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Chase County OKs application for federal Safe Streets for All planning grant, approves hiring Blue Valley Consulting
Summary
Chase County commissioners authorized applying for a federal Safe Streets for All planning grant and approved a master service agreement with Blue Valley Consulting to prepare the safety action plan and offer engineering support for road and bridge projects.
Chase County commissioners voted May 30 to move forward with an application for the federal Safe Streets for All planning grant and authorized a master service agreement with Blue Valley Consulting, a two-person engineering firm led by Brandy Sutherland, to help write the application and provide on-call engineering services.
The commissioners approved the application to seek funding for a safety action plan that would identify prioritized pedestrian, bicycle and roadway safety improvements countywide. County staff told the commission the planning phase typically costs about $100,000 and requires a 20% match; the match can be cash or in-kind and Build Kansas funds were discussed as one possible source.
County officials described two separate engagements with Blue Valley Consulting: (1) grant-writing and preparation of the Safe Streets for All safety action plan, a fees-to-be-reimbursed arrangement contingent on available grant-writing assistance funds from the Kansas Infrastructure Hub or the Flint Hills Regional Council; and (2) a separate, project-by-project engineering support arrangement for smaller bridge and culvert design, permitting and stamped plans. Commissioners authorized county staff to execute the master service agreement and directed the county attorney and staff to circulate the agreement for signature.
The commissioners said they were comfortable with a limited, hourly or project-based engagement rather than a long-term exclusive retainer. They asked county staff to provide the board with the full draft contract and a scope-and-fee schedule for the engineering services; commissioners asked for periodic updates on work performed and invoicing so the board could monitor use and costs.
The board moved unanimously to authorize the Safe Streets for All application and to approve a master service agreement with Blue Valley Consulting, with authority for the county signatory to execute the agreement and for staff to pursue available state grant-reimbursement mechanisms for the planning match.
Next steps include submitting the grant application, finalizing the Blue Valley Consulting contract with an hourly/scope schedule, and returning to the commission with progress reports and invoices if the county signs the master service agreement.
