AGENDA #11f

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Authorization to Apply for Federal and State Grants for Public Transportation

 

DATE:             June 24, 2002

 

The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to submit grant applications for federal and State transportation operating assistance, capital and planning funds for 2002-03.

 

BACKGROUND

 

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 a Memorandum of Understanding and annual service contracts with each partner.

 

The Memorandum of Understanding provides the foundation for cooperation, describes the role of each partner and pledges continued support for transit services.  A committee with representatives from the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and the University is reviewing the current Memorandum of Understanding.  The annual service contracts set the level of service each year and assigns proportional costs to each jurisdiction.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Operating funds

 

Based on previous discussions with the City of Durham and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, we estimate the federal operating assistance available for 2002-2003 will be about $935,000.

 

The Town of Chapel Hill and the City of Durham will re-negotiate the existing allocation formula to distribute the federal operating funds received by the urban area based on passenger miles, ridership and efficiency.  The current formula uses the demographic statistics for each city to calculate the appropriation for this operating funding.

 

We also expect to receive State funds totaling about $1,500,000 from the State transit funding program.

 

Planning funds

 

Federal Transit Administration urbanized area formula program planning funds (Section 5307) would be used for activities including:

 

 

Of the total $110,030 the Federal Transit Administration would provide 80 percent ($88,024) and the State would provide 10 percent ($11,003).  The local matching share of 10 percent ($11,003) would be budgeted in the Transportation Fund.

 

Federal Transit Administration metropolitan planning funds (Section 5303) would be used for activities including:

 

 

Of the total Section 5303 planning project expenses of $59,340, the federal government would provide 80 percent ($47,472), and the State would provide 10 percent ($5,934).  The local matching share of 10 percent ($5,934) would be budgeted in the Transportation Fund.

 

Capital funds

 

The Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 formula capital funds would be used to purchase three replacement support vehicles, four expansion support vehicles and four expansion lift-equipped vans at a total cost of  $256,000.  The local matching share of $25,600 would be available in the Capital Reserve Fund.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

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 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR GRANTS UNDER TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE OF THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT, AS AMENDED (2002-06-24/R-21)

 

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 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 where procuring construction contracts, supplies, equipment contracts, 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, 5307 and 5309 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 to the financing of the operating, capital, and planning assistance for the program of projects.

 

This the 24th day of June, 2002.