AGENDA #4f

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Project Ordinance for a FY1999-00 Transportation Capital and Planning Grant

 

DATE:             May 8, 2000

 

The attached ordinance would establish a project budget for a transit capital and planning grant for which we expect to receive final approval by June 30, 2000.  The grant will provide planning funds, and would be used to rehabilitate and improve bus stops, to purchase associated capital maintenance items and to purchase three replacement vans.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On June 14, 1999, the Council authorized the filing of applications for federal and State transit grants for capital and planning funds as part of the FY2000 budget.

 

Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307) Funding - Federal Transit Administration’s funding is distributed by formula to Urbanized Areas and is available for funding capital and planning needs.

 

A Federal Transit Administration grant for these funds was requested for 80% ($342,504) of the total transit capital and planning project expenses of $428,130.

 

After the federal application is approved the Town of Chapel Hill will submit an application to the N.C. Public Transportation Division to request 10% ($42,813) of the capital and planning project costs.

 

The Town of Chapel Hill will provide the local match of ten percent ($42,813) for this project.  The Town’s matching share is available in the Transportation Fund.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307) - Capital

 

The Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 capital funds will be used to purchase associated capital maintenance items including six engine/transmission units ($132,000), five air conditioning compressors ($8,000), and bus tires ($60,000).  The federal guidelines also require that recipients of Section 5307 funds establish a minimum annual expenditure of 1% for transit
projects that would enhance mass transit service or use.  These funds will be used to rehabilitate and improve bus stops within the Town’s service area.  The Federal Transit Administration will provide 80% (10,782) of the total transit enhancement expenses requested of $13,478.

 

Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307) - Planning

 

Planning funds totaling $110,030 will be used to cover staff costs in transportation planning activities.  These funds will be used to evaluate transit facilities and local land use plans, collect traffic count data, evaluate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, develop the 2025 regional plan, develop a bike/pedestrian plan, and develop the annual Transportation Improvement Plan and the Unified Planning Work Program.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the following project ordinance.

 

 


AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BUDGET FOR A TRANSPORTATION GRANT (2000-05-08/O-5)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the following grant projects are hereby established:

 

SECTION I

 

The Urban Area Formula Program (Section 5307) funds are from 2000 federal funds from an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration.

 

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 Federal Transit Administration and 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.

 

Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307)

 

            Federal Transit Administration (FTA)                $342,504

            NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT)                   42,813

            Town of Chapel Hill (local match)                                    42,813

 

                                                            TOTAL                        $428,130

 

SECTION IV

 

The following amounts are appropriated for the FY2000 Section 5307 project:

 

Salaries - Full Time                                                       $  89,651

Fringe Benefits                                                      13,145

FICA                                                                                 6,856

M & R Vehicles                                                             140,000

Supplies – Fleet                                                                60,000

Miscellaneous Contracted Services                                   13,478

Capital Equipment                                                          105,000

 

                                                            TOTAL                        $428,130

 

This the 8th day of May, 2000.