Staff recommends that the Planning Board (PB) forward a recommendation of approval of the Safe Routes to School Plan Update, Phase 2 (the Plan) to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The PCC is scheduled to take final action on the Plan at its meeting on April 16, 2024. 

The Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization conducted a Safe Routes to School Plan, Phase 2 with Sanderson Stewart as the consultant. This plan looked at a mix of Billings Public Schools, County schools within the MPO area, and private schools. Schools in the plan include:

• Ben Steele Middle School
• Billings Central Catholic High School
• Billings Christian Elementary School
• Billings Christian High School
• Castle Rock Middle School
• Elysian School
• Grace Montessori Academy
• Independent Elementary School
• Lewis & Clark Middle School
• Lockwood Schools Campus (K-8)
• Medicine Crow Middle School
• Mount Olive Lutheran School
• Pioneer Elementary School
• Riverside Middle School
• St. Francis Catholic School
• Sunrise Montessori School
• Will James Middle School

The Plan evaluates current walking and biking conditions at the schools above, identifies barriers or issues that might discourage students from walking or biking, develops a list of recommended projects ranked by impact, and develops walking route maps for schools where walking and bicycle infrastructure is currently available (excludes Billings Christian School Elementary, Grace Montessori Academy, and Pioneer Elementary). The 105 infrastructure recommendations were developed by considering several sources, including public input from open houses or tabling sessions at school events, public comment from an interactive website that included a survey and interactive map, on-the-ground walking audits of all of the schools, surveys from principals, discussions with crossing guards, GIS data, and staff expertise. Recommended projects are generally within one mile of the school. Project impact was evaluated using four categories including traffic safety, (project) feasibility, demand, and equity.

The Plan also identified programmatic recommendations to advance Safe Routes to School.

Stakeholders were engaged throughout the development of the Plan. The consultants attended one event at each school at the start of the Plan development. Events varied from formal presentations to tabling at volleyball games and other school events. The public had the opportunity to provide input via an online interactive map and survey. The consultant team conducted walk audits at each school and invited the public to participate. During walk audits, the team spoke with crossing guards at the schools.

During the Public Hearing at the Planning Board on March 12, 2024, there were no comments from the public. The Planning board asked about the implementation timeline for the plan. Staff and consultants clarified that there is no timeline for implementation as this is a plan only and does not dedicate funds for implementation. The City has annual funding for implementation, but the County does not. 

There will be additional opportunities to provide public comment at the Billings City Council, Board of County Commissioners, and the Policy Coordinating Committee public meetings.

Planning Board may: 

• Forward a recommendation of approval of the Safe Routes to School Plan Update, Phase 2, to the Policy Coordinating Committee 
• Not forward a recommendation of approval of the Safe Routes to School Plan Update, Phase 2, to the Policy Coordinating Committee

There are no fiscal effects. This is a plan only. However, the City, County, schools, or other parties, may choose to program funds to implement project recommendations in the future.