Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 14. 16.

BCC Regular Meeting

Budget & Finance Consent

Meeting Date:	06/10/2013
Issue: Escambia County Area Transit Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Grants
From:	Joy D. Blackmon, P.E.
Department:	Public Works
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Escambia County Area Transit Job Access Reverse Commute and New Freedom Grants - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning the Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Programs Operating Agreement:

A. Approve the Agreement between Escambia County and the Transportation Planning Organization for Operation of Job Access and Reverse Commute and New Freedom Programs; and

B. Authorize the Chairman or Vice Chairman to execute the Agreement.

The JARC Program was established to address the unique transportation challenges faced by welfare recipients and low-income persons seeking to obtain and maintain employment. The New Freedom Formula Grant Program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society. Lack of adequate transportation is a primary barrier to work for individuals with disabilities. The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) has applied for Federal Transit Administration JARC Program and New Freedom Programs funds, and the TPO wishes to engage ECAT as a qualified management team with supporting assets and knowledge appropriate to the conduct and operation of the JARC and New Freedom Programs.

An Agreement pertaining to these programs between Escambia County and the TPO, dated January 6th, 2011, has now expired and a new Agreement must be executed.

BACKGROUND:

The Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program was established to address the unique transportation challenges faced by welfare recipients and low-income persons seeking to obtain and maintain employment. The New Freedom formula grant program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society. Lack of adequate transportation is a primary barrier to work for individuals with disabilities. The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) has applied for Federal Transit Administration Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program and New Freedom Program funds, and the TPO wishes to engage ECAT as a qualified management team with supporting assets and knowledge appropriate to the conduct and operation of the JARC and New Freedom Programs.

An Agreement pertaining to these programs between Escambia County and the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), dated January 6th, 2011, has now expired and a new agreement must be executed.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Funding for this project is provided through the Florida-Alabama TPO, which obtains funds from the Federal Transit Administration JARC (Section 5316) and New Freedom (Section 5317) Programs. The funding available in the JARC Program is $132,000. The funding available in the New Freedom Program is $252,859.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney, has reviewed and signed off on this Agreement.

PERSONNEL:

Additional personnel will not be required by ECAT.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

This recommendation is based upon the Board Comprehensive Plan – Mass Transit Element – January 2006.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Upon approval and execution of this agreement by the Board and by the Florida/Alabama PTO, ECAT personnel will administer this contract, including coordination with The Florida-Alabama TPO, West Florida Regional Planning Council, and the Federal Transit Administration.

Attachments
Agreement