5:35 p.m. Public Hearing Concerning Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Grant Application for Federal Transit Administration Funding for Planning and Capital Assistance for Mass Transit Projects for Escambia County Area Transit
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 $1,022,884, 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 to execute all appropriate documents for the processing and receipt of Federal funds from the Federal Transit Administration; and
D. Authorize the ECAT General Manager to file the Grant Application via the Federal Transportation Award Management Systems (TrAMS).
[Funding: There is no Budgetary impact. The $255,721 in Florida Toll Revenue Credits will enable the FTA to fund the entire Grant amount of $1,022,884. However, a Supplemental Budget Amendment to Funds 104 and 320 will be required when the Grant has been approved by the FTA] |
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, 2016, Grant Applications, Execution, and Grand Administration Progress Reports must be submitted electronically via the Federal Transportation Award Management System (TrAMS).
The FTA publishes apportionments and Escambia County's final partial apportionment for FY15 section 5307 funds amounts to $1,022,884. Previous apportionment of $2,037,383 and this final apportionment, total's $3,060,267 in FY15 Section 5307 funds. ECAT recommends that Escambia County applies for this apportionment by approving this application for the below Program of Projects.
| Project |
Previous |
Current |
Total |
| Preventive Maintenance |
$730,000 |
$536,805 |
$1,266,805 |
| ADA |
$203,738 |
$102,289 |
$306,027 |
| Transit Feasibility Study for Orange Beach, AL |
$68,653 |
$18,592 |
$87,245 |
| TDP Update |
$190,000 |
$ - |
$190,000 |
| Shelters/Amenities |
$27,496 |
$22,091 |
$49,587 |
| Safety/Security |
$27,496 |
$3,107 |
$30,603 |
| Large Heavy Duty Buses |
$680,000 |
$340,000 |
$1,020,000 |
| Small Heavy Duty Bus |
$110,000 |
$ - |
$110,000 |
| Total |
$2,037,383 |
$1,022,884 |
$3,060,267 |
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 maintenance expenses for 2015 is requested reimbursed from the Federal Transit Administration.
ADA: 10% of the grant amount is eligible for ADA reimbursement.
Apportionment for Alabama: The FTA apportionment specifies that $55,624 of the FY15 grant amount is for Alabama, ie 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 $55,624 and the $31,621.
Consultant fee for Major TDP update: it is a 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 $230,000 and the West Florida Regional Planning Council has advised Escambia County that they are able to contribute $40,000 towards this fee.
Shelter: The FTA requires that you spend at least 1% of grant funds on bus amenities.
Security: The FTA requires that you spend at least 1% of grant funds on security.
3 30' El Dorado Buses: It is recommended that Escambia County Purchase 3 30' replacement buses at a cost of $340,000 per bus.
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. |