City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2025 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: REVISED AGREEMENT ACCEPTING U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION – FY 22 CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,759; AND MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,690 ISSUES:
Approve the revised grant agreement accepting the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, FY 22 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant award in the amount of $78,759; and matching funds in the amount of $19,690 for the tentative period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the revised grant agreement accepting the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, FY 22 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant award in the amount of $78,759 for the tentative period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all required grant agreements and related documents, making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The mission of the Federal Railroad Administration is to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people. The Federal Railroad Administration accomplishes this mission primarily through issuance, implementation, and enforcement of safety regulations.
On January 28, 2025, the City Council approved the grant agreement accepting the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, FY 22 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant award in the amount of $78,759 for the tentative period of April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026 and authorized the Chief Financial Officer to record an increase in revenue and appropriation of expenditures in the amount of $78,759, or the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Fiscal Year 22 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvements Grant revenue and expenditure accounts.
DISCUSSION:
The Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Grant assists communities at risk for rail trespassing related incidents and fatalities. The grant program funds will support City of Riverside efforts to reduce rail trespassing occurrences. The object of the program is to evaluate the effectiveness of funding local law enforcement activities intended to reduce trespassing on the rail right-of-way.
On January 28, 2025, the City Council approved the grant agreement accepting the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, FY 22 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant award in the amount of $78,759 for the tentative period of April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026; and authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all required grant agreements and related documents, making minor and non-substantive changes. However, due to the issuance of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-25-13 on January 27, 2025, which temporarily paused federal grant funding and required Federal agencies to review grant programs and supporting activities “consistent with the President’s policies and requirements”, the agreement was not finalized.
The Federal Railroad Administration subsequently revised the grant agreement to comply with OMB Memo M-25-13. Updates include the addition of severability terms, modifications to environmental impact regulations, workforce development, and federal law and public policy requirements. Terms related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, and bipartisan infrastructure law signage requirements were removed. In addition, new terms specify that the Department of Transportation will not impose or enforce cooperation with federal officials in the enforcement of federal law, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Department of Homeland Security components in immigration enforcement. The scope of work and the award amount remain unchanged.
The revised grant term is one year from the program start date, tentatively January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this amended agreement. The grant amount and the City match portion remain the same as stated in the report to Council on January 28, 2025. The only changes related to the grant award are to comply with U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-25-13.
Prepared by: Brandi Becker, Police Administrator
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
Agreement
Agreement - Redlined
Federal Railroad Administration - Page 2