City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 27, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.G
1 of 4
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anuj Gupta, Director of Transportation, Department of Transportation, Finance & Administrative Services
Subject: Receive and File Short Range Transit Plan and Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to File the FY 2026–2028 Short Range Transit Plan with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Execute Related Grant Agreements.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15262 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Authorize the City Manager to file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2028 Short Range Transportation Plan (SRTP) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro);
3. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to: (a) apply for and execute grant agreements and execute related certifications and assurances with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Metro, and other Federal, State, Regional or Local agencies; and (b) enter into agreements for transportation funds for the pass-through of funds and agreements for planning, programming, and implementing transportation services and capital projects during FY2025-26 through FY2027-28.
Summary
The Santa Monica Department of Transportation (DOT) staff requests City Council authorization to file the FY2026-2028 Short Range Transportation Plan (SRTP) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency. Filing the report ensures DOT remains eligible to receive Federal, State and Local transit funds. The SRTP is a planning document that summarizes recent accomplishments and provides a three-year action plan for service and capital improvements, and the corresponding estimated values for planning 2 of 4
purposes. Priorities for this period include funding and implementation of pedestrian and bikeway safety improvements, Big Blue Bus fleet electrification, bus lanes, and increasing ridership by improving service quality and customer experience. Staff also requests that Council adopt the attached resolution providing the necessary authorization to file grant applications, execute grant agreements, and enter into agreements associated with funding, planning, programming, and implementing transportation services and capital projects.
Discussion
Short-Range Transportation Plan (SRTP)
DOT is required by the Transportation Development Act (TDA) of 1971 to file a SRTP to remain eligible for Federal, State, and Regional transit funding. The proposed SRTP financial forecast is based on a combination of the share of Metro’s county-wide formula-based allocation of transit funds and Big Blue Bus’s (BBB) projected operational needs. For FY 2025-26, the estimated formula allocation of operating funds (TDA, STA, SB1, Prop. A 40%, Measure R 20%, Measure M 20%, Prop. C-Security, Foothill Mitigation, and BSIP) is $70.2 million, and non-formula allocation (Prop. A Local Return) is $600,000. Local operating revenues (passenger fares, advertising, interest, lease, and special transit services revenues) are estimated at $12.6 million.
Grant Authorization
Staff requests that Council authorize the City Manager to file grant applications as transportation-related funding opportunities become available. If funds are approved, the City Manager would have the authority to execute grant agreements with Federal, State, regional and local transit, or transportation-related funds, as approved or programmed. Authority would also be given to the City Manager to execute and file certifications and assurances as they related to grant programs, compliance, and project implementation. The authorization would designate the Director of the Department of Transportation as an authorized agent to file, execute, and certify grant agreements as necessary. These authorities would allow the City to expedite its annual grant applications and participate in unanticipated one-time grant opportunities.
Potential funding agencies include, but are not limited to, FTA and other federal agencies, Metro, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the 3 of 4
Department of Homeland Security, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and other state and regional agencies.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
1/10/2023
(attachment A)
Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Execute Related Grant Agreements, and
Receive and File Short Range Transit Plan
Environmental Review
The SRTP is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15262 exempts feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the City has not approved, adopted, or funded. The SRTP will provide planning guidance for the next three years for transit operations, and any future capital improvements identified in the plan would be subject to environmental review (as applicable) when they are proposed. Therefore, the SRTP is categorically exempt from CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Enny Chung, Principal Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Execute Related Grant Agreements, and Receive and File Short Range Transit Plan (Web Link)
4 of 4
B. BBB Grant Resolution_FY26_final
C. FY26-FY28 SRTP_digital final