HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6i. Authorization to Apply for Grant Funding from the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program (SS4A) Item 6i
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5010
For Agenda of: 4/16/2024
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Adam Fukushima, Active Transportation Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE SAFE
STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of San Luis Obispo,
California, approving the application for grant funding for the Federal Safe Streets and
Roads for all (SS4A) program for the South Broad Complete Street Project” authorizing:
A. Staff to prepare and submit an application for the SS4A grant program of up to
$500,000 for the South Broad Street Project;
B. The use of up to $100,000 of the previously approved funding as matching funds
for this grant;
C. The City Manager to appropriate grant funds and approve a budget amendment to
reflect received grant funds, if awarded;
D. The appointment of the City Manager, or their designee, as agent to conduct all
negotiations, execute and submit all grant documents including, but not limited to,
applications, agreements, payment requests which may be necessary for the
completion of the aforementioned project.
Policy Context
The South Broad Street Area Plan, adopted by the City Council on December 2, 2014,
implements General Plan policies for the South Broad Street area corridor to create a
safe, attractive and economically vital neighborhood with a mix of complementary land
uses that encourages walking, bicycling and public transit use.
The Broad Street corridor between South Street and the southern City Limit is identified
as part of the Tier 1 network of the Active Transportation Plan for planned bicycle and
pedestrian improvements.
The Broad Street corridor has also been identified as a High Collision Rate Roadway
Segment, with a history of high frequency and severity of traffic collisions.
Per Section 740 of the City’s Financial Management Manual, staff is required to obtain
Council approval prior to applying for grant applications over $5,000.
DISCUSSION
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Item 6i
Background
The South Broad Street Area Plan implements General Plan policies for the South Broad
Street area corridor to create a safe, attractive and economically vital neighborhood with
a mix of complementary land uses that encourages walking, bicycling and public transit
use. It is important to remember that the South Broad Street Plan provided zoning for an
estimated additional 355 new dwellings and therefore, multimodal connections will
become increasingly important as the area develops.
During the Mid-year Budget Review on February 6, 2024, the City Council received public
comment requesting transportation improvements on South Broad Street and Council
allocated $400,000 to advance early planning for the project and an additional $400,000
for staffing support.
Staff has begun the early planning for the South Broad Complete Street project and is
exploring grant opportunities to complete preliminary study focused on transportation
issues and begin outreach and early design to supplement recently allocated funding by
Council at the Mid-Year Budget Review.
Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant
Congress has authorized the Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary
program, which is administered by the United States Department of Transportation
(USDOT), with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022 -2026. The SS4A
program funds regional, local, and tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway
deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds and
the program requires a 20% match of local funds. Given unsuccessful prior experience in
applying for this grant to fund construction for other projects and further discussions with
USDOT staff, staff recommends applying for up to $500,000 to assist in planning and
demonstration activities for the South Broad Complete Street corridor, which may have a
higher chance of being awarded.
Planning activities would include stakeholder engagement, a roadway safety audit, safety
analysis, and expanded data collection. The grant funds would also help to broaden the
study area along the South Broad Street corridor to extend from High Street to the
southern City Limit (near Farmhouse Lane) rather than just South Street to Tank Farm
Road as discussed at the Mid-Year Budget Review. Pilot “demonstration activities” would
test out designs with temporary materials, such as buffered bicycle lanes, bulb-outs,
temporary medians, and left-turn provisions between South Street and Orcutt Road to
inform the design of more permanent features later on.
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The project’s anticipated timeframe is as follows:
Task Anticipated Schedule
Submit SS4A Grant Application Spring 2024
Staffing Mobilization and Data Collection Spring - Summer 2024
Begin Public Outreach and Corridor Study Fall 2024
Draft Corridor Recommendations and
Demonstration Project Initiation Fall 2025
Finalize Corridor Plan and Initiate Final Design Spring 2026
The schedule above is preliminary and dependent on grant administration requirements
and resources.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
On February 6, 2024, the City Council approved $800,000 as part of the Fiscal Year 2023-
24 Mid-year Budget Review for staffing and to advance early planning for a South Broad
Complete Street project to incorporate elements of the South Broad Street Area Plan and
the Active Transportation Plan.
Public Engagement
At Council’s Mid-year Budget Review meeting on February 6, 2024, residents requested
advancing the South Broad Complete Street project.
CONCURRENCE
The Public Works Department, Finance Department, and City Administration have
reviewed this authorization request and concur with its contents.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
There is no environmental review required for grant submittals. The California
Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report
because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378 .
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2023-24
Funding Identified: Yes
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Item 6i
Fiscal Analysis:
There is currently $800,000 in the South Broad Street Corridor Account (Project:
2001070). Staff recommends using $100,000 of this funding as the required 20% local
match for the $500,000 grant request for the SS4A funding program.
Funding Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
General Fund $800,000 $100,000 $700,000
Federal: SS4A Grant* $0 $500,000 $0
Total $800,000 $600,000 $700,000
*If grant application is successful.
ALTERNATIVES
Deny authorization to apply for grant funding. The City Council could choose to deny
the request to apply for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant program. This alternative
is not recommended because this grant would provide critical supplemental funding
sources for transportation improvements on the South Broad Street project.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Draft Resolution Authorizing Submittal of SS4A Grant Application
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2024 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT
FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR
ALL (SS4A) PROGRAM FOR THE SOUTH BROAD COMPLETE STREET
PROJECT
WHEREAS, Congress has authorized the Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All
(SS4A) discretionary program, which is administered by the United States Department of
Transportation (USDOT), with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022 -2026;
and
WHEREAS, the SS4A program funds regional, local, and tribal initiatives through
grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries; and
WHEREAS, the Broad Street corridor is identified as part of the Tier 1 network of
the Active Transportation Plan for planned bicycle and pedestrian improvements and has
been identified as a High Collision Rate Roadway Segment, with a history of high
frequency and severity of traffic collisions; and
WHEREAS, the SS4A program requires a 20% match of local funds; and
WHEREAS, on February 6, 2024 the City Council approved $800,000 as part of
the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Mid-year Budget Review to advance early planning for a South
Broad Complete Street project to incorporate elements of the South Broad Street Area
Plan and the Active Transportation Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Authorizes staff to prepare and submit an application for the Safe
Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program of up to $500,000 for the South Broad
Complete Street Project.
SECTION 2. Approves the use of up to $100,000 of the previously approved
funding as matching funds for this grant, if awarded.
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Resolution No. _____ (2024 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 3. Authorize the City Manager to appropriate grant funds and approve
a budget amendment to reflect received grant funds, if awarded .
SECTION 4. Appoints the City Manager, or designee, as agent to conduct all
negotiations, execute and submit all grant documents including, but not limited to,
applications, agreements, payment requests which may be necessary for the completion
of the aforementioned project.
Upon motion of _______________, seconded by _____________, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2024.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
________________________
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________
J. Christine Dietrick,
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
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