TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Application for federal grant funding to develop a Salem Vision Zero Plan and implement a 20-is-Plenty Program through the United States Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Program.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) is offering grant funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program. The SS4A Program is designed to fund initiatives that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Developing a Salem Vision Zero Plan and implementing a “20-is-Plenty” Program align with the objectives of the SS4A Program.
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ISSUE:
Shall Council authorize the City Manager to apply for grant funding through the SS4A Program to develop a Salem Vision Zero Plan and implement a 20-is-Plenty Program and further authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with US DOT to accept the funds?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to apply for funding through the SS4A Program to develop a Salem Vision Zero Plan and implement a “20-is-Plenty” Program and further authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with US DOT to accept the funds.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The US DOT SS4A Program <https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A> is a nationwide $5 billion discretionary grant program funded at $1 billion per year over five years. This is the second year of the five-year cycle. Details of the funding solicitation are included in Attachment 1. The purpose of the SS4A Program is to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways. The grant is focused on comprehensive safety action planning and implementing projects and strategies identified in existing plans. Salem is limited to submitting one application this round. Applications are due July 10, 2023.
Planning and Demonstration Grants require the jurisdiction to base its application on an Action Plan. An Action Plan is an adopted plan that is no more than five years old and contains the following components:
• Leadership Commitment and Goal Setting
• Planning Structure
• Safety Analysis
• Engagement and Collaboration
• Equity Considerations
• Policy and Process Changes
• Strategy and Project Selections
• Progress and Transparency
The SS4A Program encourages jurisdictions to have a comprehensive safety action plan that cover all modes of travel with a focus on preventing roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The City of Salem has developed the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan (NTMP) and the City of Salem Pedestrian Safety Study <chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/www.cityofsalem.net/home/showpublisheddocument/1872/637793992129770000> (2018). Adoption of the NTMP is a separate action item on the June 26, 2023, City Council agenda. Both of these plans address the requirements of an Action Plan, however bringing these together into a singular Vision Zero Plan will help focus the City’s efforts on preventing roadway fatalities and injuries for all modes of travel throughout the City.
In addition to developing a Vision Zero Plan, staff believe there is an opportunity under the SS4A Program to secure additional funds necessary to implement a robust 20-is-Plenty Program as a demonstration project of the Vision Zero Plan. The “20-is-Plenty” Program would include the following components:
• 20 mph signs installed on local residential streets;
• Acquisition of speed radar trailers and speed radar signs to help support education and enforcement of the 20 mph speed limit;
• A public education campaign, and
• An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.
Staff estimates the total cost to develop a Salem Vision Zero Plan and implement a “20-is-Plenty” Program could be as high as $3 million. (Cost estimate is in the process of being refined.) Staff recommends applying for funds under the SS4A’s Planning and Demonstration Grants program category. A 20 percent local match is required, which could be funded through the City’s share of the State gas tax fund. If the grant application is successful, staff would return to Council with a recommendation for authorizing matching funds.
BACKGROUND:
SS4A Program is comprised of two different types of grants:
(1) Planning and Demonstration Grants provide federal funds to develop, complete, or supplement a comprehensive safety action plan. Having an Action Plan in place is the foundation of the SS4A Program. Action Plan Grants may also fund supplemental Action Plan activities. The goal of an Action Plan is to develop a holistic, well-defined strategy to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries in a locality, Tribe, or region. Planning and Demonstration Grants have three different types of activities:
1. Develop an Action Plan
2. Conduct supplemental safety planning to enhance an Action Plan; and
3. Carry out demonstration activities to inform the development of, or an update to, an Action Plan.
The three different types of activities under Planning and Demonstration Grants can either be bundled together into one application, or an applicant may choose to request funding for only one of the activities. Applicants applying for only supplemental planning and/or demonstration projects must have an existing Action Plan that is substantially similar and meets the eligibility requirements or be in the process of developing a comprehensive safety action plan. The expected grant range for Planning and Demonstration Grants is between $100,000 and $10 million.
(2) Implementation Grants provide federal funds to implement projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan to address a roadway safety problem. Projects and strategies may be infrastructure, behavioral, and/or operational activities. Implementation Grants may also fund associated planning and design and supplemental Action Plan activities in support of an existing Action Plan. Applicants can apply for demonstration projects under an Implementation Grant only if they have a conforming Action Plan in place and the demonstration activity is used to inform the Action Plan. The expected grant range for Implementation Grants between $2.5 and $25 million.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. FY23 SS4A Notice of Funding Opportunity