Agenda Item A.9
CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
TO:
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Luz “Nina” Buelna, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Teresa Lopes, Senior Project Manager
SUBJECT: US Department of Transportation Fiscal Year 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Funding Opportunity for South La Patera Lane Improvements and Hollister Avenue Crosswalks at Magnolia Avenue and American Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking Improvements Projects RECOMMENDATION:
Receive information on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Implementation Grant construction opportunity for the South La Patera Lane Improvements and Hollister Avenue Crosswalks at Magnolia Avenue and American Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking Improvements Projects.
BACKGROUND:
Various revenue sources fund Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects . The major source of funds available for capital projects is dedicated funds for this type of use. Funds for the CIP are accounted for in the City’s special revenue funds and include various development impact fee funds, transportation-related special revenue funds , and major federal, state, and local grants that have been awarded. Grant funding continues to be an important source of funding for CIP projects. Public Works (PW) staff continue to focus on pursuing upcoming grant opportunities, which would help fund existing CIP projects.
In May 2024, staff submitted an application for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Implementation Grant for the San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path Project. The grant application for the project identified the overall project as consisting of three phases:
Phase 1: Class I Multipurpose Path Improvements along a proposed undercrossing connection from Kellogg Ave nue, north of US 101 , to Armitos Avenue San Jose Creek, south of US 101 , and Class I trail improvements paralleling San Jose Creek from Kellogg Way to Atascadero Creek. Phase 2: Class II bicycle facilities, sidewalk infill , and ADA improvements along South La Patera Lane (La Patera) from Hollister Avenue to the Goleta Amtrak Station.
1 Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Phase 3: Future improvements include pedestrian and bicycle facilities along Hollister Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Kellogg Avenue and along Kellogg Avenue from Hollister Avenue to Ekwill Street.
The grant application requested construction funding for Phases 1 and 2 and stated that the future improvements described in Phase 3 would be implemented through City efforts and funding. Staff also included Supplemental Planning tasks related to the development of the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan as a task in the funding request for the project.
The project was not awarded funding for implementing Phases 1 and 2; however, the City did receive a Planning and Demonstration G rant award totaling $364,000 for the Supplemental Planning tasks related to the Vision Zero Action Plan.
The South La Patera Lane Improvements Project (Phase 2) remains unfunded. Staff has also identified additional unfunded Phase 3 improvement projects, such as constructing new crosswalks on Hollister Avenue at Magnolia Avenue, which would be eligible for Implementation Grant funding under the SS4A program.
DISCUSSION:
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) FY25 Safe Streets and Roads for All Funding grant program was released on March 28, 2025. The new round of grant funding presents an opportunity to submit a new application for an SS4A Implementation Grant to construct the improvements along South La Patera Lane and construct a new crosswalk on Hollister Avenue at Magnolia Avenue, which were included as Phase 2 and a component of Phase 3 in the previous application effort.
SS4A Grant Description
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years, 2022- 2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initi atives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
The program awards funds to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway use rs, including pedestrians , bicyclists, public transportation, personal conveyance, micromobility users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators.
The SS4A grant program provides funding for two types of grants: Implementation Grants and Planning and Demonstration Grants. Implementation Grants provide Federal funds to implement (construct) projects and improvements related to strategies identified in a comprehensive safety action plan (“Action Plan”) that address roadway safety problems.
Planning and Demonstration Grants provide Federal funds to do three types of activities:
develop a comprehensive safety action plan (“Action Plan”); conduct supplemental safety planning to complete or enhance an Action Plan; and carry out demonstration activities to inform the development of, or an update to, an Action Plan. 2 Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Implementation Grants may also fund supplemental planning and demonstration activities and project planning, design, and development activities. Eligible applicants are allowed to submit only one application for the FY25 funding opportunity.
Applicants who have already received an SS4A grant award may apply again for an additional SS4A awa rd in future years. For example, applicants who received Planning and Demonstration Grants or Implementation Grants in FY24 may apply for additional SS4A funding for new FY25 and/or FY26 activities.
TABLE 1
SS4A GRANT PROGRAM DETAILS
Lead Agency City of Goleta
Eligible CIP Project South La Patera Lane Improvements Project (CIP TBD-08) and Hollister Avenue Crosswalks at Magnolia Avenue and
(ADA) Parking Improvements Project (CIP TBD-10)
Grant Program
Funding Available
There is up to $982,260,464 available for FY 2025 grants under the SS4A program. Of the funding made available, up to $580 million is available to implement projects and
strategies. The remainder, $402,260,494, must be awarded for developing Action Plans; conducting supplemental
planning to update existing Action Plans; or carrying out demonstration activities to inform the development of, or updates to, Action Plans.
Grant Funding
Request Amount
Approximately $3.6 million
Grant Matching
Funds
20% Matching Requirement (approximately $720,000)
Application
Deadline
June 26, 2025
Grant Timeline USDOT expects to obligate SS4A funding via a signed grant agreement between the Department and the recipient within 12 months of the awards being announced.
Staff will submit an Implementation Grant application for the projects, which will include the following:
South La Patera Lane Improvements Project: Improvements along South La Patera Lane from Hollister Avenue to the Goleta Amtrak station and new Goleta Train Depot.
The location was identified in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan as a gap closure project between the existing bike facilities within the City. South La Patera Lane has one lane in each d irection, unrestricted parking on both sides , and a discontinuous sidewalk. The street lacks a continuous ADA path of travel due to gaps in the sidewalk and narrow sidewalk locations. The proposed project will install new Class II bike lanes with buffers a nd construct new sidewalks, curb ramps , and driveways along South La Patera Lane's east and west sides . This project is currently listed in the Long-Term CIP 3 Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Project List, and if awarded, the project will be recommended to move to the Five -Year CIP Project List.
Hollister Avenue Crosswalks at Magnolia Avenue and ADA Parking Improvements Project: Construct new crosswalks across Hollister Avenue at Magnolia Avenue. Project improvements will include the installation of high-visibility crosswalks, a new rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) system, and the Installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps and accessible parking spaces.
Staff is working with Kimley-Horn and Associates to prepare the grant application. The Goleta Traffic S afety Study , including the Systemic Safety Analysis Report and Local Road Safety Plan document, qualifies as the City’s required Action Plan. The application will be competitive because the overall project will fill connection gaps in the City’s active transportation n etwork and will facilitate micromobility from the train station, through Hollister Avenue, to various parts of the City. The improvements will construct bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, based on complete streets and vision zero policies, to expand safety, equitable access to multi -modal transportation options, and connectivity to affordable housing, job centers, education facilities, recreation areas, and essential services, for people of all income levels, and all ages and abilities. This project is currently listed in the Five-Year CIP Project List.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Submitting the grant application does not have a n immediate fiscal impact; however, if the application is successful and the City is awarded a grant, it must contribute a 20% local funding match to any SS4A funding awarded. Grant award announcements typically occur within approximately four to six months following the application deadline. If awarded, the City anticipates executing a grant agreement with USDOT within 12 months of the award announcement.
The local funding match is anticipated to be sourced from various available local funds, which may include Measure A, Transportation Development Impact Fees, other eligible street-related funds, or the General Fund. If awarded, staff will return to the City Council with detailed funding recommendations and formal appropriation requests , in addition to updating the Five-Year CIP Project List.
ALTERNATIVES:
None.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Issac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
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