AGENDA #4o
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to: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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from: |
J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director David Bonk, Long Range Planning and Transportation Coordinator |
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subject: |
Safe Routes to School Grant Application |
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date: |
November 19, 2007 |
PURPOSE
Adoption of this attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to submit applications for North Carolina Safe Routes to School Demonstration Grants and other Safe Routes to School grants. Theses applications require the Town to also develop a Safe Routes to School Action Plan
This memorandum provides information on the North Carolina Safe Routes to School Demonstration Grant application process. The grant could be in an amount up to $250,000. We recommend that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to submit Safe Routes to School Grant applications.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation launched the NC Safe Routes to School program with the Town of Chapel Hill Active Living by Design program in September 2006. Since that time the state program has been filling staff positions for the program. The new Safe Routes to School Coordinator was selected and will be coordinating programming as well as funding opportunities for NC schools.
The North Carolina Safe Routes to School program has issued a call for grant applications. In September 2007 the Town received a letter of notification that Phillips Middle School will be invited to apply for a Demonstration Grant for up to $250,000. Only schools in NC that participated in the Safe Routes to School National Workshops are allowed to apply for this grant.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation letter included the following: “The purpose of the grant is to develop a range of innovative, creative infrastructure projects that will enable and encourage school children to walk or bicycle to school safely. All grants will be awarded on a cost-reimbursement basis. No local match is required. Schools and non-profit agencies are encouraged to partner with a local government for these grants. A maintenance agreement for the completed project will be required. Municipalities frequently enter into such agreements with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.”
DISCUSSION
Submittal of the Safe Routes to School application requires a resolution indicating support and administration from the Town of Chapel Hill. The deadline for application is December 14, 2007. The Town is also required to submit a Safe Routes to School Action Plan no later than January 14, 2008, associated with the grant application.
In October 2007, North Carolina Department of Transportation hosted a series of Safe Routes to School workshops that presented information on smaller grant funding opportunities for additional Safe Route programs or physical improvements. Town staff attended this workshop, as well as the National Safe Routes to School workshop in November, collecting most current best practices and innovations in the Safe Routes to School program. The information collected will be included in the grant application.
NEXT STEPS
Town staff will develop the Safe Routes to School Demonstration Grant and Safe Routes to School Action Plan in partnership with the Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools. Town staff will also research and develop applications for other North Carolina Safe Routes to School grants for submission in the Summer of 2008.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached Resolution indicating support for the Safe Routes to School Grant as well as development of the Chapel Hill Safe Routes to School Action Plan. If awarded the grant, the Town would be the lead agency providing staff support and administration of the grant.