Rancho Cordova City Council members. From left are Councilmember Joe Little, Mayor Garrett Gatewood, Councilmember Siri Pulipati, Councilmember David M. Sander, Vice Mayor Linda Budge (front) and City Manager Micah Runner. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Demand for community grant funding continues to outpace available dollars in Rancho Cordova, as city staff reported 78 applications totaling more than $4.2 million for the upcoming fiscal year, while officials also unanimously approved a long-term plan to expand walking and biking infrastructure across the city.

The updates came during the Rancho Cordova Community Council meeting April 6, where staff outlined the status of the Fiscal Year 2026–27 Community Enhancement & Investment Fund and presented a new Active Transportation Plan aimed at reshaping how residents move through the city.

“The number of applications reflects continued high demand for funding across community programs and capital projects,” said Randi Kay Stephens, senior management analyst, in a presentation to the council.

The grant application period opened Feb. 9 and closed March 13, drawing 78 submissions, two of which were later withdrawn. Requests span several categories, including nearly $2 million each for youth programs and community assistance, and about $385,000 for arts, culture and sports.

The city’s total community grant budget is $3.37 million. About $2.4 million is already committed to existing programs, including multiyear grants and set funding allocations for youth sports, performing arts and microgrants. Staff expect to recommend roughly $1 million in new projects when formal funding proposals are presented April 28.

City Council is expected to review applications through May and adopt a final funding resolution in June, with notifications to applicants shortly afterward.

Alongside the funding update, the council approved a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan designed to improve walking, biking and other non-car travel options throughout Rancho Cordova.

The plan replaces the city’s 2011 Pedestrian Master Plan and 2016 Bicycle Master Plan, combining them into a single roadmap that includes 34 miles of new sidewalks, 116 upgraded crossings and 209 miles of new or improved bikeways.

“This is more than just an infrastructure plan,” said Drew Hart, senior transportation planner. “This truly is an economic driver where people can get to places of work, education and recreation, and developing a strong sustainable community where businesses and people want to locate and stay.”

The plan emphasizes safety and accessibility, including separated bike lanes, expanded shared-use paths and wider sidewalks. Priority projects include 31 miles of new or enhanced bikeways and dozens of crossing improvements such as overpasses, underpasses and signalized crosswalks.

The estimated cost for top-tier projects is about $149 million, with funding expected to come from grants, local sources and development contributions.

City officials said the plan was shaped by extensive public input, including more than 2,700 data points collected through workshops, surveys and community events.

Public comment at the meeting was largely supportive.

“I fully support the Active Transportation Plan being presented,” said Arlete Hodel of the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. “Embracing and funding the recommendations in this report will move Rancho Cordova forward in its goals to become a more bikeable and walkable city.”

Debra Banks, executive director of the same organization, said the plan represents a significant step forward.

“This document combines analysis, community input and a vision for creating a comfortable, connected network of bike paths and routes that would make it safe to travel anywhere by bicycle or on foot,” Banks said.

Council members also praised the plan’s long-term vision.

“I have a compliment to begin with,” said Vice Mayor Linda Budge. “It was an absolute delight to have the public works department put down on paper everything they thought we need without saying what we could afford.”

The council approved the plan unanimously, with Councilmember David Sander absent.

The next meeting of the Rancho Cordova City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on May 4 at City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.