Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 25-000601
MEETING DATE:	12/02/25
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors
board of supervisors district(s):	3, 5
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	OC Public Works (Approved)
Department contact person(s):	Justin Golliher (714) 667-1675
	Denise Garcia (714) 647-3996

Subject: Approve Cooperative Agreement for Antonio Parkway Corridor Improvement Project

ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

Approved Agreement to Form

Discussion

3 Votes Board Majority

Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost: $299,736

Annual Cost: N/A

Staffing Impact:

# of Positions:

Sole Source: N/A

Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

Funding Source: Fund 174: 100%	County Audit in last 3 years: No
Levine Act Review Completed: N/A

Prior Board Action: 10/17/2023 #24

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

Approve the Cooperative Agreement with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita for the Antonio Parkway, Avenida De Las Banderas, and Avenida Empresa Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project, effective upon execution of all necessary signatures through December 31, 2031, for an estimated total project cost of $3,267,005, which includes an 80 percent cost share from Orange County Transportation Authority estimated at $2,613,604 and a 20 percent local cost share from the County of Orange and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita estimated at $653,401, of which $299,736 is the County of Orange’s responsibility.

Authorize the Director of OC Public Works or designee to execute amendments to the Cooperative Agreement for the Antonio Parkway, Avenida De Las Banderas, and Avenida Empresa Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project that do not materially change the terms or increase the financial obligations of the County of Orange.

SUMMARY:

Approval of the Cooperative Agreement for the Antonio Parkway, Avenida De Las Banderas, and Avenida Empresa Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project will enhance signal timing and synchronization services and operations for all signalized intersections along the Antonio Parkway Corridor that are maintained by the County of Orange.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The 2024 M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (Project P) is a grant opportunity offered by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). This program provides funding for the coordination of traffic signals across jurisdictional boundaries including project based operational and maintenance funding.

As part of Project P, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita (City), as lead agency, in coordination with the County of Orange (County) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), submitted an application to OCTA for grant funding for the Antonio Parkway, Avenida De Las Banderas, and Avenida Empresa Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project (Project). The County’s portion of the Project includes signal coordination, communication and detection support, new/upgraded communication systems, new/upgraded detection, intersection/field modernization and replacement and minor signal operation improvements along the Antonio Parkway Corridor.

On October 17, 2023, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the grant application for the Antonio Parkway Corridor Improvement Project and adopted Resolution No. 23-123, requesting OCTA to allocate funds in the amount specified in the application and such funds, if approved, shall be matched by funds from the County as required and shall be used as supplemental funding to aid the County in signal synchronization along the Antonio Parkway Corridor.

On May 13, 2024, OCTA Board of Directors approved funding for the Antonio Parkway Corridor Improvement Project with the City serving as the lead for project implementation. On October 23, 2024, the City Council approved amending the Master Funding Agreement with OCTA, and on June 11, 2025, the City Council approved their Seven-Year Capital Improvement Program, which included the Antonio Parkway Corridor Improvement Project.

OC Public Works recommends the Board approve Cooperative Agreement No. 2025-1 (MA-080-26010557) with the City for the Project, effective upon execution of all necessary signatures through December 31, 2031, in an estimated total project cost of $3,267,005, which includes an 80 percent cost share from OCTA estimated at $2,613,604 and a 20 percent local cost share from the County and City estimated at $653,401, of which $299,736 is the County’s responsibility.

The City Council has agendized the Cooperative Agreement for approval at its December 10, 2025, meeting.

Compliance with CEQA: This action is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is therefore not subject to CEQA, since it does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The approval of this agenda item does not commit the County to a definite course of action in regard to a project since it is an approval of a Cooperative Agreement between the County and the City to provide funds to carry out the Project. This proposed activity is therefore not subject to CEQA. Any future action connected to this approval that constitutes a project will be reviewed for compliance with CEQA.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

Appropriations for the Cooperative Agreement are included in Fund 174, OC Road, FY 2025-26 Budget and will be included in the budgeting process for future years.

The Cooperative Agreement may be terminated by either party by providing a thirty day prior written notice. The County and City are fully responsible for paying their respective pro rata share of all costs and expenses incurred prior to delivery of the notice of termination and all costs and damages relating to the termination.

STAFFING IMPACT:

N/A

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment A - Cooperative Agreement No. 2025-1 (MA-080-26010557) with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita
Attachment B - Resolution No. 23-123
Attachment C - Award Letter from Orange County Transportation Authority