Memorandum 14-141 Safe Routes to Schools Grant Application

Memorandum 14-141

TO:                       Mayor Wythe and Homer City Council

THROUGH:       Walt Wrede, City Manager, Rick Abboud, City Planner

FROM:                Julie Engebretsen, Deputy City Planner

DATE:                  September 17, 2014

SUBJECT:         Resolution to apply for Safe Routes to School Program Grant

The Planning Department would like to apply for a State of Alaska Safe Routes to School Planning Grant. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federal program administered by the State, which was created in 2005. The program provides funding for creating a Safe Routes to School Plan, and these plans are specifically required in order for infrastructure and planning projects to be eligible for federal funding. The Alaska Department of Transportation also considers the plan during project planning.

The Homer Non-Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan (HNMTTP) is an adopted part of the Homer Comprehensive Plan. The Plan was written and adopted just months before the SRTS program was approved by Congress, and has many of the same ideas. The HNMTTP specifically addresses the needs of school children for safe walking and biking, and outlines an action plan. The SRTS Plan will meet the recommendations of the HNMTTP, and also make future infrastructure improvements eligible for federal funding.

The project entails working with stakeholders to identify current conditions and hazards for children walking and biking to school, grades K-8. Project partners include the school district, each school, school children and parents, law enforcement, maintenance organizations such as City of Homer Public Works and DOT, Laidlaw, and other interested groups and citizens.

The grant does not require a City match; however it will not cover staff costs. Therefore, the grant application will request funding for program materials. City staff, mostly the Planning Department, will provide in-kind services to facilitate the process and write the plan. The City costs for the project will be paid from the forecasted 2015 wage and operating budget.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission passed a motion of support at their meeting of August 21st, to apply for the grant.

               Recommendation: City of Homer apply for a grant to create a Safe Routes to School Plan.