CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Planning & Development Services		Commission Meeting Date: February 6, 2018
Staff Contact:	Jessica Mortinger, Senior Transportation Planner
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Appoint and authorize a City Commissioner to participate in the Walkability Action Institute, April 9-12^th, in Atlanta, GA and accept the travel stipend for the City’s interdisciplinary team.
Executive Summary:		The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors has selected the Lawrence interdisciplinary team to participate in the 2018 Step It Up!: Walkability Action Institute. A grant stipend to attend the 4-day conference in Atlanta, GA will be provided. The Institute engages the team in a visioning and planning process with professional expertise and peer regions working on walkability. The program supports the City’s efforts to plan and construct pedestrian facilities, develop the multimodal transportation staff team’s capacity, and support the Transportation Commission. The City’s interdisciplinary team includes staff from the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City’s Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Police departments. The program also requires participation of a Health Department representative and an elected official. In December 2017, the City Commission authorized the Mayor to sign a letter committing a commissioner to serve as a team member if the City is selected for participation in the program. The commissioner’s commitment: • Attend a pre‐ and post-course webinar and participate in the development of required deliverables • Attend 100% of the sessions at the multi‐day action institute hosted in Atlanta, Georgia on April 9-12th • Participate with the team in the development and implement of an action plan identifying policy, systems, and environmental strategies to improve walkability. The City’s Travel Policy requires travel for elected officials and appointed commission members to be submitted to the City Commission for approval.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Collaborative Solutions
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		A $6,804 grant from National Association of Chronic Disease Directors will be used for travel. The budgeted travel is estimated to exceed the grant by $559. The travel expenses not covered by the grant for MPO staff will be paid for by MPO Consolidated Planning Grant funding and the 20% local match as budgeted in the general fund. The general fund expenses are expected to be $112.
Attachments:		Grant Information December 5, 2017 City Commission Memo Travel Request

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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