AGENDA #4j
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 23, 2003
The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to submit grant applications for federal and State transportation operating assistance, capital and planning funds for 2003-04.
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. The annual service contracts set the level of service each year and assigns proportional costs to each jurisdiction.
Based on prior year allocations we estimate the federal preventive maintenance assistance available for 2003-2004 will be about $932,000.
The Town of Chapel Hill and the City of Durham annually re-negotiate the allocation formula used to distribute the federal operating funds received by the urban area based on passenger miles, ridership and population. 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 $1,574,000 from the State maintenance assistance 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 $77,350, the federal government would provide 80 percent ($61,880), and the State would provide 10 percent ($7,735). The local matching share of 10 percent ($7,735) would be budgeted in the Transportation Fund.
The Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 formula capital funds would be used to purchase associated capital maintenance items such as transmission and engine rebuilds and air compressor units, replacement support vehicles and replacement lift-equipped vans at a total cost of $281,791. The federal government would provide $225,433. The State no longer provides matching funds for small capital purchases and therefore would provide only $15,948 and the local matching share of $40,410 would be available in the Transportation Department’s 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 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR GRANTS UNDER TITLE 49, U.S. CODE OF THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT, AS AMENDED (2003-06-23/R-11)
WHEREAS, the United States 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 23rd day of June, 2003.