For City Council Meeting June 10, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 8358 Authorizing Staff to Submit an Application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grant; and, (2) Authorize the City Manager, or their Designee, to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Adopt a Resolution authorizing staff to submit an application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant; and,
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
On September 13, 2022, the City Council authorized staff to apply for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan. The City was awarded $320,000 for this grant.
On January 9, 2024, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for $319,715 to prepare the Safety Action Plan. The Plan adopts the Safe System Approach and outlines strategies aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on the City’s transportation network.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On March 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the next round of SS4A grants, offering two categories:
• $680 million for Implementation Grants
• $302 million for Planning and Demonstration Grants
With the City’s Safety Action Plan nearing completion, Staff recommends applying for an Implementation Grant to fund infrastructure improvements at high-priority locations identified in the Plan. Proposed project locations include, but are not limited to:
1. Riverside Avenue and Foothill Boulevard
2. Linden Avenue and Merrill Avenue
3. Riverside Avenue between San Bernardino Avenue and Valley Boulevard
4. Sycamore Avenue and Baseline Road
5. Alder Avenue and Riverside Avenue
6. Acacia Avenue and Rialto Avenue
7. Riverside Avenue between Agua Mansa Road and Miguel Bustamante Parkway
8. Sycamore Avenue and San Bernardino Avenue
9. Riverside Avenue between Industrial Drive and Jurupa Avenue
10. Merrill Avenue between Linden Avenue and Cedar Street
The project scope is being finalized and will prioritize infrastructure enhancements, behavioral strategies, and operational improvements to maximize competitiveness and safety impact.
Public Works Staff and the Project consulting team are working collaboratively with the Rialto Police Department to ensure the grant application addresses both current and long-term safety needs.
If the City is successful in securing this grant, staff will return to the City Council to present the project, including estimated costs and detailed proposed improvements for formal acceptance. The grant requires a 20% local match. Staff proposes the use of either Gas Tax or Measure I for the local match funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
This action has no impact to the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The federal funds requested for this application are still being developed. The anticipated award range is between $2.5 million and $25 million, with a required local match of 20%. Staff plans to propose using Gas Tax or Measure I funds for this local match.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.