STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
October 28, 2025
CONSENT
10 SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF PROJECTS TO THE
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (FTIP) TITLED, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH WHICH CERTIFIES THAT
LAGUNA BEACH HAS THE RESOURCES TO FUND THE PROJECTS IN THE FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 – 2031/32 TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO
IMPLEMENT ALL PROJECTS IN THE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, WHICH CERTIFIES THAT THE CITY OF LAGUNA
BEACH HAS THE RESOURCES TO FUND THE PROJECTS IN THE FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 – 2031/32 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENT ALL PROJECTS IN THE PROGRAM”; and
2. Find that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3), as it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change to the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution affirming the City of Laguna Beach’s commitment to fund and implement projects listed in the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026/27 – 2031/32 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP). Adoption of this resolution is a prerequisite to maintaining eligibility for current and future federal transportation grant funding.
The FTIP, prepared by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), is a federally mandated, financially constrained program that includes all regionally significant and federally funded transportation projects. This includes improvements such as highway enhancements, public transit operations, signal synchronization, and intersection upgrades.
The City currently receives Transit Operating Assistance grant funding and has submitted an application for $7 million in federal Surface Transportation Block Grant/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (STBG/CMAQ) funding for the Laguna Canyon Road: Protect and Connect project. A resolution is required by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to certify the City's commitment and readiness to implement projects if grant funding is approved.
There is no fiscal impact associated with adopting the resolution. The action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3), as it does not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change to the environment.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF PROJECTS TO THE FTIP October 28, 2025
DISCUSSION
The FTIP lists multi-modal transportation projects identified in the Regional Transportation Plan prepared by SCAG. The FTIP covers a minimum of four years with updates every two years (SCAG generally includes a six-year plan in its FTIP). OCTA coordinates with SCAG to prepare the FTIP.
The City has one existing project and one project that is being considered for approval by SCAG. Project details are listed below.
1. Transit Operating Assistance
a. Total grant funding received from FY25 through FY2031 is $2,024,489 with a 50% local match.
b. Support for trolley services.
2. Laguna Canyon Road: Protect and Connect
a. $7,000,000 request for PS&E.
b. Anticipate a decision in November 2025.
c. If grant is successful, project will be added to the FFY 27 FTIP.
The City must adopt a resolution affirming the commitment to fund and implement projects in the 2027 FTIP. OCTA will certify projects through the SCAG FTIP Process once the City provides an adopted resolution.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended actions have no financial impact at this stage. Funding for the Transit Operating Assistance is already programmed in the City’s budget and there is no commitment for Laguna Canyon Road until a grant is approved.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3). Specifically, this action does not involve a project as defined under CEQA because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment. The action consists of adopting a resolution to allow the City to be eligible to receive federal grant funds for projects listed on the Federal Transportation Improvement Program.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Committing to Fund FTIP projects (Pgs. 3-5) Submitted By: Mark McAvoy Approved: .David A Kiff
Mark McAvoy, Director of Public
Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Thomas Perez, City Engineer