Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Project Description for Fiscal Year 2026 Funded by SB1 (the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017)
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY
Staff recommend the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Project Description containing projects that improve storm drain maintenance, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and a list of streets for pavement maintenance in Fiscal Year 2026 that will be funded by Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenue.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), signed by then-Governor Brown in April 2017, created the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and allocated gas taxes to this fund to address deferred maintenance on the State’s highways, local streets, and roads systems. The bill requires that the County Transportation Commission (CTC) adopt a performance criteria, consistent with a specified asset management plan, to ensure efficient use of certain funds available for the program. Prior to receiving funds, local agencies must annually submit a list of projects proposed to be funded with RMRA funds to the CTC. Although the CTC is not an “approving” body, the project lists will be reviewed to ensure that they include statutorily required information to establish eligibility for funding. Failure to submit a project list to the CTC and establish annual eligibility will result in forfeiture of monthly apportionments. Once forfeited, there is no process to recoup lost apportionments, and funding would then be redistributed to other eligible agencies.
SB 1 requires that the project list includes four components:
• Project Description
• The location of each proposed project
• Schedule for completion
• Estimated useful life of improvement
California Streets and Highways Code §2034(a)(1) stipulates that the list must be pursuant to an adopted budget (or budget amendment), approved at a public meeting, and that all projects proposed to receive funding shall be included in the City’s budget.
The City of San Leandro has been a recipient of RMRA funds for the last nine consecutive years.
Analysis
RMRA funds may be used for a variety of work that improves our transportation system. Staff proposes using the funds for improvements related to storm drain maintenance, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and roadway pavement maintenance and replacement.
Furthermore, the City uses Street Saver, a database and analysis software, to track the condition of our streets, predict the funding required to maintain the pavement, and to analyze the most efficient use of funds. For the upcoming year the software recommends a mixture of crack seals, slurry seals, rubberized cape seals, and repaving using mill and fill. However, staff proposes using SB 1 funds for the portion recommended for repaving work only to simplify reporting.
Attachment B contains a description of the 2026 RMRA projects which include projects associated with the maintenance of the storm drain system, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and a list of proposed streets for pavement maintenance. Paving maintenance work will be performed in-house utilizing the Public Works Maintenance Division’s street services. The streets on this list are in addition to the Public Works Engineering Division’s annual pavement management program.
Environmental Review
Repair and maintenance of existing highways and streets with no expansion of capacity is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per §15301 class 1(c).
Financial Impacts
The City of San Leandro is expected to receive an estimated $2,385,553 in RMRA funds in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 cycle. The funding will be allocated to the accounts below to go towards the projects listed in Attachment B. Any remaining funds will be carried over to the following fiscal year.
• SB 1 Fund, FY26 CIP Budget: $624,800
• SB 1 Fund, Account 152-31-057 $1,428,000
Total: $2,052,800
This Council action will not impact the fund balance of the General Fund because adequate RMRA funds will be received to cover all project costs.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Draft Resolution RMRA Project 2026
B: Description RMRA Project 2026
PREPARED BY: Dana Turner, Management Analyst I, Public Works Department