Loading...
8 - Safe Routes to School,~~W N ~F (!_ _ ~.~,~ lps~~ G~A,~pS DATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JUNE s, Zo l o MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 06/21/10 ITEM NO: ~__ GREG CARSON, TOWN MANAGER ~. ~~~~ SUBJECT.: STATE-LEGISLATED .SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL BLOSSOM-HILL ROAD SIDEWALK 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 a Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to apply for grant fiords for State-legislated Safe Routes to School program. BACKGROUND: !` Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is aState-legislated program instituted in 1999. Each year, agencies and municipalities have the ability to apply for grant funds through the State Department of Transportation by way of a competitive :grant application process. The :main purpose of the program is to increase the number of children who walls or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove any barriers that currently 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 is a two-time recipient of tl?e SR2S program, and received over .$300,000 during the FY 2003/04 for the installation of sidewalks near schools. The SR2S grant program is primarily a constructors program, which funds projects intended to improve the safety of students who walls or bicycle to school. If an agency or municipality is awarded the grant, the agency is required to provide a 10% match of local 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 School and continues through Camino del Cerro. ~~ `~ PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO Director of Parks and Public Worlcs Reviewed by: ~~~ Assistant Town Manager ~wn Attorney ~ MClerkpAdministrator ~~ Finance Corrununity Development N:\PPW\MANAGEMENT\COLTNCIL\COUNCIL REPORTS\2010 ReportsUune 21\Safe Routes to School Grant Application.doc PAGE 2 JUNE 21,2010 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL ~ -- SUBJECT: STATE-LEGISLATED SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, BLOSSOM DILL ROAD ~ . SIDEWALK AND BICYLCLE LANE PROJECT DISCUSSION (cont'd): This project will create a continuous sidewallt and bicycle lane network for students to travel to and from school safely. On the soLtth side of Blossom Dill Road near Blossom Hill Parlc, there is currently no sidewalk infrastructure. The proposed plan will build a new sidewalk from Blossom Hill Park east, connecting 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 tln~ough, and connect with the existing sidewalk at Camino del Cerro. Additionally, as part of this proposal, a continuous bicycle lane will be developed on the north and south sides of Blossom Hill Road. This continuous bicycle lane will begin at Blossom Hill School heading east, and end at Camino del Cerro. Curb and gutter improvements and road re-striping are also included as part of the plaiuled concept of this project. The Town submitted the concept plan for the Blossom Hill Road Sidewalk and Bicycle Lane project in April 2009~for SR2S program funding consideration. At that time the grant was not approved due to the competitive review process and limited program Funds available. Town staff has continued collaborative efforts with the school district, principals at Blossom Hill and Rr Fisher schools, and neighborhood representatives in order to engage in a support campaign for this project. 'Town staff .has. also engaged in ongoing. communications with the schools' r principals to assist with the development of an outreach and education program, which is a lcey ` component of the SR2S program application process. The Town has allocated $90,000 towards the Blossom Hill Road Improvements Project through the adopted FY 2010/11 - 2014/15 Capital Improvements Program Budget for FY 2010/11. This project will construct improvements on Blossom FIill Road from Cherry Blossom Lane through Camino del Cerro. CONCLUSION: It is recominended that Town Council adopt the attached Resolution authorising the Town Manager to apply for grant funds for the State-legislated Safe Routes to School. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This project is not defined under CEQA and is Categorically Exempt (Section 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 funds are available for a maximum amount of $450,000,. with a required local fund match of 10%. The overall total project cost is estimated at $983,000. If the grant funds are received, traffic mitigation funds will supplement the difference in project costs, F t Attachments: Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to apply for grant funds for State-legislated Safe Routes to School. Attachment 1 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPLY FOR GRANT FU1~DS FOR THE STATE-LEGISLATED 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 indefinitely; and WHEREAS, the .Town of Los Gatos is committed to improving and maintaining safe school routes for all school children; and. WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos desires to continue to collaborate with local schools and agencies to provide safe routes to school. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that 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 21St day of June, 2010, 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 ~~-_ THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT PLANK ..