City Council - Workshop Meetings

City Council Workshop Meeting Cherry Conference Rooms September 25, 2024 | 5:30 PM This City Council Workshop meeting is taking place virtually and at Woodbury City Hall in the Cherry Conference Rooms. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and may also join the meeting using a computer, tablet, or smartphone and accessing the virtual meeting link at woodburymn.gov/VirtualMeetings. Watch the Live Meeting Public comments will be accepted during the meeting both in person and virtually. Virtual questions should be submitted via the online Q&A feature within the virtual meeting link. Questions regarding the meeting will be taken between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 651-714-3524 or at council@woodburymn.gov. Questions received after 4:30 p.m. will be responded to in the next three to seven business days. Please note that all agenda times are estimates. 5:00 p.m. Dinner – Cherry Conference Room The intent of the workshop session is to provide a forum for City Council and City staff to discuss more in-depth Council items, exchanging viewpoints and visions prior to the item being set for Council action at a regular meeting of the City Council. Workshop sessions are neither a public hearing nor an open microphone session. No formal votes will be taken and any direction from Council will be in consensus format. The workshop session is not recorded, and no official minutes of the workshop session shall be prepared. Workshop Agenda 1. Workshop Discussion Items - 5:30 p.m. 1A. Environmental Stewardship Strategic Initiative; Improving Environmental 24-232 Outcomes 1B. Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan; Update and Affirmation 24-233 of Approach 2. Administrator Comments and Updates* - 7:00 p.m. 3. Mayor and City Council Comments and Commission Liaison Updates* - 7:05 p.m. 4. Adjournment - 7:15 p.m.  Woodbury City Council Agenda September 25, 2024 | 5:30 PM  Items under comments and updates are intended to be informational or of brief inquiry. More substantial discussion of matters under comments and updates should be scheduled for a future agenda. The City of Woodbury is subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The City is committed to full implementation of the Act to our services, programs, and activities. Information regarding the provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the City Administrator's office at 651-714-3523. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 72 hours in advance of an event. Please call the ADA Coordinator, Clinton P. Gridley at 651-714-3523 (TDD 714- 3568) to make arrangements.  1A City of Woodbury, Minnesota Office of City Administrator Council Workshop Letter 24-232 September 25, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: Clinton P. Gridley, City Administrator Subject: Environmental Stewardship Strategic Initiative; Improving Environmental Outcomes Summary Since the City Council’s last update in February 2024, staff, the planning team, and the consultant have been working on the Draft Environmental Stewardship Plan. After extensive community input and Parks and Natural Resources Commission review and feedback, a draft prioritization process for the plan’s actions has been developed. Staff will provide an update on the plan progress at the September Council workshop. This workshop is to focus on the two- year plan. A future strategic initiative for environmental stewardship will be considered on October 23, 2024. By December, the Council will consider a resolution accepting the Environmental Stewardship Plan. Draft Plan The draft plan was posted on the city web site on Monday, August 12, 2024, along with an online engagement opportunity for residents to express their interest in or enthusiasm for specific actions within the plan. The plan outlines goals and actions across eight sectors: Transportation and Land Use, Buildings and Energy, Waste Management, Water, Local Food and Agriculture, Greenspace and Ecosystems, Health and Safety, and Economy. The draft plan is available at: www.woodburymn.gov/Environment. Draft Goals, Actions and Community Prioritizations As outlined in the Council adopted strategic initiative, an outcome of the plan is to develop a prioritization guide of goals and actions that weighs potential to advance mitigation, adaptation and community equity strategies. To begin the prioritization process, the planning team evaluated actions within their respective sectors during their June meeting, applying four criteria: perceived support, potential for success and impact, overall cost versus benefit, and equity of implementation. In the final planning team meeting on July 18, 2024, the group reviewed and prioritized actions across all sectors using a “dot-voting” exercise. This approach was also utilized in community engagement sessions on August 14 and 20, and an online feedback form reflecting the same exercise was available from August 9 to 31. Council Workshop Letter 24-232 September 25, 2024 Page 2 Following community prioritization, staff developed a matrix incorporating input from both the planning team and the community. This methodology was presented to the Parks and Natural Resources Commission (PNRC) at their meeting on September 10, 2024, where it received their approval. The PNRC also affirmed the importance of regular evaluation of the environmental stewardship roadmap during implementation to consider potential reprioritization based on capacity, partnerships, or funding availability. The commission confirmed that a two-year evaluation cycle is appropriate. The prioritization methodology will be presented to the City Council for feedback at their September meeting. Commission Feedback Staff presented information on the strategic initiative and draft goals to the city's Economic Development Commission (EDC) during their meetings on April 23 and May 8, 2024. The draft plan will be presented to the EDC again on September 24, 2024. On August 30, 2024, staff shared the draft plan, goals, and actions with the city’s Audit and Investment Commission. After gathering feedback from these commissions, community members, city staff, and the City Council, staff will revise the plan as needed. The updated plan will then be reviewed and by the PNRC before being forwarded to the City Council for final consideration. Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council: 1) Affirm the Draft Environmental Stewardship Plan process and preliminary outcomes and that it aligns with the scope of the 2022-2024 Strategic Initiative. 2) Discuss and affirm the initial two-year roadmap prioritized goals and actions, considering budget and staff resources. 3) Direct proceeding with development of a resolution of acceptance for the Environmental Stewardship Plan. Governance Mode (Clint will fill out this section)  Generative - Identifying key questions, anticipating future challenges, framing of issues, development of options. Problem-framing. What to pay attention to, what it means, and what to do about it. How does it fit with our mission, vision, and values? Fiscal Implications The proposed Environmental Stewardship Plan outlines actions that will necessitate staff capacity and/or financial resources. Future funding will be determined according to the prioritization of plan actions and will be assessed through the city’s standard approval and budget process annually. Policy 2022-2024 Strategic Initiative, Environmental Stewardship - Improving Environmental Outcomes Critical Success Factor – Environmental Stewardship Council Workshop Letter 24-232 September 25, 2024 Page 3 Public Process This project has engaged the public over the past two years through various touchpoints with the City Council, city commissions, stakeholders, and the community, as shown below: October 12, 2022 Council adopts Environmental Stewardship Strategic Initiative November/December Green Times Newsletter 2022 February 7, 2023 Parks and Natural Resources Commission May 2, 2023 Parks and Natural Resources Commission May 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Jun 6, 2023 Parks and Natural Resources Commission July 11, 2023 Parks and Natural Resources Commission August – December Environmental Stewardship Questionnaire available online 2023 August 21, 2023 City Council Memorandum September 2023 City Administrators Report September 2023 City Update – Council Perspective September 23, 2023 Big Truck Day at Central Park September 30, 2023 One Woodbury Event October 2, 2023 – Banners stationed at Central Park and M Health Sports Center promoting January 31, 2024 the Environmental Stewardship Questionnaire with QR code October 19, 2023 Planning Team interest form available online November/December Green Times Newsletter 2023 November 9, 2023 Welcome to Woodbury Event November 14, 2023 Parks and Natural Resources Commission December 5, 2023 Parks and Natural Resources Commission December 29, 2023 City Council Memorandum January 31, 2024 Equity Listening Session - East Ridge High School (students) February 2024 City Administrator’s Report February 2024 City Update – promote community outreach February 1, 2024 Planning Team Meeting #1 February 6, 2024 Parks and Natural Resources Commission February 8, 2024 Equity Listening Session – Woodbury Middle School (parents) February 14, 2024 City Council Workshop February 20, 2024 Phase I Community Outreach Session – Ojibway Park February 22, 2024 Planning Team meeting #2 February 26, 2024 Phase I - Community Outreach Session - Central Park March 2024 City Administrator’s Report March 14, 2024 Planning Team meeting #3 April 2, 2024 Parks and Natural Resources Commission April 11, 2024 Planning Team meeting #4 April 23, 2024 Economic Development Commission – presentation of ESSI May 7, 2024 Parks and Natural Resources Commission May 9, 2024 Planning Team meeting #5 May 28, 2024 Economic Development Commission – draft goals and actions Council Workshop Letter 24-232 September 25, 2024 Page 4 June 13, 2024 Planning Team meeting #6 July 9, 2024 Parks and Natural Resources Commission July 18, 2024 Planning Team meeting #7 (final meeting) August 2024 City Update – Council Perspective August 2024 City Administrator’s Report August 9-27, 2024 Online feedback tool open for community action prioritization August 14, 2024 Phase II – Community Outreach Session – Ojibway Park August 20, 2024 Phase II – Community Outreach Session – Eagle Valley Golf Course August 23-25, 2024 Woodbury Days – promotion of online feedback tool August 30, 2024 Audit & Investment Commission – draft plan, goals, actions September 10, 2024 Parks and Natural Resources Commission September 24, 2024 Economic Development Commission – draft plan and prioritization September 25, 2024 City Council Workshop – draft plan and prioritization Background Staff provided an update to City Council on the Environmental Stewardship Strategic Initiative at their February 14, 2024, workshop. As stated in the Council adopted Environmental Stewardship Strategic Initiative (ESSI), one of the focus areas of the initiative is to develop an Environmental Stewardship Plan (ESP) to establish specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely goals and provide a roadmap for implementation. One of the goals listed in the ESSI is to: Foster community engagement aligned with the City’s public engagement plan. The Strategic Initiative states that City resources should be applied to:  Memorialize the City’s status as a leader by developing an Environmental Stewardship Action Plan reflecting past and current initiatives;  Identify actions that the City and community members can take to sustain and improve the natural environment;  Foster community engagement aligned with the City’s public engagement plan;  Engage interested parties in research to better understand the risks, rewards, and responsibilities for Woodbury;  Develop specific goals and strategies that support sustainability and resilience into the future;  Develop a prioritization guide that weighs potential to advance mitigation, adaptation, and community equity strategies, including related risks and rewards;  Better position Woodbury as a contender for resources such as grants and awards;  Unite the City’s environmental programs, initiatives, and responsibilities under a single vision, without competing for resources. Written By: Jennifer McLoughlin, Environmental Resources Manager Approved Through: Chris Hartzell, Engineering Director Attachment: None  1B City of Woodbury, Minnesota Office of City Administrator Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: Clinton P. Gridley, City Administrator Subject: Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan; Update and Affirmation of Approach Summary In July 2023, the City applied for and received grant funding to complete a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Matching Funds. In 2024, a SS4A project management team (PMT) was formed from a combination of staff from Engineering, Public Safety, Public Works, Planning, Community Relations, Parks and Recreation, and representatives from Washington County, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the City’s consultant, Kimley-Horn. This PMT has met seven times over the course this year to guide the development of the Action Plan. On July 26, 2024, the Council received a Council Memorandum update on the SS4A Action Plan and status. The September 25, 2024, Council Workshop letter further summarizes the content of this work to date, which includes the plan development process, data analysis, findings, recommendations to policies, legislative platforms, engineering, and non-engineering strategies along with the anticipated 2024/2025 proposed demonstration projects. Staff will present a short and very high-level summary of the SS4A Action Plan at the September 25, 2024, Council Workshop. Council will be asked to provide feedback at the upcoming October 23, 2024, Council Workshop for the following specific elements:  Safety-First Council Directive (draft).  Modifications to the existing Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy.  Use of red-light and speed cameras in legislative program.  Demonstration projects program in future roadway project planning.  Guidance on sidewalk and retrofit trails in existing neighborhoods. Following the October 23, 2024, Council Workshop the PMT will be finalizing the SS4A Action Plan for official Council adoption in late winter or early spring of 2025. Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 2 Recommendations The draft recommendations from this plan will include modifications to the City’s existing practice and policies, and comprehensive multi-departmental strategies to address and improve the aspirational goal of zero roadway deaths. A. Policy and Legislative Recommendations 1. Safe System Approach Woodbury should adopt the USDOT’s Safe System Approach via Council Directive, which prioritizes reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries. This framework emphasizes creating multiple layers of safety, ensuring that if one safety measure fails, others will still protect road users. Future roadway projects should evaluate safety impacts as the primary consideration, aligning with the aspiration of zero fatalities or serious injuries on Woodbury's roads. 2. Complete Streets and Multimodal Intersection Design Application of the Complete Streets principles and multimodal intersection design to future projects with use of the established Roadway Corridor Design Principles. This ensures that streets are designed to accommodate all road users—pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and public transit users—safely and efficiently. Following these established design principles will create a safer and more accessible network for everyone, regardless of their mode of transportation. The City of Woodbury should continue to follow the intersection guidance outlined in existing plans and policies to ensure safety for all road users. In addition, new guidance should be developed for the strategic placement of enhanced crossing treatments, which may include rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian refuge islands at critical pedestrian crossings and based engineering guidance. 3. Safe Routes to School Administrative Directive Policy Integrate the current Safe Routes to School engineering and education programs into a broader policy framework. This policy will focus on enhancing the safety of students by improving infrastructure around schools and increasing awareness through education and enforcement programs. Annual safety audits near schools and targeted enforcement in school zones will ensure that the safety of children is prioritized. 4. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy Utilize a data-driven and proactive approach to neighborhood traffic calming. Instead of solely reactive measures based on resident complaints, the City will use data to identify areas where traffic calming is needed. 5. Legislative Support Support state legislative changes that would allow the use of red-light and speed safety cameras. These automated enforcement tools have been effective in reducing speeding and red-light running, and legislative authorization would enable their use in Woodbury to improve safety at key intersections and roadways while efficiently using the limited person hours of the public safety department. Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 3 6. Street Connectivity Establish guidelines to improve street connectivity in new developments. This Council Directive policy could include criteria such as a minimum connectivity index, intersection density, or maximum block length. Better street connectivity improves safety by reducing vehicle speeds and providing more route options for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing the overall network’s efficiency and safety. These policies, together, aim to create a safer, more efficient transportation environment in Woodbury. B. Enforcement Strategies and Recommendations The City of Woodbury should work to ensure that the Woodbury Police Division has the necessary tools and systems to effectively target safety-related roadway infractions at priority locations to address key safety concerns, such as: 1. Speeding Enforcement Focus enforcement efforts in areas with high-speed-related crashes, particularly within the High Injury Network (HIN) and near schools. 2. Distracted Driving Consider targeted campaigns to reduce distracted driving, which is a major contributor to crashes. This can include increased fines, public awareness efforts, and police patrols focused on detecting phone use or other distractions. 3. School Zone Safety Police presence in school zones to enforce speed limits and ensure drivers obey traffic laws, particularly during peak school hours. 4. Crosswalks and Stop Bars Consider campaigns like “Stop for Me”, where police enforce pedestrian right-of-way laws at crosswalks and stop bars. This initiative raises awareness about the importance of yielding to pedestrians. 5. Traffic Sign and Signal Violations As resources allow, focus on locations with frequent violations of traffic signs and signals. This could involve deploying red-light cameras (pending legislative approval) or increased police presence at high-risk intersections. By equipping law enforcement with the right tools and support, the City can significantly enhance roadway safety and reduce the number of crashes and infractions in critical areas. C. Engineering Strategies and Recommendations 1. Establishment of a Comprehensive Transportation Needs List The City of Woodbury should establish a Comprehensive Transportation Needs List, which will serve as a repository of potential new projects, updated and maintained as new safety issues arise or opportunities for improvement are identified. The list may include projects of various scales, from minor roadway enhancements to major Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 4 infrastructure upgrades, ensuring that the City is prepared when funding becomes available from local, federal, or state sources. 2. Future Project Prioritization Guide Once projects are added to the Comprehensive Transportation Needs List, they should be evaluated and prioritized using a clear framework, based on the criteria established in the SS4A Action Plan. This guide ensures that limited resources are allocated to projects that offer the most significant safety benefits and meet community needs. A scoring framework will be used that prioritizes the following in order: safety impact, equity, engagement and collaboration, effective practices and strategies, community destinations, climate and sustainability, economic competitiveness, and project readiness. 3. Demonstration Projects Program The Demonstration Projects Program is a continuous initiative aimed at increasing public awareness and acceptance of safety improvements by implementing temporary, low-cost projects. These demonstration projects allow the City of Woodbury to test new safety measures and evaluate their effectiveness before committing to permanent changes. This approach provides an opportunity for community engagement and feedback, helping to build support for long-term safety initiatives. These could include temporary and low-cost safety improvements like temporary lane reductions, enhanced crosswalks, traffic calming circles. D. 2024/2025 Demonstration Projects The following demonstration projects are proposed from the SS4A Action Plan development including: 1. Woodlane Drive Restriping: A restriping improvement was implemented in summer 2024 on Woodlane Drive from just north of Valley Creek Rd to Guider Drive. The roadway was restriped from 4-lane to 3-lane with a center turn lane and wide shoulders. This is an example of a lane reduction, which is a proven safety countermeasure to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes. Protected left turns allow for safer turning movements into nearby properties. This restriping will aid safety as the corridor changes due to the new Gold Line Park and Ride. 2. Crossing Improvements at Settlers Ridge Parkway near Liberty Ridge Elementary: Crossing improvements are proposed along Settlers Ridge Parkway between the intersections with Eagle View Blvd and Halstead Trail. The Engineering Division has coordinated with school district leadership on the development of this concept, and school leaders support the project. A proposed design for this project has been developed and includes the following components: • Shortened pedestrian crossings • Removal of right turn lanes for crossing safety via flexible safety delineators • Inclusion of dedicated midblock crossing with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) • Improved alignment of ADA curb ramps Only the temporary improvements included in this project (signage and flexible safety delineators) are eligible for funding as a demonstration project. Permanent Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 5 improvements, such as changes to curbs, could be implemented by the City as part of a 2025 roadway reconditioning or reconstruction project. School leadership requests that the midblock crossing is prioritized for implementation in 2025. 3. Temporary Neighborhood Traffic Circle at Lake Ridge Drive and Kilbirnie Road: A proposed neighborhood traffic circle at Lake Ridge Drive and Kilbirnie Road is proposed to be completed as a demonstration project to test the benefits of neighborhood traffic circles to reduce conflict points and slow vehicles on a busy residential street. This project would be implemented in fall 2024 and evaluated through spring 2025. E. Engineering and Non-Engineering Strategy Toolbox and Recommendations The strategy toolbox was prioritized according to several criteria, including number of safety focus areas addressed, proven effectiveness, ease of implementation, and level of City control. Strategies are intended to be judiciously applied according to engineering judgment, and not all strategies are appropriate in all areas. The priority strategies are listed below: Engineering Strategies:  Lane Reduction/Lane Width Reduction  Median Barrier  Roundabout  Corner Radius Reduction  Leading Pedestrian Interval/Leading Bicycle Interval  Retroreflective Signal Head Back Plates  Crosswalk Enhancements  Enhanced/Grade-Separated Crossing  Passive Pedestrian Detection Non-Engineering (Education and Enforcement) Strategies:  High Visibility Enforcement – Including school zones, distracted driving, stop bars/crosswalks, failure to yield  Red Light Cameras – City should support state legislation to allow  Speed Safety Cameras – City should support state legislation to allow  Speed Feedback Signs  Educational campaigns (potentially via the Cable Commission and other channels) Governance Mode1  Strategic - Setting priorities, reviewing and modifying strategic plans, and monitoring performance against plans. Focus is the “ends” rather than the "means”.  Generative - Identifying key questions, anticipating future challenges, framing of issues, development of options. Problem-framing. What to pay attention to, what it means, and what to do about it. How does it fit with our mission, vision and values? 1 Items marked “fiduciary” are primarily business-oriented topics; “strategic” items are primarily related to long- term strategies or goals; and “generative” items are primarily meant to produce new thoughts or ideas. Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 6 Fiscal Implications The SS4A Safety Action Plan was fully funded from a combination of federal and state matching funds. Future actions and roadway safety priorities will be considered through the annual budget development process. Policy This plan is intended to supplement and align with the City’s existing plans and policies including the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Roadway Corridor Design Principles, Council Directives - Utilization of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and Washington County’s Move Plan. It also includes recommendations for new policy and updates to existing policy. Public Process The anticipated project schedule is provided below for the SS4A Safety Action Plan: Approval of application for the SS4A federal grant program September 7, 2022 Acceptance of Grant for SS4A federal grant July 19, 2023 Consultant selection for SS4A Action Plan Development November 29, 2023 Accepting State Competitiveness and IIJA Matching Funds January 10, 2024 Community Engagement March – August (Online Survey and Interactive Map, Pop-up Events, Newsletter) 2024 Public Meetings July 2024 (Virtual and In-Person) Council Workshop – SS4A Update and specific items to consider September 25, 2024 Council Workshop – SS4A Review contents of the draft Action Plan October 23, 2024 Draft and Final Action Plan Preparation Fall 2024 Council Meeting – Adoption and resolution supporting the City of Fall/Winter 2024 Woodbury SS4A Safety Action Plan Next Steps Project Concept Development: The PMT has identified priority locations for potential safety improvements and is refining a list of up to six locations for concept development. This process includes evaluating each site to determine appropriate, proven safety countermeasures tailored to the specific conditions at each location. Evaluation, Implementation, and Performance Metrics: The project team is developing specific metrics to assess the safety performance of implemented projects; including reductions in crashes and improvements for vulnerable road users. All future roadway projects will be evaluated using a safety-focused checklist to ensure that safety remains a priority during planning and execution. The evaluation will include assessing staffing needs, ensuring staff undergoes proper training or continuing education, and reviewing fleet vehicle safety to align with safety objectives. Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 7 Draft and Final Plan: The project team is currently working on finalizing recommendations for the draft and final versions of the Action Plan. The completed plan will be presented to the City Council for approval in fall or winter of 2024. Background The BIL established the new SS4A discretionary program, allocating $5 billion in appropriated funds for 2022-2026. The purpose of the SS4A grants is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The program provides funding to develop tools that help strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives. In July 2023, the City accepted a federal grant of $300,000 from the SS4A grant program, with a local match requirement of $75,000. This grant is designated for developing a Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries in Woodbury through the development and implementation of an action plan. On October 26, 2023, City staff applied for IIJA Matching Funds and was awarded up to $75,000 on December 7, 2023, to cover the matching funds requirement of the federal SS4A action plan grant. The City’s SS4A Safety Action Plan is a comprehensive initiative that aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Safe Systems Approach, aiming to achieve the aspirational goal of zero roadway deaths. The SS4A Safety Action Plan will consolidate and enhance many of the City’s existing guidance and policy documents on roadway safety into a unified comprehensive document. The key components to a successful SS4A Safety Action Plan include a leadership commitment to an eventual goal and timeline for reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries, the formation of an implementation group, a data-driven analysis of systemwide and specific safety needs, robust public engagement efforts, equitable and inclusive processes, assessment of current policies and plans for potential changes, a prioritized and strategic selection of implementable projects, and ways to measure progress and transparency. The Safe System Approach has been embraced by the transportation community, working by building and reinforcing multiple layers of protection to both prevent crashes and minimize harm when they do occur. This approach shifts from the conventional safety method by focusing on both human mistakes and human vulnerability. The implementation of the Safe System Approach centers around five key elements:  Safer people: Encourage safe, responsible driving and behavior among road users and create conditions that prioritize their ability to reach their destination unharmed.  Safer roads: Design roadway environments to mitigate human mistakes and account for injury tolerances, encouraging safer behaviors and facilitating safe travel for the most vulnerable users.  Safer vehicles: Expand the availability of vehicle systems and features that help prevent crashes and minimize the impact on both occupants and non-occupants.  Safer speeds: Promote safer speeds in all roadway environments through thoughtful, equitable, context-appropriate roadway design, appropriate speed-limit setting, targeted education, outreach campaigns, and enforcement.  Post-crash care: Enhance the survivability of crashes through expedient access to emergency medical care, create a safe working environment for vital first responders, and prevent secondary crashes through robust incident management. Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 8 Process, Analysis, and Findings for Woodbury’s SS4A Action Plan The following sections detail progress across several key components of the Action Plan, which have been adapted to meet the specific needs of Woodbury based on the requirements of the SS4A program and recommendations from the PMT. 1. Safety Analysis The PMT conducted an in-depth analysis of national, statewide, regional, and City- specific crash trends over a five-year period (2018-2022). The analysis factored in socioeconomic and demographic elements as well as systemic risks, leading to the creation of a High Injury Network (HIN). The HIN identifies key roadway stretches where fatal and injury crashes are concentrated. Key Findings:  Fatal and injury crashes have been on the rise locally, statewide, and nationally.  Bicyclists and pedestrians in Woodbury are 6-7 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in crashes compared to vehicle occupants.  The HIN comprises 7 percent (25 miles) of Woodbury’s roadways, but accounts for 52 percent of fatal/serious injury crashes and 65 percent of minor injury crashes.  Most HIN roads have over 20,000 vehicles per day, higher speeds, and multiple access points.  Driver speed plays a significant role in fatal and injury crashes.  Youth-related crashes are more common in Woodbury than the state average.  The five key safety issues identified in Woodbury are intersection safety, failure to yield/red light running, excessive speed, access management, and safety of vulnerable road users. Fatal and Injury Crashes in Woodbury, 2018-2023 76 70 71 60 53 52 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2. Public Engagement Woodbury residents provided feedback on roadway safety issues through a variety of engagement methods, including five pop-up events, an online survey, a comment map, Council Workshop Letter 24-233 September 25, 2024 Page 9 and in-person and virtual open houses. Promotional efforts included City newsletters, social media, In-Touch emails, and table cards at community locations. Key Takeaways:  Demand for traffic calming to lower speeds.  Reports of drivers frequently ignoring traffic rules.  Running red lights noted most often.  Speeding mentioned second most.  High speeds were noted near schools and in residential areas.  Non-drivers, such as pedestrians and cyclists, feel unsafe crossing major roads.  Non-vehicular subjects involved accidents with vehicle often noted to be not following the rules/laws of the road. 3. Policy Review The Action Plan aligns with existing City policies and plans (e.g., the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan) and introduces new policies where necessary. These policies aim to guide all future projects to enhance safety, not just those explicitly addressing it. Written By: Drew Boxrud, Engineering Project Coordinator Approved Through: Chris Hartzell, Engineering Director Attachment: 2024-24 Attachment A – Action Plan Components  Safe Streets and Roads for All Action Plan Components This document is not meant to replace the NOFO. Applicants should follow the instructions in the NOFO to correctly apply for a grant. See the SS4A website for more information: https://www.transportation.gov/SS4A Leadership Commitment and Goal Setting An official public commitment (e.g., resolution, policy, ordinance, etc.) by a high-ranking official and/or governing body (e.g., Mayor, City Council, Tribal Council, MPO Policy Board, etc.) to an eventual goal of zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The commitment must include a goal and timeline for eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries achieved through one, or both, of the following: (1) the target date for achieving zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries, OR (2) an ambitious percentage reduction of roadway fatalities and serious injuries by a specific date with an eventual goal of eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Planning Structure A committee, task force, implementation group, or similar body charged with oversight of the Action Plan development, implementation, and monitoring. Safety Analysis Analysis of existing conditions and historical trends that provides a baseline level of crashes involving fatalities and serious injuries across a jurisdiction, locality, Tribe, or region. Includes an analysis of locations where there are crashes and the severity of the crashes, as well as contributing factors and crash types by relevant road users (motorists, people walking, transit users, etc.). Analysis of systemic and specific safety needs is also performed, as needed (e.g., high-risk road features, specific safety needs of relevant road users, public health approaches, analysis of the built environment, demographic, and structural issues, etc.). To the extent practical, the analysis should include all roadways within the jurisdiction, without regard for ownership. Based on the analysis performed, a geospatial identification of higher-risk locations is developed (a High-Injury Network or equivalent). Engagement and Collaboration ? Robust engagement with the public and relevant stakeholders, including the private sector and community groups, that allows for both community representation and feedback. Information received from engagement and collaboration is analyzed and incorporated into the Action Plan. Overlapping jurisdictions are included in the process. Plans and processes are coordinated and aligned with other governmental plans and planning processes to the extent practical. Still have questions? Visit the SS4A website SS4A Action Plan Components | Page 1 of 2  Safe Streets and Roads for All Action Plan Components Equity Considerations Plan development using inclusive and representative processes. Underserved communities* are identified through data and other analyses in collaboration with appropriate partners. Analysis includes both population characteristics and initial equity impact assessments of the proposed projects and strategies. Policy and Process Changes Assessment of current policies, plans, guidelines, and/or standards (e.g., manuals) to identify opportunities to improve how processes prioritize transportation safety. The Action Plan discusses implementation through the adoption of revised or new policies, guidelines, and/or standards, as appropriate. Strategy and Project Selections Identification of a comprehensive set of projects and strategies, shaped by data, the best available evidence and noteworthy practices, as well as stakeholder input and equity considerations, that will address the safety problems described in the Action Plan. These strategies and countermeasures focus on a Safe System Approach, effective interventions, and consider multidisciplinary activities. To the extent practical, data limitations are identified and mitigated. Once identified, the list of projects and strategies is prioritized in a list that provides time ranges for when the strategies and countermeasures will be deployed (e.g., short-, mid-, and long-term timeframes). The list should include specific projects and strategies, or descriptions of programs of projects and strategies, and explains prioritization criteria used. The list should contain interventions focused on infrastructure, behavioral, and/or operational safety. Progress and Transparency Method to measure progress over time after an Action Plan is developed or updated, including outcome data. Means to ensure ongoing transparency is established with residents and other relevant stakeholders. Must include, at a minimum, annual public and accessible reporting on progress toward reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries, and public posting of the Action Plan online. * An underserved community as defined for this NOFO is consistent with the Office of Management and Budget’s Interim Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/M-21-28.pdf and the Historically Disadvantaged Community designation, which includes U.S. Census tracts identified in this table https://datahub.transportation.gov/stories/s/tsyd-k6ij; any Tribal land; or any territory or possession of the United States. Still have questions? Visit the SS4A website SS4A Action Plan Components | Page 2 of 2