Agenda Item A.8
CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
TO:
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Luz “Nina” Buelna, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Teresa Lopes, Principal Engineer
SUBJECT: Proposed Capital Improvement Program Grant Opportunities RECOMMENDATION:
Receive information on Capital Improvement Program grant applications and upcoming grant opportunities
BACKGROUND:
Capital Improvement Prog ram (CIP) projects are funded through a variety of revenue sources, with the primary funding coming from dedicated capital funds. These funds are accounted for within the City’s special revenue funds and include development impact fees, transportation-related revenues, and previously awarded state and federal grants.
State and federal grant funding continues to serve as a critical resource for advancing CIP projects.
Public Works staff is actively pursuing upcoming state and federal grant opportunities to support both existing and planned CIP projects. These efforts are aligned with the City’s goals and adopted plans, including the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR)/Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP)/Goleta Traffic Safety Study, and Vision Zero approach.
Grant applications will prioritize projects currently included in the CIP and Transportation Safety Programs. This includes implementation projects, which align with the design and construction phase of the Public Works Project Delivery Process, and planning projects, which align with the design phase of the Project Delivery Process and related program updates. Emphasis will be placed on projects that enhance safety and support the City’s Vision Zero objectives.
DISCUSSION:
Public Works (PW) staff is preparing to pursue several upcoming grant opportunities to support existing Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and other priority programs. 1 Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
The City has executed an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates to assist with the preparation of grant applications for both construction and planning efforts.
Proposed implementation projects, which align with the design and construction phase of the Public Works Project Delivery Process, are anticipated to include:
South La Patera Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements (Formerly part of CIP 9079, now FY 25/26 TBD-08)
Hollister Avenue Crosswalk at Magnolia Ave nue and ADA Parking Improvements Project (CIP 9142)
Cathedral Oaks Class I Multi-Purpose Path (CIP 9061) (Design and Environmental)
Proposed planning projects, which align with the conceptual design phase of the Public Works Project Delivery Process and include related program updates, are anticipated to include:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan update
Expansion of the Vision Zero Safe Routes to Schoo l program to additional Goleta - area schools
Hollister Safety Improvements (Storke to Pebble Beach Drive) (CIP 9139) Goleta US 101 Bike/Ped Overcrossing Study (CIP 9143)
These efforts prioritize safety, multimodal access, and alignment with the City’s adop ted plans and Vision Zero goals.
Potential Upcoming Grant Opportunities.
FY 2026 Safe Streets and Roads For All (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 init iatives 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 us ers, including pedestrians , bicyclists, public transportation, personal conveyance, and 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 addresses roadway safety problems. Planning and Demonstration grants provide federal funds for three types of activities: developing a comprehensive safety action plan (“Action Plan”), conducting 2 Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
supplemental safety planning to complete or enhance an Action Plan, and carrying out demonstration activities to inform the development of or an update to an Action Plan.
Grant Agency Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or
the Department)
Grant Program Funding Available Up to $993,488,194 for FY 2026 grants. $687,809,874 is available for Implementation
Grants - Expected number of awards: 40 to
70 - Expected funding range: $2,500,000 to
$25,000,000.
Up to $305,678,320 is available for Planning
and Demonstration Grants - Expected
number of awards: 400 to 700 - Expected
funding range: $100,000 to $5,000,000.
Grant Matching Funds 20% local funds, currently unfunded Application Deadline May 26, 2026, for Implementation, Planning, and Demonstration grants
Grant Awards Announced Date Approximately one month from application
The SS4A program is highly competitive for implementation grant funding; more success has been found by applying for planning-type projects. The City successfully received $364,000 from the FY 23/24 SS4A program for Supplemental Planning Activities to support the City’s Vision Zero approach. PW would like to build on this previous success and pursue funding for various CIP planning efforts. Any projects that provide progress towards the Vision Zero Program are likely to score favorably.
Active Transportation Program Grant (Cycle8)
The Active Transportation Program (ATP) was created by Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes of 2013) and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes of 2013) to encourage, promote, and increase the use of active modes of transportation.
The purpose of ATP is to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation by achieving the following goals:
Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking Increase safety and mobility for non-motorized users
Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals, pursuant to SB 375 (of 2008) and SB 341 (of 2009) Enhance public health
Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users
3 Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
Grant Agency Division of Local Assistance, Office of State Programs
Grant Program Funding Available $619,320,000 available for Cycle 8 $309,660,000 Statewide
$61,932,000 Small urban and rural
$247,728,000 Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO)
The funding/programming years include
the 27/28, 28/29, 29/30 and 30/31 fiscal
years
Grant Matching Funds No specific match is required; however, applications with matching funds receive
higher scores.
Application Deadline June 22, 2026
The City would need to apply under the Statewide component, which consists of 50% of the total program funding available, and 25% of the available funds must go towards projects benefiting disadvantaged communities. If applying for a non-infrastructure project (i.e., a planning grant) , the resulting plan must benefit the entire community and must include a disadvantaged community.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There are no fiscal impacts at this time. However, if successful , each grant program requires matching non-Federal funds.
ALTERNATIVES:
None.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
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