For City Council Meeting February 24, 2026
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) Adopt Resolution No. 8477 Accepting the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s Transportation Development Act, Article 3 Grant Funding in the Amount of $1,000,000 for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project, City Project No. 25085; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute All Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Adopt a resolution accepting the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s Transportation Development Act, Article 3 grant funding in the amount of $1,000,000 for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project, City Project No. 25085; and
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
On May 28, 2024, the City Council authorized staff to submit Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 grant applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project (SRTS). The City of Rialto formally accepted the 2025 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 grant on December 9, 2025, in the amount of $3,934,000, to fund the construction phase of the project. These construction funds have been programmed for Fiscal Year 2028/2029.
On June 4, 2025, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Board authorized the release of the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Call for Projects for Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities projects and Transit Access Improvement Projects. The amount of Article 3 funds anticipated to be available for award is $5,977,000 for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
To further optimize the project funding and reduce the City's local match requirement for the ATP Cycle 7 grant, the City Council authorized staff on July 22, 2025, to submit a supplemental grant application for the SRTS Infrastructure Improvements Project through the TDA Article 3 program.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On November 5, 2025, the SBCTA Board of Directors approved funding in the amount of $1,000,000 from the TDA Article 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program for the City of Rialto Safe Routes to School Improvements Project. A copy of the official award letter is included as Attachment 1.
The SRTS Improvements Project will construct planned infrastructure improvements near seven schools in the City of Rialto, as illustrated in Figure 1:
• Curtis Elementary School
• Preston Elementary School
• Eisenhower High School
• Dunn Elementary School
• Dollahan Elementary School
• Rialto Middle School
• Werner Elementary School
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 Americans with Disabilities Act (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.
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 resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action has no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The City of Rialto Safe Routes to School project is included in the City’s Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program, programmed for construction in Fiscal Year 2028 with an estimated project budget of $8,096,000.
The TDA Article 3 grant program requires a minimum local match of 10%. However, overmatching is encouraged and provides additional application points. The maximum number of points in the evaluation criteria is 25 Points, which can be obtained through a Local Match amount of 75% or higher.
In addition to the ATP Cycle 7 grant funds, staff recommends using Measure I sales tax and Gas tax revenues as the Local Match. The following revenues and appropriations associated with the grants have been budgeted into the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvements Program budget as follows:
The TDA Article 3 grant funding revenue will be budgeted in the TDA Fund account, Account No. 22047326-47536. The grant expenditure appropriation will be budgeted in the TDA Fund account number 22047326-53001.
As the project progresses into design and engineering phases, staff will return to the Council for approval of appropriations and to include the selected project in the Measure I CIP 5-Year Expenditure Strategy in the corresponding year.
Licensing
Approval of this action does not require a Business License application and payment of a Business License tax.