TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 10, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR A SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SAN JOSE AVENUE AND INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD COMPLEMENTARY SAFETY PLAN AND STRATEGIES
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont previously applied for the 2024 cycle of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning and demonstration grant to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through the development of a complementary corridor safety plan. This complementary corridor safety plan application was focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators. The plan also intended to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to address accessibility concerns.
Unfortunately, the City of Claremont was not awarded the requested funding to complete this effort. Staff did meet with the grant application reviewers to receive feedback on the application and were encouraged to resubmit for the subsequent application, which is the 2025 cycle. Applications are due by June 26, 2025.
Staff took the feedback and discussed options with the City’s grant consultant to address the suggested modifications to improve the City’s chances of being awarded funds in 2025. Staff and the grant consultant are currently preparing a new submittal, which requires the adoption of a resolution. The proposed Resolution (Attachment) authorizes filing an application and all necessary paperwork with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, for the SS4A grant program.
If awarded, these grant funds will be used to develop a comprehensive, complementary safety plan and strategies for San Jose Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard, which requires a public commitment from the City Council. The plan will be designed to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by addressing safety, access, and mobility issues on the City’s transportation network on Indian Hill Boulevard from Arrow Highway to American Avenue and San Jose Avenue from Mountain Avenue to Mills Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR A SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR SAN JOSE AVENUE AND INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD COMPLEMENTARY SAFETY PLAN AND STRATEGIES.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this program is estimated at $1,072 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
The cost of the City’s contract grant consultant preparing the SS4A grant application is $6,815.
The SS4A Planning and Demonstration program provides two different funding thresholds, each requiring a twenty percent match. The minimum funding request is $100,000, and the maximum is $10,000,000. Staff is currently working with the grant consultant, considering the feedback received, and adjusting the request for the proposed complementary safety plan elements that meet the requirements of this SS4A program. Once finalized, the amount of the grant funding request will be determined.
ANALYSIS
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Street for All discretionary grant program, which allocated $1 billion in grant funds for 2025, with funding to support the Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy and the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. This grant program provides necessary funding to develop tools to help strengthen a community’s ability to address roadway safety and save lives. It is designed to meet the needs of local communities. There is $402,260,494 available for Planning and Demonstration Grants.
The SS4A grant funds would enable Claremont to prepare a complementary safety plan and strategies for Indian Hill Boulevard (Arrow Highway to American Avenue) and San Jose Avenue (Mountain to Mills Avenues). This plan will supplement the Claremont Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) and will develop strategies for the implementation of additional safety and accessibility improvements.
According to the program guidelines, the City of Claremont will be responsible for twenty percent of the matching funds for this project if awarded. Staff will recommend the appropriation of matching funds after the grant is awarded.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relation to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, General Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Vincent Ramos
Community Development Director Associate Engineer
Reviewed by
Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
City Engineer
Attachment:
Resolution Authorizing Safe Streets for All Grant Application