Title
Resolution for a Public Transportation Grant Agreement Amendment - Public Transit Service Development Program Agreement Amendment for Autonomous Vehicle Project (B)
Explanation
On August 17, 2017, the Gainesville City Commission adopted Resolution #170260, which authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to initiate Phase 1 of Gainesville’s Autonomous Vehicle (AV) project. The project has continued despite a number of delays related to the autonomous vehicle industry, and has completed initial testing; the autonomous vehicle project is now providing limited, free transit service and collecting data for the project. On January 21, 2021, the Gainesville City Commission adopted Resolution #200633, which authorized the City Manager to execute an additional agreement with FDOT to continue the AV project, providing $608,172 in additional funding for Phase 2 of the project.
FDOT has indicated its desire to provide additional funding to finish Phase 2 of the project, which will include continued provision of limited, free transit service on the existing autonomous vehicle route in the downtown area, as well as additional testing and data collection. This funding from FDOT will allow two additional months for Phase 2 and will end the project in September 2022 instead of July 2022. FDOT has provided 100% of the funding for this project, and the resolution for the attached Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) Amendment, which provides an additional $70,000 for Phase 2 from FDOT for completion of the project.
FDOT service development fund allocations are given at FDOT discretion for agency projects that meet FDOT Service Development Grant (SDG) criteria. FDOT requires the governing board of each public transit system to adopt a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of these funds.
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
The Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) Amendment for this project does not require any matching City funds and provides an additional $70,000 to the project funding; the combined total of Phase 2 funds is $678,172 from FDOT.
Recommendation
The City Commission adopt the resolution.