Attachment B
ORCUTT AND TANGLEWOOD
TRANSIT STOP FURNITURE IMPROVEMENTS
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
This Cooperative Agreement (“Agreement”) is hereby entered into between the County of Santa Barbara (“the County”), a political subdivision of the State of California, and the City of Santa Maria (“Santa Maria”), a municipal corporation. The County and Santa Maria are collectively referred to herein as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, TDA-LTF was established by the passage of the 1971 Transportation Development Act which is a program housed under California’s general statewide sales tax.
WHEREAS, the County receives Transit Development Act- Local Transportation Funds (“TDA-LTF”) from the State of California to support public transit planning, facilities, and operations.
WHEREAS, the County does not operate transit service directly.
WHEREAS, SMRT currently operates four fixed-routes which serve the unincorporated communities of Orcutt and Tanglewood - routes 5, 6, 11, and 12X.
WHEREAS, bus stops function as the designated point of contact between passengers and transit services and provide a designated boarding and alighting location for riders. At a minimum, bus stops feature signs to alert riders and bus drivers.
WHEREAS, where feasible, a bus stop should feature a hardscape boarding pad on site. This boarding pad provides both stability and access space for pedestrians, wheelchair users and mobility aid users. Bus stops may also benefit from the presence of user amenities such as seating and shelters which help offer riders more comfort and better protection from weather.
WHEREAS, the County may use its TDA-LTF funds to pay for capital expenditures to acquire vehicles and related equipment, but shelters, bus benches, and communication equipment for transportation services pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 99400, subdivisions (d) and (e).
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Cooperative Agreement to improve the SMRT bus stops located within the unincorporated communities of Orcutt and Tanglewood, define the roles, responsibilities, and commitments for the transfer of TDA-LTF from the County to Santa Maria associated site improvements to the bus stops within these communities, and coordinate the long-term maintenance of these bus stops.
Attachment B
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein made and the mutual benefits to be derived therefrom, the Parties hereto represent, covenant, and agree as follows:
1. Transfer of TDA-LTF Funds.
A. The County shall transfer $109,265.00 of its TDA-LTF funds to Santa Maria within seventy-five (75) calendar days of the Parties’ full execution of this Agreement.
B. Santa Maria shall use 100% of the TDA-LTF funds provided pursuant to this Agreement for eligible project costs. Eligible project costs, also referred to herein as the “Project Improvements,” include:
Modifications to existing landscaping;
Procurement of transit furniture and hardware (i.e., benches, shelters); and
Installation of transit furniture and hardware.
All Project Improvements shall be to the selected SMRT Bus Stops within the unincorporated communities of Orcutt and Tanglewood identified in Exhibit A:
Installation Site Inventory.
2. Procurement of Transit Furniture and Hardware.
Upon Santa Maria’s receipt of the TDA-LTF funds transferred from the County, Santa Maria shall procure the transit furniture and hardware identified in Exhibit B: Furniture Quotes and Exhibit C: Furniture Specifications.
3. Installation of Transit Furniture and Hardware.
The Parties agree to work together on the implementation and installation of the Project Improvements.
Specifically, Santa Maria shall install the procured transit furniture and hardware as specified in Exhibit A: Installation Site Inventory. Santa Maria shall install bus benches and bus shelters within existing County right-of-way including on sidewalks and in parkways, medians, and planting strips adjacent to County roadways. These improvements are intended for public use by riders of the Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) which is operated by Santa Maria.
The County shall be responsible for all necessary hardscape improvements including installing concrete pads and bench footings. The County shall also be responsible for
Attachment B
minor landscaping modifications around sidewalks, medians, parkways, and any existing ground cover within County right-of-way.
4. Project Budget.
The following table, titled “Transit Furnishings Budget,” details the project budget, furniture costs, and total amount of furnishings to be purchased. This budget reflects only Santa Maria-incurred costs and does not include the County’s hardscape and landscaping improvements.
Transit Furnishings Budget
Item Unit Cost Total Units Subtotal
8' Bench $840.00 14 $11,760.00
Shelter including Bench $15,873.00 5 $79,365.00
10% Contingency $9,028.50 1 $9,112.50
Shipping & Freight $9,028.50 1 $9,028.50
Total $109,265.00
5. Roles, Responsibilities, and Project Schedule.
As described in this Agreement, both Parties are entering a partnership to improve several bus stops within Orcutt and Tanglewood by providing new benches, shelters, and concrete pads that will improve the waiting and riding experience for SMRT’s ridership. The table below further details the tasks, responsible agency, and the timeline agreed to by both Parties:
Task Responsibility Table
Task Task Scope Responsible Agency Completion Deadline 1 Transfer TDA-LTF funds to the City of
Santa Maria County of Santa Barbara
October 31, 2026 or within 75
days of the Parties’ full execution
of this Agreement
2 Construct concrete pads and bench
footings County of Santa Barbara December 31, 2026
3 Perform landscaping modifications
within County right-of-way County of Santa Barbara December 31, 2026 4 Procure transit benches and shelters Santa Maria March 31, 2027
Attachment B
5 Install benches and shelters Santa Maria June 30, 2027 6 Maintain and replace bus stop
furniture Santa Maria Ongoing
6. Installation Design Standards.
All furniture must be installed in accordance with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Standards, Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidance (PROWAG), and Santa Barbara County Engineering Design Standards. These standards provide guidance to ensure proper clearance and accessibility for pedestrians and transit users, including individuals with disabilities.
The core principles of these design standards are:
Pedestrian Access Route: Furnishings must ensure that a minimum of 48 inches of continuous clearance is provided for pedestrian access. Street furniture cannot encroach into this required clear width.
Transit Stop Clear Space: A clear and unobstructed space at a minimum of 96 inches x 60 inches area shall be provided as boarding and alighting area. This designated boarding and alighting area shall be oriented parallel to the street and adjacent to the curb.
Reach and Maneuvering Clearances: Benches, shelters, and amenities must allow for wheelchair positioning and turning space. This includes providing a clear floor space of 30 inches by 48 inches to allow a forward or parallel approach to usable transit stop elements such as seating and information displays. A turning space of 60 inches in diameter, minimum, or a T-shaped turning space shall be provided to allow wheelchair users in order to change direction. Amenity-type features should be installed within accessible reach ranges, typically between 15 to 48 inches above the floor.
Surface and Grade: Transit stops should provide firm, stable, slip-resistant surfaces. The slope of the sidewalk providing the path of travel should follow the same slope as the street next to it. If the path of travel’s slope exceeds a 5% grade, it is considered a ramp and requires additional features including landings and handrails.
7. Installation and Issue Remediation Process.
Attachment B
A. Santa Maria shall apply for a no-cost Encroachment Permit through the County Construction and Encroachment Permit Office prior to the installation of furniture.
This permit application will include an inventory of all site locations, furniture specifications, and types of furniture to be installed at each site as well as any additional changes to the County right-of-way.
B. Santa Maria shall submit Dig Alerts to the Underground Service Alert of Southern California at least 2 business days, with 14 business days preferred, prior to installation of any hardscape or furnishings.
C. After installation of benches and shelters is complete, each site will be inspected by the County to ensure compliance with ADA, PROWAG and County Engineering Design Standards.
D. If furniture installation does not comply with these design standards, the County reserves the right to direct Santa Maria to remove or relocate furnishings to comply with the guidelines cited in this Agreement. Santa Maria agrees to remedy improperly installed furniture within 60 days of being notified by the County.
8. Long-term Maintenance Responsibilities.
Following the completion of the Project Improvements, Santa Maria, at its sole cost, shall be responsible for the ongoing maintenance, cleaning, and repair of the new transit stop benches, shelters, and associated furnishings. Maintenance responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to:
Removal of graffiti
Routine cleaning and debris removal;
Repair or replacement of damaged components;
Replacement of missing or vandalized parts; and
Upkeep and replacement of transit signage.
The County shall retain responsibility for underlying right-of-way elements, including sidewalks, concrete pads, and landscaped areas, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
Should transit service to a furnished stop be cancelled or should the stop be relocated to a new location, Santa Maria shall notify the County within 30 days of the service change. Santa Maria will assume responsibility, at its sole cost, for relocating transit furniture from the inactive stop to the newly designated stop location or to another transit stop location of their choosing within the County’s transit service area.
9. Failure to Perform.
Attachment B
If either of the Parties fails to perform its obligations under this Agreement with respect to a specific task, location, or scope element, the Parties shall first coordinate in good faith to address any nonperformance.
In the event that such an attempt to coordinate fails and Santa Maria has either failed to or was unable to procure the transit furniture and hardware as specified in this Agreement, Santa Maria shall transfer these unused funds back to the County within thirty (30) days’ notice.
10. Failure to Perform.
If Santa Maria has any TDA-LTF funds remaining after the completion of the Project Improvements, Santa Maria shall transfer these unused funds back to the County within seventy-five (75) days of the completion of the Project Improvements.
11. Records, Audit, and Review.
Santa Maria shall keep such business records pursuant to this Agreement as would be kept by a municipally-managed transit operator, and where necessary, shall require any contractor to keep such records, and shall maintain or require the maintenance of such records for at least five (5) years following the termination of this Agreement, or longer, if required by the granting agency of the TDA-LTF funds. All accounting records shall be kept in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Any Party to this Agreement shall have the right to audit and review all such documents and records at any time during Santa Maria’s or County’s regular business hours upon reasonable notice.
12. Insurance Requirements of Contractors.
Santa Maria shall require and verify that all contractors performing work within county right-of-way meet and comply with the County’s established minimum insurance requirements specified in Exhibit D, which is attached hereto and incorporated by this reference. Santa Maria shall ensure that County is included as an additional insured on the contractors’ Commercial General Liability policy.
13. Procurement of Insurance Coverage and Indemnification.
The Parties agree to procure and maintain liability insurance in an amount sufficient to protect against claims that may be filed against the Parties for the services they provide, or the Parties may elect to self-insure against such claims as provided by their respective government policies.
In lieu of and notwithstanding the pro rata risk allocation, which might otherwise be imposed between the Parties pursuant to Government Code Section 895.6, the Parties agree all losses or liabilities incurred by a P arty shall not be shared pro rata, but instead the Parties agree, pursuant to Government Code Section 895.4, each Party hereto shall
Attachment B
fully indemnify and hold each of the other Parties, their officers, board members, employees and agents, harmless from any claim, expense or cost, damage or liability imposed for injury (as defined by Government Code Section 810.8) occurring by reason of the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of the indemnifying Party, its officers, board members, employees or a gents, under, or in connection with, or arising out of any work, authority or jurisdiction delegated to such Party under this Agreement.
No Party, nor any officer, board member, employee or agent thereof shall be responsible for any damage or liability occurring by reason of the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of other Parties hereto, their officers, board members, employees or agents, under, or in connection with, or arising out of any work, authority or jurisdiction delegated to such other Parties under this Agreement.
14. Amendments or Modifications.
In the event of a dispute or the need for modification, this Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by authorized representatives of both Parties.
15. Exhibits.
The following Exhibits are attached hereto and incorporated by reference:
Exhibit A: Orcutt and Tanglewood Transit Stop Inventory Exhibit B: Shelter and Bench Quotes
Exhibit C: Furniture Specifications
Exhibit D: County of Santa Barbara Contractor Indemnification and Insurance Requirements
16. Term.
The terms, covenants, promises, and obligations of this Agreement shall be ongoing until the Agreement is terminated by either party upon ninety (90) days’ notice.
17. Termination.
Any Party to this Agreement may terminate its participation under this Agreement by giving 90 days’ written notification to the other Parties.
18. Integration.
This Agreement represents the entire and integrated agreement among the Parties and supersedes any and all other negotiations, r epresentations, and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no other agreement, statement, or promise relating to the subject matter of this Agreement which is not contained herein shall be valid or binding.
This Agreement shall be construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of California. All obligations created under this Agreement are performable in California.
19. Integration.
Attachment B
Jurisdiction and venue of all lawsuits over the terms of this Agreement shall be in the superior court of Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Branch, State of California.
20. Waivers.
The waiver by any Party to this Agreement of any term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement or of any provision, ordinance, or law, shall not be deemed to be a continuing waiver of such term, covenant, condition, or law, or of any subsequent breach or violation of the same, or of any other term, covenant, and ordinance of law.
Failure to enforce with respect to a default shall not be construed as a waiver.
21. Severability.
The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any part of this Agreement is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or modified by mutual written consent of the Parties.
22. No Assignment
This Agreement may not be assigned, transferred, or pledged by any Party without the express written consent of the other Party.
23. Points of Contact
All notices referenced in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by first class mail addressed as follows, or at such other address or to such person the Parties may from time-to-time designate in writing:
City of Santa Maria
Gamaliel Anguiano
Transit Manager
Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT)
1303 Fairway Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93455
County of Santa Barbara
Mark Friedlander
Mobility Manager
Public Works Department - County of Santa Barbara
123 East Anapamu Avenue, Transportation Division 1st Floor Santa Barbara, CA 93101
24. Counterpart Signatures & Effective Date.
The Parties agree that this Agreement may be signed in counterparts and shall become effective when fully executed by all Parties.
City of Santa Maria
Attachment B
_______________________________
City Manager
_____________________________
Date
Approved as to Form:
Thomas T. Watson
City Attorney of Santa Maria
By: __________________________
County of Santa Barbara:
____________________________
Supervisor Bob Nelson, Chair
_______________________________
Date
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
Approved as to Form:
Rachel Van Mullem
County Counsel
By: _____________________________
Betsey M. Shaffer, Auditor-Controller
By:______________________________
Marisa Kahn, Risk Management
Attachment B