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Council approves termination of ODOT Safe Routes to School grant after railroad crossing cost increase
Summary
The McMinnville City Council unanimously voted to terminate an ODOT Safe Routes to School grant agreement after the railroad owner said crossing work would be classified as an improvement, substantially increasing project costs beyond the awarded grant.
The McMinnville City Council unanimously approved a resolution terminating the city’s intergovernmental grant agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for Safe Routes to School pedestrian improvements near Sue Buell Elementary and Patton Middle School.
Why it matters: The project had been awarded a Safe Routes to School grant of $938,000 with a city match of $234,000; during design and scoping the railroad owner informed the city that changes at the rail crossing would be considered an improvement rather than maintenance, triggering substantial additional rail‑safety upgrades the city would be required to fund. Staff estimated the revised total cost could be $1.2–$1.8 million above the current scope.
Public Works staff recommended terminating the agreement without penalty because no grant funds had been spent. Project manager Jeff Hunsucker told the council that moving forward under the currently scoped grant would require the city to commit to substantial additional costs; “what we thought was gonna be a couple hundred thousand dollars ended up jumping up to 1.2 to $1,800,000,” he said.
The council passed the termination resolution unanimously; staff noted the city remains eligible to reapply for larger Safe Routes to School grants (current SRTS awards can be up to $3 million), and that staff will continue to explore alternate approaches and coordination with the landowner and nearby property owners. Councilor Sal Peralta asked staff to pursue potential interim measures, including outreach to the Lynnfield property owners about a public‑access easement on the existing nature trail as a walking route alternative; staff said they will initiate those discussions.
What’s next: With the IGA terminated and no funds expended, the city avoids having to reimburse ODOT. Staff will investigate alternate funding options, consider re‑application to larger SRTS grants and explore interim pedestrian routing and easement options.
