For City Council Meeting November 25, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Accept the 2025 Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Grant from the California Department of Transportation for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Accept the 2025 Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 grant from the California Department of Transportation in the amount of $3,934,000 for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project; and
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
On March 21-22, 2024, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) announced the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Call for Projects. ATP Cycle 7 is expected to include approximately $568 million in Federal, State SB1, and State Highway Account (SHA) funding. The funding/programming years are expected to run for four years, from 2025/2026 to 2028/2029.
On May 28, 2024, the City Council authorized staff to submit an ATP Cycle 7 grant application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project. The application strategy involved identifying critical safety improvements near multiple schools throughout the City and consolidating them into a single comprehensive infrastructure project to maximize competitiveness and funding potential.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On July 18, 2025, Caltrans officially notified staff that the Safe Routes to School Improvements Project was selected for funding under the 2025 ATP Cycle 7, awarding the City $3,934,000. A copy of the official award letter is included as Attachment 1.
This project will deliver significant safety improvements through enhanced pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, increased driver awareness, and improved accessibility. The Safe Routes to School Improvements project will construct critical safety enhancements near the following seven schools throughout the City of Rialto:
• Curtis Elementary School
• Preston Elementary School
• Eisenhower High School
• Dunn Elementary School
• Dollahan Elementary School
• Rialto Middle School
• Werner Elementary School
The map illustrating the project area for the proposed schools is shown in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1 - Proposed Project Map
The improvements include enhancements designed to promote safety and accessibility within the local community. These improvements include the installation of ADA curb ramps, school signage, speed feedback units, crosswalk alterations and additions, sidewalk expansions, traffic signal modifications, class II bike lane adjustments, and improvements to railroad crossing accessibility. These improvements aim to bridge gaps between residential neighborhoods and local schools.
The ATP Cycle 7 grant award of $3,934,000 will fund the construction phase of the project. These construction funds have been programmed for Fiscal Year 2028/2029, as formally adopted by the CTC during their June 26-27, 2025, meeting as part of the 2025 Active Transportation Program Metropolitan Planning Organization component recommendations. The design and engineering phase will be funded through local Measure I sales tax and Gas tax revenues.
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
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals, and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 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 Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 3-11.1: Allocate resources for the maintenance and operations of City facilities; explore alternative funding options for maintenance and operational costs of new facilities.
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.
Policy 4-9.3: Provide pedestrian-friendly and safety improvements, such as crosswalks and pedestrian signals, in all pedestrian activity areas.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action has no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The total estimated project cost is $8,096,000. The City will utilize Measure I sales tax and Gas tax revenues as the required local match for this grant-funded project. The following revenues and appropriations associated with this grant have been budgeted into the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvement Program budget as follows:
As the project progresses into the design and engineering phase, staff will return to the City Council with specific contract recommendations and authorization requests for professional design services.
Licensing
This action does not require the application of a business license or payment of a Business License tax.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Award Notification Letter