City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MAY 2, 2023
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARD: 1
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,815,420 FROM THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CYCLE XI FOR RETROREFLECTIVE SIGNAL BACKPLATES AND LEADING PEDESTRIAN INTERVAL IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND A MEDIAN & HIGH FRICTION SURFACE TREATMENT ON MISSION INN AVENUE BETWEEN REDWOOD DRIVE TO SCOUT LANE – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Accept a Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle XI grant award in the amount of $7,815,420 to the Public Works Department for the purchase of equipment, implementation of new leading pedestrian interval signal timing, and a median & high-friction surface treatment on Mission Inn Avenue between Redwood Avenue and Scout Lane and authorize a project appropriation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Accept a Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle XI grant award in the amount of $7,815,420 to the Public Works Department for the purchase of equipment, implementation of new leading pedestrian interval signal timing, and installation of a median barrier & high friction surface treatment on Mission Inn Avenue between Redwood Avenue and Scout Lane; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) (Cycle XI) Grant Agreements and any related grant documents, making minor corrections as necessary; and With five affirmative votes, authorize the CFO, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $7,815,420 and appropriate expenditures in the same amount to the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, Signal Backplate LPI Mission Inn Project.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
On September 6, 2022, the City Council authorized the submittal of one traffic safety grant application to Caltrans for citywide signalized intersections and roadway safety improvements as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements.
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) provides grant funding for select projects aimed at achieving significant reductions in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roadways. The Public Works Department requested $7,815,420 in HSIP grant funds and committed a local match of $1,202,780 (Measure A and Gas Tax) to complete the project.
DISCUSSION:
On March 14, 2023, Caltrans notified the Public Works Department that the City’s grant application requesting Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) (Cycle XI) grant funding had been successful (Attachment 1).
The grant award is in the amount of $7,815,420 with a City local match from Measure A and Special Gas Tax Funds in the amount of $1,202,780 to install retroreflective signal backplates, implement Citywide leading pedestrian intervals at roughly 400 signalized intersections, and install a median & high friction surface treatment on Mission Inn Avenue from Redwood Drive to Scout Lane (Attachment 2).
The proposed safety countermeasure improvements are a direct result of the collision analysis, accident evaluation, and stakeholder meetings for the recently adopted Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). Upon completion of the project, the traffic safety improvements are expected to: heighten driver awareness of upcoming signalized intersections, enhance safety and mobility for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians & bicyclists at signalized intersections by providing pedestrians the opportunity to enter the crosswalks 3-7 seconds before vehicles are given a green indication, and reduce head-on and hit object type collisions on Mission Inn Avenue between Redwood Avenue and Scout Lane. The leading pedestrian interval implementation would potentially also reduce greenhouse gas emissions as residents would be encouraged to walk for their shorter trips. Pedestrian-related improvements submitted for the HSIP grant application are supported by the Riverside PACT (Pedestrian Target Safeguarding Plan, Active Transportation Master Plan, Complete Streets Ordinance, and Trail Master Plan).
The Public Works Department will return to City Council for project award and to provide updated costs after the project is advertised and bids are received.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The proposed grant application contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being, goals 2.4 and 2.5 and Strategic Priority No.6 Infrastructure, Mobility & Connectivity, goals 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4.
This project aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The HSIP application required the development of an LRSP document, which is the product of various forms of inclusive community engagement. The HSIP grant application is supported by the priority objectives of the Riverside PACT.
Equity –Many of the proposed improvements will enhance safety for non-motorized roadway users; according to the California Healthy Places Index Map households in Riverside disadvantaged communities are more often reliant on non-motorized transportation to access employment, institutions, and recreation.
Fiscal Responsibility – Riverside is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources by awarding construction and consultant services contracts to the lowest responsive bidders and utilizing available grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Innovation – The proposed HSIP grant application features innovative transportation practices currently used in the City of Riverside and supported by the Federal Highway Administration.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed HSIP application will improve safety for non-motorized forms of transportation; pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements can encourage mode shift and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $9,018,200. Upon Council approval, an increase in revenue will be recorded in the amount of $7,815,420 and an equal amount appropriated in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, Signal Backplate LPI Mission Inn Project revenue account number 9925328-331310 and expenditure account 9925328-440236 as outlined in Table 1 below. The City match portion of $1,202,780 is budgeted and available in the Measure A and Gas Tax Funds as outlined in the table below.
Table 1.
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Signal Backplate LPI Mission Inn
9925328-331310
$7,815,420
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Signal Backplate LPI Mission Inn
9925328-440236
$7,815,420
Measure A*
9925330-440313
$1,107,780
Gas Tax*
9925327-440223
$95,000
Total Expenditures:
$9,018,200
* denotes City match funds
The estimated total project cost including design, construction, construction engineering, and contingencies is $9,018,200 as outlined in Table 2 below.
Table 2.
Signal Backplate LPI Mission Inn Project
Amount
Design Engineering (includes Non-Infrastructure LPI)
$1,711,000
Construction Costs (includes contingencies)
$6,617,200
Construction Engineering Administration
$690,000
Total
$9,018,200
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:
Award Letter
Location Map
Presentation
HSIP Cycle XI Grant Acceptance ● Page 4