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tas �psos COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 10/01/12
ITEM NO:
SUBJECT: SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
ADOPT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND
RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY AND
INTERNATIONAL BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution supporting the Safe Routes to School initiative and recognizing International Walk
to School Day and International Bike to School Day.
BACKGROUND:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided funding for the purpose of carrying out
evidence -based clinical and community -based prevention and wellness strategies authorized by the
Public Health Service Act. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination
with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) developed an initiative, "Communities Putting Prevention to
Work." This initiative seeks to address the leading preventable causes of death and disability by
addressing key risk factors through policy, systems and environmental change.
In 2011, Town Council adopted a Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to apply for funds from the
Santa Clara County Communities Putting Prevention to Work Obesity Prevention Initiative. The Town
applied and is receiving up to $20,052 to address obesity in the Town of Los Gatos by increasing access
to fresh food, reviewing the Town's complete streets policy, and supporting Safe Routes to School.
Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is a State - legislated program instituted in 1999. The main purpose of the
program is to increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that
remove any barriers that currently prevent them from doing so.
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PREPARED BY: PAMELA JACOBS
Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
NA MMAdm WorkFiles\2012 Council Reports \10 -1 -12 Safe Routes to School (2),docx
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN.COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
DISCUSSION:
From 1969 to 2007, the percentage of children nationally who walked or bicycled to school decreased
from 48% to 13 %. In Santa Clara County, 44% of middle and high school students do not engage in
daily physical activity with only about 25% of fifth graders and 33% of seventh graders meeting all
California fitness standards. A lack of physical activity plays a leading role in the rising rates of obesity,
diabetes, and other health problems among children and adults. Walking or bicycling to school offers an
opportunity to build healthful physical activity into daily routines. Safe Routes to School initiatives are
designed to support and increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school. International
Walk to School Day and International Bike to School Day are part of this campaign to raise awareness
and support youth safely walking and biking to school.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that Town Council adopt the attached Resolution supporting the Safe Routes to
School initiative and recognizing International Walk to School Day and International Bike to School
Day.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The award of $20,052 for the service period from March 24, 2012 — September 30, 2012 was
appropriated into program 2802 as part of the FY 2011/12 mid -year budget adjustments process. In FY
2011/12, $5,502 was budgeted for Town personnel costs, $15,000 for the Complete Streets evaluation
contract costs.
In FY 2012/13, $19,652 of appropriation is carried forward as a remaining balance from FY 2011/12.
This amount includes a prior year encumbrance of $14,984 for the Complete Streets evaluation contract
costs and the remainder will be used to pay for the Town personnel costs. No additional appropriation is
needed.
Attachments:
Resolution supporting the Safe Routes to School initiative and recognizing International Walk to School
Day and International Bike to School Day.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND RECOGNIZING
INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY AND INTERNATIONAL BIKE TO
SCHOOL DAY
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos supports policies and program that focus on health
and wellness and healthier community environments; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is committed to improving and maintaining safe
school routes for all school children; and
WHEREAS, 44% of middle and high school students in Santa Clara County do not
engage in daily physical activity and only about 25% of fifteen graders and 33% of seventh
graders in Santa Clara County meet all California fitness standards; and
WHEREAS, a lack of physical activity plays a leading role in the rising rates of obesity,
diabetes, and other health problems among children and walking or bicycling to school along
safe routes offers an opportunity to build healthful physical activity into daily routines, so that
children can arrive at school ready to learn; and
WHEREAS, Safe Routes to School is a national and internal movement to create safe,
convenient, and fan opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to school and having safer
routes to and from schools can decrease pedestrian and bicycling related injuries, not just for
students, but for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos has partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama's
Let's Move Campaign and the Santa Clara County Communities Putting Prevention to Work
Obesity Prevention Initiative.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos will prioritize
the safety and comfort of school children in street modification projects that affect school travel
routes; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos will participate in International Walk to
School Day and International Bike to School Day, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Los Gatos will participate in the Safe Routes to School
initiative in order to gain the benefits mentioned above and strengthen the quality of life for the
Town of Los Gatos students, families, and neighborhoods.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos, California, held on the 1s` day of October, 2012 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA