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Adopt a Resolution Supporting a Grant Application to the Governor's Highway Safety Program.
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Staff:
Department:
Colleen Willger, Director
Planning
Bergen Watterson, Transportation Planning Manager
Jordan Powell, Complete Streets Specialist
Overview: On January 29, 2021, staff submitted a preliminary application for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) grant program for Fiscal Year 2022. Council must adopt a resolution to finalize the application and accept federal funding from the grant program. If received, the grant funds would pay a part-time GIS/Complete Streets Specialist, who oversees the inter-agency and inter-disciplinary Pedestrian Safety (Road to Zero) Task Force, contribute to Chapel Hill Police Department crosswalk enforcement efforts, and support additional pedestrian safety and education campaigns. This grant application is a continuation of the existing GHSP grant the Town received in FY21.
Recommendation(s):
That the Council adopt the resolution approving the grant application to the Governor's Highway Safety Program in the amount of $64,450.
Key Issues:
* From 2016 to 2020, the Town experienced a total of 127 pedestrian crashes, three of which were fatal.
* Crash clusters occurred within the downtown area and along high-speed corridors.
* Staff created a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan in spring 2019, which aims to create a safe, connected, and accessible community. Staff began implementing the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan in 2020 with the FY21 GHSP grant funding.
* GHSP funds will build off the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, enhance pedestrian safety efforts, and expand community engagement.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: If awarded the $64,450 grant, the Town will be able to fund personnel costs, operating costs, and other direct costs. The personnel costs would cover the part-time GIS/Complete Street Specialist position and overtime hours for off-duty officers for one year. Operating costs would cover expen...
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