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Ontario seeks local match to secure $160,000 planning grant; Safe Routes for All application would add $150,000 for citywide road-safety study
Summary
Mayor Josh Bradley told Council the city won a $160,000 Unified Planning Work Program award (90/10, $16,000 local match) and has applied for a $150,000 Safe Routes for All grant (80/20, $30,000 match); staff are exploring ways to cover local shares and will request further presentations on transit and zoning updates.
Mayor Josh Bradley told the Ontario City Council on June 3 that the city had been awarded $160,000 through the Unified Planning Work Program and that the grant requires a 10% local match. "This is a 90/10 grant. The City will be responsible for 10% of the total project, which is $16,000," he said.
Bradley said city staff are exploring ways to cover the $16,000 so there is no cost to the city. He also reported a pending Safe Routes for All grant application that, if awarded, would provide $150,000 for a road-safety study of the entire city. "If awarded, we would receive $150,000 with an 80/20 split, the City would be responsible for $30,000," Bradley said, and added that the City could receive assistance from Richland County Regional Planning to cover the local share.
Bradley said he met with Jean Taddie, Transit Development Manager for the Richland County Regional Planning Commission, to discuss county transit services provided to Ontario and that staff are working to schedule a presentation to Council. He also said the Zoning Code Update Committee continued work on the use category and that dates will be set for Planning Commission and Council review in the coming months.
Service-Safety Director Michael Morton gave updates on infrastructure and event safety. He said a public comment period is open for a proposed roundabout at West Fourth Street and Rock Road and that the city has requested a deployable cellular tower for Liberty Fest to provide priority cellular access for first responders and bolster service for event attendees; Morton said the carrier provides this service free of charge.
Morton also described progress on the city waterline project: "Lexington Springmill is complete and operational," he said, and reported Maple Lane is under construction with the northern half chlorinated and pressure tested and the southern half scheduled for testing next week. He noted several waterline breaks during the week and described a 12-inch break on Park Avenue earlier that day; crews restored service and no boil advisories were required.
Bradley added that departments have begun preparing three-year projections of capital projects and operational needs to inform the 2027 temporary budget and longer-term planning priorities.
The mayor’s report also included a brief economic development note: a ribbon cutting for Apex Entertainment at the Ontario Center and thanks to the Planning Commission for convening a special meeting to grant a temporary sign variance to Arbor Creek Gardens and Floral.
The council did not take formal action on any of the grant items during the meeting; Bradley said staff will bring follow-up information to Council and schedule presentations where appropriate.
