Yucca Valley City Council
September 16, 2025

2025 Continuum of Care Homeless Count and Survey Report 78 2025 Continuum of Care Homeless Count and Survey Report 79 San Bernardino 2023
Unsheltered Count Survey

1. Where did you sleep last night?
• If in a vehicle, what type of vehicle?
• Would you describe yourself as homeless?
• How many persons including yourself slept overnight in the same vehicle?

2. What is the first initial of your first name?

3. What is the first initial of your last name?

4. What is your gender?

5. How old are you?

6. What is your race/ethnicity?

7. In what state were you born?
• If the person was born outside of the United States, select “Outside of the U.S” and note what country.

8. In what city/community did you first become homeless? Note: questions 10 – 12 were asked to determine if the person was chronically homeless according to HUD’s definition.

9. Did you become homeless for the first time during the past 12 months?

10. Have you been living in a shelter and/or on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or in a vehicle for the past year or more?

11. Have you been living in a shelter and/or on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or in a vehicle at least four (4) separate times during the last three (3) years including now?

12. Was the combined length of time 12 months or more?

13. Have you served in the United States Armed Forces?
• If no, were you ever called into active duty as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist?

14. Do you have any of the following disabilities or disorders that make it difficult for you or seriously limits your ability to live independently?

APPENDIX B
San Bernardino 2023
Unsheltered Count Survey

1. Where did you sleep last night?
• If in a vehicle, what type of vehicle?
• Would you describe yourself as homeless?
• How many persons including yourself slept overnight in the same vehicle?

2. What is the first initial of your first name?

3. What is the first initial of your last name?

4. What is your gender?

5. How old are you?

6. What is your race/ethnicity?

7. In what state were you born?
• If the person was born outside of the United States, select “Outside of the U.S” and note what country.

8. In what city/community did you first become homeless? Note: questions 10 – 12 were asked to determine if the person was chronically homeless according to HUD’s definition.

9. Did you become homeless for the first time during the past 12 months?

10. Have you been living in a shelter and/or on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or in a vehicle for the past year or more?

11. Have you been living in a shelter and/or on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or in a vehicle at least four (4) separate times during the last three (3) years including now?

12. Was the combined length of time 12 months or more?

13. Have you served in the United States Armed Forces?
• If no, were you ever called into active duty as a member of the National Guard or as a Reservist?

14. Do you have any of the following disabilities or disorders that make it difficult for you or seriously limits your ability to live independently?

APPENDIX B
• Long-lasting physical disability;
• Long-lasting developmental disability;
• Serious mental illness or emotional impairment; or
• Substance use disorder.

15. Have you been diagnosed with AIDS or have tested positive for HIV?

16. Has a doctor or other medical professional ever told you that you have a chronic health condition that is life-threatening such as heart, lung, liver, kidney or cancerous disease?

17. Are you currently experiencing homelessness because you are fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking?

18. Have you been incarcerated during the last 12 months? • Were you released on parole or probation?

19. How much is your monthly income?
• No income;
• $1 to $250;
• $251 to $500;
• $501 to $1,000; or More than $1,000.

20. Have you ever been in foster care?

21. Do you have any children living with you?
• How many are under age 18?
• What is the child’s gender?
• Is the child Hispanic, Latino, or Latina?
• What is the child’s race?
• What is the child’s age?
• Is the child enrolled in school?

22. Do you have a spouse or partner who is also homeless and living with you? • If yes, administer the survey to spouse or partner.

23. Would you like to provide a phone number so a team member can contact and locate you to provide assistance and services for your need(s)?

24. Would you like to provide an email address so a team member can contact and locate you to provide assistance and services for your need(s)?

560 East Hospitality Lane, Suite 200
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0044
Phone: 909.501.0600
Email: [email protected]
TTY: 771

Item: 13.

Town of Yucca Valley
Town Council Staff Report
To: Town Council
From: Alex Qishta, Public Works Director
Date: September 10, 2025
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Subject: Community Center Sports Field Turf Update
Recommendation:

That the Town Council receive and file the update on the Community Center sports fields turf conditions and future maintenance plan.

Prior Review:

There has been no prior review of this matter.

Discussion:

In April, the Community Center sports fields were reseeded with new turf, to support healthy growth and prevent weeds, the Parks Department applied the pre-emergent herbicide Spectacle in June, under the guidance of the Town’s turf supplier.

Following the application, portions of the turf sustained chemical burn, resulting in turf loss in several areas. Upon review, Town turf supplier determined that a misunderstanding had occurred regarding turf type. Unlike most Town fields, which are Bermuda grass, the Community Center fields are seeded with Rye, which is more sensitive.

The Town turf supplier has acknowledged the error and committed to providing the Town with a significant discount on seed, top dressing, and fertilizer during the next reseeding cycle.

Due to ongoing programming on the soccer and softball fields, full reseeding cannot take place until Spring 2026. In the interim, Parks staff have applied spot treatments with fertilizer, though these efforts have had limited impact.

Other town fields remain in generally good condition, with only isolated irrigation issues:
• Brehm II: The field experienced an irrigation outage for approximately two months due

to the ARC project. Turf health has since improved through supplemental watering and fertilization. In FY 2026–2027, Brehm II will undergo major renovation, including the removal of 18"–24" of existing soil, followed by fertilization and re-sodding. • Essig Field: Several irrigation breaks previously impacted turf quality in the center of the field; however, the area has largely recovered.

While the Community Center fields experienced turf loss due to a chemical application error, mitigation efforts and supplier concessions will help reduce costs for the next reseeding cycle.

Brehm I and Tri-Valley Little League Fields continue to perform well, with no major issues reported. Routine maintenance efforts, including irrigation monitoring, fertilization, and spot treatment, will continue across other grass parks. Overall, turf conditions throughout Town fields remain stable and continue to recover from recent challenges.

Alternatives
No alternatives.

Fiscal Impact:

There is no direct fiscal impact at this time. Town turf supplier has agreed to provide a significant discount on seed, top dress, and fertilizer for next year’s reseeding at the Community Center fields.

Attachments
None

Item: 14.

Town of Yucca Valley
Town Council Staff Report
To: Town Council
From: Curtis Yakimow, Town Manager
Date: September 11, 2025
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Subject: Public Safety Enhancements
Recommendation:

That the Town Council;

1. Receive an update regarding proposed safety enhancements through the use of the Flock Camera System, and provide input and direction as appropriate.

2. Authorize a two-year contract with Flock Safety for procurement, installation and data retention in an amount not to exceed $158,000.

3. Direct staff to develop and return an automated license plate reader policy addressing specific details to protect privacy and civil liberties, including authorized purpose, access control, monitoring and security, data sharing restrictions, data retention, for consideration and approval prior to program implementation.

Prior Review:

The Town Council was introduced to this public safety enhancement project in May 2025 and requested additional details and site-specific information.

Discussion:

The FLOCK System became operational in October of 2022 and since that time, FLOCK System has proven to be the industry standard for LPRs and is a critical resource law enforcement and the public and has been used throughout San Bernardino County and adjoining counties. It is a foundational tool used by law enforcement across the county to solve crimes, locate missing and endangered persons, and alert law enforcement of wanted individuals and/or crimerelated vehicles. The power of the FLOCK System comes from the System's ability to provide law enforcement professionals with real-time notifications of vehicles used in high-priority crimes passing by fixed locations. The FLOCK System database has repeatedly proven to be a valuable and indispensable tool for public safety.

The FLOCK Safety camera system (FLOCK System) is a License Plate Recognition (LPR) system that gathers objective details about vehicles such as vehicle make, model, color, time of day,

and direction of travel. The System does not gather Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Access to the FLOCK System records is restricted to and managed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department. Access to System records is based on investigative needs and must comply with Departmental policy.

The Sheriff’s Department is recommending a phased implementation of the FLOCK System within the Town. This Phase I implementation would consist of twenty (20) total cameras, spanning over five (5) intersections along Twentynine Palms Highway (SR-62) within the Town of Yucca Valley. The Sheriff’s Department believes the vehicles involved in the Town’s most active crimes commonly drive through this corridor.

The proposed statement of work and identified costs are attached for the Town Council's review. Fine tuning and minor modifications of the system may occur after the authorization and approval of the program to ensure consistency with coverage needs, cost reduction, permitting strategies, and similar impacts. If proven successful, the concept can be extended to other areas of the Town depending on need and benefit.

Alternatives
Council can elect to decline participation in the program.

Fiscal Impact:

If selected and awarded, funding for the Flock Camera System would be provided through the Town's special revenue public safety funds. The Town's annual COPS LLESA Safety Grant allocation averages $180,000-$190,000 per year with sufficient funding to accommodate the proposed contract costs.

Attachments

1. Town of Yucca Statement of Work (SOW) 2.0 -_

2. CA - Town of Yucca Valley - Law Enforcement Agreement -_

Flock Safety Professional Services
Implementation Services
______________________________________________
Statement of Work
For
Town Of Yucca Valley - LPR - Phase 1
Effective Date: Aug 18, 2025
Revision: 1.0
Drafted by: Nathan Bott

1. Introduction
This Statement of Work (“SOW”) is between the Town of Yucca Valley(“Customer”) and Flock Group Inc (“Flock Safety”). This Statement of Work is governed by the Master Service Agreement with Flock Safety and Customer. This SOW defines the scope of the services that Flock Safety will provide to the Customer. This Statement of Work provides definitions and mutual understanding of the work to be completed.

2. Project Summary
Flock will install and maintain ALPRs along the roadways of the state of California for use by the TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY.

License Plate Reader (LPR)
● Installation of (20) standard LPR cameras to be installed on the following infrastructure:
○ (4) Existing traffic signal poles
○ (4) Flock provided 12 ft. breakaway poles
○ (2) Flock provided X2 Redi Torque w/Soil Plate
○ (10) Flock provided X2 Redi Torque w/ Concrete Foundation ○ (20) 65W Solar Panels
SOW Version: 2.0

● Permitting for the cameras will be
○ (2) City of Yucca Valley
■ F#005, F#033
○ (1) Town of Yucca Valley ROW
■ F#014
○ (1) City of Joshua Tree
■ F#032
○ (13) Caltrans District 8 ROW
■ F#007, F#008, F#0013, F#015, F#016, F#017, F#019, F#020, F#021, F#022, F#023, F#024, F#034
○ (2) Caltrans District 8
■ F#018, F#035
○ (1) Southland Corporation, Private Property
■ F#006
Hardware Deployment Checklist
The locations for the cameras can be referenced at the link CA - Town of Yucca Valley
SOW Version: 2.0

3. Description of Services
The following services will be provided as part of this Statement of Work. Any Services not described herein will require a Project Change Request (PCR).

Planning
In partnership with Flock and TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY, preliminary locations have been identified across Yucca Valley where using an ALPR would be beneficial. Location identification can be a continuous process throughout the project due to factors such as:
1) Change of focus area; 2) Sites being under construction; 3) Redlines while permitting; 4) Failed underground surveys; or 5) Sites are being identified as lacking the required needs for a successful installation.

Permitting
Locations that are identified as needing permits will go through the required processes.

Permits will be submitted to the local permitting district, and any supplemental documents will be provided. Flock will remain in close contact with local permitting districts to help expedite permit issuances.

Site Surveys
Once Flock and TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY have permit issuance and before installation can begin, Flock technicians will visit the proposed locations to visually inspect the area above ground, looking for any obstructions and verifying solar availability. Flock technicians will also mark by painting a circle and straight line to the street indicating "Flock Safety" with water-soluble paint and placing a utility marking flag in the center of the circle for utility companies to mark the work area around our proposed installation spot. If it is identified that the location will not work during the visual inspection, an alternate location will be provided and sent back to be agreed on. Once the alternate location is agreed upon, a permit amendment will be completed (if required), and the site survey/installation process will begin again.

Installing
After the Site Survey, Flock technicians will return to the location, verify markings have been completed by the responding utility companies, and confirm that the proposed location is precise to dig. If it is identified the markings have not been completed, Flock technicians will return at a later date. If it is identified that the markings obstruct where we were planning to dig, a new location will either be determined on-site or virtually if none are identified on-site. Once the alternate location is agreed upon, a permit amendment will be completed (if required), and the site survey/installation process will begin again. If it is determined that Flock and TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY are clear to dig and begin the installation, Flock technicians will start to dig and complete the installation until all parts are up and functioning correctly. If any other outlier issues do SOW Version: 2.0

occur, Flock technicians will try to rectify the problem the same day or will return in a timely manner to ensure proper function.

Maintenance
Flock will monitor the function of ALPRs and will respond to alarms as needed in a timely manner. Flock technicians will conduct various maintenance work types, from camera angle correction to camera swap to a battery swap as required.

Dedicated Flock Team Members
● Flock Safety will provide a Project Manager for engagement that will be responsible for the following tasks:
○ Flock Safety will assign a Project Manager to coordinate all aspects of permitting and install for hardware products
■ Duration: 3-12+ months
● Flock Safety will provide a Customer Success Manager (CSM). The CSM will be the Customer’s long-term strategic partner. CSM will help with account setup, training, and provide direction on how to best leverage your Flock Safety system post-installation.
○ Duration: Length of Contract
● Flock Safety’s support team will be available to the Customer Monday through Friday 8am-8pm EST.
○ Phone: 1-(866) 901-1781
○ Email: [email protected]
■ Duration: Length of Contract
Kick-Off Meeting
● Flock Safety will coordinate bi-weekly calls beginning with a kickoff meeting with Customer and Flock Safety stakeholders to review a Project Plan for a successful deployment of Flock products. The meeting will cover:

Flock Safety Hardware
● Best practices for rollout
● Review of go-live checklist
● Training schedule
● Training expectations
● Questions/concerns
● Gunshot detection fine tuning
SOW Version: 2.0

4. Project Conditions and Assumptions
● Out of Scope
○ Physical installation of any product not supplied by Flock. ○ Network configurations outside of Flock standards.
○ Delayed installation as a result of permitting or external factors not within Flock’s control
● Any changes or additions to this SOW will require a PCR (Project Change Request) ● Project Timeline is dependent upon the information supplied by the Customer. All information that is asked by Flock Safety, is required to be completed prior to Flock Employee onsite.

5. Implementation Timeline
Hardware Timeline
Permitting timelines can vary significantly depending on the type of installation, the specific requirements of the local jurisdiction, and the review timelines involved. When multiple authorities have jurisdiction, the process may take longer. In particular, installations involving attachments to utility poles often extend the approval period by an additional 3 to 6 months.

When customer signatures are required on permitting documents, prompt return of these documents to Flock Safety can help expedite the overall permitting process. Once permits are issued, Flock Hardware is typically installed within 5 weeks.

In certain jurisdictions, there are SLA’s >1 year (i.e. DOT). This will depend on permit issuance durations which are the primary variable to increase in timeline. Installations that do not require permitting or private property will decrease required time significantly.

If any hardware devices cannot be installed due to delays in obtaining private property access beyond 90 days, the customer must choose either to:

1. Schedule a working session with a Flock Solution Deployment Engineer to identify new, near-term feasible locations

2. Receive Flock Flex Cameras as substitutes for the uninstalled devices.

Estimated Customer Project Timeline
Expected Timeline for Hardware Install: ~ 5 weeks (after all permits are issued) SOW Version: 2.0

6. Acknowledgement and Approvals
Upon completion of this SOW, no additional services are due to the Customer under this SOW.

The parties, through their authorized representatives signed below, hereby agree to the terms of this Statement of Work as of the Effective Date.

Flock Safety
Name
Title
Signature
Date
Customer
Name
Title
Signature
Date
`
SOW Version: 2.0

Flock Safety + CA - Town of Yucca
Valley
______________
Flock Group Inc.
1170 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 210
Atlanta, GA 30318
______________
MAIN CONTACT:

Kelly Bluth
[email protected]
(702) 401-1735

EXHIBIT A

ORDER FORM
Customer: CA - Town of Yucca Valley Initial Term: 24 Months Legal Entity Name: CA - Town of Yucca Valley Renewal Term: 24 Months Accounts Payable Email: [email protected] Payment Terms: Net 30 Address: 57098 29 Palms Hwy Yucca Valley, California
92284
Billing Frequency: Annual Plan - First Year Invoiced at Signing.

Retention Period: 365 Days
Hardware and Software Products
Annual recurring amounts over subscription term
Item Cost Quantity Total
Flock Safety Platform $66,000.00
Flock Safety LPR Products
Flock Safety LPR, fka Falcon Included 4 Included
Flock Safety LPR, fka Falcon Included 12 Included
Flock Safety LPR, fka Falcon Included 4 Included
Flock Safety Platform Add Ons
Extended data retention (Up to 1 Year)
Included 20 Included
Professional Services and One Time Purchases
Item Cost Quantity Total
One Time Fees
Flock Safety Professional Services
Professional Services - Standard Implementation Fee $650.00 4 $2,600.00 Professional Services - Advanced Implementation
Fee $1,900.00 12 $22,800.00
Professional Services - Existing Infrastructure
Implementation Fee $150.00 4 $600.00
Subtotal Year 1: $92,000.00
Annual Recurring Subtotal: $66,000.00
Estimated Tax: $0.00
Contract Total: $158,000.00
Taxes shown above are provided as an estimate. Actual taxes are the responsibility of the Customer. This Agreement will automatically renew for successive renewal terms of the greater of one year or the length set forth on the Order Form (each, a “Renewal Term”) unless either Party gives the other Party notice of non-renewal at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the then-current term.

The Term for Flock Hardware shall commence upon first installation and validation, except that the Term for any Flock Hardware that requires selfinstallation shall commence upon execution of the Agreement. In the event a Customer purchases more than one type of Flock Hardware, the earliest Term start date shall control. In the event a Customer purchases software only, the Term shall commence upon execution of the Agreement.

Billing Schedule
Billing Schedule Amount (USD)
Year 1
At Contract Signing $92,000.00
Annual Recurring after Year 1 $66,000.00
Contract Total $158,000.00
*Tax not included
Discounts
Discounts Applied Amount (USD)
Flock Safety Platform $0.00
Flock Safety Add-ons $0.00
Flock Safety Professional Services $0.00

Product and Services Description
Flock Safety Platform Items Product Description
Flock Safety LPR, fka Falcon
Law enforcement grade infrastructure-free (solar power + LTE) license plate recognition camera with Vehicle Fingerprint ™ technology (proprietary machine learning software) and real-time alerts for unlimited users.

Extended data retention (Up to 1
Year) Extended data retention for up to 1 year for 1 Law Enforcement grade LPR camera.

Flock Safety LPR, fka Falcon
Law enforcement grade infrastructure-free (solar power + LTE) license plate recognition camera with Vehicle Fingerprint ™ technology (proprietary machine learning software) and real-time alerts for unlimited users.

Professional Services - Standard
Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site and safety assessment, camera setup and testing, and shipping and handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Standard Implementation Service Brief.

Professional Services - Advanced
Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.

Flock Safety LPR, fka Falcon
Law enforcement grade infrastructure-free (solar power + LTE) license plate recognition camera with Vehicle Fingerprint ™ technology (proprietary machine learning software) and real-time alerts for unlimited users.

Professional Services - Existing
Infrastructure Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site and safety assessment of existing vertical infrastructure location, camera setup and testing, and shipping and handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Standard Implementation Service Brief.

By executing this Order Form, Customer represents and warrants that it has read and agrees all of the terms and conditions contained in the Terms of Service located at https://www.flocksafety.com/terms-and-conditions.

The Parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates set forth below.

FLOCK GROUP, INC. Customer: CA - Town of Yucca Valley
By:
\FSSignature2\
By:
\FSSignature1\
Name:
\FSFullname2\
Name:
\FSFullname1\
Title:
\FSTitle2\
Title:
\FSTitle1\
Date:
\FSDateSigned2\
Date:
\FSDateSigned1\
PO Number:

Item: 15.

Town of Yucca Valley
Town Council Staff Report
To: Town Council
From: Alex Qishta, Public Works Director
Date: September 9, 2025
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Subject: Town-wide Landscape Beautification Program
Recommendation:

That the Town Council receive an update regarding the Town Council's prior direction to staff requesting development of various projects related to an emphasis on beautification and enhanced appearance throughout Town.

Prior Review:

The Town Council has had no prior review of this item.

Discussion:

Town staff will provide a presentation of a recent assessment of various project locations for landscape beautification along the Town’s main corridors of Twentynine Palms Highway (SR 62) and Old Woman Springs Road (SR 247).

Staff have identified the following locations for future landscape beautification projects to align with the Town Council’s direction and vision emphasizing clean-up, beautification, and enhanced appearance throughout Town:
• SR 62 & SR 247 Intersection
• SR 62 & Sage Avenue Intersection
• SR 62 – South of Remembrance Park
• SR 62 & Kickapoo Trail Intersection
At this time, the conceptual plans are provided solely for review and discussion purposes. The attached plans have previously been presented to the Town Council. They are not final designs and remain subject to refinement based on Council input. Revised plans will be presented to the Town Council at the Council meeting.

Staff is seeking direction regarding the proposed project location priorities, design elements, and priorities to guide the development of more detailed plans and cost evaluations.

The landscape beautification projects represent an ongoing initiative to strengthen the Town’s identity, improve the quality of public spaces, and further demonstrate the Town’s commitment to community enhancement. Following Council discussion, staff will incorporate feedback and return with refined concepts, project phasing options, and potential implementation strategies for future consideration.

Alternatives
Staff recommends no alternative actions.

Fiscal Impact:

Funding for the actions and initiatives are accommodated by the Town’s General or Special Revenue Funds depending on the program and initiative. Significant programs may require additional funding allocation through future Town Council action.

Attachments

1. HDG-Yucca Valley-Concepts

A 77-899 WOLF RD. PH. (760) 777-9131 FAX (760) 777-9132 PALM DESERT, CA LIC# 2754, EXP 04/30/24 92211 HERMANN DESIGN GROUP SUITE 102 CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY, CA KICKAPOO TRAIL INTERSECTION SITE MAP N.T.S. L1.3

B L1.4 77-899 WOLF RD. PH. (760) 777-9131 FAX (760) 777-9132 PALM DESERT, CA LIC# 2754, EXP 04/30/24 92211 HERMANN DESIGN GROUP SUITE 102 CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY, CA APACHE TRAIL INTERSECTION SITE MAP N.T.S.

C 77-899 WOLF RD. PH. (760) 777-9131 FAX (760) 777-9132 PALM DESERT, CA LIC# 2754, EXP 04/30/24 92211 HERMANN DESIGN GROUP SUITE 102 CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY, CA SAGE AVE. INTERSECTION SITE MAP N.T.S. L1.5

D 77-899 WOLF RD. PH. (760) 777-9131 FAX (760) 777-9132 PALM DESERT, CA LIC# 2754, EXP 04/30/24 92211 HERMANN DESIGN GROUP SUITE 102 CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY, CA DUMOSA AVE. INTERSECTION SITE MAP N.T.S. L1.6

E 77-899 WOLF RD. PH. (760) 777-9131 FAX (760) 777-9132 PALM DESERT, CA LIC# 2754, EXP 04/30/24 92211 HERMANN DESIGN GROUP SUITE 102 CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY, CA OLD WOMAN SPRING RD. INTERSECTION SITE MAP N.T.S. L1.7

YUCCA VALLEY
WELCOME TO 77-899 WOLF RD. PH. (760) 777-9131
FAX (760) 777-9132

PALM DESERT, CA
LIC# 2754, EXP 04/30/24 92211

HERMANN
DESIGN
GROUP SUITE 102 CITY OF YUCCA VALLEY, CA MONUMENT SIGN L1.8

Item: 16.

Town of Yucca Valley
Town Council Staff Report
To: Town Council
From: Alex Qishta, Public Works Director
Date: September 9, 2025
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Subject: Rural and Tribal Assistance (RTA) Pilot Program, Notice of Funding Opportunity - Project Applications
Recommendation:

That the Town Council authorize the submittal of RTA grant applications for the following projects.

Old Town Park-and-Ride and Mobility Hub – Phase 2
Indio Avenue Pavement Extension Project
Prior Review:

The Town Council has had no prior review of this item.

Discussion:

The RTA Program provides funding for planning and design phase activities for rural and tribal infrastructure projects. This program will award grants for either the hiring of staff or the procurement of expert firms to provide financial, technical, and legal assistance with projectrelated planning and design phase activities. The program is administered by the Build America Bureau (the Bureau). Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants with an eligible project who meet the merit criteria set by the program. Eligible applicants include rural local governments or political subdivisions, states, federally recognized tribes, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Eligible project sponsors may receive grant funds to select advisors to assist with predevelopment-phase activities, including:
• Feasibility studies
• Project planning
• Revenue forecasting and funding and financing options analyses • Preliminary engineering and design work
• Environmental review

• Economic assessments and cost-benefit analyses
• Public benefits studies
• Statutory and regulatory framework analyses
• Value-for-money (VFM) studies
• Evaluations of costs to sustain the project
• Evaluation opportunities for private financing and project bundling Total RTA funding available for awards is $54,200.000. Each project application can request funding from $250,000 to $2,500,000. There is no cost share or local match required for this program. If a project is awarded funding, eligible activities will have up to 36 months to be completed.

Potential RTA Pilot Program Projects:

Staff selected and submitted RTA grant applications for two projects that meet funding eligibility requirements and are likely to result in the highest scoring Town projects.

Old Town Park-and-Ride and Mobility Hub – Phase 2: The second phase of the Old Town Parkand-Ride and Mobility Hub will build upon the improvements completed in Phase I to further support regional mobility, visitor access, and community needs in the Town of Yucca Valley. The project will expand the existing site by adding additional surface parking to accommodate a formal park-and-ride facility, shaded seating areas, and pedestrian-friendly features that improve comfort and accessibility. The space will also include a plaza area with movable tables and umbrellas, a shade structure, and a small play element to make the location welcoming for families and visitors.

Indio Avenue Pavement Extension Project: The project consists of repaving and extending the pavement for Indio Avenue from Yucca Trail to State Route 62. The project will include the realignment of Indio Avenue, north of Yucca Trail, and the installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, ADA ramps, and street lighting. The realignment of Indio Avenue will allow for the installation of left-hand turn pockets to enhance safe, left-hand turn movements from Yucca Trail for east and westbound traffic. The installation of sidewalks increases pedestrian access from residential areas to local shopping centers, while promoting safe and healthy modes of transportation (e.g., walking instead of driving). In conjunction with the installation of sidewalks, ADA-accessible ramps will be installed to comply with the most current ADA guidelines and standards.

Please note that no right of way analysis has been completed. The need for right of way acquisition is considered a significant constraint on any project application. Right of way acquisition can also cause neighborhood opposition to projects, depending upon right of way purpose and location. Right of way acquisition, in and of itself, is time-consuming and costly, without delivering any final project.

In summary, the Town applied for design and construction funds for Founders Plaza expansion, and for feasiibilty, design, and right of way for the Indio extension project.

Alternatives
Staff recommend no alternatives.

Fiscal Impact:

Preliminary estimates of probable project costs are included for each of the two projects in the table below. The minimum funding request under the RTA program is $250,000 and the maximum funding request is $2,500,000. No match is required. The following table illustrates each project in total costs, non-participating funds necessary for each project and totals of each category.

Project Name Total Project Cost Total RTA Fund Requested Old Town Park-and-Ride and
Mobility Hub – Phase 2
$3,000,000.00 $2,500,000.00
Indio Avenue Pavement
Extension
$12,000,000.00 $2,500,000.00
Attachments

1. RTA Grant Guidelines & Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

2. Yucca Valley Old Town - Conceptual Plan Phase 2

3. Roadway Classifications at General Plan Buildout

4. Indio Avenue Pavement Extension - Preliminary Conceptual Plan

5. 2025 RTA Online Application Questions - Indio Avenue Pavement Extension Project

6. 2025 RTA Online Application Questions - Old Town Beautification Project - Phase 2

Billing Code 4910-9X
U.S. Department of Transportation
Rural and Tribal
Assistance Pilot
Program
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Amendment #2 Date: August 7, 2025

Before You Begin......................................................................................................................................... 2 Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity ..................................................................................... 2 Amendment #2: Summary of Changes to Initial Notice of Funding Opportunity ................................ 2 I. Basic Information................................................................................................................................ 3 A. Key Facts...................................................................................................................................... 3 B. Funding Details............................................................................................................................ 3 C. Availability of Funds.................................................................................................................... 4 D. Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... 3 E. Agency Contact Information....................................................................................................... 5 II. Eligibility .......................................................................................................................................... 5 A. Eligible Applicants....................................................................................................................... 5 B. Cost Share or Non-Federal Match............................................................................................... 6 C. Eligible Projects........................................................................................................................... 6 D. Example Activities....................................................................................................................... 6 E. Definition of Rural Areas............................................................................................................. 7 III. Program Description ....................................................................................................................... 7 A. Background.................................................................................................................................. 7 B. Program Goals and Objectives.................................................................................................... 8 C. Changes from the FY 2022-2023 NOFO ...................................................................................... 8 D. Previous RTA Awards.................................................................................................................. 8 E. Restrictions on Funding............................................................................................................... 8 IV. Application Content and Format .................................................................................................... 9 A. Application Overview.................................................................................................................. 9 B. Application Content .................................................................................................................... 9 C. Expected Performance Goals....................................................................................................10 V. Submission Requirements ............................................................................................................10 A. Submission Dates and Timelines..............................................................................................10 B. Letters of Support......................................................................................................................11 C. Application Limit .......................................................................................................................11 D. Other Submission Requirements..............................................................................................11 E. Address to Request Application Package.................................................................................12 F. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)............................12 G. Intergovernmental Review .......................................................................................................12 VI. Application Review Information...................................................................................................12 A. Responsiveness Review ............................................................................................................12

B. Criteria .......................................................................................................................................13

1. Criterion #1: Appropriateness of services requested...........................................................13

2. Criterion #2: Viability of grant funds requested ..................................................................13 C. Review and Selection Process...................................................................................................15 D. Risk Review................................................................................................................................15 VII. Award Notices...........................................................................................................................16 VIII. Post-Award Requirements and Administration.......................................................................16 A. Administration and National Policy Requirements ................................................................. 16

1. Administrative Requirements...............................................................................................16

2. National Policy Requirements ..............................................................................................17 B. Reporting ...................................................................................................................................18

1. Progress Reporting on Grant Activities ................................................................................18

2. Program Evaluation...............................................................................................................19

3. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance..............................19 IX. Other Information.........................................................................................................................20 A. Protection of Confidential Business Information.....................................................................20 B. Publication/Sharing of Application Information......................................................................20 APPENDIX A...............................................................................................................................................21

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Before You Begin
Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity
The organization of this notice is based on an outline set forth in Appendix I to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 200, to ensure consistency across Federal financial assistance programs.

Each section of this notice contains information and instructions relevant to the application process for the RTA Program. All applicants should read this notice in its entirety so that they have the information they need to submit eligible applications.

Amendment #2: Summary of Changes to Initial Notice of
Funding Opportunity
Purpose of the amendment is to:
• Increase program funding from $27 million to $54.2 million • Increase funding minimum of individual awards from $200,000 to $250,000 • Increase funding maximum of individual awards from $750,000 to $2,500,000 • Increase tribal set aside from $10 million to $20 million • Eliminate the “Multi-Community” grant type
• Revise application questions to reflect elimination of the “Multi-Community” grant type • Align the NOFO with Administration priorities and Executive Orders

I. Basic Information
A. Key Facts
Issuing Agency Build America Bureau, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation

KEY DATES
Funding Opportunity Title Rural and Tribal Assistance (RTA) Pilot Program Announcement Type Amendment #2 Revised
Funding Opportunity
Number
DOT-OST-2025-103 Notice of Funding
Opportunity Issue
Assistance Listing Number 20.943 Date: August 7,
2025
Objective The RTA Program aims to help applicants develop transportation infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities that will be reasonably expected to be eligible for federal funding and financing programs for additional development phase activities or construction.

Application Portal
Opens:
2:00 p.m. ET on
September 8, 2025
Program Overview The RTA Program provides funding for planning and design phase activities for rural and tribal infrastructure projects.

This program will award grants for either the hiring of staff or the procurement of expert firms to provide financial, technical, and legal assistance with project-related planning and design phase activities. The program is administered by the Build America Bureau (the Bureau). Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants with an eligible project who meet the merit criteria described in Section VI. B.

Application Portal
Closes: October 8,
2025
Open for 30 days,
yet funding may be
exhausted before
application window
closes
Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include rural local governments or political subdivisions, states, federally recognized tribes, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. For additional
information, see Section II. A.

Anticipated
Selection
Notification Date:

December 2025
Eligible Project Types Transportation projects that are in early project development. See Section II. C for more details.

Eligible Activities Financial services, technical services, and legal services. See table in Section II. D for example activities.

Funding $54.2 million is available for awards. See Section I. B directly below this table for additional information.

Cost share There is no required cost share or match for this program.

How to apply Applications must be submitted via the online application form that will be accessible on the RTA Program’s webpage:
www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/RuralandTribalGrants.

See Section IV for information on the application process.

Application Portal Open 2:00 pm ET on September 8, 2025

B. Funding Details
This NOFO makes available, on a first-come, first-served basis, a total of $54.2 million of funding for the second round of the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (RTA Program). This includes a total of $4.2 million appropriated for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 in Section 21205 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58), and a total of $50 million appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42) and the Full-year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Pub. L. 119-4).

This NOFO will award funding for planning and design phase activities for single projects:

Approximate total available funding: $54.2 million
Approximate number of awards: 21 to 216
Minimum and maximum dollar amount of individual awards: $250,000 up to $2,500,000 Award period (Period of Performance): up to 36 months
$20 million of the total funding available is set aside for eligible tribal applicants. See Section III. E for additional information on this funding set-aside.

The Department may decrease an RTA Program award amount from the application amount, if elements of the proposed project are determined to be ineligible program activities.

See Section I. B for further award information and Section II for eligibility information.

C. Availability of Funds
This NOFO makes available funds with the following periods of availability:
• $25 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42) is available until September 30, 2026
• $25 million in the Full-year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Pub. L. 119-4) is available until September 30, 2027
• $4.2 million obligation limitation in Section 21205 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58) which may be drawn from any amount made available to the Secretary to provide credit assistance under an eligible program that is not otherwise obligated.

D. Executive Summary
The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, administered by the Build America Bureau (the Bureau), was created under Public Law 117-58 to advance transportation infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities by supporting planning and development-phase activities for projects reasonably expected to be eligible for certain U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department) credit and grant programs. However, there is no requirement for grantees to apply for other DOT funding programs in the future.

RTA Program funding is for planning and design phase activities of transportation infrastructure projects that meet the Program’s eligibility requirements discussed in Section II.

Grant recipients may hire staff or procure the services of expert firms to develop their projects. Section II. D lists example activities that would be eligible under this Program. Grants are awarded on a firstcome, first-served basis to eligible applications. Section IV discusses the application. The review process and criteria used to select applications for award is discussed in Section VI. Section V includes the Program’s submission requirements for applying, including when the application window opens.

E. Agency Contact Information
Build America Bureau
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
W84-322
Washington, DC 20590
For further information concerning this specific NOFO, please contact RTA Program staff via email at [email protected].

Ongoing updates, webinar notices, and FAQs can be found on the RTA Program webpage. To ensure applicants receive accurate information about eligibility or the RTA Program in general, applicants with questions are encouraged to contact RTA Program staff directly, rather than through intermediaries or third parties.

II. Eligibility
To be considered for an RTA Program award, an applicant must be considered an eligible entity with an eligible project. Section II. A defines the RTA Program’s eligible applicant types, and Section II. C describes the requirements for eligible projects.

A. Eligible Applicants
Applicants for the Program must be one of the following:

1. a unit of local government or political subdivision that is located outside of an urbanized area1 that has a population of more than 150,000 residents, as determined by the Bureau of the Census. Examples of local governments and political subdivisions include the following:
• County;
• Borough;
• Municipality;
• City;
• Town;
• Township;
• Parish (under the state of Louisiana);
• Local public authority, including any public housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937;
• Special district;
1 Urbanized area listing should be drawn from the 2020 Census results. For 2020 Census results, visit:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html

• School district;
• Council of governments, whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law; or
• Any other agency or instrumentality of a multi-, regional, or intra-State or local government.

2. a state, territory, or possession of the United States seeking to advance a project in a location outside of an urbanized area that has a population of more than 150,000 residents as determined by the Bureau of the Census;

3. a federally recognized Indian Tribe; or

4. the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

B. Cost Share or Non-Federal Match
There is no requirement for cost sharing or providing a local, non-federal match to the grant funds in this Program.

C. Eligible Projects
Per the RTA Program’s requirements, projects that receive a grant award under this Program must be reasonably expected to be eligible for any one or more of DOT’s lending or grant programs listed below.

This requirement is used to define the eligible project types for RTA Program funding; it does not commit the applicant to apply to any of these programs. The applicable programs are listed below. More information on these programs, including brief program descriptions and examples of eligible projects for each, are included in Appendix A.
• TIFIA Credit Program: www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/tifia • RRIF Credit Program: www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/rrif • INFRA Grant Program: www.transportation.gov/grants/infra-grants-program • Mega Grant Program: www.transportation.gov/grants/mega-grant-program • BUILD Grant Program: www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants • National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program:
www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/culverthyd/aquatic/culvertaop.cfm D. Example Activities
The following is a list of example activities that would be eligible to be funded through the RTA Program. This list is intended to serve as an example, and is not all-inclusive:

Financial services Technical services Legal services
Revenue forecasting Project planning Statutory and regulatory framework analysis
Economic assessments and
cost-benefit analyses Feasibility studies Drafting and negotiation of concession agreements Value for money analysis and
procurement options
Environmental review and
permitting
Drafting and negotiation of
interagency agreements

Evaluating opportunities for
private financing and project
bundling
Preliminary engineering and
design Procurement support
Financial feasibility analysis;
funding and financing options
analysis
Funding application assistance
Evaluation of costs to sustain
the project (such as
operations and maintenance
costs)
Public engagement
Property development and
land use feasibility analysis
Public Benefit Studies
Cost estimation
E. Definition of Rural Areas
The definition of “rural” varies among DOT programs. The following information explains the “rural” location requirement for local governments, political subdivisions, or states wishing to apply to the RTA Program with a project in a rural area. For this Program, “rural” is defined as the following:

Rural- A project is determined to be rural if it is located outside an urbanized area that has a population of more than 150,000 residents as determined by the Bureau of the Census.

The location of the project itself determines an applicant’s eligibility for the RTA Program when applying as a rural applicant.

Interested applicants can use one of the following mapping tools to verify that the project’s location is in an area that meets the “rural” definition stated above:
• Rural Funding Eligibility Tool2
- Instructions on how to use this map to check for rural eligibility for the RTA Program can be found here:
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/2023- 06/Step%20by%20Step%20eligibility%20instructions.pdf.
• U.S. Census mapping tool TIGERweb3- Instructions on how to use this map and check the urban area population, if applicable, can be found here:
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/2023- 07/TigerWeb%20Step%20by%20step.pdf.

III. Program Description
A. Background
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau (Bureau) administers the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. The Bureau is responsible for driving transportation infrastructure 2 https://www.transportation.gov/rural/eligibility
3 https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/TIGERweb_main.html

development projects in the United States through innovative financing programs and project delivery methods. Its mission is to provide access to the Bureau’s credit programs in a streamlined, expedient, and transparent manner. The Bureau is also responsible for engaging stakeholders on behalf of the Secretary and promoting greater visibility and access to DOT policies, programs, and resources through the administration of technical assistance programs. In accomplishing its mission, the Bureau also provides technical assistance and encourages innovative best practices in project planning, financing, delivery, and monitoring. The Bureau draws upon the full resources of DOT to best utilize the expertise of DOT’s Operating Administrations (OAs) including: 1) Federal Highway Administration; 2) Federal Transit Administration; 3) Federal Railroad Administration; 4) Federal Aviation Administration; and 5) Maritime Administration while promoting a culture of innovation and customer service.

Section 21205 of Public Law 117-58, Division B of IIJA, “Rural and Tribal Infrastructure Advancement”, created the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (RTA Program) to provide grants to fund financial, technical, and legal assistance to rural and tribal communities and states for transportation infrastructure projects located in rural areas. IIJA funding for the Program was authorized for fiscal years 2022-2026.

The Department intends to issue grants to enable recipients to: 1) acquire the services of independent financial, technical, and legal advisors,4 or 2) hire staff, to provide development-phase assistance for their project. A table providing examples of services for which recipients can hire staff or procure expert firms using awards under the RTA Program is shown in Section II. D.

B. Program Goals and Objectives
The grants are intended to build organizational capacity in communities that may not have the resources available to evaluate and develop transportation infrastructure projects. The RTA Program aims to help applicants advance projects that will qualify for federal funding and financing programs for additional development activities or construction. The RTA Program has expected performance goals for projects receiving Program funding. These goals can be found in Section IV. C.

C. Changes from the FY 2022-2023 NOFO
This FY 2024 RTA NOFO makes changes from the FY 2022/2023 NOFO to:
• Simplify the NOFO with the use of plain language, a more detailed table of contents, and the use of tables to organize information.
• Define “eligible applicant” for the RTA Program, to include examples of local governments and political subdivision types.
• Provide links to mapping tools to determine if the project location is deemed “rural,” as defined by the RTA Program.
• Clarify requested information to be used to determine merit criteria ratings.

D. Previous RTA Awards
RTA grant recipients awarded funding from the previous FY 2022/2023 NOFO may not apply for funding for the same project under this NOFO.
4 The procurement of, and contract for, advisors procured to provide services funded by this award must meet the requirements set forth in 2 CFR § 200.317-327 and 2 CFR § 200.459, including 2 CFR Part 200 Appendix II.

E. Restrictions on Funding
No more than twenty percent of total available RTA funds per fiscal year may be awarded for projects in a single state. DOT may offer partial awards to applicants if fully funding their project would exceed the twenty percent state limit.

Any of the funds set aside for tribal applicants that are not allocated within thirty days of the application close date will be allocated and awarded to any type of qualified applicant, based on the order in which applications were received.

Recipients of RTA Program grant awards do not receive lump-sum cash disbursements of their awarded amount of grant funding. Instead, RTA funds will reimburse recipients only after a grant agreement has been executed, allowable expenses are incurred, and valid requests for reimbursement are submitted and reviewed by the Bureau.

IV. Application Content and Format
A. Application Overview
All applications must be submitted using the application form that will be made available on the RTA Program’s webpage5 beginning at the date and time shown in Section V. A. Email, mail, and fax submissions will not be accepted. The application form cannot be saved in progress and must be completed in a single session. A pdf version of application form questions will be made available on the RTA Program’s webpage. when this funding announcement (NOFO) is published. Unless indicated as optional, applicants must respond to all sections of the application form.

Interested applicants should submit applications to demonstrate:
• They are an eligible applicant under this Program, as described in Section II. A; • The project(s) for which grant funding is being requested are otherwise eligible for funding or financing through the other DOT programs listed in Section II. C and further described in Appendix A; and
• The proposed activities sufficiently address the criteria described in Section VI. B.

B. Application Content
The table below lists the topics included in the application along with a brief description/ instructions for the requested information:

Title Description/ Instructions

1. Name & Contact Information First and last name, Title, Phone, and Email

2. Organization Name, Address, & Website Organization/Entity Name, Address (no P.O. Box number) City, State, Zip Code, Website

3. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number
(EIN/TIN)
Applicants must have a valid EIN/TIN obtained
from Internal Revenue Service

4. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) UEI must be valid and current; an incorrect or expired UEI will disqualify the application. See
5 https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/RuralandTribalGrants

Section V. F. below for more information about
obtaining a UEI from SAM.gov.

5. Organization Congressional District
Project Congressional District
Look up Congressional districts using the zip code
location of the organization and the project at
https://www.census.gov/mycd/

6. Eligible Entity Information on eligible applicants can be found in Section II. A.

Select applicant type from the following:
• Local government or political subdivision
• State
• Federally recognized Indian Tribe
• Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

7. Project Title Provide a brief, descriptive title of the project; e.g., “Widening of X Street from Avenue 1 to Avenue 7
in Y Community in Z State.”

8. Project Location Location must be described as either a street address complete with city and state, or
latitude/longitude coordinates. As an example,
coordinates can be obtained by right-clicking on
the project location in Google Maps or other
software.

9. Overall Project Description & Total Project
Cost
Describe the overall project, including:
• project type,
• features to be constructed,
• schedule, and
• estimated total project cost

10. Federal Debt Delinquency Indicate whether the applicant is delinquent on any Federal debt.

11. Appropriateness of Services Requested Refer to Section VI. B.

12. Viability of Grant Services Requested Refer to Section VI. B.

13. Application Certification Check box certifying application statements are true, complete, and accurate.

C. Expected Performance Goals
The performance goals each awarded project is expected to achieve are listed below. Before the grant agreement between DOT and an awarded applicant is executed, the applicant will need to submit to DOT a minimum of two metrics for each of the following goals:
• Goal 1: Provide benefits to the community through transportation projects. • Goal 2: Increase grant recipient’s capacity, knowledge, and skills to execute transportation projects.
• Goal 3: Engage, educate, and listen to the community throughout the project planning process. • Goal 4: Advance the transformational project(s) closer to delivery.

V. Submission Requirements
A. Submission Dates and Timelines
The application window will open at 2:00 p.m. ET on September 8, 2025 on RTA Program webpage.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible once the application period opens as applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Each application received by DOT is timestamped with the time of submission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling (first-come, first-served) basis until available funding is expended or this notice is superseded by another notice. The application open period will be available for 30 days, yet total funding may be exhausted before the application window closes.

DOT strongly encourages applicants to test systems and review instructions well in advance of the application window. Applicants should save and print written proof of an electronic submission.

If technical issues arise that present difficulties for submission, applicants should notify DOT. DOT must receive communication via telephone, voicemail, or email regarding such technical difficulty during the application window stated above. Any correspondence regarding technical difficulties received after the application portal closes will not be considered as a reason to accept a late application. No extensions to the deadline will be considered. In cases of documented technical difficulty, the applicant is expected to submit the application immediately upon resolution of technical difficulties.

In addition, please note the following:
• DOT will not accept any unsolicited changes, additions, revisions, or deletions to application submission.
• Throughout the review and selection process, DOT reserves the right to seek clarification from applicants whose applications are being reviewed and considered. • Applicants may be asked to clarify objectives and work plans and modify budgets or other specifics as necessary to comply with federal requirements and provide supplemental information required by the agency before award.

B. Letters of Support
No will be accepted or considered in determining grant awards.

C. Application Limit
A separate application is required for each project submitted for Project grant funding consideration.

The maximum number of applications that can be submitted is two. The total maximum number of RTA Program grant awards an applicant can receive is two.

D. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants should reference the pdf version of the web-based application questions along with the information contained in this NOFO. Some questions have word limits, and this information is included in the pdf version of the application on the RTA Program webpage.

Applicants should not place ‘‘N/A’’ in lieu of typing in responses in the field sections – except on questions where “N/A” is stated as an acceptable response. If information is copied into the web-based application form from another source, applicants should verify that the pasted text is fully captured and has not been truncated by the character limits built into the form. Contact information for assistance with application submission and clarification on application questions can be found on the RTA Program webpage.

E. Address to Request Application Package
Grant application materials, including a pdf version of the web-based application questions, can be accessed at https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/RuralandTribalGrants. This is the same location where interested applicants will apply once the application portal opens. Potential applicants may also request to receive email copies of materials for review by emailing [email protected].

F. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award
Management (SAM)
Each applicant must have completed the registration process on SAM.gov and obtained a valid UEI prior to submitting their application. To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information that will be needed to register.

Each applicant must:
(1) Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting an application; (2) Provide a valid and current (unexpired) Unique Entity Identifier in the application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal agency.

The Department may not make a grant to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Department is ready to make a grant, the Department may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a grant and use that determination as a basis for making a grant to another applicant.

To prepare for proposal submission, applicants should begin the process of registering with SAM.gov to obtain a valid UEI if they do not have one already. All registrations are free of charge. Note that SAM.gov’s registration process can take multiple weeks to complete. All applicants previously registered should make sure their registration is active and up to date.

G. Intergovernmental Review
This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs”.

VI. Application Review Information
The application review and selection process are outlined below. After the application window opens, grants will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Application reviews, to include eligibility review, will conclude once the full $54.22 million has been awarded.

A. Responsiveness Review
Applications will be reviewed, in the order received, for completeness and RTA Program eligibility – an eligible applicant with an eligible project – before being reviewed against the merit criteria described in Section VI. B. This review will conclude once all RTA Program funds have been committed, which may mean not all applications will be reviewed for eligibility or against the merit criteria.

B. Criteria
Applications deemed complete and eligible will be evaluated based on the criteria listed below.

Applications that are rated “Meets” for both criteria will be recommended to the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy for funding in the order they are received.

1. Criterion #1: Appropriateness of services requested
Application Question: (1) Please describe the activities/advisory services for which you are seeking program funds, and how these activities will materially advance your overall project. (2) State the requested funds from this program. (3) Include the estimated cost of the activities and the amount of RTA Program funding requested. (4) Describe (4)Describe what project-related development activities have been completed, if any. Examples include: data or information that has been collected or activities conducted that are necessary for completing the activities funded through this Program.

Question Review: The Application Review Team will assess whether and to what extent the proposed activities will materially advance the overall project identified in the application. The Application Review Team will consider:
• the current state of the project’s development and project readiness, • whether the proposed activities are appropriate for the current state of the project’s development, and
• the likelihood that the activities will materially advance the project.

The goal of this assessment is to ensure that the proposed activities are appropriate for the project’s current state of development and, will have a material impact on the project’s overall development. The rating categories are outlined in the table below.

Rating Project advancement
Criterion
Example
Does Not
Meet
Proposed activities are either
not helpful in advancing the
project or not appropriate for
the project in its current state
of development.

The proposed activities are not necessary or appropriate for the project’s ultimate funding and/or financing, and delivery; Key activities to advance the project have not been completed and are not included in the description of proposed activities; or The proposed activities description does not provide information on the overall project’s need or specific challenges it will address.

Meets Likely to advance the project It is reasonably likely that the proposed activities will demonstrably advance the project;
It is probable that the necessary information or data needed for the proposed activities will be available by the project’s start; and A transportation need has been identified, and it is likely the overall project will deliver a solution.

2. Criterion #2: Viability of grant funds requested
Application Question: (1) State if you intend to either procure advisory services or hire staff to complete the proposed activities and discuss your procurement or hiring experience and process. (2) State if you have additional funds available to commit to this effort should grant funding prove insufficient to complete the proposed activities. If additional funds will be provided, include the amount and source of the local funding commitment. (3) Confirm if a bid, quote, or estimate has been obtained for the proposed activities.

Question Review: The Application Review Team will assess whether the applicant has an established process to advance their project and to what extent the funding package (made up of funding requested through this Program and other funding sources, if any, including local funding commitment) is likely to result in fully funding and completing the specified activities, while also providing the deliverable(s) necessary to materially advance the project(s). The Team will consider:
• for applicants seeking to procure advisory services: whether the applicant has obtained bids or quotes for the requested services, and the applicant’s experience procuring advisory services in the past,
• for applicants seeking to hire staff for the proposed activities: their organization’s hiring process (i.e., do they have a defined job description for completing these activities, process for recruitment), and
• the source and amount of funding the applicant intends to commit (if any) as a contribution to the overall cost of the activities being proposed. (The addition of local funding will not influence the rating of this criterion).

The goal of this assessment is to ensure that the funding plan, including the funding requested in the application, and the staffs’ experience in procuring advisory services or efficiency in hiring staff are adequate to complete the activities proposed and to achieve the deliverable(s) necessary to advance the project.

Rating Experience and cost
estimating Criterion
Example
Does Not
Meet
It is either unclear or unlikely
that the applicant has
experience or an established
procurement or hiring
process, or that the funding
package6 is appropriate for
There is little or no evidence that the applicant has (a) either previous procurement experience or an efficient process for hiring staff, (b) the capacity to estimate the cost for the activities identified in the application, or (c) obtained a reasonable estimate or quote for the activities identified; or
6 The funding package is made up of the funding requested through this Program and other funding sources, if any, including local funding commitment.

completing the identified
activities and deliverable(s).

The funding package will not produce completed activities or deliverable(s) identified in the application.

Meets It is likely the applicant has
experience or an established
procurement or hiring
process, and that the funding
package5 is appropriate for
completing the identified
activities and deliverable(s).

The applicant has provided sufficient evidence demonstrating their procurement experience or efficient process hiring staff; and The applicant has provided reasonable cost estimates or quotes to conclude the funding requested will likely result in completed activities or deliverable(s) identified in the application.

C. Review and Selection Process
An Application Review Team composed of Department staff will screen applications in the order they are received. This initial review will cover completeness (see Section VI for more information), eligibility of the applicant (see Section II. A), and the eligibility of the project(s) being proposed (see Section II.C).

For those applications deemed complete and eligible, the Application Review Team will review them, in the order received, against the criteria shown in Section VI. B above. Applications that receive “Meets” for both scoring criteria will be recommended for award to the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, along with the recommended grant amount. Recommended grant amounts could differ from the requested grant amount due to: 1) the availability of grant funding remaining, or 2) if some elements of the project are determined to be ineligible. Among recommended applications, awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis (based on the timestamp of the application received by DOT) until available funding is exhausted.

Compliance with DOT Order 2100.07, Ensuring Reliance upon Sound Economic Analysis in DOT’s Policies, Programs and Activities
The Department intends to apply principles from DOT Order 2100.7, Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in DOT’s Policies, Programs and Activities, when evaluating applications and making award selections. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Bureau will prioritize projects that are in alignment with the principles outlined in DOT Order 2100.7.

D. Risk Review
Prior to award, each selected applicant will be subject to a risk assessment as required by 2 CFR § 200.206. This risk assessment may consider:
• Financial stability;
• Quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards prescribed in 2 CFR Part 200 as adopted and supplemented by 2 CFR Part 910; • History of performance;
• Audit reports and findings; and
• The applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on recipients or subrecipients.

DOT may make use of other publicly available information and the history of an applicant’s performance under DOT or other federal agency awards. Depending on the severity of the findings and whether the findings were resolved, DOT may elect not to fund the applicant.

In addition to this review, DOT must comply with the guidelines on government-wide suspension and debarment in 2 CFR Part 180 and must require recipients or subrecipients to comply with these provisions. These provisions restrict federal awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in federal programs or activities.

VII. Award Notices
Following the evaluation outlined in Section VI, the Secretary will announce awards by posting a list of selected projects on the RTA Program website7. This posting does not constitute an authorization for the selected award recipients to begin performance. Following the announcement, for each application received, DOT will provide email notification to the point of contact listed in the application stating whether the application was selected for award. Due to the RTA Program’s first-come, first-served process for awarding grant funding, not all applications will be reviewed for eligibility or against the criteria described in Section VI. B. Applicants whose applications were only reviewed for RTA Program eligibility will be notified of their eligibility via a notification email. Applicants whose applications were reviewed against the criteria described in Section VI. B, but were not awarded funding, will be offered a debrief to provide an explanation of, and guidance regarding, the reasons why the application was not approved.

The Bureau will publish an online report that includes information on applications received, entity type, location of the potential project, a brief description of the assistance requested, the date on which the application was received, and the date on which the applicant was provided the notice of approval or disapproval. Applicants to the Program must agree to publication of this information as a condition of applying.

VIII. Post-Award Requirements and
Administration
A. Administration and National Policy Requirements

1. Administrative Requirements
The Bureau and grant recipients will establish a project start date that will be included in the executed grant agreement. Each recipient will have three years from the project start date to complete the work under the RTA Program grant.

All procurements and contracts for grantee-contracted advisors procured for this award must comply with the requirements set forth in 2 CFR § 200.317-327 and 2 CFR § 200.459, including 2 CFR Part 200 Appendix II. Failure to comply with the Part 200 requirements regarding contractors and failure to obtain written approval prior to subcontracting may result in costs being deemed ineligible for reimbursement.
7 https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/RuralandTribalGrants

All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards found in 2 CFR Part 200, as adopted by DOT at 2 CFR Part 1201. In connection with any program or activity conducted with or benefiting from funds awarded under this notice, recipients of funds must comply with all applicable requirements of federal law, including, without limitation, the Constitution of the United States statutory, regulatory, and public policy requirements, including without limitation, those protecting free speech, religious liberty, public welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination; the conditions of performance, non-discrimination requirements, and other assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with regulations of the Department of Transportation; and applicable federal financial assistance and contracting principles promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget. In complying with these requirements, recipients must ensure that no concession agreements are denied, or other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech or other activities protected by the First Amendment. If the Bureau determines that a recipient has failed to comply with applicable federal requirements, the Bureau may terminate the award of funds and disallow previously incurred costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any expended award funds.

2. National Policy Requirements
Performance under this Program will be governed by and in compliance with the following requirements as applicable to the type of organization of the recipient and any applicable subrecipients.

Compliance with Federal Law and Policies
The applicant assures and certifies, with respect to any application and awarded Project under this NOFO, that it will comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, executive orders, policies, guidelines, and requirements as they relate to the application, acceptance, and use of Federal funds and will cooperate with Federal officials in the enforcement of Federal law, including cooperating with and not impeding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Federal offices and components of the Department of Homeland Security in the enforcement of Federal immigration law.

Critical Infrastructure Security, Cybersecurity and Resilience It is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure against all hazards, including physical and cyber risks, consistent with National Security Memorandum (NSM-22)– on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, and the National Security Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems. Each applicant selected for Federal funding must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant agreement, effort to consider and address physical and cyber security risks relevant to the transportation mode and type and scale of the project. Projects that have not appropriately considered and addressed physical and cyber security and resilience in their planning, design, and project oversight, as determined by the Department and the Department of Homeland Security, will be required to do so before receiving funds.

Civil Rights and Title VI
As a condition of a grant award, grant recipients should demonstrate that the recipient has a plan for compliance with civil rights obligations and nondiscrimination laws, including Title VI of

the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing regulations (49 CFR part 21) (including any amendments thereto), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, all other civil rights requirements, and accompanying regulations. This should include a current Title VI plan, completed Community Participation Plan, and a plan to address any legacy infrastructure or facilities that are not compliant with ADA standards. DOT’s and the applicable Operating Administrations’ Office of Civil Rights may work with awarded grant recipients to ensure full compliance with Federal civil rights requirements.

Domestic Preference Requirements
As expressed in Executive Order 14005, ‘Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers’ (86 FR 7475), the executive branch should maximize, consistent with law, the use of goods, products, and materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States. Funds made available under this notice are subject to domestic preference requirements and section 70914(a) of the Build America, Buy America Act. The Department expects all applicants to comply without needing a project-specific waiver for domestic preference requirements.

Federal Anti-Discrimination
As a condition of award, pursuant to Section (3)(b)(iv)(A), Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the recipient must agree that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code. As a condition of award, pursuant to Section (3)(b)(iv)(B), Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, by entering into a grant or cooperative agreement, the recipient must certify that it does not operate any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

To the extent a court order bars the implementation or enforcement of one or more of these conditions or requirements with respect to a particular applicant or recipient, the Department will not implement or enforce the relevant condition(s) or requirement(s) against that applicant or recipient for as long as the order remains in place.

B. Reporting
Accepting an award commits the recipient to participation in reporting and oversight of the project.

This section discusses reporting requirements of the RTA Program.

1. Progress Reporting on Grant Activities
Each applicant selected for RTA Program grant funding must submit quarterly progress reports and Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) to monitor project progress. In addition to regular reporting, each grant recipient must submit a grant closeout report as set forth in the grant agreement to ensure accountability and financial transparency in the Program. Monthly progress meetings or calls are expected to be held, during which the Bureau will review project activities, schedule, and progress toward mutually agreed upon performance goals.

As part of each quarterly report, applicants selected for grant funding must address the status

of services funded with this grant award, in general, and how the activities performed advance the RTA Program performance goals identified in Section IV. C and the performance metrics collectively established by Bureau staff and grant recipients.

2. Program Evaluation
As a condition of grant award, grant recipients may be required to participate in an evaluation undertaken by DOT or another agency or partner. The evaluation may take different forms such as:
• an implementation assessment across grant recipients, • an impact and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected sites within or across grant recipients, or
• a benefit/cost analysis or assessment of return on investment.

DOT may require applicants to collect data elements to aid the evaluation and/or use information available through other reporting. As a part of the evaluation and as a condition of award, grant recipients must agree to: (1) make records available to the evaluation contractor or DOT staff; (2) provide access to program records, and any other relevant documents to calculate costs and benefits; (3) in the case of an impact analysis, facilitate the access to relevant information as requested; and (4) follow evaluation procedures as specified by the evaluation contractor or DOT staff.

Recipients and subrecipients are also encouraged to incorporate program evaluation including associated data collection activities from the outset of their program design and implementation to meaningfully document and measure their progress towards meeting an agency priority goal(s). Title I of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act), Pub. L. No. 115-435 (2019) urges Federal awarding agencies and Federal assistance recipients and subrecipients to use program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, to improve equitable delivery, and to elevate program service and delivery across the program lifecycle. Evaluation means “an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency” (codified at 5 U.S.C. § 311). For grant recipients, evaluation costs are allowable costs (either as direct or indirect), unless prohibited by statute or regulation, and such costs may include the personnel and equipment needed for data infrastructure and expertise in data analysis, performance, and evaluation (2 CFR Part 200). Credible program evaluation activities are implemented with relevance and utility, rigor, independence and objectivity, transparency, and ethics (OMB Circular A-11, Part 6 Section 290).

3. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance
If the total value of a selected applicant’s currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of this federal award, then the applicant during that period of time must maintain the currency of information reported to the SAM that is made available in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings. This is a statutory requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 2313). As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted in the designated integrity and performance system on or after

April 15, 2011, except past performance review required for federal procurement contracts, will be publicly available.

IX. Other Information
A.Protection of Confidential Business Information
All information submitted as part of or in support of any application shall use publicly available data or data that can be made public and methodologies that are accepted by industry practice and standards, to the extent possible.

B.Publication/Sharing of Application Information
As noted previously, and required by statute, the Bureau will publish an online report that includes, for each application received, entity type, location of the potential project, a brief description of the assistance requested, the date on which the application was received, and the date on which the applicant was provided the notice of approval or disapproval. The Bureau may make application information publicly available or share it within DOT or with other federal agencies if DOT determines that sharing is relevant to the respective program's objectives.

APPENDIX A
The RTA Program requires projects be reasonably expected to be eligible for one of more of the following DOT financing or funding programs. More information on this requirement can be found in Section II. C.

TIFIA Credit Program:
www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/tifia
The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program provides credit assistance to finance up to 49 percent of eligible project costs for qualified projects, including:
• Highway and bridge projects;
• Public transportation projects;
• International bridges and tunnels;
• Intercity passenger bus or rail facilities and vehicles; • Freight rail projects and intermodal freight transfer facilities; • Certain projects located within the boundaries of a port terminal; • Transit-oriented development projects; and
• Airport projects.

Minimum Anticipated Project Costs
• $10 million for transit-oriented development, local, and rural projects; • $15 million for intelligent transportation system projects; and • $50 million for all other eligible surface transportation projects.

RRIF Credit Program:
www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/rrif
The Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program provides credit assistance to finance development of railroad infrastructure up to 100 percent of eligible project costs, including:
• Intermodal or railroad equipment or facilities;
• Landside port infrastructure for seaports serviced by rail; • Refinancing of outstanding debt incurred for the above eligible projects; • Planning, permitting, and design expenses relating to the above eligible projects; and • Transit-oriented development projects.

Minimum Anticipated Project Costs
• There is no minimum project cost for the RRIF Program.

INFRA Grant Program:
www.transportation.gov/grants/infra-grants-program
INFRA (known statutorily as the Nationally Significant Freight & Highway Projects Program) awards competitive grants for multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas, including:
• Highway freight projects on the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN); • Highway or bridge projects on the National Highway System; • Freight intermodal project or freight rail projects;

• Freight projects that are within the boundaries of a public or private freight rail, water (including ports), or intermodal facility and are surface transportation infrastructure projects necessary to facilitate direct intermodal interchange, transfer, or access into or out of the facility; • Highway-railway grade crossing or grade separation projects; • Wildlife crossing projects;
• Surface transportation projects within the boundaries or functionally connected to an international border crossing that improves a facility owned by federal/state/local government and increases throughput efficiency; and
• Projects for a marine highway corridor that is functionally connected to the NHFN and is likely to reduce road mobile source emissions.

Minimum Anticipated Project Costs
• Small projects must have a total project cost of at least $6.25 million.

Mega Grant Program:
www.transportation.gov/grants/mega-grant-program
The Mega Program (known statutorily as the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program) supports large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits, including:
• Highway or bridge projects on the National Multimodal Freight Network; • Highway or bridge projects on the NHFN;
• Highway or bridge projects on the National Highway System; • Freight intermodal (including public ports) or freight rail projects that provide public benefit; • Railway highway grade separation or elimination projects; • Intercity passenger rail projects; and
• Public transportation projects that are eligible for assistance under 49 USC Chapter 53 and are a part of any of the project types described above.

Minimum Anticipated Project Costs
• $100 million
BUILD Grant Program:
www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants
The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, Discretionary Grant Program awards investments in surface transportation infrastructure that will have a significant local or regional impact. Eligible projects include:
• Capital projects including but not limited to:
o Highway, bridge, or other road projects eligible under title 23, United States Code; o Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code; o Passenger and freight rail transportation projects;
o Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry); o Surface transportation components of an airport;
o Intermodal projects;
o A project to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species while advancing the goals of the BUILD program; o Projects investing in surface transportation facilities that are located on tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the federal government; and

o Any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program.
• Planning projects which include planning, preparation, or design (for example- environmental analysis, feasibility studies, and other pre-construction activities) of eligible surface transportation capital projects.

National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration
Grant Program:
www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/culverthyd/aquatic/culvertaop.cfm This program awards grants for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous fish migrate upstream for breeding. Eligible project types include:
• Replacement, removal, or repair of culverts that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish.
• Replacement, removal, or repair of weirs that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. With respect to weirs, the project may include infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir; and weir improvements.

Yucca Trl Yucca Trl
Pioneertown Rd
Onaga Trl
Skyline Ranch Rd
Acoma Trl
Paxton Rd
Joshua Dr
Barron Dr
Twentynine Palms Hwy
San Andreas Rd
Aberdeen Dr
Sunnyslope Dr
Golden Bee Dr
Palm Ave
Santa Fe Trl
Indio Ave
Buena Vista Dr
Yucca Mesa Rd
Joshua Dr
Sunnyslope Dr
Navajo Trl
Avalon Ave
Joshua Ln
Joshua Ln
Kickapoo Trl
Sage Ave
Balsa Ave
Palomar Ave
Twentynine Palms Hwy
Old WomanSpringsRd
AÔ
?¡
?¡

Y U C C A M E S A

M O R O N G O

V A L L E Y

JO S H U A T R E E N AT I O N A L PA R K

J O S H U A

T R E E

P I O N E E R TO W N
West
Side SPA
Rural
Mixed
Use SPA
East
Side
Town SPA
Center
SPA
0 1,500 3,000 6,000
Feet
TYV-01 2/4/2014

ROADWAY CLASSIFICATIONS
Highway – 6 Lan es Divided – 134’
Highway – 4 Lan es Divided – 92’
Arterial – 4 Lan es Divided – 100’
Arterial – 2 Lan es – 70’
In dustrial – 2 Lanes with Striped Median – 70’
Collector – 2 Lanes – 66’
SPA - Special Policy Area
Town Lim its
Figure C-1

ROADWAY CLASSIFICATIONS

AT GENERAL PLAN BU ILDOU T
Source: Fehr & Peers Traffic Study, 2013
NOTE: Illustrates future roadway classification s n eeded to han dle the vehicular trips gen erated as a result of the buildout of the Gen eral Plan an d applicable region al plan s. Assum es all roadways are operatin g at Level of Service D or better.

YUCCA TRAIL

SUNNYSLOPE DRIVE
SR 62 LA CONTENTA RD INDIO AVE. INDIO AVE.

BUSINESS CENTER DR.

INDIO AVENUE PAVEMENT EXTENSION PROJECT

YUCCA VALLEY, CA

MAP LEGEND

PROJECT AREA

EXISTING FACILITIES

Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot
Program
Review copy of Online Application
Form
*All fields must be completed.

1. Name and contact information of person for matters involving this application:

First and last name*:

Title*:

Phone*: Email*:

2. Entity name, address, and website:

Organization/Entity Name*:

Address (#, street - no P.O. box numbers)*:

City*:

State*: Zip Code*:

Website address, if applicable:

3. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN)*:

4. Organization/entity Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) assigned by SAM.gov*:

5. Entity/Organization headquarters is in this congressional district(s)*:

Project is in this congressional district(s)*:

6. Below is a list of eligible entities for this program. Please select the one option that describes your eligibility*: (For local governments, political subdivisions, or states: Refer to NOFO Section II. A: Eligible Applicants and Section II. E Definition of Rural Areas for qualification.)
A unit of local government or political subdivision seeking to advance a project that is located outside of an urbanized area that has a population of more than 150,000 residents
A State seeking to advance a project located outside of an urban area with a population of more than 150,000 residents
A federally recognized Indian Tribe sponsoring a project on or impacting their tribal lands
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to sponsor projects on or impacting Hawaiian Home Lands

7. Project title*: (Descriptive title of project for which you seek funding)

8. Project location*: Must be listed as either street address, including city and state, or as latitude/longitude. (Note: For Indian Tribes, the project location does not have to meet the non-urban area requirement.)
Address (#, street- no P.O. box numbers):

City:

State: Zip Code:

OR
Latitude: Longitude:

9. Briefly describe the overall project (no more than 500 words)*: Include project type (i.e., bridge, roadway, transit service), features to be constructed, project schedule, and estimated total project cost..
9a. Estimated total project cost*:

10. Is the applicant delinquent on any federal debt?*
Yes
No
If yes, explain:

11. Appropriateness of services requested*: (See Section VI. B. Criterion #1 of the NOFO for your review and evaluation information.)
a. Please described the activities/advisory services for which you are seeking program funds and how these activities will materially advance your overall project. (no more than 400 words)*

b. Requested funds from this program*:
c. Estimated cost of activities proposed*:
d. Describe what project-related development activities have been completed, if any. List N/A if none. Examples include: data or information that has been collected or activities conducted that are necessary to complete the activities funded through this Program. (no more than 250 words)*

12.Viability of grant services requested: (See Section VI. B. Criterion #2 of the NOFO for review and evaluation information.)
a. Please describe the following: Either 1) your organization’s experience procuring advisory services or 2) your organization’s process for timely hiring of staff (i.e. defined job description, recruitment process). State if you have additional funds available to commit to this effort should grant funding provided prove insufficient to complete the proposed activities. If additional funds will be provided, include the amount and source of the local funding

commitment. (no more than 400 words)*
b. Applicants are encouraged to seek bids or quotes, or to estimate the amount of dedicated staff time for the services being requested to demonstrate the reasonableness of the requested funding in this application. Have you obtained a bid, quote, or estimate for the services requested in this application?*
Yes (to be submitted later if awarded grant)
No (provide statement of how you determined
estimated cost of proposed activities)

13. By checking this box and submitting this application, I certify that the statements contained herein are true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001)*
____________________________________________ __________ Signature (e-signature is sufficient)* Date*
Alex Qishta

Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot
Program
Review copy of Online Application
Form
*All fields must be completed.

1. Name and contact information of person for matters involving this application:

First and last name*:

Title*:

Phone*: Email*:

2. Entity name, address, and website:

Organization/Entity Name*:

Address (#, street - no P.O. box numbers)*:

City*:

State*: Zip Code*:

Website address, if applicable:

3. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN)*:

4. Organization/entity Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) assigned by SAM.gov*:

5. Entity/Organization headquarters is in this congressional district(s)*:

Project is in this congressional district(s)*:

6. Below is a list of eligible entities for this program. Please select the one option that describes your eligibility*: (For local governments, political subdivisions, or states: Refer to NOFO Section II. A: Eligible Applicants and Section II. E Definition of Rural Areas for qualification.)
A unit of local government or political subdivision seeking to advance a project that is located outside of an urbanized area that has a population of more than 150,000 residents
A State seeking to advance a project located outside of an urban area with a population of more than 150,000 residents
A federally recognized Indian Tribe sponsoring a project on or impacting their tribal lands
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to sponsor projects on or impacting Hawaiian Home Lands

7. Project title*: (Descriptive title of project for which you seek funding)

8. Project location*: Must be listed as either street address, including city and state, or as latitude/longitude. (Note: For Indian Tribes, the project location does not have to meet the non-urban area requirement.)
Address (#, street- no P.O. box numbers):

City:

State: Zip Code:

OR
Latitude: Longitude:

9. Briefly describe the overall project (no more than 500 words)*: Include project type (i.e., bridge, roadway, transit service), features to be constructed, project schedule, and estimated total project cost..
9a. Estimated total project cost*:

10. Is the applicant delinquent on any federal debt?*
Yes
No
If yes, explain:

11. Appropriateness of services requested*: (See Section VI. B. Criterion #1 of the NOFO for your review and evaluation information.)
a. Please described the activities/advisory services for which you are seeking program funds and how these activities will materially advance your overall project. (no more than 400 words)*

b. Requested funds from this program*:
c. Estimated cost of activities proposed*:
d. Describe what project-related development activities have been completed, if any. List N/A if none. Examples include: data or information that has been collected or activities conducted that are necessary to complete the activities funded through this Program. (no more than 250 words)*

12.Viability of grant services requested: (See Section VI. B. Criterion #2 of the NOFO for review and evaluation information.)
a. Please describe the following: Either 1) your organization’s experience procuring advisory services or 2) your organization’s process for timely hiring of staff (i.e. defined job description, recruitment process). State if you have additional funds available to commit to this effort should grant funding provided prove insufficient to complete the proposed activities. If additional funds will be provided, include the amount and source of the local funding

commitment. (no more than 400 words)*
b. Applicants are encouraged to seek bids or quotes, or to estimate the amount of dedicated staff time for the services being requested to demonstrate the reasonableness of the requested funding in this application. Have you obtained a bid, quote, or estimate for the services requested in this application?*
Yes (to be submitted later if awarded grant)
No (provide statement of how you determined
estimated cost of proposed activities)

13. By checking this box and submitting this application, I certify that the statements contained herein are true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001)*
____________________________________________ __________ Signature (e-signature is sufficient)* Date*
Alex Qishta

Item: 17.

Town of Yucca Valley
Town Council Staff Report
To: Town Council
From: Alex Qishta, Public Works Director
Date: September 8, 2025
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Subject: Ordinance No.XX : Amending Chapter 12.60 (Encroachments and Excavation of Title 12 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Yucca Valley Municipal Code to add a New Section 12.60.295 Governing Street Restoration
Recommendation:

That the Town Council finds the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Action pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15378, 15061 (b)(3), and 15060, C (2)(3).

1. Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), CEQA review is not required because there is no possibility that this Ordinance may have a significant effect upon the environment; and

2. Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the proposed amendments are not a project under CEQA because they will not cause a “direct physical change in the environment” or a “reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment” because they do not authorize any specific development activity or promote new construction or growth; and

3. Any potential indirect physical change in the environment is speculative and not reasonably foreseeable; and

4. Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060 (c) (2) “The activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment” as the Ordinance does not authorize private land development construction or public works construction;

5. Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060 (c) (3) “The activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378”.

That the Town Council introduces the Ordinance.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL AMENDING CHAPTER 12.60 (ENCROACHMENTS AND EXCAVATIONS) OF TITLE 12 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE YUCCA VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A NEW SECTION 12.60.295 GOVERNING STREET RESTORATION.

Prior Review:

There has been no prior Town Council review of this matter.

Discussion:

High Desert Water District (HDWD) Sewer Project Phase 2 area (combined with Phase 3) is estimated to cost $180 million. Construction on sewer collection system in parts of Phase 2 will be grant-funded. Planning is underway, with construction expected to begin in August 2025.

The construction boundaries are expected to include portions of Country Club, Storey Park, and Sky Harbor.

The District has hired NV5 to serve as the Owner's Representative to oversee the Phase 2 Sewer Project to expand the sewer collection system. Sukut Construction and West Coast Civil have been hired to serve as the Progressive Design Build Team. West Coast Civil is finalizing the design, conducting the Western Joshua Tree census to complete road restoration and other pre-construction permitting activities. Sukut Construction will manage the construction schedule and activities once all permits and approvals are granted to begin construction.

To better serve the needs of Town residents, Public Works staff has reviewed the process for Pavement Restoration and Paving Requirements. Staff amended Chapter 12.60 of Tile 12 of the Yucca Valley Municipal Code to add New Section 12.60.295 governing Street Restoration.

These amendments will be critically important following the Hi-Desert Water District’s construction of an estimated $25 million in new roads within Phase 2 of the sewer project.

Effective road maintenance programs following the infrastructure investment made by Yucca Valley taxpayers for the wastewater collection system are extremely important. Management of roadway encroachments/excavations is one segment of the overall maintenance program.

Alternatives
Staff recommend no alternative actions.

Fiscal Impact:

There is no fiscal impact to the Town in adopting these regulations, outside of staff time allocations. Implementation of the insurance and indemnification standards results in significantly reduced exposure costs for the Town.

Attachments

1. bd_Yucca Valley - Ordinance - Street Restoration-V1

ORDINANCE NO. ____

AN ORDINANCE OF THE YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
AMENDING CHAPTER 12.60 (ENCROACHMENTS AND
EXCAVATIONS) OF TITLE 12 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE

YUCCA VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A NEW SECTION

12.60.295 GOVERNING STREET RESTORATION
The Yucca Valley Town Council does ordain as follows:

SECTION 1. Findings. The Town Council finds, determines and declares as follows:

A. Government Code § 38775 authorizes the Town of Yucca Valley (the “Town”) to prohibit encroachments and obstructions on public property and may provide for the removal of any prohibited encroachments.

B. The Town may regulate encroachments on public property, including but not limited to, sidewalks, alleys, streets, and other public places by requiring an encroachment permit and permitting the encroachment under specified conditions. Laura Vincent Co. v. City of Selma (1941) 43 Cal.App.2d 273) C. Yucca Valley Municipal Code (“YVMC”) Chapter 12.60 (Encroachments and Excavations) of Title 12 (Vehicle and Traffic) establishes regulations for the Town’s management of the public rights of way in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, including those related to encroachments into the public rights of way under Town control.

D. The City Council seeks to modify YVMC Chapter 12.60 to add a new Section 12.60.295 to establish restoration and paving requirements for roadway restoration as full-width street reconstruction of roads can realize cost efficiencies that are lost through piecemeal road repair.

SECTION 2: Amendments. YVMC Chapter 12.60 (Encroachments and Excavations) of Title 12 (Vehicle and Traffic) is amended to add a new Section 12.60.295, which will read as follows:
“12.60.295 Pavement Restoration and Paving Requirements.

A. General. Unless the Administrative Authority finds that the public health safety, and welfare requires alternative methods, the requirements in this section will control the restoration of street surfaces disturbed during construction of sewer mains, laterals, manholes, cleanouts, or associated appurtenances. Such restoration projects in Town-controlled streets must be approved by the Administrative Authority pursuant to this chapter.

B. Full-Width Paving Requirement.

Ordinance No.

1. Subject to subsection 3, below, when sewer mainlines and/or sewer lateral trenches encroach into an existing street surface, the full width of the affected street surface must be restored if any of the following conditions exist:
a. When trenching exceeds four feet in width or occupies more than 25% of the street or roadway width;
b. When two or more trenches are installed within the same block length, from intersection to intersection;
c. When sewer laterals are installed at intervals such that partial or piecemeal trench restoration would negatively affect pavement continuity and drivability for the relevant street or road; or d. The Administrative Authority finds that full-width restoration is necessary due to poor pavement conditions that preceded the encroachment or in the interest of long-term performance of the affected street.

2. Full-width paving must consist of cold milling the entire width of the impacted street lane or lanes, followed by resurfacing with a minimum of two inches of asphalt concrete, or per the standards set forth in above in Section 12.60.060, whichever is greater.

3. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Administrative Authority may waive the full width street replacement requirement if:
a. It is in the interest of the public health, safety, or welfare to restore only a portion of the street;
b. It would unduly burden an interested party to effectuate the full width street replacement; or
c. Otherwise required by law.

C. Restoration Limits.

1. Longitudinal restoration must extend a minimum of five feet beyond the edge of the excavation or to the nearest undisturbed joint or curb line.

2. The traverse restoration must match the full width of the roadway or travel lane, as applicable.

Ordinance No.

3. Transitions between restored and existing pavement must be smooth and feathered to ensure no abrupt change in grade.

D. Temporary Restoration. Until permanent paving under this section is completed, all trenches must be restored to the satisfaction of the Administrative Authority and in accordance with the standards set forth above in Section 12.60.060. Restoration may include the use of cold mix asphalt, steel trench plates, and adequate traffic control.

E. Governing Standards. Standards for work conducted pursuant this section must comply with the performance requirements set forth above in Section

12.60.060, in addition to Hi-Desert Water District Construction Specifications, as applicable.”
SECTION 3: Environmental Assessment. This Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (Cal. Pub. Res. Code §§ 21000, et seq.; “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15000, et seq.) because it governs the restoration of existing public rights of way and does not authorize the significant expansion of existing infrastructure. Further, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that there will be a potential significant environmental impact from requiring proper restoration of already-disturbed Town streets. This Ordinance, therefore, is categorically exempt from further CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines §§ 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities) and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).

SECTION 4: Construction. This Ordinance must be broadly construed to achieve the purposes stated in this Ordinance. It is the Town Council’s intent that the provisions of this Ordinance be interpreted or implemented by the Town and others in a manner that facilitates the purposes set forth in this Ordinance.

SECTION 5: Summaries of Information. All summaries of information in the findings herein are based on the substantial evidence in the record. The absence of any particular fact from any such summary is not an indication that a particular finding is not based in part on that fact.

SECTION 6: Severability. If any part of this Ordinance or its application is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Town Council intends that such invalidity will not affect the effectiveness of the remaining provisions or applications and, to this end, this Ordinance’s provisions are severable.

SECTION 7: Recordation. The City Clerk, or designee, is directed to certify the passage and adoption of this Ordinance; case it to be entered into the Town of Yucca Valley’s book of original ordinances; make a note of the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and cause it to be published or posted in accordance with California law.

SECTION 8: Effective Date. This Ordinance will become effective 30 days after second

Ordinance No.

reading and adoption.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of September, 2025.

__________________________
Jeff Drozd, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Lesley Copeland, Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________
Thomas Jex, Town Attorney