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Page 1 of 4 Item #7 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT August 19, 2025 Community and Economic Development TITLE: APPROVE THE CREATION OF A QUIET ZONE FEASIBILITY STUDY, A PRELIMINARY DESIGN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AND BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO REALLOCATE $175,000 FROM THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT INTERNAL SERVICE FUND (BERNAL COMMUNITY PARK SYNTHETIC FIELDS PROJECT) TO FUND THE STUDY SUMMARY As directed by City Council at the June 17, 2025, meeting, this agenda item is a recommendation to adjust the approved 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to add a Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Design Project. To accommodate this $175,000 project, funds will be moved from Repair and Replacement program. Specifically, the previously budgeted Bernal Synthetic Turf Repair and Replacement Assessment can be completed for less than budgeted. The estimated timeline for completion of the study will be identified based on project proposals to be solicited in fall 2025. RECOMMENDATION Approve the creation of the Capital Improvement Program Project, "Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Preliminary Design," including its addition to the approved 5-year CIP in fiscal year 2025/26, and budget amendments to allocate $175,000 from the Repair and Replacement program to the Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Preliminary Design Project, CIP No. [TBD]. BACKGROUND The City Council reviewed and approved the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the June 17, 2025, meeting. As part of the approval, the Council requested staff return with an adjustment to the approved CIP that would incorporate the addition of a Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Design Project and identify a funding source and timeline for the project. In 2006, the Federal Rail Authority (FRA) adopted Federal regulations called the Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, 49 CFR 222 (Horn Rule). This rule established criteria to eliminate the requirement for trains to sound their horns approaching highway-rail grade crossings. Since the 2006 Rule's adoption, staff has included a quiet zone study for the downtown area on the list of potential City Council Priority Projects. However, the quiet zone project has not been included in the City Council's priorities, mainly due to the anticipated high cost of construction (estimated at $2 million). Based on the recent City Council direction, staff will engage a professional services firm to conduct a feasibility assessment and design for improvements needed to create a quiet zone. DISCUSSION Recently, several East Bay local agencies have implemented quiet zones with construction Page 154 of 674