Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School Plan

Safe Routes to School

A plan to make walking and biking to school a safe, fun activity.

JUNE 2023

PELICAN RAPIDS, MINNESOTA

Viking Elementary, Pelican Rapids High School

The Vision

The City of Pelican Rapids, along with the Pelican Rapids School District, are seeking to become a community where it is safe and convenient for all children to walk and bicycle to and from school. We will strive to be a place where our children can travel under their own power, explore, and play in their community safely, and where they learn lifelong habits of incorporating physical activity into their daily lives. We will seek to achieve this vision through safety awareness, education, encouragement, and self-evaluation, all while building the infrastructure needed to make walking and bicycling safer and more convenient for all.

THE 6 E’S

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs rely on six core strategies, called the “Six Es”, to work towards their vision.

EQUITY – THE OVERARCHING E

Prioritizing positive outcomes for students from lower-income households; Black, Indigenous, and Students of Color; students with disabilities; and students who face disproportionate barriers to walking, biking, and rolling to school.

ENGAGEMENT

Working with students, families, school staff, and community members and organizations, especially those from priority Equity groups, to create and implement Safe Routes to School initiatives.

ENGINEERING

Developing Equity-focused changes to the built environment, designed and prioritized through Community Engagement.

EDUCATION

Providing students and other community members, especially those from priority Equity groups, with skills and knowledge about walking, biking, and rolling.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Normalizing a culture of walking, biking, and rolling through incentive programs, events, and activities that center priority Equity groups.

EVALUATION

Measuring how Safe Routes to School initiatives are implemented (process evaluation) and what their impacts are (outcome evaluation), especially how initiatives Engage with and support priority Equity groups.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the participation of the following individuals and organizations in the development of the Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan.

SRTS PLANNING TEAM

Brian Korf, Superintendent Pelican Rapids School District SRTS Team Co-Chair

Brian Olson, Public Works Superintendent City of Pelican Rapids SRTS Team Co-Chair

Jess Fahje, Parent Pelican Rapids School District

Brent Frazier, Mayor City of Pelican Rapids

Danielle Harthun, City Clerk/Treasurer City of Pelican Rapids

Patrick Hollister, Active Living Planner

PartnerSHIP 4 Health

Laura Januszewski, Principal Pelican Rapids High School

Kate Martinez, Teacher Pelican Rapids School District

Sheri Meester, Teacher Pelican Rapids School District

Derrick Nelson, Principal Viking Elementary

Karen Nitzkorski, Schools and Worksites Coordinator

PartnerSHIP 4 Health

Paul Restad, Bus Driver Christianson Bus Services

Lance Roisum, City Administrator City of Pelican Rapids

Mary Safgren, Planning Director MnDOT District 4

Jeff Stadum, Police Chief Pelican Rapids Police Department

Trevor Steeves, Building and Grounds Superintendent Pelican Rapids School District

Prepared by West Central Initiative

Principal Author – Mallory Jarvi, Transportation Planner with assistance from Wayne Hurley, Director of Transportation Planning and Aaliyah Helland, Summer Impact Corps Member

ORGANIZATION OF THIS REPORT

This report is designed to support and be accessible to multiple groups of people involved with Safe Routes to School in Pelican Rapids including students, caregivers, teachers, school administrators, public works staff, elected officials, and county and state employees. To help make the body of this report relevant to all readers while also documenting all of the participation, analysis, and deliberation that went into development of the plan some content has been moved to the Appendices.

Why Safe Routes to School?

Equity in SRTS

Particular groups and communities in the US have disproportionate access to resources such as highquality jobs, schools, parks, healthcare, food, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Meanwhile, other groups of people have limited access to these resources, negatively impacting their health and wellbeing. These differences are not random they are the results of government policy in the past and present, which has worked to the benefit of some and to the disadvantage of others, often along race, income, and gender lines. These group-based differences are forms of inequity.

Equity in Safe Routes to School is impacted by transportation system inequities such as limited access to high-quality walking and biking infrastructure or the presence of highways in lower-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) neighborhoods as well as inequities in related systems. For example, racial wealth inequities and

racial discrimination in housing mean that BIPOC students may live further away from schools than their white peers from higher-income families.

Safe Routes to School works to address these inequities by prioritizing programs, infrastructure, and policy improvements that help individuals and groups with less access to resources, in particular those who don’t have safe, convenient, and fun routes to school. By looking at demographic data, examining existing transportation services and policies, and speaking with members of the community, the City of Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School team worked to develop recommendations that support equity in walking and biking to school.

Pelican Rapids Community in Context

Home to the World’s Largest Pelican

Pelican Rapids is a small rural community in west central Minnesota located at the intersection of US Hwy 59 and MN State Hwy 108. Pelican Rapids is located halfway between the cities of Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes and is 200 miles northwest of the St. Paul/Minneapolis Metro Area. The city is named after the rapids along the Pelican River, which runs through the downtown area. Pelican Rapids is located in the northwest corner of Otter Tail County.

Pelican Rapids has a population of 2,577. The demographic makeup of the population is 47.1% White, 35.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Black or African American, 4.1% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 3.9% two or more races. The community is young with 35.8% 17 years or younger, 53.2% between 18-64, and 11% 65-years and older.

The average household size is 3.0. The median household income is $55,125, and 62.2% of residents own their home. For level of education, 64.1% of residents have a high school degree or higher.

Pelican Rapids is a diverse community with varying levels of English proficiency. Among Pelican Rapids residents 53% speak only English, 47% speak a language other than English, and 28.8% speak English less than “very well.” This is correlated with the nativity rate, with 31.1% of residents being born outside of the United States.

Pelican Rapids residents are evenly split with commuting in town or out of town with 50.3%

commuting less than 10 minutes to work, 13.4% between 10-19 minutes, and 27.6% 30 minutes or longer. To travel to work 25.3% walk, bike, or work from home, and 74.7% take a car, truck, or van. The high amount of active transportation users can be attributed to close proximity to work, and 15% of residents do not own a vehicle 19.6% have 1 vehicle available, 41.4% have 2, and 24% have 3 or more.

Pelican Rapids residents are supportive of bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvements. In the 2022 Pelican Rapids Comprehensive Plan, approximately 50% would like to see changes to the pedestrian and multiuse trails, which was followed closely by addition bicycling infrastructure. Refer to Appendix I for more information.

Pelican Rapids Public Schools

SITE CIRCULATION

Pedestrians: Many students were observed walking to and from Viking Elementary School and Pelican Rapids High School. Students traveling to the Elementary School primarily came south down 1st Street SE, to the front entrance of the school. There were also students observed coming from the direction of the High School eastbound on 5th Avenue SE.

High School students came from a variety of directions. There were several students observed crossing US Hwy 59 from 4th Avenue SE, and 5th

Avenue SE using the crosswalks with flashing LED pedestrian signs.

Bicyclists: There were several students who were observed biking south to Viking Elementary where they parked at the bicycle racks in the front of the school.

There were also several students who were observed biking to the high school where they parked at the rear bicycle racks near door 9 on the west side of the school.

School Buses: Buses enter the Viking Elementary front parking lot entrance on US Hwy 59. The bus loop is a one way, with the buses exiting the parking lot to 1st Street SE after picking and dropping off students from the front entrance.

Pelican Rapids High School buses pick up and drop off students on the west side of the building near door 7. They then head north along 1st Street SW.

Transit: There is no public transit available in Pelican Rapids at this time.

Vehicles: At Viking Elementary guardian drop off and pick up is in the Chauncey Martin parking lot south of the school. There is a sidewalk that connects the parking lot to the south entrance to school. There were observations of the parents parking and walking their child to the entrance, and students walking

through the parking lot by themselves. There were also observations that while discouraged by the school, parents would drive to the front entrance parking lot and drop their students off there.

At the high school guardian drop off and pick up is at the front entrance of the school by door 2 This is a one-way lane headed south exiting onto 5th Avenue SW. There were observations that guardians would not drive forward and park as sign dictates, but idle quickly at the first corner closest to the front entrance which can back up traffic.

There were also observations of the parents dropping off students near the back entrance near door 7.

More information on site circulation can be seen in Appendix A.

SCHOOL CONTEXT:

Pelican Rapids School District

SUPERINTENDENT:

Brian Korf

PRINCIPALS:

Derrick Nelson, Viking Elementary

Laura Januszewski, Pelican Rapids High School

K-12 ENROLLMENT:

865 GRADES SERVED:

Viking Elementary, K-6

Pelican Rapids High School, 7-12

DEMOGRAPHICS*

White, non-Hispanic, 52.3%

Hispanic, 32.4%

Asian 1.8%

American Indian/Other Indigenous Peoples, 1%

Multiracial, 3.1%

Black/African American, 9.4%

OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION*

58.6% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch

English Language Learners, 19%

Special Education, 16%

*Minnesota Report Card

*Minnesota Report Card

MISSION STATEMENT:

“Pelican Rapids Public Schools is committed to providing a variety of high-quality academic, arts, and athletic programs in a unique rural setting “

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS:

• Pelican Rapids’ enrolled population of 865 students is spread across kindergarten through 12th grades. Students who live within a designated section east of US Hwy 59 and south of MN State Hwy 108 are not eligible for busing. There are five pick-up and drop-off locations in the non-busing section, including one at the South Apartment complex. All other sections of Pelican Rapids and outside of the city limits are eligible for free busing to and from Pelican Rapids High School and Viking Elementary.

• Pelican Rapids’ student population encompasses children and families from a range of demographic groups. Around 19% of students are English Language Learners, and over half of all students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting that many families are lower income. The student population is 52% white non-Hispanic, 9% Black, 32% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian or Other Indigenous Peoples, and 3% report a racial background including two or more races.

Infrastructure

Introduction to Infrastructure

Physical changes to the streetscape are essential to making walking, biking, and rolling to school safer and more comfortable.

An in-person walking and biking audit helped to inform specific recommendations to address the key identified barriers to walking and bicycling in Pelican Rapids. Discussion with the Safe Routes to School Team and conversations with school and district staff, caregivers, students, community members, and city and county staff led to additional recommendations. Recommendations were prioritized on the basis of community and stakeholder input, traffic and roadway conditions, proximity to schools, and proximity to and use by equity priority populations.

This plan does not represent a comprehensive list of every project that could improve conditions for walking and bicycling in the neighborhood. Instead, it calls attention to key conflict points and potential improvements. Recommendations range from simple striping changes and signage to more significant changes to the streets, intersections, and school infrastructure.

Engineering recommendations are described on the following pages. Recommendations are planninglevel concepts and will require additional study to confirm feasibility and to finalize project prioritization.

UPCOMING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS Heart of the Lakes Trailhead

The City of Pelican Rapids, Pelican Rapids School District, and Otter Tail County have coordinated together to begin construction of the Heart of the Lakes Trail trailhead in Pelican Rapids. This trailhead will be constructed in the Chauncey Martin Field Parking lot where the current restrooms and concession stands are located. The new trailhead will offer public restrooms, new bike racks, and a bicycle repair station. This will be a multi-purpose building used by the school district. It will continue to have a concession stand and storage. Construction will begin in the summer of 2023.

Hwy 59 and 108 Complete Streets Project

Pelican Rapids will begin construction on Hwy 59 and 108 in 2024, with completion in 2025. This project will impact the entire community as these trunk highways act as throughfares for residents and travelers. The project will be on the main street in the downtown area, and once completed, make it safer to walk and bike to local stores and other community destinations.

The project includes the addition of two mini roundabouts to replace the north and south

US Hwy 59 Sidewalk Expansion

The City of Pelican Rapids was awarded grant dollars through Transportation Alternatives towards the expansion of the sidewalk network along the west side US Hwy 59 from 5th Avenue SW to 10th Avenue SW. There will also be an additional portion of bike trail installed on the east side of US Hwy 59 to close a gap on the Heart of the Lakes Trail by 10th Avenue SE. This project will install a vital section of the sidewalk network. There are students and residents walking along the highway to reach several local grocery and retail stores and are adjacent to both public schools. The grant dollars are currently scheduled for 2027.

intersections of Hwy 59 and 108. There will be curb extensions installed at targeted intersections, reduction in lane-width downtown, expansion of sidewalk network, installation of downtown shareduse path, and ADA accessibility upgrades. For more information on the complete streets project check out the Hwy 59/108 MnDOT project webpage (https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d4/projects/pelicanrap ids/index.html)

These projects address many recommendations that would create a safer network for kids to walk and bike to school. Recommendations in this plan were made with the realization that these projects would be occurring and focused primarily on the neighborhoods and streets off the main trunk highways.

Infrastructure Opportunities

A: Viking Elementary Parking Lot

PRIORITY: Medium

RECOMMENDATION

Explore installation of an enhanced crossing connecting the front entrance parking lot to the Viking Elementary entrance. An example could be installing a speed table. Also install Public Rights-ofWay Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) curb ramps from the front entrance that connect to the 1st Street SE sidewalk.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

Currently there is not a PROWAG compliant curb ramp leading from the sidewalk in the elementary parking lot to the front entrance parking lot.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City and school leadership, with funding from Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

Installing PROWAG compliant curb ramps will create a more accessible network around the school and make it safer for all ages and abilities to enter the school.

B: Pelican Rapids Athletic Fields

PRIORITY: Low

RECOMMENDATION

Explore sidewalk or trail connection between the Viking Elementary School and the South Apartment complex going through the Pelican Rapids athletic fields.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

There are many families with students who live in this apartment complex, and in the adjacent neighborhood. Currently, there is a bus that stops at these apartments but gives students the option to walk directly to school.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City and school leadership, using Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

Creating a direct connection from the South Apartments allows for more accessible and equitable access for all students.

C: US Hwy 59 and 5th Avenue SE

PRIORITY: High RECOMMENDATION

Explore safer connection opportunities between the Pelican Rapids High School and Viking Elementary. Suggestions include installing more visible Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) signs with high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, and an underpass to connect with the existing trail.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

This intersection is high traffic with Hwy 59 separating the schools, and high bus and school traffic during arrival and dismissal.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City, school, and state, leadership, using Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

All ages and abilities would be able to safely cross the intersection due to improved visibility and reduced crossing distance.

D: 1st Street SE and 5th Avenue SE

PRIORITY: High RECOMMENDATION

Explore opportunities to improve pedestrian crossings by installing crosswalks and curb extensions at this intersection.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

This intersection is a high-traffic area with pedestrian and bus traffic before and after school.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City and school leadership, using Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

All ages and abilities would be able to safely cross the intersection due to improved visibility and reduced crossing distance.

E: 1st Street SW and 5th Avenue SW

PRIORITY: Medium

RECOMMENDATION

Explore installing crosswalks at this intersection, with a priority leading from Pelican Rapids High School to David Brown Soccer Field.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

The soccer fields are heavily used in the summer and fall with students walking and biking to practice and watch soccer games. There is currently no crossing infrastructure leading to the soccer fields.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City and school leadership, with funding from Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

All ages and abilities would be able to safely cross the intersection due to improved visibility.

F: US Hwy 59 and 4th Avenue SE

PRIORITY: High RECOMMENDATION

Explore safer crossing infrastructure crossing US Hwy 59. The current pedestrian activated flashing LED sign, and a possible alternative could be RRFBs in conjunction with curb extensions.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

This is a frequently crossed intersection to reach the front entrance of the school. This crossing is also on top of a hill where visibility can be difficult for cars heading north on US Hwy 59.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City, school, and state, leadership, using Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

All ages and abilities would be able to safely cross the intersection due to improved visibility.

G: 1st Street NW and State Hwy 108

PRIORITY: High

RECOMMENDATION

Explore opportunities to improve pedestrian crossings. An option is to install crosswalks with curb extensions at the intersection.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

This intersection was deemed a part of the main sidewalk network leading to the Pelican Rapids Public School. This crossing is on a state highway and connects the mobile home neighborhood to the southern part of the town.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City, school, and state, leadership, using Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

Nearby is a townhome community which primarily houses immigrant families, and this will create a more accessible network for parents will strollers, young bikers, and all users.

H: City Wide Sidewalk Development

PRIORITY: Medium

RECOMMENDATION

Explore installing sidewalks in specific locations to increase the connectivity of Pelican Rapids

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT?

Installing sidewalks in strategic locations will close current gaps in city sidewalk infrastructure and give sidewalk users more freedom and safety from road traffic.

WHO WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

City, school, and state, leadership, using Safe Routes to School funding, and/or other local, state, or federal funding.

HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS EQUITY?

Currently there are neighborhoods in Pelican Rapids that have incomplete sidewalk networks. With a quarter of the population walking or biking to work, sidewalks are a main transportation network for residents.

School Traffic Signage

INSTALL SIGNAGE IN SCHOOL ZONE

Explore installing signage along US Hwy 59 near the Viking Elementary and Pelican Rapids High School to make pedestrians and bicyclists more visible to drivers and reduce excessive traffic speeds. Signs to consider are speed feedback signs, LED flashing timed signs during arrival and dismissal times, and RRFBs.

SRTS Ordinance Change

ADOPT SUBDIVSION INFRASTRUCTURE ORDINANCE

A recently implemented Minnesota State Statute (174.40) requires local jurisdictions to adopt a SRTS infrastructure ordinance in order to qualify for state and federal SRTS funds. This ordinance requires all new subdivisions built within city limits to install infrastructure focused on the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. This is commonly executed by installing sidewalks. An example city ordinance for reference is in Appendix K

The Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School committee recommends that the City of Pelican Rapids adopt a city ordinance requiring all new subdivisions built in Pelican Rapids city limits plan for and install pedestrian and bicycle safety infrastructure.

SRTS Policy Change

ADOPT SCHOOL AND CITY POLICIES TO SUPPORT SRTS EFFORTS

Currently, the Pelican Rapids School District Transportation Policies does not address supporting students walking and biking to and from school and school related activities The City of Pelican Rapids can also support SRTS efforts An example is Battle Lake’s policy to remove snow and ice on designated safe routes to school.

The Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School committee recommends that the City of Pelican Rapids and Pelican Rapids School District review their current ordinances and polices, and to add or change ordinances and polices that better support and encourage students to walk, bike, and roll to school.

Examples of Potential Infrastructure Improvements

Curb extensions (sometimes called bump outs or bulb-outs) can improve safety by reducing crossing distances and improving visibility for both people driving and people walking. Image courtesy of the National Association of City Planning Officials (NACTO).

High visibility crosswalks such as this “ladder” style crosswalk “are preferable to standard parallel or dashed pavement markings. These are more visible to approaching vehicles and have been shown to improve yielding behavior” according to the NACTO. Image courtesy Federal Highway Administration.

Sharrows, or Shared-Lane markings, are bicycle symbols indications that a bicyclist has the right to ride in the roadway and to warn drivers that bicyclists may be present. Image courtesy www.pedbikeimages.org / Margaret Gibbs

Speed tables, or raised crosswalks, are midblock gradual speed bumps that also function as a crosswalk for bicyclists and pedestrians. They help calm traffic speeds and provide more awareness for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing. Image courtesy www.pedbikeimages.org / Brandon Whyte.

An alternate high-visibility crosswalk such as this color treated crosswalk could be installed near the school, utilizing school colors. This type of crosswalk can improve visibility and enhance student pride. This rendering is of a crosswalk being installed in Brainerd. Image courtesy City of Brainerd.

A “Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon” (RRFB) is an option to improve safety and visibility for students crossing the street. Image courtesy www.pedbikeimages.org / Lara Justine.

An LED sign like this is an option to improve safety and visibility for students crossing the street at crosswalks. Image courtesy of TAPCO.

A mid-block crosswalk can provide a crossing option in areas with many people crossing the street to destinations that are not near an existing crosswalk. Image courtesy NACTO.

A bicycle repair station like this one provides an opportunity for high school students (plus school staff and faculty) to make minor adjustments and repairs to their bicycle before riding. It can serve as an incentive for students to ride their bikes to school. The City of Pelican Rapids can partner with the Pelican Rapids School District to determine the possible placement and installation of a bicycle repair station on the school or city grounds.

An underpass for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation can use this to travel under high traffic areas. This is a picture of an underpass in Alexandria, MN that leads to Woodland Elementary

School. Image courtesy of Widseth Engineering.

Sidewalks should be a minimum of five feet wide, and potentially wider closer to Pelican Rapids Public School. Whenever possible, sidewalks should be set back from the street with boulevards. This is a good example from Pelican Rapids along US Hwy 59 near the school.

Curb ramps should be compliant with PROWAG. PROWAG-compliant curb ramps such as those pictured here improve safety for young children, people with disabilities, or mobility issues to navigate the sidewalk network.

Programs

Introduction to Programs

Programs are opportunities to increase awareness, understanding, and excitement around walking, biking, and rolling to school.

Programs are focused on educating students, families, and the broader community about walking and biking, as well as on building a culture that supports and normalizes walking and biking to school and other destinations. Because programs are lowcost and can often be implemented quickly by an individual school or the school district, they represent an important Safe Routes to School strategy that complements longer-term strategies, including infrastructure improvements and policy changes

EXISTING PROGRAMS

The City of Pelican Rapids and the Pelican Rapids School District have been actively working towards providing safe and inviting spaces around school campuses for students. This foundation of encouraging student travel safety provides a valuable baseline for expanding programs to encourage more students to walk and bike.

PROGRAMS ALREADY ACTIVE AT PELICAN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

• Crossing Guards

• Students Against Destructive Decisions

PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

Conversations with school and district staff, caregivers, students, community members, and city and county staff led to the following program recommendations. Programs were tailored to meet the needs, capacities, and interests of the community and were prioritized based on existing programs, input from local stakeholders, the extent to which the program would serve priority equity populations, and the readiness of the school to launch the program.

RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

Bike Fleet

Bike Mechanic Classes

Cocoa for Carpools

Educational Videos

In-School Curriculum & Activities

Inter-School Partnership

School Communications

Ongoing Evaluation

School Streets

Park & Walk

School Curriculum

Student Patrols

Student Clubs

SRTS Campaign

Suggested Route Map

Walk & Bike Field Trips

Walk! Bike! Fun!

Walk and Bike to School Days

Walking School Bus and Bike Train

Rainbow Friends Toolkit

Positive Ticket Campaign

WALK/BIKE TO SCHOOL DAYS

National Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day attract millions of students and families to try walking, biking, and rolling to school every October and May. In addition, Minnesota celebrates Winter Walk to School Day in February. Additional education, encouragement, and enforcement programming can be used to promote the event, increase awareness, and expand participation. Walk/Bike to school days can also take place more frequently (e.g., Walking Wednesdays) if there’s interest and capacity.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

Pelican Rapids School District leadership will promote and support Fall and Winter Walk to School Day, and May Bike to School Day.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

To show students and families that the Pelican Rapids School District encourages students to walk and bike to school.

How will this address transportation inequities?

All children will be supported by the school district to participate in walk and bike to school day.

How will this be evaluated?

School will tally how many students participate in the walk and bike to school days.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen? Students, school leadership, and parents

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in the 2023/2024 school year.

DROP & WALK

During a drop and walk event (also called park and walk or remote drop-off) bus drivers and caregivers drop students at a designated off-campus location and students walk the rest of the way to school. Remote drop-off events can help reduce drop-off congestion on campus and provide students who live further from school with an opportunity to walk to school.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

The Pelican Rapids School District will hold drop and walk events in conjunction with bike and walk to school days.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

Most of the students attending Pelican Rapids Public Schools live more than two miles from school. This would give all students the opportunity to walk to school.

How will this address transportation inequities? Not all students have the ability to walk and bike to school due to distance. A drop and walk allows all students to walk and bike to school as a group.

How will this be evaluated?

This will be evaluated by a tally of students who participate.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen? School district leadership, city staff and leadership, and parents.

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in the 2023/2024 school year

WALK! BIKE! FUN!

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Curriculum is a twopart curriculum designed specifically for Minnesota’s schools. It is structured to meet Minnesota education standards and is an important part of the Safe Routes to School Program in Minnesota. Walk! Bike! Fun! helps students ages five to thirteen learn traffic rules and regulations, the potential hazards of traveling, and handling skills needed to bike and walk effectively, appropriately, and safely through their community.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

Pelican Rapids School District leadership will implement Walk! Bike! Fun! Curriculum in the school after teachers have attended training sessions.

Why is this relevant and recommended? Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum can increase ridership in students by raising their confidence and teaching them how to bike in town safely.

How will this address transportation inequities? Not all students have access to bicycles at home or were taught how to ride by their caregivers. By teaching kids in school this ensures all students are given the same opportunities to learn how to ride a bike and walk safely on roadways.

How will this be evaluated?

This will be evaluated by the number of students who pass the Walk! Bike! Fun! unit in their physical education class.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen?

Physical Ed staff, local health organization, and school leadership

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in the 2024/2025 school year.

RAINBOW FRIENDS TOOLKIT

The Rainbow Friends Toolkit was developed by a team at West Central Initiative along with artist Naomi Schliesman to encourage kids to walk and bike to school through the use of colorful animal footprints, art projects, and games.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

The Pelican Rapids School District leadership will work with West Central Initiative to deploy the Rainbow Friends Toolkit on specific walk and bikeoriented days, such as walk/bike to school days or in conjunction with a bike rodeo.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

The Rainbow Friends Toolkit makes active transportation more fun and interactive for younger students.

How will this address transportation inequities?

The artwork with the toolkit is includes a variety of methods for active transportation, such as a wheelchair, scooter, or bicycle.

How will this be evaluated?

The use of the Rainbow Friends Toolkit will be evaluated qualitatively by leadership who help with the implementation of the toolkit to see how students and families interact with the games, chalk footprints, and artwork.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen?

School and city leadership, West Central Initiative staff, parents, and students.

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in the 2023/2024 school year.

BICYCLE RODEO

Bicycle Rodeos are events where bicycle skills and safety stations are offered for children and sometimes parents. Examples are obstacle courses, bicycle safety checks, helmet fittings, and rules of the road instructions. Events can be held during or after school and can be administered by adult volunteers or through the local police and/or fire department.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

The Pelican Rapids School District will collaborate with a local partner to host a bicycle rodeo in the City of Pelican Rapids.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

A bike rodeo will give all children access to bicycle education and a proper helmet fitting.

How will this address transportation inequities?

A bike rodeo will give all children access to bicycle education and a proper helmet fitting.

How will this be evaluated?

This will be evaluated by a tally of attendees.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen?

School district leadership, city staff and leadership, local health organization, local police department, and local volunteer organization

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in the spring/summer of 2024.

WALKING SCHOOL BUS

A Walking School Bus is a group of students walking to school, often with one or more adults. Caregivers can take turns leading the bus, which follows the same route each time and picks up students from their homes or designated bus stops at specified times. Ideally, buses run every day or on a regular schedule so families can count on it, but they often begin as a one-time pilot event. Older students or “walking buddies” could also be used once a safe route has been established with the help of an adult. When, where, and how will this be implemented? Pelican Rapids School District leadership, along with local parents and community volunteers, could partner to create a walking school bus in the community.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

In the caregiver survey, twelve parents commented that having a group of students or an adult would increase the likelihood of their child walking or biking to school.

How will this address transportation inequities?

This would make walking and biking more accessible for students who may not have a support network to travel with them and improve safety for younger students to travel in a group.

How will this be evaluated?

This will be evaluated by the number of walking school buses at the school and the number of students who participate.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen? School district leadership, students, parents, and community volunteers

What is the timeline for implementation? Immediately

WALK AND BIKE FIELD TRIP

Schools that have the opportunity for every child to have access to a bicycle, such as having a school bike fleet, can take their students on a bicycle field trip. A bicycle field trip involves taking a group of students to a planned location where they can practice their cycling skills on the way. This is a great way to learn hands on how to ride a bike safely in public and in a group for support.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

Pelican Rapids School District leadership would hold a bicycle field trip either from the school or drive to a destination where students can then ride their bikes in a bike-friendly location. Pelican Rapids School District can reach out to local partners for resources and hands-on support during the bicycle field trips.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

Some kids do not have access to bikes at home, and this gives students the ability to take an enjoyable bike ride while practicing their cycling skills.

How will this address transportation inequities?

Pelican Rapids School District would provide standard and adaptive bicycles to all students who may not have access to bicycles at home.

How will this be evaluated?

This will be evaluated by the number of students who participate in the bicycle field trip.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen?

School District Leadership, physical education staff, and parents

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in the 2023/2024 school year.

BICYCLE FLEET

Bicycle fleets are a set of bicycles that a school district, city, or independent entity owns that can be used by students, kids, and/or the general public. Having a bicycle fleet in a community allows students who do not have their own bicycles at home the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school or the community. Bicycle fleets should include bicycles of varying sizes, helmets, repair kits, and adaptive bikes.

When, where, and how will this be implemented?

Pelican Rapids School District leadership, along with support from local partners, will purchase a bike fleet for the school. The Pelican Rapids School District could explore a partnership with adjacent school districts.

Why is this relevant and recommended?

Not all students have access to a bicycle, and this would allow students the opportunity to ride in and possibly outside of school.

How will this address transportation inequities?

This ensures that all students have access to a bicycle regardless of their socioeconomic background, and inclusion of an adaptive bicycle would ensure that students with disabilities can bike as well.

How will this be evaluated?

This would be evaluated by the completion of purchasing and deploying the bicycle fleet in the school.

Who needs to be involved to make this happen?

School district leadership, local health partners, West Central Initiative, and city staff and leadership.

What is the timeline for implementation?

Beginning in 2024/2025 school year.

Working for Change

Action Steps

This plan and planning process provides two critical ingredients for creating a more equitable transportation system in Pelican Rapids: a prioritized set of infrastructure and program recommendations, and a network of caregivers, school staff, local government employees, and community members committed to improving walking and biking.

Priority SRTS Initiatives

• Install sidewalks on designated safe routes to school.

• Host a Walk! Bike! Fun! training session through Bike MN

• Procure bicycle fleet and implement Walk! Bike! Fun! in physical education classes.

• Participate in Walk/Bike to School Days in the Fall, Winter, and/or Spring.

• Strengthen SRTS outreach to students’ families by sharing information on school webpage, at back-to-school day, and parent/teacher conferences.

FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS

A more equitable transportation system that prioritizes safe, comfortable, and fun opportunities to walk, bike, and roll benefits everyone. While this plan is focused on addressing connections to schools, many improvements will benefit people with no relationship to the schools because we all share the same streets, sidewalks, and trails. Likewise, many needed changes, such as reducing speed limits and normalizing walking and biking, extend far beyond the school system.

Your number one role as a community member is to advocate for changes that make walking, biking, and rolling safer, more comfortable, and more fun. Speak to elected officials, show up to community meetings, talk about walking and biking at school events and with school administrators, and organize and vote for candidates who support walking, biking, and public transit.

I AM A STUDENT OR CAREGIVER

Students and their families can have incredible influence when advocating for change in their school and broader community. For example, students and caregivers can support and lead SRTS initiatives including:

• Advocating for policy change and funding at City Hall.

• Developing campaigns to generate enthusiasm and improve social conditions for SRTS.

• Volunteering time to lead a Walking School Bus or organize a bike drive.

• Fundraising for SRTS programs and small infrastructure projects.

I AM A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE

School district staff bring an important perspective and voice to advocating for a more equitable

transportation system. By describing challenges and opportunities they see confronting their students and petitioning local elected officials for improvements, school district employees can support policy and infrastructure improvements that benefit their students and the broader community. Staff are also ideally positioned to implement the recommendations in this plan, whether it be a classroom-level curriculum or school district-wide policy around walking and biking.

I WORK FOR THE CITY OR COUNTY

As members of the governments that own, regulate, and maintain the roads, city and county staff can be instrumental in re-orienting transportation policies and infrastructure around walking and biking to schools and other destinations. City and county staff can leverage their expertise to identify, advocate for, and implement changes that contribute toward a more equitable transportation system. Key policies that staff can support include:

• Reducing lane widths and vehicular speed limits.

• Eliminating minimum parking requirements.

• Revising land use regulations to promote denser and more integrated land uses that promote walkable and bikeable trips.

• Prioritizing municipal maintenance and snow clearing of all pedestrian and bike facilities

• Requiring Complete Streets infrastructure as part of all road resurfacing and reconstruction projects

City staff can also use this report to support Safe Routes to School funding applications to programs such as MnDOT SRTS grants, Federal SRTS grants, and the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)

Appendices

A. Visuals and Maps - 40

B. Student Travel Tally Results - 51

C. Caregiver Survey - 57

D. Observation Data - 89

E. Public Engagement Data – 93

F. Data Collection Instruments – 97

G. SMART Goals – 100

H. Team Notes – 101

I. School District and City Policies – 107

J. Pelican Rapids 2022 Comprehensive Plan – 115

K. Crash Data – 118

L. Sample Subdivision Ordinance - 119

APPENDIX A: VISUALS AND MAPS

West Central Initiative has created online maps via Google My Maps for the use of the Pelican Rapids Public School Safe Routes to School committee. Visit the Google My Maps website at: https://tinyurl.com/4hd63arr and https://tinyurl.com/2bndjnnw.

This map contains multiple layers for easy viewing, some of which have been manipulated to produce figures A –E. This map was created in May of 2023, based on visual assessments and data obtained during community walk audits.

BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

Figure A: The map shows the City of Pelican Rapids and location where various bicycle infrastructure is recommended.

Figure B: The map shows the City of Pelican Rapids and location where there are currently no existing sidewalks adjacent to developed areas.

CURRENT AND PLANNED SIDEWALK NETWORK

Figure C: The map shows the City of Pelican Rapids and locations where there are currently sidewalks, where there will be sidewalks installed in conjunction with the Hwy 59 and 108 complete streets project, and where sidewalks and multiuse trail will be installed with the US Hwy 59 sidewalk expansion project.

Figure D: The map shows the current location of crosswalks in Pelican Rapids

Figure E: The map shows the City of Pelican Rapids and locations where sidewalks and path connections are recommended.

Sidewalk Recommendation

Figure F: The map shows the City of Pelican Rapids and locations for recommended crossing improvements.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL FLOW MAP

Figure G: The map shows Viking Elementary and Pelican Rapids High School, and how arrival and dismissal traffic flows.

Figure H: The map was taken from the 2021 Pelican Rapids Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and shows recommendations for various infrastructure improvements.

Figure I: The map was taken from the 2022 City Trail Plan and shows recommendations for various infrastructure improvements.

APPENDIX B: STUDENT TRAVEL TALLY RESULTS

Student Travel Tally Report: One School in One Data Collection Period

School Name: Pelican Rapids Secondary

School Group: Pelican Rapids ISD 548

School Enrollment: 865

Number of Classrooms Included in Report: 21

Set ID: 32401

Month and Year Collected: October 2022

Date Report Generated: 01/11/2023

This report contains information from your school's classrooms about students' trip to and from school. The data used in this report were collected using the in-class Student Travel Tally questionnaire from the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

Student Travel Tally Report: One School in One Data Collection Period

School Name: Viking Elementary School

School Group: Pelican Rapids ISD 548

School Enrollment: 865

Number of Classrooms Included in Report: 23

Set ID: 32380

Month and Year Collected: October 2022

Date Report Generated: 01/11/2023

This report contains information from your school's classrooms about students' trip to and from school. The data used in this report were collected using the in-class Student Travel Tally questionnaire from the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

APPENDIX C: CAREGIVER SURVEY

Viking Elementary

• Fluorescent vests, strips or even flashlights would help when it's too dark in the morning for kids when they walk to and from school. An adult can do a quick call or text check up on all the students who are on record to go home walking or biking.

• My child is able to drive to school so most of these questions don’t pertain to our family at this time.

• I do not feel safe having my teenage Daughter walk through or bike through town or from school. Too many risks including trafficking.

• Winter prevents walking and biking.

APPENDIX D: OBSERVATION DATA

SCHOOL NAME: Viking Elementary School

2. GRADE: K-6

3. ARRIVAL START TIME: 7:30AM END TIME: 8:15AM

DISMISSAL START TIME: 3:05PM END TIME: 3:25PM

4. CIRCLE APPLICABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS: SUNNY RAINY OVERCAST SNOW OTHER:

5. APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE: 14-20 degrees

6. IS THERE AN APPOINTED SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER OR VOLUNTEER DIRECTING TRAFFIC FLOW? Yes (Derrick)

7. IS THERE A SPECIFIED DROP-OFF / PICK-UP AREA? Yes

8. IS THE DROP-OFF / PICK-UP ZONE SEPARATE FROM OTHER VEHICLES? Yes

9. IS THERE A SPECIFIED BIKE ARRIVAL / DISMISSAL AREA? No

SCHOOL NAME: Pelican Rapids High School

2. GRADE: 7-12

3. ARRIVAL START TIME: 7:00 END TIME: 8:30AM

DISMISSAL START TIME: 3:05PM END TIME: 3:25PM

4. CIRCLE APPLICABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS: SUNNY RAINY OVERCAST SNOW OTHER:

5. APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE: 14-20 degrees

6. IS THERE AN APPOINTED SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER OR VOLUNTEER DIRECTING TRAFFIC FLOW? No

7. IS THERE A SPECIFIED DROP-OFF / PICK-UP AREA? Yes

8. IS THE DROP-OFF / PICK-UP ZONE SEPARATE FROM OTHER VEHICLES? Yes

9. IS THERE A SPECIFIED BIKE ARRIVAL / DISMISSAL AREA? NO

Observation day Results

AM:

Viking: 13 walkers, 2 bikers. Most came from the north moving south, with 2 coming from the south.

PRHS: ~30-35 students, 2 bikers

PM:

Viking: 10 walkers going north, 1 went south. 2 bikers heading north.

PRHS: ~50 students walking, 2 bikers.

3 kids walking in street instead of partial sidewalk.

5 dropped off at intersection to walk one block.

2 walked on partial.

5 were high school students

Ashley 1

Mallory/Derrick Front of Viking

3 15 - went to playground

Karen 18-

2 – crossing guards. Left at 3:15PM

2 – adult walkers out for a workout

– not

25 8 – used x walk button

Observer Name Which of the following traffic control devices are present at the observation area?

Which of the following traffic control devices are present at the observation area?

APPENDIX E: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DATA

WikiMapping

West Central Initiative created a WikiMap for the Pelican Rapids community that was open to the public for input. Visit the Pelican Rapids WikiMap (https://wikimapping.com/Pelican-Rapids.html).

Category

Comment

Congested bus, vehicle, and pedestrian traffic. Loop around football field is used to avoid this intersection and has a lot of vehicle and foot traffic sharing the road.

Improvement opportunity

(Hwy 59 and 5th Ave S)

Adding a 4 way flashing stop light only in service during high traffic times. Lots of witnessed near misses from kids crossing.

Yes I hi k they should have traffic lights

Yes it is crazy that there isn't a four way stop light that signals red before school and after, then just blinks yellow so truckers and drivers can be more aware/reminded of kids walking across the street.

Add walking route to improve Walking path

Figure J: The following are marked locations from community members on areas in the City of Pelican Rapids where they feel there are walking or bicycling issues that need to be addressed.

Public Engagement Session

West Central Initiative staff held a tabling event on the day of the Pelican Rapids School District parent teacher conferences on November 14th, 2022. One staff member was located at the entrance of Viking Elementary School, and the other was in the gymnasium at Pelican Rapids High School. Both staff had poster boards where caregivers, students, and faculty could vote on what keeps children from walking or biking to school, and what would help students to walk or bike to school. Here are the results of the survey.

Viking Elementary

What keeps children from walking or biking to school? Distance

Figure K: A graph showing caregiver feedback from Viking Elementary to the question, “What keeps children from walking to school?”

What would help children walk or bike to school?

Figure L: A graph showing caregivers feedback from Viking Elementary to the question, “What would help children walk or bike to school?”

Pelican Rapids High School

What keeps children from walking or biking to school?

Distance Convenience of Driving Time

Lack of Adult Supervision Before/After School Activites Childcare

Speed of Cars or Traffic Lack of Sidewalks or Paths

Lack of Crossing Guards Violence or Crime

Safety of Intersections/Crosswalks

Weather or Climate

What would help children walk or bike to school?

Walking School Bus Bike Train Bus Stop & Walk

Mileage Club Walk! Bike! Fun! Curriculum at school Safer Intersections/Crossing

Better Sidewalks or Paths Less Traffic Slower Car Speeds

More Crossing Guards Encouragment & Rewards

Figure M: A graph showing caregiver feedback from Pelican Rapids High School to the question, “What keeps children from walking to school?”

Figure N: A graph showing caregivers feedback from Pelican Rapids High School to the question, “What would help children walk or bike to school?”

Pelican Rapids High School

Figure O: Posters from the Viking Elementary public engagement session asking, “What would help students walk or bike to school?”, and “What keeps children from walking or bike to school?”

Figure P: Posters from the Pelican Rapids High School public engagement session asking, “What would help students walk or bike to school?”, and “What keeps children from walking or bike to school?”

APPENDIX F: DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS

Parent Survey

A high-quality and text readable version of this document can be found at Parent Survey. (chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://saferoutesdata.org/downloads/Parent_Survey_English.pdf)

Talley (https://saferoutesdata.org/downloads/SRTS_Two_Day_Tally.pdf).

APPENDIX G: PELICAN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS SMART GOALS

Education:

• The Pelican Rapids School district in collaboration with the City of Pelican Rapids and Pelican Rapids Police Department will hold a bicycle rodeo in Spring/Summer 2024.

• The Pelican Rapids school district will develop a walking and biking to school route map by fall of 2023.

• Pelican Rapids school district with send teachers to attend WBF training in the 2023/2024 school year.

• Pelican Rapids school district will implement WBF curriculum in school in 2024/2025

Engagement:

• Pelican Rapids school district will deploy WCI’s Rainbow Friends toolkit in 2023/2024

• Pelican Rapids school district will share SRTS information in the welcome packet for the 2023/2024 school year.

• Pelican Rapids school district with the City of Pelican Rapids will share SRTS information on their social media platforms and school district website in 2023/2024.

Encouragement:

• Pelican Rapids school district will take students on the Heart of Lakes Trail for a biking field trip beginning in 2024/2025 school year.

• Pelican Rapids school district will participate in Walk/Bike to school days in the 2023/2024 school year.

• Pelican Rapids school district will host a walking earth day garbage pickup event for students in 2024.

Enforcement:

• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) in partner with the Pelican Rapids Police Department will implement a positive ticket program for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Engineering:

• The City of Pelican Rapids in partner with Pelican Rapids school district and local partners will explore connection routes from the Ridge Crest apartments to the elementary school by 2025.

• The City of Pelican Rapids in partner with Pelican Rapids school district and local partners will identify sidewalk gaps in neighborhoods to develop safe routes to school beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.

• The City of Pelican Rapids in partner with Pelican Rapids school district and local partners will look at updating bicycle infrastructure at the high school, soccer field, Carr field, and Chauncey Martin Field beginning in 2023.

Evaluation:

• The Pelican Rapids school district will engage in an ongoing assessment of walking/biking behaviors with student travel tallies beginning in 2023/2024 school year.

• The Pelican Rapids school district will engage in an ongoing assessment to measure progress of program activities in 2024/2025 school year.

Equity:

• The Pelican Rapids school district will apply for the procurement of a Bike Fleet in the 2023/2024 school year.

APPENDIX H: PELICAN RAPIDS TEAM MEETING NOTES

Pelican Rapids SRTS Kickoff Team Meeting

Monday, October 10th

5:00PM, Pelican Rapids High School Media Center

Attendees:

Wayne – West Central Initiative

Mallory – West Central Initiative

Karen Nitzkorski – PartnerSHIP 4 Health

Patrick Hollister – PartnerSHIP 4 Health

Brian Korf – Pelican Rapids School District

Brian Olson – City of Pelican Rapids

Sheri Meester – Pelican Rapids School District

Paul Restad - Christiansen bus service

Danielle Harthun- City of Pelican Rapids

Mary Safgren - MnDOT (online)

Meeting began at 5:03PM

The group did introductions with an ice breaker question.

Wayne gave an overview of West Central Initiative’s role in Safe Routes to School planning and other roles in the region.

Mallory then gave an overview of what is Safe Routes to School:

• Safe Routes to School introduction video

• PowerPoint presentation on background of Safe Routes to School

Mallory reviewed team member roles, the scope of work, and vision statement. She shared the stakeholder poster and what the roles and benefits received during the Safe Routes to School planning process. She then showed the scope of work to the group which gave an overview of the timeline of the planning process, what the next meetings will entail, and when the plan will be finished.

Wayne emphasized that Safe Routes to School is about kids walking and biking to school vs making it easier for traffic. He gave an example of a project in Perham where moving bus drop off can make it safer for kids to walk and bike to and from school. The group looked over the example vision statement and approval. Vision statement can be changed during the planning process though.

Mallory then led a discussion asking attendees different questions regarding the Pelican Rapids community’s walkability.

Barriers:

• Brian K: Crossing Highway 59 is a challenge.

• Patrick mentioned that a squad car is often parked near the school in the morning.

• Brian O: crosswalks are poorly marked and not well-lit; all that will change with the project.

• Bus picks up across the highway, so kids don’t have to cross.

• Vehicles - specifically pickups - park near the crosswalk, making it difficult to see.

• Convenience of driving is an obstacle.

Areas of town that are tough.

• Patrick observed that the schools are on the south side of town and most kids live on the north side of town.

• Could add trail between apartments; Brian - will be done as part of the 59/108 project.

• Patrick - 59 will be done in 2024 and 108 in 2025.

• Bus distance policy - no bussing in SE except apartments by football field.

• Drop off in football parking lot is better now that the lot is paved.

Opportunities:

• Downtown is an asset

• City walking routes

• Heart of the Lakes trail

• Karen: local foods, local places; diversity is an asset

• Older siblings walk with younger siblings

• 59/108 project will be a benefit

Best places to walk in town

• SE quadrant of town is convenient to the schools

Encourage:

• More sidewalks

Mallory reviewed action items.

Observation Day:

• Gather at media center at 6:30AM door 8 for arrival and 2:45PM @ door 8 for dismissal

Viking Elementary starts at 8:15AM / 7:45AM early arrivals

Also childcare at Viking Elementary before that @7am and Dismissal @ 3:05PM

High School starts at 8:25AM with students beginning to arrive at 7:00AM

Dismissal is @ 3:15

Locations:

2nd Ave SE

Across softball diamonds

Add Karen and Sheri to email list

Mallory concluded the meeting at 6:35PM

Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School Team Meeting #2

January 17, 2023

7:15 AM, Pelican Rapids School District Boardroom

In attendance:

In person:

Mallory Jarvi

Brian Korf

Derrick Nelson

Laura Januszewski

Lance Roisum

Trevor Steeves

Virtually:

Wayne Hurley

Brent Frazier

Karen Nitzkorski

Patrick Hollister

Jess Fahje

Mallory opened the meeting at 7:15am

Mallory went over the agenda for the meeting and began reviewing the project scope and timeline.

Next Mallory reviewed observation day and some of the results, as well as student travel tallies. She also reviewed the results of the public input received at the parent teacher conferences at both the elementary and high school. Mallory then gave an overview of the WikiMap as well as the parent survey that will be sent out soon. WikiMap link can be found here: https://wikimapping.com/Pelican-Rapids.html

Development of SMART Goals was next on the agenda. Mallory gave an overview of SMART Goals and then led a discussion to come up with some draft goals. She shared some draft goals and asked for feedback on the draft goals and if committee members had any additional goals they’d like to see included.

There was in-depth discussion on the procurement of the bicycle fleet for the school district and how it could be used in class. With the new bike trail and trailhead being built in the school parking lot, there is a lot of potential for use. Karen will look into funding through Partnership 4 Health, and the next Boost grant solicitation is another possibility. Another option would be to rent a bicycle rack from a school district that already has a bicycle fleet in the region.

All of the “E’s” were covered with the exception of the Engineering “E” which will be discussed at the next meeting in February.

Mallory concluded the meeting at 8:17am.

Pelican Rapids SRTS Team Meeting #3

February 7th, 2023

7:15 AM, Pelican Rapids School District Boardroom

Attendance:

In-person

Lance Roisum

Brian Korf

Laura J

Brian Olson

Jeff Stadum

Mallory Jarvi

Trevor Steeves

Zoom

Derrick Nelson

Mary Safgren

Wayne Hurley

Karen Nitzkorski

Patrick Hollister

Sheri Meester

Mallory opened the meeting and introductions were made.

Mallory gave a brief overview on planning updates to the timeline. She mentioned that after the meeting today drafting of the plan would begin.

Mallory then presented a map showing locations in Pelican Rapids where there are existing sidewalks, no sidewalks, sidewalks to be installed during the 2024/2025 complete streets project, and in 2027 with the Hwy 59 construction project.

There was discussion on what paths the team would like to prioritize in Pelican. There was an agreement to find a path from the Southern Apartment complex to the elementary school. Currently there is a bus that picks up students from that location, but it is not far from the elementary school. Making a walkable path would is a priority. Mallory also highlighted routes to school that should be prioritized. Not all the routes have sidewalks, so creating a network is another priority.

After engineering there was discussion on the creation of a student heat density map. There were points brought up that neighborhoods where children live change, and with Pelican being a relatively small community children live throughout the communities with a high amount in the several apartment complexes. A consensus was that a student heat density map will not be created.

There was then discussion on the creation of a student survey. Mallory will work on developing the survey and work with the Pelican Rapids Youths group for assistance.

There was then discussion on a grant that could be available. Mallory mentioned that the SRTS infrastructure grants could be available this coming fall, but there would need to be an ordinance passed by the city proclaiming that new subdivisions are required to have SRTS infrastructure installed. Karen Nitzkorski also mentioned that a new round of the SRTS Boost grant will be opening in March and PartnerSHIP 4 Health will assist the Pelican Rapids school district on the application for a bicycle fleet. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Pelican Rapids Safe Routes to School Team Meeting #4

June 13th, 2023

1:15 PM, Pelican Rapids School District Boardroom

Attendees:

In-person:

Brian Korf

Laura J, Brian Olson

Lance Roisum

Brent Frazier

Paul Restad

Aaliyah Helland

Mallory Jarvi

Virtual:

Jess Fahje

Karen Nitzkorski

Patrick Hollister

Mary Safgren

Mallory opened the meeting and introductions were made

Mallory gave an overview of the what the planning process has consisted of throughout the year for new attendees. She gave a synopsis of the following data collected; student travel tally, caregiver survey, observation day, WikiMap, and public engagement session. There was discussion on the high speed of traffic by the school, and it was noted as an area of concern in the caregiver survey. Brian Olson mentioned that there have been speed studies done in the past, but due to the speed of traffic it will not be lowered. There was discussion about putting up a flashing timed light during school hours to warn drivers that they are in a school zone. Mary Safgren with talk to Trudy about the possibility.

The committee went over the school and city ordinances/policies. There was talk about the city snow and ice removal policy, and how that could be altered to where the city may decide to remove some snow where kids walk.

Mallory then went over the plan from the beginning. Mallory mentioned that in parts of the plan that are prewritten by MnDOT there can still be alterations to best fit the community. The committee went over the site circulation and there was an alteration to change that buses pick students up on the west side of the school. There was discussion as to was constitutes transit, and concluded that public transit should be only noted, though there is a private transportation service.

Mr. Korf mentioned that the student enrollment may be slightly inflated, but to keep what the state says is correct. There was discussion on the non-busing zone in Pelican, which is east of US Hwy 59 and south of Hwy 108. There used to be a single pick up and drop off location, but now there are five.

Mallory then went over the infrastructure portion of the plan. She went over upcoming projects, including the trailhead which is currently under construction. She gave an update that she ordered a Saris bicycle repair station using the extra SRTS funding and is waiting on a quote for bike racks.

The group then went over the infrastructure recommendations in the plan. There was discussion surrounding the intersection of US Hwy 59 and 5th Ave SE. There will be RRFBs installed next year with the complete streets project, but with the high amount of student traffic between school and underpass may be desired. Kids may get into trouble, but it would also be beneficial for little ones and bikers to get to the trailhead from downtown. After all the infrastructure, there was discussion on the SRTS city ordinance that would need to be passed in order to access state SRTS infrastructure money. The school should also look into the transportation and wellness policies to better align with the mission of SRTS.

The committee went over the recommended programs, and there was enthusiasm for the drop and walk, Walk! Bike! Fun!, Rainbow Friends Toolkit, Bicycle Rodeo, and a Bike Fleet. The school did submit an application for bicycle fleet through the Boost grant but has yet to receive word.

The school will work to better educate students and families in the fall to use the flashing buttons when crossing and how to walk and bike safely to school

The committee went over the priority SRTS initiatives, and Karen added hosting a Walk! Bike! Fun! training.

With no further discussion the Mallory adjourned the meeting

APPENDIX I: PELICAN RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY POLICIES

Wellness Policy – Revised May 2023

533 WELLNESS

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to set forth methods that promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and assure that school meals and other food and beverages sold and otherwise made available on the school campus during the school day are consistent with applicable minimum local, state, and federal standards.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A. The school board recognizes that nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness are essential components of the educational process and that good health fosters student attendance and learning.

B. The school environment should promote students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by encouraging healthy eating and physical activity.

C. The school district encourages the involvement of students representatives of the school food authority, school health professionals, and school administration in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the school district’s wellness policy.

D. Children need access to healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive.

E. All students in grades K-12 will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.

F. Qualified food service personnel will provide students with access to a variety of affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students; try to accommodate the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student body in meal planning; and will provide clean, safe, and pleasant settings and adequate time for students to eat.

III. WELLNESS GOALS

A. Nutrition Promotion and Education

1. The school district will encourage and support healthy eating by students and engage in nutrition promotion that is:

a. offered as part of a comprehensive program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;

533-2

b. part of health education classes, as well as classroom instruction in subjects such as math, science, language arts, social sciences, and elective subjects, where appropriate; and

c. enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and includes participatory activities, such as contests, promotions, taste testing, and field trips.

2. The school district will encourage all students to make age appropriate, healthy selections of foods and beverages, including those sold individually outside the reimbursable school meal programs, such as through a la carte/snack lines, vending machines, fundraising events, concession stands, and student stores.

B. Physical Activity

1. Students need opportunities for physical activity and to fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior. Toward that end, health and physical education will reinforce the knowledge and self-management skills needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce sedentary activities, such as watching television;

2. Opportunities for physical activity will be incorporated into other subject lessons, where appropriate; and

3. Classroom teachers will provide short physical activity breaks between lessons or classes, as appropriate.

C. Communications with Parents

1. The school district recognizes that parents and guardians have a primary role in promoting their children’s health and well-being.

2. The school district will support parents’ efforts to provide a healthy diet and daily physical activity for their children.

3. The school district encourages parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks and refrain from including beverages and foods without nutritional value.

4. The school district will provide information about physical education and other school-based physical activity opportunities and will support parents’ efforts to provide their

V. WELLNESS LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

A. Wellness Coordinator

1. The superintendent will designate a school district official to oversee the school district’s wellness-related activities (Wellness Coordinator). The Wellness Coordinator will ensure that each school implements the policy.

2. The principal of each school, or a designated school official, will ensure compliance within the school and will report to the Wellness Coordinator regarding compliance matters upon request.

B. Public Involvement

1. The Wellness Coordinator will permit students, representatives of the school food authority, school health professionals, and school administration to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the wellness policy.

2. The Wellness Coordinator will hold meetings, from time to time, for the purpose of discussing the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the wellness policy. VI. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

A. Implementation and Publication

1. After approval by the school board, the wellness policy will be implemented throughout the school district. 533-5

2. The school district will post its wellness policy on its website, to the extent it maintains a website.

B. Annual Reporting

The Wellness Coordinator will annually inform the public about the content and implementation of the wellness policy and make the policy and any updates to the policy available to the public.

C. Triennial Assessment

1. At least once every three years, the school district will evaluate compliance with the wellness policy to assess the implementation of the policy and create a report that includes the following information:

a. the extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the school district are in compliance with the wellness policy;

b. the extent to which the school district’s wellness policy compares to model local wellness policies; and

c. a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the school district’s wellness policy. 2. The Wellness Coordinator will be responsible for conducting the triennial assessment.

3. The triennial assessment report shall be posted on the school district’s website or otherwise made available to the public.

D. Recordkeeping

The school district will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the wellness policy. The records to be retained include, but are not limited to:

1. The school district’s written wellness policy.

2. Documentation demonstrating compliance with community involvement requirements, including requirements to make the local school wellness policy and triennial assessments available to the public.

3. Documentation of the triennial assessment of the local school wellness policy for each school under the school district’s jurisdiction efforts to review and update the wellness policy (including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the school district uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate on the Wellness Committee).

LegalReferences :

Minn. Stat. § 121A.215 (Local School District Wellness Policy; Website)

42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq. (Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act)

42 U.S.C. § 1758b (Local School Wellness Policy)

42 U.S.C. § 1771 et seq. (Child Nutrition Act)

7 U.S.C. § 5341 (Establishment of Dietary Guidelines)

7 C.F.R. § 210.10 (School Lunch Program Regulations)

7 C.F.R. § 220.8 (School Breakfast Program Regulations)

Transportation of Public School Students - Revised June 2019

707 TRANSPORTATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

[Note: The obligations stated in this policy are largely governed by statute. Statutory references are included throughout the policy. A school district may choose to add obligations to the model policy.]

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the transportation of students consistent with the requirements of law.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A. The policy of the school district is to provide for the transportation of students in a manner which will protect their health, welfare, and safety.

B. The school district recognizes that transportation is an essential part of the school district services to students and parents but further recognizes that transportation by school bus is a privilege and not a right for an eligible student.

IV. ELIGIBILITY

A. Upon the request of a parent or guardian, the school district shall provide transportation to and from school, at the expense of the school district, for all resident students who reside two miles or more from the school, except for those students whose transportation privileges have been revoked or have been voluntarily surrendered by the student’s parent or guardian. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.88, Subd. 1)

B. The school district may, in its discretion, also provide transportation to any student to and from school, at the expense of the school district, for any other purpose deemed appropriate by the school board. C. In the discretion of the school district, transportation along regular school bus routes may also be provided, where space is available, to any person where such use of a bus does not interfere with the transportation of students. The cost of providing such transportation must be paid by those individuals using these services or some third-party payor. Bus transportation also may be provided along school bus routes when space is available for participants in early childhood family education programs and school readiness programs if these services do not result in an increase in the school district’s expenditures for transportation. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.88, Subd. 10, 11, 12, and 13)

D. For purposes of stabilizing enrollment and reducing mobility, the school district may, in its discretion, establish a full-service school zone and may provide transportation for students attending a school in that full-service school zone. A full-service school zone may be established for a school that is located in an area with higher than average crime or other social and economic challenges and that provides education, health or human services, or other parental support in collaboration with a city, county, state, or nonprofit agency.

IX. AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES

Transportation shall be provided on all regularly scheduled school days or make-up days. Transportation will not be provided during the summer school break. Transportation may be provided for summer instructional programs for students with a disability or in conjunction with a learning year program. Transportation between home and school may also be provided, in the discretion of the school district, on staff development days. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.88, Subd. 21)

X. MANNER OF TRANSPORTATION

The scheduling of routes, establishment of the location of bus stops, manner and method of transportation, control and discipline of school children, the determination of fees, and any other matter relating thereto shall be within the sole discretion, control and management of the school board. The school district may, in its discretion,

provide room and board, in lieu of transportation, to a student who may be more economically and conveniently provided for by that means. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.88, Subd. 1)

XI. RESTRICTIONS

Transportation by the school district is a privilege and not a right for an eligible student. A student’s eligibility to ride a school bus may be revoked for a violation of school bus safety or conduct policies, or violation of any other law governing student conduct on a school bus pursuant to the school district’s discipline policy. Revocation of a student’s bus riding privilege is not an exclusion, expulsion, or suspension under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act. Revocation procedures for a student who is an individual with a disability under 20 U.S.C. § 1415 (Individuals with Disabilities Act), 29 U.S.C. § 794 (the Rehabilitation Act), and 42 U.S.C. § 12132, (Americans with Disabilities Act) are governed by these provisions. (Minn. Stat. § 121A.59)

LegalReferences:

Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 (Compulsory Instruction)

Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56 (Pupil Fair Dismissal Act)

Minn. Stat. § 121A.59 (Bus Transportation is a Privilege Not a Right)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.36 (Authorized Fees)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.41 (Educational Aids for Nonpublic School Children; Definitions)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.44 (Provision of Pupil Support Services)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.88 (Independent School Districts, Transportation)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.92 (Transportation Aid Entitlement)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.03 (Enrollment Options Program)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.04 (Enrollment Options Programs in Border States)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.041 (Reciprocity with Adjoining States)

Minn. Stat. § 124D.08 (School Board’s Approval to Enroll in Nonresident District)

Minn. Stat. Ch. 125A (Children With a Disability)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.02 (Children With a Disability, Defined)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.12 (Attendance in Another District)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.15 (Placement in Another District; Responsibility)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.51 (Placement of Children Without Disabilities; Education and Transportation)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.515 (Placement of Students; Approval of Education Program) 707-9

Minn. Stat. § 125A.65 (Attendance at Academies for the Deaf and Blind)

Minn. Stat. § 126C.01 (General Education RevenueDefinitions)

Minn. Stat. § 127A.47 (Payments to Resident and Nonresident Districts)

Minn. Stat. § 190.05 (Definitions)

Minn. Rules Part 7470.1600 (Transporting Pupils with Disability)

Minn. Rules Part 7470.1700 (Drivers and Aides for Pupils with Disabilities)

20 U.S.C. § 1415 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004)

29 U.S.C. § 794 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504)

42 U.S.C. § 2000d (Prohibition Against Exclusion from Participation in, Denial of Benefits of, and Discrimination under Federally Assisted Programs on Ground of Race, Color, or National Origin)

42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq. (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001)

42 U.S.C. § 12132 et seq. (Americans With Disabilities Act)

Transportation of Nonpublic School Students – Revised 2019

708 TRANSPORTATION OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

[Note: The obligations stated in this policy are largely governed by statute. Statutory references are included throughout the policy. A school district may choose to add obligations to the model policy.]

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to address transportation rights of nonpublic school students and to provide equality of treatment in transporting such students pursuant to law.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

The policy of the school district is to recognize the rights of nonpublic school students and to provide equal transportation to those students as required by law.

III. ELIGIBILITY

A. The school district shall provide equal transportation within the school district for all students to any school when transportation is deemed necessary by the school district because of distance or traffic conditions in like manner and form as provided in Minn. Stat. § 123B.88 and § 123B.92 when applicable. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.86, Subd. 1)

B. Upon the request of a parent or guardian, the school district shall provide school bus transportation to the school district boundary for students residing in the school district at least the same distance from a nonpublic school actually attended in another school district as public school students are transported in the transporting school district. Such transportation shall be provided whether there is or is not another nonpublic school within the transporting school district, if the transportation is to schools maintaining grades or departments not maintained in the school district or if the attendance of such students at school can more safely, economically, or conveniently be provided for by such means. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.86, Subd. 2(a))

C. The school district may provide school bus transportation to a nonpublic school in another school district for students residing in the school district and attending that school, whether there is or is not another nonpublic school within the transporting school district, if the transportation is to schools maintaining grades or departments not maintained in the school district or if the attendance of such students at school can more safely, economically, or conveniently be provided for by such means. If the school district transports students to a nonpublic school located in another school district, the nonpublic school shall pay the cost of such transportation provided outside the school district boundaries. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.86, Subd. 2(b))

D. The school district shall provide the necessary transportation within school district boundaries between the nonpublic school and a public school or neutral site for nonpublic school students who are provided pupil support services if the school district elects to provide pupil support services at a site other than a nonpublic school. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.44, Subd. 1)

E. When transportation is provided, the scheduling of routes, manner and method of transportation, control and discipline of students, and any other matter relating thereto shall be within the sole discretion, control, and management of the school district. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.86, Subd. 3; Minn. Stat. § 123B.91, Subd. 1a)

F. Additional transportation to and from a nonpublic school may be provided at the expense of the school district where such services are provided in the discretion of the school district.

IV. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

A. If a resident student with a disability attends a nonpublic school located within the school district, the school district shall provide necessary transportation for the student within the school district between the nonpublic

school and the educational facility where special instruction and services are provided on a shared-time basis. If a resident student with a disability attends a nonpublic school located in another school district and if no agreement exists for the provision of special instruction and services on a shared time basis to that student by the school district of attendance and where the special instruction and services are provided within the school district, the school district shall provide necessary transportation for that student between the school district boundary and the educational facility. The school district may provide necessary transportation for that student between its boundary and the nonpublic school attended, but the nonpublic school shall pay the cost of transportation provided outside the school district. School districts may make agreements for who provides transportation. Parties serving students on a shared time basis have access to a due process hearing system as provided by law. (Minn. Stat. § 125A.18)

B. When the disabling conditions of a student with a disability are such that the student cannot be safely transported on the regular school bus and/or school bus route and/or when the student is transported on a special route for the purpose of attending an approved special education program shall be entitled to special transportation at the expense of the school district or the day training and habilitation program attended by the student. The school district shall determine the type of vehicle used to transport students with a disability on the basis of the disabling conditions and applicable laws. This section shall not be applicable to parents who transport their own child under a contract with the school district. (Minn. Stat. § 123B.88, Subd. 19; Minn. Rules Part 7470.1600, Subd. 1) C. Each driver and aide assigned to a vehicle transporting students with a disability will be provided with appropriate training for the students in their care, will assist students with their safe ingress and egress from the bus, will ensure the proper use of protective safety devices, and will be provided with access to emergency health care information as required by law. (Minn. Rules Part 7470.1700)

D. Any parent of a student with a disability who believes that the transportation services provided for that child are not in compliance with the applicable law may utilize the alternative dispute resolution and due process procedures provided for in Minn. Stat. Ch. 125A. (Minn. Rules Part 7470.1600, Subd. 2)

V. APPLICATION OF GENERAL POLICY

The provisions of the school district’s policy on transportation of public school students [Model Policy 707] shall apply to the transportation of nonpublic school students except as specifically provided herein.

LegalReferences:

Minn. Stat. § 123B.44 (Provision of Pupil Support Services)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.84 (Policy)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.86 (Equal Treatment)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.88 (Independent School Districts, Transportation)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.91, Subd. 1a (Compliance by Nonpublic and Charter School Students)

Minn. Stat. § 123B.92 (Transportation Aid Entitlement)

Minn. Stat. Ch. 125A (Children With a Disability)

Minn. Stat. § 125A.18 (Special Instruction; Nonpublic Schools)

Minn. Rules Part 7470.1600 (Transporting Pupils with Disability)

Minn. Rules Part 7470.1700 (Drivers and Aides for Pupils with Disabilities)

Americans United, Inc. as Protestants and Other Am. United for Separation of Church and State, et al. v. Independent Sch. Dist. No. 622, et al., 288 Minn. 1996, 179 N.W.2d 146 (Minn. 1970)

Eldredge v. Independent Sch. Dist. No. 625, 422 N.W.2d 319 (Minn. Ct. App. 1988)

Healy v. Independent Sch. Dist. No. 625, 962 F.2d 1304 (8th Cir. 1992)

Minn. Op. Atty. Gen. 166a-7 (June 3, 1983)

Minn. Op. Atty. Gen. 166a-7 (Sept. 14, 1981)

Minn. Op. Atty. Gen. 166a-7 (July 15, 1976)

Minn. Op. Atty. Gen. 166a-7 (July 17, 1970)

Minn. Op. Atty. Gen. 166a-7 (Oct. 3, 1969)

Minn. Op. Atty. Gen. 166a-7 (Sept. 12, 1969)

Pelican Rapids City Ordinances

PART 1. STREET EXCAVATIONS

301.01 PERMIT REQUIRED

No person, except an authorized City employee or a contractor performing work under a contract with the City, shall make any excavation in or remove or disturb any part of a street, highway, alley, sidewalk or public ground without first having secured a permit therefor from the City of Pelican Rapids. The fee for such permit shall be as established from time to time by the City Council.

302.04 REPAIR OF SIDEWALKS AND ALLEYS

Subdivision 1. Duty of Owner. The owner of any property within the City abutting a public sidewalk or alley shall keep the sidewalk or alley in repair and safe for pedestrians. Repairs shall be made in accordance with the standard specifications approved by the Council and on file in the office of the City Clerk.

Subdivision 2. Inspections; Notice. The City Clerk or a person or persons acting on his behalf shall make such inspections as are necessary to determine that public sidewalks and alleys within the City are kept in repair and safe for pedestrians or vehicles. If he finds that any sidewalk or alley abutting on private property is unsafe and in need of repairs, he shall cause a notice to be served, by registered or certified mail or by personal service, upon the record owner of the property and the occupant, if the owner does not reside within the City or cannot be found therein, ordering such owner to have the sidewalk or alley repaired and made safe within 30 days and stating that if the owner fails to do so, the City will do so, that the expense thereof must be paid by the owner, and that if unpaid it will be made a special assessment against the property concerned.

Subdivision 3. Repair by City. If the sidewalk or alley is not repaired within 30 days after receipt of the notice, the City Clerk shall report the facts to the Council and the Council shall by resolution order the City Clerk to have the sidewalk or alley repaired and make it safe or order the work done by contract in accordance with law. The City Clerk shall keep a record of the total cost of the repair attributable to each lot or parcel of property and keep such information at the office of the City Clerk.

302.05 DEBRIS ON STREETS AND RIGHTS OF WAY

Subdivision 1. Debris Prohibited. No person shall deposit or permit to be deposited on any public street or rightof-way in this City, leaves, grass, sand or any other materials, nor shall any person plow, shovel, or blow snow or permit the same to be placed onto a public street or right-of-way in the City.

Subdivision 2. Removal by City. The City may cause removal from all public streets and rights-of-way in the City all leaves, grass, sand, snow and other materials as soon as possible beginning 24 hours after any such matter has been deposited thereon or, in the case of materials causing a traffic hazard or other public hazard, may do so immediately. The City Clerk shall keep a record showing the cost of such removal adjacent to each separate lot and parcel.

701.04 SPEED LIMIT IN SCHOOL ZONES

The City Council may, by resolution, designate school speed limit zones on certain streets or portions of streets bordering on or near school property. Upon the erection of appropriate signs designating the beginning and ending of such speed limit zones, no person shall drive a vehicle within the zones designated by this section in excess of the posted speed limit when children are present, going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours or during school recess periods

APPENDIX J: PELICAN RAPIDS 2022 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Transportation

Goal 1: Provide safe and efficient movement of people and goods through the community.

Strategy Action item Priority

The city will continue to develop its partnership with

MnDOT and Otter Tail County to ensure the city’s transportation needs are incorporated into future projects by Otter Tail County and MnDOT.

Develop and maintain a capital improvements plan that addresses transportation system needs.

Actively participate in project planning with MnDOT and Otter Tail County.

Ongoing

Annually review and update the capital improvements plan in coordination with the city’s budgeting process.

Ongoing

Conduct a pavement management study and plan. Low

Ensure that streets, intersections, and sidewalks are well maintained and well lit. High

Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills by using different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.

Support safety programs and refresher courses for older drivers.

Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques. Low

Goal 2: Minimize traffic through residential areas.

Strategy

Install traffic-calming signage and measures on city streets to reduce speeds and increase safety.

Ongoing

Action item Priority

Extend speed zones out further from the center of town. Ongoing

Explore opportunities for sidewalks with boulevards that act as a traffic buffer and traffic-calming measure.

Ongoing

Goal 3: Encourage flexibility in roadway design to enhance the character of the community.

Strategy Action item Priority

Review road standards for the city. Re-examine road standards in the subdivision ordinance. Medium

Goal 4: Promote the development of a multimodal transportation network and support land use arrangements that create a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment.

Strategy Action item Priority

Review road standards for the city. Support adding shoulders to county and state roads for bicycling and walking.

Develop and maintain a sidewalk inspection and improvement program and prioritize sidewalks and biking investments.

Pursue funding for nonmotorized transportation projects.

Ongoing

Construct sidewalks along the east side of Broadway from 5th to the turkey plant. Low

Construct sidewalk on the north side of Hwy 108 from SE 4th St to 6th St. High

Construct sidewalk along SE 10th Avenue Medium

Construct sidewalk in the vicinity of SE 5th St and SE 3rd Ave. Medium

Create multiuse paths along highways 59 & 108, NW 1st Street, leading to the trailhead, and leading Peterson and Sherin Parks. High

Enhance bike infrastructure along NE 3rd Ave from 59 to NE 2nd Street. High

Install painted crosswalk across Highway 59 at NE 3rd Ave, Highway 59 at SE 2nd Ave, SE 3rd Ave, SE 5th Ave, Chauncey Martin Field, and SE 10th Ave. High

Install sidewalk from trailhead to Thompson Memorial Park. High

Construct multiuse path from Highway 59 to railhead. High

Add bike racks at trailhead and Thompson Memorial Park. High Install other safety devices to make walking and biking in the downtown safer and more enjoyable. High

Work with Statewide Health Improvement Program, BikeMN and West Central Initiative Foundation (WCIF) on funding opportunities.

Ongoing

Explore regional transportation funding programs. Ongoing

Review and update the Safe Routes to School Plan (SRTS). High

Encourage nonmotorized access to businesses and parks.

Identify priority areas for installation of bike paths. High Improve the pedestrian environment by adding signage, lighting, boulevard trees, and shade structures. High

Improve local pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and parking.

As future street projects are constructed, consider upgrading street lighting to pedestrian-oriented lighting. High Audit city’s sidewalks for ADA compliance and/or wheelchair/walker accessibility. Medium

Figure Q: A graph taken from the 2022 Pelican Rapids Comprehensive Plan that shows community support for various changes to the Pelican Rapids transportation system.

APPENDIX K: CRASH DATA

Crash data from within the Pelican Rapids city limits was gathered using the online Minnesota Crash Mapping Analysis Tool. (MCMAT2) (https://mncmat2.dot.state.mn.us/web) MCMAT2 is MnDOT’s crash database that includes all crashes involving a motor vehicle where a crash report was filed. It includes crash reports from the past ten years. However, a crash involving a solo cyclist, the most common type of bicyclist crash, would not be recorded even if emergency services responded because the crash did not involve a motor vehicle.

Pelican Rapids

The MCMAT data for Pelican Rapids was accessed, June 2nd, 2023. As of that date, there was data available from January 1st, 2013, through March 31st, 2023, all of which were included in this analysis. Typically, the lag time between crash occurrence and data entry into the MCMAT2 database can be approximately 2-3 months with the data updated four times per year, approximately quarterly.

The staff at WCI felt that collecting crash data within the city limits of Pelican Rapids would provide the most utility. There was a total of 97 crashes with two of those involving a bicyclist or pedestrian.

1. On June 7, 2017, at 18:36 under clear daylight conditions, an 8-year-old female bicyclist traveling on 2nd Street SE failed to stop before entering an intersection and collided with an 83-year-old male driving a passenger car heading west on 3rd Avenue SE The bicyclist received a possible injury.

2. On August 18, 2022, at 08:47 under rainy daylight conditions, a 76-year-old female pedestrian attempted to cross a midblock crosswalk on Broadway Avenue and ran into the passenger side door of pickup operated by a 74-year-old male traveling north. The pedestrian’s view of crossing was obscured by hood due to rain and parked truck blocking view. The pedestrian received a minor injury.

Figure R: Map of the City of Pelican Rapids with marked locations of pedestrian and bicyclist crash sites.

APPENDIX L: SAMPLE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE