Roswell committee approves pursuit of federal SS4A grant to fund priority safety projects

City staff told the committee they will pursue a U.S. Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to fund safety projects in Roswell identified in the 2025 Safety Action Plan. "The federal highway process allows projects up to $25 million. We're not going to get there," the presenter said, noting past Roswell requests were larger and that current strategy is to seek an amount consistent with common awards in the $5–8 million range. Staff said the city plans to apply for two priority projects (one near Warsaw Road and one covering Mimosa Boulevard and Atlanta Street between Area Highway and Woodstock Road) and that if both are awarded the city would provide a 20% local match presented in staff remarks as about $1.355 million.

Council members asked whether proposed projects duplicate other planned work and about administrative/reporting burdens. Staff said some ranked items overlap with other programs (for example, neighborhood calming and multi-use trail projects addressing some issues) and that grant administration would be handled in coordination with existing grant specialists and finance staff, with typical quarterly reporting if awarded.

Council Member Jennifer Philippy moved to pursue the grant; Mayor Mary Robisho seconded. The committee voted unanimously to authorize staff to pursue the application. Staff emphasized that pursuing the grant at this stage imposes no binding obligation for local match until and unless the city accepts an award and approves matching funding.