TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
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Acceptance and appropriation of $853,000 in Orange County Transportation Authority Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program grant funds, and appropriation of $116,000 in match funds for the Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project.
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2. Summary
The Orange County Transportation Authority approved the allocation of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funding and has awarded the City of Orange $853,000 for the Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project. The City is also required to provide $116,000 in match funds for this project. This funding will be used to complete the environmental and engineering phase of the project.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Accept into the City’s Other Federal Grants (399) revenue budget $853,000 in grant funds from the Orange County Transportation Authority Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program:
399-5101-43301-265008-43 Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project
2. Authorize the appropriation of $853,000 to Other Federal Grants (399):
399-5101-87102-265008 Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project
3. Authorize the appropriation of $116,000 from Capital Projects (500) to:
500-5101-87102-265008 Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project
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4. Fiscal Impact
The expense for this project is $969,000 and will be funded through Other Federal Grants (399) and Capital Projects (500) respectively:
399-5101-87102-265008- Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project $853,000
500-5101-87102-265008- Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project $116,000
Upon the approval of this appropriation, the estimated Capital Projects (500) fund balance at June 30, 2026, will be $9,519,902.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
The City of Orange Public Works Department applied for and received funds through 2023 Orange County Complete Streets Program (OCCSP). The OCCSP provides funding for Orange County projects that improve transportation for all road users - pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike - by enhancing safety, access, and connectivity while also supporting public health and incorporating community feedback. The City has been awarded $853,000 for the preliminary engineering phase, $583,000 for the Right of Way phase, and $4,904,000 for the construction phase for the Santiago Creek Bike Trail Extension Project. Currently, the City has been approved to use the preliminary engineering phase funds of $853,000. The total project cost to complete the preliminary engineering phase is estimated at $969,000. The City is required to provide $116,000 in match funds as part of the grant requirements.
In addition to OCCSP funds, the City is also expected to be awarded additional $2.3 million from Active Transportation Program (ATP) and about $4.9 million from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program to complete the construction phase for the entire project.
For the project to advance to the Right of Way and ultimately the Construction Phase, the City must complete the preliminary engineering phase. If the engineering phase is not completed, the City will be ineligible for grant funding for future project phases.
The project will continue the ongoing efforts to close the final 1.5-mile gap of the Santiago Creek Trail outlined in the City’s Bikeway Master plan. The completed trail will consist of 8-miles of uninterrupted Class I (off-road) bike trail from the north end of the City of Santa Ana to the northeastern City of Orange limit at Santiago Oaks Regional Park.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Approved Finance Letter