City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 18, 2023 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF TWO FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 3, SENATE BILL 821 GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR $1,380,240, FOR A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $2,760,480 WITH REQUIRED CITY MATCH, FOR CONCRETE SIDEWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN RAMPS ON STOVER AVENUE, INSTALLATION OF LED STOP SIGNS, CROSSWALKS, AUDIBLE PEDESTRIAN PUSH BUTTON SYSTEMS AND UPGRADED PEDESTRIAN RAMPS AT VARIOUS CITYWIDE INTERSECTIONS (ALL WARDS) ISSUE:
Authorize the submittal of two grant applications requesting up to $1,380,240 in grant funding for the Transportation Development Act Article 3 (Senate Bill 821) Grant Program offered by the Riverside County Transportation Commission to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps, new LED stop signs, new high visibility crosswalks, and new audible pedestrian push button systems Citywide. The total project cost is estimated at $2,760,480 which is two grant awards and required dollar-for-dollar City match funds.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the Public Works Department to prepare and submit a FY 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 (Senate Bill 821) grant application (Grant #1) to the Riverside County Transportation Commission in an amount up to $690,120 (with $690,120 in required City match funds) to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Stover Avenue from Fury Drive to Eagle Rock Drive; and Authorize the Public Works Department to prepare and submit a FY 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 (Senate Bill 821) grant application (Grant #2) to the Riverside County Transportation Commission in an amount up to $690,120 (with $690,120 in required City match funds) to install LED Stop signs, high visibility crosswalks, audible pedestrian push buttons systems, and upgraded pedestrian ramps at various intersections Citywide.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3, or Senate Bill (SB) 821, Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program funding, is provided through a ¼ cent of the general sales tax collected statewide. The TDA provides two major sources of funding for public transportation: the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and the State Transit Assistance (STA). The LTF provides funding for essential transit and commuter rail services, TDA Article 3/SB 821, and planning efforts. Each year, 2% of the LTF revenue is made available for use on bicycle and pedestrian facility projects through the TDA Article3/SB 821 program. TDA Article 3/SB 821 is a discretionary program administered by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). The total amount available for programming in the 2023/24 TDA Article 3/SB 821 Call for Projects is an estimated $6,901,202. Each City/Agency is eligible to submit up to three applications. Each application is limited to a maximum request of $690,120, which is 10% of available grant funding. Total award to each City/Agency is limited to $1,380,240, or 20% of available funding. Both project applications require 1:1 local match from the City.
The TDA Article3/SB 821 Call for Projects occurs on a biennial basis, with a release date on February 6, 2023, and a due date on April 27, 2023. Per RCTC’s TDA Article3/SB 821 adopted policies, awardees receiving an allocation have 36 months from award, defined as July 1 of the Call for Projects fiscal year cycle to complete construction. Eligible projects include:
Construction, including related engineering expenses, of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, or for bicycle safety education programs; Maintenance of bicycling trails, which are closed to motorized traffic; Maintenance and repairs of Class I off-street bicycle facilities only; Restriping Class II bicycle lanes;
Providing facilities for the use of bicycles that serve the needs of commuting bicyclists, including, but not limited to, new trails serving major transportation corridors, secure bicycle parking at employment centers, park and ride lots, and transit terminals where other funds are available; and Development of comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plans (limitations apply). Plans must emphasize bike/pedestrian facilities that support utilitarian bike/pedestrian travel rather than solely recreational activities.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department is requesting authorization from the City Council to submit a grant application requesting a total of up to $690,120 in TDA Article3/SB 821 grant funding to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Stover Avenue from east of Fury Drive to west of Eagle Rock Drive (Attachment 1).
Additionally, the Public Works Department is requesting authorization from the City Council to submit a grant application requesting a total of up to $690,120 in TDA Article3/SB 821 grant funding to install solar-powered LED-flashing stop signs, upgraded high-visibility crosswalks, updated pedestrian ramps, audible pedestrian push button systems Citywide. A full list of project locations is shown in Attachment 2.
The recommended streets and intersections are in close vicinity to local schools, parks, medical facility, the downtown area, employment centers, and commercial retail shopping centers and support requests from the community to improve these facilities and locations. If the projects are awarded, new sidewalks, stop signs, crosswalks, pedestrian ramps, and audible pedestrian push button systems are expected to improve sidewalk connectivity, enhance safety and mobility for residents, and improve public health by encouraging increased walking and a more active lifestyle. The combined effects would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions as residents would be encouraged to walk for shorter trips.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility, and Connectivity and aims to ensure safe, reliable infrastructure that benefits the community and facilitates connection between people, places, and information. The proposed TDA Article 3/SB 821 funded projects align with the goals below:
6.1 – Provide, expand and ensure equitable access to sustainable modes of transportation that connect people to opportunities such as employment, education, healthcare, and community amenities.
6.2 – Maintain, protect, and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and facilitate connectivity.
6.3 – Identify and pursue new and unique funding opportunities to develop, operate, maintain, and renew infrastructure and programs that meet the community’s needs.
This project aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The proposed improvements are part of a more significant endeavor to improve the City’s transportation network and quality of life for the residents and visitors. The proposed project improvements are primarily based on residential service requests received by the Public Works Department.
Equity – Public Works strives to improve the City’s roadway network to provide safe and reliable transportation in all areas of the City. The proposed project includes locations within all wards, many located in disadvantaged communities that will benefit from improved active transportation connectivity.
Fiscal Responsibility – The proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects leverage various city funds to garner grant funding of an equal matching amount, doubling the budget for needed improvements to a total of up to $2,760,480 (which includes the agency maximum grant award of $1,380,240).
Innovation – The proposed LED Lit Stop sign improvements combine innovative solar technology with an updated traffic safety device element to increase compliance with stop signs and improve safety at the intersections.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The construction materials specified for the proposed projects meet or exceed industry standards and are expected to last well into the future. The improvements will also promote a sustainable, healthy lifestyle by enhancing the safety and connectivity of walking paths and bikeways.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact of this recommendation is up to $2,760,480, which is comprised of $1,380,240 in RCTC grant funds over two awards, and an additional $1,380,240 in local matching funds to complete the TDA Article 3/SB 821 infrastructure improvements (Table 1).
Table 1 – Project Costs:
Project Name
TDA Article 3 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program Funds Requested Local Match Funds (50%)
Total Project Cost
Stover Avenue sidewalk improvements
$690,120
$690,120
$1,380,240
Citywide LED Stop Signs, High-Visibility Crosswalks, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), Audible Pedestrian Push Button Systems (APS), & Green Bike Lane Striping $690,120
$690,120
$1,380,240
Estimated TDA Article 3 (SB 821) Bicycle & Pedestrian Grant Program Total:
$2,760,480
If successful, the TDA Article 3 (SB 821) grant funding will be used for the construction of the pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements.
Staff will return to Council if awarded the grant with a definitive recommendation for allocating matching funding, in the amount of up to $1,380,240 from potential funding sources, including bond proceeds, surplus reserves, Special Gas Tax, Measure A, or others as available.
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Stover Ave. Sidewalk Location Map
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Project List
FY 2023/24 TDA Article3/SB 821 Grant Application ● Page 2