CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: June 7, 2022
Subject
Consider an Agreement with Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) and Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) for the Crossing Guard Program.
Recommended Action
Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with Fremont Union High School District and Cupertino Union School District to share costs for the City of Cupertino’s (City) Crossing Guard Program.
Background
On November 16, 2016, the City and FUHSD entered into an Agreement for Crossing Guard Program to coordinate efforts to improve traffic congestion and safety near various schools throughout the City. The Agreement provides, among other things, that FUHSD contribute $12,500 annually to the Crossing Guard Program in support of this coordinated effort. The combined funds from the City and FUHSD have covered the cost of sixteen crossing guards at intersections around public schools throughout the City, currently at the following locations:
Location #
School(s) Served
Intersection
1 Collins Elementary
N. Blaney Ave./Forest Ave.
2 Collins Elementary &
Lawson Middle
N. Blaney Ave./Merritt Dr.
3 Eaton Elementary
S. Blaney Ave./Suisun Dr.
4.1 Cupertino High
Stevens Creek Blvd./Finch Ave.
4.2 Cupertino High
Stevens Creek Blvd./Finch Ave.
5 Garden Gate Elementary
Greenleaf Dr./S. Stelling Rd.
6 Kennedy Middle
Bubb Rd./Hyannisport Dr.
7 Kennedy Middle &
Monta Vista High
Hyannisport Dr./Fort Baker Dr.
8 Lincoln Elementary &
Kennedy Middle &
Monta Vista High
McClellan Rd./Bubb Rd.
9 Lawson Middle
N. De Anza Blvd./Mariani Ave.
10 Lawson Middle
Vista Dr./Merritt Dr.
11 Lawson Middle
Vista Dr./Stevens Creek Blvd.
12 Lincoln Elementary
McClellan Rd./Lincoln Elementary
13 Lincoln Elementary &
Monta Vista High
McClellan Rd./Orange Ave.
14 Stevens Creek
Ainsworth / Bahl
15 Sedgwick Elementary
Barnhart Ave./S. Tantau Ave.
Locations appropriate for a crossing guard are determined through objective standards as evaluated through a Warrant Study. A new study is currently underway, evaluating 26 intersections throughout the City, including all locations currently being served. Six additional locations are requested as part of the Citywide School Walk Audit Project, and other locations are being requested by the community. Once the Warrant Studies are complete, the City will engage with CUSD and FUHSD as necessary, since the studies may indicate that intersections other than those listed above have a greater need for crossing guards than those currently staffed.
Discussion
This Agreement expires at the end of the 2021-22 school year. During the process of negotiating a new Agreement with FUHSD, CUSD expressed the desire to partner with the City and FUHSD. CUSD entered into collaborative discussions and the three entities mutually desire to enter into a similar Agreement for school year 2022-23 through 2027-28.
When the 2016 Agreement was executed, FUHSD’s $12,500 contribution covered the cost of one crossing guard for one year. The cost of crossing guard services has increased to approximately $20,000 per guard, per year. As a result, both CUSD and FUHSD have each agreed to contribute $20,000 per year toward the program to cover the cost of one guard. The crossing guard contract totals approximately $301,000 per year.
The FUHSD Board approved the Agreement on May 24. The CUSD Board is aware of, and supports, the Agreement. No formal CUSD Board approval is required.
Sustainability Impact
The City’s Crossing Guard Program enhances the safety for students walking to school and, as a result, encourages children to walk to school, eliminating the need for use of a personal vehicle for parents to drive them. The FUHSD and CUSD organizations support the program, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in support of the City’s climate action goals.
Fiscal Impact
The City is in the first year of a three-year contract with All City Management, Inc., for crossing guard services, for an amount not to exceed $903,879.04 (budget unit 100-88-846). Funding is provided by the General Fund. Approving the staff recommendation will reduce the fiscal impact to the City by $120,000 over the life of the All City Management contract, and by $200,000 over the term of the proposed Crossing Guard Program. _____________________________________
Prepared by: Cherie Walkowiak, Safe Routes to School Coordinator Reviewed by: Matt Morley, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Dianne Thompson, Assistant City Manager
Approved for Submission by: Jim Throop, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Proposed Agreement
B – 2016 Agreement