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Los Banos adopts SB1 project list and outlines multi-million-dollar road plan after pavement review
Summary
Council approved the city's SB1 (RMRA) project list for 2025–26 and discussed a multi-year street-rehabilitation strategy after staff presented a pavement condition index showing an average citywide score of 48 and a $23.4 million estimated need for severely deteriorated streets.
The Los Banos City Council on June 18 approved a list of proposed projects funded by the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA, SB1) for fiscal year 2025–26 and discussed longer-term needs for street rehabilitation across the city.
Parks and Recreation Director Joe Heim, who led the RMRA presentation for streets work, said the city’s average pavement condition index (PCI) is 48 and that addressing the worst streets (PCI 0–24) would cost an estimated $23,400,000. "Our average citywide PCI of 48," Heim said during the presentation, stressing the scale of the backlog and the need for multi-year planning.
The staff package proposed about $3.9 million in pavement spending in FY 2025–26 drawn from multiple sources: roughly $1.3 million in SB1 (RMRA) funds, $2.7 million in Measure V funding, and $300,000 from Measure V-Alt (alternative transportation) for sidewalks and ADA corners. The project list approved as Resolution No. 6949 includes a Phase 1 package (design underway, construction anticipated in fall) and a Phase 2 list (design to start soon, construction targeted in spring 2026).
Nut graf: Council approved immediate projects while acknowledging that current revenue streams and reserves will not fully close the long-term pavement gap. Staff urged a strategic multi-year approach to protect existing investments.
Heim outlined that this year’s program includes internal overlays to be done by city crews (noted as cul-de-sacs and smaller sections), contracted overlays previously performed across several streets, and planned crack sealing on 63 street segments. He also stressed that reserves are being used this year but that maintaining a sustainable, multi-year program will require a combination of grants, Measure V allocations and general fund contributions; staff said finance is exploring a potential $2.7 million general fund allocation for future years.
Councilmembers discussed tactics to reduce operating costs for high-expense assessment districts (lighting, irrigation), including possible capital investments like solar lighting to reduce PG&E expenses over time. Finance Director Moreno and staff explained that Landscape Lighting District 11 had a longstanding deficit and that earlier planned transfers were paused to avoid stressing the general fund; the newly budgeted transfers bring the district closer to a zero balance.
The council voted to adopt the SB1 project list as Resolution No. 6949 after a motion and second; the motion passed by voice vote.
Ending: Staff said they will begin design on Phase 2 this year so projects can be bid for construction in the 2026 season, and the council asked staff to pursue available grant opportunities and to provide progress updates as design and bids proceed.
