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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Eric Seaburg, P.E., City Engineer <br /> <br />DATE: January 8, 2025 <br /> <br />RE: Resolution of Support – Safe Routes to School Planning Assistance Grant Application <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: <br />Motion to approve resolution of support for a SRTS Planning Assistance Grant Application. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In recent years, the city has pursued opportunities to expand its sidewalk and trail infrastructure. <br />Although much progress has been made, several key gaps still exist within the city. The Safe Routes to <br />School (SRTS) program offers a great way to plan for and implement projects to enhance the safety and <br />walkability for pedestrians near school zones. <br /> <br />MnDOT currently has a grant opportunity open for SRTS Planning Grants. Planning grants provide <br />funding to schools or cities for development of a SRTS Plan, which is a building block and minimum <br />requirement for possible future SRTS Construction Grants. <br /> <br />City staff recommends an application to the 2025 SRTS Planning Grant Program which closes on <br />January 17, 2025. The scope of the desired SRTS Plan would be a comprehensive City-wide plan and <br />cover each of the schools within the city. Depending on each school’s willingness and ability to <br />participate, the schools covered would include: <br /> <br />• Roseville Area Middle School <br />• Little Canada Elementary <br />• AFSA K-8 <br />• Saint John School of Little Canada <br />• East View Academy <br />• Quora Secondary <br /> <br />If the grant application is successful, no City contribution or match would be required. The city would <br />be assigned a consultant from MnDOT pool of SRTS Planning Grant consultants. Work on the plan <br />would kick off during the summer of 2025 and conclude by the Spring of 2026. The planning work <br />would be very collaborative and would include stakeholders from each school as well as the city. <br /> <br />SOURCE OF FUNDS <br />No city funds or matching contribution is required for this grant. <br /> <br />STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing an application to MnDOT’s <br />Safe Routes to School Planning Assistance Grant Program.