LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak City Council approved two plans at its Feb. 4 meeting aimed at improving traffic safety and securing state housing funds.

The council voted to adopt the Yuba-Sutter Regional Safety Action Plan, which provides a framework for reducing and eliminating traffic fatalities by addressing safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and public transit users.

The City of Live Oak partnered with Yuba County, Sutter County, Yuba City, Marysville and Wheatland to prepare the plan using a federal Safe Streets for All grant. Adoption of the plan makes the city eligible for state and federal transportation safety grants.

Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine said completing the plan was a lengthy process and will help position the city for future funding opportunities. He also noted that the regional approach could allow jurisdictions to compete for larger grants tied to large-scale projects.

The plan was approved on a 4-0 vote, with Councilmember Ashely Hernandez absent.

The council also approved a Permanent Local Housing Allocation plan and an application for $136,641 in PLHA funds.

City Manager Ben Moodey said the state funding can be used for pre-development, development, acquisition, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable rental and ownership housing.

Live Oak is eligible for about $60,000 to $70,000 annually, but a state-approved plan is required to access the funds. Moodey said the city faces a deadline at the end of February to secure funds from the 2022-23 award years.

“If the city misses the deadline, the state will keep the funds for those award years,” Moodey said.

Moodey said he plans to coordinate with the Regional Housing Authority, which owns three properties in Live Oak that could qualify for the funding. Potential projects will be presented at a future council meeting.

Vice Mayor Aaron Pamma asked whether the city had previously missed opportunities to access the funds due to the lack of a plan. Moodey confirmed that was the case, but said approval of the plan allows the city to move forward in future years.

The council approved the housing plan and funding application on a 4-0 vote.

The next Live Oak City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18.