TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: OCTOBER 28, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FOR INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD AND SAN JOSE AVENUE MULTIMODAL CORRIDOR PLAN (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont is actively pursuing funding opportunities for the preparation of a comprehensive safety and multimodal plan for the Indian Hill Boulevard and San Jose Avenue corridors, and staff has started the process of applying for competitive grants. Last fall, staff applied for the 2024 cycle of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning and demonstration grant to improve roadway safety 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 proposed plan also intended to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to address accessibility concerns.
Unfortunately, the City of Claremont application was not selected for funding when awards were announced. To improve future competitive grant applications, staff met with grant administrators and reviewers to receive their feedback on the Claremont application. Based on the merits of the proposed project, we were encouraged to resubmit the proposal in the following SS4A cycle. City staff worked with its grant writing consultant to prepare a new application addressing the feedback received, which was submitted by the June 26, 2025 deadline. Award announcements for this cycle were anticipated to be released by now; however, due to the current Federal Government shutdown, the results have not been made available, and there is no information on the estimated timeline for releasing the list of awarded applications.
Currently, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Transportation Planning Grant Program, 2026-27 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG), is open, and this project meets its eligibility requirements. Staff plans to apply for funding using this program, as it provides another option to pursue funding for developing a planning document for the Indian Hill Boulevard and San Jose Avenue corridors.
If awarded, the grant funds will be used to develop a comprehensive planning document, which requires commitment from the City Council. The planning document will be designed to meet Caltrans’ mission to provide a safe, multimodal, sustainable, and integrated transportation system for Indian Hill Boulevard from Arrow Highway to American Avenue and San Jose Avenue from Mountain Avenue to Mills Avenue.
The application process for the STPG program requires the adoption of a Resolution (attached) by the City Council authorizing the filing of the grant application.
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 FUNDING UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FY 2026-27 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD AND SAN JOSE AVENUE MULTIMODAL CORRIDOR PLAN.
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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 cost of the City’s contract grant consultant to prepare the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant (STPG) application is $13,413.
The STPG program has allocated $17.5 million in 2025, with a maximum of $700,000 for Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) applications, with a requirement to provide an 11.47 percent match. Staff is currently working with the grant consultant, estimating the requested amount for the preparation of this multimodal plan. Once finalized, the grant funding request amount will be determined.
The staff cost to prepare this report at $1,072 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Transportation Planning administers the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program (STPG) to fund local and regional multimodal transportation and land use planning projects that support Caltrans’ mission to provide a safe, sustainable, and integrated transportation system.
The STPG Program supports local and regional planning efforts that further the region’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), contribute to the State’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, and promote accessibility, equity, and economic vitality. This program has allocated $17.5 million in 2025, with a maximum of $700,000 per application for SCS projects. The Indian Hill Boulevard and San Jose Avenue corridors’ project fits the SCS eligibility requirements.
If awarded, STPG funds will provide funding to prepare a comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan for Indian Hill Boulevard (Arrow Highway to American Avenue) and San Jose Avenue (Mills Avenue to Mountain Avenue) (“the Project”). The proposed plan will identify strategies to improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and motorists, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the community’s sustainability goals.
The plan preparation will include robust community engagement with residents, schools, and local organizations, with a focus on engaging under-resourced communities within and adjacent to the corridors. It will serve as a guiding document for future design, construction, and implementation grant applications to advance safe, sustainable, and equitable mobility for Indian Hill Boulevard (Arrow Highway to American Avenue) and San Jose Avenue (Mills to Mountain Avenues).
According to the program guidelines, and if awarded, the City of Claremont will be responsible for providing 11.47 percent of the matching funds. 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. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Maria B. Tipping, P.E.
Community Development Director City Engineer
Attachment:
Resolution Authorizing Grant Application