For City Council Meeting [November 12, 2024]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Tim Sullivan, Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to: 1) Authorize Staff to Submit a Project Application to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for the Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project under the Local Partnership Program (LPP) Competitive Program; and 2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize Staff to Submit a Project Application to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for the Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project under the Local Partnership Program (LPP) Competitive Program; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
BACKGROUND:
On April 28, 2017, the Governor of California signed the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, also known as Senate Bill 1. Among other things, Senate Bill 1 created the Local Partnership Program (LPP) and appropriates $200 million annually to be allocated by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to local or regional agencies that have sought and received voter approval of, or imposed fees solely dedicated to transportation. The CTC will prioritize projects that are cost-effective, can begin construction promptly, leverage additional committed funds for each program dollar, demonstrate measurable air quality improvements (including significant reductions in vehicle miles traveled), exhibit regional and community support, enhance safety and current system conditions, and align with the transportation, land use, and housing objectives outlined in the region's Regional Transportation Plan.
On April 25, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 8067 to amend the current Capital Improvement Program to include the Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project and authorized a purchase order to Mark Thomas in the amount of $1,572,563 pursuant to their on-call professional services agreement. Their scope of work includes a revised Locust Avenue roadway structural section, roadway widening to include right-of-way acquisitions, and the addition of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
On August 16, 2024, the CTC released a call for projects under the LPP for the Competitive Program. This program will cover Fiscal Years 2025/26 through 2026/27, with applications due by November 20, 2024. The City of Rialto is eligible to apply for the funding, as it administers Regional Traffic Impact Mitigation Development Impact Fees specifically allocated for transportation improvements. These impact fees are required as a condition for approval of all development projects in the City, including substantial renovations to existing structures and properties, to address the impacts of increased vehicle trips. Funds from this account are utilized for the design and construction of regional traffic improvements, such as road widening and intersection modifications, in compliance with California Government Code 8879.67 (b).
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The Public Works staff, in collaboration with Villa Civil, have conducted a comprehensive review of the guidelines associated with the LPP competitive program as part of their on-call agreement for grant writing support. This review involved a detailed examination of eligibility criteria, application procedures, and funding priorities, ensuring a thorough understanding of the requirements necessary for a successful application.
This Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project was identified as a strong project that aligns with the LPP’s Accessibility and Community Engagement criteria by addressing active transportation needs, closing accessibility gaps, and enhancing regional connectivity for disadvantaged communities.
Locust Avenue has been identified as a truck route, which means it needs new pavement according to the updated traffic index (TI). The section between Riverside Avenue and Casmalia Street is currently a two-lane road, classified as a secondary arterial.
The road will be widened from curb to curb to widths ranging from 64 to 88 feet. The new design will include a 12-foot-wide parkway and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on each side. A 12-foot-wide raised median and left turn lane will be added in the center.
After the improvements, Locust Avenue will have two southbound lanes and two northbound lanes. It will feature one 14-foot southbound lane, one 12-foot southbound lane, one 14-foot raised median/left turn lane, one 12-foot northbound lane, and one 14-foot northbound lane. The east side will have a 12-foot-wide parkway with a 6-foot-wide sidewalk, similar to the west side.
The project is currently in the advanced stages of its design, with 90% of the necessary plans and specifications finalized. We anticipate that it will be ready for Construction by June 2025. Once funding is allocated, staff expects to initiate work promptly. To ensure timely project delivery, the construction contract must be awarded within the first six months following the allocation of funds and completed within thirty-six months of the fund allocation date. Additionally, its eligibility for Development Impact Fees, as identified in the City’s recent Nexus Study, further supports the project’s compliance with LPP requirements.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit a project application to the CTC for the LPP competitive program to help fund the construction phase of the Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project. This project aims to enhance facilities for pedestrians and cyclists while expanding roadway capacity to accommodate current and future travel demands.
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:
The City of Rialto has outlined key Goals and Objectives through which the City looks to minimize congestion on the local road network and maintain a circulation system that supports local businesses’ needs. The proposed actions comply with the following Goal and Policy outlined in the City’s General Plan.
Goal 3-6: Require that all developed areas within Rialto are adequately served with essential public services and infrastructure.
Policy 3-6.1: Coordinate all development proposals with other affected public entities to ensure the provision of adequate public facilities and infrastructure services.
Goal 3-7: Upgrade public infrastructure as an inducement to promote private investment.
Policy 3-7.1: Link redevelopment tools with the processes of community facilities district formation and other similar funds to improve roadway and utility systems in areas with the greatest need for upgrades.
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
Policy 4-1.1: Establish and maintain standards for a variety of street classifications to serve both local and regional traffic, including Major Arterial Highways, Major Arterials, Secondary Arterials, Collector Streets, and Local Streets.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action will not affect the City’s Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The estimated total construction cost for the Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project is $16.92 million. The City is requesting approximately $8.46 million in construction funding from the Local Partnership Program. In return, the City will provide a matching contribution of $8.46 million from its existing uncommitted fund balance, which currently stands at $11.6 million in Regional Traffic Impact Mitigation Development Impact Fees, accrued as of the fiscal year 2023-2024.
If the Locust Roadway Widening and Rehabilitation Project is selected for funding, staff will return to the City Council for the acceptance of the grant and the necessary budget appropriations.