Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 15
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
February 18, 2025
TOPIC: First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study
AGENDA TITLE
Cooperative Agreement with Orange County Transportation Authority for the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study (Project No. 25-6042) (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve an appropriation adjustment recognizing Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 funding in the amount of $4,300,000 into the Public Services-Street Safety Projects, State Grant-Indirect revenue account and appropriate the same amount into the State Safety Projects, Improvements Other Than Building expenditure account (Requires five affirmative votes).
2. Approve a Cooperative Agreement with Orange County Transportation Authority in an amount not to exceed $4,300,000, for the evaluation and preliminary design of the First Street Boulevard Study, effective upon full approval of the agreement through December 31, 2027 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
3. Approve an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program to include $4,300,000 in study and design funds for the First Street Boulevard Multimodal Study (Project No. 25-6042).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
First Street between Bristol Street and Tustin Avenue is a highly used corridor for all modes of transportation. The Public Works Agency (PWA) recommends studying this corridor for potential improvements within the existing street right of way. The proposed study of the First Street segment has the ultimate goal of enhancing efficiency, access, and safety for motorists, users of public transportation, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
On April 12, 2023, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in cooperation with the City, submitted an application to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) grant funding which seeks to accelerate progress towards state housing goals and climate
First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study
February 18, 2025
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commitments through strengthened partnerships between the state, its regions, and local entities. REAP 2.0 seeks to accelerate infill housing developments, reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled, increase housing supply at all affordability levels, affirmatively further fair housing, and facilitate the implementation of adopted regional and local plans to achieve these goals.
On July 6, 2023, SCAG awarded OCTA $11 million in state funding REAP 2.0 grant funds for 11 OCTA planning, outreach, transit, active transportation, and transit signal priority projects, which included funding for the First Street Boulevard Multimodal Study.
The First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study will look at options to enhance transportation along First Street by assessing the feasibility of various infrastructure improvements through robust community outreach efforts, field data analyses, and computer modeling. The General Plan, Mobility Element classifies this segment of First Street as a Primary Arterial with a Class IV Cycle Track. A Primary Arterial is characterized as a street with four travel lanes and a center median. A Class IV Cycle Track is a bicycle lane separated and protected from vehicle travel lanes by barriers such as concrete medians. The study evaluates pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements that promote safety and transportation goals consistent with the City’s General Plan. These potential improvements will benefit the Santa Ana residents who utilize OCTA’s Route 64, one of the highest ridership bus routes in Orange County.
Route 64 services Orange County bus riders from the Westminster Mall to the Larwin Square Shopping Mall in Tustin while traversing right through the heart of the City of Santa Ana on First Street. The deliverables and projected schedule under this planning grant are as follows:
•Award Consultant Contract (April 2025)
•Analyses and Assessment (April – December 2025)
•Outreach and Engagement (June – October 2025)
•Conceptual Planning (April – December 2025)
•Engineered Plan Production (January – June 2026)
Under the proposed cooperative agreement (Exhibit 1), the City agrees to complete the study per the scope and guidelines approved by SCAG (Exhibit 2). The study will include City in-house engineering project management and procurement of consultants with up to $430,000 set aside to reimburse the City for staff time spent on the study. Funds will be issued to the City on a reimbursement basis. An amendment to the FY 24/25 Capital Improvements Program (Exhibit 3) is necessary to properly document the additional project and funding in the current fiscal year.
Staff will return to Council for approval of the recommended improvements prior to advancing to the final engineering plan production phase (December 2025). The study must be completed by June 30, 2026. There is no requirement to construct the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study
February 18, 2025
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recommended project. At the completion of this study, the City will be positioned to seek grant funds to carry out the infrastructure improvements as approved by City Council.
Staff recommends the approval of the proposed Cooperative Agreement with OCTA in order to identify the roles and responsibilities of each agency including provisions from SCAG to ensure compliance with REAP 2.0 grant funding guidelines and identify OCTA’s responsibilities for reimbursement and reporting to SCAG.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
FISCAL IMPACT
With the approval of the requested appropriation adjustment, $4,300,000 in REAP 2.0 grant funds will be recognized in the Public Services-Street Safety Projects, State Grant-Indirect revenue account (No. 14717002-52027) and appropriate it for spending in the Regional Early Action Planning Grant, Improvements Other Than Building expenditure account (No. 14717613-66220). The following table summarizes the funds budgeted for FY 2024-25. Any unspent budget in FY2024-25 will be included in future year Carry Forward for City Council consideration.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit
- Account No.
(Project No.)
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
Description
Amount
APPROPRIATION ADJUSTMENT
2024-25 14717613-66220
(25-6042)
Street Safety
Programs
Regional Early Action
Plng Grt,
Improvements Other
Than Building
$4,300,000
TOTAL $4,300,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Cooperative Agreement
2. SCAG Scope & Guidelines
3. FY 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program Sheet
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director – Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager