2 4
7 0
CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: July 2, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Bill Gallardo, Interim City Manager;
Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Authorize a Cooperative Agreement with the City of Colton for Traffic Signal Design and Construction for
Hunts Lane Harwick Drive in the amount of $385,000
(Ward 3)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino California adopt Resolution 2025-321 authorizing the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement with the City of Colton for traffic signal design and construction for Hunts Lane and Harwick Drive.
Executive Summary
The Public Works Department has identified the intersection of Hunts Lane and Harwick Drive as a critical location for the installation of new traffic signals to improve roadway safety, enhance traffic circulation, and support growing vehicle and pedestrian activity. Increased traffic volumes resulting from recent development have led to significant congestion and delays, particularly during peak travel times. This project is a collaborative effort with the City of Colton, with both cities agreeing to share the costs equally, with an estimated total project cost of $770,000. The City of San Bernardino will manage and lead the project, with the City of Colton reimbursing San Bernardino approximately $385,000 for its 50% share upon completion.
Background
The proposed traffic signal at the intersection of Hunt Lane and Harwick Drive is a critical safety and traffic management improvement. The intersection, which serves as a key access point for both the residential community and Colony Park attendees, has experienced increased traffic volumes due to recent developments in the surrounding region. To address congestion and enhance safety, a cooperative agreement will be 2 4
7 0
formed between the City of San Bernardino and the City of Colton to jointly fund, design, and construct the traffic signal.
Cost Sharing: The agreement outlines the financial responsibilities of each party involved in the project.
Design and Engineering: Under the agreement, a traffic signal design is developed according to city standards and state regulations, ensuring it meets safety and operational requirements.
Construction Timeline: The construction schedule is established, prioritizing minimal disruption to local traffic and businesses. Coordination with adjacent construction projects is also a factor to ensure smooth execution. Maintenance: Once the traffic signal is completed, the agreement may define long-term responsibilities for signal maintenance, typically falling under the jurisdiction of the City's Public Works Department.
This signal installation is intended to address both existing and anticipated traffic demands, improve vehicular and pedestrian safety, and ensure smooth access to nearby businesses and parks. The signal at Hunts Lane and Hardwick aligns with broader infrastructure goals, such as reducing congestion and supporting economic growth in the area.
On June 4, 2025, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-298, which approved the City of San Bernardino’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2025/26 through 2029/30. This action established the financial framework and funding priorities for the City’s operations and infrastructure projects for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond.
Discussion
The City of San Bernardino recently received a request from the City Council, City of Colton staff through their City Council office and City of San Bernardino residents to conduct a traffic study at the intersection of Hunts Lane and Harwick Drive. This request comes in response to concerns raised by residents and frequent Colony Park visitors about traffic congestion and potential safety issues in the area. The study assessed current traffic patterns, and pedestrian activity to identify the needed improvements.
In evaluating the need for a new traffic signal at an intersection, the City uses the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) signal warrants as the standard guideline. CAMUTCD provides specific traffic signal warrants, which are criteria used to determine if a traffic signal is justified based on factors such as traffic volume, pedestrian activity, and accident history. These warrants cover multiple scenarios, including minimum vehicle volumes, pedestrian volume, school crossing requirements, and coordinated signal systems. By applying CAMUTCD signal warrants, the City ensures that any proposed traffic signal installation meets standardized safety and operational needs, balancing traffic flow with the necessity to enhance safety for all roadway users.
2 4
7 0
Through comprehensive analysis of the signal warrants, it was determined that the location satisfies Four Hour Vehicular Volume warrant No.2 Figure 4C-101(CA) (Attachment 3), including considerations of vehicular and pedestrian traffic volume, as well as safety and operational efficiency criteria. This ensures that the installation will enhance traffic flow, reduce potential collision points, and provide safer access to adjacent properties.
The total project cost of $770,000 is based on preliminary estimates prepared by the City Engineer. These estimates were developed using historical data from similar traffic signal projects previously completed by the City and adjusted to account for current market conditions. Additional funding was included as a contingency to address potential cost fluctuations, unforeseen conditions, and project management needs.
The cities of San Bernardino and Colton are collaborating on the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Hunts Lane and Harwick Drive, with all project costs to be shared equally on a 50/50 basis. The City of San Bernardino will act as the lead agency and manage the project, with the City of Colton reimbursing San Bernardino approximately $385,000 for its share upon project completion. The estimated design cost is $40,000, with each city contributing $20,000. Construction is estimated at $600,000, with each city responsible for $300,000. An additional $100,000 is allocated for contingencies, and $30,000 is budgeted for construction management and staff time—each city contributing $50,000 and $15,000, respectively. This cost-sharing structure reflects a balanced financial partnership and supports efficient resource use to improve traffic operations and public safety at this shared regional intersection.
Although the City of San Bernardino will serve as the lead agency for this project, the City is still required to follow a formal competitive procurement process. While the cooperative agreement itself is exempt from formal bidding under San Bernardino Municipal Code (SBMC) § 3.04.010(D)(1) — which allows for intergovernmental agreements approved by the City Council — the construction phase of the project will still be subject to competitive procurement. Accordingly, the City will conduct a formal bidding process for construction in compliance with City purchasing policies and all applicable public contracting laws to ensure transparency, fairness, and fiscal responsibility.
Environmental Impact
The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, Replacement or Cost CategoryTotal Estimated CostContribution Per CityDesign $40,000.00$20,000.00Construction$600,000.00$300,000.00Contingency $100,000.00$50,000.00Construction Management & Staff Time$30,000.00$15,000.00Total $770,000.00$385,000.00 2 4
7 0
Reconstruction (“Class 2”). The Class 2 exemptions allow for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures or facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. Here, the Project involves minor improvements and replacement of existing traffic signs with traffic signals located on the same site.
The City has also considered whether the proposed Project is subject to any exception to the Class 2 exemption, as set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2. No exception applies for the following reasons:
a) The location exception only applies to Class 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 exemptions, none of which are being utilized here.
b) The proposed Project would not result in any significant cumulative impacts on the environment. The cumulative impacts exception does not apply because the Project has no
incrementally significant impacts on the environment.
c) A categorical exemption may be subject to an exception where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual
circumstances. The proposed Project does not involve any unusual circumstances and has no potential to result in a significant impact on the environment.
d) Under the “scenic highways” exception, a categorical exemption may be subject to an exception where the project may result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially
designated as a state scenic highway. The exception does not apply here as the Project would not damage any scenic
resources within a state scenic highway.
e) The Project is not located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. f) The Project site does not contain a historical resource. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
This project is consistent with Goal No. 1(e): Improved Operational & Financial Capacity by minimizing risk and litigation exposure. This project will enhance safety for all users of the roadway.
Fiscal Impact
2 4
7 0
There is no General Fund impact associated with this action. The total estimated project cost is $770,000, with the City of San Bernardino responsible for 50% ($385,000). Funding of $40,000 is included in the FY 2025/26 Adopted CIP Budget within the Traffic Safety Fund for design costs. The remaining $730,000 for construction will be included in the proposed FY 2026/27 budget, subject to City Council appropriation. As the lead agency, the City will manage the competitive procurement and contract award for construction. The City of Colton will reimburse San Bernardino for 50% of the total actual project cost upon completion or per mutually agreed billing milestones.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino California adopt Resolution 2025-321 authorizing the City Manager to execute Cooperative Agreement with the City of Colton for traffic signal design and construction for Hunts Lane and Harwick Drive.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution No. 2025-321
Attachment 2 Cooperative Agreement between City of San Bernardino & City of Colton
Attachment 3 Traffic Signal Warrant Worksheet
Ward:
Ward 3
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
June 4, 2025 Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-298 approving the City of San Bernardino’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget and 2025/26-2029-30 Capital Improvement Plan