Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-36: A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between MetroPlan and the City of Flagstaff for project management of the Transportation Alternatives Safe Routes to School Grant Award
 

1. Read Resolution No. 2024-36 by title only
2. City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2024-36 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-36

This Resolution will approve an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Flagstaff and MetroPlan. The IGA establishes project management and grant oversight roles and responsibilities for each agency – including preliminary design – for Safe Routes to School Infrastructure projects that will be funded with the Transportation Alternatives grant.
 
MetroPlan received a Transportation Alternatives grant from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) passed through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the preliminary design of missing infrastructure associated to access to schools. Mountain Line and the City of Flagstaff are providing match for the grant. Transportation Alternatives Programs funds are Federal Highway Administration funds and require compliance with all Federal rules.
 
A program of projects for the Transportation Alternatives grant was identified during a joint planning process of MetroPlan, the City of Flagstaff, Mountain Line and Flagstaff Unified Planning School District. The projects generally include missing or undersized sidewalk segments, enhanced at-grade pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, bikeway enhancements, speed management, and transit access. Projects selected include:

1. Pine Cliff: A feasibility study for a left turn from the north end of Pine Cliff Drive onto Forest Avenue to facilitate left turn bus movements with the purpose of realigning Mountain Line’s Route 2 to better serve schools and development in the area.
2. Northeast Schools: Corridor Plans for Fourth Street between Route 66 and Linda Vista Drive, Cedar Avenue/Lockett Road between West Street and King Street including connections to King Street, and Sixth Avenue between Izabel Street and Fourth Street. Proposed improvements should facilitate comfortable multimodal access for K-12 students to access a variety of schools in the area including Coconino High School, Mount Elden Middle School, Puente de Hozho, Pine Forest Charter School, and WF Killip Elementary School. These corridor plans should evaluate potentially bold changes to their streets.
3. Knoles: Multimodal safety improvements associated with accessing Knoles Elementary School. Improvement ideas include a potential crossing of Butler at Mustang Way, traffic calming measures along Butler Avenue, sidewalk improvements along Butler Avenue, and the evaluation of other potentially useful sidewalk connections in the immediate vicinity or surrounding area (as far away as Continental Drive).

Grant funding will be used to hire a design consultant to conduct preliminary planning and prepare concept design plans for the improvements. This grant does not fund construction of the projects.

Project Name: Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Preliminary Design
Cost: City of Flagstaff grant match of 5.7 percent, which is up to $28,500 (Total cost is $500,000).
Account Number Budgeted:   048-10-120-3512-6-4421
FY Budgeted Amount:  $270,000
Grant Funded: Yes, but not the City of Flagstaff match.
Funding Source: Pedestrian and bicycle component of the transportation sales tax (Prop 419).

There are no policy impacts.

Pedestrian, bicycle, and transit projects to be studied will help implement infrastructure recommendations from the Active Transportation Master Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in November of 2022, and subsequently amended in July of 2023.
 
Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Safe and Healthy Community

• Promote physical and mental well-being through providing recreation opportunities, parks, open space, ad active transportation options
• Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards as well as best practices for building and land use

 
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure

• Provide, manage, and maintain effective infrastructure for multimodal and active transportation

 
Livable Community

• Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle
• Work with regional partners that provide equitable and inclusive educational and cultural opportunities for Flagstaff residents of all ages

 
Environmental Stewardship

• Implement sustainable building practices, enhance waste diversion programs, alternative energy programs and multi-modal transportation options

 
 
Carbon Neutrality Plan
Decreased Dependence on Cars

• DD-2: Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.
• DD-3: Encourage Flagstaff residents and visitors to walk, bike, roll and take the bus.

 
Regional Plan
Goal E.1. Increase energy efficiency.

• Policy E.1.5. Promote and encourage the expansion and use of energy-efficient modes of transportation: a. Public transportation, b. Bicycles, c. Pedestrians

 
Goal CC.4. Design and develop all projects to be contextually sensitive, to enhance a positive image and identity for the region.

• Policy CC.4.1. Design streetscapes to be context sensitive and transportation systems to reflect the desired land use while balancing the needs of all modes for traffic safety and construction and maintenance costs.

 
Goal CC.5. Support and promote art, science, and education resources for all to experience.

• Policy CC.5.4. Complete sidewalks and Flagstaff Urban Trails System connections for all schools, community colleges, and university campuses.

 
Goal T.1. Improve mobility and access throughout the region.

• Policy T.1.3. Transportation systems are consistent with the place type and needs of people.

 
Goal T.2. Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes.

• Policy T.2.1. Design infrastructure to provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
• Policy T.2.3. Provide safety programs and infrastructure to protect the most vulnerable travelers, including the young, elderly, mobility impaired, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

 
Goal T.5. Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community.

• Policy T.5.2. Improve pedestrian visibility and safety and raise awareness of the benefits of walking.
• Policy T.5.4. Design streets with continuous pedestrian infrastructure of sufficient width to provide safe, accessible use and opportunities for shelter.

 
Goal T.6. Provide for bicycling as a safe and efficient means of transportation and recreation.

• Policy T.6.4. Encourage bikeways and bicycle infrastructure to serve the needs of a full range of bicyclist experience levels.

 
Goal PF.2. Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.

• Policy PF.2.5. Pursue cooperative and coordinated planning between government jurisdictions, agencies, educational institutions, non-profits, and private service providers.

  
10-Year Housing Plan
Create 5: Explore regulatory efficiency and cost-saving practices.

• Create 5.8: Prioritize Capital Improvement Projects that facilitate affordable housing.

 
Connect 3: Integrate healthcare into housing programs, and housing into healthcare programs, as appropriate.

• Connect 3.2: Encourage neighborhoods, housing types, and building practices that increase health.

1. Approve the IGA and funding to complete the project.
2. Not approve the IGA and funding.

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Safe and Healthy Community

• Promote physical and mental well-being through providing recreation opportunities, parks, open space, ad active transportation options
• Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards as well as best practices for building and land use

 
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure

• Provide, manage, and maintain effective infrastructure for multimodal and active transportation

 
Livable Community

• Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle
• Work with regional partners that provide equitable and inclusive educational and cultural opportunities for Flagstaff residents of all ages

 
Environmental Stewardship

• Implement sustainable building practices, enhance waste diversion programs, alternative energy programs and multi-modal transportation options

Regional Plan
Goal E.1. Increase energy efficiency.

• Policy E.1.5. Promote and encourage the expansion and use of energy-efficient modes of transportation: a. Public transportation, b. Bicycles, c. Pedestrians

 
Goal CC.4. Design and develop all projects to be contextually sensitive, to enhance a positive image and identity for the region.

• Policy CC.4.1. Design streetscapes to be context sensitive and transportation systems to reflect the desired land use while balancing the needs of all modes for traffic safety and construction and maintenance costs.

 
 
Goal CC.5. Support and promote art, science, and education resources for all to experience.

• Policy CC.5.4. Complete sidewalks and Flagstaff Urban Trails System connections for all schools, community colleges, and university campuses.

 
Goal T.1. Improve mobility and access throughout the region.

• Policy T.1.3. Transportation systems are consistent with the place type and needs of people.

 
Goal T.2. Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes.

• Policy T.2.1. Design infrastructure to provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
• Policy T.2.3. Provide safety programs and infrastructure to protect the most vulnerable travelers, including the young, elderly, mobility impaired, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

 
Goal T.5. Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community.

• Policy T.5.2. Improve pedestrian visibility and safety and raise awareness of the benefits of walking.
• Policy T.5.4. Design streets with continuous pedestrian infrastructure of sufficient width to provide safe, accessible use and opportunities for shelter.

 
Goal T.6. Provide for bicycling as a safe and efficient means of transportation and recreation.

• Policy T.6.4. Encourage bikeways and bicycle infrastructure to serve the needs of a full range of bicyclist experience levels.

 
Goal PF.2. Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.

• Policy PF.2.5. Pursue cooperative and coordinated planning between government jurisdictions, agencies, educational institutions, non-profits, and private service providers.

Carbon Neutrality Plan
Decreased Dependence on Cars

• DD-2: Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.
• DD-3: Encourage Flagstaff residents and visitors to walk, bike, roll and take the bus.

10-Year Housing Plan
Create 5: Explore regulatory efficiency and cost-saving practices.

• Create 5.8: Prioritize Capital Improvement Projects that facilitate affordable housing.

 
Connect 3: Integrate healthcare into housing programs, and housing into healthcare programs, as appropriate.

• Connect 3.2: Encourage neighborhoods, housing types, and building practices that increase health.