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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10c - Open Streets Event Letter of Support STAFF REPORT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE: October 7, 2025 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kevin Merrill, City Engineer By: Alana Johnson, Transportation Services Manager SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE 2026 “FOOTHILLS, FAMILY, FUTBALL” OPEN STREETS EVENT PROPOSED BY THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ACTIVE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY At the September 16, 2025, City Council meeting, Arcadia received a request from Active San Gabriel Valley (“ActiveSGV”) to support the 2026 Open Streets event. Following the meeting, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (“SGVCOG”) informed the City of funding opportunities through The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (“Metro”) Open and Slow Streets Cycle 6 and 7 Grant Program, which encourages innovative community and multimodal transportation events. In partnership with ActiveSGV, the SGVCOG is preparing a funding proposal for the “Foothills, Family, Futball” Open Streets event, to be held in Arcadia and other surrounding cities, in the spring of 2026. As part of the regional application to Metro, the City has been invited to provide a Letter of Support. Ongoing coordination with SGVCOG is anticipated in the areas of event planning, budgeting, and hosting. It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute and submit a Letter of Support for the 2026 “Foothills, Family, Futball” event, in SGVCOG/Active SGV Letter of Support October 7, 2025 Page 2 of 4 partnership with SGVCOG and ActiveSGV. BACKGROUND Open Streets events are temporary vehicle-free street events, designed to encourage sustainable transportation, promote public health, and strengthen community connections. In 2017, the City participated in the “626 Golden Streets” series, in connection with the opening of the A Line extension through the region. Funded through Metro’s Open and Slow Streets Program, these events involve extensive planning and coordination among regional agencies, nonprofit partners, and local jurisdictions. SGVCOG and its nonprofit partner, ActiveSGV, have established a strong track record of organizing successful Open Streets events throughout the San Gabriel Valley, and are now preparing proposals for the next round of funding. Metro’s combined Cycle 6 and 7 funding cycle offers a renewed opportunity for the region to expand on previous successes. As part of this process, SGVCOG and ActiveSGV have invited the City to participate in a proposed one-day Open Streets event titled, “Foothills, Family, Futball,” planned for spring 2026 in preparation for the regional hosting of the World Cup (soccer). This event would include a designated route through Downtown Arcadia. DISCUSSION As part of the application process, SGVCOG and ActiveSGV are requesting Letters of Support from participating jurisdictions to demonstrate municipal interest and commitment to the proposed program. For Arcadia, the letter would confirm the City’s intent to participate in the planning, staffing, and logistical coordination of the “Foothills, Family, Futball” Open Street event, scheduled for spring 2026. Attachment No. 1 is the Draft Letter of Support prepared by the SGVCOG for the event. The event is tentatively planned for a Sunday between late April and early June 2026. The proposed route, as detailed in Attachment No. 2, includes the following street segments through the Cities of Arcadia, Monrovia and Duarte: • First Avenue (from California Street to Colorado Boulevard) • Colorado Boulevard (from First Avenue to South Myrtle Avenue) • South Myrtle Avenue (from Palm to Duarte Road) SGVCOG/Active SGV Letter of Support October 7, 2025 Page 3 of 4 • Duarte Road (from South Myrtle Avenue to Highland Avenue) Traffic control measures would be implemented throughout the route, with designated vehicle crossing points at key intersections, including Huntington Drive, Second Avenue, Mayflower Avenue, Primrose Avenue, Mountain Avenue, and Buena Vista Street. The City is currently reviewing the proposed route to assess feasibility and identify any necessary modifications. The event is expected to take place during daytime hours and is designed to minimize traffic disruptions, while creating a safe and engaging environment for walking, biking, and other non-motorized activities. The City is also being asked to identify any potential scheduling conflicts and explore opportunities to align the event with existing City programs or festivals. In addition to Letters of Support, participating cities are asked to estimate event day costs related to City personnel, including public safety, public works, and community services. While major planning and traffic control expenses will be covered through regional funding, local jurisdictions will be responsible for certain local staffing and outreach activities. If funding is awarded, SGVCOG will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with each participating city to formalize roles and responsibilities. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a "project" under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, since it involves administrative activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Additionally, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment, and therefore, the action is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. FISCAL IMPACT There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with submitting a Letter of Support. However, if the City participates in the “Foothills, Family, Futball” event, it will incur costs related to event day staffing, emergency services, and logistical support. While SGVCOG/Active SGV Letter of Support October 7, 2025 Page 4 of 4 core planning and traffic control will be funded through Metro (administered through SGVCOG), these funds will not fully offset all local expenses. The grant requires a minimum 30% in-kind match, meaning some costs will not be reimbursed. To meet this requirement, the City may utilize Transportation Development Act (“TDA”) funds, also administered by Metro, to cover eligible expenses – primarily staffing and overtime. If the grant application is successful, a detailed budget will be developed in early 2026, at which point, staff will return to the City Council for approval. An MOU with the SGVCOG will outline financial responsibilities and the required local match. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and authorize the City Manager to execute and submit a Letter of Support for the 2026 “Foothills, Family, Futball” Open Streets event proposed by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, in partnership with Active San Gabriel Valley. Attachment No. 1: Draft Letter of Support for the 2026 “Foothills, Family, Futball” Open Streets Event Attachment No. 2: Proposed Event Route for 2026 “Foothills, Family, Futball” Dominic Lazzaretto City Manager 240 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007 (626) 574-5401 October 7, 2025 Metro Open & Slow Streets Grant Program County of Los Angeles – Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) 1 Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012 Re: Metro Open Streets Program Cycle 6/7 - Active Streets | Foothills, Family, Futball To whom it may concern, This letter is to confirm that the City of Arcadia strongly supports the multi-jurisdictional Foothills, Family, Futball open streets event proposed by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV). If the grant application is awarded, the City of Arcadia agrees to support the implementation of the event as proposed in the application. The City of Arcadia recognizes the power of open streets to support local businesses, community connections, and healthy lifestyles. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region to explore our community. Our City is a member of the SGVCOG, which is a joint powers authority including all 31 cities of the San Gabriel Valley, its 2 County Supervisorial Districts, and is also the largest and most diverse sub-regional government entity in Los Angeles County. Should you have any questions, please contact Alana Johnson, Transportation Services Manager, at (626) 574-5408, or by email at ajohnson@ArcadiaCA.gov Thank you for your support for open streets, Dominic Lazzaretto City Manager Attachment No. 1 Attachment No. 2 Proposed Event Route for 2026 “Foothills, Family, Futball”