CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: May 27, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Request approval to submit 2009 Section 5307 Federal Transit Administration Grant Application
TARGET ISSUE: N/A

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

Staff requests authority to submit a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the City of Tallahassee’s (StarMetro) 2009 Section 5307 apportionment, and upon award of said grant funding, staff requests authority to execute and expend the funds upon receipt. This grant will provide $2,601,545, of which $808,988 is dedicated to operating assistance. The remainder will provide funding for the required security, transit enhancement, planning support, capitalized maintenance and capital.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Option 1 – Approve the request to submit the application, and upon award, execute and expend the funding from Section 5307 FTA Grant in the amount of $2,601,545. (Approving this option will allow the City to take advantage of federal funding which is available to support public transit.)

FISCAL IMPACT

The provision in this Grant allows for operating assistance and approval of this Grant will increase the operating funds by $808,988. The Office of Budget and Policy has reviewed this agenda item and concurs it meets budgetary guidelines. FDOT toll revenue credits will be used as the local match, and no additional City funds will be required.

Ronald L. Garrison/Executive Director,

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Ralph Wilder, Maint. Supt. 891-5217, Pollie Howell, FTA Grants – 891-5197

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES

StarMetro is the designated recipient of Section 5307 Federal Transit Administration funding to support the transit system in Tallahassee. These funds are a part of the City operating and capital budget, the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Toll Revenue Credits are used as the local match for capital projects, thus reducing the need for the City to provide matching funds. The operating funds are matched at 50% by funds from the operations of the transit system or general fund. There is a federal requirement to use 1% of the funding for security items and 1% for transit enhancements (i.e. bus shelters, benches, lighting, bicycle access, signage, etc.)

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Charitable contributions are N/A, as this is a federal grant.

OPTIONS

1) Approve the request to submit the application, and upon award, execute and expend the funding from Section 5307 FTA Grant in the amount of $2,601,545. (Approving this option will allow the City to take advantage of federal funding which is available to support public transit.)

Pros: Approval will provide funding for operations and capital for StarMetro.

Cons: Not approving this item will require continued City funded operating levels as well as City funding for capital.

2) Do not approve this item and provide direction to the staff.

Pros: Not approving this item will require continued City-funded operating levels

Cons: Pros identified under option 1 would not be accomplished.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES

None