Title
Authorization to Accept the FTA Bus & Bus Facilities Grant Award (B)
This item requests 1) authorization to accept an award by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for an east Gainesville transfer station and replacement buses; 2) authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the grant award and any other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; 3) authorize approval of related procurements and expenditures, to include land acquisition, construction, bus purchase and associated activities required for the completion of the projects in the grant, and 4) direct the Budget Office to include this award in the next available FY22 Budget Amendment Resolution.
Explanation
As outlined in its approved Spring 2021 Program of Projects, Regional Transit System (RTS) applied for and recently received a grant award from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus & Bus Facilities grant program. The award is in response to a proposal submitted by RTS in November 2021 for capital funding for two projects: an east Gainesville transfer station for public transit, and acquisition of twelve replacement diesel buses.
The award amount is $10,660,817, and will support a much-needed transfer station in East Gainesville, as well as the purchase of replacement buses for Gainesville’s public transit service fleet. Gainesville’s need for a public transit transfer station on the east side of town has been well documented by RTS. Efforts to secure funding for the transfer station have been on-going for years through a variety of resources, including legislative funding requests to the FL House and Senate, other FTA grant applications, City of Gainesville capital funding requests, and partnership opportunities that might result in reduced expenses for the project in order to facilitate its completion. This past year, the FTA revamped program objectives for its federal grant opportunities, and applicants were requested to provide additional, specific details regarding needs in underserved communities. With this opportunity, RTS was able to align its request closely to the program goals, resulting in an award that will substantially address community needs.
RTS anticipates that after completing required regional planning & FTA processes, the grant agreement can be executed within the next few months, and hopes to complete construction of the transfer station project sometime in the latter half of 2024 or early 2025. It is anticipated that once the station becomes operational, adjustments will be made to routes in east Gainesville, improving route frequency and access to critical services for those using public transportation.
The City of Gainesville Department of Transportation and Regional Transit System are grateful to the FTA for their support of this project.
Strategic Plan 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
Reimbursement funds will be received from the FTA in the amount of $10,660,817.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager to accept the FTA’s Bus & Bus Facilities grant award; 2) authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the grant award and any other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; 3) authorize approval of related procurements and expenditures, to include land acquisition, construction, bus purchase and associated activities required for the completion of the projects in the grant, and 4) direct the Budget Office to include this award in the next available FY22 Budget Amendment resolution in order to enable start-up of project-related expenses.