The city’s financial committee approved funding at their meeting Monday for a new initiative that could help keep cyclists off sidewalks in addition to further discussing Mayor Paul Soglin’s proposed 2013 Executive Capital Budget.
Board of Estimate members accepted a grant totaling $16,634 to continue the Pedestrian/Bicycle Ambassador Program, a program educating pedestrians and cyclists on traffic safety.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he has received more complaints this past year than any other about cyclists biking illegally on city sidewalks.
“The issue of bicycling on downtown sidewalks has been particularly acute this current year,” Verveer said.
The committee also accepted a technology grant for more than $100,000, which will create smartphone applications for students to pay parking fees on their phones rather than scrounging for quarters at the meter.
The committee also heard presentations from city department heads during their discussion of Soglin’s $192.1 million capital budget.
Included in the budget are plans to build a new fire station on the east side, which would increase response time in that area. The MFD has accepted a grant to staff the station.
The Board of Estimates will continue to review the executive capital budget at their meeting Tuesday.
