AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: GABINO LUNA
ACTING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR THE WILLOW STREET AND CHERRY AVENUE EFFICIENT CORRIDORS PROJECT; MEASURE R FUNDING
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Summary:
The Measure R Multimodal Highway Subregional Program (Measure R) is a subfund of the Los Angeles County half-cent sales tax. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) administers this program and provides local agencies with funding for traffic improvement projects. In October 2024, the Public Works Department presented the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridors Project at the I-710 Technical Advisory Group Meeting to request project funding approval. In January 2025, LACTMA awarded the City $1,404,702 in Measure R funds for the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridors Project to serve as local matching funds for the Highway Safety Improvement Projects (HSIP).
The Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridors Project includes two HSIP projects: the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project and the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project. Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed Funding Agreement with LACMTA and authorize the City Manager to execute necessary documents to receive and utilize Measure R funds for the project.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience.
Goal No. 2 Community Safety: Maintain community safety by supporting public safety services and increasing emergency preparedness.
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
recommendation
Recommendation:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and execute all necessary documents and amendments to receive and expend the project funding for the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridors Project.
2. Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ADOPTED BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26.
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Fiscal Impact:
The City secured Measure R funding for the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridor Project. LACMTA awarded the City $1,404,720 in Measure R funds through the multimodal highway operational improvement subfund program, which is separate from the allocation the City receives from the Local Return Program.
LACMTA programmed $172,500 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 and $1,232,220 in FY 2026-27 for the project. The Measure R funds would cover the local match funding requirements for two Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grants previously awarded to the City: the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project and the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project.
The Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project totals $2,164,900. Caltrans awarded $1,082,450 in HSIP State funds for this project, which require a 50% local match. The City would use $1,082,450 in LACMTA Measure R subfunds to satisfy this match. The Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project totals $3,022,200. Caltrans awarded $2,719,980 in HSIP Federal funds for this project, which require a 10% local match. The City would use $302,220 in LACMTA Measure R subfunds to satisfy this match. Together, the two projects represent a $5,187,100 investment in citywide traffic safety improvements, fully funded through HSIP grants and LACMTA Measure R allocations. The Measure R funds from the multimodal highway operational improvement subfund program would serve as the required local match.
For grant procurement purposes, the City’s FY 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program consolidated these projects as the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project (Project No. 90.24011). To align with the CIP budget with the Measure R Funding Agreement, staff recommends approving a $40,625 budget appropriation to the project for FY 2025-26. The proposed adjustment noted above does not require the use of the General Fund.
Background:
Willow Street and Cherry Avenue serve as key transportation corridors in the City of Signal Hill. Willow Street connects the I-710 and I-405 freeways, and Cherry Avenue connects Pacific Coast Highway and the I-405 freeway. These corridors carry regional traffic and serve residents, businesses, and visitors traveling through the City.
In September 2024, the Public Works Department submitted two Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 grant applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans): the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project and the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project. The Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project focuses on improving safety and traffic operations along the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue corridors by coordinating traffic signals at approximately 15 signalized intersections and installing a fiber-optic communication network that links the signals. This system allows staff to monitor signal operations in real time and adjust signal timing to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions. The project scope also includes new signal heads, retroreflective backplates, and upgraded signal equipment to improve driver visibility. Additionally, the project will install pedestrian countdown signal heads and enhanced crosswalk markings to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project consists of addressing safety improvements at 11 high-collision intersections throughout the City by installing protected left-turn phasing at eight intersections, improving traffic signal visibility at three intersections, and installing pedestrian countdown signals at multiple crossing approaches. These improvements aim reduce turning conflicts, improve driver awareness, and enhance pedestrian safety throughout the City.
In February 2025, Caltrans awarded the City $1,082,450 in HSIP State funds and $2,719,980 in HSIP Federal funds to implement traffic safety improvements identified through the City’s Local Roadway Safety Plan. The City must provide a local funding match to access the HSIP grant funds.
The Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project requires a 50% local match totaling $1,082,450, and the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project requires a 10% local match totaling $302,220. The City identified Measure R Multimodal Highway Operational Improvement Subfund Program funds administered by LACMTA as the funding source to satisfy these local match requirements.
Analysis:
In 2008, two-thirds of Los Angeles County voters approved Measure R, a half-cent sales tax dedicated to funding transportation projects and programs across Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) administers the program and allocates funding through several subfunds, including the Measure R Multimodal Highway Operational Improvement Subfund Program (Measure R), which supports projects that improve traffic operations and roadway safety. The LACMTA Measure R Expenditure Plan includes the I-710 Congestion Relief Program, which aims to reduce congestion and improve traffic safety along the I-710 corridor and connecting regional roadways.
To secure the required HSIP matching funds, the Public Works Department presented the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridors Project to the I-710 Technical Advisory Group in October 2024 as an Early Action Project under the I-710 Congestion Relief Program. Staff prepared the presentation in collaboration with W.G. Zimmerman Engineering, Incorporated, the City’s on-call traffic engineering consultant. The Technical Advisory Group determined that the proposed corridor improvements aligned with the objectives of the I-710 Early Action Program and approved the project for Measure R funding. In January 2025, LACMTA awarded the City $1,404,720 in Measure R funds for the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Efficient Traffic Corridors Project, listed on the City’s CIP schedule as the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project (Project No. 90.24011), to be used as the City’s local match to two HSIP grants. The proposed Measure R subfund allocations would satisfy the 50% local match ($1,082,450) for the Willow Street and Cherry Avenue Corridors Collision Reduction Project and the 10% local match ($302,220) for the Citywide Transportation Safety Enhancement Project.
The proposed Funding Agreement with LACMTA establishes the terms for receiving and administering the Measure R funds (Attachment A). Under the agreement, the City would receive reimbursement for eligible project costs associated with environmental clearance, plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E), right-of-way, and construction activities identified in the approved scope of work. The City would be required to submit Quarterly Progress and Expenditure Reports with supporting documentation for eligible costs and maintain project records in accordance with applicable accounting and audit requirements.
If approved by the City Council, LACMTA would reimburse eligible project costs and retain five percent of eligible expenditures pending project completion and final audit review. The agreement also requires the City to maintain an approved project schedule and expenditure plan, submit periodic updates, and obtain LACMTA approval for any proposed changes to the project scope, funding sources, or milestone dates.
Upon City Council approval, the City Manager, or his designee, would proceed to execute the Funding Agreement with the LACMTA for project funding in the amount of $1,404,720. Approval would also enable the City to execute routine invoices and administrative documents throughout each phase of the projects. Staff also prepared a Budget Resolution, totaling $40,625, for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (Attachment B). The proposed budget adjustment aligns the project budget with the appropriation and does not require the use of the General Fund.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
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Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Funding Agreement
B. Budget Resolution
C. Exhibit A - Summary of Budget Adjustments