Staff recommends that the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). 

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, developed a list of recommended projects ranked by impact, and developed 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. 

TAC may:

• Forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee; or,
• Forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee with recommended changes; or
• Not forward a recommendation of approval. 

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.