5:32 p.m. Public Hearing for consideration of the Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Grant Application for FTA 5307 funding for planning and capital assistance for mass transit projects for ECAT.
Recommendation: That the Board take the following action concerning the Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5307 Grant Application by Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) for mass transit project funding:
A. Conduct the Public Hearing for the purpose of receiving comments from the general public on the Grant Application for $2,037,383 in Federal assistance on mass transit projects;
B. Approve, or amend and approve, the Grant Application after receiving comments at the Public Hearing;
C. Adopt the Resolution authorizing the Chairman or County Administrator to execute all appropriate documents for the processing and receipt of Federal funds from the FTA;
D. Authorize the ECAT General Manager to file the Grant Application and Grant Award Execution via the Federal Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) System, using the authorized passwords of the Chairman and the County Attorney, where necessary; and
E. Authorize the Chairman or the County Administrator to sign all documents associated with this Grant, subsequent to Legal review, without further action of the Board.
[The Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Capital Grant Application has been included in the approved Fiscal Year 2015 County Budget] |
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines require that all applications for financial assistance from FTA be submitted after a public hearing is held for the purpose of receiving comments from the public concerning the Grant Program of Projects. Effective January 1, 1998, Grant Applications, Execution, and Grant Administration Progress Reports must be submitted electronically via the Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) System.
The FTA publishes apportionments and ECAT’s partial apportionment for Fiscal Year 2015 section 5307 funds amounts to $2,037,383. ECAT recommends that Escambia County apply for this apportionment by approving this application for the below Program of Projects.
PROGRAM OF PROJECTS
The Project Budget was developed in accordance with the latest Pensacola Urbanized Area Transportation Improvement Plan Update adopted by the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The budget for this grant application follows:
| Project Items Costs |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Preventive Maintenance |
|
$ 730,000 |
| ADA |
|
$ 203,738 |
| Transit Feasibility Study for Orange Beach, AL |
|
$ 68,653 |
| TDP update |
|
$ 190,000 |
| Shelters/Amenities |
|
$ 27,496 |
| Safety/Security |
|
$ 27,496 |
| Two Large Heavy Duty Buses |
|
$ 680,000 |
| One Small Heavy Duty Bus |
|
$ 110,000 |
| |
|
|
| Total Budget |
|
$2,037,383 |
This recommended program of projects is based on the following:
Preventive maintenance: In order to optimize the amount of operating funds available to Escambia County, it is recommended that the entire estimated maintenance expenses for 9 months ($1,280,000) are requested to be reimbursed from the Federal Transit Administration. However, $550,000 has already been applied for as Flex funds, which leaves $730,000 to be applied for through 5307 funds.
ADA: 10% of the grant amount is eligible for ADA reimbursement.
Transit Feasibility Study for Orange Beach, AL: The FTA apportionment specifies that $37,032 of the FY15 grant amount is for Alabama, i.e. Baldwin County. In addition, $31,621 was specified as the grant amount for FY13. However, this amount was never apportioned to Alabama, so this program of projects includes the $37,032 and the $31,621. The funds will be used to conduct a Transit Feasibility Study for Orange Beach, Alabama.
TDP update: It is an FTA requirement that the Transit Development Plan (TDP) is updated by an outside consultant every 5 years. This update is due by September 1, 2016. The cost for this update should not exceed $235,000, and the West Florida Regional Planning Council has advised Escambia County that they are able to contribute $45,000 towards this fee.
Shelters/Amenities: The FTA requires that grantees spend at least 1% of grant funds on bus amenities.
Safety/Security: The FTA requires that grantees spend at least 1% of grant funds on Safety and Security.
Two Large Heavy Duty Buses: It is recommended that Escambia County purchase 2 30' replacement buses at a cost of $340,000 per bus. These vehicles will replace two Large Heavy Duty Buses that have reached/exceeded their useful lives.
One Small Heavy Duty Bus: It is recommended that Escambia County purchase one Small Heavy Duty Bus to replace one trolley currently operating at the University of West Florida that has exceeded its useful life. The cost for the Small Heavy Duty Bus is estimated at $110,000.
This proposed Program of Projects, including any amendments, becomes the final Program of Projects when approved by the Board of County Commissioners after receiving comments at the scheduled public hearing.
As a result of their inclusion, Orange Beach is allotted a portion of the 5307 funds for their use regarding Transit Projects. Escambia County is the direct recipient of, and is responsible for managing the FTA funds for our Urbanized Area. Orange Beach will submit their request(s) for these funds in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between Escambia County and Baldwin County (attached). |