Council authorizes staff to apply for state transit technical‑assistance grant for trolley corridor study

The council approved a resolution authorizing city staff to apply for a state Transportation and Growth Management quick‑response grant to study the Oregon 51 corridor and potential ways to improve trolley travel times and service frequency.

Fred O'Mara presented the proposal and said the trolley service has averaged about 10,000 rides a month and the city is interested in technical assistance to evaluate signal timing, route straightening and other changes to shorten trip times and maintain frequent service. “What this project would allow us to do is go out to the state…the transportation growth management program, and say, hey. Would you help us with some technical assistance to consider these possibilities?” O'Mara said.

Staff noted the grant generally provides technical expertise paid directly to consultants rather than direct cash to the city, and that the City of Monmouth has also adopted a resolution supporting the joint application. Councilors discussed aligning the project with downtown economic development priorities and asked about the grant amount; staff said the program normally pays consultants directly and the application is limited to demonstrating policymaker buy‑in.

The council moved and approved the resolution to authorize the grant application.