San Luis Obispo City Council
June 2, 2026

City Council
AGENDA

Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Council meetings may be viewed remotely on Channel 20, the City’s YouTube Channel, and on the City’s website under the Public Meeting Agendas web page. Attendees of City Council or Advisory Body meetings are eligible to receive one hour of complimentary parking; restrictions apply, visit Parking for Public Meetings for more details.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:

Public Comment prior to the meeting (must be received 3 hours in advance of the meeting):

Mail - Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Address letters to the City Clerk's Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, 93401.

Email - Submit Public Comments via email to [email protected]. In the body of your email, please include the date of the meeting and the item number (if applicable). Emails will not be read aloud during the meeting.

Voicemail - Call (805) 781-7164 and leave a voicemail. Please state and spell your name, the agenda item number you are calling about, and leave your comment. Verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. Voicemails will not be played during the meeting. *All correspondence will be archived and distributed to councilmembers, however, submissions received after the deadline may not be processed until the following day.

Public Comment during the meeting:

Meetings are held in-person. To provide public comment during the meeting, you must be present at the meeting location.

Electronic Visual Aid Presentation. To conform with the City's Network Access and Use Policy, Chapter 1.3.8 of the Council Policies & Procedures Manual, members of the public who desire to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentation must provide display-ready material to the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Contact the City Clerk's Office at [email protected] or (805) 781-7114.

Pages

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Erica A. Stewart will call the Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Jan Marx will lead the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. PRESENTATIONS

3.a PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stewart will present a proclamation declaring the month of June as "Pride Month."

3.b CITY MANAGER REPORT
Receive a brief report from City Manager Whitney McDonald.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Council welcomes your input. State law does not allow the Council to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda, except that members of the Council or staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights (Gov. Code sec. 54954.2). Staff may be asked to follow up on such items.

5. CONSENT AGENDA
Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be noncontroversial and will be acted upon at one time. A member of the public may request the Council to pull an item for discussion. Pulled items shall be heard at the close of the Consent Agenda unless a majority of the Council chooses another time. The public may comment on any and all items on the Consent Agenda within the three-minute time limit.

Recommendation:

To approve Consent Calendar Items 5a to 5k.

5.a WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL RESOLUTIONS AND

ORDINANCES
Recommendation:

Waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances as appropriate.

5.b MINUTES REVIEW - MAY 19, 2026 COUNCIL MINUTES 11
Recommendation:

Approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on May 19, 2026.

5.c 2026 BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
19 Recommendation:

Direct the review of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and the filing of a Biennial Notice with the City Clerk regarding such review, as required by the Political Reform Act.

5.d AUTHORIZE THE COLLECTION OF MULTI-DWELLING PROPERTY

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY INSPECTION FEES
23 Recommendation:

Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, authorizing the San Luis Obispo County Auditor to collect fees for 2025-26 Fire and Life Safety Inspections of Multi-Dwelling Properties containing three or more dwelling units on the Secured Property Tax Roll pursuant to California Government Code Section 54988.”

5.e 2026-27 ROAD MAINTENANCE RECOVERY ACT (SB1) FUNDING

AND PROJECTS
29 Recommendation:

Adopt a draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution Adopting a Project List for Fiscal Year 2026-27 funded by SB 1, The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.”

5.f APPROVE A SIDE LETTER REGARDING PARAMEDIC
COORDINATOR PAY TO THE JANUARY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE
30 2027 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE

CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523
39 Recommendation:

Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, approving a Side Letter to the January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027 Memorandum of
Understanding between the City of San Luis Obispo and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523” amending Article 13 – Paramedic Coordinator Pay.

5.g AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD ISLAY STREET SEWER
REPLACEMENT, SPECIFICATION NO. 2000170
49 Recommendation:

Approve the project plans and special provisions for the Islay Street Sewer Replacement, Specification No. 2000170; and,

1. Award a construction contract (Attachment A) to Souza Construction in the amount of $1,512,539 for the Islay Street Sewer Replacement, Specification No. 2000170; and,

2. Authorize the Finance Director to transfer $250,000 from the Storm Drains Annual Asset Maintenance Account (2090742) to the Islay Street Sewer Replacement Account (2000170); and,

3. Authorize the City Engineer to issue Contract Change Orders up to the available project budget, and up to any amended budget subsequently approved by the City Manager per City Purchasing Policy approval thresholds.

4. Find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.

5. 5.h FIRE DEPARTMENT’S 2025 ANNUAL REPORT 59
Recommendation:

The City Council receive and file the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department’s 2025 Annual Report.

5.i ADOPT SLO TRANSIT’S FY 2025-26 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

AGENCY SAFETY PLAN AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF

REQUIRED FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES
91 Recommendation:

Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, approving San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan”; and

1. Authorize SLO Transit’s Accountable Executive, the City Manager, to sign the FY 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan; and

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the FY 2025-26 Certifications and Assurances.

3. 5.j AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR

SOUTH BROAD STREET CORRIDOR PLANNING AND
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, SPEC. NO. 2001070
155
Recommendation:

Authorize the advertisement of a Request for Proposals for design services for the South Broad Street Corridor Planning and Demonstration Project (Specification No. 2001070), in a final form approved by the City Engineer and City Attorney; and,

1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the selected consulting firm; and,

2. Authorize the Finance Director to execute and amend purchase orders under the executed consultant agreement in an amount not to exceed the available project budget; and,

3. Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate the awarded Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant funds to the South Broad Street Corridor project account (2001070).

4. 5.k ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1757 (2026 SERIES) AMENDING TITLES 5, 16, AND 17 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING

UNITS, URBAN LOT SPLITS, MOBILE HOMES, AND OTHER

CLARIFICATIONS AND CHANGES TO REGULATIONS
211
Recommendation:

Adopt Ordinance No. 1757 (2026 Series) entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, amending Title 16 (Subdivision Regulations), Title 17 (Zoning Regulations), and Title 5 (Licenses, Permits, and Regulations) of the Municipal Code Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units, Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, Urban Lot Splits, Mobile Homes, and Other Clarifications and Changes to Regulations Associated with Housing, with an Exemption from Environmental Review (CEQA) (CODE-0149-2026)”.

6. PUBLIC HEARING AND BUSINESS ITEMS

6.a ADOPTION OF THE FY 2026-27 BUDGET SUPPLEMENT (120

MINUTES)
263
Recommendation:

Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget” and approve the allocations as stated in the Budget Supplement document; and

1. Confirm or modify cost recovery goals to be used in the FY 2026-27 user fee study; and

2. Receive a status update on the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s (SLOMA) progress related to the City’s Phase 1 grant.

3. 6.b RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON FEASIBILITY FOR ADVISORY BODY COMPENSATION (60 MINUTES)
477
Recommendation:

Receive and consider a report on the feasibility of implementing a pilot program compensating City Advisory Body Members; and

1. Adopt a draft Resolution amending the Advisory Body
Handbook to add a Parking and Food Budget section; and

2. Continue the current system of monetary compensation for only Architectural Review Commission and Planning Commission Members as City employees.

3. 7. LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Not to exceed 15 minutes. Council Members report on subcommittee assignments, listed below, and other City activities. At this time, any Council Member or the City Manager may ask a question for clarification, make an announcement, or report briefly on their activities. In addition, subject to Council Policies and Procedures, they may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information, request staff to report back to the Council at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (Gov. Code Sec. 54954.2) Mayor
Stewart
Vice Mayor
Francis
Council Member
Boswell
Council Member
Marx
Council Member
Shoresman
SLO Council of
Governments
Airport Land Use Community
Action
Partnership
Air Pollution
Control District
CP Campus
Planning
Committee
Regional
Economic Action
Coalition
Nacimiento Water
Project
SLO Climate
Coalition
County Water
Resources
Advisory
Committee
Downtown
Association
Board
CA Men’s
Colony Advisory
Committee
Zone 9 Advisory
Committee
Local Agency
Formation
Commission
Homeless
Services
Oversight
Committee
Performing Arts
Center
Commission
Integrated Waste
Management
Authority
SLO Regional
Transit Authority
Visit SLO
County Advisory
Committee
Central Coast
Clean Energy

8. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on June 16, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES for the hearing impaired - see the Clerk.

The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410.

City Council meetings are televised live on Charter Channel 20 and the City's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/CityofSanLuisObispo. Agenda related writings or documents provided to the City Council are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California during normal business hours, and on the City’s website https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-andminutes. Persons with questions concerning any agenda item may call the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114.

1 Council Minutes
May 19, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Council Members

Present:

Council Member Mike Boswell, Council Member Jan Marx,
Council Member Michelle Shoresman (arrived at 7:38 PM), Vice Mayor Emily Francis, Mayor Erica A. Stewart
City Staff Present: City Manager Whitney McDonald, Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________

1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council was called to order on May 19, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Mayor Stewart.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Francis led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. PRESENTATIONS

3.a CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Whitney McDonald provided a report on upcoming projects.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:

Shawn Harris
Fitzgerald Kelly
Barry Price
Tyler Coari
Dan See
--End of Public Comment--

5. CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comment:

None

2 --End of Public Comment--
Motion By Council Member Boswell
Second By Council Member Marx
To approve Consent Calendar Items 5a to 5j.

Ayes (4): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Vice Mayor Francis (recused on Item 5e Recommendation 2, due to owning property near the project,) and Mayor Stewart
Absent (1): Council Member Shoresman
CARRIED (4 to 0)

5.a WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances as appropriate.

5.b MINUTES REVIEW - MAY 5, 2026 COUNCIL MINUTES
Approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on May 5, 2026.

5.c DECLARATION OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND AUTHORIZATION FOR

SALE (FLEET MAINTENANCE, OFFICE, AND WATER TREATMENT

ASSETS)
Adopt Resolution No. 11646 (2026 Series) declaring the listed equipment as surplus and authorizing staff to sell the equipment in accordance with City policies.

5.d AUTHORIZATION FOR FINANCE DIRECTOR TO APPROVE

TRANSFERS FROM OPERATING TO CAPITAL BUDGETS FOR JOB

ORDER CONTRACT PROJECTS
Adopt Resolution No 11647 (2026 Series) authorizing the Finance Director to Approve Transfers from Public Works Operating Budgets to Capital Budgets for Job Order Contract Projects.

5.e FY 2025-26 Q3 BUDGET REPORT
Vice Mayor Francis declared a conflict on this item and recused on Recommendation 2, due to owning property near the project.)

1. Receive and file the FY 2025-26 Q3 Budget Report; and

2. Authorize a transfer of $30,049 from the South Broad Street Corridor project to the Public Works & Utilities Department staffing

3 budget to pay for the contract Transportation Planner/Engineer I position assigned to the project; and

3. Authorize a transfer of $110,812 and $55,406 from each of the Prado Bridge Widening and Prado Road Interchange projects to the Public Works & Utilities Department staffing budget to pay for the contract Major City Projects Manager position assigned to the projects; and

4. Authorize an increase in the Transit Fund staffing budget of $30,000.

5.f SECOND AMENDMENT TO LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
CIVICA LAW GROUP, APC, RELATED TO 1150 LAUREL CODE

ENFORCEMENT

1. Authorize the City Attorney to enter into a Second Amendment to the legal services agreement with Civica Law Group, APC, for their work in support of code enforcement actions at the commercial property located at 1150 Laurel Lane.

2. Approve $223,000 as the new contract not-to-exceed amount (an $80,000 increase).

5.g AUTHORIZE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 975

BROAD STREET, SAN LUIS OBISPO

1. Adopt Resolution No. 11648 (2026 Series) entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, authorizing the acquisition of real property located at 975 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo, California, identified as Assessor Parcel Number 002-412-010.”

2. Authorize the City Manager to sign any and all escrow documents or other associated documents necessary to complete the transaction.

3. Appropriate $1,387,500 for property acquisition and $300,000 as needed for property maintenance and required improvements using reimbursement funds received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the City’s Assigned Fund balance.

5.h UPDATE TO THE CITY’S INVESTMENT POLICY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

4 Approve Resolution No. 11649 (2026 Series) entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, Adopting the Updated Investment Policy and Management Plan” as recommended by the Investment Oversight Committee (IOC).

5.i POLICE DEPARTMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FY 2026-27

1. Authorize the Police department to submit grant applications to the following agencies for FY 2026-27:
a. California Office of Traffic Safety in an amount not to exceed $190,000.
b. California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in an amount not to exceed $93,000.
c. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs,
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $17,463.

2. If the grants are awarded, authorize the City Manager and the Chief of Police to execute related grant documents and authorize the Finance Director to make the necessary budget adjustments upon the award of the grant.

5.j LEASE AMENDMENT WITH PTI US TOWERS II, LLC FOR

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LEASE AT SANTA ROSA PARK

1. Approve Resolution No. 11650 (2026 Series) authorizing the Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement between the City of San Luis Obispo and PTI US TOWERS II, LLC, to extend the lease for telecommunications facilities at Santa Rosa Park for an additional 20-year term.

2. Authorize the Finance Director to implement any necessary budget adjustments to reflect the amended lease terms.

6. PUBLIC HEARING AND BUSINESS ITEMS

6.a REVIEW OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S

DECISION TO REVOKE A USE PERMIT FOR OPERATION OF A
FRATERNITY ORGANIZATION AT 280 CALIFORNIA BLVD (MOD-0036- 2026, APPL-0174-2026) (90 MINUTES)

5 Vice Mayor Francis and Mayor Stewart noted their Ex Parte Communications regarding the project. Council Member(s) Marx and Boswell reported having no Ex Parte Communications.

Mallory Patino, Assistant Planner and Rachel Cohen, Principal Planner provided an in-depth staff report and responded to Council questions.

Appellent Representative, Joshua Pinsky, President of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, provided a statement on behalf of the Fraternity.

Public Comments:

Neal Parthasarathy
Jonah Hulvershorn
Brett Cross
Steven Walker
Kathie Walker
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Mayor Stewart
Second By Vice Mayor Francis
Adopt Resolution No. 11651 (2026 Series) entitled, “Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, denying an appeal and upholding the Planning Commission’s decision to revoke the Conditional Use Permit for a fraternity located at 280 California Boulevard. The project is exempt from environmental review under Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and Section 15270 (Projects which a Public Agency Rejects or Disapproves) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as represented in the council agenda report and attachments dated May 19, 2026 (MOD-0036-2026, APPL-0174-2026).” Ayes (4): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
Absent (1): Council Member Shoresman
CARRIED (4 to 0)
Council Member Shoresman arrived at 7:38 PM.

6.b 2026 VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN (90 MINUTES)
Luke Schwartz, Transportation Manager and Dana Murray, Transportation Planner/Engineer I provided an in-depth staff report and responded to Council questions.

6 Public Comments:

Desi Lance
Beth Leibovich
Steve Jarrett
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Vice Mayor Francis
Second By Council Member Shoresman

1. To adopt Resolution No. 11652 (2026 Series) entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, approving the 2026 City of San Luis Obispo Vision Zero Action Plan” including the administrative edits presented in the staff agenda correspondence and altering the plan title, based on the feedback received at the meeting to include spelling out the name San Luis Obispo and including a reference to Safe Streets for All.

2. Incorporating the following feedback received at the meeting on the suggested Vision Zero project priorities:
 Go back to the Active Transportation Committee to get suggestions on some of the other improvements in other areas  Track the right-hand turn collision rates going forward.  Annual data collection
 Soften the rules around riding on sidewalks in specific locations where there is no infrastructure or just in marked locations  Prioritize areas around schools
 Prioritize some of the physical changes rather than the studies  Be mindful of transitions from one infrastructure to another  Emergency pre-emption equipment should be on as many
traffic lights as possible.

Ayes (5): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Council Member Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart CARRIED (5 to 0)

7 7. LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Stewart
 Attended Coast Rail Meeting on behalf of SLO Council of Governments (SLOCOG) on May 15th. All travel paid for by SLOCOG.
 Attended the REACH Economic Development Roundtable in Templeton on May 14th.
 Attended the Peace Officers Memorial on May 7th
 Attended the SLO Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA) Meeting on May 6th
Vice Mayor Francis
 Attended the Peace Officers Memorial on May 7th
 Spoke at XXXX CalPoly
 Attended the Mayor's meeting on May 15th in Atascadero  Attended the FPAC Celebration of Student Matinees on May 15th  Attended a UCLA Housing and Transportation Training on May 18th Council Member Boswell
 Attended a UCLA Housing and Transportation Training on May 18th Council Member Marx
 Attended the County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) on May 6
 Attended the Mental Health Forum held by Dawn Addis on May 8th  Attended the City Farm SLO Sheep Shearing Shindig on May 9th  Attended the Graduation for San Luis College of Law
 Attended the Jewish American Festival
Council Member Shoresman
 Attended CP Campus Planning Committee on May 15th
 Attended the Integrated Waste Management Authority on May 13th  Attended the Peace Officers Memorial on May 7th

8  Outfitted a unit at Welcome Home Village
 Ribbon Cutting for theCommunity Mural on May 9th

8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:09 p.m. A Special Meeting of the City Council will be held on May 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo. The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

APPROVED BY COUNCIL: XX/XX/202X

Item 5c
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1021
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Sara Armas, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: 2026 BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE

RECOMMENDATION
Direct the review of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and the filing of a Biennial Notice with the City Clerk regarding such review, as required by the Political Reform Act.

POLICY CONTEXT
The Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code §81000 et. seq, requires all public agencies to adopt and maintain a Conflict of Interest Code. Additionally, the Act requires agencies to 1) regularly review and update their codes when change is necessitated by changed circumstances, 2) requires the code-reviewing body to direct a biennial review no later than July 1 of each even-numbered year, 3) requires that if a change in the Code is necessitated by this review, it must be submitted to the City Council for approval within ninety (90) days of the filing of the Local Agency Biennial Notice with the City Clerk, and 4) requires that the agency head (City Manager), no later than October 1, shall file a statement regarding the results of that review. (Government Code §82011(c), 87306, 87306.5).

DISCUSSION
Background
The City’s Conflict of Interest Code establishes disclosure requirements for public officials, employees, and consultants concerning their personal financial interests and based on their level of decision-making authority for the agency. The Act requires each city to adopt a local conflict of interest code designating city positions not otherwise designated in the Act itself that are involved in making or participating in the making of decisions at all levels of municipal government. These disclosures are made through filings of a “Statement of Economic Interest” (Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700) when these individuals assume office, leave office, and on an annual basis for the duration of their role.

Item 5c
To maintain this Conflict of Interest Code, the Act requires agencies review their code biennially to determine if amendments are necessary. Amendments may be necessary for the following:
 The addition, deletion, or modification of the specific types of investments, business positions, interests in real property, and sources of income which are reportable for the designated positions
 Addition of, reclassification of, renaming of, or deletion of designated positions The Act provides that no later than July 1 of each even-numbered year, code-reviewing bodies (City Council) shall direct the review of all agency (City of San Luis Obispo) codes under their jurisdiction and requires that the agency head (City Manager) shall file a statement regarding the results of that review no later than October 1. A preliminary determination has been made by City staff that amendments to the current Conflict of Interest Code are necessary due to the creation of new positions and changes to existing position classifications. Following Council direction to conduct the biennial review, a detailed review will be conducted with final recommendations presented to City Council by October 1.

Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
The current Conflict of Interest Code was adopted by Resolution No. 11516 at the City Council September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting.

Public Engagement
Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide public comment before or at the meeting of June 2, 2026.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2026-27
Funding Identified: No

Item 5c
Fiscal Analysis:

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $N/A $ $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:

Total $N/A $ $ $
Cost associated with this review and update are included in the City Clerk Department’s annual operating budget.

ALTERNATIVES
Council could choose not to direct review of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code.

This direction would be out of compliance with state law requiring biennial review of the City’s Code.

Item 5d
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8503
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Randy Harris, Interim Fire Chief
Prepared By: Nicole Vert, Business Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE COLLECTION OF MULTI-DWELLING PROPERTY

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY INSPECTION FEES

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, authorizing the San Luis Obispo County Auditor to collect fees for 2025-26 Fire and Life Safety Inspections of Multi-Dwelling Properties containing three or more dwelling units on the Secured Property Tax Roll pursuant to California Government Code Section 54988.”

POLICY CONTEXT
California Health & Safety Code Section 13146.2(b) authorizes cities to charge property owners to recover the reasonable costs of providing mandated Fire and Life Safety annual inspections for multi-dwelling properties with three or more units.

On June 7, 2005, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 1472 authorizing the collection of annual fees for these inspections through the secured County property tax roll as the most cost-efficient method for fee collection (City Municipal Code Section 3.50.01(c)). A listing of fees by Assessor’s Parcel Number will be submitted to the County AuditorController for collection on the 2025-26 secured property tax roll in accordance with the County’s schedule and data format requirements, pursuant to California Government Code 54988, et seq. The County requires an annual resolution adopted by the Council authorizing the continued collection of those fees on the property tax roll.

DISCUSSION
Background
In May 2005, the City Council amended the master fee schedule for the recovery of costs related to state-mandated fire and life safety inspections for multi-dwelling properties with three or more units. In FY 2025-26, the City submitted $343,826.62 to the County to be billed on tax rolls based on the fee schedule in place at the time of submission. The City’s adopted fee schedule is adjusted annually by the All-Urban Consumer Price Index, Los Angeles area based on the change from April to April. The current fee schedule was

Item 5d
increased three percent (3%) from the previous fiscal year and the expected revenue for FY 2026-27 will be $354,141.42 from 1,433 properties.

There are several options for collecting these fees: individual billings through our account receivable system, including those amounts with utility bills; or adding these fees to the property tax rolls. Both of those options would require additional staff time for billing and payment processing and increased administrative effort to track and pursue delinquent accounts. Collection through the County property tax roll provides a more efficient and reliable method for recovering the program costs.

State law (Government Code 54988) establishes the process by which cities may collect certain inspection fees on the County property tax roll. The statute requires Council to annually review and approve the charges proposed for collection through the tax roll and authorize their transmittal to the County. Council adopts a resolution each year authorizing placement of eligible Fire and Life Safety Inspection Program fees on the secured property tax roll.

Staff is recommending that the fees for these inspections continue to be collected through the secured property tax roll in 2026-27 and is requesting that Council adopt the required resolution to authorize that collection.

Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
On June 17, 2025, the City Council authorized the continued collection of multi-dwelling property Fire and Life Safety Inspection Fees with the adoption of Resolution No. 11572 (2025 Series).

Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the June 2, 2026, City Council meeting and will follow all required postings and notifications. The public will have the opportunity to provide comment on this item at or before the meeting.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2026-27
Funding Identified: N/A

Item 5d
Fiscal Analysis:

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $N/A $ $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:

Total $ $ $ $
As of May 4, 2026, the City had collected $245,000 of the expected $343,826.62 for fiscal year 2025-26, with the remaining amount expected to be posted in the near future as the deadline to pay property taxes was April 10, 2026, and the County remits payment to the City in June. Any unpaid taxes are now delinquent.

ALTERNATIVES
Do not adopt the Resolution and go to a less cost-effective billing system administered by the City’s Finance Department. Finance would become responsible for billing property owners for the inspection fees, increasing both workload and processing costs with individual mailings. Potential for non-payments would increase and Finance would be tasked with following up with non-payments.

ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution authorizing collection of Multi-Dwelling Property Fire and Life Safety Inspection Fees

R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS

OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO
COUNTY AUDITOR TO COLLECT FEES FOR 2026-27 FIRE AND LIFE

SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF MULTI-DWELLING PROPERTIES

CONTAINING THREE OR MORE DWELLING UNITS ON THE SECURED

PROPERTY TAX ROLL PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT
SECTION 54988.

WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is required by California Health & Safety Code Section 17921 annually to inspect multi-dwelling properties containing three or more dwelling units, including apartments, certain residential condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and congregate residences; and
WHEREAS, California Health & Safety Code Section 13146.2(b) authorizes cities to charge property owners in recovering the reasonable costs of providing these annual inspections; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo first authorized fee placement on the secured property tax roll with adoption of Ordinance No. 1472 on June 7, 2005; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 11572 (2025 Series) adopted on June 17, 2025, authorized the continued collection of multi-dwelling property Fire and Life Safety Inspection Fees; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to continue collection of these fees on the secured property tax roll for 2026-27.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows
SECTION 1. Pursuant to California Health & Safety Code Section 13146.2(b) and Municipal Code Section 3.50, the Council hereby authorizes and directs that Fire and Life Safety Inspection fees shall continue to be collected on the secured property tax roll by the San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller for fiscal year 2026-27. A listing of fees by assessor’s parcel number shall be provided to the County Auditor-Controller for collection on the 2026-27 secured property tax roll in accordance with their schedule and data format requirements, pursuant to California Government Code 54988.

Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member ___________, and on the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

Resolution No. _____ (2026
Series) Page 2
R ______
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 2026. ___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk

Item 5e
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 9501
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Public Works & Utilities Director
Prepared By: Brian Nelson, Deputy Director of Public Works / City Engineer, and Morgan Edmunson, Engineer II
SUBJECT: 2026-27 ROAD MAINTENANCE RECOVERY ACT (SB1) FUNDING AND

PROJECTS

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution Adopting a Project List for Fiscal Year 2026-27 funded by SB 1, The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.” (Attachment A)

POLICY CONTEXT
This action and the associated resolution are required by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for the use of Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act of 2017 RMRA funds. The proposed projects are consistent with the 2025-27 Financial Plan and Major City Goals.

DISCUSSION
Background
On April 28, 2017, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1 (SB1) (Beall, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), which is known as the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act of 2017 (RMRA).

RMRA/SB1 addresses basic road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety needs on both the state highway and local roadway systems. RMRA provides funding by charging:

1. An additional 12 cents per gallon on the gasoline excise tax effective November 1, 2017.

2. An additional 20 cents per gallon on the diesel fuel excise tax effective November 2, 2017.

3. An additional vehicle registration tax called the “Transportation Improvement Fee” with rates based on the value of the motor vehicle effective January 1, 2018.

4. An additional $100 vehicle registration tax on zero emissions vehicles model year 2020 or later effective July 1, 2020.

Item 5e
Based on the latest forecasts (January 2026), the City is estimated to receive approximately $1,389,851 of RMRA funding in FY 2026-27. RMRA funds are programmed into the financial plan to help fund eligible Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has published guidelines for programming and reporting on the use of RMRA funds. Annually on July 1st, the City must submit a project list to the CTC for the coming year, as approved by Council with this staff report. By October 1st of every year, staff submit a project expenditure report directly to the CTC for the prior year expenditures. This report and City Council Resolution complete the City’s obligation for the RMRA fund programming via the project list submission for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

Recommended Use of 2026-27 RMRA/SB1 Funding
2026 Roadway Sealing Project, Specification No. 2000617 The 2026 Roadway Sealing Project, planned to start construction in summer of 2026, is part of the City’s ongoing pavement management plan, which alternates between maintenance of neighborhood streets in even years, and maintenance and repair of arterial streets in odd years. This approach is intended to promote equity between residential and commercial areas and spread the benefits to the entire community.

The 2026 Roadway Sealing Project is structured with a Base Bid and one Additive Alternative to maximize the scope of work within available funding. The project’s Base Bid includes roadway slurry sealing, striping, and implementation of the City’s Active Transportation Plan and Vision Zero goal on the following streets:
 Roadway Sealing (Slurry and Stripe)
a. Mill Street Neighborhood Greenway (Chorro Street to Pepper Street)
b. Meadow Park Neighborhood Greenway
c. Sinsheimer Park Neighborhood
d. Southwood Neighborhood
e. French Park Neighborhood
 Roadway Striping Refresh (no paving work or other improvements) a. Aerovista Place (Airport Drive to Broad Street)
b. South Street (Higuera Street to Broad Street)
c. Bishop Street (Augusta Street to Johnson Avenue)
d. Sierra Way (Ella Street to Bishop Street)
e. Johnson Avenue (Monterey Street to Buchon Street and San Luis Drive to Bishop Street)
f. North Chorro Street (Ferrini Road to Foothill Boulevard and Rougeot Place to Murray Avenue)
g. California and Foothill Intersection
h. Santa Fe Road (Airport to Broad Street)
 Fog Seal and Stripe
a. San Luis Drive (Johnson Avenue to California Boulevard) b. Orcutt Road (Broad Street to Laurel Lane)

Item 5e
c. Johnson Avenue (Buchon Street to San Luis Drive)
 Crack Seal
a. South Broad Street (Tank Farm to Southern City Limit)  Methacrylate
a. Elks Lane Bridge
The project’s Additive Alternative A includes slurry and striping on the below street segment:
a. Broad Street (Tank Farm Road to Farmhouse)
Figure 1 below shows the locations identified in the 2026 Roadway Sealing Project for roadway sealing, striping refresh, fog seal and stripe, methacrylate, and crack seal.

Item 5e
Figure 1: 2026 Roadway Sealing Project Map
In addition to roadway reconstruction and maintenance, the 2026 Roadway Sealing Project will incorporate various street modifications outlined in the City’s Active Transportation Plan, aimed at bolstering safety and mobility for all road users. These strategies, including implementing the Mill Street Neighborhood Greenway and installing high-visibility crosswalk markings on Orcutt Road, encompass design elements specifically crafted to enhance pedestrian crossing safety, augment separation between bicyclists and motor vehicle traffic, and implement measures to mitigate traffic intensity and lower speeds on select streets.

Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
At the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting, staff received Council authorization to advertise the 2026 Roadway Sealing Project.

Public Engagement
Public engagement is ongoing for the summer roadway maintenance project proposed to be funded by SB1 funds. In addition, the public has an opportunity to comment on this item at or before the Council meeting.

CONCURRENCE
There is concurrence from the Finance Department and CIP Review Committee through its review and approval of the 2025-2027 Financial Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The 2026 Roadway Sealing project qualifies for an Exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project consists of the repair and maintenance of existing roadways, and minimally disruptive surface improvements within an existing built urban environment (pavement markings, signposts, etc.). A Notice of Exemption was filed through the Community Development Department for the 2026 Roadway Sealing project.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2026-27
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:

Funding Sources
Total
Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
Other: RMRA/SB1 $1,389,851 $1,389,851 $0
Total $1,389,851 $1,389,851 $0

Item 5e
The recommendations in this report will:

1. Establish a project list for the FY 2026-27. The establishment of this project list does not commit these RMRA funds. Council could, at any point prior to expenditure, change funding priorities or project allocations based upon changes in economic conditions that could impact SB1 revenue. Any project list changes would be communicated to the CTC via the annual expenditure report in October each year. The below table indicates the total SB1 funding contribution to be used for the 2026 Roadway Sealing Project. Council received a separate staff report at the May 5, 2026, meeting requesting authorization to advertise the project, which included total costs and general fund contributions to the work.

RMRA SB 1 Project List for FY 2026-27
Project 2026-27 Funding
2026 Roadway Sealing Project $1,389,851
Total $1,389,851
Estimated SB 1 2026-27 $1,389,851

ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could deny adoption of the resolution to fund these Capital Improvement Plan projects using RMRA funds. If RMRA funds are not allocated to these projects, alternative funding sources will need to be identified from within the Capital Improvement Plan to proceed with implementation of the May 5th Councilapproved 2026 Roadway Sealing Project. This project improves critical safety needs, maintains existing infrastructure, and furthers the City’s transportation multi-modal and climate action goals.

ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution adopting the list of projects to receive 2026-27 RMRA Funding.

R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS

OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A PROJECT LIST FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2026-27 FUNDED BY SB 1, THE ROAD REPAIR AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1 (SB-1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in April 2017 to address the significant multi-modal transportation funding shortfalls statewide; and
WHEREAS, SB 1 includes accountability and transparency provisions that will ensure City residents are aware of the projects proposed for funding in the community and which projects have been completed each fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the City must adopt by resolution a list of projects proposed to receive fiscal year funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), created by SB-1, which must include a description and the location of each proposed project, a proposed schedule for the project’s completion, and the estimated useful life of the improvement; and
WHEREAS, the City will receive an estimated $1,389,851 in RMRA funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27 from SB-1; and
WHEREAS, this is the tenth year in which the City is receiving SB-1 funding and will enable the City to continue essential road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, safety improvements, and increasing access and mobility options for the traveling public that would not have otherwise been possible without SB-1; and WHEREAS, the City has undergone a robust public process to ensure public input into the community’s transportation priorities, and budgeting process that has been adopted by the City Council that includes a full listing of Capital Improvements Plan projects and funding sources including SB-1; and
WHEREAS, the City used a Pavement Management System and other goals such as the complete streets elements and bicycle and pedestrian safety to develop the SB-1 project list to ensure revenues are being used on the most high-priority and cost-effective projects that also meet the community’s priorities for transportation investment; and WHEREAS, the funding from SB-1 will help the City maintain and rehabilitate streets/roads, sidewalks, and add active transportation infrastructure throughout the City this year and similar projects into the future; and
WHEREAS, the 2022 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment found that the City/County’s streets and roads are in an “At Risk” condition

Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 2
R ______
and this revenue will help the City increase the overall quality of the road system and over the next decade will bring City streets and roads into a “good” condition; and WHEREAS, the SB-1 project list and overall investment in the City’s streets and roads infrastructure with a focus on basic maintenance and safety, investing in complete streets infrastructure and active transportation projects, and using cutting-edge technology, materials and practices, will have significant positive co-benefits statewide.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows:

SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.

SECTION 2. The following project will be funded in-part with Fiscal Year 2026- 27 RMRA revenues:

Project Title: 2026 Roadway Sealing Project
Project Description: 2026 Roadway Sealing work consistent with Pavement Maintenance Plan
Project Location:

1. Roadway Sealing (Slurry and Stripe)
a. Mill Street Neighborhood Greenway (Chorro Street to Pepper Street)
b. Meadow Park Neighborhood Greenway
c. Sinsheimer Park Neighborhood
d. Southwood Neighborhood
e. French Park Neighborhood

2. Roadway Striping Refresh (no paving work or other improvements) a. Aerovista Place (Airport Drive to Broad Street)
b. South Street (Higuera Street to Broad Street)
c. Bishop Street (Augusta Street to Johnson Avenue)
d. Sierra Way (Ella Street to Bishop Street)
e. Johnson Avenue (Monterey Street to Buchon Street and San Luis Drive to Bishop Street)
f. N Chorro Street (Ferrini Road to Foothill Boulevard and Rougeot Place to Murray Avenue)
g. Santa Fe Road (Airport to Broad Street)
h. California and Foothill Intersection

3. Fog Seal and Stripe
a. San Luis Drive (Johnson Avenue to California Boulevard) b. Orcutt Road (Broad Street to Laurel Lane)
c. Johnson Avenue (Buchon Street to San Luis Drive)

4. Crack Seal
a. South Broad Street (Tank Farm to Southern City Limit)

5. Methacrylate
a. Elks Lane Bridge

Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 3
R ______
The project’s Additive Alternative A include slurry and stripe on the below street, respectively:
a. Broad Street (Tank Farm Road to Farmhouse)
Estimated Project Schedule: Start August 2026 — Completion December 2026 Estimated Project Useful Life: 10 years
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member ___________, and on the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 2026. ___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk

Item 5f
Department: Human Resources
Cost Center: 3001
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Nickole Domini, Human Resources Director
Prepared By: Jeff Andrews, Human Resources Manager
SUBJECT: APPROVE A SIDE LETTER REGARDING PARAMEDIC COORDINATOR PAY TO THE JANUARY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30 2027

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN

LUIS OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, approving a Side Letter to the January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Luis Obispo and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523” amending Article 13 – Paramedic Coordinator Pay. (Attachment A)

POLICY CONTEXT
The Side Letter Agreement of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in alignment with Council adopted Compensation Philosophy and Labor Relations Objectives, California Code of Regulations (CCR) sections 571 and 571.1, and California Government Codes (GC) 20049 and 20636. For California Public Employees' Retirement System (CaIPERS) classic members (those who joined the system before January 1, 2013), CCR section 571(b)(1) provides that all items of special compensation must be supported by a written labor policy or agreement that has been approved by the employer’s governing body. The labor policy must clearly explain eligibility requirements. For Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) members (those who joined the system on or after January 1, 2013), requirements for documenting incentives in a written labor agreement are defined in CCR section 571.1(a)(4)(H), which provides that pensionable compensation must be paid pursuant to a publicly available pay schedule that does not reference another document in lieu of disclosing the item of pensionable compensation. GC section 20049 defines “Labor policy or agreement” as any written policy, agreement, memorandum of understanding, legislative action of the elected or appointed body governing the employer, or any other document used by the employer to specify the payrate, special compensation, and benefits of represented and unrepresented employees.

Item 5f

DISCUSSION
Background
The City and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 ("Fire"), reached an agreement for the successor 2021-2023 Fire MOU that was adopted and ratified by the Council on July 20, 20211. A new incentive called Paramedic Coordinator Pay, a 5% pay incentive to employees assigned to Paramedic Coordinator duties, was negotiated as part of the agreement. The City and Fire reached an agreement for the successor 2024-20272 Fire MOU, with no substantive changes to the Paramedic Coordinator Pay Article, which is currently active.

In February 2026, (CaIPERS) conducted a compliance review of compensation reported on behalf of a City employee that has since retired. The review determined that the Paramedic Coordinator Pay, as currently defined in Article 13 of the 2024–2027 Fire MOU, does not comply with the applicable statutes under the California Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL).

Importantly, the City of San Luis Obispo is not alone in receiving this type of feedback from CalPERS. Agencies throughout California are experiencing similar reviews, with CalPERS requiring small updates or clarifications to long-standing MOU language – even in cases where such language has remained unchanged for decades.

CalPERS indicated that for the Paramedic Coordinator Pay to remain reportable as special compensation, the MOU Article must clearly demonstrate that this pay is provided to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to training activities in auxiliary medical techniques, which aligns with the department’s operational practices. In addition, while the current language states that the payment is available to Firefighters/Paramedics, Fire Engineers, and Fire Captains, it creates a group-or-class issue3 under GC 20636 due to the discretionary authority granted to the Fire Chief. To maintain compliance, clear and objective eligibility criteria must be established to ensure the payment is uniformly available to all employees who meet the defined conditions.

This issue appears not only in the current 2024–2027 MOU but also in the prior 2021– 2023 MOU. Staff worked closely with CalPERS to craft revised language that resolves the concerns present in both MOUs. The corrected language is included in the Paramedic Coordinator Pay Side Letter (Attachment B). The legislative draft changes are shown in Attachment C.

Because statutes and regulations require City Council approval for all items classified as special compensation, the revised language is being presented for formal adoption

1 Resolution 11265 (2021 Series)
2 Resolution 11461 (2023 Series)
3 A "group or class issue" typically arises when an employee receives pay or benefits that are not applied equally to similarly situated employees in the same logical work-related grouping (e.g., job duties or work location.)

Item 5f
through the Side Letter. This action will allow a retired member to receive the appropriate pensionable compensation and will ensure ongoing compliance for current employees serving as Paramedic Coordinators.

Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
The City Council adopted the 2024-27 Fire MOU on December 5, 2023.

Public Engagement
This report is on the consent agenda for June 2, 2026. The agenda and report will be posted seven days in advance of the meeting, and the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback during public comment in advance of the Council voting on the consent agenda.

CONCURRENCE
The parties fulfilled meet and confer obligations and Fire union members voted in favor of ratifying the side letter agreement on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2025-26 and ongoing
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:

There is no fiscal impact to approving this Side Letter Agreement. The City has reported the Paramedic Coordinator Pay premium as special compensation to CalPERS since the adoption of the 2021-23 Fire MOU.

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund
State
Federal
Fees
Other:

Total $0 $0 $0 $0

ALTERNATIVES

Item 5f
Do not approve the Side Letter Agreement. Instead, direct staff to return to the bargaining table with Fire. The Side Letter follows applicable statues and regulations and aligns with the City’s current practice.

ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft Resolution approving a Side Letter to the January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Luis Obispo and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523
B. Exhibit A to Draft Resolution – Side Letter Agreement Signed C. Side Letter Agreement Legislative Draft

R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS

OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A SIDE LETTER TO THE
JANUARY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, MEMORANDUM OF

UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL
3523
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution #11265 (2021 Series) ratifying the 2021-2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Luis Obispo and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 (Fire); and WHEREAS, on December 5, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution #11461 (2023 Series) ratifying the 2024-2027 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Luis Obispo and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 (Fire); and
WHEREAS, due to CalPERS review, the City is required to make modifications via a Side Letter approved by the City Council to clarify the City’s existing practices for providing Paramedic Coordinator Pay to conform with CalPERS requirements.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows:

SECTION 1. The Side Letter to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Luis Obispo and The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523, attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference, is hereby approved by the Council. All other terms and conditions of the MOU remain as previously approved.

SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall file and furnish a copy of this Resolution to Eric Lokkart, President of The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523, and Nickole Domini, Director of Human Resources.

SECTION 3. Amendments to compensation for The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 do not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.

Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member ___________, and on the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 2026.

Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 2
R ______
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk

SIDE LETTER TO THE JANUARY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2027, MEMORANDUM OF

UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523
The City of San Luis Obispo and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 agree to the listed terms and conditions of this Side Letter. Except as modified by this Side Letter, all existing terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding shall remain unchanged.

ARTICLE 13 – PARAMEDIC COORDINATOR PAY
A. The City shall provide an additional five percent (5%) pay incentive, calculated based on the employee’s base rate of pay, to Firefighters, Fire Engineers, or Fire Captains who hold an active paramedic certification and are routinely and consistently assigned to coordinate training activities in auxiliary medical techniques as a Paramedic Coordinator.

B. The pay incentive shall take effect beginning the first full pay period following the assignment and shall remain effective throughout the duration of the employee’s assignment as Paramedic Coordinator.

C. This pay incentive shall apply to both MOU periods: January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.

This Side Letter shall be of no force and effect until approved by the City Council. All terms and conditions of The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 Memorandum of Understanding not specifically modified herein shall remain in effect for the term of the agreement as specified above.

CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523
Randy Harris,
Interim Fire Chief
Howard A. Liberman,
Labor Relations Consultant
Whitney McDonald,
City Manager
Eric Lokkart,
Local 3523 President
Nickole Domini,
Director of Human Resources
Jake Barkhimer,
Local 3523 Vice President
Docusign Envelope ID: F260C477-436C-89F6-82DA-D6404EC4838E

SIDE LETTER TO THE JANUARY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2027, MEMORANDUM OF

UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523
The City of San Luis Obispo and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 agree to the listed terms and conditions of this Side Letter. Except as modified by this Side Letter, all existing terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding shall remain unchanged.

ARTICLE 13 – PARAMEDIC COORDINATOR PAY
A. The City shall pay provide an additional five percent (5%) pay incentive, ofcalculated based on the employee’s base rate of pay, to those Firefighters/Paramedics, Fire Engineers, or Fire Captains who hold an active paramedic certification and are routinely and consistently assigned to coordinate training activities in auxiliary medical techniques as a Paramedic Coordinator duties by the Fire Chief or designee.

B. Theis pay incentive is effective shall take effect beginning the first full pay period following the assignment and shall remain effective throughout the duration of the employee’s assignment as Paramedic Coordinator.

C. This pay incentive shall apply to both MOU periods: January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.

This Side Letter shall be of no force and effect until approved by the City Council. All terms and conditions of The International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523 Memorandum of Understanding not specifically modified herein shall remain in effect for the term of the agreement as specified above.

CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523
Randy Harris,
Interim Fire Chief
Howard A. Liberman,
Labor Relations Consultant
Whitney McDonald,
City Manager
Eric Lokkart,
Local 3523 President
Nickole Domini, Jake Barkhimer,

Director of Human Resources Local 3523 Vice President

Item 5g
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 6102
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Public Works & Utilities Director
Prepared By: Hai Nguyen, Senior Civil Engineer
Miguel Barcenas, Utilities Deputy Director / Engineering and Planning SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD ISLAY STREET SEWER REPLACEMENT, SPECIFICATION NO. 2000170

RECOMMENDATION

1. Approve the project plans and special provisions for the Islay Street Sewer Replacement, Specification No. 2000170; and,

2. Award a construction contract (Attachment A) to Souza Construction in the amount of $1,512,539 for the Islay Street Sewer Replacement, Specification No. 2000170; and,

3. Authorize the Finance Director to transfer $250,000 from the Storm Drains Annual Asset Maintenance Account (2090742) to the Islay Street Sewer Replacement Account (2000170); and,

4. Authorize the City Engineer to issue Contract Change Orders up to the available project budget, and up to any amended budget subsequently approved by the City Manager per City Purchasing Policy approval thresholds.

5. Find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.

POLICY CONTEXT
The City Council initially approved the Wastewater Collection System Infrastructure Renewal Strategy in January 2016 and approved the updated Renewal Strategy in August 2025. These plans identify a strategy for prioritizing pipeline replacement in the wastewater collection system to serve existing customers and future development in the City. The 2025 Renewal Strategy took into consideration previously planned capital projects, including the Islay Street Sewer Replacement project.

On May 17, 2022, Council approved a Purchasing Policy Update to the Financial Management Manual (Resolution No. 11328), requiring Council authorization to award Public Works contracts exceeding $200,000.

Item 5g

DISCUSSION
Background
Replacement and rehabilitation of wastewater collection (sewer) pipes is part of an ongoing program to maintain aging and deteriorating infrastructure. This program has several objectives: 1) ensure reliable removal of wastewater, 2) reduce the need for emergency repairs, 3) reduce the need for preventative maintenance, and 4) ensure uninterrupted wastewater flow without health or environmental hazards from wastewater leakage. This project will accomplish these objectives for a portion of the City’s wastewater collection system.

Project
The project plans and specifications include the replacement of 2,741 linear feet of sewer mains on Chorro Street, Islay Street, Santa Rosa Street, and Leff Street. As part of this work, the sewer mains on Islay Street and Santa Rosa Street will be upsized from 8 inch to 12 inch diameter to reduce the risk of sewer backups and localized overflows and improve overall system reliability and hydraulic capacity.

The project also includes 363 linear feet of storm drain replacement, consisting of failing corrugated metal pipe (CMP) on Morro Street and deteriorated concrete storm drain pipe on Santa Rosa Street. The failing 8-inch concrete storm drain pipe on Santa Rosa Street will also be upsized to 12-inch diameter to improve hydraulic capacity and reduce the potential for capacity related failures during storm events. The pipelines identified for replacement have been video inspected and confirmed to be at the end of their service life.

The Islay Street Sewer Replacement (Project), Specification No. 2000170, was advertised on March 26, 2026, with bids opened on April 23, 2026. Two bids were received and opened. Souza Engineering Contracting, Inc. (Souza) was the apparent low bidder with a bid of $1,512,539 which is $719,461 below the Engineer’s Estimate of $2,232,000. The Contractor’s references, license, and registration with the Department of Industrial Relations have been verified. Staff recommends that the project be awarded to Souza as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder (Attachment A).

Bid Summary Bid Total
1 Engineer’s Estimate $2,232,000
2 Souza Engineering Contracting, Inc. $1,512,539
3 Specialty Construction, Inc. $1,909,475
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
This Project was identified in the 2025-27 Financial Plan that was approved by Council with a budget of $2,100,000.

Item 5g
Public Engagement
Public engagement was conducted during the initial identification of this project to be included in the 2025-27 Financial Plan. During construction, staff will proactively coordinate with and inform the public about traffic control changes, access considerations, and other temporary impacts to help minimize disruptions. The project will also be featured on the SLO in Motion Website to keep the community informed about the project, including construction updates, anticipated impacts, and responses to frequently asked questions.

To ensure direct communication, affected residents within the limits of work will be notified of upcoming construction via door hangers. These notices, designed in accordance with City standards, will be distributed to all properties adjacent to the work area and will clearly outline the project's start and end dates. Additionally, in areas where parking must be restricted, "No Parking" signs will be clearly posted at least 24 hours in advance of the work.

CONCURRENCE
The Public Works Branch coordinated with the Utilities Branch to develop the project plans and specifications, and the Utilities Branch concurs with the recommended action.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The proposed project consists of the replacement and upsizing of existing sewer mains and storm drains within existing roadways, including trenching, backfilling, and road repair, and would not result in any significant impacts to the environment.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2025-26
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
LRM (2090742
- Storm Drains)
$530,819 $250,000 $280,819
State
Federal
Sewer Fund $2,080,197 $1,723,039 $357,158 N/A
Total $2,611,016 $1,973,039 $637,977 N/A

Item 5g
Islay Street Sewer Replacement (2000170)
Project Account
(2000170)
Storm Account
(2090742)
Project Total
Costs
602 Sewer Fund General Fund
Construction Bid Total $1,312,539 $200,000 $1,512,539
Contingencies $400,000 $50,000 $450,000
Material Testing $10,000 $0 $10,000
Printing $500 $0 $500
Total Cost of Project $1,723,039 $250,000 $1,973,039
Current Project Balance $2,080,197 $530,819
Remaining Balance $357,158 $280,819
Sewer line improvements contained within this project are included in the 2025–27 Financial Plan. Funding is available in Project Account (2000170), which currently has a balance of $2,080,197 which is sufficient to cover the sewer replacement costs.

The project also includes storm drain replacement work on Morro Street and Santa Rosa Street. This portion of the work will require a budget transfer of $250,000 from the Storm Drains Annual Asset Maintenance Account (2090742).

Utility improvement projects are generally associated with a higher level of construction cost uncertainty due to unknown subsurface conditions. Past sewer line replacement projects have shown that unforeseen utility conflicts and unexpected soil or groundwater conditions are commonly encountered during excavation, which can increase construction costs. These conditions can require additional excavation, trench stabilization or shoring, dewatering, potholing and hand excavation around existing utilities, and other field adjustments that are difficult to fully quantify during design.

Based on past experience and typical change orders encountered during similar utility projects, an additional $450,000 contingency has been included in the project budget.

This amount represents roughly 30% of the estimated construction cost, within the 20– 30% range typically applied to utility projects of this nature, which has historically been sufficient. Following project completion, any remaining sewer funds will be transferred to the Sewer Fund’s Undesignated Capital Account and remaining LRM funds returned to Account 2090742 for future infrastructure improvements and maintenance work.

ALTERNATIVES
Reject all bids and readvertise the project. The City Council may choose to reject all bids and readvertise this project. This option would increase the potential for unplanned costs, as the sewer mains are at the end of their useful life and more susceptible to failure.

ATTACHMENTS
A – Draft Agreement, Specification No. 2000170

AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made on _____________, by and between the City of San Luis Obispo, a municipal corporation and charter city, San Luis Obispo County, California (hereinafter called the City) and SOUZA ENGINEERING CONTRACTING, INC. (hereinafter called the Contractor).

WITNESSETH:

That the City and the Contractor for the consideration stated herein agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1, SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall perform everything required to be performed, shall provide and furnish all of the labor, materials, necessary tools, expendable equipment, and all utility and transportation services required to complete all the work of construction of
ISLAY STREET SEWER REPLACEMENT, SPECIFICATION NO. 2000170 in strict compliance with the plans and specifications therefor, including any and all Addenda, adopted by the City, in strict compliance with the Contract Documents hereinafter enumerated.

It is agreed that said labor, materials, tools, equipment, and services shall be furnished and said work performed and completed under the direction and supervision and subject to the approval of the City or its authorized representatives.

ARTICLE II, CONTRACT PRICE: The City shall pay the Contractor as full consideration for the faithful performance of this Contract, subject to any additions or deductions as provided in the Contract Documents, the contract prices as follows:

Item Item Unit of Estimated Item Price Total
No. SS(1) Description Measure Quantity (in figures) (in figures) 1 7 TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN AND
IMPLEMENTATION LS 1 $50,740.00  $50,740.00
2 77 POTHOLING LS 1 $35,060.00  $35,060.00
3 84 REPLACE TRAFFIC STRIPING &
MARKERS LS 1 $19,450.00  $19,450.00
4 7 COMPLY WITH OSHA LS 1 $7,503.00  $7,503.00
5 77 ABANDON SEWERLINE,
MANHOLES AND FACILITIES LS 1 $7,320.00  $7,320.00
6 77 SEWER BYPASS PUMPING LS 1 $23,810.00  $23,810.00
7 77 TREE PROTECTION LS 1 $760.00  $760.00
8* 19 ROCK EXCAVATION CY 100 $99.00  $9,900.00
9 5,15 REPLACE MONUMENT AND
WELL EA 2 $2,388.00  $4,776.00
Docusign Envelope ID: 09A05CD6-2BD6-8E10-81D6-2682B7137DEA

Item Item Unit of Estimated Item Price Total
No. SS(1) Description Measure Quantity (in figures) (in figures) 10 77
REMOVE EXISTING SEWERLINE
AND INSTALL NEW 8" HDPE
SEWERLINE BY OPEN

TRENCHING
LF 888 $229.00  $203,352.00
11  77
REMOVE EXISTING SEWERLINE
AND INSTALL NEW 12" HDPE
SEWERLINE BY OPEN

TRENCHING
LF  1853  $314.00  $581,842.00
12  77  INSTALL NEW SEWER MANHOLE  EA  7  $16,894.00  $118,258.00 13  77  INSTALL NEW STORMDRAIN
MANHOLE  EA  1  $13,367.00  $13,367.00
14  77  INSTALL COATING ON NEW
SSMH MANHOLE  EA  7  $5,320.00  $37,240.00
15  77  REMOVE EXISTING MANHOLE  EA  10  $1,308.00  $13,080.00 16  77  INSTALL NEW CLEANOUT  EA  3  $4,765.00  $14,295.00 17  77  CONNECT EXISTING SEWER
LATERAL TO SEWER MAIN  EA  71  $2,418.00  $171,678.00
18  77  CONNECT TO (E) SEWER
MANHOLE PER ENG. STD. 6610  EA  1  $1,308.00  $1,308.00 19*  73  REPLACE CURB AND GUTTER
PER ENG. STD. 4030  LF  75  $190.00  $14,250.00
20*  73  REPLACE SIDEWALK PER ENG.

STD. 4110  SQFT  325  $36.00  $11,700.00
21  73  REPLACE SPEED HUMP PER
ENG. STD. 7321  SQFT  250  $25.00  $6,250.00
22  73  REPLACE CROSS GUTTER PER
ENG. STD. 4310  SQFT  30  $202.00  $6,060.00
23  77  REPLACE WATER WELL AND
COVER PER ENG. STD. 6340  EA  1  $1,600.00  $1,600.00
24  77  REMOVE EXISTING AND INSTALL
NEW 12" DIP STORMDRAIN  LF  112  $357.00  $39,984.00
25  77  REMOVE EXISTING AND INSTALL
NEW 12" PVC STORMDRAIN  LF  251  $330.00  $82,830.00
26*  77  CULVERT LID REPAIR PER
DETAIL B, SHEET 6  SQFT  30  $679.00  $20,370.00
27 77  CONNECT TO (E) SD CULVERT
PER DETAIL A, SHEET 6  EA  2  $1,992.00  $3,984.00
28 77
CONNECT TO (E) STORMDRAIN
STRUCTURE PER ENG. STD.
3540
EA  1  $944.00  $944.00
29 77  PIPE PENETRATION REPAIR PER
DETAIL C, SHEET 6  EA  1  $2,173.00  $2,173.00
30 15  RE‐SET (E) PAVERS (ISLAY AND
CHORRO)  SQFT  75  $41.00  $3,075.00
Docusign Envelope ID: 09A05CD6-2BD6-8E10-81D6-2682B7137DEA

Item Item Unit of Estimated Item Price Total
No. SS(1) Description Measure Quantity (in figures) (in figures) 31 82  REPLACE SIGN POST PER ENG.

STD. 7210  EA  1  $580.00  $580.00
32*  77  RE‐GRADE SEWER LATERAL
BEYOND 5 FEET  LF  100  $50.00  $5,000.00
(1) refers to section in the Standard Specifications, with modifications in the Special Provisions, that describe required work.
* Bid item exempt from Section 9-1.06B and 9-1.06C of the Standard Specifications. The unit price will not be adjusted regardless of the final bid item quantity.

BID TOTAL: $1,512,539.00
Payments are to be made to the Contractor in compliance with and subject to the provisions embodied in the documents made a part of this Contract.

If any dispute arises regarding the work or contract price, Contractor must follow the procedures in the contract documents, including the requirements on change order requests and dispute resolution.

ARTICLE III, COMPONENT PARTS OF THIS CONTRACT: The Contract consists of the following documents, all of which are as fully a part thereof as if herein set out in full, and if not attached, as if hereto attached:

1. Notice to Bidders and Information for Bidders

2. Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards

3. Special Provisions, any Addenda, Plans and Contract Change Orders

4. Caltrans Standard Specifications and Standard Plans 2024

5. Accepted Bid and Bid Bond

6. List of Subcontractors

7. Labor Code Section 1725.5 Statements

8. Bidder Acknowledgements

9. Qualifications

10. Noncollusion Declaration

11. Agreement and Bonds

12. Insurance Requirements and Forms
ARTICLE IV INDEMNIFICATION: The Contractor shall indemnify, defend with legal counsel approved by City, and hold harmless City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from and against all liability, loss, damage, expense, cost (including without limitation reasonable legal counsel fees, expert fees and all other costs and fees of litigation) of every nature arising out of or in connection with the acts or omissions of Contractor, its employees, subcontractors, representatives, or agents, in bidding or performing the work or in failing to comply with any obligation of Contractor under this Agreement, except such loss or damage which is caused by the sole or active negligence or willful misconduct of the City. Should conflict of interest principles preclude a single legal counsel from representing both the City and the Contractor, or should the City otherwise find the Contractor’s legal counsel unacceptable, then the Contractor shall reimburse the City its costs of defense, including without limitation reasonable legal counsel fees, expert Docusign Envelope ID: 09A05CD6-2BD6-8E10-81D6-2682B7137DEA

fees and all other costs and fees of litigation. The Contractor shall promptly pay any final judgment rendered against the City (and its officers, officials, employees and volunteers) with respect to claims determined by a trier of fact to have been the result of the Contractor’s acts or omissions in bidding or performing the work or in failing to comply with any obligation of Contractor under this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that the foregoing provisions are intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of California and will survive termination of this Agreement.

The Contractor obligations under this section apply regardless of whether such claim, charge, damage, demand, action, proceeding, loss, stop notice, cost, expense, judgment, civil fine or penalty, or liability was caused in part or contributed to by an Indemnitee.

However, without affecting the rights of the City under any provision of this agreement, the Contractor shall not be required to indemnify and hold harmless the City for liability attributable to the active negligence of City, provided such active negligence is determined by agreement between the parties or by the findings of a court of competent jurisdiction. In instances where the City is shown to have been actively negligent and where the City’s active negligence accounts for only a percentage of the liability involved, the obligation of the Contractor will be for that entire portion or percentage of liability not attributable to the active negligence of the City.

ARTICLE V: It is further expressly agreed by and between the parties hereto that should there be any conflict between the terms of this instrument and the bid of said Contractor, then this instrument shall control and nothing herein shall be considered as an acceptance of the said terms of said bid conflicting herewith.

ARTICLE VI LABOR CODE COMPLIANCE: This Agreement is subject to all applicable requirements of Chapter 1 of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code, including requirements pertaining to wages, working hours and workers’ compensation insurance, as further specified in the contract documents.

The project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes. Copies of these prevailing rates are on file with the City and are available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR.

City may not enter into the Agreement with a bidder without proof that the bidder and its subcontractors are registered with the DIR to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5, subject to limited legal exceptions.

Pursuant to Labor Code § 1861, by signing this Agreement, Contractor certifies as follows:
“I am aware of the provisions of Labor Code § 3700 which require every employer to be insured against liability for workers’ compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of that code, and I will comply with such provisions before commencing the performance of the work on this contract.”

Docusign Envelope ID: 09A05CD6-2BD6-8E10-81D6-2682B7137DEA

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands this year and date first above written.

APPROVED AS TO FORM CONTRACTOR:

Souza Engineering Contracting, Inc
dba Souza Construction
______________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney _______________________________
Steve A. Souza
President

CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
A Municipal Corporation
______________________________
Whitney McDonald, City Manager
________________________________
Nickie Zepeda
Secretary

Docusign Envelope ID: 09A05CD6-2BD6-8E10-81D6-2682B7137DEA

Item 5h
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8501
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Randy Harris, Interim Fire Chief
Prepared By: Nicole Vert, Business Analyst
SUBJECT: FIRE DEPARTMENT’S 2025 ANNUAL REPORT

RECOMMENDATION
The City Council receive and file the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department’s 2025 Annual Report

POLICY CONTEXT
The Fire Department’s 2025 Annual Report (Attachment A) provides an overview of the past operational year. The report highlights both department activity and statistics that the department utilizes to analyze performance and workload.

DISCUSSION
The 2025 Fire Department Annual Report provides an overview of the past operational year. This report covers key areas integral to the Fire Department’s operations and future planning. These areas include prevention, community engagement, emergency response, training, apparatus, emergency management and mobile crisis unit. The report highlights key accomplishments.

Fire Prevention
In 2025, the San Luis Obispo Fire Department (SLOFD) spent 428 hours reviewing plans submitted for development within the City to verify compliance with all applicable fire prevention and mitigation regulations. They performed 1,800 Fire and Life Safety inspections, which inspections involve nearly every type of occupancy in the City, from apartment complexes to large warehouses, to bars and restaurants. The Department also serves as a “Participating Agency” in the County’s Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). This participation meant an additional 325 inspections performed on businesses in the City and brought in $214,000 in revenue from permits issued from the program.

Community Engagement
SLOFD actively engages in community education on the hazards and risks within the city.

Outreach efforts are designed to provide the community with practical, actionable information that may apply before, during and after an emergency occurs. Preparedness

Item 5h
education and information was a core focus for the Department in 2025. The Department held 23 wildfire preparedness forums and presentations and conducted four evacuation preparedness trainings and observations. Staff held 89 public education events that included ride-alongs, station tours and school visits. SLOFD hosted thirteen events that included a flu vaccine clinic, Bike Breakfast and 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.

Emergency Response
In 2025, SLOFD responded to 7,344 incidents, with over 9,400 total unit responses to various types of emergencies from four stations. Those incidents are broken down by:
 150 Fire responses- including structure, vehicle and wildland  4,831 Emergency Medical Service calls
 169 Hazardous conditions
 746 Service Calls- these are people in distress, smoke or odor and animal calls  927 Good Intent calls- these are calls that appear to be an emergency but are actually a controlled situation, for example a call for smoke seen is a BBQ pit in a backyard watched by the resident
 515 False Alarms- including system malfunctions and false calls The Department has daily minimum staffing of 14 firefighters across four stations, with at least one paramedic staffed at each station. Those 14 include one battalion chief, four captains, five engineers and four firefighters.

The value of property lost to fire in the City in 2025 was $732,720. However, the value of property saved was $26,247,227 from 34 incidents, including vehicles. This amount is derived by subtracting the estimated dollar loss from the total pre-incident market value of the property. It represents the value of the structure and contents protected by the Department’s actions.

Training
The training Captain oversees the planning and training of classes, drills and certifications that ensure operational readiness and continuous professional growth. The Department implemented the Injury Prevention Program in 2019, and the result has been a 70% reduction from 2019 to 2025 in hours lost to work-related injuries, from 11,550 hours in 2019 down to 3,487 in 2025.

Apparatus
The Fire Fleet Division oversees management, maintenance, compliance, parts inventory and lifecycle planning to ensure the Fire fleet operates at peak performance while controlling costs and reducing down time. Some highlights of the year include Truck 1’s refurbishment. This included a new engine, new radiator and new transmission. Doing this work in-house saved $450,000. Staff completed 197 work orders, and 48% were finished within 48 hours.

Emergency Management
The Emergency Manager joined the department in late February 2025 filling a year long vacancy. In 2025, the Emergency Manager completed a multi-jurisdictional hazard

Item 5h
mitigation plan and coordinated the City’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating evaluation, which is a determination of the City’s fire protection services used by insurers to help calculate property insurance premiums. The City’s score is two, indicating “excellent” level of fire protection and in the top 5% of all departments nationwide.

Mobile Crisis Unit
The Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) continues its services for those in need while reducing reliance on Fire and Police resources. The MCU is staffed with a Community Resources Services Specialist staffed by the City and utilizing funds from national opioid lawsuit settlements, a Licensed Psychiatric Technician contracted through County Behavioral Health. The MCU made over 2,000 contacts, responded to 143 calls, made 69 transports and coordinated 25 reunifications with family members and unhoused individuals. This included connecting an unhoused couple with veteran services for housing opportunities.

Summary
The 2025 Fire Department Annual Report highlights the exemplary level of service provide by the department while outlining the various aspects, divisions, and individuals that contribute to its success.

Continued outreach and education have helped reduce risk in the community and ensure trust with the Department.

The Department continues its vision to be a progressive organization that leads the community in public safety and preparedness demonstrated through an unwavering commitment to the protection of lives, property and the environment, and providing service of the highest quality recognized against local, state, and federal standards.

Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
On May 21, 2024, the City Council received and filed the Fire Department’s 2023 Annual Report
While there was a 2024 report, it did not go to Council.

Public Engagement
This item is a consent item for the June 2, 2026, City Council meeting and will follow all required postings and notifications.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a " Project" under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2024-25 and 2025-26
Funding Identified: Yes

Item 5h
Fiscal Analysis:

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund N/A $0 $0 $0
State
Federal
Fees
Other:

Total N/A $0 $0 $0
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommendation to receive and file the report.

ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could choose to not receive and file the annual report. The report provides a record of essential statistics, trends, and strategic initiatives that are important for policy makers and public awareness in the community that would not be otherwise available.

ATTACHMENTS
A – Fire Department 2025 Annual Report

2 0 2 5

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

S A N L U I S O B I S P O F I R E D E P A R T M E N T
www.slocity.org/fire

The men and women of the San Luis Obispo Fire Department (SLOFD) continue to demonstrate professionalism, dedication, and adaptability in everything they do. Operating from four strategically located fire stations, our teams provide Advanced Life Support emergency medical care, fire suppression, hazardous materials response, and Urban Search and Rescue services in alignment with nationally recognized and City adopted response standards. Their commitment ensures that when residents need help, we are ready to respond.

SLOFD’s work extends well beyond emergency response. Our department plays an essential role in prevention, preparedness, and community wellbeing. In 2025, these efforts included emergency management coordination, fire prevention and risk reduction services, fleet maintenance to keep our apparatus response ready, behavioral health outreach through our Mobile Crisis Unit, and the administrative support that allows our operations to function effectively. Together, these services strengthen community resilience and help protect lives and property across San Luis Obispo.

This past year also brought new challenges. The implementation of updated statewide fire hazard severity maps resulted in increased fire hazard ratings for more than 3,500 properties in our city. These changes introduced new building and landscaping standards designed to reduce wildfire risk. Our Fire Prevention staff worked closely with the Community Development Department to guide residents, builders, and property owners through these requirements. I am especially grateful for the support of City Council and City leadership, whose commitment to filling key vacancies allowed our Fire Prevention Division to meet the increased workload and continue serving the community effectively.

Looking ahead, addressing operational staffing challenges will be a primary focus in 2026 as service demands continue to grow. With the continued support of the San Luis Obispo community and City Council, we remain committed to delivering high quality, dependable fire and emergency services while remaining mindful of City goals and fiscal responsibility.

On behalf of the entire San Luis Obispo Fire Department, thank you for your trust and support. It is an honor to serve this community, and we remain dedicated to protecting the safety, resilience, and quality of life that make San Luis Obispo such a special place.
01 As Interim Fire Chief, I am proud to share this annual report and reflect on the San Luis Obispo Fire
Department’s service to our community throughout 2025.

San Luis Obispo remains a vibrant and growing city, and with that growth comes both opportunity and
responsibility. New development, increased population,
and continued expansion at Cal Poly University have
placed greater demands on public safety services, and
our department has risen to meet those needs.

Interim Fire Chief
Randy Harris
CHIEF’S MESSAGE
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual RePage 64 of 486 port
02 MISSION, VALUES, VISION
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
VALUES
To enhance and protect the lives, environment, and property of our community and its visitors
To be a progressive organization that leads the
community in public safety and preparedness
demonstrated through an unwavering
commitment to the protection of lives, property
and our environment. The service we provide
will be the highest quality recognized against
local, state, and federal standards.
- Service
- Loyalty
- Ownership
- Family
- Integrity
- Respect
- Excellence
S
L
O
F
I
R
E

MISSION

VVIISSIIOONN

93%
7%
100%
The San Luis Obispo City Fire
Department is comprised of nine
budgeted programs, of these, 7 are
staffed. In Fiscal Year 2024-25 the
department received a total budget of
$18,938,698 with 93% dedicated to
staffing for the 61 full time members
of the department, leaving 7%, or
$1,300,094 for non-staffing
operational costs.

BUDGET
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department 03
Annual Report

STAFFING
$17,638,604

OPERATIONAL
$1,300,094

TOTAL BUDGET
$18,938,698
3,487
Work Comp Hours
Administration
6,323
Mutual Aid Employee Hours
$708,377
Mutual Aid Reimbursement
4 Mutual Aid Responses
9 budgeted programs
61 full-time staff
Medic Rescue 1 at Gifford Fire

Grant Funding
BUDGET
Paramedic and SCBA Equipment
Trained three firefighters as paramedics
Purchased four self-contained breathing
apparatus to be placed on the new fire engine
Purchase new all electric extrication equipment.

These tools are smaller and quicker to use for
speedier extrications
Office of Traffic Safety
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department 04
Annual Report
Community education project for residents
to prepare their homes and property
against wildfire
Administration
Purchased two woodchippers to clear brush
and remove fuels for fires reducing wildfire risk
in the City
CalFire
FEMA: FP&S
350K
57K
159K
99K
136K
Inspector Petersen Doing Community Education
Engineers Williams and Sabatino
Paramedic School Graduation
Inspector Thomas and Hutchinson
Fire Captain Witt and Engineer Hicks with the
New Electric Extrication Equipment

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department 05
Annual Report
The Emergency Manager position
was filled in February 2025 after
being vacant for approximately one
year. During the vacancy, many
emergency management
responsibilities were distributed
across several departments. In 2025,
these duties were formally returned
to the Emergency Manager, restoring
centralized coordination of
preparedness, response, mitigation,
and public information functions.

Administration
Completed Multi-Jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan

HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Infrastructure site inspections in support of
the Cal Fire Proposition 4 grant application

SITE INSPECTIONS
Coordinated City ISO (2) rating with Utilities

ISO RATING
Public Information Officer, Supporting
Incident Communications and Public
Information Dissemination

PUBLIC EDUCATION
3 EOC activations: St. Fratty’s Day, No
Kings Protest, Storm
EOC
11/06/2025 - Flu Vaccine Point of Distribution
Emergency Manager Little
11/20/2025 - Flood Night

2022 2023 2024 2025
Instagram Facebook Twitter
0 2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
2200
5534
6861
8747
1277
1991
1634
2950
6464
7223 7158 7233
Social Media Posts
Radio Interviews
Wildfire Prepardness, ALERTSLO,
Evacuation Planing, Flood
Preparation, Holiday Safety
Fire Prepardenss,
Evacuation Planning,
Season of Hope
KSBY Interviews
418
9 3

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS
@slocityfire
06 PUBLIC INFORMATION
Administration
Public Information plays a critical role in educating the public to reduce the severity of emergencies and allows the public to make the right decisions during an
emergency. The Department’s Administrative Specialist
was responsible for social media content creation and
external written communications, while the Emergency
Manager conducted in-person television and radio
interviews and served as the primary public-facing
spokesperson.
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
@slocityfd

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
07 PREPAREDNESS EDUCATION
Administration
Preparedness education and information was a
core focus for the Department in 2025, with an
emphasis on increasing community awareness,
personal responsibility, and readiness for wildfire,
flooding, and evacuation related incidents.

Outreach efforts are designed to provide
residents, businesses, schools and community
organizations with practical, actionable information
they could apply before, during, and after an
emergency occurs.

Community
forums,
Firewise
presentations
Trainings and
Observations
Safety
Training, Flu
Vaccine, Bike
Breakfast, 9/11
Wildfire
Prepardness
Evacuation
Prepardness
Ride-Alongs,
Station
Tours,
School Visits
Hosted
Events
23 04 89 13
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
Public
Education
10/11/25 - Station #1 Open House
10/09/25 - Teach Elementary
Burn Relay Stop

08 FIRE PREVENTION
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
The Fire Prevention Bureau is a dedicated team committed to safeguarding our community through proactive fire and life safety efforts. Comprised of five inspectors, one administrative assistant, one Fire Marshal, and one intern, the Bureau works collaboratively to reduce risk and ensure compliance with fire codes and regulations. Through comprehensive inspections and thorough plan reviews, the team helps identify potential hazards, supports safe building practices, and promotes fire prevention standards that protect lives and property.
3 or More Units: Apartments,
Hotels, Fraternity/Sorority Houses

MULTI-DWELLING

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
350KAnnual Revenue
100% Compliance
New Construction, Existing
Businesses, Annual inspections,
Special Events, Operational Permits
1,800Inspections

PLAN REVIEW
428 Hours
SLOFD serves as a
“Participating Agency” in the
County’s Certified Unified
Program Agency (CUPA).

Businesses that use or store
hazardous materials in an
appreciable quantity,
generate hazardous waste,
or operate underground or
aboveground petroleum
storage tanks are subject to
inspection.

HAZ-MAT
Inspections
325
214K Revenue
Fire Marshal Daniel

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

FUEL-REDUCTION EFFORTS
09 Irish Hills
Miossi Ranch
Reservoir Canyon
Grants through the Fire Safe
Council were secured to fund
hazardous tree removal
throughout the City and
grazing along San Luis Obispo
and Prefumo creeks.

Fire Prevention
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
SLOFD continued to support the Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation Ranger Service in fuel-reduction projects within City-owned open space and creek corridors.

Bob Jones Bike Trail
San Luis Obispo Creek: Between
Prado, LOVR, and San Luis Drive
Bowden Ranch Open Space
Cerro San Luis
SLOFD remains committed to
maintaining proactive vegetation
management efforts to reduce fire risk
and enhance community safety. Through
weed abatement, routine inspections,
and the removal of hazardous or
overgrown vegetation. These ongoing
efforts not only help protect homes and
infrastructure but also support
emergency access and overall
environmental health. By prioritizing
vegetation maintenance, the City
continues to strengthen its wildfire
preparedness and resilience.

GRANTS
Bishops Peak Fuel Reduction

10 FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
Fire Prevention
In March 2025, the State of California
released updated Fire Hazard
Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps that
reflect the latest science on wildfire
behavior, climate conditions,
topography, and vegetation. These
updated maps identify areas of
elevated wildfire risk within the City of
San Luis Obispo and serve as the
regulatory basis for future wildfirerelated planning, development standards, and community riskreduction efforts. The maps identified more than 2,800 parcels within the
city limits that fall within the Very High
Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ).
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
More Information
www.slocity.org/wildfire
Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones
October 2025
June 2025
SLO City Adopted Maps
March 2025
State Fire Marshal Released
Updated Fire Hazard Maps
July 2025
State Fire Marshal Released CA
Wildand-Urban Interface Code
SLO City Adopted CA WildandUrban Interface Code and Updated CA Building and Fire Codes
JANUARY 1, 2026
CA Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)
&
Updated CA Building and Fire Codes
Effective
Subscribe to our
"Community Safety"
email updates now!
(Fire and PD)

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
0 2000
4000
6000
8000
5520
6232
7162
7428
7079
7344
11 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
San Luis Obispo Fire Department

CANCELLED EN ROUTE, WRONG

LOCATION, NO EMERGENCY,

CONTROLLED BURNING

CANCELLED EN ROUTE, WRONG

LOCATION, NO EMERGENCY,

CONTROLLED BURNING

PEOPLE IN DISTRESS,

WATER PROBLEM,

SMOKE/ODOR, ANIMAL

PEOPLE IN DISTRESS,

WATER PROBLEM,

SMOKE/ODOR, ANIMAL

EEMMEERRGGEENNCCYY MMEEDDIICCAALL SSEERRVVIICCEE

SSTTRRUUCCTTUURREE,, VVEEHHIICCLLEE,, WWIILLDDLLAANNDD

NNOO FFIIRREE

GOOD INTENT CALL

SERVICE CALL
EMS
FIRE

HAZARDOUS CONDITION

FALSE ALARM

FALSE CALL, SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION

FALSE CALL, SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION
150
4831
169
746
927
515
Total Calls: 7,344
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report Page 74 of 486

STATISTICS
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
0 100
200
300
400
500
600
700
538
638
594
614
543 534
594 606
682
653 636
12 Emergency Response
1pmSaturday

INCIDENTS BY DAY AND HOUR

CALL VOLUME BY MONTH

BUSIEST DAY AND TIME
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report

136 N. Chorro

STATISTICS
Station2
1395 Madonna Road
1801 INCIDENTS
1280 Laurel Lane
1701 INCIDENTS
2160 Santa Barbara Ave
1940 INCIDENTS
1892 INCIDENTS
13 Emergency Response
**Heatmap of less than 4 min travel time calls
Station1
Station4 Station3
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
DAILY

MINIMUM
STAFFING - 14
Battalion Chief - 1
Captain - 4
Engineer - 5
Firefighter - 4
including 1 Paramedic Per Station

STATISTICS
14 Emergency Response

MAJOR INCIDENTS BY DOLLAR LOSS
790 Foothill - 02/09/2025
870 Broad - 11/14/2025
883 Bougainvillea - 06/21/2025

TOTAL PROPERTY VALUE SAVED
$291,011

TOTAL PROPERTY VALUE LOST
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
$732,720
$26,247,227
$65,199
11/5/25 - Industrial Way Fire
$62,198

STATISTICS
15 Emergency Response

FREQUENT INCIDENT ADDRESSES
40 Prado: 396 Incidents
3000 Augusta: 208 Incidents
1234 Laurel: 166 Incidents
73 Broad: 164 Incidents
Code 3 Calls
for Service
5473
49 Vegetation
Fires
Off Campus
CP Incidents
Transient
Incidents
941
215
Cardiac
Arrests
58 400
Lift Assists
161
Alcohol
Related
296
Cal Poly
Incidents
Due to hazardous nature of
Li-Ion fires, new decontamination
practices implemented to remove
all heavy metals
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
2 Lithium Ion Fires
08/28/25 - Exposition Drive Li-Ion Fire
40 Prado Incident

STATISTICS
16 Emergency Response
Call processing time, turnout time, and travel time
Goal: 7 minutes or less to 90% of all light & siren calls

CCAALLLL PPRROOCCEESSSSIINNGG TTIIMMEE
Goal: 1 minute or less to 90% of all light & siren calls

TTUURRNNOOUUTT TTIIMMEE
Goal: 2 minutes or less to 90% of all light & siren calls Goal: 4 minutes or less to 90% of all light & siren calls

TTRRAAVVEELL TTIIMMEE

TTOOTTAALL RREESSPPOONNSSEE TTIIMMEE
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
6600%%
7700%%
9966..55%%
7777%%

STATISTICS
17 Emergency Response
1,974

UNIT HOUR UTILIZATION (UHU)
Incidents Time on Task (hrs) UHU
2,065
2,047
689
632
679
559

7.87%

7.22%

7.77%

5.59%
469 121 1.39%
*The Industry Standard is <10%
E4
E3
T2
T1
Unit
MR1
2,112
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
2728
1172
337
75 11
2 Calls in Progress
3 Calls in Progress
4 Calls in Progress
5 Calls in Progress
6 Calls in Progress
1535
Incidents where more than
1 unit was dispatched
9467
Total Unit Responses

SIMULTANEOUS CALLS

MEDIC RESCUE
2023 2024 2025
0 100
200
300
400
500
293
347
469
18 Emergency Response
90TH PERCENTILE
PERFORMANCE FOR MR1
TURNOUT - 02:08
TRAVEL - 07:39
TOTAL - 09:02
MEDIC RESCUE 1 CALL BY ZONE
ZONE 2
ZONE 4
ZONE 3

CALLS FOR SERVICE
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
FY 2024-2025, we implemented a pilot program
staffing regularly staffing Medic Rescue multiple days
a week to provide relief to Truck 1 by responding to
lower-acuity calls. Medic Rescue was staffed 91 days
within the city on anticipated natural disasters, special events, and high-demand holidays to ensure adequate
coverage and system resilience. The unit was also
assigned to Mutual Aid responses for 50 days.

ZONE 1
225511
7722
5577
8855
Fire Engineer Polkow & FF McClanahan

19 Our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team
continued to play a vital role in protecting the
lives of both visitors and residents. Members of
the USAR Team receive specialized training in
complex and technical rescue operations and
participate in the San Luis Obispo County
Regional USAR Team. The department added
two new USAR members to the team due to a
retirement and promotion. The team is looking at
updating rope rescue equipment next budget
cycle in order to better respond to open space
rescue incidents. The majority of our USAR calls
in the city are on our open space trails and not in
the urban environment.

US&R / Open Space Rescue
Emergency Response
US&R
The Fire Department’s open space rescue programs
continue to evolve. Many of these rescues,
particularly around Bishop Peak, require the use of
a helicopter to locate, access, and transport victims.

The Fire Department works closely with, and trains
frequently alongside, the California Highway Patrol,
which operates the rescue helicopter in the county.

In addition to this collaboration with CHP for air
resources, two key contributors to the continued
success of the Fire Department’s open space
rescue program have been the E-Bike Program and
the Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) program. Both
pieces of equipment have been invaluable in
locating, transporting, and caring for people in open
space in a timely manner.

OPEN SPACE
8 Open Space
Rescues
5 US&R
Rescues
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report Page 82 of 486
The Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) responds to
behavioral health incidents both proactively
and reactively. The MCU pairs a Community
Resources Services Specialist with a Fire
intern and a Licensed Psychiatric Technician
from County Behavioral Health. This model
enhances service for those in need while
reducing reliance on Fire and Police
resources.

The MCU is staffed during peak activity hours,
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
based on current SLOPD and SLOFD
response data.

SUCCESS STORIES
20 MOBILE CRISIS UNIT
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Contacts Calls Reunifications
2234 143 69 25
Transports Rehabs
2 Enrolled in no cost
rehab program in
Orange County
Helped get
assistance with
living conditions and
daily activities
Enrolled unhoused client
with dementia into 40
Prado, working with APS
to get into a nursing facility
Connected an unhoused
couple with veteran
services for housing
opportunities
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
Community Resources Services Specialist Villa

21 TRAINING
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
The Training Captain oversees the planning
and delivery of training classes, drills, and
certifications that ensure operational
readiness and continuous professional
growth. Through proactive leadership and a
strong emphasis on safety, education, and
performance excellence, the Training Division
strengthens both individual capability and the
overall effectiveness of SLOFD.
$47,000

JAC REIMBURSEMENT
$6,700

ISA REIMBURSEMENT
JAC Hours Regular Hours
0 5000 10000 15000 20000
Training Hours 9942 9179 19121

TOTAL TRAINING HOURS
19,121
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report

INTERAGENCY TRAINING
USAR H70 Helicopter
Training
Open Space Mapping
County Structure Burn
Cal Poly Response
CA Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee
Instructional Service Agreement
Truck 1 Training at Hotel SLO

Injury Prevention Program
2019 2025
0 2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
11550
3487
Recruit Academy 2025
22 The Training Captain oversees the
Injury Prevention Program, which has
continued to show success in reducing
hours lost to work-related injuries. Prior
to the start of the program in 2019, the
Fire Department recorded 11,550 hours
of work comp time lost. In 2025, comp
time hours lost decreased to 3,487
hours, a 70 percent reduction.

Training
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
7 REDU
0 CTIO
%
N
Training
In 2025, the Training Captain oversaw
a 10-week, four-person recruit
academy and continued to provide
oversight of probationary firefighters
during their rotations and testing every
3 months of their probation.

WORK COMP HOURS
Recruit Academy 25 +
Instructor FE Woods and TC Gonzalez

23 APPARATUS
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
The Fire Fleet Division is more than
vehicle management—it’s strategic asset
management. They oversee
procurement, maintenance, compliance,
parts inventory and lifecycle planning to
ensure our fleet operates at peak
performance while controlling costs and
reducing down time. In 2025, the Fleet
division completely refurbished Truck 1
and did a new Engine 4 buildout.

Refurbishment
Total Work Orders
Proactive Work Orders
Reactive Work Orders
New engine, new radiator,
and new transmission.

Parts cost: $138,914.79
Price if outsourced: $580k
73% work orders finished
within 48 hours
Scheduled maintenance, oil
changes, tire rotations,
brake inspections, battery
replacement
Breakdown repairs, operator
complaint, accident damage
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
85 112
197
TRUCK
1 Supervising Fire Mechanic Vargas
Truck 1 Refurbishment

EVENTS
April 24, 2025
May 8, 2025
24 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
This year has been marked by a wide
range of events that strengthened both
our internal operations and our
connection to the community. These
efforts reflect our ongoing commitment
not only to emergency response, but to
collaboration, transparency, and service
throughout the entire community.

March 1, 2025
Community Preparedness
Community Meeting
Vets Hall
Discussion on wildfire
readiness in SLO County
Battle of the Badges
Station #1
15 pints donated
Bike Breakfast
Station #1
Free pancakes for everyone
who rode a bike over!
May 9, 2025
Academy 25 Graduation
and Promotional
Ceremony
Station #1
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
Wildfire Preparedness
Meeting
Bike Breakfast
Intern Sawyer, Intern Hughey, FF Saunders

25 EVENTS
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
August 11, 2025
Sept 11, 2025
Oct 5 - 12, 2025
Gifford Wildfire Forum
Vets Hall
9/11 Ceremony
Station #1
Fire Prevention Week
School Visits
New Property Fire Safety
Standards Study Session
Burn Relay
Farmers Market
Open House
Nov 12 - Dec 13, 2025
Season of Hope
All Stations
Food and toy drive for local
residents in need
June 3, 2025
City Council Presentation
Updated Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
May 22, 2025
Wildfire Preparedness Meeting
Library Community Room
Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, and
Emergency Manager
Public Presentation
2025 San Luis Obispo Fire Department
Annual Report
9/11 Ceremony
Station #1 Open House

Contact Us :

Main Office
(805) 781-7380
Email Address
fdgeneralslocity.org
Station #1 / Admin Office
2160 Santa Barbara Ave.

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Item 5i
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5201
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Public Works & Utilities Director
Prepared By: Jennifer Rice, Public Works Deputy Director of Mobility Services; Alex Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
SUBJECT: ADOPT SLO TRANSIT’S FY 2025-26 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

AGENCY SAFETY PLAN AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF REQUIRED

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATIONS AND

ASSURANCES

RECOMMENDATION

1. Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, approving San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit’s Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan” (Attachment A); and

2. Authorize SLO Transit’s Accountable Executive, the City Manager, to sign the FY 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (Attachment B); and

3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the FY 2025-26 Certifications and Assurances (Attachment C).

REPORT-IN-BRIEF
Adoption of the FY 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and execution of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) annual Certifications and Assurances (C&As) are federally required annual compliance actions necessary for the City to remain eligible for federal transit funding.

The PTASP is a federally mandated safety management document that is required to be reviewed, updated, and adopted annually by the City Council. The FY 2025-26 update incorporates new federal requirements resulting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including expanded Safety Performance Targets (such as collision rates and worker safety metrics), enhanced safety management practices, and formal coordination with frontline transit workers. The update also removes outdated provisions no longer required under federal regulations. Attachment A is a draft Resolution approving the FY 2025-26 PTASP and authorizing the City Manager, as the designated Account Executive, to execute the final version of the plan.

The FTA’s annual C&As are a required, legally binding attestation that the City will comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations associated with transit funding. Execution

Item 5i
of the Certifications and Assurances (C&As) is a prerequisite for applying for and receiving federal grant funds. The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the FY 2025-26 C&As and found no issues that would prevent execution.

There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with these actions. However, failure to adopt the PTASP and execute the C&As would render the City ineligible for FTA funding, including approximately $4.5 million in anticipated Section 5307 funds budgeted for transit operations and capital projects.

POLICY CONTEXT
The City Council is the governing body for San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit and has the authority to adopt Resolutions, approve programs, establish fees, and appropriate funds for the operation of transit services.

The FTA requires transit agencies to review, update as necessary, and have adopted annually by their governing board a PTASP. Adoption of the annual PTASP update is required for the City to certify compliance and remain eligible to apply for and receive federal financial assistance through FTA grant programs.

Additionally, the FTA requires transit agencies to execute and upload annual C&As as part of the grant application process. The C&As are a consolidation of applicable federal laws and regulations for FTA programs that recipients must agree to comply with to be eligible for and receive federal financial assistance. As a recipient of FTA funding, the City must comply with these requirements.

DISCUSSION
The PTASP and annual Certifications and Assurances are presented together because both are federally required annual actions tied to the City’s continued eligibility for Federal Transit Administration funding. While the PTASP focuses on transit safety management and performance monitoring, the Certifications and Assurances serve as the City’s formal attestation that it will comply with applicable federal grant requirements.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
The PTASP is a federally required plan (under 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 673) that explains how a transit agency manages safety on a day-to-day basis. The PTASP includes processes for spotting hazards, reducing risks, training employees, and tracking safety performance. The plan also includes Safety Performance Targets which are measurable goals that a transit agency sets to track how safely its system is operating.

The plan must be reviewed and updated annually to ensure that the Safety Performance Targets accurately reflect prior years’ operational performance data. The plan, however, does not report on whether the Safety Performance Targets for the prior year were met

Item 5i
but rather sets new targets for the current fiscal year. Performance monitoring1is reported monthly through the FTA’s National Transit Database reporting system. There are no automatic penalties or noncompliance findings for not meeting the Safety Performance Targets. If any of the Safety Performance Targets are not met in a given year, then the Safety Management System is assessed to identify any contributing factors and to determine if additional mitigation measures and or corrective actions are needed.

In April 2024, the FTA published an updated PTASP Final Rule to implement provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and strengthen transit safety requirements. The FY 2024-25 PTASP, adopted by Council in March 2025, included only updates to the annual Safety Performance Targets while staff sought clarification from the FTA as to which plan elements needed updating to align with the Final Rule provisions. Staff received clarifications in summer 2025 and moved forward with incorporating the necessary revisions into the FY 2025-26 PTASP to align the plan with the updated federal requirements.

The Final Rule introduces several new requirements for small, urbanized area transit agencies2, primarily focused on strengthening safety management practices, increasing frontline worker involvement, and expanding safety performance tracking. Transit agencies must now update their PTASP in cooperation with frontline transit worker representatives and document that coordination. Additionally, the rule expands required Safety Performance Targets to include new measures such as collision rates (including pedestrian and vehicular collisions), transit worker-specific injury and fatality rates, and assaults on transit workers. These new requirements apply to both the current operation and maintenance services contractor as well as the new contractor, MV Transportation.

Table 1 shows the Safety Performance Targets for FY 2025-26 including the new measures required by the Final Rule. Some of the figures are fractional because the targets are calculated based on a rolling three-year average of actual reported dates from prior fiscal years. For example, a target of 0.3 for Major Events means that, on average, there were approximately 0.3 reportable major events per year over the three-year calculation period.

These changes include updates to the definitions section to align with current federal regulations, inclusion of the new Safety Performance Targets, documentation of frontline worker participation, removal of a section focused on minimizing exposure to infectious diseases, and other miscellaneous updates. Attachment B is a final version of the FY 2025-26 PTASP presented for Council adoption.

1 As of May 2026, the City is meeting its FY 2025-26 Safety Performance Targets except for Total Injuries due to a bus colliding with another vehicle in July 2025 in which two passengers were transported to the hospital. The collision was investigated by Transdev and initially found that the collision was not the fault of the bus driver.
2 The City provides service in a small, urbanized area (an urbanized area with a population of less than 200,000).

Item 5i
Table 1 - FY 2025-26 Safety Performance Targets
Safety Performance Targets3
Based on the safety performance measures established under the National Public Transportation Safety Plan Mode of
Transit
Service
Major
Events
NEW
Collisions
NEW
Pedestrian
Collisions
NEW
Vehicular
Collisions
Fatalities
NEW
Transit
Worker
Fatalities
Injuries
NEW
Transit
Worker
Injuries
NEW
Assaults
on
Transit
Workers
System
Reliability
(VRM /
failures)
Total 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A 1 N/A 3.7 N/A
Rate per
Vehicle
Revenue
Mile (VRM)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,315
Annual Certifications and Assurances
The FTA annual C&As are federally required compliance documents tied to transit funding under 49 U.S. Code Chapter 53. As federal transit programs expanded over time, including formula funding programs like Section 5307, Congress and FTA established a standardized mechanism for grant recipients to affirm compliance with a wide range of federal laws and regulations. To streamline this process, FTA consolidated these requirements into a single, annual set of C&As that recipients must execute and upload through FTA’s grant management system. This approach replaced the need for agencies to submit multiple individual compliance statements and ensures consistency across all recipients.

The C&As serve as a formal, legally binding attestation that a transit agency will comply with all applicable federal requirements tied to FTA funding and accepts responsibility for ongoing compliance as a condition of receiving federal assistance.

Execution of the C&As is required annually and is a prerequisite for applying for and receiving FTA grants. Attachment C is a copy of the FY 2025-26 C&As which the City Attorney’s Office reviewed and has affirmed that it does not contain language that would otherwise prohibit the City from executing the document or applying for FTA financial assistance.

Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
City Council approved the initial PTASP in 2020 and subsequent updates annually. The most recent FY 2024-25 PTASP update approval is listed below.

1. On March 18, 2025, City Council adopted Resolution No. 11550 (2025 Series) approving SLO Transit’s FY 2024-25 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan and authorized the City Manager to execute the FY 2025 Certifications and Assurances.

Public Engagement

3 ‘N/A’ means that the Federal Transit Administration does not require agencies to set or monitor said target

Item 5i
The PTASP is an internal safety management document containing technical, operational, and compliance-driven information that does not directly affect service levels, fares, or equitable access. Similarly, the execution of the annual C&As is a federally mandated, non-discretionary compliance attestation that does not establish or modify local transit policy. Public comment can be provided to City Council through written correspondence prior to the meeting or public testimony during the meeting.

CONCURRENCE
The FTA requires the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to review the updated Safety Performance Targets prior to adoption of the PTASP. The designated MPO for SLO Transit is the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG).

SLOCOG staff reviewed and concurs with the FY 2025-26 Safety Performance Targets.

The FTA also requires that the Safety Performance Targets are developed in cooperation with frontline transit worker representatives. The City’s current transit operations and maintenance contractor, Transdev, reviewed and concurs with the FY 2025-26 Safety Performance Targets. The City’s new transit operations and maintenance contractor, MV Transportation, will be required to review and concur with Safety Performance Targets established in future PTASP updates adopted during the new contract term.

The City Attorney’s Office reviewed and concurs with the FY 2025-26 C&As and affirmed that it does not contain concerning language that would prohibit the City from executing the document or applying for FTA financial assistance.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: On-going
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Transit Fund $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
State $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Federal $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Fees $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Total $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Item 5i
There is no immediate fiscal impact to the recommended actions of this report; however, failure to adopt an updated PTASP and failure to execute the annual C&As will prohibit the City from applying for future FTA Section 5307 program grants. These grants are one of the primary funding sources for both operating expenses and capital expenditures of the Transit program. In the proposed FY 2026-27 Supplemental Budget, the Transit Fund has budgeted $4,485,677 in FTA Section 5307 program funds to cover anticipated expenditures. These funds would be unavailable if the PTASP and C&As activities are not completed and alternative funding sources would need to be identified and secured.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Council could decide not to approve the FY 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan or to authorize the City Manager to sign the final version of the plan. Should Council pursue this option, the City would be unable to apply for Federal Transit Administration financial assistance, which is one of the Transit Fund’s primary funding sources. State and local fund sources are not sufficient alone to support budgeted operating expenses and capital projects.

2. Council could decide not to authorize the City Manager to execute the FY 2025- 26 Certifications and Assurances. Should Council pursue this option, the City would be unable to apply for Federal Transit Administration financial assistance, which is one of the Transit Fund’s primary funding sources. State and local fund sources are not sufficient alone to support budgeted operating expenses and capital projects.

3. Council could decide to direct staff to make changes to either of the documents.

Should Council pursue this option, staff will make the necessary changes and return at the next available meeting for Council’s consideration.

ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution approving SLO Transit’s FY 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
B - FY 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan – Final Draft C - FY 2025-26 Certifications and Assurances

R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS

OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SAN LUIS OBISPO (SLO)
TRANSIT’S FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

AGENCY SAFETY PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo receives federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Urbanized Area Formula Grants (Section 5307) program; and
WHEREAS, the FTA requires transit operators to develop, implement, and annually review and update a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) in accordance with 49 CFR Part 673 as a condition of receiving Section 5307 funds; and WHEREAS, the City has prepared an update to the PTASP in accordance with 49 CFR Part 673, as amended by the FTA’s Final Rule published on April 11, 2024 which implements provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; and WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the City’s third-party transit operations contractor have reviewed and concur with the updates to the annual Safety Performance Targets contained in the PTASP.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows:

1. Approve San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan; and

2. Authorize San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit’s Accountable Executive, the City Manager for the City of San Luis Obispo, to sign the final version of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.

SECTION 1. Environmental Review. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.

Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member ___________, and on the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2nd day of June 2026.

Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 2
R ______
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

City of San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP)
[Adopted – MMMM, DD, YYYY]
_____________________________________ ______________
Signature of Accountable Executive Date
Whitney McDonald, City Manager

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Table of Contents
Definitions....................................................................................................................................................3 Section 1 Transit Agency Information.....................................................................................................5 Subsection 1.1 Accountable Executive...................................................................................................5 Subsection 1.2 Chief Safety Officer ........................................................................................................5 Section 2 Plan Development, Approval, and Updates .........................................................................5 Subsection 2.1 Drafting the Plan .............................................................................................................6 Subsection 2.2 Signature by the Accountable Executive and Approval by the Board ....................6 Subsection 2.3 Certification of Compliance ...........................................................................................6 Subsection 2.4 Plan Review and Updates .............................................................................................6 Section 3 Safety Performance Targets (SPTs) .....................................................................................8 Subsection 3.1 Target Development.......................................................................................................8 Section 5 Safety Management Systems (SMS) ....................................................................................9 Section 6 Safety Management Policy ...................................................................................................10 Subsection 6.1 Safety Management Policy Statement ......................................................................10 Subsection 6.2 Safety Management Policy Communication.............................................................10 Subsection 6.3 Transit Worker Safety Reporting Program................................................................11 Subsection 6.4 SMS Authorities, Accountabilities, and Responsibilities.........................................12 Section 7 Safety Risk Management (SRM)..........................................................................................15 Subsection 6.1 Hazard Identification.....................................................................................................15 Subsection 7.2 Safety Risk Assessment..............................................................................................16 Subsection 7.3 Safety Risk Mitigation...................................................................................................18 Section 8 Safety Assurance ...................................................................................................................19 Subsection 8.1 Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement.................................................19 Section 9 Safety Promotion ....................................................................................................................21 Subsection 9.1 Safety Communication.................................................................................................21 Section 10 Documentation......................................................................................................................23

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Definitions
Accountable Executive means the single, identifiable person who has ultimate responsibility for carrying out the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan of the Agency; responsibility for carrying out the Agency’s Transit Asset Management Plan; and control or direction over the human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain both the Agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d), and the Agency’s Transit Asset Management Plan in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5326.

Assault on a transit worker means, as defined under 49 U.S.C. 5302, a circumstance in which an individual knowingly, without lawful authority or permission, and with intent to endanger the safety of any individual, or with a reckless disregard for the safety of human life, interferes with, disables, or incapacitates a transit worker while the transit worker is performing the duties of the transit worker.

Agency or Transit Agency means the City of San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit).

San Luis Obispo City Council means governing body of SLO Transit.

Caltrans means the California Department of Transportation Chief Safety Officer means an adequately trained individual who has responsibility for safety and reports directly to the Transit Agency’s chief executive officer.

CFR means Code of Federal Regulations
FTA means the Federal Transit Administration, an operating administration within the United States Department of Transportation.

Hazard means any real or potential condition that can cause injury, illness, or death, damage to or loss of the facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure of the system, or damage to the environment.

Injury means any harm to persons as a result of an event that requires immediate medical attention away from the scene.

Investigation means the process of determining the causal and contributing factors of a safety event or hazard, for the purpose of preventing recurrence and mitigating safety risk.

National Public Transportation Safety Plan means the plan to improve the safety of all public transportation systems that receive federal financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53.

Part 673 means 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 673.

Performance Measure means an expression based on a quantifiable indicator of performance or condition that is used to establish targets and to assess progress toward meeting the established targets.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Performance target means a quantifiable level of performance or condition, expressed as a value for the measure, to be achieved within a time period required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Risk means the composite of predicted severity and likelihood of the potential effect of a hazard.

Risk mitigation means a method or methods to eliminate or reduce the effects of hazards.

Safety Assurance means processes within the Transit Agency’s Safety Management Systems that function to ensure the implementation and effectiveness of safety risk mitigation, and to ensure that the Transit Agency meets or exceeds its safety objectives through the collection, analysis, and assessment of information.

Safety event means an unexpected outcome resulting in injury or death; damage to or loss of the facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure of a public transportation system; or damage to the environment.

Safety Management Policy means the Transit Agency’s documented commitment to safety, which defines the Transit Agency’s safety objectives and the accountabilities and responsibilities of its employees in regard to safety.

Safety Management Systems (SMS) means the formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of a Transit Agency’s safety risk mitigation.

SMS includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for managing risks and hazards.

Safety Performance Target (SPT) means a Performance Target related to safety management activities.

Safety Promotion means a combination of training and communication of safety information to support SMS as applied to the Transit Agency’s public transportation system.

Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) means the formal activity whereby the Transit Agency determines Safety Risk Management priorities by establishing the significance or value of its safety risks.

Safety Risk Management (SRM) means a process within the Transit Agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan for identifying hazards and analyzing, assessing, and mitigating the safety risk of their potential consequences.

Safety risk mitigation means a method or methods to eliminate or reduce the severity and/or likelihood of a potential consequence of a hazard.

State of Good Repair (SGR) means the condition in which a capital asset is able to operate at a full level of performance.

Transit Asset Management Plan means the strategic and systematic practice of procuring, operating, inspecting, maintaining, rehabilitating, and replacing transit capital assets to manage their performance, risks, and costs over their life cycles, for the purpose of providing safe, costeffective, and reliable public transportation, as required by 49 U.S.C. 5326 and 49 CFR part 625.

U.S.C. means United States Code.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Section 1 Transit Agency Information
The City of San Luis Obispo Transit (referred to in this plan as Agency, Transit Agency or SLO Transit), a program of the City’s Public Works Department, is the local fixed-route public transit operation within the city limits of San Luis Obispo and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). SLO Transit only serves a Small Urbanized Area (a designated census area with a population between 50,000 and 199,999) as defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Service operations and vehicle maintenance are provided by a third-party contractor (Transdev U.S., Inc.). SLO Transit is a recipient of FTA Section 5307 funds and does not provide transportation services on behalf of another entity. Additional agency information can be found at www.slotransit.org.

Subsection 1.1 Accountable Executive
SLO Transit’s Accountable Executive is the City Manager for the City of San Luis Obispo.

The City Manager is the single, identifiable person who has ultimate responsibility for carrying out this Agency Safety Plan and the Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan, and control or direction over the human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain both this Plan and the TAM Plan.

The City Manager is accountable for ensuring that the Agency’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) are effectively implemented throughout the Agency’s public transportation system. The City Manager is accountable for ensuring action is taken, as necessary, to address substandard performance in the Agency’s SMS. The City Manager may delegate specific responsibilities, but the ultimate accountability for the Transit Agency’s safety performance cannot be delegated and always rests with the City Manager.

Subsection 1.2 Chief Safety Officer
As a small public transportation provider, SLO Transit’s designated Chief Safety Officer is the contracting General Manager who has the authority and responsibility for day-today implementation and operation of the Agency’s SMS. The Chief Safety Officer has a strong working relationship with SLO Transit’s operations and asset management functions.

Section 2 Plan Development, Approval, and Updates
Caltrans developed the contents of this SLO Transit plan to meet requirements specified in 49 CFR Part 673 and comply with Part 673.11(d) regarding Caltrans’ responsibility to develop an ASP for any small public transportation provider that is located in California.

This Plan is based on the four (4) principles or pillars of the Safety Management Systems (SMS). SMS is defined as the formal, top-down, organization-wide, data-driven approach

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety mitigations. It includes systematic policies, procedures, and practices for the management of safety risk. The four principles or pillars of SMS are: (1) Safety Management Policy; (2) Safety Risk Management; (3) Safety Assurance; and (4) Safety Promotion.

Subsection 2.1 Drafting the Plan
Caltrans drafted this Plan, thus meeting the requirements of 49 CFR Part 673.11(d). FTA will oversee compliance with the requirements of Part 673 through the existing Triennial Review processes.

Should SLO Transit no longer meet the definition of a small public transportation provider or choose to opt-out of the Caltrans Agency Safety Plan, within one year from the date of notifying the State of either development SLO Transit will draft and certify its own Agency Safety Plan. If SLO Transit operates more than 100 vehicles SLO Transit must fulfill requirements of systems operating more than 100 vehicles.

Subsection 2.2 Signature by the Accountable Executive and Approval by the Board Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 673.11 (a)(1), this Agency Safety Plan and subsequent updates must be signed by the Accountable Executive and approved by SLO Transit’s Board.

Documentation of Board approval is found in Appendix A.

Subsection 2.3 Certification of Compliance
Pursuant to 49 CFR Parts 673.13(a) and 673.13(b), Caltrans certifies that it has established this Agency Safety Plan, meeting the requirements of 49 CFR Part 673 by July 20, 2020 and will certify its compliance with 49 CFR Part 673.

FTA published a Notice of Enforcement Discretion on April 22, 2020, effectively extending the PTASP compliance deadline from July 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Transit operators must certify they have a safety plan in place meeting the requirements of the rule by December 31, 2020. The plan must be updated and certified by the transit agency annually.

After Caltrans initial certification, and on an annual basis, SLO Transit must update this Agency Safety Plan. All Agency Safety Plan updates shall be signed by the Accountable Executive and approved by SLO Transit’s Board.

FTA does not require this plan to be submitted to FTA. Instead, Caltrans will certify that it has established this Safety Plan, which fulfills the requirements under Part 673. FTA annually amends and issues the list of Certifications and Assurances. Caltrans will review such guidance for incorporation into the safety program as necessary.

Subsection 2.4 Plan Review and Updates
SLO Transit updates this Safety Plan when information, processes or activities change within the Agency and/or when Part 673 undergoes significant changes, or annually, whichever comes sooner. As SLO Transit collects data through its Safety Risk

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Management and Safety Assurance processes, shared with the Agency’s third-party contractor and the local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as described in Section 4 below, the third-party contractor and the MPO will evaluate SLO Transit’s Safety Performance Targets (SPTs) to determine whether they need to be changed.

This Plan will be jointly reviewed and updated annually by the Agency’s Transit Coordinator, with the assistance of subject matter experts, and in cooperation with frontline transit worker representatives. The Accountable Executive will approve the final ASP update after Board approval.

Cooperation from frontline transit worker representatives and the timeline in which feedback is received and included in the update of the ASP are as follows:
 July: Review prior-year safety performance data. Meet with third-part contractor and frontline transit worker representatives to review potential risks and hazards.  August: Update Safety Performance Targets and mitigation strategies, if needed, based on meeting with contractor and frontline transit workers. Provide updated ASP to contractor, frontline workers, and MPO for review and comment.  September: Finalize ASP and draft staff report and Resolution for Council action.  October: Council adoption and Accountable Executive approval of ASP update.

This Plan may need to be reviewed and updated more frequently based on the following:
 We determine our approach to mitigating safety deficiencies is ineffective;  We make significant changes to service delivery;
 We introduce new processes or procedures that may impact safety;  We change or re-prioritize resources available to support SMS; or  We significantly change our organizational structure.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Version Number and Updates
Record the complete history of successive versions of this plan.

Version
Number
Section/Pages
Affected Reason for Change Date Issued

1.0 All Original Plan Developement 11/17/2020

2.0 Various Annual Plan Update 3/2023

3.0 Various Annual Plan Update 3/2024

4.0 Various Annual Plan Update 3/2025

5.0 Various Incorporate changes based on FTA Final Rule and Annual Plan Update
TBD
Section 3 Safety Performance Targets (SPTs)
Subsection 3.1 Target Development
SLO Transit includes SPTs in this Safety Plan. These targets are specific numerical targets set by SLO Transit and based on the Safety Performance Measures established by FTA in the National Public Transportation Safety Plan. In the most recent version, the 2024 NSP, FTA adopted the following Safety Performance Measures: Major Events, Collisions (incl. pedestrian and vehicular), Fatalities, Injuries, Assault on a Transit Workers, and System Reliability.

SLO Transit developed Safety Performance Targets that it will review and update annually. The specific Safety Performance Targets are based on the Safety Performance Measures established under the National Public Transportation Safety Plan and the safety performance goals based on the past three (3) fiscal years of data. The Safety Performance Targets for SLO Transit for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 are expected to stay within one percent +/- of previous three years data pertaining to fatalities, injuries, safety events, and system reliability.

SLO Transit established Safety Performance Targets for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, based on Safety Performance Measures established under the National Public Transportation Safety Plan. See Appendix B for Safety Performance Targets.

Section 4 Coordination with Metropolitan, Statewide, and Non-metropolitan Planning Processes
Updated Safety Performance Targets (SPTs) are transmitted to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as well as to the third-party contractor for review and concurrence.

If the MPO or the contractor, representing frontline transit workers, requests a change to one or more of the updated SPTs, then Agency staff will review the requested change and any supporting documentation. If any requested changes are accepted, then the

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

revised SPTs will be re-transmitted to the MPO and contractor for further review and concurrence.

The Agency will also make the SPTs available to the state to aid in the planning process.

Additionally, to the maximum extent possible, the Agency will coordinate with the state and MPO in the selection of their respective SPTs.

Safety Performance Target Coordination
Targets Transmitted to the
Metropolitan Planning
Organization
Metropolitan Planning Organization Name Date Targets Transmitted San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
(SLOCOG) February 2026
Targets Transmitted to the
Third-party Contractor (for
frontline transit worker
cooperation)
Third-party Contractor Name Date Targets Transmitted
Transdev February 2026
Section 5 Safety Management Systems (SMS)
SMS is a comprehensive, collaborative approach that brings management and labor together to build on the transit industry’s existing safety foundation to control risk better, detect and correct safety problems earlier, share and analyze safety data more effectively, and measure safety performance more carefully. SLO Transit’s SMS focuses on applying resources to risk and is based on ensuring that SLO Transit has the organizational infrastructure to support decision-making at all levels regarding the assignment of resources. Some key parts of SLO Transit’s SMS include:
 Defined roles and responsibilities;
 Strong executive safety leadership;
 Formal safety accountabilities and communication;
 Effective policies and procedures; and
 Active employee involvement
Furthermore, SLO Transit’s SMS have four distinct components, which are discussed in subsequent sections to this Safety Plan:
 Safety Policy
 Safety Risk Management
 Safety Assurance
 Safety Promotion

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Section 6 Safety Management Policy
The first component and foundational element of SLO Transit’s SMS is the Safety Management Policy. It clearly states the organization’s safety objectives and sets forth the policies, procedures, and organizational structures necessary to accomplish the safety objectives. The Safety Management Policy clearly defines management and employee responsibilities for safety throughout the organization. It also ensures that management is actively engaged in the oversight of the system’s safety performance by requiring regular review of the Safety Management Policy, budget and program by the designated Accountable Executive.

Subsection 6.1 Safety Management Policy Statement
Safety is a core value at SLO Transit, and managing safety is a core business function.

SLO Transit will develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve processes to ensure the safety of our customers, employees, and the public. SLO Transit’s overall safety objective is to proactively manage safety hazards and their associated safety risk, with the intent to eliminate unacceptable safety risk in our transit operations.

SLO Transit will:
 Clearly, and continuously explain to all staff that everyone working within SLO Transit must take part and be responsible and accountable for the development and operation of the Safety Management System (SMS).
 Work continuously to minimize safety risks. Work to comply with and, wherever possible, exceed legislative and regulatory requirements and standards for passengers and employees.
 Work to ensure that all employees are provided appropriate safety information and training, are competent in safety matters, and assigned tasks commensurate with duties and skills.
 Reaffirm that responsibility for making our operations safer for everyone lies with all employees – from executive management to frontline employees. Each manager is responsible for implementing the SMS in their area of responsibility and will be held accountable to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to perform activities established through the SMS.

Caltrans established initial Safety Performance Targets to help measure the overall effectiveness of our processes and ensure we meet our safety objectives. SLO Transit will keep employees informed about safety performance goals and objectives to ensure continuous safety improvement.

Subsection 6.2 Safety Management Policy Communication
The Safety Management Policy is communicated throughout the Agency, to all employees, managers, and executives, as well as contractors, and to the Board.

This is accomplished through various processes such as:

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

 Review Sessions – Conducted by Agency Management and Transit staff. Once this Plan or any update to this Plan has been signed by the Accountable Executive and approved by the Board it will become standard practice in perpetuity for the Chief Safety Officer to conduct safety meetings to review safety program with all staff.
 New Hire Safety Orientation – The Chief Safety Officer will oversee that all new employees regardless of their classifications will be trained about their roles and responsibilities pertaining to PTASP and the SMS principles.  Safety bulletins, email safety newsletter blasts to staff, and monthly safety meetings
Subsection 6.3 Transit Worker Safety Reporting Program
SLO Transit implemented a process that allows transit workers to report safety conditions to senior management and protections for transit workers who report safety conditions to senior management. The purpose, description, and protections for transit workers to report unsafe conditions and hazards are described in the Transit Worker Safety Reporting Program below:

Purpose:
a) To establish a system for transit workers to identify unsafe conditions or hazards at work and report them to their department management without fear of reprisal. However, disciplinary action could result if the condition reported reveals the transit worker willfully participated in or conducted an illegal act, gross negligence or deliberate or willful disregard of regulations or procedures, including reporting to work under the influence of controlled substances, physical assault of a coworker or passenger, theft of agency property, unreported safety events, unreported collisions, and unreported passenger injuries or fatalities.
b) To provide guidelines for facilitating the timely correction of unsafe conditions or hazards by senior management.

Description:
a) This program provides a method for senior management to identify, evaluate, and correct or avoid unsafe conditions or hazards, procedural deficiencies, design inadequacies, equipment failures, or near misses that adversely affect the safety of employees.

Examples of voluntary safety reports include:
 Safety hazards in the operating environment (for example, road conditions),

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

 Policies and procedures that are not working as intended (for example, insufficient time to complete pre-trip inspection),
 Events that senior managers might not otherwise know about (i.e., assaults on transit workers, near misses, unsafe acts or conditions), and  Information about why a safety event occurred (for example, radio communication challenges).
b) The program also involves recommending corrective actions and resolutions of identified unsafe conditions or hazards and/or near miss. c) All workers have the obligation to report immediately any unsafe conditions or hazards and near miss to their immediate supervisor /department manager and may do so without fear of reprisal.
d) Unsafe conditions or hazards may also be identified as a result of occupational injury or illness investigations and/or by accident investigation. e) Other means by which hazards may be identified are inspections/audits or observations made by the supervisors/management staff as referenced in agency’s Safety Inspection Program.
f) Findings will be published immediately following mitigation actions. If employee identification is available, direct feedback regarding mitigation will be provided.

Subsection 6.4 SMS Authorities, Accountabilities, and Responsibilities This Plan has assigned specific SMS authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities to the designated Accountable Executive; Chief Safety Officer; Agency’s Leadership/Executive Management; and Key Staff/Employees as described below and displayed in Appendix C:

Subsection 6.4.1 Accountable Executive
SLO Transit’s Accountable Executive is the City Manager for the City of San Luis Obispo.

The City Manager is accountable for ensuring that the Agency’s SMS is effectively implemented throughout the Agency’s public transportation system. The City Manager is accountable for ensuring action is taken, as necessary, to address substandard performance in the Agency’s SMS. The City Manager may delegate specific responsibilities, but the ultimate accountability for SLO Transit’s safety performance cannot be delegated and always rests with the City Manager. The City Manager is accountable for ensuring that the Agency’s SMS is effectively implemented, and that action is taken, as necessary, to address substandard performance in the Agency’s SMS.

The Accountable Executive may delegate specific responsibilities, but not accountability for SLO Transit’s safety performance.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

The City Manager’s roles include, but are not limited to:
 Decision-making about resources (e.g. people and funds) to support asset management, SMS activities, and capital investments;
 Signing SMS implementation planning documents;
 Endorsing SMS implementation team membership; and
 Ensuring safety concerns are considered and addressed in the agency’s ongoing budget planning process.
 Ensuring transparency in safety priorities: for the Board and for the employees.  Establishing guidance on the level of safety risk acceptable to the agency.  Assuring safety policy is appropriately communicated throughout the agency.  Other duties as assigned/necessary.

Subsection 6.4.2 Chief Safety Officer
The Chief Safety Officer is the Agency’s Contracting General Manager and has the authority and responsibility for day-to-day implementation and operation of SLO Transit’s SMS.

Chief Safety Officer’s Roles include:
 Decision-making about resources (e.g., people and funds) to support asset management, SMS activities, and capital investments;
 Overseeing the safety risk management program by facilitating hazard identification, safety risk assessment, and the development and implementation of safety risk mitigations.
 Monitoring safety risk mitigation activities;
 Providing periodic reports on safety performance;
 Briefing the Accountable Executive on SMS implementation progress;  Planning safety management training; and
 Developing and organizing annual audits/reviews of SMS processes and the Agency Safety Plan to ensure compliance with 49 CFR Part 673 requirements.  Maintaining safety documentation.
 Other duties as assigned/necessary.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Subsection 6.4.3 Agency Leadership and Executive Management The contracting General Manager, Operations Manager, Safety Manager, and Maintenance Manager comprise Agency Leadership. Some of their responsibilities include:
 Day-to-day implementation of the Agency’s SMS throughout their department and the organization.
 Communicating safety accountability and responsibility from the frontline employees to the top of the organization.
 Ensuring employees are following their working rules and procedures, safety rules and regulations in performing their jobs, and their specific roles and responsibilities in the implementation of this Agency Safety Plan and the Agency’s SMS.  Ensuring that employees comply with the safety reporting program and are reporting unsafe conditions and hazards to their department management; and making sure reported unsafe conditions and hazards are addressed in a timely manner.
 Ensuring that resources are sufficient to carry out employee training/certification and re-training as required by their job classifications.

Subsection 6.4.4 Key Staff
The agency Key Staff may include managers, supervisors, specialists, analysts, database administrators, etc. who are performing highly technical work and overseeing employees performing critical tasks and providing support in the implementation of this Agency Safety Plan and SMS principles in various departments throughout the agency. SLO Transit’s Key Staff/Employees responsibilities include:
 Ensuring that employees are complying with the safety reporting program.  Ensuring supervisors are conducting their toolbox safety meetings  Promoting safety in employee’s respective area of responsibilities – That means:
zero accidents; absence of any safety concerns; perfect employee performance; and compliance with agency rules and procedures and regulatory requirements.  Ensuring safety of passengers, employees, and the public.  Responding to customer complaints and expectations for frequency, reliability, and convenience of service.
 Replacing and maintaining aging facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.  Meeting increasing demands for fixed route, commuter service and paratransit service.
 Developing and maintaining programs to gather pertinent data elements to develop safety performance reports and conduct useful statistical analyses to identify trends and system performance targets.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

 Establishing clear lines of safety communication and holding accountability for safety performance.
 Assisting as subject matter experts in safety risk assessment and safety risk mitigation processes.

Section 7 Safety Risk Management (SRM)
The second component of SLO Transit’s SMS is Safety Risk Management, which includes processes and procedures to provide an understanding of the Agency’s operations and vehicle maintenance to allow individuals to identify hazards associated with those activities.

SLO Transit has implemented a Safety Risk Management process for all elements of its transportation system. The Safety Risk Management process includes the following activities: safety hazard identification, safety risk assessment, and safety risk mitigation.

Subsection 6.1 Hazard Identification
Hazard identification is the first step in the Safety Risk Management process and a key component. It involves these fundamental safety-related activities: Identifying safety hazards and their consequences; assessing the risks associated with the consequences of the hazards; and developing mitigations to reduce the potential consequences of the identified hazards.

The following is SLO Transit’s methods and processes to identify hazards. The Agency considers, as a source for hazard identification, data and information provided by an oversight authority and the FTA. Hazards are identified through a variety of sources, including:
 Employee safety reporting,
 Review of vehicle camera footage,
 Review of monthly performance data and Safety Performance Targets,  Observations from supervisors,
 Maintenance reports,
 Comments from general public, passengers, and other third parties,  Safety committee, driver and all-staff meetings,
 Results of audits and inspections of vehicles and facilities,  Results of training assessments

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

 Investigations into safety events, and driver assaults,  Safety concerns identified through the Agency’s Safety Assurance activities,  Data and information regarding exposure to infectious diseases provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or a state health authority, and  Data and information provided by the FTA and other oversight authorities.

When a hazard has been identified, whatever the source, it is reported to the Chief Safety Officer, who enters it into the Hazard Log. The Chief Safety Officer also may enter hazards into this log based on reviews of operations and maintenance activities and procedures.

The Chief Safety Officer will investigate hazards to collect information and determine if hazards need to be entered into the safety risk assessment process. In following up on identified hazards, the Chief Safety Officer may:
 Reach out to the reporting party, if available, to gather all known information about the reported hazard,
 Conduct a walkthrough of the affected area, assessing the possible hazardous condition, generating visual documentation (photographs and/or video), and taking any measurements deemed necessary,
 Conduct interviews with employees in the area to gather potentially relevant information on the reported hazard,
 Review any documentation associated with the hazard (records, reports, procedures, inspections, technical documents, etc.),
 Contact other departments that may have association with or technical knowledge of relevant to the reported hazard,
 Review any past reported hazards of a similar nature, and  Evaluate tasks and/or processes associated with the reported hazard.

Any identified hazard that poses an immediate risk to transit operations, the health and safety of employees or the public, or equipment must immediately be brought to the attention of the Accountable Executive and placed through the Safety Risk Management process for safety risk assessment and mitigation. Otherwise, hazards will be prioritized for further Safety Risk Management activity.

Subsection 7.2 Safety Risk Assessment
Safety risk assessment defines the level or degree of the safety risk by assessing the likelihood and severity of the consequences of hazards and prioritizes hazards based on the safety risk. The Chief Safety Officer, with assistance from key staff subject matter experts, is responsible for assessing identified hazards and ratings using the safety risk

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

matrix below. Prioritizing safety risk provides the Accountable Executive with the information needed to make decisions about resource application.

The following matrix, adopted from the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) Participation Guide – SMS Principles for Transit, facilitates the ranking of hazards based on their probability of occurrence and severity of their outcome.

Safety Risk Probability Levels
Description Level Specific Individual Item Fleet Inventory Frequent A
Likely to occur often in the life of an
item. Continuously experienced.

Probable B
Will occur several times in the life of
an item. Will occur frequently.

Occasional C
Likely to occur sometime in the life of
an item. Will occur several times.

Remote D
Unlikely, but possible to occur in the
life of an item.

Unlikely, but can reasonably be
expected to occur.

Improbable E
So unlikely, it can be assumed
occurrence man not be experienced in
the life of an item.

Unlikely to occur, but possible.

Eliminated F
Incapable of occurrence. This level is
used when potential hazards are
identified and later eliminated.

Incapable of occurrence. This level is
used when potential hazards are
identified and later eliminated.

The measuring goes from “A” to “F” with “A” being frequent or likely to occur frequently and “E” being improbable or expected that this event will most likely never occur. The designation “F” is used when potential hazards are identified and later eliminated.

Safety Risk Severity Levels
Description Level Mishap Result Criteria
Catastrophic 1
Could Result in one or more of the following: death, permanent total disability, irreversible significant environmental impact, or monetary loss equal to or exceeding $10M
Critical 2
Could result in one or more of the following: permanent partial disability, injuries or occupational illness that may result in hospitalization of at least three personnel, reversible significant environmental impact, or monetary loss equal to or exceeding $1M but less than $10M
Marginal 3
Could result in one or more of the following: injuries or occupational illness resulting in one or more lost work day(s), reversible moderate environmental impact, or monetary loss equal to or exceeding $100k but less than $1M Negligible 4
Could result in one or more of the following: injuries or occupational illness not resulting in lost work day, minimum environmental impact. Or monetary loss less than $100k.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

The Safety Risk Severity Table presents a typical safety risk. It includes four categories to denote the level of severity of the occurrence of a consequence, the meaning of each category, and the assignment of a value to each category using numbers. In this table, 1 is considered catastrophic meaning possible deaths and equipment destroyed and 4 is considered negligible or of little consequence with two levels in between.

Safety Risk Probability and Safety Risk Severity are combined into the Safety Risk Index Ranking to help prioritize safety risks according to the table below.

Safety Risk Assessment Matrix
Severity 
Probability 
Catastrophic
1 Critical
2 Marginal
3 Negligible
4 A-Frequent 1A 2A 3A 4A
B- Probable 1B 2B 3B 4B
C-Occasional 1C 2C 3C 4C
D- Remote 1D 2D 3D 4D
E- Improbable 1E 2E 3E 4E
F- Eliminated
Safety Risk Index Ranking
1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B High Unacceptable
1D, 2C, 3A, 3B Serious Undesirable - With management decision required 1E, 2D, 2E, 3C, 3D, 3E, 4A, 4B, Medium Acceptable - with review by management 4C, 4D, 4E Low Acceptable - without review
The Chief Safety Officer documents recommendations regarding hazard rating and mitigation options and reports this information to the Accountable Executive.

Subsection 7.3 Safety Risk Mitigation
The Chief Safety Officer, assisted by Key Staff subject matter experts, reviews current safety risk mitigations and establishes procedures to 1) eliminate; 2) mitigate; 3) accept specific risks. Prioritization of safety remediation measures is based on risk analysis and a course of action acceptable to SLO Transit management.

The safety risk must be mitigated if ranked as Unacceptable (High-Red). Those safety risks that have been mitigated, even those mitigated risks shown as Acceptable status (Low-Green) undergo regular and consistent monitoring to ensure the mitigation strategy is effective.

Key strategies to minimize the types of risks that potentially exist include:
 Development and deployment of policies and procedures that address known hazards and risks,
 Discussion of other actions, strategies and procedures that might help safeguard against unknown/unforeseen risks,

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

 Training of drivers and other agency staff on all safety policies and procedures,  Training of drivers and other agency staff on methodologies for handling emergencies, and
 Training of drivers and staff on proper and effective use of emergency equipment and communication technologies and protocol.

Safety risk mitigations are tracked and updated in the Hazard Log by the Chief Safety Officer.

Section 8 Safety Assurance
The third component of the Agency’s SMS is Safety Assurance, which ensures the performance and effectiveness of safety risk controls established under safety risk management. Safety assurance also helps ensure that the organization meets or exceeds its safety objectives through the collection, analysis, and assessment of data regarding the organization's performance. Safety assurance includes inspection activities to support oversight and performance monitoring.

SLO Transit monitors its operations and maintenance protocols and procedures, and any safety risk mitigations to ensure that it is implementing them as planned. Furthermore, the Agency investigates safety events (as defined in Appendix D) and any reports of noncompliance with applicable regulations, standards, and legal authority. Finally, the Agency continually monitors information reported to it through any internal safety reporting programs, including the employee safety reporting program.

Key elements of SLO Transit’s Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement are listed in subsection 8.1 below.

Subsection 8.1 Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement As part of the Safety Assurance Process, SLO Transit:
 Monitors the system for compliance with, and sufficiency of, the Agency’s procedures for operations and maintenance through:
o Safety audits,
o Informal inspections,
o Regular review of on-board camera footage to assess drivers and specific incidents,
o Safety surveys,
o Employee safety reporting program,

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

o Investigation of safety occurrences,
o Safety review prior to the launch or modification of any facet of service, o Daily data gathering and monitoring of data relating to the delivery of service,
o Regular vehicle inspections and preventative maintenance, and o Continuous feedback loop between leadership and all levels of the agency.  Monitors its operations to identify any safety risk mitigations that may be ineffective, inappropriate, or were not implemented as intended through:
o Reviewing results from accident, incident, and occurrence investigations, o Monitoring employee safety reporting,
o Reviewing results of internal safety audits and inspections, and o Analyzing operational and safety data to identify emerging safety concerns.  Conducts investigations of safety events to identify causal factors; and  Monitors information reported through any internal safety reporting programs. o The Chief Safety Officer routinely reviews safety data captured in employee safety reports, safety meeting minutes, customer complaints, and other safety communication channels. When necessary, the Chief Safety Officer ensures that the issues and concerns are investigated or analyzed through the safety risk assessment process.
o The Chief Safety Officer also reviews the results of internal and external reviews, including audits and assessments, with findings affecting safety performance, compliance with operations and maintenance procedures, or the effectiveness of safety risk mitigations. The Chief Safety Officer discusses relevant safety issues and concerns with the Accountable Executive and executive management and documents the results of these reviews in the Hazard Log.
o Monitors and assesses safety performance annually through the processes detailed in Subsection 2.4 – Plan Review and Updates.
 Identifies deficiencies in SMS and performance against the agency’s established Safety Performance Targets through the following process:
o Monthly evaluation of performance against established performance targets using reported safety events, collisions, and injuries. o Calculate rate of safety events using miles between incidents. o Compliance with operational guidelines and policies.
o Hazard and incident reports submitted by contractor.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

 Develops a mitigation and corrective action plan to address deficiencies identified through the safety performance assessment.

In the event of a fatality, SLO Transit will comply with all FTA drug and alcohol requirements.

In California, every driver involved in an accident that results in death, injury, or property damage over $1,000, effective January 1, 2017, must report the accident on a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR 1) form to DMV. The report forms are available at www.dmv.ca.gov, by calling 1-800-777-0133, and at CHP and DMV offices.

Also, under California Vehicle Code §16002(b) the driver of a vehicle that is owned or operated by a publicly owned or operated transit system, or that is operated under contract with a publicly owned or operated transit system, and that is used to provide regularly scheduled transportation to the general public or for other official business of the system shall, within ten (10) days of the occurrence of the accident, report to the transit system any accident of a type otherwise required to be reported pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 16000. SLO Transit requires immediate driver notification to SLO Transit and maintains records of any report filed pursuant to this paragraph.

Section 9 Safety Promotion
The fourth component of the Agency’s SMS is Safety Promotion, which includes a combination of training and communication of safety information to employees to enhance the Agency’s safety performance. Safety Promotion sets the tone for the SMS and helps SLO Transit to establish and maintain a robust safety culture. Safety Promotion has twocomponents: (1) Safety Communication; and (2) Competencies and Training.

Subsection 9.1 Safety Communication
SLO Transit communicates safety and safety performance information throughout the organization that, at a minimum, conveys information on hazards and safety risks relevant to employees’ roles and responsibilities and informs employees of safety actions taken in response to reports submitted through an employee safety reporting program.

Ongoing safety communication is critical and SLO Transit ensures communication occurs up, down, and across all levels of the organization. Any lessons learned are communicated to all concerned. Management commitment to address safety concerns and hazards is communicated on a regular basis. Management encourages and motivates employees to communicate openly, authentically, and without concern for reprisal; ensures employees are aware of SMS principles and understand their safetyrelated roles and responsibilities; conveys safety critical information such as accident

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

data, injuries, and reported safety concerns and hazards and their resolutions to employees. SLO Transit’s tools to support safety communication include:
 Safety bulletins
 Safety notices
 Posters
 Online safety video access
 Newsletters
 Briefings or Toolbox talks
 Seminars and workshops
 New employee training and refresher training
 Intranet or social media
Monthly Safety Meetings
Results of cooperation with frontline transit worker representatives are tracked and compiled through email correspondence, meeting minutes, and official memos documenting risk mitigation and safety tracking. This documentation is reviewed and used in updating the ASP.

Competencies and Training: Executive Management ensures that all employees complete the safety trainings appropriate for their respective positions upon hire and annual refresher trainings, as necessary, to understand their specific roles and responsibilities for the implementation of SMS. SLO Transit provides SMS training in the following areas:

All Employees:
 Understanding of Safety Performance Targets
 Understanding of fundamental principles of SMS
 Understanding of Safety Reporting Program – Reporting unsafe conditions and hazards/near misses
 Understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities under SMS Managers and Supervisors:
 Understanding of Safety Risk Management
 Understanding of Safety Assurance
 Understanding of Safety Promotion
 Understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities for SMS Executive Management:
 Understanding of management commitment to and support of all SMS activities.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

All employees are required to acquire the competencies and knowledge for the consistent application of their skills as they relate to safety performance objectives. SLO Transit dedicates resources to conduct effective safety-related skill training. The scope of the safety training is appropriate to each employee’s individual safety-related job responsibilities and their role in SMS. Components of SLO Transit’s skill-related training include:
 Conducting training needs analyses to ensure that the right information is being given to the right employees using the most efficient training methods.  Communicating purpose, objectives, and outcome.
 Ensuring relevant content by directly linking training to the trainee’s job experiences so trainees are more motivated to learn.
 Using active hands-on demonstrations and practice to demonstrate skills that are being taught and provide opportunities for trainees to practice skills.  Providing regular feedback during hands-on practice and exercises.  Reinforcing training concepts in the post-training work environment by giving employees opportunities to perform what they’ve learned.  Conflict de-escalation training
 Safety concern identification and reporting training
Section 10 Documentation
Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 673.31, SLO Transit maintains document records related to this Safety Plan, including but not limited to implementation of the SMS, results from the SMS processes and activities, and those that describe the programs, policies, and procedures used to carry out the Safety Plan; for a minimum of three years. These documents include but are not limited to the results from SMS processes and activities. SLO Transit will make these documents available to FTA Region 9, Caltrans, and other Federal and state agencies upon request.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Appendices
A – Council Resolution – SLO Transit Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) B – Safet Performance Targets
C – Organizational Chart (FY 2025-26)
D – Examples of Safety Event Investigation

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Appendix A – Board Approval – Signed Council Resolution Signed Council Resolution will be included following Board approval.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Appendix B – Safety Performance Targets
Safety Performance Targets
Based on the safety performance measures established under the National Public Transportation Safety Plan Mode of
Transit
Service
Major
Events Collisions Pedestrian Collisions
Vehicular
Collisions Fatalities
Transit
Worker
Fatalities
Injuries
Transit
Worker
Injuries
Assaults
on
Transit
Workers
System
Reliability
(VRM/failures)
Total 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A 1 N/A 3.7 N/A
Rate per
Vehicle
Revenue
Mile (VRM)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,315

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Appendix C - Organizational Chart FY 2025-26
Approving Board
San Luis Obispo City
Council
Accountable Executive
City Manager
Chief Safety Officer
Contracting General
Manager
Key Staff
Contracting Safety
Manager
Key Staff
Contracting Operations
Manager
Key Staff
Contracting
Maintenance Manager
Supporting Review
Team
Mobility Services
Business Manager &
Transit Coordinator

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Appendix D – Examples of Safety Event Investigation
Report of Unusual Incident

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Near Miss and Hazard Report

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Root Cause Analysis

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation (49 CFR Part 673)

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
1 Not every provision of every certification will apply to every applicant or award. If a provision of a certification does not apply to the applicant or its award, FTA will not enforce that provision.

Text in italic is not part of a certification and is of no legal effect. Its purpose is to provide explanation and context for the certification.

CATEGORY 1. CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES REQUIRED OF EVERY APPLICANT.

All applicants must make the certifications in this category.

1.1. Standard Assurances.

The certifications in this subcategory appear as part of the applicant’s registration or annual registration renewal in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and on the Office of Management and Budget’s standard form 424B “Assurances—Non-Construction Programs”.

This certification has been modified in places to include analogous certifications required by U.S. DOT statutes or regulations.

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, you certify that the applicant:
(a) Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance and the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project cost) to ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project described in this application.
(b) Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United States and, if appropriate, the State, through any authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives.
(c) Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain.
(d) Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.
(e) Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. §§ 4728– 4763) relating to prescribed standards for merit systems for programs funded under one of the 19 statutes or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM’s Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (5 CFR 900, Subpart F). (f) Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to:

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
2 (1) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, as effectuated by U.S.

DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 21, including any amendments thereto; (2) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681– 1683, and 1685–1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, as effectuated by U.S. DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 25;
(3) Section 5332 of the Federal Transit Law (49 U.S.C. § 5332), which prohibits any person being excluded from participating in, denied a benefit of, or discriminated against under, a project, program, or activity receiving financial assistance from FTA because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age. (4) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicaps, as effectuated by U.S.

DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 27;
(5) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 6101–6107), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age;
(6) The Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (7) The comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91–616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (8) Sections 523 and 527 of the Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. §§ 290 dd-3 and 290 ee-3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records;
(9) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing; (10) Any other nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statute(s) under which application for Federal assistance is being made; and,
(11) the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the application.
(g) Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (“Uniform Act”) (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is acquired as a result of Federal or federally-assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases. The requirements of the Uniform Act are effectuated by U.S. DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 24. (h) Will comply, as applicable, with provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 1501–1508 and 7324–7328) which limit the political activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
3 (i) Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis–Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. §§ 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. § 276c and 18 U.S.C. § 874), and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. §§ 327–333), regarding labor standards for federally assisted construction sub-agreements. (j) Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more. (k) Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed pursuant to the following:
(1) Institution of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514;
(2) Notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (3) Protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990;
(4) Evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 11988; (5) Assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. §§ 1451 et seq.);
(6) Conformity of Federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.);
(7) Protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended (P.L. 93-523); and
(8) Protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93–205).
(l) Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C. §§ 1271 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system.
(m) Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. § 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. §§ 469a-1 et seq.). (n) Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human subjects involved in research, development, and related activities supported by this award of assistance. (o) Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. §§ 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of assistance.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
4 (p) Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of lead-based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence structures.
(q) Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, “Audit Requirements”, as adopted and implemented by U.S. DOT at 2 CFR Part 1201. (r) Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies governing the program under which it is applying for assistance. (s) Will comply with the requirements of Section 106(g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended (22 U.S.C. § 7104) which prohibits grant award recipients or a subrecipient from:
(1) Engaging in severe forms of trafficking in persons during the period of time that the award is in effect;
(2) Procuring a commercial sex act during the period of time that the award is in effect; or
(3) Using forced labor in the performance of the award or subawards under the award.

1.2. Standard Assurances: Additional Assurances for Construction Projects.

This certification appears on the Office of Management and Budget’s standard form 424D “Assurances—Construction Programs” and applies specifically to federally assisted projects for construction. This certification has been modified in places to include analogous certifications required by U.S. DOT statutes or regulations.

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, you certify that the applicant:
(a) Will not dispose of, modify the use of, or change the terms of the real property title or other interest in the site and facilities without permission and instructions from the awarding agency; will record the Federal awarding agency directives; and will include a covenant in the title of real property acquired in whole or in part with Federal assistance funds to assure nondiscrimination during the useful life of the project. (b) Will comply with the requirements of the assistance awarding agency with regard to the drafting, review, and approval of construction plans and specifications. (c) Will provide and maintain competent and adequate engineering supervision at the construction site to ensure that the complete work confirms with the approved plans and specifications, and will furnish progressive reports and such other information as may be required by the assistance awarding agency or State.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
5 1.3. Procurement.

The Uniform Administrative Requirements, 2 CFR § 200.325, allow a recipient to self-certify that its procurement system complies with Federal requirements, in lieu of submitting to certain pre-procurement reviews. Additionally, 2 CFR § 200.216(e) states that by accepting a grant, the recipient is certifying its compliance with that section (“Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment or services”).

The applicant certifies that its procurement system complies with:
(a) U.S. DOT regulations, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” 2 CFR Part 1201, which incorporates by reference U.S. OMB regulatory guidance, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” 2 CFR Part 200, particularly 2 CFR §§ 200.317–200.327 “Procurement Standards;
(b) Federal laws, regulations, and requirements applicable to FTA procurements; and (c) The latest edition of FTA Circular 4220.1 and other applicable Federal guidance. (d) 2 CFR § 200.216, “Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment or services.”

1.4. Increased Micro-Purchase Threshold.

A recipient may establish a micro-purchase threshold that is higher than the Federal micropurchase threshold. Pursuant to 2 CFR § 200.320(a)(1)(iv), the recipient may self-certify a micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Pursuant to 2 CFR § 200.320(a)(1)(v), the recipient may set a micro-purchase threshold higher than $50,000, but only with the approval of the recipient’s Federal cognizant agency for indirect costs. To determine an applicant’s cognizant agency for indirect costs, consult the definition of “cognizant agency for indirect costs” in 2 CFR § 200.1.

If the recipient uses a micro-purchase threshold that is higher than the Federal micro-purchase threshold, the recipient certifies:
(a) The recipient’s micro-purchase threshold does not exceed $50,000, or the recipient has approval from its Federal cognizant agency for indirect costs to use a higher micropurchase threshold; (b) The recipient has a written justification for its micro-purchase threshold; and (c) The recipient has supporting documentation of any of the following:
(1) The recipient qualifies as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in 2 CFR § 200.520 for the most recent audit;
(2) The recipient has an annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
6 (3) For public institutions, a higher threshold is consistent with State law.

1.5. Suspension and Debarment.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12549, as implemented at 2 CFR Parts 180 and 1200, prior to entering into a covered transaction with an applicant, FTA must determine whether the applicant is excluded from participating in covered non-procurement transactions. For this purpose, FTA is authorized to collect a certification from each applicant regarding the applicant’s exclusion status. 2 CFR § 180.300. Additionally, each applicant must disclose any information required by 2 CFR § 180.335 about the applicant and the applicant’s principals prior to entering into an award agreement with FTA. This certification serves both purposes.

The applicant certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that the applicant and each of its principals:
(a) Is not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily or involuntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency;
(b) Has not, within the preceding three years, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against him or her for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public or private agreement or transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes, including those proscribing price fixing between competitors, allocation of customers between competitors, and bid rigging; commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, receiving stolen property, making false claims, or obstruction of justice; or commission of any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty;
(c) Is not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any offense described in paragraph (b) of this certification; and
(d) Has not, within the preceding three years, had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated for cause or default.

1.6. Lobbying.

If the applicant will apply for a grant or cooperative agreement exceeding $100,000, or a loan, line of credit, loan guarantee, or loan insurance exceeding $150,000, it must make the following certification and, if applicable, make a disclosure regarding the applicant’s lobbying activities.

This certification is required by 49 CFR § 20.110 and app. A to that part.

This certification does not apply to an applicant that is an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or an Indian tribal organization exempt from the requirements of 49 CFR Part 20.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
7 1.6.1. Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements.

The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:
(a) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. (b) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions. (c) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.

1.6.2. Statement for Loan Guarantees and Loan Insurance.

The undersigned states, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:

If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.

Submission of this statement is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required statement

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
8 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.

1.7. Real Property Use
This certification responds to Recommendation #7 in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General Report FS2024025 (May 20, 2024).

If the applicant will use assistance provided by the Federal Transit Administration to acquire or improve real property, the applicant certifies that it will comply with the requirements of 2 CFR § 200.311, including but not limited to, requirements to use the property for the purposes authorized in its award, and to seek disposition instructions from FTA when the property no longer is needed for any authorized purpose.

CATEGORY 2. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AGENCY SAFETY PLANS
This certification is required of each applicant under the Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5307), each rail operator that is subject to FTA’s state safety oversight programs, and each State that is required to draft and certify a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan on behalf of a Small Public Transportation Provider (as that term is defined at 49 CFR § 673.5) pursuant to 49 CFR § 673.11(d).

This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5307(c)(1)(L), 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d)(1), and 49 CFR § 673.13. This certification is a condition of receipt of Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5307) funding.

This certification does not apply to any applicant that only receives financial assistance from FTA under the Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors Program (49 U.S.C. § 5310), the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. § 5311), or combination of these two programs, unless it operates a rail fixed guideway public transportation system.

If the applicant is an operator, the applicant certifies that it has established a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan meeting the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d)(1) and 49 CFR Part 673; including, specifically, that the board of directors (or equivalent entity) of the applicant has approved, or, in the case of an applicant that will apply for assistance under 49 U.S.C. § 5307 that is serving an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or more, the safety committee of the entity established under 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d)(5), followed by the board of directors (or equivalent entity) of the applicant has approved, the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan or any updates thereto; and, for each recipient serving an urbanized area with a population of fewer than 200,000, that the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan has been developed in cooperation with frontline employee representatives.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
9 If the applicant is a State that drafts and certifies a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan on behalf of a public transportation operator, the applicant certifies that:
(a) It has drafted and certified a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan meeting the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d)(1) and 49 CFR Part 673 for each Small Public Transportation Provider (as that term is defined at 49 CFR § 673.5) in the State, unless the Small Public Transportation Provider provided notification to the State that it was opting out of the State-drafted plan and drafting its own Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan; and
(b) Each Small Public Transportation Provider within the State that opts to use a Statedrafted Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan has a plan that has been approved by the provider’s Accountable Executive (as that term is defined at 49 CFR § 673.5), Board of Directors or Equivalent Authority (as that term is defined at 49 CFR § 673.5), and, if the Small Public Transportation Provider serves an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or more, the safety committee of the Small Public Transportation Provider established under 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d)(5).

CATEGORY 3. TAX LIABILITY AND FELONY CONVICTIONS.

If the applicant is a business association (regardless of for-profit, not for-profit, or tax-exempt status), it must make this certification. Federal appropriations acts since at least 2014 have prohibited FTA from using funds to enter into an agreement with any corporation that has unpaid Federal tax liabilities or recent felony convictions without first considering the corporation for debarment. E.g., Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. 119-75, div. E, tit. VII §§ 744-745. U.S. DOT Order 4200.6 defines a “corporation” as “any private corporation, partnership, trust, joint-stock company, sole proprietorship, or other business association”, and applies the restriction to all tiers of subawards. As prescribed by U.S. DOT Order 4200.6, FTA requires each business association applicant to certify as to its tax and felony status.

If the applicant is a private corporation, partnership, trust, joint-stock company, sole proprietorship, or other business association, the applicant certifies that:
(a) It has no unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability; and
(b) It has not been convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
10 CATEGORY 4. PRIVATE SECTOR PROTECTIONS.

If the applicant will apply for funds that it will use to acquire or operate public transportation facilities or equipment, the applicant must make the following certification regarding protections for the private sector.

4.1. Charter Service Agreement.

To enforce the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 5323(d), FTA’s charter service regulation requires each applicant seeking assistance from FTA for the purpose of acquiring or operating any public transportation equipment or facilities to make the following Charter Service Agreement. 49 CFR § 604.4.

The applicant agrees that it, and each of its subrecipients, and third-party contractors at any level who use FTA-funded vehicles, may provide charter service using equipment or facilities acquired with Federal assistance authorized under the Federal Transit Laws only in compliance with the regulations set out in 49 CFR Part 604, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

4.2. School Bus Agreement.

To enforce the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 5323(f), FTA’s school bus regulation requires each applicant seeking assistance from FTA for the purpose of acquiring or operating any public transportation equipment or facilities to make the following agreement regarding the provision of school bus services. 49 CFR § 605.15.
(a) If the applicant is not authorized by the FTA Administrator under 49 CFR § 605.11 to engage in school bus operations, the applicant agrees and certifies as follows:
(1) The applicant and any operator of project equipment agrees that it will not engage in school bus operations in competition with private school bus operators. (2) The applicant agrees that it will not engage in any practice which constitutes a means of avoiding the requirements of this agreement, part 605 of the Federal Mass Transit Regulations, or section 164(b) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 (49 U.S.C. 1602a(b)).
(b) If the applicant is authorized or obtains authorization from the FTA Administrator to engage in school bus operations under 49 CFR § 605.11, the applicant agrees as follows:
(1) The applicant agrees that neither it nor any operator of project equipment will engage in school bus operations in competition with private school bus operators except as provided herein.
(2) The applicant, or any operator of project equipment, agrees to promptly notify the FTA Administrator of any changes in its operations which might jeopardize the continuation of an exemption under § 605.11.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
11 (3) The applicant agrees that it will not engage in any practice which constitutes a means of avoiding the requirements of this agreement, part 605 of the Federal Transit Administration regulations or section 164(b) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 (49 U.S.C. 1602a(b)).
(4) The applicant agrees that the project facilities and equipment shall be used for the provision of mass transportation services within its urban area and that any other use of project facilities and equipment will be incidental to and shall not interfere with the use of such facilities and equipment in mass transportation service to the public.

CATEGORY 5. TRANSIT ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN.

If the applicant owns, operates, or manages capital assets used to provide public transportation, the following certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5326(a).

The applicant certifies that it is in compliance with 49 CFR Part 625.

CATEGORY 6. ROLLING STOCK BUY AMERICA REVIEWS AND BUS TESTING.

6.1. Rolling Stock Buy America Reviews.

If the applicant will apply for an award to acquire rolling stock for use in revenue service, it must make this certification. This certification is required by 49 CFR § 663.7.

The applicant certifies that it will conduct or cause to be conducted the pre-award and postdelivery audits prescribed by 49 CFR Part 663 and will maintain on file the certifications required by Subparts B, C, and D of 49 CFR Part 663.

6.2. Bus Testing.

If the applicant will apply for funds for the purchase or lease of any new bus model, or any bus model with a major change in configuration or components, the applicant must make this certification. This certification is required by 49 CFR § 665.7.

The applicant certifies that the bus was tested at the Bus Testing Facility established in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5318 (currently the Larson Transportation Institute’s Bus Research and Testing Center at Pennsylvania State University) and that the bus received a passing test score as required by 49 CFR Part 665. The applicant has received or will receive the appropriate full Bus Testing Report and any applicable partial testing reports before final acceptance of the first vehicle.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
12 CATEGORY 7. URBANIZED AREA FORMULA GRANTS PROGRAM.

If the applicant will apply for an award under the Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5307), or any other program or award that is subject to the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 5307, including the Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors Program (49 U.S.C. § 5310); “flex funds” from infrastructure programs administered by the Federal Highways Administration (see 49 U.S.C. § 5334(i)); projects that will receive an award authorized by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (“TIFIA”) (23 U.S.C. §§ 601–609) or State Infrastructure Bank Program (23 U.S.C. § 610) (see 49 U.S.C. § 5323(o)); formula awards or competitive awards to urbanized areas under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339(a) and (b)); or low or no emission awards to any area under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339(c)), the applicant must make the following certification. This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5307(c)(1).

The applicant certifies that it:
(a) Has or will have the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the program of projects (developed pursuant 49 U.S.C. § 5307(b)), including safety and security aspects of the program;
(b) Has or will have satisfactory continuing control over the use of equipment and facilities; (c) Will maintain equipment and facilities in accordance with the applicant’s transit asset management plan;
(d) Will ensure that, during non-peak hours for transportation using or involving a facility or equipment of a project financed under this section, a fare that is not more than 50 percent of the peak hour fare will be charged for any—
(1) Senior;
(2) Individual who, because of illness, injury, age, congenital malfunction, or any other incapacity or temporary or permanent disability (including an individual who is a wheelchair user or has semi-ambulatory capability), cannot use a public transportation service or a public transportation facility effectively without special facilities, planning, or design; and
(3) Individual presenting a Medicare card issued to that individual under title II or XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq., and 1395 et seq.); (e) In carrying out a procurement under 49 U.S.C. § 5307, will comply with 49 U.S.C. §§ 5323 (general provisions) and 5325 (contract requirements); (f) Has complied with 49 U.S.C. § 5307(b) (program of projects requirements); (g) Has available and will provide the required amounts as provided by 49 U.S.C. § 5307(d) (cost sharing);
(h) Will comply with 49 U.S.C. §§ 5303 (metropolitan transportation planning) and 5304 (statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning);

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
13 (i) Has a locally developed process to solicit and consider public comment before raising a fare or carrying out a major reduction of transportation; (j) Either—
(1) Will expend for each fiscal year for public transportation security projects, including increased lighting in or adjacent to a public transportation system (including bus stops, subway stations, parking lots, and garages), increased camera surveillance of an area in or adjacent to that system, providing an emergency telephone line to contact law enforcement or security personnel in an area in or adjacent to that system, and any other project intended to increase the security and safety of an existing or planned public transportation system, at least 1 percent of the amount the recipient receives for each fiscal year under 49 U.S.C. § 5336; or
(2) Has decided that the expenditure for security projects is not necessary; (k) In the case of an applicant for an urbanized area with a population of not fewer than 200,000 individuals, as determined by the Bureau of the Census, will submit an annual report listing projects carried out in the preceding fiscal year under 49 U.S.C. § 5307 for associated transit improvements as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5302; and (l) Will comply with 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d) (public transportation agency safety plan).

CATEGORY 8. FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS.

If the applicant will apply for funds made available to it under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. § 5311), it must make this certification. Paragraph (a) of this certification helps FTA make the determinations required by 49 U.S.C. § 5311(b)(2)(C).

Paragraph (b) of this certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5311(f)(2). Paragraph (c) of this certification, which applies to funds apportioned for the Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program, is necessary to enforce the conditions of 49 U.S.C. § 5311(c)(2)(D).
(a) The applicant certifies that its State program for public transportation service projects, including agreements with private providers for public transportation service— (1) Provides a fair distribution of amounts in the State, including Indian reservations; and
(2) Provides the maximum feasible coordination of public transportation service assisted under 49 U.S.C. § 5311 with transportation service assisted by other Federal sources; and
(b) If the applicant will in any fiscal year expend less than 15% of the total amount made available to it under 49 U.S.C. § 5311 to carry out a program to develop and support intercity bus transportation, the applicant certifies that it has consulted with affected

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
14 intercity bus service providers, and the intercity bus service needs of the State are being met adequately.
(c) If the applicant will use for a highway project amounts that cannot be used for operating expenses authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 5311(c)(2) (Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program), the applicant certifies that— (1) It has approved the use in writing only after providing appropriate notice and an opportunity for comment and appeal to affected public transportation providers; and
(2) It has determined that otherwise eligible local transit needs are being addressed.

CATEGORY 9. FIXED GUIDEWAY CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS AND THE

EXPEDITED PROJECT DELIVERY FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS PILOT PROGRAM.

If the applicant will apply for an award under any subsection of the Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Program (49 U.S.C. § 5309), including an award made pursuant to the FAST Act’s Expedited Project Delivery for Capital Investment Grants Pilot Program (Pub. L. 114-94, div. A, title III, § 3005(b)), the applicant must make the following certification. This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5309(c)(2) and Pub. L. 114-94, div. A, title III, § 3005(b)(3)(B).

The applicant certifies that it:
(a) Has or will have the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out its Award, including the safety and security aspects of that Award, (b) Has or will have satisfactory continuing control over the use of equipment and facilities acquired or improved under its Award.
(c) Will maintain equipment and facilities acquired or improved under its Award in accordance with its transit asset management plan; and
(d) Will comply with 49 U.S.C. §§ 5303 (metropolitan transportation planning) and 5304 (statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning).

CATEGORY 10. GRANTS FOR BUSES AND BUS FACILITIES AND LOW OR NO EMISSION VEHICLE DEPLOYMENT GRANT PROGRAMS.

If the applicant is in an urbanized area and will apply for an award under subsection (a) (formula grants), subsection (b) (buses and bus facilities competitive grants), or subsection (c) (low or no emissions grants) of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339), the applicant must make the certification in Category 7 for Urbanized Area Formula Grants (49 U.S.C. § 5307). This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5339(a)(3), (b)(6), and (c)(3), respectively.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
15 If the applicant is in a rural area and will apply for an award under subsection (a) (formula grants), subsection (b) (bus and bus facilities competitive grants), or subsection (c) (low or no emissions grants) of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339), the applicant must make the certification in Category 8 for Formula Grants for Rural Areas (49 U.S.C. § 5311). This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5339(a)(3), (b)(6), and (c)(3), respectively.

Making this certification will incorporate by reference the applicable certifications in Category 7 or Category 8.

If the applicant will receive a competitive award under subsection (b) (buses and bus facilities competitive grants), or subsection (c) (low or no emissions grants) of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339) related to zero emissions vehicles or related infrastructure, it must make the following certification. This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5339(d).

The applicant will use 5 percent of grants related to zero emissions vehicles (as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5339(c)(1)) or related infrastructure under 49 U.S.C. § 5339(b) or (c) to fund workforce development training as described in section 49 U.S.C. § 5314(b)(2) (including registered apprenticeships and other labor-management training programs) under the recipient’s plan to address the impact of the transition to zero emission vehicles on the applicant’s current workforce; or the applicant certifies a smaller percentage is necessary to carry out that plan.

CATEGORY 11. ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAMS.

If the applicant will apply for an award under the Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5310), it must make the certification in Category 7 for Urbanized Area Formula Grants (49 U.S.C. § 5307). This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5310(e)(1). Making this certification will incorporate by reference the certification in Category 7, except that FTA has determined that (d), (f), (i), (j), and (k) of Category 7 do not apply to awards made under 49 U.S.C. § 5310 and will not be enforced.

In addition to the certification in Category 7, the applicant must make the following certification that is specific to the Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5310(e)(2).

The applicant certifies that:
(a) The projects selected by the applicant are included in a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan;

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
16 (b) The plan described in clause (a) was developed and approved through a process that included participation by seniors, individuals with disabilities, representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human services providers, and other members of the public;
(c) To the maximum extent feasible, the services funded under 49 U.S.C. § 5310 will be coordinated with transportation services assisted by other Federal departments and agencies, including any transportation activities carried out by a recipient of a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(d) If the applicant will allocate funds received under 49 U.S.C. § 5310 to subrecipients, it will do so on a fair and equitable basis.

CATEGORY 12. STATE OF GOOD REPAIR GRANTS.

If the applicant will apply for an award under FTA’s State of Good Repair Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5337), it must make the following certification. Because FTA generally does not review the transit asset management plans of public transportation providers, the asset management certification is necessary to enforce the provisions of 49 U.S.C. § 5337(a)(4). The certification with regard to acquiring restricted rail rolling stock is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5323(u)(4). Note that this certification is not limited to the use of Federal funds.

The applicant certifies that the projects it will carry out using assistance authorized by the State of Good Repair Grants Program, 49 U.S.C. § 5337, are aligned with the applicant’s most recent transit asset management plan and are identified in the investment and prioritization section of such plan, consistent with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 625.

If the applicant operates a rail fixed guideway service, the applicant certifies that, in the fiscal year for which an award is available to the applicant under the State of Good Repair Grants Program, 49 U.S.C. § 5337, the applicant will not award any contract or subcontract for the procurement of rail rolling stock for use in public transportation with a rail rolling stock manufacturer described in 49 U.S.C. § 5323(u)(1).

CATEGORY 13. INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE PROGRAMS.

If the applicant will apply for an award for a project that will include assistance under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (“TIFIA”) Program (23 U.S.C. §§ 601–609) or the State Infrastructure Banks (“SIB”) Program (23 U.S.C. § 610), it must make the certifications in Category 7 for the Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program, Category 9 for the Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants program, and Category 12 for the State of Good Repair Grants program. These certifications are required by 49 U.S.C. § 5323(o).

Making this certification will incorporate the certifications in Categories 7, 9, and 12 by reference.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
17 CATEGORY 14. ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES TESTING.

If the applicant will apply for an award under FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5307), Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Program (49 U.S.C. § 5309), Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. § 5311), or Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339) programs, the applicant must make the following certification. The applicant must make this certification on its own behalf and on behalf of its subrecipients and contractors. This certification is required by 49 CFR § 655.83.

The applicant certifies that it, its subrecipients, and its contractors are compliant with FTA’s regulation for the Prevention of Alcohol Misuse and Prohibited Drug Use in Transit Operations, 49 CFR Part 655.

CATEGORY 15. RAIL SAFETY TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT.

If the applicant is a State with at least one rail fixed guideway system, or is a State Safety Oversight Agency, or operates a rail fixed guideway system, it must make the following certification. The elements of this certification are required by 49 CFR §§ 672.31 and 674.39.

The applicant certifies that the rail fixed guideway public transportation system and the State Safety Oversight Agency for the State are:
(a) Compliant with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 672, “Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program”; and
(b) Compliant with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 674, “Sate Safety Oversight”.

CATEGORY 16. DEMAND RESPONSIVE SERVICE.

If the applicant operates demand responsive service and will apply for an award to purchase a non-rail vehicle that is not accessible within the meaning of 49 CFR Part 37, it must make the following certification. This certification is required by 49 CFR § 37.77.

The applicant certifies that the service it provides to individuals with disabilities is equivalent to that provided to other persons. A demand responsive system, when viewed in its entirety, is deemed to provide equivalent service if the service available to individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, is provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual and is equivalent to the service provided other individuals with respect to the following service characteristics:
(a) Response time;
(b) Fares;
(c) Geographic area of service;
(d) Hours and days of service;

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
18 (e) Restrictions or priorities based on trip purpose; (f) Availability of information and reservation capability; and (g) Any constraints on capacity or service availability.

CATEGORY 17. INTEREST AND FINANCING COSTS.

If the applicant will pay for interest or other financing costs of a project using assistance awarded under the Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5307), the Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants Program (49 U.S.C. § 5309), or any program that must comply with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 5307, including the Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors Program (49 U.S.C. § 5310), “flex funds” from infrastructure programs administered by the Federal Highways Administration (see 49 U.S.C. § 5334(i)), or awards to urbanized areas under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. § 5339), the applicant must make the following certification. This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. §§ 5307(e)(3) and 5309(k)(2)(D).

The applicant certifies that:
(a) Its application includes the cost of interest earned and payable on bonds issued by the applicant only to the extent proceeds of the bonds were or will be expended in carrying out the project identified in its application; and
(b) The applicant has shown or will show reasonable diligence in seeking the most favorable financing terms available to the project at the time of borrowing.

CATEGORY 18. CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION FOR RAIL ROLLING STOCK AND OPERATIONS.

If the applicant operates a rail fixed guideway public transportation system, it must make this certification. This certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5323(v). For information about standards or practices that may apply to a rail fixed guideway public transportation system, visit https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework and https://www.cisa.gov/.

The applicant certifies that it has established a process to develop, maintain, and execute a written plan for identifying and reducing cybersecurity risks that complies with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 5323(v)(2).

CATEGORY 19. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS

FORMULA AND DISCRETIONARY PROGRAM (TRIBAL TRANSIT
PROGRAMS).

Before FTA may provide Federal assistance for an Award financed under either the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Formula or Discretionary Program authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 5311(c)(1), as amended by the FAST Act, (Tribal Transit Programs), the applicant

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
19 must select the Certifications in this Category, except as FTA determines otherwise in writing.

Tribal Transit Program applicants may certify to this Category and Category 1 (Certifications and Assurances Required of Every Applicant) and need not make any other certification, to meet Tribal Transit Program certification requirements. If an applicant will apply for any program in addition to the Tribal Transit Program, additional certifications may be required.

FTA has established terms and conditions for Tribal Transit Program grants financed with Federal assistance appropriated or made available under 49 U.S.C. § 5311(c)(1). The applicant certifies that:
(a) It has or will have the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out its Award, including the safety and security aspects of that Award. (b) It has or will have satisfactory continuing control over the use of its equipment and facilities acquired or improved under its Award.
(c) It will maintain its equipment and facilities acquired or improved under its Award, in accordance with its transit asset management plan and consistent with FTA regulations, “Transit Asset Management,” 49 CFR Part 625. Its Award will achieve maximum feasible coordination with transportation service financed by other federal sources. (d) With respect to its procurement system:
(1) It will have a procurement system that complies with U.S. DOT regulations, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” 2 CFR Part 1201, which incorporates by reference U.S. OMB regulatory guidance, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” 2 CFR Part 200, for Awards made on or after December 26, 2014,
(2) It will have a procurement system that complies with U.S. DOT regulations, “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,” 49 CFR Part 18, specifically former 49 CFR § 18.36, for Awards made before December 26, 2014, or
(3) It will inform FTA promptly if its procurement system does not comply with either of those U.S. DOT regulations.
(e) It will comply with the Certifications, Assurances, and Agreements in:
(1) Category 4.1 and 4.2 (Charter Service Agreement and School Bus Agreement), (2) Category 5 (Transit Asset Management Plan),
(3) Category 6.1 and 6.2 (Rolling Stock Buy America Reviews and Bus Testing), (4) Category 8 (Formula Grants for Rural Areas),
(5) Category 14 (Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing), and (6) Category 16 (Demand Responsive Service).

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
20 CATEGORY 20. EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM.

An applicant to the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program, 49 U.S.C. § 5324, must make the following certification. The certification is required by 49 U.S.C. § 5324(f) and must be made before the applicant can receive a grant under the Emergency Relief program.

The applicant certifies that the applicant has insurance required under State law for all structures related to the emergency relief program grant application.

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
1 FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2026 CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES FOR FTA

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
(Signature pages alternate to providing Certifications and Assurances in TrAMS.) Name of Applicant:_____________________________________________________ The Applicant certifies to the applicable provisions of all categories: (check here) _______.

Or,
The Applicant certifies to the applicable provisions of the categories it has selected:

Category Certification
01 Certifications and Assurances Required of Every Applicant 02 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans
03 Tax Liability and Felony Convictions
04 Private Sector Protections
05 Transit Asset Management Plan
06 Rolling Stock Buy America Reviews and Bus Testing
07 Urbanized Area Formula Grants Program
08 Formula Grants for Rural Areas
09 Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants and the Expedited Project Delivery for Capital Investment Grants Pilot Program 10 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities and Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Grant Programs
11 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Programs

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
2 12 State of Good Repair Grants
13 Infrastructure Finance Programs
14 Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing
15 Rail Safety Training and Oversight
16 Demand Responsive Service
17 Interest and Financing Costs
18 Cybersecurity Certification for Rail Rolling Stock and Operations
19 Tribal Transit Programs
20 Emergency Relief Program

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES SIGNATURE PAGE

AFFIRMATION OF APPLICANT
Name of the Applicant:

BY SIGNING BELOW, on behalf of the Applicant, I declare that it has duly authorized me to make these Certifications and Assurances and bind its compliance. Thus, it agrees to comply with all federal laws, regulations, and requirements, follow applicable federal guidance, and comply with the Certifications and Assurances as indicated on the foregoing page applicable to each application its Authorized Representative makes to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the federal fiscal year, irrespective of whether the individual that acted on his or her Applicant’s behalf continues to represent it.

The Certifications and Assurances the Applicant selects apply to each Award for which it now seeks, or may seek in the future, of federal assistance to be awarded by FTA during the federal fiscal year.

The Applicant affirms the truthfulness and accuracy of the Certifications and Assurances it has selected in the statements submitted with this document and any other submission made to FTA, and acknowledges that the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986, 31 U.S.C. § 3801 et seq., and implementing U.S. DOT regulations, “Program Fraud Civil Remedies,” 49 CFR part 31, apply to any certification, assurance or submission made to FTA. The criminal provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 apply to any certification, assurance, or submission made in connection with a federal public transportation program authorized by 49 U.S.C. chapter 53 or any other statute In signing this document, I declare under penalties of perjury that the foregoing Certifications and Assurances, and any other statements made by me on behalf of the Applicant are true and accurate.

Signature Date:

Certifications and Assurances Fiscal Year 2026
3 Name Authorized Representative of Applicant
AFFIRMATION OF APPLICANT’S ATTORNEY
For (Name of Applicant):

As the undersigned Attorney for the above-named Applicant, I hereby affirm the Applicant has the authority under state, local, or tribal government law, as applicable, to make and comply with the Certifications and Assurances as indicated on the foregoing pages. I further affirm that, in my opinion, the Certifications and Assurances have been legally made and constitute legal and binding obligations on it.

I further affirm that, to the best of my knowledge, there is no legislation or litigation pending or imminent that might adversely affect the validity of these Certifications and Assurances, or of the performance of its FTA assisted Award.

Signature Date:

Name Attorney for Applicant
Each Applicant for federal assistance to be awarded by FTA must provide an Affirmation of Applicant’s Attorney pertaining to the Applicant’s legal capacity. The Applicant may enter its electronic signature in lieu of the Attorney’s signature within TrAMS, provided the Applicant has on file and uploaded to TrAMS this hard-copy Affirmation, signed by the attorney and dated this federal fiscal year.

City of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: June 2, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Public Works & Utilities Director
Prepared By: Bryan Wheeler, Transportation Planner/Engineer III VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM #5j – AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL FOR SOUTH BROAD STREET CORRIDOR PLANNING AND
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, SPEC. NO. 2001070
Staff received the following questions regarding the recommended action to authorize City Staff to advertise an RFP for South Broad Street Corridor Planning and Demonstration Project. The questions are below with staff’s response shown in italics:
1) Will City staff conduct additional community engagement activities beyond what is specified for a consultant in the RFP?
The project will include additional public outreach opportunities beyond those identified in the RFP to ensure community participation throughout the planning process. The Community Outreach task (Task 6) establishes the minimum outreach requirements that must be completed by the selected consultant. City staff will supplement these efforts with additional outreach activities designed to reach residents, businesses, school communities, and corridor users.

Additional outreach opportunities are anticipated to include:
 Pop-up outreach events at area schools and businesses.  An online GIS-based survey.
 Physical mailers to residences within the project area.  Posters throughout the corridor, including at businesses, parks, and on transit buses, advertising outreach events, and the online survey.  An intercept survey along the Railroad Safety Trail, depending on staff availability and project needs.

ITEM 5j – AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE RFP (S. BROAD ST CORRIDOR PROJECT) Page 2 2) What is the timeframe for Tasks 7-9 and when is construction expected? Tasks 7 (Demonstration Project PS&E and Environmental Clearance), 8 (After-Project Data Collection), and 9 (Documentation of Findings and Recommendations) are anticipated to occur between June 2027 and June 2030. The extended timeframe reflects the need to complete environmental review, finalize design documents, construct the demonstration project, collect and analyze post-installation data, evaluate project performance, and prepare findings and recommendations consistent with Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant requirements.

City staff anticipates completing the Corridor Plan Development and Community Outreach and Engagement efforts (Tasks 5 and 6) by mid-2027. Following completion of environmental review and required approvals, staff intend to advance the demonstration project into construction as early as feasible within the implementation period. Although the grant schedule allows implementation activities to occur through 2030, staff's objective is to complete construction and begin evaluating project performance early in the three-year timeframe.

In addition, City staff are evaluating opportunities to implement near-term safety improvements during summer 2026 outside of the grant-funded project. Potential improvements include increasing sight distance at side streets along Broad Street and installing speed feedback signs where warranted. These improvements would allow safety enhancements to begin while the planning and community engagement process is underway.
3) What is the $210,000 for in the RFP and is that included in the total budget in the staff report of $1.139M?
The $210,000 consultant contract will fund completion of Tasks 1 through 9 identified in the RFP. These tasks encompass the full planning, design, environmental review, evaluation, and reporting requirements associated with the South Broad Street Corridor Planning and Demonstration Project. Specifically, the consultant will:
 Collect and analyze corridor data.
 Prepare traffic signal warrants and intersection analyses as identified by City staff.  Conduct a corridor safety analysis to inform plan development.  Prepare the corridor plan that will guide both the demonstration project and future corridor improvements.
 Facilitate public outreach activities and public meetings.  Present findings and recommendations to the Active Transportation Committee and City Council.
 Develop plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for the demonstration project.  Prepare CEQA and NEPA environmental review documentation.  Conduct post-project data collection and analysis.
 Prepare final documentation and reporting required under the SS4A grant program.

ITEM 5j – AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE RFP (S. BROAD ST CORRIDOR PROJECT) Page 3 Further details of the work scope for the consultant can be found in the request for proposal.

The consultant contract amount is included in the $1.139M budgeted in the staff report.

Further, this contract amount is a portion of the $400,000 to be reimbursed by the FHWA Safe Streets of All grant funding.

Item 5j
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5010
For Agenda of: 6/2/2026
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Public Works & Utilities Director
Prepared By: Bryan Wheeler, Transportation Planner Engineer III SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR

SOUTH BROAD STREET CORRIDOR PLANNING AND
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, SPEC. NO. 2001070

RECOMMENDATION

1. Authorize the advertisement of a Request for Proposals for design services for the South Broad Street Corridor Planning and Demonstration Project (Specification No. 2001070), Attachment A, in a final form approved by the City Engineer and City Attorney; and,

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the selected consulting firm; and,

3. Authorize the Finance Director to execute and amend purchase orders under the executed consultant agreement in an amount not to exceed the available project budget; and,

4. Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate the awarded Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant funds to the South Broad Street Corridor project account (2001070).

POLICY CONTEXT
The South Broad Street Area Plan was adopted by the City Council on December 2, 2014, as part of the General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element Update.

Per Section 202-A of the City’s adopted purchasing policy, Professional Services in excess of $150,000 require Council Approval and a formal Request for Proposal (RFP).

DISCUSSION
Background
The South Broad Street Area Plan was adopted by the City Council on December 2, 2014, as part of the General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element Update. Since adoption, the South Broad corridor has seen steady transformation with increased residential and commercial development, along with increasing vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle volumes.

Item 5j
On February 6, 2024, City Council directed staff to appropriate $800k from the Infrastructure Investment Fund to support staffing needs for the Broad Street Active Transportation Plan (ATP) with the Mid-Year Budget. This provided $400k for a contract staff position to focus on delivery of the Broad Street improvements, and $400k toward consultant services to supplement grant funding for the project. At the April 16, 2024 council meeting, Staff was authorized to pursue Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All funding in the amount of $500k, with a $100k local match. This funding will supplement previously authorized budget.

In September 2024, the City was awarded a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant in the amount of $400,000, requiring a $100,000 local match, administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These grant funds allow the City to complete:

1. A comprehensive safety assessment, including a detailed analysis of the collision history;

2. Expanded data collection on the full corridor of Broad Street and surrounding streets;

3. Design and build a demonstration project, using “quick build” materials such as striping and flex posts to test roadway safety strategies identified through public outreach including (1) enhanced bicycle lanes, (2) corner bulb-outs, (3) temporary medians or left-turn provisions and/or prohibitions to control access, (4) road diet elements, and (5) speed feedback signs.

After the grant was awarded, staff worked to fill the position necessary to deliver this project. Staff further prepared the project scope and negotiated the project scope with FHWA to satisfy the grant’s requirements. The RFP was initially intended to be presented to Council at the November 4, 2025 meeting; however, prior to that meeting, FHWA modified the grant agreement by adding additional terms and conditions, including requirements to comply with various federal executive orders, which necessitated extended legal review.

The City Attorney’s Office has now completed its review and identified a path forward.

The City’s executed grant agreement, with its qualifications on acceptance of the added terms, is included as Attachment B.

Broad Street is further identified as a Tier 1 corridor in the City’s Active Transportation Plan, indicating a high priority for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. It is also classified as a High Collision Rate Roadway Segment due to a history of frequent and severe traffic collisions involving all travel modes (vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists).

Furthermore, recommendations for Broad Street are incorporated into the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan, adopted by Council at the May 19, 2026 meeting.

Project Scope
Staff is requesting authorization to solicit and award a contract with a qualified transportation planning and engineering consulting firm through a formal RFP process.

Item 5j
The selected consultant will be responsible for preparing a corridor plan and designing a near-term demonstration project for South Broad Street in coordination with City staff.

The consultant will prepare a comprehensive corridor plan for South Broad Street extending from High Street to the southern City limits. This effort will include an evaluation of existing transportation conditions, including traffic operations, safety performance, and multimodal mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists. The analysis will incorporate collision history, traffic data, and applicable policy guidance from adopted City documents, including the Active Transportation Plan and Vision Zero Action Plan. The result of this work will be a set of corridor-level recommendations intended to improve safety and mobility for all users.

In addition to the corridor planning effort, the consultant will design a near-term demonstration project within the segment of South Broad Street between South Street and Orcutt Road. This demonstration project will utilize “quick-build” materials to test potential safety and operational improvements prior to consideration of permanent capital investments. The consultant will develop conceptual and final design plans, including plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E), and will incorporate community input and findings from the corridor planning effort. Potential treatments may include roadway reconfiguration, protected bicycle facility elements, and targeted intersection safety improvements designed to address identified conflict points. The data collection, public outreach, demonstration project and the planning study will include neighboring streets both to the east and west of Broad to address cut-through traffic and neighborhood concerns. Staff expects improvements to be implemented and/or recommended both on Broad Street and on other adjacent streets as identified in the plan.

The consultant will also be responsible for supporting public engagement, environmental clearance, and post-implementation evaluation. Public engagement will include facilitation of a minimum of two public meetings and ongoing coordination with the Active Transportation Committee and City Council. The consultant will assist in maintaining a project website to support public outreach and information sharing throughout the planning process. Environmental documentation required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will be completed as part of the project deliverables in accordance with grant requirements.

Following implementation of the demonstration project, the consultant will conduct data collection and evaluation to assess project performance and effectiveness. This analysis will be used to inform recommendations for future permanent improvements along the corridor and will be incorporated into updates to the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan.

The consultant will provide technical expertise in transportation planning, engineering design, environmental review support, and performance evaluation. City staff will retain responsibility for overall project coordination, community communication, and grant administration and reporting requirements.

Item 5j
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
On February 6, 2024 the City Council approved $800,000 as part of the Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Mid-year Budget Review to advance early planning for a South Broad Corridor project to incorporate elements of the South Broad Street Area Plan and the Active Transportation Plan.

On April 16, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution 11492, and approved staff to prepare and submit an application for the SS4A grant program of up to $500,000 for the South Broad Corridor Project, with $100,000 of that being match city funds. The grant was awarded to the City in September of 2024.

Additional money is planned in the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2029-30, for permanent improvements to the corridor, if warranted by the success of the demonstration project. Possible improvements will be determined by the planning process, but may include physically protected bicycle lanes, sidewalk and curb ramp upgrades, raised medians, and additional intersection controls such as traffic signals (where warranted).

Public Engagement
The scope of the RFP includes a public engagement component for the consultant to administer, which will include, but not be limited to the following:

1. A minimum of two public meetings with residents and stakeholders along the corridor.

2. An online presence and project portal on the City’s website, with ability to receive public input and disseminate project data and components.

3. Presentation of the plan at a minimum of one Active Transportation Committee meeting and one City Council meeting for review and approval.

City staff will supplement consultant-led outreach by continuing direct engagement with residents, community partners, and stakeholders as needed. Staff have already received inquiries from residents regarding safety concerns along the corridor, and ongoing communication with these individuals and the broader community in that area will remain an important component of project delivery to ensure timely and transparent updates.

Prior to implementation of the demonstration project, the City Council will have the opportunity to review and approve the corridor plan. The demonstration project will also proceed through the City’s standard project delivery process and will require separate Council approval prior to construction.

CONCURRENCE
The Public Works Department, Finance Department, and City Attorney have reviewed the proposed agreement and concur with its contents. City Emergency Services will also participate in the project, providing input during development of the corridor plan and

Item 5j
reviewing the proposed demonstration project and any other improvements to ensure operational considerations are addressed.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
There is no environmental review required with the actions requested at this time, as release of the consultant RFP and initiation of corridor design and planning activities are not classified as “projects” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as they will not result in either a direct physical change or indirect physical change to the environment. Both CEQA and NEPA review will be required with the subsequent actions to (a) adopt a formal planning document for the South Broad Street Corridor and (b) prior to construction of any physical infrastructure improvements, including implementation of the proposed demonstration project. CEQA and NEPA studies, reports, and documentation are required components of the SS4A grant deliverables will be completed as part of these forthcoming actions.

FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2025-26
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:

On February 6, 2024, the City Council approved $800,000 to support early planning for the South Broad Street Corridor Project, including $400,000 intended for consultant planning support, and $400,000 for contract staffing for this effort. In September 2024, the City was awarded a $400,000 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant, which requires a $100,000 local match.

To maintain project momentum prior to execution of the grant agreement, the City engaged an on-call consultant to complete initial traffic engineering due diligence planning for the segment between South Street and Orcutt Road. That effort, totaling $60,480, is now complete and will be incorporated into the broader corridor planning and demonstration project.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, staff attempted to recruit for contract engineering staff to support this project effort but were initially unsuccessful in attracting qualified candidates.

In early 2026, further recruitment was successful and there is now a contract Transportation Planner-Engineer I on board who is ready to focus on supporting the South Broad Street project. Approximately $200,000 in project funding is reserved for this contract staffing position.

Staff are currently awaiting final execution of the SS4A grant agreement by the Federal Highway Administration. While there is some uncertainty regarding execution of the agreement with the City’s incorporated clarification, the project is structured to proceed using available local funding, if necessary, with scope adjusted accordingly to align with

Item 5j
available resources. The primary benefit of the federal grant is to support implementation of the demonstration project.

Including the SS4A grant and required local match, total project funding of $1,139,520 ($939,520 when excluding funds reserved for contract staffing) will support corridor planning, public engagement, environmental clearance, and design and construction of the demonstration project. Funding for potential future permanent improvements is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2029-30, as identified in the 2025-2027 Financial Plan, subject to future Council appropriation.

Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
Capital Outlay
Fund
$739,520* $0 $739,520 $0
State
Federal SSAA
Grant
$400,000 $400,000
Fees
Other:

Total $1,139,520 $0 $1,139,520 $0
*Approximately $200,000 in current Capital Outlay funds are reserved to support contract staffing for this project and should be considered unavailable for other uses.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Reject the authorization to release an RFP for the South Broad Street Corridor Planning and Demonstration Project. This action would hinder the City's ability to deliver planned improvements to the South Broad Street area, that have been approved in the financial plan. Further, the consultant support is necessary to utilize the federal grant funds, and failing to deliver may jeopardize further grant opportunities.

2. Direct staff to modify the RFP prior to release. Comments on the scope of the RFP and the project at this meeting will delay the start of the consultant work, and the project. Council and the public will have several opportunities to provide input and guide the project at future public outreach, ATC and Council meetings. It is recommended that council approve the RFP, but make specific language recommendations in the council action, if necessary, to avoid further project delays

ATTACHMENTS
A - RFP for South Broad Complete Street Project-Specification No. 2001070 B - FHWA Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Agreement

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Notice Requesting Proposals for
South Broad Complete Street Planning and Demonstration Project Specification No. 2001070
May 2026
The City of San Luis Obispo is requesting sealed proposals from qualified and interested consultants to provide professional services in transportation planning, engineering, and environmental compliance for the South Broad Street Complete Street Project, pursuant to Specification No. 2001070 and the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from consultants with demonstrated expertise and experience in community outreach, roadway safety planning and analysis, the preparation of PS&E documents, and the completion of environmental documentation necessary to achieve compliance with NEPA, as required under the grant agreement. Proposals fee shall not exceed $210,000.

Description of Services:

In general, required services shall consist of various transportation planning and engineering services related to the City’s South Broad Street Complete Streets Project. The selected consultant will lead community outreach and complete a safety assessment to inform the development of a corridor plan with preliminary design concepts identifying both short-term and long-term safety improvements. The consultant will also prepare PS&E documents, as well as environmental documentation necessary to satisfy NEPA requirements, for a quick-build demonstration project that tests low-cost, short-term safety measures identified in the corridor plan.

Proposal Submittal Deadline:

All proposals must be received by the Public Works Department at 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 by 2:00 P.M. on June 17, 2026.

Submittals received after said time will not be considered. To guard against premature opening, each proposal shall be submitted to the Public Works Department in a sealed envelope plainly marked with the RFP title, specification number, consultant name, and time and date of the proposal opening. Proposals shall be submitted using the forms provided in the specification package.

Obtaining a Specification Package
Download from the City’s Web site www.slocity.org - Doing Business / Bids & Proposals page A list of companies that have requested a copy of the RFP is maintained on the web page.

Questions
Questions regarding this RFP or project detail information should be directed to Bryan Wheeler at [email protected] or (805) 781-7190.

Specification No. 2001070

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. DESCRIPTION OF WORK.......................................................................................................................................3 B. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ..................................................................................................................7 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................................................7 CONTRACT AWARD AND EXECUTION ................................................................................................................8 C. PROPOSAL CONTENT AND SELECTION PROCESS ..........................................................................................9 PROPOSAL CONTENT ...........................................................................................................................................9 PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND CONSULTANT SELECTION ............................................................................10 D. FORM OF AGREEMENT......................................................................................................................................11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................................................19 INSURANCE CERTIFICATE .................................................................................................................................19 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................20 STATEMENT OF PAST CONTRACT DISQUALIFICATIONS..............................................................................21 E. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: Consultant Services ........................................................................................22

A. DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The City of San Luis Obispo is requesting proposals for planning and design services for the South Broad Street Complete Street Project, a federally funded effort through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program, awarded in 2024 and executed September 2025. This project aims to develop a corridor plan for Broad Street, from High Street to the southern City Limits, that includes community outreach, a comprehensive safety assessment, and traffic signal warrant evaluations. Additionally, the project includes the preparation of PS&E, along with environmental documentation, to support the installation of a quick-build demonstration project along the focused segment between South Street and Orcutt Road.

Background:

The South Broad Street Complete Street project scope includes planning, design and ultimately construction of transportation improvements along the Broad Street corridor, with a primary focus on reducing vehicle speeds, improving intersection crossings, and enhancing safety and accessibility for all road users, particularly people walking and bicycling. Previous planning-level strategies identified in the South Broad Street Area Plan, General Plan Circulation Element, Active Transportation Plan, and Draft Vision Zero Action Plan will provide the starting framework for developing more detailed infrastructure improvement recommendations; however, a more focused planning and preliminary design effort is necessary to guide the final design decisions for the project.

At the City’s 2023-34 Mid-Year Budget Review, the City Council directed Public Works staff to initiate planning efforts to guide transportation improvements along the South Broad Street corridor—the segment of Broad Street generally extending between South Street and Orcutt Road. Staff has subsequently secured funding through a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant, which expands the limits of corridor planning efforts to include Broad Street from High Street to the southern City Limits (just south of Farmhouse Lane), and fund a quick-build demonstration project along the focused segment between South Street and Orcutt Road. Staff have completed preliminary traffic operations analysis to guide the more comprehensive corridor planning study. Over the long term and depending on budgetary constraints, potential transportation improvements to be considered include pavement maintenance, restriping/narrowing of auto travel lanes, installation of traffic signals (where warranted), installation of a landscaped center median, sidewalk and curb ramp upgrades, addition of protected bike lanes, street trees, landscaping and additional streetlighting. The focus of this scope of work will be overall corridor planning and recommendations and implementation of a quick-build demonstration project.

Scope of Work:

The City is seeking a qualified consulting firm or team to lead community engagement activities, conduct data collection and analysis including a safety assessment and traffic signal warrant evaluation, and prepare PS&E and environmental documentation for a quick-build demonstration project.

The selected consultant will use traffic counts, collision history, public input, and professional expertise to develop a corridor plan for Broad Street, from High Street to the southern City Limits. The plan will include preliminary design concepts that identify both short- and long-term safety improvements, which may include, but are not limited to, bicycle facility enhancements, new or upgraded traffic signals, raised medians, and other treatments informed by MUTCD warrant analysis and a circulation system review.

The consultant will also be responsible for identifying elements from the corridor plan that could be effectively implemented as a “quick-build” demonstration project along the focused segment between South Street and Orcutt Road, and for delivering the PS&E and environmental documentation required to support its installation.

The following list is a summary of the anticipated scope of work under this initial work effort. This is not expected to be an all-inclusive list but an example of the necessary tasks and deliverables. Consultants are encouraged to recommend additional work scope for completion of the intent of the project in their proposals. Proposed budgets may not exceed $210,000 and will be considered final if selected.

Task 1: Project Initiation & Coordination
 Attend kick-off meeting and field investigation with City staff.

 Review background documents, including the South Broad Street Area Plan, General Plan Circulation Element, Active Transportation Plan, Draft Vision Zero Action Plan, and other relevant materials provided by the City.
 Prepare project schedule in accordance with the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program.  Attend project coordination meetings and conduct ongoing project management/administration duties as needed.
 All FHWA Grant reporting shall be coordinated by the City, but additional services may be requested for grant administration on a time and materials basis. Federal Forms to be completed by the consultant, as required in the grant, shall be the responsibility of the selected consultant.

Task 2: Data Collection
The consultant shall collect segment counts and peak hour intersection counts at all necessary locations to support traffic signal warrant analysis and circulation analysis.

Additionally, the consultant will be responsible for collecting pre- and post-implementation data to evaluate the demonstration project and fulfill grant reporting requirements. This includes:
 Collecting vehicle speeds and traffic counts at all pre-project locations, including pedestrian and bicycle counts
 Conducting community surveys to qualitatively assess user comfort and perceived safety. See task 6 for additional community outreach required in this task.

Data Collection Locations
The following lists provide a preliminary scope for data collection and are not all-inclusive. Final data collection locations will be finalized during the project kick-off meeting with the City and the selected consultant. Therefore, the below lists shall provide an order of magnitude estimate for proposal preparation. 48-Hour Roadway Segment Counts:

Broad: High to South
Broad: South to Lawrence
Broad: Lawrence to Orcutt
Broad: Orcutt to Capitolio
Broad: Capitolio to Industrial
Broad: Industrial to Tank Farm
Broad: Tank Farm to Fuller
Broad: Fuller to Aero
Broad: Aero to City Limits
All relevant Victoria, Woodbridge, Lawrence,
Meadow, Rockview and Sacramento
segments, as agreed in project kickoff.

All segment count locations shall include pedestrian and bicycle counts, truck/heavy vehicle percentage, and 85th percentile speed data.

Weekday Peak Hour (AM, MD, & PM) Intersection Counts:

Broad/High
Broad/South/Santa Barbara
Broad/Woodbridge
Broad/Orcutt
Broad/Rockview

Broad/Capitolio
Broad/Industrial
Broad/Tank Farm
Broad/Aerovista
Broad/Aero
Broad/Airport
Broad/Farmhouse
All relevant Broad Street intersections between High and City Limits (Sandercock/Chorro, Branch, Funston, Alphonso, Caudill, Francis, Mitchell, Humbert, Lawrence, Stoneridge, Perkins, Mutsuhito, Sweeney, El Capitan, Fiero, Fuller) and all other relevant Victoria, Woodbridge, Lawrence, Meadow, Rockview and Sacramento intersections, as agreed in project kickoff.

All intersection counts shall include pedestrian and bicycle counts. The City has collected data on Broad between South and Orcutt as part of a separate planning effort. This data will be available to the selected consultant.

Task 3: Traffic Signal Warrant & Circulation Analysis
Conduct a traffic signal warrant analysis, at a maximum of 3x locations discussed in project kickoff, and prepare a memorandum outlining potential impacts on adjacent circulation network. The City has performed signal warrant analysis at several intersections along the corridor, and that data will be available to the selected consultant.

Task 4: Corridor Safety Assessment
Conduct a comprehensive corridor safety assessment, including:
 A detailed analysis of the collision history, using collision data provided by the City.  Solicit and oversee an independent corridor safety audit to further justify improvement types and locations.

Proposals shall include methodology proposed to conduct this safety assessment. The assessment is a grant requirement.

Task 5: Corridor Plan Development
Upon completion of Tasks 2-4, the consultant shall use traffic counts, collision history, public input, and professional expertise to develop a Broad Street Corridor Plan, from High Street to the southern City Limits. The plan will include preliminary design concepts (approximately 5–10% design level) that identify both short- and long-term safety improvements, which may include, but are not limited to, bicycle facility enhancements, new or upgraded traffic signals, raised medians, and other treatments informed by MUTCD warrant analysis and a circulation system review.

Task 6: Community Outreach and Engagement
The consultant will lead community outreach efforts to inform the development of the corridor plan and gather input on the draft plan. City staff will support these efforts by maintaining the project website and managing online surveys.

The consultant will be responsible for presenting at public meetings and assisting in the preparation of outreach materials.

Initial outreach will focus on identifying community concerns and priorities to help shape the corridor plan. After the draft plan is developed, the consultant will conduct additional outreach to present the draft and collect further community feedback. This outreach will be in the form of a community survey, and the proposal shall include the methodology proposed to solicit community input. There will be the requirement for two surveys, one (x1) during project development, and one (x1) post demonstration project installation.

The consultant will lead a minimum of two public meetings, with City staff providing support. In addition, the consultant will attend at least one Active Transportation Committee meeting and one City Council meeting to present the draft plan for review and approval.

Task 7: Demonstration Project PS&E (Including Environmental Clearance) The consultant will prepare PS&E for a quick-build demonstration project along the focused segment between South Street and Orcutt Road. This project will implement low-cost, short-term safety improvements identified through the planning process and community input, and will be constructed within the timeline specified by the SS4A grant. The consultant will complete all necessary environmental studies and documentation to ensure compliance with NEPA and CEQA requirements, as required by the SS4A grant. In addition, the consultant will also be responsible for providing construction support during the bidding process and throughout construction.

Task 8: After-Project Data Collection
Following implementation of the demonstration project, the consultant shall conduct a second round of data collection that mirrors the initial (pre-project) efforts. Post-project data scope will be finalized in coordination with the City during the project kickoff meeting. This post-project data will be essential for evaluating project outcomes, meeting grant reporting requirements, and guiding the development of future permanent improvements along the corridor. See task 6 for additional community outreach required in this task.

Task 9: Documentation of Findings and Recommendations
Consultant shall summarize the findings from the corridor planning activities for Broad Street (from High Street to the southern City Limits) and demonstration project activities for the focused segment (between South Street and Orcutt Road) in a clear, report-style format. This documentation will be used by the City to inform future design decisions and will be incorporated into the Vision Zero Action Plan, in accordance with the SS4A grant requirements.

Agreement Management:

The selected consultant will be expected to assign a single point person who understands the overall project and can manage work efforts associated with it.

Initial Project Timeline
Contract Approval to November 30, 2026 (Tasks 1, 2, 3 and 4) December 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027 (Task 5 and 6)
June 1, 2027 – June 1, 2030 (Task 7, 8 and 9)

B. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Requirement to Meet All Provisions. Each individual or firm submitting a proposal (Consultant) shall meet all of the terms, and conditions of the Request for Proposals (RFP) specifications package. By virtue of its proposal submittal, the Consultant acknowledges agreement with and acceptance of all provisions of the RFP specifications.

2. Proposal Submittal. Each proposal must be submitted on the form(s) provided in the specifications and accompanied by any other required submittals or supplemental materials. Unless noted otherwise, provide a minimum of 3 copies. Proposal documents shall be enclosed in an envelope that shall be sealed and addressed to the Public Works Department, City of San Luis Obispo, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401. Each proposal submittal shall include one electronic copy of the proposal, submitted in Adobe Acrobat format on CD or flash drive. In order to guard against premature opening, the proposal should be clearly labeled with the proposal title, specification number, name of Consultant, and date and time of proposal opening. No FAX submittals will be accepted.

3. Insurance Certificate. Each proposal must include a certificate of insurance showing:
a. The insurance carrier and its A.M. Best rating.
b. Scope of coverage and limits.
c. Deductibles and self-insured retention.

The purpose of this submittal is to generally assess the adequacy of the Consultant’s insurance coverage during proposal evaluation; as discussed under paragraph 13 below, endorsements are not required until contract award. The City’s insurance requirements are detailed in Section F.

4. Submittal of References. Each proposer shall submit a statement of qualifications and references on the form provided in the RFP package.

5. Statement of Contract Disqualifications. Each proposer shall submit a statement regarding any past government disqualifications on the form provided in the RFP package.

6. Proposal Withdrawal and Opening. A Consultant may withdraw its proposal, without prejudice prior to the time specified for the proposal opening, by submitting a written request to the City Engineer for its withdrawal, in which event the proposal will be returned to the Consultant unopened. No proposal received after the time specified or at any place other than that stated in the "Notice Requesting Proposals" will be considered. All proposals will be opened and declared publicly. Consultants or their representatives are invited to be present at the opening of the proposals.

7. Submittal of One Proposal Only. No individual or business entity of any kind shall be allowed to make or file, or to be interested in more than one proposal, except an alternative proposal when specifically requested; however, an individual or business entity that has submitted a sub-proposal to a Consultant submitting a proposal, or who has quoted prices on materials to such Consultant, is not thereby disqualified from submitting a subproposal or from quoting prices to other Consultants submitting proposals.

8. Communications. All timely requests for information submitted in writing will receive a written response from the City. Telephone communications with City staff are not encouraged, but will be permitted. However, any such oral communication shall not be binding on the City.

9. Alternative Proposals. When specifically requested, the proposer may submit an alternative proposal (or proposals) that it believes will also meet the City's project objectives but in a different way. In this case, the proposer must provide an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the alternatives, and discuss under what circumstances the City would prefer one alternative to the other(s). If an alternative proposal is