Title
Public Transit Grant Award Agreement for Florida Department of Transportation Service Development Grant Funds for Regional Transit System (RTS) Project (B)
This item requests that the City Commission adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Gainesville dba Regional Transit System to enter into a Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) for the acceptance of grant funds and authorizes the City Manager to execute a PTGA with Florida Department of Transportation for Service Development Grants for this RTS project.
Explanation
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) allocates service development funds to transit agencies each year. The allocations are given at FDOT discretion on a competitive basis for agency projects that meet FDOT Service Development Grant (SDG) criteria. These funds require a 50% match from the agency. RTS utilizes service development grants to offset operational costs for provision of fixed route services, or for capital projects deemed essential for improved transit services. RTS regularly submits proposals and receives grant awards for service development projects, which assist in offsetting operating expenses for City bus routes. PTGAs may, at the discretion of FDOT and if eligible, be amended with either increased funding and/or time extensions.
FDOT requires the governing board of each public transit system to adopt a Resolution authorizing the agency to enter into a PTGA for the acceptance of grant funds. Many projects are eligible to receive additional funding from FDOT in future years, so the Resolution provides authorization for the City to execute any PTGA Amendments for the purpose of scope changes and/or funding adjustments in support of the project.
On April 4, 2019, the City adopted Resolution #180845, and approved a PTGA authorizing RTS to receive FDOT SDG project funds for Project Connect (First-Mile Last-Mile), in the amount of $274,000 (Year 1 total of $548,000). With the new Project Connect PTGA, FDOT is providing funding in the amount of $400,000 (total of $800,000), for a term ending May 31, 2023. Project Connect is a service providing on-demand transit service using smaller vehicles to pick up passengers in areas where regular 40’ buses can’t serve, and take them to stop locations and transfer stations, to transfer and complete trips using public transit. Local Option Gas Tax funds and other RTS funds provide the 50% match for this project.
Fiscal Note
Matching funds for the PTGA are identified in the RTS FY19-20 operating budget as noted above.
Recommendation
The City Commission 1) adopt the resolution authorizing the City of Gainesville dba Regional Transit System to enter into a Public Transportation Grant Agreement for the acceptance of grant funds, and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the PTGA for the aforementioned project, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.