From
Anda Upchurch
Title
Public Hearing and Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a FY 2015 grant application with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a total project amount of $859,530 for Grand Prairie's transit system, "The Grand Connection"
Presenter
Jim Sparks, Director of Transportation Services
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie must annually submit a grant application to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to receive funding for continuation of the operation and maintenance of "The Grand Connection" transit system. We are required to advertise for a Public Hearing to afford all interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to the social, environmental and economic aspects of the transit system. The Public Hearing has been advertised in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The senior and physically challenged para-transit program started in 1988 with the purchase of one (1) van. Since that time, the program has grown to over 48,000 trips annually with an active fleet of twelve (12) transit buses/minivans. The Transit Division of the Transportation Services Department operates various types of programs for these citizens. These programs include:
NO CHARGE TRIPS
- Nutrition Trip Program - Provides transportation to Dallas County Health and Human Services Nutrition Program at 2975 Esplanade, Grand Prairie, Texas
- Medical/Dental Trip Program - Provides transportation to medical/dental appointments
- Dialysis treatments
- Parkland Hospital
- Arlington Hospital
FARE TRIPS ($1.00 EACH WAY)
- Grocery Trip Program - Provides transportation to the grocery store on a weekly basis
- Texas Department of Health and Human Services - Transportation for approved Medicaid recipients for medical/dental appointments
- School Program - Provides transportation to local colleges
- Shopping Program - Provides weekly/monthly trips to Target/Wal-Mart
- DART - Provides transportation to the S. Westmoreland/Illinois train station on a daily/weekly basis
Financial Consideration
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will reimburse up to the following amounts of our proposed program:
|
|
|
Percent of |
Vehicle |
Vehicle |
Operating |
|
|
Total by Entity |
Budget |
Replacement |
Maintenance |
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
100/0 |
80/20 |
|
|
FTA |
$ 142,883.00 |
16.62% |
$ 85,000.00 |
$ 57,883.00 |
|
|
TxDOT |
$ 181,343.00 |
21.10% |
|
$ 9,407.00 |
$ 171,936.00 |
|
City General Fund |
$ 513,354.00 |
59.72% |
|
$ 5,064.00 |
$ 508,290.00 |
|
Dallas County |
$ 18,000.00 |
2.09% |
|
|
$ 18,000.00 |
|
Fare Revenue |
$ 3,950.00 |
0.46% |
|
|
$ 3,950.00 |
|
Totals: |
$ 859,530.00 |
100% |
$ 85,000.00 |
$ 72,354.00 |
$ 702,176.00 |
TxDOT will reimburse 100% of all training to Grantees.
The City’s contribution to the Grand Connection has increased from $231,265 in 2014 to $513,354 in 2015 - a difference of $282,089 - mainly due to a loss of Federal operating funding. When the new Federal funding authorization known as MAP-21 was approved, the section that had previously allowed for our operating funding was removed. This meant a loss of $262,000 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Operating Expenses. The remaining increase of $20,089 in the City contribution is due to increase in costs for fuel, benefits and salaries, indirect costs and property liability. We are still able to request and receive Capital funding from FTA. We will be able to compete against rural services to try to make up for at least a portion of the loss of operating funding, but we will not know our award, if any, until we are within the operating year. We will continue to find ways to offset the increase in the City funding requirement and return what we can to the General Fund; however this increase will ensure that the Grand Connection will continue to operate with the same high level of service and reliability that is expected by our residents.
By passing this resolution, Council agrees and commits to the above described increase in contribution for the Grand Connection in the FY15 budget.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A FY 2015 GRANT APPLICATION WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) AND TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (TXDOT) FOR A TOTAL PROJECT AMOUNT OF $859,530 FOR GRAND PRAIRIE'S TRANSIT SYSTEM "THE GRAND CONNECTION"
Whereas, to ensure continued funding to operate "The Grand Connection" the Transportation Services Department seeks authorization to submit a capital, planning and operating expense grant application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT); and
Whereas, the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to make grants for a mass transportation program of projects; and
Whereas, the contract for financial assistance will impose certain obligations upon the applicant, including the provision by it of the local share of the projects costs in the program; and
Whereas, it is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation in accord with the provision of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the applicant give an assurance that it will comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the U.S. Department of Transportation requirements there under; and
Whereas, it is the goal of the applicant that minority business be utilized to the fullest extent possible in connection with this/these project(s), and that definite procedures shall be established and administered to ensure that minority business shall have the maximum construction contracts, supplies, equipment contracts, or consultant and other services.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
Section 1. The City Manager is authorized to execute and file an application on behalf of the City of Grand Prairie with the U.S. Department of Transportation, to aid in the financing of operating assistance projects pursuant to Section 9 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended.
Section 2. The City Manager is authorized to execute and file with such an application an assurance or any other document required by the U.S. Department of Transportation effectuating the purpose of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Section 3. The City Manager is authorized to set forth and execute affirmative minority business policies in connection with the project's procurement needs.
Section 4. The City Manager is authorized to execute grant contract agreements on behalf of the City of Grand Prairie with the U.S. Department of Transportation for aid in the financing of the operating assistance projects.
Section 5. Monies will be appropriated from the City of Grand Prairie's FY 2015 Budget to fund the City's share of the funding match. Additional revenues for this grant will be provided by Dallas County Health and Human Services ($18,000) and Transit Fees ($3,950).
Section 6. The Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 17TH DAY OF JUNE, 2014.