For City Council Meeting July 22, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Title
Request the City Council to: (1) Authorize the Submission of a Grant Application to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for the Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funds for the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Improvements - Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 Project No. 25085; and (2) 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 a grant application to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for the Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funds for the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Improvements - Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 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.
The Safe Routes to School Improvements Project will construct planned infrastructure improvements near seven 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 proposed improvements include the installation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps and the implementation of school signage that adheres to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Additionally, speed feedback units will be introduced, along with alterations and additions to crosswalks, featuring high-visibility ladder-style designs. The plan also incorporates the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), sidewalk expansions, and gap closures. Finally, modifications to traffic signals are part of the overall enhancement strategy.
The City has received notification that the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Improvements Project has been recommended for funding through the ATP Cycle 7 program. The City is expected to receive an award of $3.9 million, which will fund the construction phase of the project.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
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. The closing date for the Call for Projects is August 6, 2025.
To further optimize project funding and reduce the City's local match requirement, staff recommend that the City Council authorize staff to submit a supplemental grant application for the SRTS Infrastructure Improvements Project No. 25085 through the TDA Article 3 program.
The TDA supplemental funding allows the City to allocate local funds to other priority infrastructure needs.
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:
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 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 will not affect the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This 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.
Staff recommends the use of Measure I and ATP funds as the Local Match. If the City is successful, staff will return to the Council for authorization to accept the grant, approval of appropriations, and to include the selected project in the Measure I CIP 5-Year Expenditure Strategy in the corresponding year.
Licensing
A Business License application and payment of a Business License tax is not required for this action.