City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 27, 2026 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: 1 and 2
SUBJECT: REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AUTHORITY FOR HIGH-INTENSITY ACTIVATED CROSSWALK INSTALLATION AT THIRD STREET AND ANDERSON AVENUE IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $315,000 ISSUE:
Approval of an agreement between the City of Riverside Public Works Department and Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) confirming that RTA will reimburse the City of Riverside for all construction costs related to installation of a high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) at the intersection of Third Street and Anderson Avenue as outlined in Section 3 of the agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
Approve the proposed agreement with Riverside Transit Agency for reimbursement of actual construction costs associated with the installation of a new high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) at the intersection of Third Street and Anderson Avenue in the estimated amount of $315,000; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Reimbursement Agreement with Riverside Transit Agency, including minor non-substantial changes, subject to availability of budgeted funds.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) was established as a Joint Powers Agency on August 15, 1975, and began operating bus service on March 16, 1977. RTA is the Consolidated Transportation Service Agency for western Riverside County and is responsible for coordinating transit services throughout the approximate 2,500 square mile service area, providing driver training, assistance with grant applications and development of Short-Range Transit Plans (SRTPs). RTA provides both local and regional services throughout the region with 32 local routes, three Commuter Link express routes, on-demand GoMicro microtransit service and Dial-A-Ride services using 277 vehicles.
RTA employees have indicated that frequent pedestrian usage, increased vehicular traffic volumes, and motorists not yielding to pedestrians when crossing Third Avenue as the justification for the installation of a high-intensity activated crosswalk at the subject intersection to improve traffic operations and increase visibility of the marked crosswalk.
DISCUSSION:
The City is seeking to partner with RTA to design, administer, and construct a new high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) at the intersection of Third Street and Anderson Avenue. Due to the traffic safety concerns crossing Third Street adjacent to the RTA Headquarters, RTA has agreed to fund all construction costs associated with the high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) installation project. Initial high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) project costs are estimated at $315,000. The installation of the signal at Third Street at Anderson Avenue will not require the removal of the stop sign at the minor leg approach.
The City will be responsible for obtaining, performing, and providing all aspects of the work required for completion of the traffic signal project as outlined in Section 1 of the agreement.
City Defined Responsibilities:
High-intensity activated crosswalk design plan;
Pot holing and utility coordination;
Contract administration;
Entitlements including applicable CEQA documentation;
Bidding/hiring of any contractors;
Management of any contractors;
Liability for installation of the high-intensity activated crosswalk and its associated improvements; Public Works inspection of the high-intensity activated crosswalk; Equipment maintenance staff for equipment turn-on; and
Any and all other actions required to obtain, perform, or provide all aspects of the work.
Per the reimbursement agreement, RTA shall supply a letter of commitment for payment of the actual bid amount (plus 10 percent contingency for construction costs) prior to the award of the construction contract. If RTA does not concur with bid results, the City shall rebid the project. The City shall fund entitlements, including applicable CEQA documentation, if any. Upon the City’s acceptance of the work as completed, the City shall deliver to the agency an invoice with the total amount to be reimbursed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As RTA has committed to reimbursement of all actual construction costs associated with the installation of the proposed new high-intensity activated crosswalk at the intersection of Third Street and Anderson Avenue, project costs incurred by the City would include staff time related to drafting the required design plan, completion of the bid process, management of the project and required documentation, inspection activities, and equipment maintenance and turn-on activities which are nominal in relation to RTA funded project construction costs. Though the agreement establishes that the City is responsible for any applicable permit, entitlement, and related CEQA costs, it is anticipated that the project will be exempt from CEQA and that there will be no permitting or entitlement costs incurred.
Should this reimbursement agreement be approved, staff will advance procurement for the new HAWK signal improvements and will process the appropriate increase in revenue and appropriation sufficient to construct the project alongside the bid award in a later report to Council.
Prepared by: Philip Nitollama, City Traffic Engineer
Prepared by: Nathan Mustafa, Interim Public Works Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: Reimbursement Agreement
High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Installation at Third Street & Anderson Avenue – Reimbursement Agreement with RTA Page 3