Council briefing backs MPO 'Safe Streets' support, Hilliard Avenue study and transit apprenticeship grant applications
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Summary
Assistant City Manager Jade Dundas summarized consent items asking Council support for the French Broad MPO's Safe Streets plan, an application for a 2027 UPWP grant for a Hilliard Avenue study, and authorization to apply for an NCDOT transit apprenticeship grant; staff said these steps will aid grant competitiveness and CIP planning.
Assistant City Manager Jade Dundas said the council would be asked to support the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization's "Safe Streets for Western North Carolina" plan, which staff said would help the city with grant funding and inform pedestrian and traffic safety projects.
Dundas also described Item M, an application for a 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) grant to conduct preliminary design and cost scoping for improvements to Hilliard Avenue, a corridor that ranks high in the city's gap plan. Dundas said the study is intended to help estimate needs and build appropriate budgets for future capital-investment projects.
Dundas presented Item O authorizing the city manager to apply for a North Carolina Department of Transportation public transit apprenticeship grant program to support transit career pathways; Dundas said the program is largely grant-funded, with some city contribution, and noted prior local success advancing employees' transit careers.
Ashley Hare, Director of Transportation, was introduced as staff available to answer questions about the MPO plan; Tony McDowell and audit consultant Terry Beckett were listed as leads for the FY2025 presentation at the PFI meeting where more details on the CIP and transit maintenance garage example will be discussed.