Following Tuesdays Folsom City Council meeting, a roundabout policy and feasibility study will soon be underway for the City of Folsom that will cost more than $451K to perform, but will be paid for through grant funding.
Among the many items on Tuesday’s consent calendar, the Public Works Department proposed Resolution No. 11190, recommending the acceptance of a grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) for a Roundabout Policy and Feasibility Study. The grant, amounting to $400,000, comes with a local match requirement of $51,825, totaling $451,825 for the project. After the Folsom City Councilmember Anna Rohrbough pulled the item up for discussion Tuesday, City of Folsom Public Works Director Mark Rackovan shared that in addition to the $400,000 in grant funding, additional grant funds the city would be responsible for would also be paid for by additional grant funding.
The topic traces back to December of 2022, when Public Works staff presented a Report titled “Traffic Roundabout Fact-Finding Mission and Direction to Staff Regarding Future Consideration of a Traffic Roundabout Policy” during a City Council meeting at that time. The presentation highlighted experiences from visits to various locations, including Carmel and Whitestown in Indiana, Stapleton, Golden, and Loveland in Colorado. The benefits of roundabouts in terms of vehicle and driver safety, traffic operations and capacity, right of way requirements, and maintenance needs were underscored. Subsequently, the City Council unanimously directed staff to develop a Roundabout First policy.
Following that earlier directive, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11171 on February 27, 2024, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Design and Consulting Services Contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Roundabout Policy and Feasibility Study. Resolution No. 11190, now approved, signifies the City’s commitment to accepting the grant from SACOG and appropriating funds for the study. The initial grant funds, along with those procured for the match, will be utilized to prepare the Roundabout Policy and Feasibility Study for the City of Folsom.
According to Tuesday’s staff report, the financial implications are managed within the existing Measure A Fund (Fund 276), ensuring that the project aligns with the City’s financial policies, particularly Resolution No. 7332, which addresses intergovernmental revenues and grant project resolutions. The resolution appoints the Public Works Director as the agent of the City of Folsom to oversee negotiations and execute all necessary documents for the completion of the project. Additionally, it authorizes the Chief Financial Officer to increase revenue estimates accordingly.
With the acceptance of the grant and the allocation of funds, the City of Folsom progresses towards undertaking a comprehensive study focused on future traffic management and safety through the implementation of roundabouts.
Tuesday’s entire staff report on this item can be viewed HERE.
