CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Planning & Development Services		Commission Meeting Date: December 5, 2017
Staff Contact:	Jessica Mortinger, Senior Transportation Planner
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Authorize staff to submit a team for consideration to participate in the Step It Up!: Walkability Action Institute planning program and authorize the Mayor to sign commitment of participation for a City Commissioner to be identified if selected to participate.
Executive Summary:		The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Step It Up!: Walkability Action Institute offers an opportunity for interdisciplinary teams to participate in a process to work on goals to promote walking and walkability. Acceptance to the program is awarded through a competitive application process. If selected to participate, a grant stipend is provided for the team to attend a 4-day conference in Atlanta, GA during April 2018. Applications are due December 8, 2017. The Walkability Action Institute engages the team in a visioning and planning process with professional expertise and peer regions working on walkability. The program would support the City’s efforts to plan and construct pedestrian facilities, develop the multimodal transportation staff team’s capacity, develop the Regional Pedestrian Plan and support the Transportation Commission. The City’s interdisciplinary team will include staff from the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the City’s Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Police departments. The program also requires participation of a Health Department representative and an elected official. Staff recommends authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter committing one commissioner to serve as a team member if the City is selected for participation in the program. The commissioner would be committed to the following: • Attend a pre‐ and post-course webinar and develop required deliverables. • Attend 100% of the sessions at the multi‐day action institute hosted in Atlanta, Georgia between April 9-12, 2018. • Develop and implement an action plan identifying policy, systems, and environmental strategies to improve walkability.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Collaborative Solutions
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		If selected, the City will receive a $6,804 stipend for travel. The fiscal impact to the City is budgeted staff time from the committed staff to participate in the planning process.
Attachments:		City Commissioner Commitment Letter Grant Information

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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