For City Council Meeting May 28, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Title
Request City Council to: 1) Authorize the Submission of an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project; 2) Authorize the Submission of an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the City of Rialto 2019 Safe Routes to School Plan Update; and 3) Authorize the City Manager or their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the Submission of an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project.
2. Authorize the Submission of an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the City of Rialto 2019 Safe Routes to School Plan Update.
3. 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 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 (4) years, from 2025/2026 to 2028/2029.
Rialto is an eligible entity within the State of California to apply for ATP funds. The following schedule lists the anticipated major milestones for the development and adoption of the 2025 ATP Cycle 7:
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Rialto Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan, which was previously funded by ATP Cycle 1, was developed with input from the community, guidance from stakeholders, engineering expertise, and strategic planning. The proposed recommendations include various improvements such as the installation of speed feedback signs, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), high visibility ladder-style crosswalks, ADA accessible ramps and sidewalk gap closures, school signage following the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), bicycle facilities, and school pavement markings.
Staff has requested a proposal from KOA to help with a grant application to the Active Transportation Program through their On-Call agreement approved by the City Council on February 14, 2024. The scope of work includes identifying and strategizing the combination of improvements near multiple schools in the city and consolidating them into one project for an Infrastructure grant application. Additionally, staff proposes to submit a second application to update the existing Safe Routes to School Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in June 2019.
Infrastructure Project Grant
The proposed grant project will construct planned Safe Routes to School infrastructure improvements near (7) schools in 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 proposed improvements include a range of enhancements aimed at promoting safety and accessibility within the local community. These include the installation of ADA curb ramps, school signage, speed feedback units, crosswalk alterations and additions, sidewalk expansions and fixes, and class II bike lane adjustments. These changes are designed to bridge gaps between residential neighborhoods and local schools. The Engineering & Operational Improvements Maps from the Safe Routes to School plan are included in Attachment 1.
The project cost is being finalized and is expected to be within the cost range of a Medium Project. Projects with a total project cost of more than $3.5 million and up to $10 million will be considered a medium project. The commission does not require a funding match for the ATP application; however, it encourages the uses of leveraging funds in the evaluation criteria. If awarded, staff recommends the use of Local Measure I or Gas Tax funds as leveraging funds, up to 20% of total project cost.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit a grant application to Caltrans' 2025 Active Transportation Program Cycle 7. The anticipated benefits of these projects extend to the local communities, as they will lead to crucial improvements in safety, the creation of pedestrian facilities, and increased awareness among drivers.
Plan- 2019 Safe Routes to School Plan Update
On May 21, 2014, the City of Rialto (City) took a significant step by submitting a grant application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to collaborate with the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD) on developing a Safe Routes to School plan. This initiative aimed to ensure the safety of students traveling to and from school by creating a comprehensive plan covering all 29 schools in the district, replacing individual safe routes plans.
After the proposal was approved in January 2016, the City initiated a project involving in-depth analysis of City traffic and active transportation conditions, engaging various stakeholders such as students, teachers, school administrators, and community leaders. This collaborative effort culminated in the approval of the final Rialto Safe Routes to School Plan by the City Council in April 2019. This plan provided a framework for the implementation of safety recommendations near several City schools.
The City has continued to experience growth over the past five (5) years. In light of these developments, many aspects surrounding the 2019 plan have evolved. The Rialto Safe Routes to School Plan Update aims to reaffirm the findings of the 2019 Plan by collaborating with school officials to determine how the City can promote safe and sustainable transportation to and from school. This update will involve a comprehensive reevaluation of the City’s existing conditions to identify any necessary additions or modifications to the 2019 Plan. Furthermore, the Plan Update will include schools in the Fontana and Colton Joint Unified School Districts that were not previously included.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit a grant application to Caltrans' 2025 Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 for the 2019 Safe Routes to School Plan update.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed request 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:
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
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 complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policy:
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 to the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
If successful, the ATP Cycle 7 grant funding will be used for the final design and construction phase of the project, including construction engineering for the Infrastructure Grant application. In order to compete for State and Federal funding, Staff is proposing to appropriate up to 20% in leveraging funds (using Measure I, Gas Tax, or similar funds) towards the project.
The Safe Routes to School Plan Update application does not require leveraging funds, and the ATP grant will fund 100% of the project costs.
If awarded, staff will present the grant acceptance and fund allocation to the City Council for approval.
Licensing
This action does not require the application of a business license or payment of a Business License tax.