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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the United States Department of Transportation and to amend Ord. No. 2026-065, adopted May 11, 2026, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and determined a means of financing the same, by (i) establishing a new project for the Department of Public Works in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category entitled “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” and (ii) increasing estimated revenues from the funds received from the United States Department of Transportation and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Public Works’ “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” in the Transportation category - Federal/State/Regional by $1,000,000.00 for the purpose of funding a Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the United States Department of Transportation for the purpose of funding a Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
§ 2. That Ordinance No. 2026-065, adopted May 11, 2026, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and determined a means of financing the same, be and is hereby amended by establishing a new project for the Department of Public Works in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category entitled “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” for the purpose of funding a Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
§ 3. That Ordinance No. 2026-065, adopted May 11, 2026, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and determined a means of financing the same, be and is hereby amended by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated for expenditures by $1,000,000.00, and allotting such sum to the Department of Public Works’ “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional for the purpose of funding a Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
§ 4. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: June 29, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald , Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO for Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton; Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan K. Brown; Director of Budget & Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Alfred L. Wiggins, DCAO for Operations
THROUGH: Bobby Vincent Jr.; Director of Public Works
FROM: M.S. Khara, P.E.; City Engineer
RE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the United States Department of Transportation and to amend Ord. No. 2026-065, adopted May 11, 2026, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and determined a means of financing the same, by (i) establishing a new project for the Department of Public Works in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category entitled “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” and (ii) increasing estimated revenues from the funds received from the United States Department of Transportation and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Public Works’ “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” in the Transportation category - Federal/State/Regional by $1,000,000.00 for the purpose of funding a Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the United States Department of Transportation and to amend Ord. No. 2026-065, adopted May 11, 2026, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and determined a means of financing the same, by (i) establishing a new project for the Department of Public Works in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category entitled “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” and (ii) increasing estimated revenues from the funds received from the United States Department of Transportation and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Public Works’ “2026-065 SS4A Program Project” in the Transportation category - Federal/State/Regional by $1,000,000.00 for the purpose of funding a Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
BACKGROUND: This agreement follows Resolution 2022-R-041, which expressed City Council’s support for the City’s participation in the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) SS4A Grant Program to provide funding for the supplemental planning activities for Vision Zero traffic safety program activities to achieve the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on the streets of the City of Richmond. Also, Round 1 SS4A City / Federal agreement for supplemental planning activities was provided through Ordinance 2023-210 and budget amendment through Ordinance 2023-198. Round 2 SS4A City / Federal agreement for implementation activities was provided through Ordinance 2024-100 and budget amendment through Ordinance 2024-278. Round 3 SS4A City/ Federal Agreement for Supplemental planning activities was provided through Ordinance 2025-280.
The U.S. Department of Transportation published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1,256,687,000, FY 2024 grant funding through the SS4A discretionary grant program. The SS4A discretionary grants can be used to implement projects and strategies found within the Safe and Healthy Street Commission’s adopted Vision Zero Action Plan.
Overall, USDOT awarded $1,256,687,000 for FY 2024 grants under the SS4A program. Of the funding made available, up to $580 million is available to implement projects and strategies. The remainder, $656,687,000, must be awarded for developing Action Plans; conducting supplemental planning to update existing Action Plans; or carrying out demonstration activities to inform the development of, or updates to, Action Plans
The City submitted a comprehensive grant application by the deadline of August 29, 2024. An award of the implementation grant was selected and approved by the USDOT on November 15, 2024.
The total award of the supplemental planning activities is $1,250,000. The grant program requires the City to provide 20% ($250,000) matching fund as the FHWA will provide 80% ($1,000.000) fund for the project. The City’s matching fund is proposed to be appropriated using CVTA Local Funding for FY27 ($250,000) budget year.
The proposed supplemental planning actions met the required criteria of SS4A Grants. The criteria include (1) safety impact, (2) equity, engagement, and collaboration (3) effective practices and strategies, (4) climate change and sustainability, and economic competitiveness, (5) project readiness, and (6) funds to underserved communities.
Traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on city streets are not limited to one location. These severe crashes occur across the city with greater frequency on the arterial streets that carry more people who walk, bike, roll, ride transit, and drive. These streets are wider and often have multiple travel lanes. Richmond’s High Injury Network (HIN) will continue to be the focus. The HIN comprises 9 percent of the roadway network and account for 75 percent of the severe crashes that result in a permanent detour from a person’s original destination to the morgue or hospital with life ending or life altering injuries. A safe systems approach coupled with a complete streets process will enable the City of Richmond to deliver a comprehensive approach that serves all users, regardless of age or ability through a proposed package of projects and supplemental activities to reduce the likelihood of a severe crash to zero.
The Virginia Department of Health uses a Health Opportunity Index (HOI) as a composite measure of the social, economic, educational, demographic, and environmental factors that relates to a community’s well-being. A “health in transportation” approach is required to address traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in an equitable manner. The HOI includes indicators of neighborhood walkability and access to transportation for those that are low income, disabled, or elderly. These factors are relevant to Vision Zero, Safe Systems, and Complete Streets. Areas in the City that scored a “very low” HOI have almost three times as many traffic related deaths and serious injuries compared to the other four quintiles of HOI combined in the City of Richmond. Further investment in these communities of concern with a package of projects with supplemental activities will improve the overall health outcomes of residents in the areas with the greatest needs. Our stakeholders continue to determine which factors have the greatest influence in these communities.
Streets classified as arterials in the City of Richmond are the location of the overwhelming number of traffic-related deaths and serious injuries, including pedestrians because of a greater number of users and higher vehicle operating speeds. 81 percent of all traffic related deaths and serious injuries occur at intersections with 51 percent of pedestrian crashes occurring at intersection. Pedestrian related deaths and serious injuries are disproportionately high when compared to other localities in Virginia and across the country. Where pedestrian activity is higher and there is more exposure, the number of crashes increases.
By providing the funding for these following supplemental activities, this will enable the City of Richmond with its partners to provide a critical transportation safety improvement on the HIN resulting in lives saved and life changing injuries prevented. The supplemental activities are Post-Crash Care Action Plan Development, Pedestrian Safety Master Plan with Virginia PBSAP Focus, Road Safety Assessments, Speed Management Outreach, and Health in Transportation - Substance Use and Mental Health Screening and Assessment.
If future funding for implementation is not obtained, traffic related deaths and serious injuries will continue to occur on city streets and the city’s residents and visitors will not see the benefits of our Vision Zero goals realized. Transportation safety can have huge negative impacts on health, well-being, and personal finances. This funding will allow the City to address severe traffic-related crashes on heavily used city streets for multimodal transportation users of all ages and abilities.
The intent of this ordinance is amend the CIP budget to received SS4A Federal funds as we have entered into a City / Federal standard agreement to authorize the City to participate in the 2024 SS4A Grant program.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Safe and Healthy Streets Commission. A formal public hearing of this paper will be conducted through City Council Land Use and Transportation Committee. The Department of Public Works recommends approval.
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Richmond 300 Master Plan; Vision Zero Action Plan. No other governmental entity needs to review.
The City Planning Commission (CPC) will review and approve this Ordinance request.
FISCAL IMPACT: To amend the adopted Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2027 ORD. NO 2026-065 , and to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept the SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads for All) Grant funds in the total amount of $1,000,000.00 in FY27 from the USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) and appropriate the revenues by amending the FY2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget and create a new project for the Department of Public Works in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category entitled “2026-065 SS4A Program Project”.
The cost is the required 20% match in the amount of $250,000 of the total $1,000,000 in supplemental planning funding received from the SS4A program. CVTA Local Funds in FY27 ($250,000) will meet the match requirements. Not entering into this program agreement eliminates the possibility of receiving up to $1,000,000 (80%) in federal SS4A funds for supplemental Vision Zero planning activities.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: July 27, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 14, 2026.
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE:
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Public Works; City Attorney’s Office; Planning and Development Review; Department of Public Utilities; Finance Department; Budget and Strategic Planning; Copies also sent to: City Mayor (Dr. Danny Avula); Chief Administrative Officer (Odie Donald II); and City Attorney (2).
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.:
• Resolution 2022-R041 adopted by City Council on June 27, 2022.
• Ordinance 2023-198 and 2023-210 were Round 1 SS4A Funding companion paper for previous City / Federal agreement and CIP budget amendment
• Ordinance No. 2024-100 and 2024-278 were Round 2 SS4A Funding companion paper for previous City/ Federal agreement and CIP budget amendment.
• Ordinance No. 2025-280 for Round 3 SS4A Standard City/Federal Project Administration Agreement
• FY 27 Adopted Capital Improvement Program Budget Ordinance 2026-065.
ATTACHMENTS:
• USDOT/ City of Richmond executed agreement.
STAFF: Prepared for: Mr. Bobby Vincent, Jr., Director, DPW 646-6444
Prepared by: M. S. Khara, P.E., City Engineer, DPW 646-5413
Coordinated by: Andy Boenau, Transportation Engineering Director, 646-5745
Mike Sawyer, City Transportation Engineer, 646-3435