Commission hears SS4A timing concerns as it plans a public Complete Streets education session

Commissioners discussed the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program and a linked public‑education event on Complete Streets during the May 12 Traffic Advisory Commission meeting.

Eric, the commission’s liaison to the SS4A task force, reported that city leadership had decided to apply early to an SS4A implementation grant in the 2025 funding round rather than wait for the previously planned 2026 timeline. “City leadership has made this decision to apply to an implementation grant in the '25 funding round, 1 year ahead of the original timeline,” Eric said, noting the team intends to use the East‑West Gateway plan to support the application because the local safety action plan is not yet complete.

Commissioners raised concerns about skipping the originally planned planning and demonstration schedule and asked for more detail about whether demonstration activities and environmental reviews required under the planning grant would still proceed. Commissioners agreed to collect written questions and requested staff attempt to set a briefing with SS4A program leads or East‑West Gateway staff so the commission can better understand how the funding timing affects local demonstration projects and environmental studies.

Separately, the commission’s education subcommittee described planned public outreach with TrailNet, a nonprofit active in regional walking and biking education. The subcommittee is planning a 90‑minute community meeting that would explain “what is Complete Streets,” show local success stories and give residents hands‑on, short activities aimed at encouraging walking and biking. The subcommittee said TrailNet is ready to invoice the commission; the invoice deadline discussed was June 30 for work to be billed. The subcommittee proposed hosting the session at the Webster Groves Public Library or the Rec Center on a weekday evening between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. in mid‑July or early August and asked TrailNet to provide a draft agenda and promotional materials so the city’s public‑relations staff can schedule publicity.

Commissioners agreed the education session should introduce the Complete Streets concept and provide practical examples of how residents can use existing assets to walk and bike more safely. The commission asked TrailNet to return with a short, sample agenda and promotional cut sheet; staff agreed to handle scheduling and promotion and to coordinate invitations with other relevant city boards and commissions.

No formal vote occurred on grant strategy. The commission’s actions were limited to requesting a staff briefing on SS4A timing and to tasking the education subcommittee with finalizing event logistics and promotional materials for the TrailNet session.