Title
Resolution Authorizing the Filing and/or Execution, As Appropriate, of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant Agreements, Grant Applications, Annual or Biennial Applications, Annual Budgets, and Other Such Documents, As Appropriate, Pursuant to Relevant Sections of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, As Amended-Public Transportation Division Program of Projects-FY 2020-2021
Body
Council Priority: Maintain Infrastructure and Provide Sustainable Growth Opportunities
Department: Transportation
Council District: Citywide
Public Hearing: NA
Advertising Date/By: NA
Contact 1 and Phone: Hanna Cockburn 373-2861
Contact 2 and Phone: Bruce Adams 412-6237
PURPOSE:
Annually, the City of Greensboro applies for FTA funding to support the City’s public transportation program. The City is required to hold a Public Hearing to inform the general public about the proposed operating, planning, and capital projects and the estimated costs. The City Council is also required to adopt a resolution authorizing the filing and/or execution of subsequent grant agreements for the proposed projects.
BACKGROUND:
The Program of Projects may be developed and approved by the designated recipient (the City of Greensboro) or the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). In years past, GTA has developed the Program of Projects for the Greensboro Urbanized Area for City Council approval. Starting in FY 2016, the MPO began to fill that role instead. Reasons include that the MPO is responsible for the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) and the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and that there are now multiple recipients of Federal Transit grants operating in the MPO area, including Guilford County Transportation and Mobility Services (TAMS) and Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART). The MPO must follow the Public Participation Plan, which for the Program of Projects requires a 30 day public comment period and a public hearing. This comment period ran from February 26, 2020 to March 26, 2020 and the public hearing was held at the May 13, 2020 Transportation Advisory Committee meeting.
The MPO adopted a detailed Program of Projects recommended for funding under the FTA Section 5307 Urban Formula Grant Program, Section 5303 Metropolitan Planning Program, Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program, Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) flexible funding program, Section 5312 Public Transportation Innovation, and the NCDOT State Maintenance Assistance Program (SMAP) on May 13, 2020.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The City will be required to provide local matching funds for each grant. The funds are budgeted in the Public Transportation Division Transit Operations Account. Separate ordinances will come to City Council for approval to appropriate the funds.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Department of Transportation recommends and requests that the City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing the filing and/or execution of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant agreements, grant applications, annual or biennial applications, annual budgets, and other such documents, outlined in the FY 2020-2021 Program of Projects for the City of Greensboro Public Transportation Division.