Council approves $80,915 phase‑1 engineering to pursue Safe Routes grant at Kirchhoff & Oriole

The Rolling Meadows City Council voted unanimously to support submittal of a Safe Routes to School application and to award phase‑1 engineering to Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick, Inc. in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $80,915.

City staff explained that including a phase‑1 engineering study strengthens the city's grant application by documenting alternatives and design work. "When applying for the safe route to school grant, it helps significantly if you have council support for a phase 1, engineering study," staff said, adding the study will examine multiple alternatives for improving pedestrian safety and may include infrastructure changes.

Council members debated whether the $80,915 study — focused on a single intersection — was the best use of funds versus seeking a corridorwide approach; proponents said a focused study increases the city's chance of securing state grant funding and that phase‑1 work is 100% reimbursable if the project falls within grant thresholds. The contract was approved 7‑0.

Staff said the engineering study will produce alternatives for council review, and any larger construction plans or IDOT requirements would return to council for further direction and final approval.