Metro - File #: 2018-0642

• File #: 2018-0642
• Type: Motion / Motion Response
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 9/21/2018
• In control: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• On agenda: 9/27/2018
• Title: WE, THEREFORE, MOVE THAT THE CEO: A. report back to the Board in 120 days with potential strategies and methods that Metro may employ in future Open Streets funding processes in order to ensure resources are spread across a wider geographical area, such as examining the impact of the current maximum grant allocation and coordinating with Councils of Governments and other cross-jurisdictional entities to assist with grant-writing for smaller, more disadvantaged cities; B. create a "mini-cycle" in FY2020 of Open Street Grant applications that is open to communities that have not received funding from the Cycle 3 Grants, with a focus on regional equity; and C. identify potential funding sources, including Prop C 25%, of up to $1 million for the "mini-cycle" Open Streets event applications.
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: Grant Aid, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Janice Hahn, Metro’s Open Streets Grant Program, Motion / Motion Response, Open Streets, Program, Robert Garcia, South Bay Cities subregion
• Related files: 2018-0736, 2018-0673

Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Preamble
Motion by:

HAHN, GARCIA, AND DUPONT-WALKER

Related to Item 16 : Open Streets Grant Program

In 2014, Metro launched the Open Streets Grant Program to give LA County residents the opportunity to experience active transportation in a safe and engaging environment, one that connects people to Metro and gives options for transportation that don't involve a car.
Over the last few years, the popularity of this program has blossomed. So much so, that in 2018 in their third Open Streets grant cycle, Metro staff received 26 applications, which is more than in either of the previous two cycles. This level of response indicates a great deal of interest in the program and from cities wishing to bring these popular events to their constituents. Of these 26 applications received, Metro staff recommend a full award to 14, and a partial award to one.
While the Gateway Cities comprised a quarter of the Open Streets applications, they account for only one of the 14 events recommended for a full award, as well as the one partial award recommendation. The amount recommended to be awarded to the Southeast cities represents only 8 percent of the total amount recommended to be awarded across all of LA County. Moreover, during this cycle, not a single South Bay City applied for a grant.
The Metro Board recently adopted the Equity Framework, which is intended to create equality of outcome, and not just equal treatment. Cities with fewer resources available to them should be considered with equity in mind, and not just equal treatment.
Further, all cities that were not recommended for funding in this grant cycle have already hosted successful Open Streets events, made possible through prior Metro Open Streets grant awards. It ought to be the intent of Metro to support the expansion of these projects, whether due to funding, outreach, coordination, scoring, or other measures.

Subject
SUBJECT: AMENDING MOTION BY HAHN, GA...