Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/2009, PH 4 - PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2009-2010 PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5307 Co Un a 1 m"°e ctober 6,2009 aGEnba Repots �N CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Jay D Walter, Director of Public Works Prepared By: John Webster, Transit Manager SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2009-2010 PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5307 GRANTS RECOMMENDATION As recommended by the Mass Transportation Committee approve the 2009-10 Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects as follows: 1. Conduct a public hearing on the 2009-10 Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects. 2. Appropriate $1,914,744 in approved Federal Transit Administration grant funding for the 2009-10 Program of Projects. 3. Adopt a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to file a grant application and execute a grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration in the amount of $1,914,744. DISCUSSION Background Since the 1990 census, the City of San Luis Obispo has been classified as an Urbanized Zone Area by the federal government and is eligible to receive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants for the transit system's operating and capital assistance. To apply for these grants, the City Council must complete the following on an annual basis: 1. Publish the Program of Projects (POP); 2. Seek approval by the San Luis Obispo Urbanized Zone Area (SLO UZA) Technical Committee; 3. Hold a public hearing on the proposed POP for federal transit assistance; 4. Adopt a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to file a grant application and execute the grant agreement; and 5. Forward the approved POP to San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) for review and amendment into the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP). The 2009-10 Program of Projects was published in the Tribune on September 26, 2009 as is shown in Attachment 1. P144-1 2009-10 Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects Page 2 Development of the POP The 2009-10 Program of Projects represents the sixth year that SLORTA is an eligible recipient of Federal Transit Administration 5307 funding in the San Luis Obispo Urbanized Zone Area apportionment. As required by Federal Transit Administration, all transit operators within the UZA must execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing how the funds will be made available to eligible transit operators. According to the adopted MOU, the San Luis Obispo Urbanized Zone Area Technical Committee has reviewed and approved the proposed POP. The Committee, comprised of the City of San Luis Obispo, SLORTA, the Air Pollution Control District, and SLOCOG, has met to review, rank, and approve the 2009-10 grant requests. FTA requires a public hearing on the FY 2009-10 POP to notify the public about how the SLO UZA will spend the FTA grants and provide the public an opportunity to comment on those recommendations. This public hearing is a FTA requirement and will allow the SLO UZA to receive FTA grant reimbursements for the current fiscal year. The SLO UZA Technical Committee approved the project list as outlined in Table 1 on August 25, 2009 Funding Estimate The planning estimate for the current year apportionment for the SLO UZA is $1,843,246, plus an unused amount of $445,070 from the previous year, making $2,288,316 available for programming in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-10. Of this amount, the SLO UZA committee agreed to allocate to the City of San Luis Obispo the amount of $1,914,744 and to the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA) the amount of$350,000 for a total POP of$2,264,744. A total of$23,572 was not programmed and left in reserve. Additional funding is allocated to those small-urban transit systems (like SLO Transit) that out- perform their larger urban counterparts in one or more performance measures under the Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) program. The areas qualifying for these funds, and the amounts they are to receive, are calculated every year by FTA, using the most current information in the National Transit Database concerning (1) passenger miles per vehicle revenue-mile, (2) passenger miles per vehicle revenue-hour, (3) vehicle revenue-miles per capita, (4) vehicle revenue-hours per capita, (5) passenger miles per capita, and (6)passengers per capita. This year, because of the strong performance of the two transit providers in our area, $843,318 in STIC 5307 funding was made available to be programmed by the SLO UZA. An underlying policy was discussed on how to fairly allocate the STIC funding with a consensus of the committee that if a category was earned alone by an agency then it would be allocated 100% of the STIC funds, and if the category was met with combined data, then the split would be according to each agency's contributing statistics. This year SLO Transit was successful in categories #1, 2, 5 & 6, SLORTA earning category #3 alone, and both agencies data combined for category # 4. Pursuant to the philosophy split, SLO Transit will receive $624,460 and SLORTA $217,858 for a total STIC funding of$843,318 as part of the total $2,288,316 FTA apportionment recommendation. I i 1 i 2009-10 Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects Page 3 As part of the SLO UZA review process it was agreed that some projects are discretionary in nature and might have to be deferred if the final FTA apportionment (due early next year) is lower than the estimated amounts used in the Program of Projects. Table 1: 2009-10 POP Details 2009-10 Program of Projects Transit Total Federal Local erator Cost Share Share SW Transit Operationsfor2009-10 SLD City $ 2,638,132 $ 1,185,444 $ 1,452,688 .Website/Marketing SLO City $ 20,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 Staff Vehicle replacement SLAC' $ 50,0001 $ 40,000 $ 10,000 Forklift SLA City $ 30,000 $ 24,000 $ 6,000 Bus Replacement SIA City $ 617,000 $ 555,300 $ 61,700 Downtown Transit Coordination Center study SLO City/SLORTA $ 125,000 $ 100,000 $ 25,000 Cutaway Vehicle replacements (2) SLORTA $ 166,666 $ 150,000 $ 16,666 Paratransit operations SLORTA $ 250,000 $ 200,0001 $ 50,000 Totals $ 3,896,798 $ 2,264,744 1 $ 19632,054 Remaining Section 5307 Funds not Programmed 1 $ 23,5721 Program of Project Details The POP includes the following individual projects: 1. SLO Transit Operating Assistance for 2009-2010. The federal share of this project is $1,185,444. This project will help fund transit operating expenses. We are limited in our ability to Program Federal dollars for transit operating to fifty percent (50%) of the net operating cost after all other revenues have been subtracted. The local match must meet or exceed the FTA amount for a 50/50 match ratio. 2. Website/Marketing: This project will create a SLO Transit website and provide funding for a joint marketing plan with Rideshare and SLORTA. This project was a recommendation from recent Transportation Development Act (TDA) and performance audits. 3. Staff Vehicle Replacement: This project will replace an existing city owned 2000 Ford Windstar Van currently utilized as the First Transit Street Supervisor staff vehicle and has over 100,000 miles. The replacement vehicle will be equipped with a manual wheel chair ramp to assist in road call incidents. 4. Forklift: This project will provide funding to purchase a forklift for use at the SLO Transit maintenance facility yard located at 29 Prado Road in San Luis Obispo. Presently First Transit staff has to borrow a forklift from the PW Corporation Yard Maintenance Division and it is not always available when it is needed by Transit to off load heavy equipment and spare part deliveries. PA4-,3 2009-10 Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects Page 4 5. Bus Replacement: This project provides funding for the replacement of one (1) 1997 forty- foot diesel bus that is beyond its 12 year useful life with a thirty-five or forty foot diesel hybrid bus utilizing the FTA approved Implicit Cooperative Procurement Pilot Program (ICPPP). 6. Downtown Transit Coordination Center Study: This study, under SLOCOG's leadership and in close coordination with SLO Transit and SLORTA, will scope the physical and transit operational requirements for a regional transportation center in the downtown of San Luis Obispo. The future facility will be designed to better integrate the local and regional transit services, sharing a unified future facility. The project will alleviate current capacity issues at the existing SLORTA transfer site on Osos Street and support a more seamless connection between the two systems. Building upon previous studies completed by the City in December 2000, (North Area Regional Facility Report-NARF) the objective of the study will be to reach a consensus on the optimal location and design parameters for the future transit facility and to develop a capital budget and a funding plan in support of final design and actual implementation. The project match is split 50150 ($12,500 per agency) between the City of San Luis Obispo and SLORTA. The Mass Transportation Committee (MTC) recommendation was to include a rail corridor study from Cal Poly to the Airport as part of the work scope. This recommendation is supported by City staff. 7. SLORTA Projects: These projects will provide funding for the replacement of two Paratransit vehicles as well as supplemental funding for Paratransit operations. CONCURRENCES The SLO UZA Technical Committee approved the recommended 2009-10 FY POP on August 25, 2009. At its September 9`h meeting the MTC concurred with the staff recommendation for the 2009-10 FY POP and recommended approval to City Council at the September 9, 2009 meeting. The MTC's recommended action and draft minutes regarding the 2009-10 FY POP are included as Attachment 2 with this report. FISCAL IMPACT Due to the uncertainty in both Federal and State funding staff had not submitted all of the CIP projects as part of the recently approved two year financial plan. The local match for the Capital projects in the POP will use Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding and the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) component which is derived from the `/4 cent of each 8.75 cents collected in retail sales tax. A former second source of TDA funds was the State Transit Assistance(STA) program which was eliminated starting in this fiscal year and not a factor as a Capital projects funding match. SLOCOG is also proposing to reduce the current estimated LTF revenue projection by 15% due to fact that sales tax receipts are lower than anticipated. The LTF receipts are down approximately 20%over last year with only two months of actual receipts. It is difficult to predict the overall revenue stream for transit funding at this time. The extent of the economic slowdown 2009-10 Federal Transit Administration Program of Projects Page 5 and both state and federal legislative actions might significantly affect FY 2009-10 revenues and some City POP Capital projects may have to be deferred if the final revenue allocations are lower than what is anticipated at this time. Staff will continue to monitor this issue and return to Council if funding reduction in funding levels endangers current service level projections. There is no City General fund contribution anticipated as part of the 2009-10 FY POP. The City will receive federal funds for projects in the amount of$1,914,744. Additional funding for bus replacement could be made available under the FY 2009-10 State Proposition 1B funding cycle. City staff will be submitting grant applications during the next few months after evaluating Capital project priorities. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2009-10 FY POP Publication 2. MTC draft minutes 3. Resolution for FTA Grant Application T:\Council Agenda Repons\Public Works CAR\2009\Transit\FY 2009-10 PROGRAM OF PROJECTS-Oct 6-2009\FY 2009-10 PROGRAM OF PROJECTS.doc Attachment 1 FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION GRANT APPLICATION FOR SLO TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 The City of San Luis Obispo will be conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the Draft Program of Projects on October 06, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The below Draft Program of Projects will become the final program unless modified: Federal Apportionments: For 2009-2010 $1,843,246 Carryover from previous year $445,070 Available to Program $2,2887316 Transit Federal Total Proie QRerator Amount Amount Operating Assistance 7/1/2009-6/30/2010 SLO City 1,185,444 2,638,132 Website/Marketing SLO City 10,000 20,000 Staff Vehicle replacement SLO City 40,000 50,000 Forklift SLO City 24,000 30,000 Bus Replacement (1) SLO City 555,300 617,000 Downtown Transit Coordination Center study SLO City 100,000 125,000 Cutaway vehicle replacements (2) SLORTA 150,000 166,666 Paratransit operations SLORTA 200,000 250,000 Total Project Cost $398967798 Federal Share $2,2649744 City of San Luis Obispo 1,914,744 San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority 350,000 Local Share $1,6329054 City of San Luis Obispo 1,552,888 San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority 79,166 Attachment#2 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE COUNCIL HEARING ROOM 990 PALM ST. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Susan Rains called the meeting to order at 2:50 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Susan Rains, Denise Martinez, Robert Wolf, Elizabeth Thyne, Art Apruzzese, Margaret Crockett, and Stanley Yucikas Absent: Tracy Amundson Vacant: Alternate(open) Staff: John Webster,Dee Lawson ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. A. CONSENT ITEMS A-1. Approval of July 8, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes Ms. Thyne noted that her member comment regarding the double decker bus was made on behalf of another citizen. Mr. Wolf moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Martinez seconded the motion. - Attachment#2 The motion passed unanimously. B. DISCUSSION ITEMS There were no discussion items. C. ACTION ITEMS C-1. Review and Approve Program of Projects Mr. Webster made an extensive presentation on the 5307 Program of Projects funding. Highlight discussion points included the following projects for FY 2009-10:. • SLO Transit Operating Assistance • Website/Marketing • Staff Vehicle replacement • Forklift purchase for the Transit facility • Bus Replacement • Downtown Transit Coordination Center Study • San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA) Projects Mr. Webster summarized by saying that approximately$23,572 was left in reserve and not programmed to cover possible additional requests for operating funding. Also that the DTCC study was a discretionary project that might be the first to be deferred if the funding level anticipated in the POP was reduced early next year at the Federal level. He stated there would be no City General Fund impact and recommended the MTC approve the Program of Projects proposal as submitted. Mr. Yucikas discussed the possibility of expanding the scope of the DTCC study to include light rail/line service possibilities between Cal Poly and the airport. Mr. Yucikas moved to approve the proposed Program of Projects as submitted, with the amendment to the DTCC study scope to include possible analysis regarding light rail/line service possibilities between Cal Poly and the airport. Ms. Crockett seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. - Attachment#2 D. INFORMATION ITEMS D-1. Transit Manager's report D-2. Operating-Performance reports Mr. Webster presented information covering the following subjects: • Ridership report • Contractor Liquidated Damages • Contingency vehicles • Capital Projects • FTA 5317 New Freedom Grant • Various SLO Transit System reports-information • Social Media MEMBER COMMENTS Mr. Yucikas noted the large expanse of primary blue paint on the front of the new buses made it hard to discern the bus arrival for passengers waiting at bus stops in early a.m./late p.m. He suggested more yellow on the front of the bus would increase visibility in low light and recommended that any future paint jobs be comprised of primarily yellow paint with blue accents at the front of the vehicles. Mr. Webster stated he would explore various paint combination with Alexander Dennis for the Double Deck and see if they can suggest a revised paint scheme. Ms. Martinez felt that visually-impaired people should be part of any gathered visibility input/feedback. Staff agreed to consider these suggestions when commissioning new paint jobs. Mr. Yucikas also noted that October is "Community Planning Month" and suggested that in the future, MTC investigate possible participation in any related events. Mr. Webster noted that the first full week in October is also "Transit Week" as part of the Rideshare month promotion. SLO Transit will have a bus and staff along with City staff at the October 1, 2009 Farmers market to provide information to the public. More information is available at the Rideshare website. The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of November 18, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary PN41 Attachment 3 RESOLUTION NO. (2009 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF THE 2009-10 FEDERAL CAPITAL AND OPERATING ASSISTANCE GRANT APPLICATION WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration has been delegated authority to award federal financial assistance for a transportation project; and WHEREAS, a grant of federal assistance will impose certain obligations upon the City of San Luis Obispo and may require the City of San Luis Obispo provide the local share of project costs; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has or will provide all annual certifications and assurances to the Federal Transit Administration required for the project. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. The City of San Luis Obispo is an eligible recipient as defined by 49 U.S.C. 5307, 5336j, and 5340. SECTION 2. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute and file an application for federal assistance on behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo with the Federal Transit Administration for federal assistance authorized by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Title 23, United States Code and other federal statutes authorizing a project administered by the Federal Transit Administration. SECTION 3. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute and file with the application the annual certifications, assurances, and other documents the Federal Transit Administration requires before awarding a federal assistance grant. SECTION 4. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute grant agreements with the Federal Transit Administration on behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo in Exhibit A. PO4-10 i ATTACHMENIT 3 Upon motion of , seconded by , and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 72009. Mayor David F Romero ATTEST: Elaina Cano City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: onathan Lowell City Attorney R -PN -I Exhibit A ATTAGHME¢!T 3 FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION GRANT APPLICATION FOR SLO TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 The City of San Luis Obispo will be conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the Draft Program of Projects on October 06, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The below Draft Program of Projects will become the final program unless modified: Federal Apportionments: For 2009-2010 $1,843,246 Carryover from previous year $445,070 Available to Program $2,288,316 Transit Federal Total Project Operator Amount Amount Operating Assistance 7/1/2009-6/30/2010 SLO City 1,185,444 2,638,132 Website/Marketing SLO City 10,000 201000 Staff Vehicle replacement SLO City 40,000 50,000 Forklift SLO City 24,000 30,000 Bus Replacement (1) SLO City 555,300 617,000 Downtown Transit Coordination Center study SLO City 100,000 125,000 Cutaway vehicle replacements (2) SLORTA 150,000 166,666 Paratransit operations SLORTA 200,000 250,000 Total Project Cost $398967798 Federal Share $24649744 City of San Luis Obispo 1,914,744 San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority 350,000 Local Share $196329054 City of San Luis Obispo 1,552,888 San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority 79,166 T:\Council Agenda Repotts\Public Works CAR\2009\Transit\FY 2009-10 PROGRAM OF PROJECTS-Oct 6-2009\ATTACHMENTSWttach 1 CAR POP 2009-10 RESO 10-06-2009.doc