ITEM TITLE:
Title
Consider approving a resolution authorizing the filing and execution of a grant for federal assistance under Section 5307 Federal Transit Administration for Federal Fiscal Year 2023 appropriated funding, approving the application, and authorizing the Chairman and Secretary to execute the same.
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INITIATOR: Christine James, Planning Director
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Ryan Landers, LATS General Manager
BACKGROUND: LATS has prepared a grant application in the amount of $2,106,449 for transit operations using Federal Fiscal Year 2023 appropriated funding. The local share for this grant is $1,400,000, which is projected to be in the City of Lawton’s FY 2026 budget. The application will be filed and reviewed electronically.
The Urbanized Area Formula Program Grants under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Sections 5307 & 5340 as reauthorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, continues, without change, the Urbanized Area Formula Funding program that makes federal resources available to urbanized areas and governors for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and for transportation-related planning. An urbanized area is an incorporated area with a population of 50,000 or more that is designated as such by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
Funding is made available to designated recipients that must be public bodies with the legal authority to receive and dispense federal funds. Governors, responsible local officials, and publicly owned operators of transit services are required to designate a recipient to apply for, receive, and dispense funds for urbanized areas pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5307. The governor or governor’s designee is the designated recipient for urbanized areas between 50,000 and 200,000.
Eligible Activities:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues without change the broad range of activities eligible under the Urbanized Area Formula Program, including:
• Capital projects
• Planning
• Job access and reverse commute projects
• Operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation (in urbanized areas with a population of fewer than 200,000 individuals)
Eligible activities include planning, engineering design and evaluation of transit projects and other technical transportation-related studies; capital investments in bus and bus-related activities such as replacement of buses and overhaul and rebuilding of buses; crime prevention and security equipment; construction of maintenance and passenger facilities; and capital investments in new and existing fixed guideway systems, including rolling stock, overhaul, and rebuilding of vehicles, track, signals, communications, and computer hardware and software. All preventive maintenance and some Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are considered capital costs.
For urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000, costs to operate equipment and facilities for use in public transportation is an eligible expense. In areas with a population greater than or equal to 200,000, operating assistance is an eligible expense for agencies that operate 100 or fewer vehicles in peak service, subject to published limits on expenditures for such expenses. For urbanized areas with populations of 200,000 or greater, funds are apportioned and flow directly to a designated recipient selected locally to apply for and receive federal funds. For urbanized areas under 200,000 in population, the funds are apportioned to the governor of each state for distribution.
The federal share of this grant will be a combination of 50% federal and 50% local for all operating expenses and 80% federal and 20% local for capital expenses such as preventative maintenance, lease, and capital ADA.
EXHIBIT: Resolution 25-_____
KEY ISSUES: None.
FUNDING SOURCE: FTA $2,106,449 and General Fund $1,400,000
STAFF RECOMMENDED TRUST ACTION: Approve Resolution 25-______ authorizing the filing of a grant for federal assistance under Section 5307 Federal Transit Administration for Federal Fiscal Year 2023 appropriated funding, approving execution of the application and authorizing the Chairman and Secretary to execute the same.