For City Council Meeting [September 13, 2022]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Marcus Fuller, Acting City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Authorize Staff to Submit an Application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant in the Amount of $400,000 with a Local Match Not-To-Exceed of $80,000; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next five (5) years. In the fiscal year 2022 (FY22), up to $1 billion is available. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
The SS4A program supports Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Department’s goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The SS4A program provides funding for two (2) types of grants: Action Plans (for comprehensive action plans) and Implementation Grants.
Staff is seeking authorization and proposes to apply for the Action Plan grant to develop a comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan).
Below are examples of activities that could directly assist in the process of developing an
Action Plan by conducting outreach, data collection, analysis, and other related tasks:
• Leadership commitment and goal setting
• Planning structure through a committee
• Safety analysis of the existing conditions and historical trends
• Engagement and collaboration with the public and relevant stakeholders
• Equity considerations
• Policy and process review and changes
• Strategy and project selections that identify a comprehensive set of projects and strategies, shaped by data
• Progress and transparency methods that measure progress
For Action Plan Grants, the expected award minimum is $200,000, and may not exceed 80 percent of the total eligible activity costs. Grant recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20 percent of the eligible activity costs.
The development of an Action Plan will position the City of Rialto to apply for the Implementation Grant through the SS4A Program. The program is expected to have up to $1 billion available each year through fiscal year 2026(FY26).
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:
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A 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 City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
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 has reviewed and supports approval of this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action will not affect the City’s Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
For Action Plan Grants, the expected award minimum is $200,000, and may not exceed 80 percent of the total eligible activity costs. Grant recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20 percent of the eligible activity costs.
If the City is successful, staff recommends the use of Measure I Funds as the Local Match of 20 percent with an estimated not to exceed the amount of $80,000. Staff will return to Council for authorization to accept the grant and approval of appropriations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Authorize Staff to Submit an Application for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant in the Amount of $400,000 with a Local Match Not-To-Exceed of $80,000.
• Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Related Documents.