January 13, 2004

SUBJECT: Acceptance of the Office of Traffic Safety Grant for Speed Radar Signs and Budget Modification No. 21

REPORT IN BRIEF

Sunnyvale has received $22,500 in State aid from the State of California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a Speed Radar Sign Neighborhood Speed Reduction Project.

This grant will fund the purchase of three solar powered speed radar signs to be installed in neighborhoods with vehicular speeding concerns, specifically in the vicinity of a school and/or recreational facility where there is a relatively high incidence of pedestrian/vehicle collisions. The exact location will be determined during phase one of the project.

The Office of Traffic Safety does not require local matching funds. Construction costs and services necessary for the coordination, administration and evaluation of the project will be fully absorbed in the Department of Public Work’s operating budget.

Staff recommends Council authorize Budget Modification No. 21 to accept the Office of Traffic Safety grant and appropriate the funds into a new capital project. 

BACKGROUND

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is a state agency charged with reducing fatalities, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes through the administration of the California Highway Safety Plan (HSP).

Each November, OTS requests proposals addressing traffic safety problems from all interested and eligible agencies. OTS reviews proposals against several criteria including: potential traffic safety impact, collision statistics, seriousness of identified problem(s), and performance on previous grants. The grants are distributed throughout seven identified regions, including: Northern California, Bay Area, Central Coast, Central California, Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Orange Counties and Southern Border. The total dollar allocation for the new grants is $80.3 million.

There are nine priority areas that have been identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grant funding. These grants, administered by OTS, are as follows: Alcohol and other drugs, Occupant Protection, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, Traffic Records, Emergency Medical Services, Roadway Safety, Police Traffic Services, Motorcycle Safety, and Speed Control.  The grant received by Sunnyvale is in the Roadway Safety Category. 

EXISTING POLICY

The following documents contain policy direction on this issue:

Land Use and Transportation Element C3: Attain a transportation system that is effective, safe, pleasant, and convenient.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.7: Pursue local, state and federal transportation funding sources to finance City transportation capital improvement projects consistent with City priorities.

DISCUSSION

Sunnyvale has received $22,500 in State aid from the State of California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a Speed Radar Sign Neighborhood Speed Reduction Project.

This grant will fund the purchase of three solar powered speed radar signs to be installed in neighborhoods with vehicular speeding concerns, specifically in the vicinity of a school and/or recreational facility where there is a relatively high incidence of pedestrian/vehicle collisions. The exact location will be determined during phase one of the project.

The Office of Traffic Safety does not require local matching funds. Construction costs and services necessary for the coordination, administration and evaluation of the project will be fully absorbed in the Department of Public Work’s operating budget.

Staff recommends Council authorize Budget Modification No. 21 to accept the Office of Traffic Safety grant, and appropriate the funds into a new capital project.

FISCAL IMPACT

Staff recommends Council authorize Budget Modification No. 21 to appropriate the $22,500 Office of Traffic Safety grant funding into a new capital project. This project will be fully funded by the OTS grant, with no fiscal impact to the City.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Approve Budget Modification No. 21 to accept the Office of Traffic Safety  grant in the amount of $22,500 and appropriate the funds into a new capital project.

2. Do not approve Budget Modification No. 21 and decline the Office of Traffic Safety grant in the amount of $22,500.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Prepared by:

Dieckmann Cogill
Transportation Planner 

Reviewed by:

Jack Witthaus
Traffic and Transportation Manager 

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose
Director, Public Works

Reviewed by:

Mary Bradley
Director, Finance

Approved by:

Amy Chan
Acting City Manager