TITLE:
title
RESOLUTION FOR SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM (PROJECT P) FUNDING
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: RAMIN NIKOUI, SENIOR ENGINEER, (714) 754-5184
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Resolution No. 2024-xx, approving the submittal of a grant application for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P) under the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA’s) Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program (CTFP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 to 2027-2028.
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BACKGROUND:
In November 1990, the Orange County voters approved Measure “M”, a 20-year, half-cent local sales tax to fund transportation improvements countywide. In November 2006, the Orange County voters passed the Renewed Measure “M” Program (M2), extending the half-cent sales tax for the next 30 years, beginning in the year 2011. Revenues from this extended sales tax are proposed to fund a wide range of improvements in Orange County, including freeway, arterial, and transit systems. In September 2011, the OCTA Board of Directors approved guidelines for the CTFP and subsequently authorized the annual “Call for Projects” under the “M2” Program.
The “2025 Call for Projects” was issued by OCTA for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (RTSSP) or Project “P”. The City is proposing to upgrade traffic signal infrastructure along the Bristol Street corridor using this program funding. The proposed improvements will benefit all modes of transportation, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Some of the proposed improvements include Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and video detection cameras that can detect bicyclists at signalized intersections.
ANALYSIS:
OCTA has developed several regional competitive programs under the CTFP. While the City did not participate in last year’s “2024 Call for Projects,” approximately $13 million was awarded countywide within the RTSSP (Project “P”). The RTSSP funds up to 80 percent of project costs with the remaining 20% covered by the City’s matching funds.
The City of Costa Mesa, partnering with the Cities of Santa Ana and Newport Beach, submitted a joint Project “P” grant application for the Bristol Street Corridor project to OCTA by the application deadline of October 24, 2024. The City of Santa Ana assumed the role of “Lead Agency” for the submittal of the application.
The project submitted will need to meet certain minimum requirements to be eligible for the M2 grants. While the City has met all these eligibility requirements, OCTA requires approval of the attached resolution prior to any consideration of City applications. The submittal of applications in response to this “2025 Call for Projects” will not be deemed complete and final until an adopted resolution is submitted to OCTA. The resolution authorizes the Public Works Director or designee to submit the grant application and any required documents, to accept any funds awarded by OCTA, to provide matching funds for the project, and to execute any agreements, assurances, or other documents required in connection with the acceptance of such funds.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may consider not to adopt the resolution. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would result in the City being deemed ineligible to compete for available Project “P” grant funding.
FISCAL REVIEW:
If staff is successful in capturing grant dollars under the CTFP, the City will need to participate by providing a local match, which will be 20 percent. Available sources to fund this local match include Traffic Impact Fee funds, Air Quality Management District (AQMD) AB2766 funds, and Capital Improvement Funds. If the City is successful in capturing CTFP grant funding, the project will be implemented within a two-to-three-year period. This would allow for the City to adequately budget any required matching funds.
If the grant is awarded from OCTA, the City of Costa Mesa would receive a maximum reimbursement in the amount of approximately $1,150,000 with a required local match of approximately $290,000 for the traffic signal system related improvements. Subject to City Council approval, staff would either return to City Council for approval of a budget adjustment recognizing and appropriating the grant funding and required match to the appropriate project account or complete those steps through the annual budget development process.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this staff report, prepared the proposed resolution and approved them both as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goals:
• Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life.
• Maintain and enhance the City’s facilities, equipment and technology.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Resolution No 2024-xx (Attachment 1), approving the submittal of a grant application for the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P) under the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA’s) Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program (CTFP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 to 2027-2028.