Agenda Item #14.2
For Council Meeting of: August 5, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RACHEL EDE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR-TRANSIT
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: TRANSIT APPLICATIONS FOR SCTCA FUNDING PROGRAM CYCLE 2 AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department that the Council review the list of transit project applications to be submitted to the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA) Funding Program Cycle 2, and, by resolution: 1) authorize the Director of Transportation and Public Works to submit project applications consistent with that list, including all required documents and agreements to effectuate funding applications or awards, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and 2) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations equal to any awarded funding to the appropriate GL/JL keys.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item seeks Council authorization to submit transit projects for funding under the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA) Funding Program Cycle 2 call for projects. This call for projects enables SCTCA to strategically match projects with several available funding sources as well as guides future grant applications to other federal, state, and local funding programs.
BACKGROUND
The Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA) has issued a call for projects for Cycle 2 of its funding program, covering programming of federal, state, and local funds for fiscal years 2026-2031. Jurisdictions in Sonoma County—including transit operators—are asked to submit applications to identify their highest priorities for funding over the next five years. These applications will be used by SCTCA staff to prioritize programming of funds from several funding sources including the One Bay Area Grant Program (OBAG) Cycle 4, State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and SB 1 Local Partnership Program Formulaic Program (LPP-F), as well as guide future grant applications to other federal, state, and local funding programs. Applications are due to SCTCA on August 8, 2025.
The Department seeks Council’s review of the proposed transit project list and authorization to submit funding applications under the Cycle 2 Funding Program.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On September 14, 2021, the City Council, by Resolution No. 2021-158, approved submission of transit project applications to the SCTCA (then SCTA) Funding Program Cycle 1.
ANALYSIS
To prepare for this call for projects, Transit Division staff assessed expected funding needs over the next five years and identified priority projects based on consistency with Council goals and priorities, importance to the capital and operating needs of the transit system, and eligibility for grant programs likely to be included in SCTCA’s Cycle 2 Funding Program. Transit Division staff also worked with SCTCA and partner transit operators to identify multi-agency project applications to be submitted to the Cycle 2 Funding Program.
The Transit Division plans to submit four projects including one countywide multi-agency project. In addition, Sonoma County Transit and Petaluma Transit will each submit one multi-agency project that will include Santa Rosa CityBus. The proposed projects to be submitted by the Transit Division are:
Zero Emissions Bus Roll-out Plan Implementation: Purchase of 4-8 electric buses and potential further development of charging infrastructure and fleet resiliency measures consistent with the Council-adopted ZEB Roll-out Plan.
MASCOTS implementation/SMART Connectivity Services: Funds incremental costs of fixed-route service adjustments or new first mile/last mile services to improve local bus connections to SMART stations.
Transit Priority Evaluation and Feasibility Study: A study to evaluate opportunities, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of transit priority measures such as transit signal priority, queue jump lanes, or bus stop improvements in the downtown area and along major transit corridors.
Mobility Management Program (multi-agency project with Sonoma County Transit and Petaluma Transit): Funds travel training, information and referral services, community engagement, and outreach activities to connect older adults and people with disabilities with transportation options that best meet their needs.
The multi-agency projects to be submitted by others are:
Countywide Regional Mapping and Wayfinding Program implementation (to be submitted by Petaluma Transit on behalf of Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, and SMART): Countywide implementation of MTC’s new unified signage and public information program for Bay Area transit.
Countywide Bus Stop and Hub Improvements (to be submitted by Sonoma County Transit on behalf of Santa Rosa CityBus and Petaluma Transit): Countywide improvements to passenger amenities at bus stops and transit hubs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund or Transit Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the proposed action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER
Rachel Ede, Deputy Director-Transit
TRANSIT APPLICATIONS FOR SCTCA FUNDING PROGRAM CYCLE 2
PAGE 3 OF 3