City of Columbus - File #: 1380-2009

• File #: 1380-2009
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 10/13/2009
• In control: Public Service & Transportation Committee
• On agenda: 10/26/2009
• Final action: 10/29/2009
• Title: To authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute an application for federal grant funding to improve portions of Town Street and Dana Avenue in Franklinton for the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT); for the Division of Mobility Options; and to declare an emergency. ($-0-)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/29/2009	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
10/28/2009	1	MAYOR	Signed
10/26/2009	1	Columbus City Council	Approved
10/26/2009	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
10/16/2009	1	Service Drafter	Sent for Approval
10/16/2009	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
10/16/2009	1	Service Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
10/15/2009	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
10/15/2009	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
10/15/2009	1	FINANCE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
10/13/2009	1	Service Drafter	Sent for Approval
10/13/2009	1	Service Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
10/13/2009	1	Service Drafter	Sent for Approval
10/13/2009	1	SERVICE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
10/13/2009	1	Service Drafter	Sent for Approval

Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a federal program, which provides limited funds to states including Ohio. These funds are available to municipalities as grants to be used to improve the ability of elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute agreements for approved projects. Additionally, ODOT requires that the City of Columbus act as the Local Public Agency (LPA) to manage the project. This is a reimbursement program, meaning that if funds are awarded the LPA must agree to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by ODOT in order to actually receive the funding.

With City Council authorization, the Department of Public Service intends to apply for a SRTS grant to construct curb extensions and textured crosswalks at specific locations around Franklinton area schools. Curb extensions shorten the length of the crosswalk thereby reducing pedestrian exposure to traffic, and slow traffic by narrowing the roadway and increase sight distances by preventing illegally parked vehicles near the crosswalk. In order to be eligible for these funds, the projects must be contained in a School Travel Plan approved by ODOT. A School Travel Plan, which includes these projects, for Avondale Elementary, Dana Elementary and Sullivant Elementary schools and Starling Middle School was approved by ODOT in 2008. The School Travel Plan was developed as a component of the Franklinton Community Mobility Plan.

For the 2009 SRTS funding cycle the City will apply for funds to cover the cost of environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection of curb extensions and textured crosswalks on Town Street at the intersections of Avondale Avenue and Hawkes Avenue on the south side of Avondale Elementary School and on Dana Avenue midb...