is I travel to Santa Maria every day for work and other business. My wife also travels both north and south on a regular basis. We are thrilled with the current set up at Brisco! Please do not change this as it is one of the smartest modifications that could have been accomplished to solve the traffic load at that underpass. We have changed the routes we use and found them to be better than the way Brisco was previously set up. It would be a mistake to go back to the old system and of course, it would be a bigger mistake to spend in excess of$24 million to accomplish nothing with the proposed round-about. Thank you for your due diligence and your working relationship with Caltrans. Randy Randall Tognazzini Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 1 Dianne Thompson From: Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 11:37 AM To: brisco; Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown; Kristen Barneich Subject: Brisco Underpass Closure From: Russ De Angelo Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:34:23 -0800 Subject: Brisco Road Interchange Options To: brisco@a arroyogrande.org; dthompson@a arroyogrande.org;jhill@arroyogrande.org; iguthrie @arroyogrande.org;bharmon@arroyogrande.org; tbrown@arroyogrande.org; kbarneich@arroyogrande.org Dear Arroyo Grande City Council Members, and Arroyo Grande City Manager; I would like to add my voice(vote) to those who favor the option of permanently closing the northbound on ramp and off ramp at Brisco Road and Highway 101. I have lived on Rodeo Drive for 14 years and I have experienced the difficulties of navigating the Brisco Road underpass. With the recent closing of the freeway ramps there is now adequate traffic flow under the freeway which allows for emergency vehicles and drivers to use this interchange safely and efficiently. The expensive option to create a roundabout at Rodeo and the 101 would be a disaster for this neighborhood in general and for the hundreds of high school students and their parents who drop off and pick up their children. I respectfully ask that Council recommend Cal Trans permanently close the northbound ramps at Brisco Road. This simple and cost saving alternative would be the best outcome. Thank you, Russ De Angelo Arroyo Grande 1 Dianne Thompson From: Dennis &Claudine [ Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 12:36 PM To: Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown Subject: BRISCO PROJECT My husband and I (Dennis & Claudine Lingo) are residents on Grace Lane and are strongly opposed to reopening the Brisco on and off ramps. It is far easier to get through the intersections of Brisco/West Branch and Brisco/EI Camino now that the on and off ramps at Brisco are closed; the closures are a great improvement. Residents, visitors and emergency vehicles can now get from one side of the freeway to the other with ease. We strongly support the permanent closure of the Brisco on/off ramps. We also strongly oppose putting in an offramp at Rodeo for several reasons: 1 . Moving the offramp to Rodeo would dump traffic into the residential areas on Rodeo and Grace Lane as well as a school zone. Grace Lane already sees too many vehicles traveling at high rates of speed (40-50 MPH) for a residential street; and they are not Grace Lane residents. 2. The roundabout proposed for the Grace Lane/Rodeo intersection is crazy. Roundabouts cause confusion and accidents. We lived in southern California for years and travelled streets in the Long Beach area that flowed into and out of the Long Beach "traffic circle" for many years. It was not an easy thing to negotiate, no one liked it, and notorius for the number of accidents at the "traffic circle". A roundabout was recently installed on 154 going toward Lake Cachuma; travelling on 154 in that area is now more difficult than it was before the roundabout. 2. Since the on and off ramp closures, we have exited the 101 at Grand when driving from south of Arroyo Grande and have not seen any adverse impact on the traffic there. We use the Oak Park on and offramps when traveling to and from north county. We don't find entering/exiting the freeway at Oak Park or Grand to be inconvenient at all. 3. The cost of the Brisco project is not worth the price. It will cost far too much money and dump too much traffic into a residential area and a school zone. Whether the money comes from the State, Federal Government, County or City, it is taxpayers money being wasted on an unnecessary project. There are far more critical issues to which the city could direct its limited resources. I don't know what the City's share of cost for the project would be, but the City would be better off redirecting the City's share of Brisco project money to a system to capture and store rain water! In summary, unless there is a cheaper and a more logical solution to the congestion at the Brisco/West Branch and Brisco/EI Camino intersections than spending $23 million on an "improvement" that only makes things worse, just permanently close the Brisco ramps. The permanent closure better serves the needs of a large majority of residents who frequently travel through those intersections. Dennis & Claudine Lingo Arroyo Grande 2 Dianne Thompson From: Joe Schimandle [ Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 12:28 PM To: Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown; Kristen Barneich Cc: Kristen Barneich Subject: Brisco Road conundrum Honorable Jim Hill and Arroyo Grande Council Members: I wish to go on record. The closure of the northbound on/off ramps at Brisco Road has been a blessing. I work on the west side of U.S. 101, live on the east side, and drive through the Brisco Road underpass daily. I have experienced a much improved traffic flow both in the mornings and evenings, making my commute much more pleasant. The coordination of the signal lights has been excellent, alleviating long waits at the intersection. The same is true at the Camino Mercado northbound on ramp; there is minimal wait time to access the highway. In my opinion, the ramps should be closed permanently. The development of on/off ramps, roundabouts, etc. at Rodeo Drive would just add to the problems in the area. Financially, the expenditure of$24 million to create another mess is an absolute waste. And the $24 million will certainly turn in to $34 million when the project is completed. Don't kid yourselves. Leave the Brisco ramps closed permanently. If it works, don't fix it! 9asepfi Sc1 Jn,andie CPA Schimandle & Associates LLP S&A Financial Services 1108 East Grand Avenue Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 (805) 481-2280 (805) 481-6283 (fax) Securities offered through H.D. Vest Investment Services stn, Member: SPIC 1108 E. Grand Ave.,Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, (805) 481-2280 CA Insurance License: OD12338 Schimandle &Associates LLP is a public accounting firm and, as such, is not a registered broker/dealer or independent advisory firm. PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL This communication and any accompanying documents are confidential and privileged.They are intended for the sole use of the addressee.If you receive this transmission in error,you are advised that any disclosure,copying, distribution,or the taking of any action in reliance upon this communication is strictly prohibited.Moreover,any such disclosure shall not compromise or waive the attorney-client,accountant-client,or other privileges as to this 1 communication or otherwise.If you have received this communication in error,please contact me at the above email address.Thank you. 2 Dianne Thompson From: Alice Cook[ Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 12:42 PM To: Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown; Dianne Thompson; Kristen Barneich Subject: Keep the ramps at the Brisco underpass Closed Dear Mayor, City Council, and City Manager of Arroyo Grande, I am writing to encourage you to keep the ramps closed at the Brisco Underpass. As a resident of the Rancho Grande neighborhood here in Arroyo Grande, I use the Brisco underpass several times,a day and I prefer the way that the traffic moves with the ramps closed. Thank you for your consideration of my opinion, Alice Cook Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 1 Dianne Thompson From: Spencer's Fresh Markets [ Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 3:12 PM To: Dianne Thompson; Jim Hill; Jim Guthrie; Barbara Harmon; Tim Brown; Kristen Barneich Subject: Brisco closure Dear Mayor, Council Members and City Manager, I am writing to express my overwhelming support of the ramp closures at Brisco/101. I would urge you to extend the closure until a permanent solution is identified. Since the development of the Wal-Mart center, traffic has been an issue on Branch, Brisco, and El Camino Real. When the closure of the on/off ramps was first tested years ago, we learned how the traffic situation improved drastically. It is a shame it took so long for this second test period, but once again it is very clear that closing the 101 ramps dramatically improves traffic flow. The wait time for getting from one side of the freeway to the other has all but been eliminated. Nearby residents are overwhelmingly in support of the closure. It is my hope that neighbors and those who use the underpass daily (or several times each day) have also taken the time to let you know what an improvement closing the ramps has been. It would be a shame to turn this heavily traveled area back into the nightmare it once was. Please keep the ramps closed until you can decide on a solution to this long standing problem. Regards, Beatrice Spencer Beatrice Spencer Spencer's Fresh Markets 1 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Item 5.a. - Page 22