14 Staff Report - Grant Funds Concerning Safe Routes to Schools~pW N OF
~~3 G A'fOS
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA REPORT
May 4, 2005
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL/
MEETING DATE: 05/16/05
ITEM NO. 14
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOP NT 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 field application report.
BACKGROUND:
The Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Grantwas established by the State Legislature to protect children
on their way to school. Federal funds have been authorized since fiscal years 1999-00, and are
currently authorized through FY 2006-07. 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 has
applied for these funds twice, and successfully received over $300,000 in grant funds during FY
2003-04 for the installation of sidewalks near schools. The Safe Routes to School Grant is strictly
for construction projects that increase safety for school children to walk or bike to school.
In 2003, staff hosted and coordinated numerous meetings with staff from the Los Gatos Union
School District and City of Monte Sereno to develop the safe routes to schools plan and identify
pedestrian school route deficiencies in a collaborative effort. Staff identified several types of
improvements for sidewalks and safety improvements at crosswalks at locations serving the
elementary and middle schools in Los Gatos. The collaborative meetings identified various locations
along school routes that could take several years to complete the improvements due to grant funding
requirements.
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PREPARED BY: QJ H N E. CURTIS
rector of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: YS,\I_Assistant Town Manager e-Attorney Clerk Administrator
S Finance Community Development Revised: 5/4/05 2:56 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/02 NAB&E\COUNCIL REPORTS\Safe Routes To Schools Grant Resolution 2005.wpd
PAGE 2
MAYOR ANDTOWN 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
MAY 4, 2005
In particular, the maximum grant award amount available is $450,000 per year, and proposals should
be for similar safety improvement "types," either sidewalks, or crosswalk improvements, but not
together in the same application.
DISCUSSION:
From the list created in 2003, sidewalks have been installed, speed radar display boards installed at
two locations, and several crosswalks enhanced with center medians (notably crosswalks at Massol
Avenue/Highway 9 and at Los Gatos Almaden Road/Cherry Blossom Road). The remaining
improvement items include additional crosswalk enhancements, speed radar display boards in other
school zones, and more sidewalk gaps to fill.
At this time, staff recommends crosswalk enhancements to nine (9) crosswalks located at signalized
intersections that serve a total of five (5) schools. The crosswalk enhancements would be pedestrian
count-down signals, which have recently been approved by Caltrans as a pedestrian safety device.
The nine crosswalks recommended for improvement are located at the following intersections:
1. Winchester Boulevard & Daves Avenue
2. Winchester/N. Santa Cruz Avenue & Blossom Hill Road
3. University Avenue & Blossom Hill Road
4. Roberts Road. & Blossom Hill Road
5. Los Gatos Boulevard & Blossom Hill Road
6. Cherry Blossom & Blossom Hill Road
7. Chirco/Los Gatos-Almaden Road & Los Gatos Boulevard
8. Shannon Road & Los Gatos Boulevard
9. Nino Avenue & Los Gatos Boulevard
Additionally, staff recommends installing speed radar display boards in school zones that serve three
(3) schools, also located in the crosswalk improvement project area, at the following locations:
1. Los Gatos Boulevard school zone area from Louise Van Meter to Shannon Road
2. Blossom Hill Road west of Cherry Blossom to Hillbrook
The SR2S Grant Review Committee is very interested in collaborative projects. Staff have
successfully met, identified, and planned the grant application with local stakeholder agencies and
are collecting letters of support from many organizations in our community.
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
MAY 4, 2005
CONCLUSION:
Staffrecommends that Council/Redevelopment Agency adopt the Safe Routes to Schools Resolution
and authorize the match funding to support the SR2S projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project as defined under CEQA and 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 for projects up to $500,000, with a required 10% match. This project is
expected to cost under $150,000, therefore the total match for the Town would not exceed $15,000.
This local match could also be a combination of RDA funding, for one project is in the RDA, (the
University/Blossom Hill Road intersection). The CIP local match could be GFAR funds. The FY
2005-06 proposed Capital Improvement Plan has not included this match because the grant is
competitive, and once awarded, staff will bring forward a request for funding, anticipated by
December, 2005.
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 $150,000 with a local match of up to $15,000.
Attachments:
Resolution authorizing to apply for grant fiends
Distribution:
Mary Ann Parks, Superintendent, Los Gatos Union School District, 17010 Roberts Road,
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Cynthia Ranii, Superintendent, Los Gatos Union School District, 17421 Farley Road West,
Los Gatos, CA 95030
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 reducing injuries and fatalities to school children and to encourage
increased walking and bicycling among students; and
WHEREAS, California State Senate Bill 1087 (SB1087 2004), extended the SR2S
program for an additional three years; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos with the School Districts have identified
school walking routes for elementary, middle and high school children; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is committed to improve and maintain safe
school walking routes for all school children;
RESOLVED, the Town of Los Gatos desires to continue to collaborate with the
local schools and agencies to provide safe routes to school.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Los Gatos and the local
schools supports efforts to secure funding for the SR2S grant for improvement of school walking
routes.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Town of Los Gatos Town Council this day
of 2005, by the following vote:
COUNCIL/AGENCY MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS :
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS/
CHAIR OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR/SECRETARY OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA