Title
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Grant Allocation for Regional Transit System (RTS) (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission to authorize RTS to submit an application for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Urbanized Area Formula grant.
Explanation
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), signed on March 11, 2021, includes $30.5 billion in federal funding to support the nation’s public transportation systems as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and support the President’s call to vaccinate the U.S. population. The relief funds included $26.6 billion to be allocated by statutory formulas to urbanized and rural areas and tribal governments at 100-percent federal share.
The Urbanized Area Formula grant funds allocated to the City of Gainesville Regional Transit System from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) totaled $14,481,737. In order to remain eligible for federal and state funding (such as the ARPA allocation), RTS is required annually to submit a Program of Projects (POP) to the Federal Transit Administration and maintain a current Transit Development Plan. The City Commission adopted the annual POP on March 4, 2021 (Resolution #2000859) and adopted the annual TDP Progress Report on August 19, 2021 (Legislative #210190).
Based on the needs established in the adopted POP, RTS prepared a draft ARPA application for the fund allocation that may be used over several fiscal years depending upon the City’s transit needs due to lasting impacts from COVID-19. The application budget included $10,000,000 for Operating Assistance (salaries and fuel) and $4,481,737 for Capital Assistance. If the ARPA application is accepted by the FTA, the award would be made following the established FTA grant processes. City staff is seeking City Commission authorization to proceed with the application for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Urbanized Area Formula grant.
Strategic Connection: The Regional Transit System network provides transportation access to many services within our community and supports all five goals in the City’s strategic plan including Equitable Community, A More Sustainable Community, a Great Place to Live and Experience, a Resilient Local Economy, and “Best in Class” Neighbor Services.
Fiscal Note
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Urbanized Area Formula grant does not require any matching City funds.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee submit an application for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Urbanized Area Formula grant for the City of Gainesville Regional Transit System.