Title
Resolution to Support Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School Application for Safe Routes to School Funding
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval please find a resolution to support the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Public Schools application for federal funding through the Safe Routes to School program, administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The Ann Arbor STEAM Safe Routes to School (SRTS) committee received a grant from SRTS Michigan to provide technical assistance in the completion of the SRTS process, development of action plans, and ultimately submitting a grant application. The technical team from Michigan State University led the Ann Arbor STEAM committee through the SRTS process, which included a walking audit, a biking audit, and three public meetings.
The Northside STEAM SRTS committee prioritized the infrastructure improvements proposed in the action plans. These priorities led to the list of sidewalk improvements included in the grant application. These improvements consist primarily of filling gaps in the sidewalk system and constructing ADA-compliant ramps in the neighborhood around the school.
The Safe Routes to School Action Plans for the Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside K-8 school links are provided below. One Action Plan is targeted toward the elementary school grades with grade-specific Education, Encouragement and Enforcement strategies located on pages 24 - 33. The other Action Plan is for the middle school grades with Education, Encouragement and Enforcement strategies located on pages 24 - 31. All Engineering improvements are the same in both documents.
Elementary School: <https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0EzjMrB4oqHMzg5Wld5YW1ycUE>
Middle School: <https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0EzjMrB4oqHVGE1OGJaczkyMEk>
Staff
Prepared by: Cynthia Redinger, Traffic Engineer
Reviewed by: Nick Hutchinson, City Engineer
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Safe Routes to School program is a federally funded program administered in Michigan by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT);
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor, in partnership with Ann Arbor Public Schools, is applying for funds through MDOT from the Safe Routes to School program to construct certain infrastructure projects throughout the Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School walk area, including new sidewalks and ADA compliant ramps, to enable and encourage children to safely walk and bike to school; and
Whereas, MDOT requires a formal commitment from the public agency that will be receiving these funds and will be implementing and maintaining these infrastructure projects;
RESOLVED, Nicholas Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer, be authorized to act as agent on behalf of the City to request Safe Routes to School funding, to act as the applicant’s agent during the project development, and to sign a project agreement upon receipt of a funding award;
RESOLVED, The City attests to the existence of, and commits to, the funds necessary to carry out the project, including engineering for design and construction, permit fees, administration costs, and cost overruns; and
RESOLVED, The City commits to owning, operating, funding and implementing a maintenance program over the design life of the facilities constructed with Safe Routes to School funding.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Eaton, Kailasapathy, Lumm and Mayor Taylor