REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: JILL M. GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
CHERYL L. BURNS, MPA, Business Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Application to the California Department of Transportation and Authorizing the Public Works Director or Designee to Accept and Execute All Application and Grant Agreement Documents on Behalf of the City of Fresno (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) application to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a project totaling up to $700,000 and authorize the execution of all grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit an application to the STPG Opportunity for the purpose of conducting an Intersection Safety Audit. STPG is a grant program funded under Senate Bill 1 Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017 of the State Highways Account and the California Road Maintenance, Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1).
The proposed Public Works Department (DPW) application for a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant would request funding for up to $700,000 for the purpose of continuing the work of the Vision Zero Action Plan to conduct an Intersection Safety Audit (Project) of approximately 15 locations across the City of Fresno. The Project will utilize the same methodology used by the Vision Zero Action Plan to analyze and develop recommended safety countermeasures for the intersections that are ranked 6 to 20 on the priority intersection list. The recommendations would be finalized and adopted as a supplement to the Vision Zero Action Plan.
BACKGROUND
SB1 created the STPG and continuously appropriates two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) annually to be allocated by the California Transportation Commission to local or regional transportation agencies that have sought and received voter approval of taxes (such as Fresno County’s Measure C), or that have imposed fees which are dedicated solely for transportation improvements. Eligible projects include improvements to the state highway system, transit facilities, and rolling stock, improvements to the local road system and bicycle and pedestrian safety or mobility, air quality improvement/mitigation projects, and sound walls. The purpose of the STPG program is to support Caltrans mission of providing safe and reliable transportation networks that serve all people while respecting the environment. The program provides funding to develop tools to strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives.
A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was published on September 8, 2025, with approximately $34.5 Million available in funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2026-27.
In April 2024, the City Council approved an agreement with TDG Engineering, Inc., an affiliate of Toole Design Group, LLC, to prepare the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan. The consultant began their efforts with an existing conditions analysis, reviewing all relevant plans, policies, and procedures to create a baseline to build upon. The consultant also collected data and conducted a thorough analysis to identify the High Injury Network within the City. The fatal injury and severe injury data was then used to identify the Top 10 Corridors and the Top 10 Intersections that would benefit from additional safety analysis. The consultant will further narrow the lists to the Top 5 Corridors and Top 5 Intersections to analyze within the Vision Zero Action Plan and the final Plan will include recommendations of safety countermeasures that would be appropriate for each location. The final Action Plan is expected to be presented to City Council for adoption in 2026.
Vision Zero is a strategy that strives to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safety, health, and equitable mobility for all. Vision Zero is a commitment to approach traffic safety in fundamentally different ways through systemic changes.
The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program would allow the City to submit a Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant application to conduct an Intersection Safety Audit (Project) of approximately 15 locations across the City of Fresno, continuing the work of the Vision Zero Action Plan.
The Project will utilize the same methodology used by the Vision Zero Action Plan consultant to analyze and develop recommended safety countermeasures for the intersections that are ranked 6 to 20 on the priority intersection list. The recommendations would be finalized and adopted as a supplement to the Vision Zero Action Plan. The safety countermeasures recommendations from both the Vision Zero Action Plan and the supplemental planning activities of the proposed Project would be considered as projects for future funding opportunities.
Grant applications are due on November 21, 2025. Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant projects must be completed along with grant funds expended by June of 2028. State share of the STPG grant may not exceed 88.53% of total activity costs. Therefore, recipients are required to provide a 11.47% matching share.
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this action is not subject to CEQA at this time.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no immediate impact on the General Fund. Should the grants be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets.
Attachment:
Resolution