The City of Billings is seeking funding to complete a pedestrian connection to Will James School from a planned trail along Broadwater Avenue. The Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approved the Broadwater Trail Connection earlier this year as a CTEP project to build a trail along the north side of Broadwater Avenue from the existing trail at Descro Park to the existing trail on Zimmerman Trail. While funding was not allocated at the time to fund a trail connection from the Broadwater Avenue trail to Will James Middle School along an existing alley right-of-way, the PCC recommended the Will James Connection be included as an alternative and directed staff to seek additional funding options to complete this segment.

The City applied for a Safe Routes to School grant to fund the connection, but that grant was not awarded to the project. The City is now trying to pursue other funding options to complete the Will James Connection. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant for 2012 is due on July 1, 2011, and the City Council is being asked for approval to submit this grant application. The RTP grant is designated for the development of trails for up to $45,000 with this application. The RTP grant provides reimbursement after monies have been expended for construction and requires a 20% match. The match of $9,000 (for the $45,000) can be provided through a BikeNet contribution as they are willing to provide up to $35,000 for the Broadwater Connection Trail with the link to Will James School.

The City Council May:
-Approve of the Recreational Trail Grant Application for up to $45,000 to help complete the Will James Connection;
-Deny the Recreational Trail Grant Application for up to $45,000 to help complete the Will James Connection. If the Council denies the application for the Recreational Trail Grant Application, City staff will have to pursue other sources to help fund this pedestrian facility for school students.

The Recreational Trails Program Grant is being written to provide some funding for the link to Will James School that will connect to the CTEP trail along Broadwater from Descro Park to Zimmerman Trail. The application will request $45,000 which is the maximum amount the City could receive. This grant provides reimbursement after monies have been expended for the development and requires a 20% match. The match, which will not exceed $9,000, can be awarded from BikeNet as they have committed up to $35,000 for the Broadwater Trail connection with link to Will James School.

Staff recommends that Council direct the Mayor to sign the Recreational Trails Program Grant Application so the City may apply for up to $45,000 to help fund the trail connection to Will James School.