MENDOTA – The Mendota City Council approved a request and a resolution when it met in special session on Sept. 27.

Approval was given to the Imagine Mendota organization to close the 700 block of Illinois Avenue for an event on Saturday, Oct. 16.

The council approved a resolution in support of a Safe Routes to School (SRST) grant application. The application is to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for federal grant funds to construct sidewalk and required roadway improvements along Eighth Street from Lincoln Elementary to Sixth Avenue (U.S. Route 34).

In applying for the grant, the city must resolve to:

• Utilize the five “E’s” of the SRTS program – engineering, education, enforcement and evaluation – to improve the school walking and cycling environment.
• Provide sidewalks connecting residential subdivisions to school to encourage children to bike and walk to school, make biking and walking safer and a more appealing transportation alternative, encouraging a healthier active lifestyle at early ages, and help improve traffic safety and congestions, as well as fuel consumption and air pollution.
• Commit funds for use in conjunction with the SRTS grant, such finds to equal 20 percent of the estimated total project cost.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.