Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an ordinance adopted by the City Council on December 23, 2024, and signed by the Mayor on December 24, 2024, authorizing the Mayor to Accept Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Federal Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and to Create a Road Safety Action Plan for the City of Mount Vernon - ($296,000 SS4A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The City is further authorized to provide the required $74,000 matching funds, which shall be funded through the Department of Public Works Expense Code A5110-433); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO ACCEPT SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR
ALL (SS4A) FEDERAL GRANT FROM THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO
CREATE A ROAD SAFETY ACTION PLAN FOR
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
Whereas, by letter dated December 16, 2024, the Department of Planning and Community Development Commissioner requested legislation authorizing the Mayor to accept the $296,000 SS4A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The City is further authorized to provide the required $74,000 matching funds, which shall be funded through the Department of Public Works Expense Code A5110-433; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon has been awarded a grant in the amount of $296,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) as part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant program; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon seeks to use the grant funds to create a Road Safety Action Plan as an essential first step toward meeting its goal of being a zero-fatality city; and
Whereas, local data demonstrates an increasing need for a Road Safety Action Plan, as Mount Vernon experienced a 19% annual increase in traffic accidents in 2022, as reported by the Fire Department of Mount Vernon in 2023; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon, through its Departments of Planning, Community Development, and Public Works, will collaborate to create a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan to identify high-risk areas, develop safety strategies, and improve roadway conditions; and
Whereas, the creation of this plan will involve the engagement of a qualified consultant and the completion of specific tasks, including but not limited to:
• Establishing a Road Safety Task Force comprising staff, key stakeholders, and selected Mount Vernon residents to assist in preparing and recommending the plan;
• Collecting and mapping roadway data to provide an in-depth analysis of current conditions, incorporating incident data from the Fire and Police Departments;
• Conducting a robust community engagement effort with stakeholders and the public to ensure community input and participation;
• Preparing a comprehensive analysis using the collected data and community input to identify specific locations or conditions within the City that are at greater risk, with a focus on safety, equity, and existing policy and processes; and
Whereas, the acceptance of this grant requires a local matching contribution of $74,000, which will be funded from the Department of Public Works Expense Code A5110-433; and
Whereas, the City Council of Mount Vernon finds it to be in the best interest of the City to accept this federal grant and authorize the implementation of the Road Safety Action Plan to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to authorize the Mayor to accept a $296,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program and to authorize the creation of a Road Safety Action Plan for the City of Mount Vernon. This plan aims to improve traffic safety, reduce roadway fatalities, and ensure safer streets for all residents.
Section 2. Authorization to Accept Grant and Approve Matching Funds. The Mayor is hereby authorized to accept the $296,000 SS4A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The City is further authorized to provide the required $74,000 matching funds, which shall be funded through the Department of Public Works Expense Code A5110-433.
Section 3. Authorization to Create a Road Safety Action Plan. The Mayor is hereby authorized to oversee and facilitate the development of a Road Safety Action Plan in collaboration with the Departments of Planning, Community Development, and Public Works. This effort will include the engagement of a qualified consultant and the completion of specific project tasks, including but not limited to:
• The formation of a Road Safety Task Force to guide and assist in the preparation and recommendation of the plan;
• The collection and mapping of roadway data to understand current conditions, including data from the Fire and Police Departments;
• A comprehensive public engagement effort to involve community stakeholders and residents in shaping the plan;
• The preparation of a comprehensive analysis to identify high-risk areas, develop targeted solutions, and promote safety, equity, and policy improvements.
Section 4. Authorization for Office of the Comptroller. The Office of the Comptroller is hereby authorized to accept the $296,000 grant into a designated Revenue Code to be determined by the Finance Office and to make any necessary budget adjustments to reflect the receipt and allocation of these funds.
Section 5. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions or applications of this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable.
Section6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.