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 two SRTS grants. The Ohio Department of Transportation requires a separate ordinance be submitted for each grant applictation. This ordinance is intended for the second of two grant applications, to authorize the Director to construct improvements around Hilltop area schools. Projects include constructing new sidewalk on Binns Blvd and traffic calming improvements adjacent to Binns Elementary School and Burroughs Elementary School. Sidewalks reduce pedestrian exposure to traffic and traffic calming measures reduce vehicle speeds which decrease the severity of pedestrian and vehicle crashes. 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 for Binns- Hilltonia area schools, which includes Binns Elementary, Hilltonia Middle, Lindbergh Elementary, Burroughs Elementary and West Mound Elementary was approved by ODOT in January 2012. The School Travel Plan was developed as part of a General Engineering contract task order in 2011. Ordinance 0305-2012 will authorize authority for the fi...
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