HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-2019 Item 06 - Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Grant Application Department Name: Public Works
Cost Center: 5201 (Transit)
For Agenda of: March 5, 2019
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Manager
SUBJECT: LOW CARBON TRANSIT OPERATIONS PROGRAM (LCTOP) GRANT
APPLICATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the City Manager or their designee to annually apply for LCTOP funds on behalf
of the City of San Luis Obispo; and
2. Adopt a Resolution applying for LCTOP funds for transit capital projects. (Attachment A)
DISCUSSION
Background
The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) is one of several programs that are part
of the Transit, Affordable Housing, and Sustainable Communities Program established by the
California Legislature in 2014 by Senate Bill 862. The LCTOP was created to provide operating
and capital assistance for transit agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emission s and improve
mobility, with a priority on serving disadvantaged communities. Approved projects in LCTOP
will support new or expanded bus or rail services, expand intermodal transit facilities, and may
include equipment acquisition, fueling, maintenance and other costs to operate those services or
facilities, with each project reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Senate Bill 862 continuously
appropriates five percent of the annual auction proceeds in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
(Fund) for LCTOP, beginning in 2015-16.
This program is administered by Caltrans in coordination with Air Resource Board (ARB) and
t he State Controller’s Office (SCO). The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is
responsible to ensure that the statutory requirements of the program are met in terms of project
eligibility, greenhouse reduction, disadvantaged community benefit, and other requirements of
the law.
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Per Public Resource Code § 75230(f)(1)-(3) funds shall be expended to provide transit operating
or capital assistance that meets any of the following three criteria:
• Expenditures that directly enhance or expand transit service by supporting new or
expanded bus or rail services, new or expanded water -borne transit, or expanded
intermodal facilities, and may include equipment acquisition, fueling, and maintenance,
and other costs to operate those services or
facilities.
• Operational expenditures that increase transit
mode share.
• Expenditures related to the purchase of zero -
emission buses, including electric buses, and
the installation of the necessary equipment and
infrastructure to operate and support zero -
emission bu ses.
Each transit operator is entitled to a portion of LCTOP
funds (derived from auction sales) identified by a
statewide formula. As noted in the table, SLO
Transit’s entitled allocation is $9,892. There is also a regional discretionary amount of
$517,293, also shown in the table, which regional transit agencies may apply for.
If approved, SLO Transit will be applying for the annually allocated amount as well as an
additional $30,107 in regional discretionary funds.
Capital Projects, New Vehicles
Access to LCTOP requires an annual grant application for both allocated and the competitive
discretionary amounts. Such grant applications also require City Council approval. All candidate
projects submitted must be specifically endorsed by the agency’s re spective board (i.e. a general
request for all the funds is not acceptable).
LCTOP funding is typically only enough for smaller projects to be funded. Staff recommends
pursuing $39,999, in combined City allocated and regional discretionary competitive award
amounts, towards pursuing capital purchase of transit enhancing technology equipment.
Specifically, staff will improve communications by installing eight (8) real-time audible and
visual stop announcement equipment for next-bus arrival at some of the city’s popular stops. The
system’s goal is to provide better service to those who may have sight, cognitive and even
literacy impairments.
The devices are activated by a motion sensor; providing both a visual and audible announcement
of the next time a bu s is scheduled to arrive. The project is particularly aimed at helping and
encouraging those with visual and cognitive disabilities to ride public transit by reducing the
barrier of reading and interpreting a public transit schedule. The project also has the ancillary
benefit of appealing to new and discerning choice riders by providing immediate information on
bus arrival times without the need of a personal electronic device. One example of this project
already being tested is at the Los Osos Valley Ro ad (LOVR) and Froom Ranch bus stop where
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initial feedback has been positive. SLO Transit now desires to expand this project to other
popular bus stops as a way to further draw people out of single occupant vehicles and reduce
greenhouse gases and single occupant vehicle miles traveled.
Policy Context
Development of this project is based on the data and customer survey information gathered
during the City's adopted 2017-22 Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). A reoccurring theme in the
surveys was to expand technology capabilities of the transit system in order to enhance its
accessibility and appeal
Financial Management Manual Policy 740 requires that the City Council approve grant
applications equal to or greater than $5,000. The application will request $39,999 in combined
City allocated and discretionary competitive award amounts towards pursuing capital purchases
of transit enhancing technology.
Public Engagement
No public engagement was needed as this is an administrative item.
CONCURRENCE
This pro posed project has been reviewed by the Finance, City Attorney and City Administration
and San Luis Obispo Council of Governments before submission to the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the r ecommended action in this
report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15 378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: FY18/19
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
Transit Fund
State - LCTOP $39,999
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $39,999
There is no impact on the City’s General Fund as a result of applying or receiving these gr ants
funds. Rather, securement of these funds will assist and supplement the Transit Enterprise fund
in achieving its capital projects, which has no other identified funding source. Further, there is
no requirement for matching funds from the Transit Ent erprise Fund for this project.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Deny grant application of these funds. This is not recommended as this will leave the transit
program without another funding source to pursue technology in line with recommendation
of the City adopted Short Range Transit Plan.
Attachments:
a - 2019 LCTOP Resolution - Realtime Info
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2019 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR
THEIR DESIGNEE, TO FILE, EXECUTE AND FULFILL ANY RELATED
LOW CARBON TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS PROGRAM GRANT
APPLICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, ASSURANCES, FORMS,
AGREEMENTS, AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE
CITY
WHEREAS, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in coordination with the
Air Resource Board (ARB) and the State Controller’s (SCO) office have been authorized to
administer the LCTOP program as defined in Senate Bill 862.
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo (City) operates the San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Transit system; and
WHEREAS, the City and SLO Transit are eligible applicants for the States’ Low Carbon
Transportation Operations Program (LCTOP) grant annually, throughout the life of the program;
and
WHEREAS, the City has determined to use the City apportionment and pursue
discretionary amounts to fund SLO Transit capital projects; and
WHEREAS, the City is requesting 100% of its annually allocated amount and additional
annually awarded discretionary amounts; and
WHEREAS, the filing and receipt of such LCTOP grant will impose certain reporting
obligations upon the City and will require the Cit y to provide a local share of the project costs; and
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Resolution No. _____ (2017 Series) Page 2
R ______
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo does hereby authorize the City Manager or his designee, to file, execute and fulfill any
related Low Carbon Transportatio n Operations Program grant applications, certifications,
assurances, forms, agreements, and associated documents on behalf of the C ity.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________, and on
the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2019.
____________________________________
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo , California, this ______ day of ______________, 2019.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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