La Habra approves $400,000 Safe Routes to School contract to pursue federal SS4A grant

The La Habra City Council on Sept. 15 authorized the city manager to execute a $400,000 professional services agreement with Fehr & Peers to develop a Safe Routes to School action plan, using a $320,000 federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant and a required 20% local match from existing gas tax funds. The motion passed 4-0, with one council member excused.

City staff said the contract will produce a planning document that assesses walking and biking routes to every school in La Habra, identifies infrastructure and non‑infrastructure gaps, and produces conceptual designs and grant‑ready materials. “This evening, staff is requesting your approval for a professional service agreement with Fair and Pierce for development of a Safe Routes to School action plan in the amount of $400,000,” Albert Mendoza, deputy director and city engineer, said in presenting the item, later describing the work as an assessment of sidewalks, barriers and programmatic efforts to increase safe walking and biking.

Mendoza told the council the city issued a request for proposals in July and received four submissions; an evaluation committee of public works and community development staff ranked Fehr & Peers as the most qualified based on experience, staffing and completeness of proposal. He said the consultant’s scope includes engineering design, transportation planning, community meetings and grant‑writing support. Mendoza added the plan will help the city pursue federal, state and local grants for follow‑up construction or programs.

Council members asked for examples of likely deliverables and timing. Mendoza said the plan would identify intersections, signal needs and locations with higher pedestrian crash rates near schools and would include conceptual designs to support later grant applications. He estimated roughly one year to complete the action plan.

The motion to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement with Fehr & Peers (FHWA SS4A grant award number 693JJ32340200; city project number 1T6-2024) passed 4-0. Council discussion noted the city’s prior use of similar grants for sidewalks and crosswalks and emphasized outreach and coordination with school districts and OCTA.

Next steps: staff will execute the contract, begin consultant outreach and schedule community meetings as part of the year‑long planning process. If grant‑eligible projects are identified, staff said the conceptual designs would be used to pursue construction funding.