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Commission discusses Alta Planning recommendations for Safe Routes to School and seeks broader stakeholder review
Summary
Commissioners reviewed Alta Planning recommendations for Safe Routes to School, agreed to review the consultant packet at a February work session, and discussed inviting school representatives, the bus contractor and city council for a joint review; staff will ask Alta for schedule flexibility.
Commissioners and staff discussed the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) consultant recommendations prepared by Alta Planning and the timeline for finalizing priorities.
Jennifer, a parks staff member, said Alta Planning delivered draft recommendations and staff must return compiled comments within two weeks; Alta plans to complete final recommendations by summer. Staff and commissioners discussed using the Feb. 6 work session to review the packet and to provide priority guidance back to Alta. Commissioners requested maps showing the location of infrastructure recommendations; staff said Alta had sent a map and staff would circulate it.
Commissioners emphasized the need to involve key partners. Staff and commissioners proposed inviting project-management-team members, school representatives (including principals), the school bus contractor First Student and possibly the school board to a joint work session so stakeholders can resolve competing priorities. Alta told the commission that communities similar to Coos Bay often pursue around $2 million in construction grants; because this project covers three schools, commissioners noted that $2 million would not cover all desired improvements.
Commissioners also asked staff to request a short extension from Alta so the commission and its partners can thoroughly review priorities in a joint session. Staff agreed to ask Alta for schedule flexibility and to provide the commission the packet in advance of the Feb. 6 work session.
Why it matters: the SRTS recommendations will guide grant applications and infrastructure priorities for pedestrian and bike improvements near three schools; commissioners want broad stakeholder input before finalizing priorities.
