Moses Lake seeks input on transportation improvements to receive grant money
Moses Lake officials want residents to take an online survey to help them ensure the city’s Complete Streets policy meets people’s transportation needs, a release from the city stated. The city also must hastily update the policy to compete for grants and will need grant writing support, according to city council packet information.
The city adopted a Complete Streets policy in 2012, which “integrates people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our transportation networks,” according to the National Complete Streets Coalition website. “This helps to ensure streets put safety over speed, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.”
The national coalition’s site said people “ought to have safe, comfortable, and convenient access to community destinations and public places – whether walking, driving, bicycling, moving actively with assistive devices, or taking public transportation.”
It also stated those things were “especially true for people who have experienced systemic underinvestment, or whose needs have not been met through a traditional transportation approach, including older adults, people living with disabilities, people who cannot afford or do not have access to a car, and Black, Native, and Hispanic or Latino/a/x communities.”
Firm Foundation Community Consulting likely will be paid about $7,176.40 to help with the city’s project from September through November, according to the city council packet information.
The city’s Complete Streets grant sources could include the Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), Washington Feet First, Cascade Bicycle Club and Future Wise, documents stated.
The deadlines for grants are October and November and a letter was sent from the city to the aforementioned agences to alert them the city wants to be included in grant money.
“City Staff quickly recognized the need for specialized ordinance revisions and grant support to compete for trails, sidewalks, and streets grant funding,” packet information stated. “Brooklyn Holton, of Firm Foundations, was identified as having excellent credentials, Complete Street experience, and great contacts with the Complete Street grant agencies.”
To complete the survey in English or Spanish, visit www.firmfoundationscc.com and click on the banner at the top of the page. The survey asks for the participant’s name, race, income, age, transportation mode and any transportation improvements they’d like to see in the city.
Holton said at Tuesday’s Moses Lake City Council meeting a report based on that survey will help guide policy, and will be available in about two months.