CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: June 17, 2025
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Mark Rincon, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Subject: Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program with Sonoma County Transportation Authority
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATION(S):
The item is to request Council support the City’s participation in the Sonoma County Transportation Authority’s (SCTA) application to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, approve the Letter of Support and authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the Letter.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In April 2022, Council approved the Sebastopol Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). The LRSP is a requirement of receiving Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funding. The LRSP includes a citywide analysis of the roadway system in the city comprising of the current collisions patterns and high-risk roadway characteristics.
Since the approval of the 2022 LRSP, the City has been awarded, three HSIP grants totaling $877,680. The LRSP must be updated every 5 years to be eligible to receive HSIP grant funding. The next update is due in 2027. The SS4A grant application will be for the LRSP update due in 2027. If the grant is awarded, the City’s local match is $20,000 and will be due in Fiscal Year 2026-27. It is estimated that the SCTA will know if the grant is awarded in early 2026. If the grant is not awarded, the City would need to update its LRSP and the full cost is estimated to be $70,000.
The federal government, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), has provided $5 billion dollars through five annual cycles (FY22 to FY26) for roadway safety projects. The City, in partnership with SCTA, has an ideal opportunity to tap into those funds to make Sebastopol safer in accordance with our adopted plans. The next application deadline is June 26, 2025. The Letter of Support must be signed to be included in the SS4A grant application.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The City of Sebastopol has a mix of traffic that includes tourist, local, and commuter traffic, especially along Bodega Avenue and SR 116. The LRSP focused on the roadway safety needs, and the City and Caltrans roadways were evaluated from 2015-2020. SCTA launched a Vision Zero plan for all of Sonoma County to reduce serious injuries and fatalities caused by traffic collisions. The City’s LRSP is intended to complement the County’s Vision Zero Plan with elements specific to the City. The LRSP identified improvements to priority intersections and roadway segments. On April 19, 2022, Council adopted Resolution 6428-2022 approving the City of Sebastopol Local Road Safety Plan.
Since the City approved the LRSP in 2022, the City applied for and was awarded the following HSIP grants:
• Bodega Avenue Guardrails ($312,300)
• SR 116 Enhanced Crossing at Burnett, Keating, Hutchins, Walker ($215,820) • Covert Lane/Zimpher Drive Crossing Improvements ($349,560) Agenda Item Number 5 Agenda Item Number 5
City Council Meeting Packet for June 17, 2025
STAFF ANALYSIS:
To be eligible to apply for and receive HSIP grants, the City must update its LRSP every 5 years. The next update is due in 2027. If SCTA is not awarded the SS4A grant, the City would pay for its LRSP update at an estimated cost of $70,000. The City’s local match amount is $20,000 and would be due in Fiscal Year 2026-27, if awarded. The $20,000 local match would be from the Public Works contracts budget (General Fund). If the award is not granted, then the full amount of $70,000 would be from the General Fund.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS/PRIORITIES/ AND OR GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This agenda item represents the City Council goals/priorities as follows:
• Goal 3 – Infrastructure. Maintaining high quality infrastructure, facilities and services, includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
This agenda item represents the City Council General Plan Consistency (if applicable):
• Circulation CIR 2-2: Routinely incorporate sidewalks and enhanced pedestrian crossing facilities as part of new street construction or enhancements to existing streets.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this action would not have a fiscal impact in Fiscal Years 2024-25 or 2025-26. However, if the grant is awarded, there would be a fiscal impact on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund for the local match estimated to be $20,000. If awarded, a future funding agreement with the SCTA would be brought to Council for review and approval.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date. The City has also used social media to promote and advertise the City Council Meeting Agenda Items.
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment on this item. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of this item.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council support the City’s participation in the Sonoma County Transportation Authority’s (SCTA) application to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, approve the Letter of Support and authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the Letter.
CITY COUNCIL OPTION(S):
1. Do not approve the Letter of Support for participation in the SS4A grant application with SCTA.
ATTACHMENT:
Letter of Support
Agenda Item Number 5 Agenda Item Number 5
City Council Meeting Packet for June 17, 2025
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 6/6/25
CEQA Determination (CDD): Approval Date: 6/5/25
This action is not a project under CEQA under the general “Common Sense Rule” which is referenced in CEQA Guidelines as an exemption per Section 15061 (b)(3).
Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: 6/6/25 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 6/6/25
Agenda Item Number 5 Agenda Item Number 5
City Council Meeting Packet for June 17, 2025
June 17, 2025
The Honorable Sean Duffy
United States Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Subject: Letter of Support for the Sonoma County Updated Vision Zero Action Plan, LRSPs and Countywide Project List
Dear Secretary Duffy:
On behalf of your organization, I am pleased to support the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) with its submission for the Sonoma County Updated Vision Zero Action Plan, LRSPs and Countywide Project List Project to secure funds through the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) 2025 grant program.
The SCTA, in close collaboration with the County of Sonoma Public Infrastructure and all nine (9) local municipalities, will update and prepare new LRSPs which will be synthesized into a single, comprehensive Action Plan (Sonoma County Vision Action Plan) that adheres to most current SS4A requirements. This countywide initiative ensures that all jurisdictions are covered under and working in coordination with a unified plan, and bolstering all partners’ eligibility for multiple funding sources, including federal, state, regional, and local funding.
Specifically, the scope of the SCTA-led project team includes updating eight (8) Local Road Safety Plans (LRSP), preparing two (2) LRSPs, developing a countywide prioritized projects list, and folding these elements into an updated Sonoma County Vision Zero Action Plan. This robust project will contribute to:
• Bolstering regional coordination and clarity across agencies • Reducing duplication of planning efforts
• Proactively anticipating future funding trends that may require or prioritize single comprehensive plans
• Positioning the County and its jurisdictions more competitively for programs like SS4A, HSIP, and future transportation or resilience-focused transportation grants Agenda Item Number 5 Agenda Item Number 5
City Council Meeting Packet for June 17, 2025
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This multijurisdictional project reflects a critical, formative, and low-cost strategy to help the county and its partners more effectively and efficiently support Safe Systems planning and projects on streets and roads over a wide geographic area.
Thank you for your strong consideration of the proposed project. The your organization enthusiastically supports the SCTA and its partners’ efforts to improve safety for Sonoma County residents of all ages and abilities.
Sincerely
Mary Gourley
Acting City Manager
Agenda Item Number 5 Agenda Item Number 5
City Council Meeting Packet for June 17, 2025