ITEM: 12.2 ADMINISTRATION - Jean M. Keely, City Engineer
Title
AUTHORIZE DESIGN, BID, BUILD PROCESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS ON 91ST AVENUE AND JACKSON STREET, IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 11-13
Background
"Safe Routes to School" is a program in the federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, designed to improve the conditions and quality of bicycling and walking to school. The goal of the program is to reverse the 30-year decline in the numbers of children walking to school and reintroduce opportunities for regular physical activity by providing pedestrian movement opportunities. The 2010 Continuing Resolution provided more funds for the program. Mn/DOT has approximately $4.2 million available for infrastructure projects statewide in 2012 and 2013.
On June 3, 2011, City Council approved Resolution No. 11-63 indicating support of the grant application for the proposed sidewalk and crosswalk improvements in the area of Westwood Intermediate and Middle Schools in District 16. City staff submitted an application to Mn/DOT for grant funds to construct these improvements. On August 17, 2011, the City of Blaine received notice that our application was the recipient of the SRTS grant funds in the amount of $202,426. At the request of Council, an open house was held on October 10, 2011 for the residents of the 91st Avenue/Jackson Street neighborhood to discuss the scope of the potential safe routes to school project, available grant funds, and potential impacts to their neighborhood. The open house invitation was mailed to 258 properties in this neighborhood and approximately 50 residents were in attendance. Council met at Workshop on February 2, 2012 to review comments received and recommended that this item be brought to a regular scheduled meeting for action.
Attached to this item for Council information is the original grant application, comments from the public information meeting and one additional email that was received on February 8, 2012.
Recommendation
By motion, adopt the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine in partnership with Spring Lake Park Schools applied for and received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant from Mn/DOT in the amount of $202,426; and
WHEREAS, an open house was held on October 10, 2011 for the residents of the 91st Avenue/Jackson Street neighborhood to discuss the scope of the potential safe routes to school project, available grant funds, potential impacts to their neighborhood, and receive their comments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the proposed improvements are hereby referred to the City Engineer and she is instructed to initiate the design, bid, build process.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 15th day of March, 2012.