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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/1/2021 Item 6a, Skapinsky Wilbanks, Megan From:Tony Skapinsky < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Funding for Active Transportation Network This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Dear Mayor and City Council, Dear Mayor and City Council On May 31, 2021, the Revenue Enhancement Oversight Commission reviewed and supported the staff proposed allocation of Local Revenue Measure funds as part of the 2021-23 Financial Plan. The recommended budget allocation included $2.45 million for the Anholm Neighborhood Greenway Plan Implementation. I understand that the City of SLO has also been recently awarded a $1.7 million grant from the Californian Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) as part of their Urban Greening Program and that, due to time constraints, these funds had not yet been included in the Anholm Greenway improvement budget line item. Given that the $1.7 million in additional grant funds may conceivably be used to supplant general funds recommended for the Anholm Greenway, I would urge the council to consider that any reprogrammed funds be targeted towards projects that directly align with the Active Transportation Plan and not be reprogrammed for capital projects that do not directly support bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The capital funding requirements to meet the objectives of the Active Transportation Plan are many and long-term, and we as a community should continue to look for outside grant opportunities that may help to accelerate its implementation. By reprogramming general funds away from bike and pedestrian improvement projects when grant funds come in, we are effectively de-incentivizing future capital fundraising efforts for these projects. Thank you for your consideration. Tony Skapinsky Revenue Enhancement Oversight Commissioner City of San Luis Obispo 1