REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 14, 2022
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Applications to the California Department of Transportation for Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 Call for Projects to Develop a Safe Routes to School Plan and Construct Pedestrian Infrastructure
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $500,000 for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 call-for-projects to develop a County-wide Safe Routes to School Plan.
2. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Transportation, in the amount of $3,383,000 for the Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 call-for-projects for pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure in the Bloomington area.
3. Authorize the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, as required by the California Department of Transportation, to execute any subsequent non-substantive amendments on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Works to transmit all documents and amendments in relation to the grant application to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). No local match is required for the Active Transportation Program (ATP), however, the ATP awards extra points to agencies that are able to provide matching funds for projects costing more than $3,500,000. Projects costing less than $3,500,000 are not awarded extra points for providing a local match. The Department of Public Works (Department) intends to submit a grant application requesting $500,000 to develop a County-wide Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan for schools in the unincorporated areas and a grant application requesting $3,383,000 to construct pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure in the Bloomington area. Since the costs for the project and the plan are less than $3,500,000 no local match is required, nor is there any advantage to providing one. If grant funds are awarded, the Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for award acceptance and any necessary budget adjustments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) ATP is a competitive statewide program created to encourage the increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. To be considered for funding, the ATP requires projects be identified in an Active Transportation Plan. On March 17, 2022, Caltrans announced the call-for-projects for Cycle 6 of the ATP with applications due to Caltrans no later than June 15, 2022. Because the ATP is a competitive grant program, submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding. Grant awards will be announced in December 2022.
The pedestrian Improvements around Mary B. Lewis Elementary School and Gerald A. Smith Elementary School were identified as a priority in the Regional SRTS Plan developed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). In developing the Regional SRTS Plan, SBCTA included only a few schools from each city and the County. Therefore, not all schools are included in the plan. The Department now desires to create a SRTS Plan for those unincorporated area schools that were not included in the SBCTA Regional Safe Routes to School Plan.
Approval of this item will authorize submission of two grant applications for the ATP. The first grant application is a request to fund the creation and development of a SRTS ATP plan for the area schools that were not part of the SBCTA SRTS ATP plan. This new plan will identify safety improvement projects that would encourage walking and biking to schools in the unincorporated areas of the County. These projects can then be submitted in future ATP grant solicitations.
On December 7, 2021 (Item No. 43), the Board accepted a Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 grant award of $85,500 towards the $171,000 project total cost for the installation of enhanced crosswalks and other traffic control devices that were identified in the SBCTA SRTS Plan for the area surrounding Mary B. Lewis Elementary School and Gerald A. Smith Elementary School. The Department has completed that work. The second grant application is for remaining work identified in the SBCTA SRTS Plan around these schools. This scope consists of infill sidewalks along several streets surrounding the schools, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps, and a speed feedback sign, which were also identified in the SBCTA SRTS plan, but were beyond the funding availability of the TDA Article 3 grant.
Approval of this item will authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign the grant application documents on behalf of the County and permit the Department to submit the grant applications to Caltrans for consideration. If one or both of the grant applications are successful, funds will be provided to the County on a reimbursement basis to fund the creation and development of a SRTS Plan for schools in the unincorporated areas of the County and/or design and construction of pedestrian safety improvements and infrastructure in the Bloomington area.
This action meets the County’s and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of operating in a fiscally-responsible and business-like manner by seeking grant funding for projects. Additionally, should grant funds be awarded, the action helps ensure the development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable county by constructing facilities that encourage walking, as well as construct facilities that promote health and social activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 4, 2022; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on May 9, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 9, 2022.