Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 2, 2021
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS HAHN, SOLIS, GARCETTI, SANDOVAL, AND DUTRA
Related to Item 9: Open and Slow Streets Grant Program Cycle Four
Since Metro launched its Open Streets Grant Program in 2014, it has provided nearly $13 million in grant funding to cities throughout LA County for open streets events that allow people to experience active transportation in safe, new, and exciting ways.
In its third cycle, Metro even provided flexibility halfway through the program, allowing cities to repurpose open streets funding toward “slow” streets efforts that responded to the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. As open streets events return, the number and diversity of applications to Metro’s Open and Slow Streets Cycle Four Grant Funding Opportunity reflect a significant increase in demand for these events. Of the 27 grant applications received, Metro staff recommend a full award to 12, and a partial award to one, leaving 14 applications unfunded.
This is the fourth cycle in which Metro has accepted and funded Open Streets, plus a “mini cycle” in 2020, and it demonstrates unprecedented interest and excitement around a type of event that Angelenos have grown to truly enjoy the past decade. As a result, while Metro will provide more funding this cycle than it has any of it previous three, however it will also fund fewer events overall this cycle than it has in each of the last two cycles.
Subject
SUBJECT: OPEN AND SLOW STREETS GRANT PROGRAM CYCLE FOUR MOTION
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RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Motion by Directors Hahn, Solis, Garcetti, Sandoval, and Dutra that the Board direct the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. Program an additional up to $2 million toward the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program Cycle Four, to be awarded to events in accordance with their scores, and
B. Identify and program funding sources, including Prop C 25%, for the additional funds to be provided in Cycle Four.