TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Councilor Cook, Ward 7
SUBJECT:
title
Councilor Motion - Letter of support for funding for Safe Routes to School Educational Grants
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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MOTION:
I move that the Mayor sign a letter on behalf of Council declaring Council’s support for maintaining or increasing State funding for Safe Routes to Schools Educational Grants.
DISCUSSION:
Safe Routes to Schools (“SRTS”) programs aim to create safe, healthy, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to use active transportation for the school commute. These initiatives promote livable, vibrant communities, increase physical activity, and improve unsafe walking, biking, and skating conditions throughout the community. This includes a commitment to providing safe bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and reducing crash rates in all communities, including those with low-income families and non-English speakers.
The Oregon Transportation Commission (“OTC”) is currently discussing an increase in the amount of federal funds for SRTS Education as part of the 2021-2024 State Transportation Improvement Program. The transportation bill passed by the 2017 Legislature provided funds for infrastructure projects dedicated to creating and improving safe routes to schools. The current funding level for educational grants is $500,000 per year statewide. Increased funding for this support is vital to assist local jurisdictions to create SRTS action plans, educate parents and children about the importance and benefits of walking to school, and build support for infrastructure necessary to create safe routes to schools.
I encourage Council to adopt this motion and authorize the Mayor to execute the attached letter to the OTC to maintain or increase funding for SRTS Educational Grants.
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Attachments:
1. Draft Letter of Support.