AGENDA #4g
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorization to Apply for Federal and
State Grants for Public Transportation
DATE: May 8, 2000
The attached
resolution would authorize the Manager to submit grant applications for federal
and State transportation operating assistance, capital and planning funds for
2000-01.
The
Town has applied for and received federal and State transportation grants since
1974. These funds have been used for
capital, operating, and planning programs for the public transit system.
The
Town of Carrboro and the University of North Carolina also provide financial
support for transit services. This has
been accomplished through execution of Memoranda of Understanding with each
partner and annual service contracts based on the Memoranda of
Understanding. The Memoranda of
Understanding provides the foundation for cooperation, describes the role of
each partner and pledges continued support for transit services. The annual service
contracts set the levels of service each year and assign proportional costs to
each jurisdiction.
Operating
funds
Based
on previous discussions with the City of Durham and NCDOT, we estimate the
federal operating assistance available to the Town for 2000-01 will be about
$735,000.
The
Town of Chapel Hill and the City of Durham have agreed upon an allocation
formula to distribute the federal operating funds received by the urban
area. This allocation formula uses the
demographic statistics for each municipality, which are the same as those used
by the federal and State transportation departments, to calculate the
appropriation for this operating funding.
We also expect to receive State funds totaling about $550,000 from the State supplemental operating assistance program.
Planning
funds
1. Federal Transit Administration urbanized area formula
program planning funds (Section 5307) would be used for activities including:
*
the annual survey of where
riders board and leave buses,
*
evaluation of special
services which include transportation needs of the elderly and handicapped and
services offered to the elderly and handicapped and usage of these services,
and
*
monitoring and evaluation of
transit services which may include service characteristics of transit routes
such as operating periods, number of assigned vehicles, and route miles and
daily trips.
Of the
total Section 5307 planning project expenses of $110,030 the Federal Transit Administration would provide eighty
percent ($88,024), and the State would provide ten percent ($11,003). The local matching share of ten percent
($11,003) has been budgeted in the Transportation Fund.
2. Federal Transit Administration metropolitan planning funds
(Section 5303) would be used for activities including:
*
development of the capital
improvements program,
*
developing the annual
Planning Work Program, and
*
refinement of Town and
regional transit models.
Of the
total Section 5303 planning project expenses of $42,920, the federal government would provide eighty percent
($34,336), and the State would provide ten percent ($4,292). The local matching share of ten percent
($4,292) has been budgeted in the Transportation Fund.
Capital
funds
The Federal
Transit Administration Section 5307 formula capital funds would be used to
purchase associated capital maintenance items such as engine and transmission
rebuilds, air conditioning compressor rebuilds, front end rebuilds, and bus
tires. Of the total project expenses of
$200,000 the Federal Transit Administration would provide eighty percent
($160,000), and the State would provide ten percent ($20,000). The local matching share of ten percent
($20,000) would come from the Capital Reserve Fund.
Additionally,
the Town would request Federal Transit Administration discretionary capital
funds. If approved, these capital funds
would be used for the purchase of replacement vehicles (including fourteen 35
foot transit buses, and one maintenance truck). Of the total project expenses of $3,516,000, the Federal Transit
Administration would provide eighty percent ($2,812,800), and the State would
provide ten percent ($351,600). The
local matching share of ten percent ($351,600) would come from the Capital Reserve
Fund.
That
the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Manager to apply for
and execute contracts for transportation grants.
A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
FOR GRANTS UNDER TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE OF THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT, AS
AMENDED (2000-05-08/R-6)
WHEREAS,
the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to make grants for mass
transportation program of projects; and
WHEREAS,
the contract for financial assistance will impose certain obligations upon the
applicant, including the provision by it of the local share of project costs;
and
WHEREAS,
it is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation in accord with the
provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, that in
connection with the filing of applications for assistance under the Federal
Transit Act, as amended, the applicant files an assurance that it will comply
with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the U.S. Department of
Transportation requirements thereunder; and
WHEREAS,
it is the goal of the applicant that minority business enterprise be utilized
to the fullest extent possible in connection with these projects, and that
definitive procedures shall be established and administered to ensure that
minority businesses shall have the maximum feasible opportunity to compete for
contracts when procuring construction contracts, supplies, equipment contacts,
or consultant and other services;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill:
1. That the Town Manager is authorized to execute and file
applications on behalf of the Town of Chapel Hill with the U.S. Department of
Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, to aid in
the financing of operating, capital and planning assistance projects pursuant
to Section 5303 and 5307 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended.
2. That the Town Manager is authorized to execute and file
with such applications an assurance or any other document required by the U.S.
Department of Transportation effectuating the purposes of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964.
3. That the Town Manager is authorized to furnish such
additional information as the U.S. Department of Transportation may require in
connection with the applications for the program of projects and budget.
4. That the Town Manager is authorized to set forth and execute
affirmative minority business policies in connection with the project’s
procurement needs.
5. That the Town Manager is authorized to execute grant
agreements on behalf of the Town of Chapel Hill with the U.S. Department of
Transportation and N.C. Department of Transportation in aid in the financing of
the operating, capital, and planning assistance program of projects.
This
the 8th day of May, 2000.