City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2023 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING AND APPROVAL OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AGREEMENTS FOR FY 2023/24 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT - ARTICLE 3 (SB 821) - BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES PROGRAM - FOR SIDEWALK AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS FOR A GRANT FUNDED AMOUNT OF $1,266,387.50 WITH A 1:1 LOCAL MATCH FOR A TOTAL FUNDING PACKAGE OF $2,532,775 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Authorize the Public Works Department to accept grant funding and approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $1,266,387.50, for a total funding package amount of $2,532,775, through Riverside County Transportation Commission’s FY 2023/24 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program to construct a new sidewalk on Stover Avenue and intersection improvements citywide including flashing LED stop signs, rapid rectangular flashing beacons, bicycle conflict zone traffic striping, audible pedestrian signals, high visibility crosswalks, signing and striping improvements; and authorize the City Manager to execute grant agreements with RCTC to utilize the above funding.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize acceptance of Riverside County Transportation Commission FY 2023/24 TDA Article 3 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program Grant funding in the amount of $594,500 with a 1:1 local match to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps; Authorize acceptance of Riverside County Transportation Commission FY 2023/24 TDA Article 3 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program Grant funding in the amount of $671,887.50 with a 1:1 local match to construct pedestrian and bicycle intersection improvements; Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute Riverside County Transportation Commission FY 2023/24 TDA Article 3 (SB 821) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program Grant Agreements, and any related grant documents, making minor and non-substantive changes; With five affirmative votes, and upon contract execution, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee to record an increase in grant revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $594,500 in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, Stover Avenue Sidewalk Project accounts; and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $594,500 in the Gas Tax Fund, Stover Avenue Sidewalk Project account; and With five affirmative votes, and upon contract execution, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee to record an increase in grant revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $671,887.50 in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, Citywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Intersection Project accounts; and record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $671,887.50 in the Gas Tax Fund, Citywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Intersection Project account.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
On April 18, 2023, the City Council authorized the submittal of two grant applications to the Riverside County Transportation Commission to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Stover Avenue, and intersection improvements citywide including new flashing LED stop signs, new high visibility crosswalks, and new audible pedestrian push button systems Citywide.
BACKGROUND:
TDA Article 3, or SB 821, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program, is funded through a quarter cent of the general statewide sales tax. 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 Article 3/SB 821 program. TDA Article 3/SB 821 is a discretionary program administered by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC).
The amount available for programming in the 2023/2024 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 10% of available funding, or $690,120. Total award to each City/Agency is limited to 20% of available funding, or $1,380,240. In response to the call for projects, the City of Riverside submitted two applications, requesting a total of $1,266,387.50 in funding.
DISCUSSION:
On June 29, 2023, RCTC notified the Public Works Department that both of the City’s grant applications requesting TDA Article 3/SB 821 grant funding had been successful. The approved grant applications and amounts are as follows:
$594,500 with a 100% City match from the Special Gas Tax Fund to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Stover Avenue between Fury Drive and Eagle Rock Drive; and $671,887.50 with a 100% City match from the Special Gas Tax Fund to install flashing LED stop signs, rapid rectangular flashing beacons, bicycle conflict zone traffic striping, audible pedestrian signals, high visibility crosswalks, signing and striping improvements at 24 locations.
Application 1:
The first approved application requested a total of $594,500 in TDA Article 3/SB 821 grant funding to construct new concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Stover Avenue between Fury Drive and Eagle Rock Drive (Attachment 3).
Application 2:
An application requesting $671,887.50 to install pedestrian and bicycle intersection infrastructure at 24 locations citywide, including some of the following improvements: Flashing LED stop signs, rapid rectangular flashing beacons, bicycle conflict zone traffic striping, audible pedestrian signals, high visibility crosswalks, signing and striping. The locations and improvements are shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1 – Locations and Improvements:
The recommended streets and intersections are near local schools, parks, and shopping centers. When implemented, the new sidewalks, stop signs, crosswalks, and pedestrian ramps 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 their shorter trips.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This project supports Strategic Priority 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility, and Connectivity which 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.
Furthermore, 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 (Public Works) and are supported by the recommendations within the Riverside PACT.
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 improvement projects leverage $1,266,387.50 Special Gas Tax funds to garner grant funding of an equal amount, doubling the budget for needed improvements to a total of $2,532,775.
Innovation – The proposed flashing 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 fiscal impact of this action including design, construction, construction engineering, and contingencies is $2,532,775 (Table 2). Upon Council approval, supplemental appropriations will be recorded in the funds and projects as indicated in Table 3 below, including the combined $1,266,387.50 required for the City match. The City match will be funded from available fund balance in the Gas Tax Fund.
Table 2 – Project Costs:
Task
Amount
Stover Avenue Sidewalk
Design Engineering – In House
$92,000
Construction Contract
$1,005,000
Administration
$92,000
Total
$1,189,000
Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Intersection
Design Engineering – In House
$96,000
Construction Contract
$1,197,775
Administration
$50,000
Total
$1,343,775
Total (Both Projects)
$2,532,775
Table 3 - Funding Sources:
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grant
Stover Avenue Sidewalk Project
9991400-335450
$594,500.00
Expenditure
Capital Outlay-Grant
Stover Avenue Sidewalk Project
9991400-440221
$594,500.00
Gas Tax
9991427-440223
*$594,500.00
Total Stover Avenue Sidewalk Project Funding
$1,189,000.00
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grant
Citywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Intersection
9915000-335450
$671,887.50
Expenditure
Capital Outlay-Grant
Citywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Intersection
9991500-440221
$671,887.50
Gas Tax
9991527-440223
*$671,887.50
Total Citywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Intersection Funding $1,343,755.00
Total Projects Funding
$2,532,755.00
* Denotes City match portion
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Project Location Map
Project Location List
RCTC Agreement 1 – Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Intersection Improvements RCTC Agreement 2 – Stover Ave Sidewalk
FY 2023/24 TDA Article 3/SB 821 Grant Award ● Page 4