7.b) Safe Routes to Schools Grants � `�
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SCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: December 3, 2012
To: Parks and Recreation Committee
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: Safe Routes to School grants
Agenda Item#: 7.b)
Background:
Safe Routes to School Pro,�ram:
In 2005 Congress, created the Safe Routes to School(SRTS)program which provides funding to
state Departments of Transportation. The goals of the program are threefold:
o To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and
bicycle to school
o To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation
alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age
o To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities
that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the
vicinity of schools
Last month it was announced that the deadline for SRTS grants is coming due early next year.
Minnesota elementary and middle schools, along with cities and other partners are invited to apply
for Safe Routes to School(SRTS) grant funds for projects that will help more children safely walk
and bicycle to school. Minnesota has $3.2 million available for infrastructure grants and $800,000
available for non-infrastructure and planning grants for 2013-2014. The selection process will be
focused on a project's ability to meet SRTS program goals and the potential to develop long term
cycling and walking behaviors. The state will attempt to fund as many qualified projects as possible
from the available resources.
All SRTS grants use federal funds, and no local match is required. The SRTS Program is a
reimbursable grant program, meaning that recipients of the funds will front the cost of the project
and will be reimbursed during the course of the project. All costs submitted for reimbursement are
subject to eligibility requirements. Any costs incurred prior to a project's authorization are not
eligible for reimbursement.
As a federally funded program, all SRTS projects must be in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A project memo addresses the environmental impacts that the
project will have to the project area. It is anticipated that the types of projects proposed under the
SRTS program will be those that will have minor impacts to the environment. Impacts reviewed in a
project memo include: impacts to park or recreational property(positive and negative); impacts to
historical features currently existing in the project area; impacts to federal and state threatened and
endangered species; amount of permanent and temporary easements needed to construct, operate, and
maintain the proposed project; and impacts to water resources such as floodplains, wetlands, and
open water must be addresses as well.
Applicants are also responsible for any and all local permitting relevant to their project. Applicants
should work with their project sponsors to determine necessary permits. Bicycle and Pedestrian
Program Facilities must be designed to reasonably meet the needs of persons with disabilities. In so
doing, the participant must comply with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
In September, MnDOT released a new SRTS assessment tool that communities can use to identify
opportunities to increase walking and bicycling. Data from the evaluations will be stored and tracked
by MnDOT to develop a better understanding of statewide conditions far youth walking and
bicycling to school. SRTS Neighborhood Assessments are required for all SRTS plans funded by
MnDOT and are strongly encouraged far all communities working to support SRTS. To use the
assessment tool, first review and complete the SRTS Neighborhood Assessment Guide and then
complete the SRTS Assessment Tool online survev to record and submit answers. The Neighborhood
Assessment Guide includes completing walkablity and bikeabiliy checklists by members of the local
SRTS Team.
All nonprofit organizations and government entities in Minnesota may be eligible partners, including
cities,tribal nations, schools, school districts, counties, and regional planning organizations.
Infrastructure grants require a city or county sponsor. Applications are due Feb. 15.
Efforts in Scandia:
In March 2011 Sue Rodjso surveyed parents at Scandia Elementary School and gathered their
opinions regarding children walking and biking to school. A copy of her survey results is included in
your packet. Parents are afraid to let their kids walk to school because 1)the proximity of school to
Hwy 97 with no bike/walk trails that allow kids to avoid this road, 2) Speed of traffic on Hwy 97,
and 3) the lack of a safe way to cross Hwy 97 at the school. As a result of this survey two concepts
emerged among some community volunteers that were relevant projects for which to consider a
SRTS proposal: (1) Bike path development along(now approved) designated bike routes in Scandia
and, (2) a cross-walk across Hwy 97 at Olinda Trail.
Scandia Elementary School Principal Julie Grieman provided some background information to Sue
Rodjso last year when Sue began working on the SRTS proposal. A copy of Mrs. Grieman's letter to
the City of Scandia is included in your packet.
Proposal Details:
MNDOT has created a guide to getting started for community groups. A copy from their website is
included in your packet. Cathy Mackiewicz with the Washington County Department of Public
Health and Environment and Ann Pung Terwedo with Washington County Public Works have
offered to help facilitate a community meeting to get the conversation started.
Depending on the result of this meeting, the City of Scandia could be in a position to leverage these
federal dollars to help with other park and trail initiatives in the City. Hwy 97 dissects the community
limiting many kids' access to key community assets such as Lilleskogen Park, GammelGarden
Museum, Elim Church,the Community Center and the core downtown area of our community.
Options:
1) Recommend to the City Council to begin the process of forming a SRTS Committee to meet
program requirements.
2) Delay a decision until next year.
3) Recommend the City Council not pursue a SRTS grant.
Recommendation:
Option 1 with the understanding that community parmers will need to be on board and contribute to
the process.
Given the amount of work and interest that has taken place, the PRC should consider recommending
to the City Council that the Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment and
Washington County Public Works be engaged to facilitate a meeting to determine next steps. The
meeting could help determine if it is feasible to write a planning grant to complete a Safe Routes to
School plan,which will analyze existing conditions, gather public input and identify potential
infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions. This could then lead to the formation of a SRTS
committee to complete the walkability and bikability checklists required by MNDOT. This
committee would also identify a grant project and be required to obtain a grant writer.
The deadline for grant submissions for this cycle is fast approaching and while it may not be possible
to get everything completed and submitted this year, if there is interest in a project work could begin
in anticipation for a future grant cycle. Meeting the February 15, 2013 grant deadline would require
a special meeting of the Ciiy Council in early February to approve the project since the regular
meeting of the City Council would not occur until after the deadline (February 19, 2013).
Scandia Elementary Parent Survey
on Walking/Biking to School
Parent's opinions on allowing children to walk and bike to/from school
March 2011
Response Rate:
141 of 306 families (46%)
General Observations:
1) Top 6 issues that affect parents' decisions to allow or not allow biking/walking to
school:
• Speed of traffic along route (77%)
• Distance (73%)
• Amount of traffic along route (72%)
• Safety of intersections and crossings (56%)
• Sidewalks or pathways (53%)
• Weather or climate (48%)
2) Top 6 issues that parents answered YES to the question, "Would you probably let
your child walk or bike to/from school if this problem were changed or improved?"*
• Sidewalks or pathways (35%)
• Speed of traffic along route (34%)
• Distance (33%)
• Amount of traffic along route (33%)
• TIE: Safety of intersections/crossings --weather/climate (27%)
3) Distance from school is an issue for the majority of parents:
• 103 (73%) selected distance as an issue.
• 85 (60%) live 3 or more miles from school
• 67 (48%) live 4 or more miles from school
• 67 (48%) selected distance as an issue AND said they would not feel
comfortable allowing their child to walk/bike at any age.This indicates that
for nearly half of parents, distance (combined with other factors) may be an
obstacle to big to overcome, even if safety issues were alleviated.
*NOTE:A large number of parents did not follow instructions on the multiple-column question on page 2.They
were asked to check on the left if an issue affects their decision to allow walking/biking,and check on the right if
they would probably allow walking/biking if the issue was changed or improved.Many parents only answered
the left or the right side.If they only answered the right side,I assumed they were checking which issues cause
them concern,rather than indicating which changes would alleviate their concerns.This may be why the
percentages are considerably smaller for the changes that would alleviate concerns.
4) Over half of parents (54%) say, "I would not feel comfortable at any
grade" allowing my child to walk or bike to school without an adult.
• Of those parents not comfortable at any grade,the percentage
that checked "Distance"as an issue:......................................................................88%
• Of those not comfortable at any grade, percentage who live 3 or more miles
fromschool......................................................................................................................74%
• Of those not comfortable at any grade, percentage who live
4 or more miles from school.....................................................................................62%
5) 59 parents (42%) provided an age at which they would allow their child to bike.
Six parents (4%) did not answer the question.
• Of the 59 parents who provided an age, 75% live within 4 miles of school.
• Of the 59 parents who provided an age, 59% live within 3 miles of school.
Detailed Results for Selected Questions:
Distance from School:
Less than �/z mile:.....................8 (5.7%)
1/z mile up to 1 mile:................5 (3.5%)
1 mile up to 2 miles:................24 (17.0%)
2 miles up to 3 miles: .............15 (10.6%)
3 miles up to 4 miles: .............18 (12.8%)
4 miles up to 5 miles: .............14 (9.9%)
More than 5 miles:...................53 (37.5%)
No answer: ................................4 (2.8%)
Issues that affect Walking/Biking Decisions*
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Nuiuber (percent) Yes � No Notsure
who checked this
issue
Speed of traffic along route 109 (77%) 48(34%) 22 (16%) 12 (9%)
Distance 103 (73%) 47(31%) 22 (16%) 12 (9%)
Amount of traffic along route 102 (72%) 46(33%) 22 (16%) 8 (6%)
Safety of intersections and 79 (56%) 38(27%) 13 (9%) 5 (3.5%)
crossings
Sidewalks or pathways 75 (53%) 50(35%) 6(4%) 3 (2%)
Weather or climate 68(48%) 38(27%) 18 (13%) 8 (6%)
Time 47(33%) 16(11%) 12 (9%) 5 (3.5%)
Violence and crime 37 (26%) 18(13%) 16(11%) 0
Adults to walk or bike with 35 (25%) 21 (15%) 4(3%) 4(3%)
Crossing guards 30 (21%) 21 (15%) 3(2%) 2 (1%)
Child's before or after-school 17 (12%) 7 (5%) 6(4%) 2 (1%)
activities
Convenience of driving 14(10%) 2 (1%) 6(4%) 1 (0.7%)
*NOTE:A large number of parents did not follow instructions on the multiple-column question on page 2.They
were asked to check the boxes on the left side to indicate if an issue affects their decision to allow
walking/biking.They were asked to check the boxes on the right side to indicate whether they would probably
allow walking/biking if the issue was changed or improved.Many parents only answered the left or the right
side.lf they only answered the right side,I assumed they were checking the issues that cause them concern,
rather than indicating which changes would alleviate their concerns.
Comments:
Comments from families who live under 5 miles from school:
• I would love to have safe bike paths in Scandia. However, Hwy 97 is a major
problem.
• We are excited about having bike trails in Scandia.
• Would consider if there were a bike path or sidewalk for them to ride on.
• I would not allow my child(ren) to cross Hwy 97 by themselves.
• We live on a secluded road with homes having 10 or more acres. Few people can
see the road from their house. My children will not walk or ride their bikes to or
from school. Our nearest bus stop is at least a mile away. Kids walking to school
in the winter is crazy. If there isn't outside recess,how can kids walk to school?
• I would probably still not let my children ride bikes to school, but we would love
to see a trail system and would definitely use it as a family if it came close enough
to our house.
• Olinda is a very busy road with small shoulders one way. If this road had a safe
area to ride bikes, I would let my son ride bike with a neighbor to school during
fall and spring.
• I would love for my child to ride his bike to school as I did as a child.The traffic is
just too heavy. There isn't a sidewalk or riding path.Would like to see that change
to Oakhill Road. Even just a shoulder to have so the kids can ride.
• I think an off-road bike trail alongside Olinda Trail would be an EXCELLENT idea.
• I allow my child to bike or walk to/from school during the non-snowy/icy
months,but I am concerned about safety and traffic along Hwy 97 (part of the
route to school). I do not allow biking in the winter because I worry about the
slippery conditions - dangerous for a biker on the shoulder of a busy highway. I
might consider winter biking if there was a separate bike trail on Hwy. 97.
• We would love to have a bike path down 97, due to the speed and the traffic that
occurs. We would also like a connecting path to get to 95,which would connect to
William 0'Brian.
• We live on Hwy 97 and unless a path were available, I would not feel safe to let
my kids walk or bike on that road regardless of their ages.
• It would be GREAT if we could provide bike paths along Scandia Trail (Hwy 97)!!
• Walking and biking trails are a wonderful idea! I would love to have more in our
area.
• Hwy 97 and Oakhill is a dangerous (curves, speed, number of vehicles)
intersection. Oakhill is now used as a thoroughfare. There is no posted speed
limit; people drive fast and there is not shoulder.
• Too far for my child to ride his bike to school with his backpack.
• My son bikes with a group of classmates, meeting centrally at Scandia Store
before school. I am always concerned with the kids needing to cross 97 to get to
school.
• My child is in kindergarten and will not be walking or biking to school for some
time.
• How about cutting half the bus routes,have kids walk or bike to central location.
Save money-healthy- smart.
• I would love to see a trail/sidewalk on our road (Nolan/Oakhill).
• I love Scandia and the community,but because of people driving through that are
not from the community, I would not allow my child to walk/bike to school. I just
do not think that is safe to do anymore.
• Hwy 97 is the only way to school. [checked would not be comfortable at any
grade]
• My children walk/bike to school but I have always been concerned about the
speed and amount of traffic in front of the school.
• We could have 4 siblings going to Scandia at once—we/they would rather have
them be able to go together instead of 2 able to walk and 2 having to ride the bus.
[indicated in survey that he/she would allow child to walk/bike to school without
an adult starting in 3rd grade]
• Has to cross 97.
• Hwy 97 is a big problem for kids that live north of the highway.Also,traffic on all
roads in Scandia needs to be slowed down.
• If there was a sidewalk/path to school from our house,we would gladly let our
kids use it to get to school/church/etc.
• No sidewalks. Few streetlights. Too far from school.
• 1 would not feel comfortable with my child walking/biking to school without
adult supervision - paths or no paths.
• Olinda is too busy to allow my children to bike on it.
• It's a fun way to help kids get to know each other. Eliminate bus "drama";
motivates child.
• We live too far for my children to walk or bike to school. (4-5 miles)
• Due to the distance we are from school, I do not think this ever will be an option,
especially with our weather. (4-5 miles)
• We live on Hwy 95. Deer cannot safely walk this road.
Comments from families who live 5 or more miles from school:
• We live 9 miles from the school so it's not an option. I think it should be
encouraged for those closer to the school—good and healthy for kids and saves
on bussing. I know many districts won't bus if you live within a mile of the school
(or maybe it's 1/z mile).
• We live too far away from school to walk or bike.
• I prefer bussing since my taxes are paying for that anyway.
• We live much too far away to walk or bike.Also, path would be 2 main highways.
It would be fun and good exercise if possible. I walked as a child.
• The distance is just too far. But if we lived closer, I would certainly have her walk
to school with other kids or by 4th grade or so (alone).
• If we lived closer to the school, I would allow my children to walk or bike. I think
other families would benefit from this.
• Due to distance, it is too far for my children to walk. Crime levels are not high but
kidnappings are always a concern.
• Since we live closer to the Forest Lake side of the Scandia Elementary school
zone, I'm not sure how much my child could ride on a trail.
• We live too far out for bike riding to be an option.
• We are too far to even consider the kids walking or biking.
• We live too far away to bike or walk to school.
• We live too far and travel a highway (97)—no way for us.
• We live too far from school to consider walking or biking.
• Because we live so far away and Scandia Trail (Hwy 97) is our only route to
school,walking or biking would never be an option.
• We are open enrolled at Scandia Elementary. Walking is not an option due to
distance.
• I like the idea of walking/biking, but we live too far away.
• We live too far for the kids to walk.
• I believe most parents in Scandia are pretty strict and wouldn't allow their kids to
walk to school anyway. I have found most parents here to be very protective. It's
kind of a real shame that most kids don't even play outside anymore unless
parents are watching like hawks and hovering around. Maybe money could be
better spent to build a trail to bike/walk on throughout the whole Scandia area.
• A bike path would be great!
• A trail for walking and biking would be nice as traveling on Hwy 97/Scandia Trail
would be dangerous.At this point, our son is too young to do that though (ride
alone).
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To: City of Scandia
From: Julie Greiman, Principal, Scandia Elementary School
Safe Routes to School
1. What are Scandia Elementary's policies on bussing? Who gets a bus ride,and who doesn't?
Minnesota law states that elementary students who live more than a mile of their attendance school need to be
bussed. Secondary students have a two mile radius. In the Forest Lake School District, due to the rural nature
of many of our elementary schools and the fact that students would cross major highways to get to school,the
district offers bussing to all students.
2. What routes are kids using now to walk to school?
Students who walk or bike to school are required to obtain a walk/bike pass from the school because staff
closely monitors their safety. Of the 425 students currently attending Scandia Elementary, no students walk to
school. We do have six students who ride their bicycles. They will follow the frontage road out of the school
parking lot, and then follow the sidewalks along Oakhill Road and Olinda Trail to the center of Scandia, but
after that they must use the shoulders along city streets, county roads, and State Highway 97. These roads
have no sidewalks or trails.
The students who currently bike to school travel a distance of about 2-4 miles each way. Their routes follow
County Road 3 or Oakhill Road (both north and south of Hwy 97), or they follow Hwy 97.
3.What are the problem spots and barriers to walking?
Highway 97 is the biggest barrier and safety concern for Scandia Elementary students who would like to walk
or ride their bicycle to school. Scandia Elementary is located on this major highway, which hasa large volume
of truck and car traffic. The speed limit in front of the school is 50 mph. The safest place to cross Hwy 97 is
still a few blocks east of the school, at the four-way stop on Olinda Trail. There are no walking paths along
this road for safe pedestrian or bike traffic.
There is a lack of sidewalks/paths coming onto the school property. When students do leave the school
grounds by either walking ar riding their bicycles,they need to use the same frontage road as other motorized
vehicles. The frontage road leads to Olinda Trail, which does have a sidewalk that leads into the City of
Scandia; however, once students go into the city there are no safe trails along Olinda and Oakhill for students
to use if they go further.
4. What times of day are they or would they be walking?
School begins at 9:15 and the walkers/bikers arrive at that time or a few minutes earlier. School ends at 3:30,
but the walkers/bikers cannot leave until 3:40 once the buses are dismissed. We do this for safety reasons as
they are both using the frontage road leaving the school property at the same time.
5. How many students walk now? If they don't walk,why not? How many would walk if barriers were
removed?
Currently,we have 6 students riding their bikes. That number for students who ride/walk to Scandia has
stayed fairly consistent over the six years that I have been principal at Scandia. Because of the lack of trails
that are separate from the main roadways, many families are reluctant to allow their students to ride or walk to
school.
For some,there is quite a distance for them to have to cover to get to school as they try to find safe ways to
cross Highway 97 ar the city streets of Olinda and Oakhill.
Here is the breakdown of the number of students who live within the boundaries of Scandia Elementary:
0-1 mile: 22
1-2 miles: 47
2-3 miles: 69
3+miles: 294
A family survey on the use of safe trails would be beneficial in order to determine what the needs are for our
families.
6. How would Safe Bike Routes to School benefit our students at Scandia?
Forest Lake Area Schools places a high priority on student physical fitness and wellness. Our students receive
30 minutes of physical education class daily as well as 20 minutes of recess. The district has a wellness policy
in place and during the 2010-11 school year joined with the Minnesota SHIP program to increase further
health and wellness education in our schools. The Safe Routes grant would allow our students to add more
physical activity into their daily lives. Not only would students be able to use these trails during the school
year, but they would be able to utilize them in the summer months. Connecting the City of Scandia with a safe
trail system would build cohesion and a stronger sense of community within the city boundaries. Future trail
systems could also connect Scandia with other trail systems in the east metropolitan area. The opportunities
for family fitness are endless!
Sincerely,
Julie Greiman, Principal
Scandia Elementary School
Minnesota Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School - For Community Groups Page 1 of 2
Safe Routes to School Program
For community groups
• Whv Safe Routes?
• Get started
• Promotional tips
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Why Safe Routes? �� �" �
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Safe walking and biking routes don't just build healthy children...they build healthy communities.When neighbors �
are out walking and biking,the neighborhood comes to life.People get to know one another.There's less air and ----
noise pollution from car traffia All in all,iYs a good thingl �,ns,,�e�s for conrmun�ty grocps
Safe Routes Minnesota is a program of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.Helping kids develop
healthy habits now also helps kids remain active and healthy as adults.And that means a healthier community,lower health care costs,and a brighter future for all of
us.
We offer funding to schools and municipal units to identify,build,and preserve safer routes so kids can walk and bike to school.Community and nonprofit groups work
with local government to request funds to make improvements in their communities.
Get started
Building a Safe Routes to School program
The first thing you need to know about building a Safe Routes to School program is that Safe Routes Minnesota is here to help.We provide funding to schools to make
improvements to the routes children use to walk and bike to school.These improvements may include physical infrastructure changes or non-infrastructure programs.
Infrastructure examples:
• Tra�c-calming devices("Your Speed"monitors,child alert signs)
• Biking/Walking trails
• New sidewalks
• Additional crosswalks and traffic signals
Non-infrastructure examples:
• Incentive program that rewards kids for walking/biking
• Educational materials to teach kids safety techniques
• Materials to educate the public about driving safely around schools
Six steps to building a Safe Routes program
Step 1:Bring the right people together
Community groups are not eligible to apply for funds on their own.But you can work with appropriate govemmental agencies to apply for funds.In your community,
that might be the department of roads,the city planning office,the local school board,or even the mayor.You may also want to involve principals or teachers at local
schools.Start an inquiry to find out how your town handles opportunities like this.For more information on developing strategic partnerships,see the Community
Partnership Handbook in our Marketing Toolkit.
Step 2:Read the aoolication quidelines(we are no longer accepting applications for 2012)
Learn the requirements for funding.Once you and your key players have an idea what type of project Safe Routes Minnesota will fund,you're ready to move forward.
Step 3:Identify problems
Discuss with your key players any problems that may be creating barciers to walking and biking in the area.You'll want to address all these things as you build your
program.Be sure to remember that the focus is to create safe routes to local schools.Your community will benefit from these changes as well.
Step 4:Develop a plan
Now that your committee has determined why your area is so walker/biker-unfriendly,iYs time to develop strategies to address each issue.You're likely to find more
than one reason children and adults aren't walking or biking.Make sure your plan addresses all the issues.All fund recipients must have a comprehensive plan for
building,promoting,and maintaining safe routes to school.
Step 5:Aoolv for funds
The governmental unit you're working with will use this plan as the basis for your funding application.Consult the application guidelines and begin moving through the
funding process.
Step 6:Implement your program
Once you've been approved for funds,the committee you organized will start implementing your plan.This will include developing a plan of action for both
infrastructure and non infrastructure components of the project.IYs likely that the governmental unit you've been working with will take things over from here.
Promotional tips
Once your Safe Routes to School program is funded and in place,iYs time to make sure your neighbors are participating.For promotional materials,see the Marketing
Toolkit section.Here are some ways you can help promote the program and make sure iYs having the impact it should:
http://www.dotstate.mn.us/saferoutes/communitygrps.html 11/26/2012
Minnesota Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School - For Community Groups Page 2 of 2
• Hold a kickoff event in your neighborhood,focusing on area families.The kickoff event could include presentations about the importance of regular activity;safety
training for kids,parents,and drivers;pedometer giveaways;and the launch of a neighborhood walking contest.
• Inform people about the improvements and events with homemade door-hanger cards.Then,improve your own health by walking door-to-door to hand them out!
. Start a"Rack up the Miles"contest in your neighborhood.People can log the miles(or steps)that they bike and walk,and each month the winner receives a prize.
• Be sure to announce the improvements and associated events at neighborhood association meetings and in the association's newsletter.
• Put up posters around the neighborhood to remind everyone about the importance of walking and biking regularly(especially for children).
• Work with area parents to create walking school bus routes in the neighborhood surrounding your school so kids can walk or bike to school with adult supervision.
• Post signs near the school so drivers will know to expect children crossing.
• Have the local media cover your kickoff events and programs.Interviews with you and your neighbors can reinforce the importance of activity to the community.
• Establish relationships with local law-enforcement and inGude them as a friendly,visible part of the neighborhood safe-route identity.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes/communitygrps.html 11/26/2012