CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: June 10, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Approval of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Trip & Equipment FY 2009/2010 Grant Submission
TARGET ISSUE: N/A

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

Since February of 2002, StarMetro has served as the City Commission designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Leon County. The designated CTC provides transportation services to those residents who are disabled, elderly or with limited mobility. As part of the annual budget for the CTC program, staff requests approval to submit the FY 2009/2010 Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Trip & Equipment Grant. This grant as proposed will provide $405,253 in funding for non-sponsored transportation services to citizen’s traveling within Leon County.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Option 1 - approve submission and expenditure of the FY2009/2010 Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Trip & Equipment Grant and execution of all documents.

FISCAL IMPACT

No fiscal impact to the StarMetro Operating Budget. These funds are included in the Proposed FY 2010 Budget. The CTC services are completely funded through grant proceeds and voluntary contributions, no City funds are required.

This item has been reviewed by the Budget Office and meets City budget guidelines.

Ronald L. Garrison, Executive Director, StarMetro

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Donna Peacock, Paratransit Operations, 891-5196

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES

Since February of 2002, the City of Tallahassee has provided citizens of Leon County with transportation services under the State of Florida Transportation Disadvantaged program. Chapter 427.11 Florida Statutes and Rule 41-2 Florida Administrative Code requires all Florida counties to provide such services for the transportation disadvantaged. Florida residents are considered transportation disadvantaged if they are physically, mentally, or economically unable to provide their own transportation. The Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged oversees the disbursement of funds and operation of the Transportation Disadvantaged Program in each county.

Trips provided to the transportation disadvantaged population in Leon County are categorized as sponsored and non-sponsored. A sponsored trip is funded by other sources, usually a state or social service agency, such as Medicaid, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities or Vocational Rehabilitation. Non-sponsored trips are those trips paid for by funding directly from grant and local sources such as the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, Florida Department of Transportation and Leon County.

The attached grant authorizes the City of Tallahassee, as the Leon County CTC, to access the funding allocated through the TD Commission to subsidize the citizen’s travel needs. Services such as these are common and provided throughout the United States. Transportation programs, such as these, provide core transportation support to residents with limited mobility and create the connectivity necessary to contribute to a vibrant community.

There is no fiscal impact to the StarMetro Operating Budget. These funds are included in the Proposed FY 2010 Budget. The CTC services are completely funded through grant proceeds and voluntary contributions, no City funds are required.

Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged State Funds $405,253
Local Match (funded solely by rider fares collected by carrier) $45,028
Voluntary Dollar Contributions (funds derived when citizens donate At least $1 when renewing vehicle tags) $375
Total Project $450,656

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

This is not applicable since funding for this program is provided by another governmental agency.

OPTIONS

1. Approve the FY2009/2010 Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Trip & Equipment Grant submittal and execution of all documents.

Pros: Approval will allow the City to take advantage of this funding, which is necessary to support the non-sponsored transportation service program for Leon County residents.

Cons: Without this grant StarMetro would be unable to provide services for Leon County residents.

2. Do not approve grant submittal and provide alternative direction to staff.

Pros: StarMetro would no longer be responsible for coordination of transportation for Leon County residents.

Cons: Approval of this option would result in non-sponsored citizens in Leon County being denied transportation.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES

Attachment 1 –FY 2008/09 Trip & Equipment Grant Application (with attachments