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Livingston council adopts MCAG roadway safety plan to become eligible for federal funds
Summary
The Livingston City Council unanimously adopted its element of the Mercer County Association of Governments Multi-Jurisdictional Local Roadway Safety Plan, making the city eligible for federal safety grant programs including Safe Streets and Roads for All and the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
The Livingston City Council on Feb. 18 voted 5-0 to adopt the Livingston element of the Mercer County Association of Governments’ Multi-Jurisdictional Local Roadway Safety Plan, a regional document intended to make member cities eligible for federal roadway-safety funding.
The plan’s local element was presented by Noe Martinez of the Office of the City Engineer, who said the adoption will let the city apply for federal programs specified in the staff report, including Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and the Highway Safety Improvement Program administered by Caltrans.
The adoption matters because, without a locally adopted roadway safety plan, Martinez said, the city would not be eligible for the next round of those federal funds. Councilmembers who spoke in favor noted the plan addresses traffic safety priorities already discussed by the council and staff.
Councilmembers discussed the projects identified for Livingston and the plan’s role as a prerequisite for design and funding. One councilmember said the plan lists project estimates for Livingston at “just under $13,000,000,” which are budget-level figures intended to inform later design and grant steps. Staff explained that the plan enables the city to move projects into preliminary design and then seek funds in upcoming grant cycles.
The motion to adopt the Livingston element was made from the dais by Mayor Pro Tem Samra and seconded by Councilmember Roth. Roll call was unanimous: Councilmembers Roth, Oppel, Wallace, Mayor Pro Tem Samra and Mayor Moran voted yes. The council asked for no further immediate staff action beyond adoption; staff did not report additional conditions attached to the approval.
Adoption does not itself fund construction; it creates eligibility and a project list to support future grant applications and design work. Martinez said MCAG indicated the next round of funding would be available in the spring and urged timely adoption so Livingston could apply.
The council opened the item for public comment and heard none. Staff will proceed with the administrative steps required to document adoption and position the city for grant opportunities.
