Laserfiche WebLink
<br />~ <br />~HILLS <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />March 16, 2009 <br /> <br />Agenda Item I.A <br /> <br />TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />Ronald Moorse, City Administrator <br /> <br />FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager <br />Deb Bloom,'City Engineer <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Safe Routes to School Project Update <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The City was informed on April 15, 2008 it had been awarded a Safe Routes to School Program <br />Grant in the amount of $175,000 for the County Road E2/Ramsey County Open Space Trail <br />Project. Since that time, the City Engineer has completed final plans, specifications and all <br />required environmental reviews. Staff is prepared to go to the regular City Council meeting on <br />March 30, 2009 for acceptance of plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids. <br />This memo outlines public input received, increased costs identified through the final <br />environmental review, utility impacts, the PTRC recommendation, funding implications, and <br />next steps. <br /> <br />PUBLIC INPUT <br />Two public informational meetings were held on September 30,2009 and February 5, 2009. The <br />first meeting was attended by approximately 29 people. The Safe Routes to School objectives <br />and the preliminary plan were reviewed at this meeting (engineering had not been completed). <br />Staff listened to the people at the meeting; answering questions and addressing concerns. <br />Comments submitted from this meeting are included for your review (attachment Id). The <br />second meeting was attended by approximately 10 people. This meeting was set up in an open <br />house format. Staff had available the plans for this project, including changes that were made as <br />a result of feedback at the first meeting, and specific school program descriptions. The revised <br />project map is included for your review (attachment la). Emails received throughout this <br />process are also included (attachment 1 f). <br /> <br />One of the more significant concerns raised at the first public meeting was the number of <br />crosswalks and safety. Staff talked with Mn/DOT and was able to eliminate one crosswalk on <br />the project. In addition, the school district agreed to budget in 2009/ 2010 for two adult crossing <br />guards for crossings on County Road E2 (see map). The school will provide a kick off event and <br />walking reward program, as well as a bike rodeo (cosponsored by the Ramsey County Sheriffs <br />Dept.). A handout on the five E's of the SRTS Grant Program is included (attachment Ie). <br /> <br />\\Metro-inet.us\ardenhilIs\Admin\Council\Agendas & Packet Information\2009\03-16-09 Worksession\Packet Information\1.A - Safe Routes to <br />School Project Review.doc <br />