AGENDA #4k

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Project Ordinance for FY 2003-04 Advanced Technology Grant

 

DATE:             June 14, 2004

 

 

The attached project ordinance would establish a budget for a transit technology grant awarded to the Town to purchase automatic passenger counters for the bus fleet and to upgrade the security cameras at Town-owned park and ride lots.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In 1997, the North Carolina General Assembly began appropriating public transportation funds for technology assistance upgrades to rural and urban systems.  The technology grants are intended to provide State funds to support the purchase of advanced technologies.  On June 24, 2003, the Town was awarded a total of $236,000 to purchase automatic passenger counters for the bus fleet ($136,000) and to upgrade security camera equipment at Town-owned park and ride lots ($100,000).

 

DISCUSSION

 

Cameras:  The Town received $100,000 of advanced technology funding for the upgrade of security equipment at park and ride lots.  The funds will be used to purchase and install a digital camera system.  Currently, only the NC 54, Southern Village and Carrboro Plaza lots have security equipment installed.  The systems that exist in these lots range from 6-9 years old and need to be replaced because of obsolescence.  The Jones Ferry Park and Ride Lot and Eubanks Road Park and Ride Lot do not have cameras.

 

The technology funds will allow for the replacement of old equipment at the NC 54, Southern Village and Carrboro Plaza park and ride lots and installation of new equipment at the Eubanks Road, and Jones Ferry park and ride lots.  The grant will also allow for two base control stations, one to be located at the Chapel Hill Police Department and the other at Chapel Hill Transit.  We anticipate purchase and installation of the security equipment by August 2004.

 

Counters:  The Town received  $136,000 in advanced technology funds for the purchase of 17 automatic passenger counters.  These funds will allow Chapel Hill Transit staff to accurately collect passenger data, by stop, on individual routes. The counters will also allow improved passenger counts to help identify the need to revise service levels to more closely match capacity with ridership.  The collection of accurate passenger information is critical in reporting information to the Federal Transit Administration and to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and for monitoring of service to maximize its effectiveness, particularly since the start of fare free service in January 2002.

 

Of the total expenses of $236,000, the N.C. Department of Transportation will provide 90 percent ($212,400).  The 10 percent local matching share ($23,600) is available in the Transportation Department’s grant fund.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council enact the attached project ordinance.

 


AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROJECT BUDGET FOR A TRANSIT TECHNOLOGY PROJECT (2004-06-14/O-5)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Town of Chapel Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the following grant project budget is hereby adopted:

 

SECTION I

 

The Advanced Technology funds authorized are from 2003 State funds from an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

 

SECTION II

 

The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with the implementation of the project within the terms of the grant agreements executed with the North Carolina Department of Transportation within the funds appropriated herein.

 

SECTION III

 

The following revenue is anticipated to be available to the Town to complete activities as outlined in the project application.

 

Advanced Technology

 

            N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) $212,400

            Town of Chapel Hill (local match)                                     23,600

 

                                                                        TOTAL            $236,000

 

SECTION IV

 

The following amounts are appropriated for the FY2003 Advanced Technology project:

 

            Advertising                                                       $       300

Capital Equipment                                            $235,700

                                                                       

                                                                        TOTAL            $236,000

 

SECTION V

 

The Manager is directed to report annually on the financial status of the project in an informational section to be included in the Annual Report.  He shall also keep the Council informed of any unusual occurrences.


SECTION VI

 

Copies of this project ordinance shall be entered into the Minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within 5 days of adoption with the Manager, Finance Director and Town Clerk.

 

This the 14th day of June, 2004.