For City Council Meeting August 13, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
FROM: Timothy Sullivan, Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 8278, Adopting the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 Measure I - Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and Expenditure Strategy.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council pass a Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 Measure I - Five Year Capital Improvement Plan and Expenditure Strategy.
BACKGROUND
Measure I is a half-cent sales tax collected throughout San Bernardino County and designated to fund transportation improvements. It was first approved by San Bernardino County voters in November 1989 to address transportation needs countywide. The Measure was set to expire in 2010; however, in 2004, voters approved an extension of the Measure I sales tax until 2040.
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) manages the revenue from Measure I and oversees the program's spending on transportation projects. As outlined in its strategic plan, the SBCTA Board of Directors identifies several programs that will receive Measure I funds.
One of these programs is the Local Streets Program, which allocates funding to local agencies based on population. The local agency determines which projects will be funded under this program according to their Five-Year Measure I Capital Improvement Plan. This plan is provided annually to SBCTA, and changes can be made to the program during the fiscal year with notification to SBCTA.
To be eligible for Measure I Local Streets projects, the SBCTA Board of Directors has established guidelines. These guidelines state that projects can include roadway improvements, general maintenance, and pavement management programs. General maintenance expenditures cannot exceed 50% of the annual allocation, and any single expenditure over $100,000 must be listed separately in the plan. Total annual expenditures cannot exceed 150% of the forecast annual revenue and prior year fund balance.
Additionally, on April 6, 2022, the SBCTA Board made some policy revisions that removed the differentiation between Named Projects and Categorical Projects. This also eliminated the 50% cap on categorical expenditures, removed the obligation to submit a Revised CIP if you spent more than estimated, and adjusted the due date for a Revised CIP to September 1st to match the annual CIP submittal deadline. Any Projects with Expenditures in a Fiscal Year must be included in the current Five-Year CIP to prevent an audit finding.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The City of Rialto is committed to maximizing the use of transportation facilities using the allocated Measure I funds through various programs. These programs include street and rights-of-way maintenance, street preventative maintenance and reconstruction implementation, and traffic signal installation. Furthermore, the funds will be used as matching contributions for other transportation-related improvement projects that receive federal or state support.
In addition, the City plans to program Measure I revenue for significant long-term projects, with provisions for budget carryover to ensure completion. According to the planned schedule, most projects are expected to be completed within a five-year timeframe. In order for the City to continue receiving Measure I revenues, it must adopt an expenditure plan annually.
The projects listed below have received prior approval from the City Council and have been included in the Measure I Five-Year plan. A detailed Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, included as "Exhibit A" of the resolution, proposes using Measure I funds to partially or fully fund these projects.
Capital Project Improvements:
• Merrill Avenue SRTS Improvements Project
• Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements Project
• Traffic Signal at Ayala Drive & Fitzgerald Avenue
• Traffic Signal Installation at Willow Avenue & San Bernardino Avenue
• Locust Avenue Widening
• Traffic Signal installation at Cactus Avenue and Easton Street
• Pacific Electric Trail Expansion
• Cedar Avenue and Merrill Avenue Left Turn Signal Phasing
• Frisbie Middle School SRTS Improvements Project
• Bemis Elementary SRTS Improvements Project
• Street Rehabilitation (Overlay) Pepper Avenue from Baseline Road to City Limits
• Street Rehabilitation (Overlay) Various Streets Phase II
• Street Rehabilitation (Overlay) Various Streets Phase III
Program Planning
• ADA Transition Plan - Public Right of Way
• Pavement Management System
• Safe Streets for All Action Plan
• City-Wide Minor Street Improvements
At the end of the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the remaining budget for the listed projects is carried forward to the next fiscal year until projects are completed and funds are completely expended. Any remaining funds will be returned to the Measure I fund balance after project completion.
Pursuant to Measure I requirements, the City Council must also annually approve the City’s Expenditure Strategy, which is included as “Exhibit B” of the Resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The plan is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review per Section 15268, Ministerial Projects. Section 15268 allows public agencies to make non-discretionary determinations as a part of implementing its regulations. However, the individual projects are subject to the CEQA process and will be reviewed and approved individually.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action 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.
Goal 4-2: Protect residential neighborhoods from through traffic impacts.
Goal 4-3: Protect residences, sensitive land uses, and pedestrians from activities along rail corridors.
Goal 4-4: Protect school children and others from traffic hazards around schools.
Goal 4-5: Ensure the provision of adequate, convenient, and safe parking for all land uses.
Goal 4-6: Provide for all residents and businesses to have equal access to reliable and convenient public transit services.
Goal 4-7: Achieve optimum use of regional rail transit.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the City.
Goal 4-9: Promote walking.
Goal 4-10: Provide a circulation system that supports Rialto’s position as a logistics hub.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There are no improvements to the operating budget related to this action.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Sufficient appropriations are available to fund the projects for the current fiscal year as identified in the FY2024/2025 - 2028/2029 Measure I Five Year Capital Improvement Plan, included as “Exhibit A” of the resolution. The subsequent year’s program will be budgeted during the budget process.
Licensing
This action does not require payment of a business license fee or tax.