AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
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Support a Governor's Highway Safety Program Grant Application for FY26
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RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Kurt Stolka, Vision Zero Coordinator, Planning Department
Bergen Watterson, Mobility and Greenway Manager, Planning Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
That the Council adopt the resolution approving the FY26 grant application to the Governor's Highway Safety Program in the amount of $174,986.
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BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
On January 30, 2025, staff submitted a preliminary application for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) grant program for Fiscal Year 2026. The grant application seeks funding to continue organizing and managing the Town's work on pedestrian safety and aggressively implement the Town's Vision Zero Action Plan. On June 24, 2025, the GHSP approved the Town's FY26 grant application, and now Council must adopt a resolution to finalize the application for $174,986 of federal funding from the grant program.
The grant funds support a full-time Vison Zero Coordinator, part-time Vision Zero Intern, contributes to Chapel Hill Police Department overtime crosswalk enforcement efforts, and future pedestrian safety and education campaigns. The funding covers expenses for outreach and education campaigns, community stakeholder events, food and drink for events, and supplies for quick-build demonstration safety projects. Other direct costs would cover in-state and out-of-state travel to conferences and trainings. his grant application is a continuation of the existing GHSP grant the Town originally received in FY21.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
If awarded the $174,986 grant, the Town will continue to fund personnel costs, operating costs, and other direct costs related to the Vision Zero work in the FY26 grant year (October 1, 2025-September 30, 2026). There is no local match for the grant. If the Town receives the grant, staff will bring an item back to Council to formally recognize ...
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