09 Staff Report - Safe Routes to School Grant Fund Application Report~pW M 0
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 2/02/04
ITEM NO.
COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA REPORT
JANUARY 27, 2004
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL/
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
TOWN MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER/EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDS CONCERNING SAFE
ROUTES TO SCHOOLS AND APPROVAL OF SAFE ROUTES TO
SCHOOLS GRANT FUND APPLICATION REPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution authorizing Town Manager/Executive Director to apply for grant funds concerning
safe routes to schools and approval of Safe Routes to Schools Grant fund application report.
BACKGROUND:
The Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Grant was established by the State Legislature to protect children
on their way to school. Federal funds were originally authorized for fiscal years 1999-00 and 2000-
01, and have since been extended an additional three years, through 2004. Each year, competitive
grants are to be submitted to the State Department of Transportation for review and approval or
denial. The Town of Los Gatos successfully applied for these funds during the fourth funding cycle.
Funding was awarded November 2003 to install sidewalks at four locations near elementary and
middle schools, planned for the summer of 2004. This is the final year available to apply for these.
improvement funds.
This year, staff have expanded their efforts to propose a multi jurisdictional project to request
funding to install electronic speed radar boards on arterial roadways near four schools serving Los
Gatos elementary and middle schools' children, (as well as children in neighboring communities who
attend schools that border our town), and to purchase two solarpowered speed radarboards to locate
on a rotating basis along various school routes. This project is supported by the Los Gatos Union,
San Jose Unified and Campbell Union School Districts, and the Cities of Monte Sereno, Saratoga,
PREPARED BY: O of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager t~~Attomey Clerk ~ `Finance
Community Development Revised: 1/27/04 2:50 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/02 N:\B&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\02-02-04 Safe Routes To Schools Grant 2004.wpd
e
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL/
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR
GRANT FUNDS CONCERNING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS AND
APPROVAL OF SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS GRANT FUND APPLICATION
REPORT
JANUARY 27, 2004
Campbell and San Jose and the County of Santa Clara. Additionally, many town neighborhoods are
indicating their support of this proposal.
DISCUSSION:
Staff determined four (4) locations on arterial streets where traffic speeds are normally 35MPH, but
during school zone times should be 25MPH. In particular, Blossom Hill Road (serving Blossom
Hill Elementary School), Los Gatos Boulevard ( serving Louise Van Meter Elementary and Fisher
Middle Schools), Los Gatos Almaden Road (serving Union Middle School), and on Pollard Road
(serving Rolling Hills Middle School). As indicated, these schools serve Los Gatos school children
and, for schools located near Los Gatos borders, also serve children from the neighboring
communities of Campbell, San Jose, Monte Sereno, Saratoga or County pockets. Additional streets
located along school routes were identified as difficult to cross including Union Avenue, Carlton
Avenue, Cherry Blossom, Shannon Road, and Fisher Avenues where speed limits are 25MPH or
35MPH and vehicle speeds are above the posted speed limit.
Locations were determined based upon input from the community. Staff have received numerous
calls during the past few years from both parents and residents requesting staff to find solutions to
slow traffic in these particular areas. Ongoing discussions with the school district concur with these
concerns. Staff collected traffic data on these roadways indicating vehicle speeds are five miles
above the posted speed limit (be it 25MPH, 30MPH or 35MPH) during school drop-off and pick-up
times. Reducing vehicle speeds will increase pedestrian safety.
Staff propose to purchase a total of eight permanent and two solar powered/ moveable speed radar
boards in or near school zones to slow traffic during school pick-up and drop-off times. In particular,
to install two permanent speed radar boards in each of the four locations (listed above) and place the
two moveable solar powered radar boards on a rotating basis in other school route areas. It is
believed these measures will greatly improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle speeds.
Currently, there are two locations in Los Gatos with electronic speed radar boards near schools,
located on Winchester near Daves Avenue Elementary and on Blossom Hill Road near Fisher Middle
School. Feedback on these devices has indicated drivers do slow down. This proposal is to duplicate
this success near other schools with similar roadway situations. Additionally, Caltrans has recently
indicated they will install a speed radar board near the Massol/Highway 9 crosswalk approaching
town this calendar year, as speeds are well over the 35MPH posted speed limit. That crossing is used
by Daves Avenue Elementary School children.
Staff have received letters of support from residents in neighborhoods near these schools, many of
whom have children attending local schools. These letters will be included in the grant application
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL/
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR
GRANT FUNDS CONCERNING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS AND
APPROVAL OF SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS GRANT FUND APPLICATION
REPORT
JANUARY 27, 2004
package to Caltrans. The support obtained from residents indicates how strongly these safety
improvements are desired by many members of our community.
The Caltrans grant review committee views favorably multi jurisdictional projects. This grant
application represents a supportive effort between the Town of Los Gatos, Cities of Monte Sereno,
Campbell, Saratoga and San Jose, and the Los Gatos Union, Campbell Union and Union School
Districts to increase safety near our public schools.
CONCLUSION:
Staffrecommends that Council/Redevelopment Agency adoptthe Safe Routes to Schools Resolution
and authorize the match funding to support the SR2S projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is a project as defined under CEQA but is Categorically Exempt (Sections 15301(c), 15303(e), and
15304(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines). A Notice of Exemption will not be filed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The SR2S grant is available forprojects up to $500,000, with a required 10% match. It is anticipated
this project proposal will not exceed $250,000 for materials and installation expenditures. The
Town's funding match requirement, at 10% of the project total cost, is anticipated to be $25,000.
This local match could be GFAR funds or Traffic Calming funds. The Safe Routes to Schools Grant
Proposal, if approved by Caltrans, would be a project for the 2004-05 fiscal year, and could be
installed within weeks of award notification. Ongoing costs are anticipated to be minimal: monthly
electricity costs of approximately $600 per year and annual maintenance of the solar powered speed
radar boards at $200 per year or less are anticipated.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended to authorize staff to apply for the SR2S grant for sidewalk and crosswalk safety
projects of an estimated project cost not to exceed $500,000 with a local match of up to $50,000.
Attachments:
1. Resolution authorizing to apply for grant funds
2. Location Map
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL/
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR
GRANT FUNDS CONCERNING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS AND
APPROVAL OF SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS GRANT FUND APPLICATION
REPORT
JANUARY 27, 2004
Distribution:
Mary Ann Parks, Superintendent, Los Gatos Union School District, 15766 Poppy Lane,
Los Gatos, CA 95030
John Thomas - Caltrans - District 4, Office of Traffic, P. O. Box 23660,
Oakland, CA 94623-0660
Sadegh Sadeghi, Senior Traffic Engineer, Santa Clara County Traffic Engineering and Operations,
1505 Schallenberger Road, San Jose, California 95131-2434
Ross Taft, Pedestrian Coordinator, City of San Jose, Department of Transportation, 4 N. Second
Street, Suite 1000, San Jose California, 95113
Robert Kass, Public Works Director, City of Campbell, 70 N. First Street, Campbell, California,
95008
0
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO APPLY FOR GRANT
FUNDS CONCERNING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS
WHEREAS, the Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Program was established to protect
children as they make their way to and from school; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Transportation awards funds for competitive local
projects aimed at increasing pedestrian safety; and
WHEREAS, California State Senate Bill 10 (SB 10, 2001), extended the SR2S program
for an additional three years; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is committed to improve and maintain the school
walking routes are safe for all school children;
RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos declares it is eligible to request funding for
SR2S grant to improve the school walking routes; and
RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos will continue to collaborate with local schools
and agencies to provide safe routes to schools.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the Town Council/Redevelopment Agency of
the Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the day of
COUNCIL/AGENCY MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
i
SIGNED:
, 2004 by the following vote:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS/
CHAIR OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
CLERK/SECRETARY OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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