RECEIVE update on the Measure X Safe Routes to School Program.

The Measure X Safe Routes to School program funds projects and programs that improve children's health by making walking and bicycling safer and easier.  The program will result in projects that provide the following benefits: improved safety for children walking and biking to school; better connections between schools, residential areas and vocational training programs; enhanced air quality; reduced traffic congestion around schools, and healthier transportation choices for school children and parents.

The Program is consistent with local, State and Federal goals to provide safe access to and from school and applies the 6 E's to ensure programs and projects funded are comprehensive and inclusive. The 6 E's are:

• Evaluation (& Planning)
• Engineering
• Education
• Encouragement
• Enforcement
• Equity

2018 Measure X Safe Routes to School Program Activities

2018 was a productive year for safe routes to school work in Monterey County including the adoption of the Measure X Safe Routes to School Guidelines in Spring 2018, beginning work on the Seaside & Marina Safe Routes to School Plan, implementing the Education Program, drafting mini grant program guildelines, and applying for state grant funding.

Seaside & Marina Safe Routes to School Plan

Funded through a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant, the Seaside & Marina Safe Routes to School Plan will develop safe routes to school recommendations for 15 public K-12 schools in the cities of Seaside and Marina.  The planning effort launched in late August with two community workshops (one in Seaside and one in Marina).  In the Fall of 2018, the planning team comprised of TAMC, Monterey County Health Department, City of Seaside Public Works, City of Marina Public Works, and Ecology Action staff invited school staff and community members to participate in walking audits at each of the 15 schools.  The walking audits allowed the team and school community to observe morning drop-off issues as well as opportunities for infrastructure improvements.  The list of recommended infrastructure and non-infrastructure improvements will be brought to each school community and City committees and councils for review and input in Spring 2019. 

Safe Routes to School Education Program

The Measure X Safe Routes to School Program has set a goal of providing pedestrian safety classes to all 2nd graders and bicycle safety classes to all 5th graders in Monterey County.  These bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs will take place at elementary schools across the county.  TAMC has contracted with Ecology Action to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety in all elementary schools in the Salinas Valley, Marina and Seaside over the next 2-5 years.  In Fall of 2018, Ecology Action served 13 5th grade classes and 10 2nd grade classes at five schools with comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian safety education.  A total of 615 students received pedestrian or bicycle safety training  and 87 students learned how to ride a bicycle as part of the Measure X Safe Routes to School Program .

Draft Mini Grant Program Guidelines

Staff is currently drafting Mini Grant Program Guidelines with the goal of adopting the Guidelines in Spring 2019.  The Mini Grant program will provide support to non-infrastructure Education, Encouragement and Enforcement activities such as Walk & Roll programs, Walk to School Day events, volunteer crossing guard training, traffic safety training workshops, and more.

Grants

TAMC applied for two state grant programs to help deliver Measure X Safe Routes to School work:

TAMC was awarded an Active Transportation Program Cycle 4 Every Child:  Community Supported Safe Routes to School grant in January 2019.  The Monterey County Health Department is a grant partner and will help to deliver the project.  Work will begin in July 2019. 

Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning awards will be released in April 2019 with work beginning in fiscal year 19/20.  If awarded, the Salinas Safe Routes to School Plan will be a partnership between TAMC, Monterey County Health Department, City of Salinas and Ecology Action.  

Goals for Fiscal Year 2019/20

• Launch a comprehensive Measure X Safe Routes to School Website;
• Adopt Mini Grant Program guidelines and develop application forms;
• Kick-off "Every Child: Community-Supported Safe Routes to School" grant work;
• Kick-off Salinas Safe Routes to School Plan (if receive grant award);
• Continue implementing the Education Program serving Salinas Valley, Seaside, Marina and North County;
• Continue to coordinate with stakeholders through Safe Routes to School Taskforce meetings;
• Support Safe Routes to School infrastructure projects in all cities and Monterey County;
• Adopt the Seaside & Marina Safe Routes to School Plan in Spring 2020;
• Apply for Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 and/or provide support to City/County applications.