CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jacki Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer DATE: December 3, 2024
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1495, Approving the Submittal of Two Improvement Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for Funding Under the Competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-1495, approving the submittal of the La Paz Road and Cabot Road Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program.
BACKGROUND
In 1990, Orange County voters approved Measure M, a 20-year half-cent local transportation sales tax. In 2006, Orange County voters approved the renewal of the Measure M half-cent transportation sales tax, known as Measure M2, through 2041.
OCTA distributes Measure M2 funds on a formula basis or through a competitive process.
The following Measure M2 programs are available to the City of Laguna Niguel:
Streets & Roads Programs
1) Regional Capacity Program (Project O) - provides funds to improve facilities along the Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH) by improving street operations and reducing congestion. The City received Project O funding for the widening of eastbound and westbound Crown Valley Parkway from I-5 freeway to Cabot Rd. 2) Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P) - provides funds to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along key corridors and across multiple jurisdictions in Orange County. Most recently, the City received Project P funding for traffic signal synchronization along Alicia Parkway, Crown Valley Parkway, and Moulton Parkway/Golden Lantern. 3) Local Fair Share (Project Q) - provides funds on a formula basis to assist cities with the escalating costs of restoring the aging street system. Cities can use these
funds for other local transportation needs such as residential street projects, traffic and pedestrian safety near schools, and signal priority for emergency vehicles.
Transit Programs
1) Expand Mobility Choices for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (Project U) - provides funds for cities to offer transportation alternatives for seniors in addition to local fixed-route buses or ADA paratransit (OC ACCESS) services.
Most recently, the City received Project U funding for the Senior Wheels Program (senior mobility taxi service) at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center. 2) Community Based Transit/Circulators (Project V) - provides funds to enable local jurisdictions to develop community-based, local transit services that complement regional transit services and meet needs in areas not adequately serviced by regional transit. The local transit services cannot duplicate or compete with existing OC Bus services or other existing services. Most recently, the City received Project V funding for the Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley.
Environmental Program
1) Environmental Cleanup Program (Project X) - provides funds to improve overall water quality in Orange County from transportation-generated pollution. Most recently, the City received Project X funding for the purchase and installation of trash control devices on stormwater catch basins.
As part of its 2025 Call for Projects, OCTA accepted project applications for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P). The application process requires that the City adopt a resolution supporting the proposed project improvements. Submitting Measure M2 grant applications supports City Council Goal 2 (Fiscal Sustainability) and Goal 4 (Infrastructure and Technology) of the City's adopted Strategic Plan.
ANALYSIS
The subject resolution is in support of two improvement project applications submitted to OCTA for funding under the competitive Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P), as summarized below.
La Paz Road Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project The City of Laguna Niguel partnered with the City of Aliso Viejo, City of Laguna Hills, City of Mission Viejo, and Caltrans to prepare a project application for signal synchronization along La Paz Road from Olympiad Road/Felipe Road to Crown Valley Parkway. This regional corridor is approximately 8 miles long and includes a total of 23 signalized intersections, 5 of which are in the City of Laguna Niguel. The project includes new traffic signal cabinets, traffic signal controllers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and hybrid video/radar vehicle and bicycle detection equipment at several intersections along the corridor. Additionally, offset signals (intersections up to 2,700 feet from the project corridor) will receive similar improvements along with new fiber optic communication cables.
La Paz Road is identified as a project corridor in OCTA's adopted Traffic Signal Synchronization Master Plan and the City's adopted Local Signal Synchronization Plan.
La Paz Road was last retimed 8 years ago, in 2016. The signal timing needs to be adapted to changing traffic patterns due to population growth and increased traffic demand. If funding is approved, the City of Laguna Niguel has committed to providing project management services under cooperative agreements with all participating agencies for the improvement project and will act as the lead agency for design and construction.
A summary of the estimated Project P costs and funding for La Paz Road is shown in the following table.
Total Estimated Project Cost $2,296,000
OCTA Project P Grant Funds $1,836,800
Matching Funds from Other Cities $339,200
Matching Funds from City of Laguna Niguel $120,000
A location map of the signalized intersections along La Paz Road is provided as Attachment "A".
Cabot Road Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project The City of Laguna Niguel partnered with the City of Laguna Hills, City of Mission Viejo, and Caltrans to prepare a project application for signal synchronization along Cabot Road from La Paz Road to Paseo De Colinas. This regional corridor is approximately 3.5 miles long and includes a total of 12 signalized intersections, 4 of which are in the City of Laguna Niguel. The project includes new traffic signal cabinets, traffic signal controllers, CCTV cameras, and hybrid video/radar vehicle and bicycle detection equipment at several intersections along the corridor. Additionally, offset signals (intersections up to 2,700 feet from the project corridor) will receive similar improvements along with new wireless communication devices.
Cabot Road is identified as a project corridor in OCTA's adopted Traffic Signal Synchronization Master Plan and the City's adopted Local Signal Synchronization Plan.
This is the first time that Cabot Road will be improved and synchronized as an OCTA corridor. If funding is approved, the City of Laguna Niguel has committed to providing project management services under cooperative agreements with all participating agencies for the improvement project and will act as the lead agency for design and construction.
A summary of the estimated Project P costs and funding for Cabot Road is shown in the following table.
Total Estimated Project Cost $1,100,000
OCTA Project P Grant Funds $881,000
Matching Funds from Other Cities $119,000
Matching Funds from City of Laguna Niguel $100,000
A location map of the signalized intersections along Cabot Road is provided as Attachment "B".
The application process requires that the City adopt Resolution No. 2024-1495 supporting the proposed corridor improvements (Attachment 'C").
The OCTA Technical Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Committee will review Project P applications by spring 2025. The OCTA Board of Directors will review and approve the list of recommended projects by June 2025 and the grant funds will be made available to awarded agencies on July 1, 2025.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council could direct staff to remove one or both project applications from consideration. This alternative is not recommended because these grant opportunities will provide substantial funding for the proposed traffic signal improvement costs. These projects would provide critical equipment upgrades to aging traffic signal infrastructure and help address traffic safety, circulation, and future capacity demands.
FISCAL REVIEW
Should these projects be approved by OCTA, the City would be required to provide matching funds up to $220,000 for Project P. Staff will propose the required matching funds as part of the City's Fiscal Year 2025-27 Capital Improvement Program budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and has approved it as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-1495, approving the submittal of the La Paz Road and Cabot Road Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program.
Jamara Setonnon Seve
Tamara S. Letourneau
City Manager Public Works Director/City Engineer
Engineerina Services Manager,
Attachments:
A. Location Map - La Paz Road
B. Location Map - Cabot Road
C. Resolution No. 2024-1495
ATTACHMENT A
Location Map - La Paz Road
LEGEND
N La Paz Road
Eligible Intersections (5)
Eligible Offset Intersection (3)
Avila Rd
Pkwy pkwy
Aliso Creek
Moulton
Alicia Pkwy
CAND
Location Map
La Paz Road RTSSP
ATTACHMENT B
Location Map - Cabot Road
LEGEND
N Cabot Road
Eligible Intersections (4)
Eligible Offset Intersection (4)
Crown Valley Parkway
Forbes Road
Ivy Glenn Drive
de Colinas
Paseo
Location Map
Cabot Road RTSSP N
ATTACHMENT C
Resolution No. 2024-1495
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-1495
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF TWO IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS TO THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FOR FUNDING UNDER THE COMPETITIVE MEASURE M2
REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM
The City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel hereby resolves, determines, and orders as follows that:
WHEREAS, the Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program targets over 2,000 signalized intersections across Orange County to maintain traffic signal synchronization, improve traffic flow, and reduce congestion across jurisdictions; WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel has been declared by the Orange County Transportation Authority to meet the eligibility requirements to receive revenues as part of Measure M2;
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel must include all projects funded by Net Revenues in the seven-year Capital Improvement Program as part of the Renewed Measure M Ordinance eligibility requirement.
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel authorizes a formal amendment to the seven-year Capital Improvement Program to add projects approved for funding upon approval from the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors, if necessary.
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel has currently adopted a Local Signal Synchronization Plan consistent with the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Master Plan as a key component of local agencies' efforts to synchronizing traffic signals across local agencies' boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will provide matching funds for each project as required by the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs Procedures Manual; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel will not use Renewed Measure M funds to supplant Developer Fees or other commitments; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel desires to implement multi-jurisdictional signal synchronization listed below; and
Resolution No. 2024-1495 Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel hereby requests the Orange County Transportation Authority allocate funds in the amounts specified in the City's application to said City from the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program. Said funds, if approved, shall be matched by funds from said City as required and shall be used as supplemental funding to aid the City in signal synchronization along the following streets):
1) Cabot Road from La Paz Road to Paseo De Colinas
2) La Paz Road from Olympiad Road/Felipe Road to Crown Valley Parkway
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of December, 2024.
Kelly Jennings, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marissa J. Asistin
City Clerk