Label
DPS ODOT Safe Routes to School Grant
Transportation
Gary Stookey P.E. (x1306)
Paul M. Rasmusson (x7868)
Title
Authorizing and expressing the City of Toledo’s support for applications to the Ohio Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Grant Programs for funds to construct infrastructure enhancements and engage in education and encouragement activities to improve pedestrian and bicycle access for students traveling to Toledo Public Schools and Washington Local Schools; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Transportation provides funding administered through the Ohio Department of Transportation for infrastructure improvements and educational activities to provide safer pedestrian and bicycle access to schools. This program is known as the “Safe Routes to School” program. Applications are accepted to provide funding for improvements and activities that address a deficiency identified in an approved School Travel Plan (Plan) for the school district.
Live Well Greater Toledo (Live Well), a program of the YMCA of Greater Toledo is a diverse collaboration of community leaders and organizations working together to promote policy, systems and environmental change for a healthier community, takes a lead role in advocating for active transportation (pedestrian and bicycle transportation) in the City of Toledo and the region. In 2014, Live Well partnered with the City of Toledo, Toledo Public Schools (TPS), TMACOG, ODOT, United Way, Mercy Health Partners, and the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to fund and complete the “School Travel Plan” (Plan) for Toledo Public Schools. The Plan documented obstacles for the use of active transportation for students to travel to school and lists a set of improvements and activities to overcome these obstacles. The Plan was endorsed by City Council on November 19, 2014 in Resolution 510-14. Live Well and the City of Toledo have successfully applied for over $450,000 for Safe Routes improvements in 2015, and $624,000 in 2017.
The next priority projects from the list of school route improvements have been identified, and an application for $455,118 has been made to the Safe Routes to School Program this round submitted by Live Well and The City of Toledo. Infrastructure improvements include upgrades of pedestrian crossings with countdown displays, installation of a signalized crossing that improves both Safe Routes to School and the City of Toledo Bike Plan, and upgraded school zone flashers with smart technology. Non-infrastructure activities include support for such things as creating “walking school buses,” holding “walk to school” and “bike to school” days, bicycle and pedestrian education programs, and bicycle fix it events and helmet distribution. In addition, the Washington Local School (WLS) Board has decided to pursue a Safe Routes to School program. These funds will also be used to develop a School Travel Plan for WLS students. There is no local matching requirement for these funds.
Passage of this Resolution is procedurally required to allow The YMCA of Greater Toledo and the City of Toledo to receive these grants.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to partner with Live Well Greater Toledo, in order to apply to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s “Safe Routes to School” Program for grant funds to construct infrastructure improvements and conduct educational activities related to implementing the recommendations of the Toledo “Safe Routes to School” School Travel Plan, as described above, and to provide all information and documentation required to become eligible for possible funding assistance from this program.
SECTION 2. That if the grant applications described in Section 1 above are approved, the City of Toledo will enter into the appropriate agreements to partner with Live Well Greater Toledo to complete grant funded improvements and activities.
SECTION 3. That, if grants applied for are awarded, the City of Toledo agrees to obligate the funds required to satisfactorily complete the proposed projects as necessary to become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the above grant program subject to future Council authorization.
SECTION 4. That this Resolution is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this Resolution is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property and for the further reason that this Resolution is necessary for the receipt of the grant funds for the proposed improvements.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Adopted: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: _________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: ______________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by Council _________________________.
Attest: _________________________
Clerk of Council