Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 6.D
Meeting Date: September 10, 2025
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: Riverside County Transportation Commission Agreement for SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program Funding: Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes Project.
RECOMMENDATION:
To approve an agreement with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) for funding under Senate Bill 821 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program, for the design and construction of the Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes project; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
On February 8, 2023, the City Council accepted the Cathedral City Active Transportation Plan (ATP), which was funded by the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) Sustainability Program. The ATP established a community-wide pedestrian and bike network and identified specific target infrastructure improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists. The ATP identified the Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes as a high-scoring priority project that should be considered when opportunities arise.
The FY 2025-2026 SB 821 call for projects was released on February 3, 2025. In April 2025, Engineering Division staff, with the authorization from the City Council, submitted an SB 821 grant application to the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) for the Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes project.
The proposed project is located along Avenida Maravilla, a north-south collector road in Cathedral City, extending from Ramon Road to approximately 750 feet north of Vista Chino.
This corridor is a two-lane roadway with a centerline and a posted speed limit of 25 mph. It currently carries an average of 2,600 vehicles per day in each direction, with on-street parking provided on both sides. The corridor is surrounded by single-family residential neighborhoods. A short segment north of Vista Chino includes a raised center median separating the travel directions.
Avenida Maravilla serves as a critical connection for residents accessing Ramon Road, a designated community commercial corridor. It also provides direct access to Panorama Park and La Pasada Parkette, frequented by families, children, and seniors. Despite the corridor’s importance, it lacks essential pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. There are no dedicated bicycle facilities, several missing crosswalks at key locations, and multiple corners lack compliant curb ramps. These conditions leave active transportation users both vulnerable and underserved.
This segment of Avenida Maravilla lies within one of Cathedral City’s most densely populated areas, as identified in the Cathedral City Active Transportation Plan. By 2030, population density in the project area, especially north of 30th Avenue, is expected to increase significantly, reaching between 8,500 and 15,000 residents per square mile. Employment density is also expected to grow, particularly east of Avenida Maravilla and west of Date Palm Drive between Ramon Road and 30 th Avenue, with projections exceeding 3,000 jobs per square mile.
Over the past decade, the corridor has experienced multiple bicycle and pedestrian-related collisions, including five involving bicyclists (one resulting in a severe injury) and one fatal pedestrian collision. Field observations confirm frequent bicycle use along the corridor despite the lack of dedicated facilities.
To address these safety concerns and future growth projections, the proposed project includes:
Installation of Class III bike facilities (sharrows) along the corridor, as identified in the Cathedral City Active Transportation Plan
Installation of new high-visibility crosswalks at key intersections Upgrades to existing curb ramps at key intersections to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
Installation of speed feedback signs to reduce vehicle speeds and encourage compliance with posted limits
These improvements will enhance safety, accessibility, and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
Extensive community engagement was conducted during the development of the Cathedral City Active Transportation Plan (December 2021 – May 2022). The input from residents, many of whom live directly along Avenida Maravilla, highlighted the need for improved crosswalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, reduce vehicle speeds, and better infrastructure for people walking and biking. The feedback consistently demonstrated strong community support for the proposed improvements.
DISCUSSION:
In June 2025, RCTC informed Cathedral City staff that the city had been selected to receive SB 821 grant funding for the proposed Avenida Maravilla active transportation improvements. This selection was based on the city's application submitted under the FY 2025–2026 SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program.
RCTC has prepared the agreement for funding under the SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program (Agreement), outlining the responsibilities of both RCTC and Cathedral City.
The total estimated cost of the Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes project is $831,573.60. The project will be funded equally by the city and the SB 821 grant, each contributing $415,786.80.
The funding responsibilities are as follows:
Project Name
City's Local
Match
(50%)
SB 821 Grant
Funding
(50%)
Project
Estimated Cost
Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes $415,786.80 $415,786.80 $831,573.60 The grant funding is based on the estimated total project cost provided in the city’s SB 821 application. Eligible expenses that may be reimbursed under the SB 821 program include administration, design, environmental compliance, and construction. If the project cost increases, RCTC may consider increasing its contribution proportionally. If costs are reduced, RCTC’s contribution will also be adjusted accordingly.
The agreement prepared by RCTC for the Avenida Maravilla project is attached to this report and, in accordance with program guidelines, must be executed prior to October 1, 2025.
The timing for the project completion as stated in Section 2.2 of the agreement requires the city to complete the project within 36 months of the date of the agreement.
Following approval of the agreement, city staff will add this project to the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) program and will include both the design and construction phases in accordance with applicable SB 821 program guidelines and funding commitments.
It is anticipated the design phase of this project will be scheduled in FY 2026-2027 with construction to follow in next biennial budget (FY 2027-2028). Each phase of the project will be brought to the City Council for review and approval prior to the award.
City staff request that the City Council approve the agreement with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) for funding under Senate Bill 821 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program, for the design and construction of the Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes project; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The execution of the agreements represents the city’s commitment to provide the required local match and complete the project within the program timeline to receive full grant reimbursement.
Avenida Maravilla Class III Bike Routes
The total project cost estimate for the FY 2025-2026 SB 821 grant application was estimated at $831,573.60. The grant award is for $415,786.80 (50%) thus leaving $415,786.80 (50%) as the city’s participation amount.
The following sources are identified to fund the project: TDA SB 821 (Fund 240), provided by RCTC under the Transportation Development Act, specifically Senate Bill 821, and the Traffic Safety Fund (Fund 233), which represents the city’s participation in the project.
The following table summarizes the funding accounts to complete the project.
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2026-2027 TDA -SB 821
Fund
240-100-150-
156-8XXX-8XXX N/A $415,786.80 One-time
2026-2027 Traffic Safety
Fund
233-100-150-
156-8XXX-8XXX N/A $415,786.80 One-time
Total $831,574.60
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal B: COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Objective: Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other city infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Avenida Maravilla Bike Routes Exhibit
2. SB821 Funding Agreement - Avenida Maravilla Bike Routes