DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: LISA BRINTON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DAVID JACOBS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS THROUGH: GRANT LEONARD, PLANNING MANAGER
ADRIANA ROBLES, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER BY: YESENIA SEGOVIA, ASSISTANT PLANNER
GERARDO RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT ENGINEER
TITLE: 2027-2028 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution
Authorizing the City Manager to apply for the 2027-2028 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) with a City match of 11.47%, and if awarded; Delegating authority to the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement with STPG; Accepting up to $700,000 in STPG grant funds with a local City match of up to $80,290; and Approving the revenue appropriation and corresponding expenditure appropriation of the STPG grant.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) Program provides funding to local and regional agencies for transportation planning projects that improve multimodal transportation, support sustainable communities, and advance projects toward future implementation. Applying to the program will support the City’s efforts to fund planning and design work for multimodal infrastructure improvement projects throughout the City. The minimum grant award is $100,000 and the maximum award is $700,000. STPG requires an 11.47% local match.
BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is offering the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) Program for the Fiscal Year 2027-2028. The STPG Program includes four grant categories: Sustainable Communities – Competitive, Sustainable Communities – Formula, Strategic Partnerships, and Strategic Partnerships – Transit. Collectively, these grant categories provide approximately $34.9 million in state and federal funding for FY 2027–28 to eligible local and regional agencies.
The City intends to apply under the Sustainable Communities – Competitive grant category to support planning and technical studies that evaluate multimodal transportation and roadway safety needs and potential improvements within the City. Any future transportation projects identified through these studies would be subject to additional project development, environmental review, and community engagement, as appropriate. Staff anticipate that grant funds could support planning efforts such as:
Evaluating bicycle and pedestrian connectivity between Downtown Salinas, Chinatown, and the Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) Developing a Local Road Safety Plan
The specific scope of work will be further developed by Public Works and Community Development staff based on the requirements and priorities of the STPG Program. If the application is successful, the City would also actively partner with stakeholders and the broader community throughout development of the plans to ensure community needs and concerns are addressed through the planning process.
The application is due October 9, 2026, with applications evaluated during Fall 2026–Winter 2027, grant awards anticipated in Spring 2027, and project activities expected to begin in Summer 2027. Grant projects must be completed by June 2030.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This item supports the City Council’s Strategic Plan 2025-2028 Goal 3 – Infrastructure by pursuing grant funding for transportation planning efforts that improve multimodal transportation, roadway safety, and connectivity throughout the City. Potential planning activities, such as bicycle and pedestrian connectivity studies, a Local Road Safety Plan, Intersection Control Evaluations, and other transportation safety improvements would help identify projects to improve streets, connectivity and traffic operations.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
While the Community Development Department will lead the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant application, development and implementation of the proposed planning study will require coordination with the Public Works Department. Public Works will provide input on potential transportation planning and safety activities and assist in identifying opportunities that align with the City’s transportation priorities.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The STPG grant award ranges from $100,000 to $700,000 and requires a local City match of 11.47%. Therefore, the local match requirement is between $11,470 and $80,290 and would need to come from the General Fund. Community Development has identified funding for the local City match in the Advanced Planning and Project Implementation Division’s biennial operating budget (FYs 2026-27 and 2027-28).
Fund
General Ledger Number (Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
Grant Fund
TBD
Revenue
$0
$100,000-$700,000
Grant Fund
TBD
Expenditures
$0
$100,000-$700,000
1000
1000.30.3111.63.5010
Outside Services Professional Services
$92,500
$11,470-$80,290
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Page | 1
Page | 1
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT