Form revised December 4, 2006

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
Seattle Department of Transportation	Barbara Gray, 615-0872	Stephen Barham, 733-9084

Legislation Title:

A RESOLUTION approving the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan.

· Summary of the Legislation:

This legislation expresses City Council’s approval of the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan. The Plan defines a set of near and long-term actions to make Seattle the most walkable city in the nation. The Plan was created to achieve four goals:

1. SAFETY: Reduce the number and severity of crashes involving pedestrians;

2. EQUITY: Make Seattle a more walkable city for all through equity in public engagement, service delivery, accessibility, and capital investments;

3. VIBRANCY: Develop a pedestrian environment that sustains healthy communities and supports a vibrant economy;

4. HEALTH: Raise awareness of the important role of walking in promoting health and preventing disease.

The Plan defines objectives, numerous strategies, and specific actions to achieve the goals described above. The objectives are supported by strategic performance measures that will enable the City to monitor progress over time. 

The Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group as well as citywide pedestrian and community interest groups support this action to approve the Plan.  

· Background: (Include brief description of the purpose and context of legislation and include record of previous legislation and funding history, if applicable):

The City’s Comprehensive Plan establishes goals and policies that relate to walking in Seattle, including improving public health, reducing traffic and transportation problems by providing viable transportation alternatives such as walking, improving environmental quality by getting people out of their cars, and enhancing neighborhood livability. In 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution 30790, which approved the 2005 Transportation Strategic Plan Update that includes a set of strategies related to walking and pedestrian facilities, including the establishment of performance measures for pedestrian facilities through development of a Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan. The Bridging the Gap transportation levy was passed by public vote in late 2006, providing funding over nine years for transportation improvements and maintenance activities, including the construction of new sidewalks and walkways, crossing improvements, and other safety improvements. In 2007, the City Council passed Ordinance 122386 establishing a Complete Streets policy, which includes designing, operating, and maintaining a transportation network to improve travel conditions for pedestrians as well as other modes of travel. 

The Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan was developed over the past 18 months in close partnership with the Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group, partner agencies, and interested stakeholder groups. Over 1,400 people responded to a walking preferences survey to guide the key issues the Plan addresses. Staff attended over 70 community group meetings and hosted two citywide events. The primary means to disseminate the Plan is through the City’s website and over 7,000 downloads of the Plan Summary occurred during the eight-week public comment period. More than 250 comments were received and considered on the draft Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan.   

· Please check one of the following:

__X__ This legislation does not have any financial implications.

Approving the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan has no fiscal implications.  Appropriations to support Plan implementation have been made in the 2009 Adopted Budget through Bridging the Gap funds.  Future appropriations will be made as part of subsequent years’ budget processes.