City Council Meeting Date: June 3, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Jacob Ives, Graduate Engineer
Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, City Engineer/Public Works Director
Title
Consider Approving Application for the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) 2025 Planning Grant.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the application submittal for the USDOT Planning Grant for Safe Streets and Roads for All.
Summary Report:
Staff are requesting Council consideration of support to apply for $300,000 in grant funds from the USDOT and proposing to use $75,000 from the general Fund to satisfy the 20% match requirement of the grant. The application is an online form; however, an application narrative (Attachment 1) has been included with the Council report for background information.
The City Adopted 2025-2028 Strategic Plan includes a strategic initiative to create a Safe Street for All Plan. Completion of the plan will help identify specific priorities for improved pedestrian safety. An Action Plan is required in order to become eligible for Federal Implementation grants. Typically, those grants provide 80% federal funding and 20% local match.
Background
The USDOT is soliciting project proposals to distribute $402 million to communities to prepare a Safe Streets and Roads for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. This plan is meant to address and prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The components of a safety action plan consist of:
* Leadership Commitment and Goal Setting
o Commitment by Council to an eventual goal of zero roadway fatalities.
o Includes a target date for zero fatalities or a percent reduction by a certain date.
* Planning Structure
o A committee, or similar body, charged with the development of the action plan.
* Safety Analysis
o Analysis of existing and historical trends, crash locations and severity.
o Analysis include...
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