City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 16, 2024 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION GRANT CYCLE 6 PROGRAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIVE POINTS NEIGHBORHOOD PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FOR A GRANT FUNDED AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $6,525,000 WITH A LOCAL MATCH OF $891,000 FOR A TOTAL FUNDING PACKAGE OF APPROXIMATELY $7,416,000 AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MITCHELL AVENUE SIDEPATH GAP CLOSURE PROJECT FOR A GRANT FUNDED AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $6,756,000 WITH A LOCAL MATCH OF $709,000 FOR A TOTAL FUNDING PACKAGE OF APPROXIMATELY $7,465,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Accept a grant award in the amount of $6,525,000 from the California Department of Transportation’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 for the Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project to construct various pedestrian traffic safety infrastructure improvements at the intersection of La Sierra/Hole/Bushnell, including a pedestrian plaza with removable bollards and 1.5 miles of sidewalk on adjoining roadways, and approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $891,000 of local matching funds for a total funding package amount of $7,416,000; and accept a grant award in the amount of $6,756,000 from the California Department of Transportation’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 for the Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project to construct various pedestrian traffic safety infrastructure improvements along Mitchell Ave between Campbell Ave and Hole Ave, including 0.94 miles of new sidewalk and intersection improvements, and approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $709,000 of local matching funds, for a total funding package amount of $7,465,000.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $6,525,000, under the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 as administered by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) for the construction of the Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project; Authorize the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $6,756,000, under the ATP Cycle 6 as administered by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) for the construction of Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents in the process of securing funds under the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6, including making minor and non-substantive changes and execute agreement amendments and extensions, subject to the availability of budgeted funds; With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $6,525,000 in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, ATP Cycle 6 Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project account; and record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $891,000 in Measure A Funds, ATP Cycle 6 Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project account; and With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $6,756,000 in the Capital Outlay-Grants Fund, ATP Cycle 6 Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project account; and record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $709,000.00 in Measure A Funds, Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project account.
BACKGROUND:
On June 7, 2022, the City Council authorized the submittal of both grant applications in the amount of up to $10,000,000.00 each to California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to construct the Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project and the Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project.
On June 21, 2022, the City Council approved Master Agreement Administering Agency-State Agreement No. 08-5058S21 allowing the City to continue to receive state funds for transportation projects. With the same action, City Council adopted Resolution No. 23870 designating the City Manager to execute the Master Agreement, Program Supplement Agreements, and/or any amendments thereto with Caltrans.
On August 7, 2023, the City received an official 2022 ATP Cycle 6 grant award recipient notification.
The City of Riverside has participated in the ATP grant program since its inception in 2014, seeking funding for important active transportation projects through the submission of multiple grant applications during the first five calls for projects. To date, the City has been successful in securing millions of dollars in federal and state grants for multiple projects under ATP Cycles I, II, III, and VI benefiting the City and its residents by constructing critical pedestrian and cyclist safety and mobility enhancements.
DISCUSSION:
Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project:
The Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements project will implement pedestrian safety improvements at the Five Points intersection of La Sierra Avenue, Hole Avenue, and Pierce Street in the La Sierra community of western Riverside. The high-volume, skewed intersection is a key location within the La Sierra community, connecting several residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors. The project will construct high visibility crosswalks, add in-pavement lighting and signage, and modify signal timing to reduce conflicts between motor vehicles and pedestrians. The project will also fill in key gaps of sidewalks along Wells Avenue and other minor streets, adding 1.5 miles of new sidewalk where none currently exists.
Figure 1: Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project:
The Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure project will fill in missing sections of walkway between two existing segments of a Class I sidepath along Mitchell Avenue in the La Sierra and La Sierra Acres neighborhoods of Riverside. The project will connect the two existing segments, extending the length of the path by creating 0.94 miles of new decomposed granite sidepath along the west side of Mitchell Avenue. The new construction includes 0.37 miles of sidepath between Campbell Avenue and Gramercy Place and an additional 0.58 miles between Norwood Avenue and Hole Avenue along with sections of adjoining sidewalk. The project would close the gap between two existing segments of trail resulting in a combined 1.97-mile path from Arlington Avenue south to Hole Avenue, connecting disadvantaged communities in the La Sierra Heights and La Sierra neighborhoods to parks and schools.
Figure 2: Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Active Transportation Improvements The recommended improvements for both projects are identified in the Riverside P.A.C.T. Plan. The recommended streets and intersections are near local schools, parks, employment centers, and commercial retail shopping centers and support requests from the community through previous comprehensive public outreach efforts to improve traffic safety at these facilities and locations.
Together, these projects represent an effort to transform walkability within the impacted neighborhoods.
The proposed proven safety countermeasure improvements for both projects are expected to reduce fatal and severe injury traffic collisions as well as 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 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust. This item also 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 ATP Cycle 6 awarded projects align with the goals below:
Goal 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.
Goal 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.
Goal 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 increase the traffic safety of residents and visitors along city streets. The proposed improvement represent extensive community engagement and public outreach efforts.
Equity – The purpose of the Active Transportation Program is to encourage a healthy lifestyle and enhance public health by increasing safety and mobility of biking and walking and ensure that all Riverside residents fully share in the benefits of the program.
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 State’s Active Transportation Program.
Innovation – This project includes the City’s first planned Pavement to Parks efforts through the enhancement of the Bushnell Avenue cul-de-sac.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed ATP project aims to increase the proportion of biking and walking to connect residents to economic & educational opportunities, improve community resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of all grant awards, including the City match amount is $15,590,000.
The fiscal impact of the action for the Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project is $7,416,000. The project costs including design, construction, construction engineering, and contingencies are included in Table 1. Upon Council approval of the grant award and supplemental appropriation, an increase in the revenue account and expenditure account listed in Table 3 to complete the infrastructure improvements will be posted.
The total fiscal impact of the action for the Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project is $7,465,000. The project costs including design, construction, construction engineering, and contingencies are included in Table 2. Upon Council approval of the grant award and supplemental appropriation, an increase in the revenue account and expenditure account listed in Table 4 to complete the infrastructure improvements for the Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project will be posted.
Table 1 – Project Costs for Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project:
Project Name
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 Grant Program Funds Requested Local Match Funds (12%) / Non-Participating Funds
Total Project Cost
Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project $6,525,000
$891,000
$7,416,000
Estimated ATP Cycle 6 Grant Program Total:
$6,525,000
$891,000
$7,416,000
Table 2 – Project Costs for Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project:
Project Name
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 Grant Program Funds Requested Local Match Funds (9.5%) / Non-Participating Funds
Total Project Cost
Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project
$6,756,000
$709,000
$7,465,000
Estimated ATP Cycle 6 Grant Program Total:
$6,756,000
$709,000
$7,465,000
Table 3 – Project Funds Grant (Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project):
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Five Points Neighborhood Improvements Project
9926500-335450
$6,525,000
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Five Points Neighborhood Improvements Project
9926500-440236
$6,525,000
Measure A
9926533-440313
*$891,000
Total Expenditures:
$7,416,000
*Denotes Local Match
Table 4 – Project Funds Grant (Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project):
Fund
Project
Account
Amount
Revenue
Capital Outlay-Grants
Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Project
9410700-335450
$6,756,000
Expenditures
Capital Outlay-Grants
Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Project
9410700-440236
$6,756,000
Measure A
9410727-440223
*$709,000
Total Expenditures:
$7,465,000
*Denotes Local Match
Staff will return to the City Council to award the construction contracts for each project.
Prepared by: Philip Nitollama, City Traffic Engineer
Approved 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:
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 Awardee Notification Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project Budget Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project Map Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project Schedule Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project Budget
Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project Map
Mitchell Avenue Sidepath Gap Closure Project Schedule
Presentation
Caltrans Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 Grant Awards Acceptance ● Page 6