PREPARED BY: MATT BROWN DATE OF MEETING: 01/20/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 651 WITH THE CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE A CITY OF SAN PABLO LOCAL FUNDING CONTRIBUTION OF $217,877 FOR THE COUNTYWIDE SMART SIGNALS PROJECT
CEQA: This proposed action is consistent with the previously completed Initial Study with previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-2025 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Improve Public Safety - (509) Sustain Traffic Safety Program is a major policy goal contained in the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is leading the Countywide Smart Signals Project, which will modernize traffic signal infrastructure at more than 300 intersections across the 19 incorporated cities, towns, and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. The Project focuses on major arterials roadways within each jurisdiction to improve traffic flow, safety, and operational efficiency.
Currently, most traffic signals throughout the County operate independently, with limited or no coordination between intersections. Signal timing adjustments typically require maintenance personnel to physically access signal control cabinets and manually update settings. In many cases, signal timing plans are established at the time of installation and are infrequently adjusted thereafter.
Modern traffic signal systems utilize advanced Signal Control and Prioritization that can detect various roadway users, such as bicycles, transit vehicles, and emergency responders, and dynamically adjust signal timing in real time using optimization algorithms. These systems significantly reduce the need for on-site manual adjustments, allowing traffic operations to be optimized within seconds in response to changing traffic conditions.
CCTA initiated the Smart Signals Project in July 2022 with planning and conceptual design. Environmental studies commenced in March 2023, followed by the initiation of final design in April 2024. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
Within the City of San Pablo, the project includes upgrades at 18 signalized intersections, including eleven intersections along San Pablo Avenue, five along San Pablo Dam Road, and two along 23rd Street.
In addition to signal upgrades, the project will deliver the following system enhancements:
• Signal controller firmware updates
• Video and radar detection
• Ethernet over Copper (EoC) communications between signals
• Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras
• Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)
• Traffic signal synchronization
• Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP)
• Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
• Video analytics capabilities
These improvements will allow signals to share real-time data and enable remote monitoring, management, and performance evaluation from a workstation at City Hall.
Project Funding
CCTA has secured approximately $30.8 million in funding for the Countywide Smart Signals Project through Measure J, the Local Partnership Program Formulaic funds administered by the California Transportation Commission, and One Bay Area Grant 3 (OBAG 3) funds. These funding sources require participating jurisdictions to provide a local funding match.
As the project advances toward construction, CCTA has prepared a new cooperative agreement to define agency roles and responsibilities and to formalize continued City participation in project development. As part of this agreement, CCTA has requested a City of San Pablo local funding contribution of $217,877 to support specific design and right-of-way related tasks.
Cooperative Agreement No. 651 formally incorporates the City’s $217,877 contribution. Approval and execution of the agreement will ensure the City of San Pablo remains an active and committed partner in advancing the Countywide Smart Signals Project and realizing the associated traffic operations and safety benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s local funding contribution of $217,877 will be funded with Measure J Local Street Maintenance (LSM) Fund 230. This expenditure was previously approved as part of the FY2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget adopted by the City Council on October 6, 2025, pursuant to Resolution 2025-119. As the necessary funds have already been appropriated, approval of the Cooperative Agreement will not require any additional budget authorization.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution
Att B - Cooperative Agreement No. 651 DRAFT