REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Report on Funding Opportunities (Garcia)
Report
BACKGROUND
In July 2024, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Member Kratz requested to have BPAC discuss funding opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian programs and infrastructure (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects and programs are initiated by several sources including:
• General Plan
• Specific and Precise Master Plans
• City-wide Bicycle Master Plan
• City-wide Pedestrian Master Plan
• Specific Roadway Corridor Bicycle/Pedestrian/Complete Streets Plans
• Vision Zero Plan (Future)
• ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan
• Annual Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Projects
• Multi-jurisdictional and Agency Partner Projects
• Private Developer Projects and Improvements
• Resident/Community Requests
Infrastructure improvements developed from these sources are often grouped into a single project that can be done more efficiently, such as installing curb ramps at multiple intersections or completing school safety improvements at several locations. In order for projects to be completed or programs to be initiated, a funding source or multiple funding sources need to be identified. Funding sources for bicycle and pedestrian projects can provided by the following:
• General Fund
• Infrastructure Bond Measure
• Traffic Dedicated Funding (Gas Tax)
• Development Traffic Fees
• Developer Improvements
• Grants
Infrastructure projects are often broken up into phases to be completed in a reasonable timeline and manageable budget. Phases usually consist of an analysis / planning phase, design phase, and construction phase. Although, it may be advantageous to combine phases into a single project.
Projects initiated by the City are included in the Adopted Biennial Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget document that details the projects and identifies funding sources. Projects included in the document may be fully funded, partially funded, or completely unfunded. For bicycle and pedestrian projects identified in City plans or CIP projects that lack full funding, City staff look for funding opportunities through other means such as private developments and grants.
Private developments may be conditioned for full or partial responsibility for bicycle and pedestrian improvements if there is a correlation between the development and the facility. A recent example of developer installed improvements are sidewalks, ramps, and bike lanes in the Tasman East area. In addition, new developments must pay a Traffic Impact Fee based on the size of the development. A part of the fees collected is dedicated to citywide bicycle and pedestrian projects. Information about the Traffic Impact Fee can be found at: <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/public-works/engineering/traffic-engineering/transportation-studies-master-plans/transportation-analysis-policy-update>.
Grants offer another funding source for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs. Government grants are offered at a federal, state, regional, or local level. Generally, federal and state grants fund major regional construction projects, but are more competitive to obtain a grant award. For example, the US Department of Transportation 2025 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program had 102 grant applications from California and only one of the applicants from California was chosen for funding. Similarly, the California Transportation Commission has a statewide Active Transportation Program (ATP) Grant Program. In 2024, the program received 277 applications, and 13 projects were selected for funding from across the state and an additional 37 funded through regional funds. However, none of the projects selected were from Santa Clara County.
Typically, grant programs announce open grants through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO details the amount of money total available for the grant program, the funding range available for each project, the amount needed to be contributed by the local agency (called a local match), the goals of the grant program, the requirements of the grant application and scoring rubric, the grant application deadline, the date the grant award is expected to be announced, the dates when funding will become available, and the deadline to spend the grant. City staff evaluate the NOFO to determine if any of the bicycle and pedestrian projects in need of funding are applicable to the grant. The goal of this evaluation is to identify projects that not only qualify for submission but also have a strong potential to compete successfully for funding. If it is determined that a project fits a grant program and would have a competitive application, staff will work on the grant application. Grant applications require significant effort and staff resources to develop, as grantors often require extensive and detailed quantitative measures. These applications can be lengthy and typically include:
• Project narrative including project description and history of the project
• Project outreach showing community support for the project (this may include obtaining letters of support from other jurisdictions and agencies, government representatives, school districts, neighborhood groups, advocacy groups, etc.)
• Project maps showing the location of the project and the need for the project
• Traffic data, including collision data, supporting the need for the project
• Project concept plans
• Grant specific cost benefit analysis for the Project
• Project schedule that shows how the project will comply with grant deadlines
• Project cost estimates including local funding match
Local funding grants also include a non-competitive source that is typically funded by a voter approved tax. Another opportunity for government funding is through federal earmarks, which are projects funded through congressionally directed spending bills and are administered by government representatives.
A table with examples of grant funding sources that are used for bicycle and pedestrian projects is provided in Attachment 2.
Note that current bicycle and pedestrian projects funded by grants are presented at each BPAC meeting as part of the grant activity update. Additionally, an annual report is presented to BPAC showing the status of priority bicycle projects listed in the Bicycle Master Plan as well as the status of priority pedestrian projects listed in the Pedestrian Master Plan.
Staff
Written by: Ralph Garcia, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works
Reviewed by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Planner, Public Works
Reviewed by: Steve Chan, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. Work Plan Topic Request Form - Report on Funding Opportunities (Kratz)
2. Examples of Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Grants