05 Staff Report - Blossom Hill Road Sidewalk and Bicycle Layne Project
5 DATE: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MARCH 19,2009 MEETING DATE: 4/6/09 ITEM NO: TO: FROM: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: STATE-LEGISLATED SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL,
BLOSSOM HILL ROAD SInEWALK AND BICYCLE LANE PROJECT ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR STATE-LEGISLATED SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM. RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to apply for grant funds for State-legislated Safe Routes to School program. BACKGROUND: Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is a State-legislated
program that was instituted in 1999. Each year, agencies and municipalities can apply for grant funds through the State Department of Transportation via a competitive grant application
process. The main purpose of the program is to increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding proj ects that remove any current barriers that prevent them from
doing so. Those barriers could include lack of infrastructure, unsafe infrastructure, and lack of education/encouragement programs that promote walking and bicycling. In 2007, the State
legislature approved to extend the funding for this program indefinitely. The Town of Los Gatos has been the recipient of the SR2S program twice, and received over $300,000 during FY
2003/04 for the installation of sidewalks near schools. The SR2S grant program is primarily a construction program, which funds projects that are intended to improve the safety of students
who walk or bicycle to school. If an agency or municipality is awarded the grant, the agency is required to provide a 10% match oflocal funds. DISCUSSION: The proposed concept for the
Blossom Hill Road Sidewalk and Bicycle Lane project will build a new sidewalk and bicycle lane that extends from the eastern end of Blossom Hill Elementary PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO
Director of Parks and Public Works ---------------.__.•. __.._-----_..-Reviewed by: Town Manager__Town Attorney__
Clerk Administrator __Community Development N:\PPW\MANAGEMENT\COUNCIL\COUNCIL REPORTS\2009 reports\ApriI6\Safc Routes to School Grant Application. doc
PAGE 2 MARCH 19,2009 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: STATE-LEGISLATED SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, BLOSSOM HILL ROAD SIDEWALK AND BICYLCLE LANE PROJECT DISCUSSION (cont'd): School and continues
through Camino del Cerro. It will create a continuous sidewalk and bicycle lane network for students to travel to and from school safely. On the south side of Blossom Hill Road near
Blossom Hill Park, no sidewalk infrash'ucture exists. The proposed plan will build a new sidewalk from Blossom Hill Park east, cOllilecting with the existing sidewalk at Atwood. On the
north side of Blossom Hill Road, near Cherrystone, the new proposed sidewalk will be constructed all the way through, and connect with the existing sidewalk at Camino del Cerro. Additionally
as pffi1 of this proposal, a continuous bicycle lane will be developed on the n011h and south sides of Blossom Hill Road, begilming at Blossom Hill School heading east and finishing
at Camino del Cerro. Curb ffild gutter improvements and road re-striping are included as part of the concept plan for this proj ect. The Town submitted the concept plan for the Blossom
Hill Road Sidewalk and Bicycle Lffile project in June 2008 for SR2S program funding consideration. The grffilt was not approved because of the competitive review process and limited
program funds available. Since last year, Town staff has continued its efforts to collaborate with the school district, principals at Blossom Hill and RJ Fisher schools, and neighborhood
representatives, to engage in a supp011 cmnpaign for this project. Town staff has also engaged in ongoing communications with the schools' principals to assist with the development of
an outreach and education program, which is a key component of the SR2S program application process. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that Town Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing
the Town Mffilager to apply for grant funds for the State-legislated Safe Routes to Schoo!. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This project is not defined under CEQA and is Categorically Exempt
(Section 15301(c), 15303(e), and 15304(b) ofthe State CEQA Guidelines). A Notice of Exemption will not be filed. FISCAL IMPACT: The SR2S grant fl.mds are available for a maximum amount
of $900,000, with a required local fund match of 10%. The overall total project cost is expected to be under $900,000, therefore the total match for the Town will not exceed $90,000.
The FY 2009/10-FY 2013/14 Capital Improvement Plan does not include this project because proj ect completion is contingent upon receipt of grant fimding. If awmded the grffilt, staff
will bring forward a request for fimding, anticipated by December 2009. Attachments: Resolution Authorizing Town Manager to apply for grant fimds for State-legislated Safe Routes to
Schoo!.
Attachment 1 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL WHEREAS, the Safe Routes to School (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 biking among students; and WHEREAS, the California State Assembly enacted bill AB
57 (2007), to extend the SR2S program indefmitely; and WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is committed to improving and maintaining safe school routes for all school children; WHEREAS, 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 support efforts to secure funding for the SR2S program for improvements for walking and biking routes to school. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council
of the Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the 6th day of April, 2009, by the following vote: COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: SIGNED: MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS
GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA