Title
a. Accept the $192,521 Grant Award from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety (“State OTS”) for the Safe Travels Via Salinas Project; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a Grant Agreement with State OTS in support of the Safe Travels Via Salinas Project for the grant period October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept the $192,521 Grant Award from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety (“State OTS”) for the Safe Travels Via Salinas Project; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute a Grant Agreement with State OTS in support of the Safe Travels Via Salinas Project for the grant period October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Monterey County had 31 bicycle injuries and fatalities per 100,000 population in 2013, a rate which was nearly equal to the state rate of 36 (Office of Traffic Safety Rankings 2013). The rankings identified Monterey County as 18th among the 55 reporting counties in California for bicyclists injured and killed. The City of Salinas ranked 9th among 56 similar California cities for cyclist injuries and fatalities in the state. In 2013, approximately 55 percent of Monterey County cyclist injuries occurred in the City of Salinas. Considering that approximately 36 percent of the county population reside in Salinas, Salinas residents experienced a disproportionately high percentage of cyclist injuries in 2013.
In the City of Salinas in 2015, the Police Department recorded 45 total bicycle collisions. Of those, 36 collisions resulted in injuries, and one vehicle versus bicycle collision resulted in one fatality of a 33 year old gentleman. The County of Monterey and the City of Salinas believe that some elementary, middle and high school students bike to school as an efficient and inexpensive way to commute. It is suspected that more would bike to school, if not for the concern of being struck by an automobile.
On September 1, 2016 Monterey County Health Department received notification as an awardee of the State of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant. Under the Grant Agreement Monterey County Health Department will work with local schools, community based organizations, the media and local contractors to reduce pedestrian, bicyclists and vehicle occupant injuries and fatalities due to collisions. The Monterey County Health Department will provide safety education and bike skills training for students, among elementary schools located near scheduled sidewalk and street infrastructure improvements.
The acceptance of this grant will support the Monterey County Health Department 2011-2015 Strategic Plan Initiative: 1. Empower the community to improve health through programs, policies, and activities. Additionally, this work supports two of the 10 Essential Public Health Services: Mobilizing community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems and inform, educate and empower people about health issues.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form, liability and fiscal provisions respectively. The Agreement utilizes standard hold harmless language.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is fully funded by the State of California Office of Traffic Safety.
Prepared by: Patricia McFadden, 4726
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board
Attachment A is on file with the clerk of the Board