MPO Staff Report Technical Advisory Committee: April 12, 2017 MPO Executive Board: April 19, 2017 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Candidate Projects for the ND FTA 5339 & 5310 Grant in the priority order given. Matter of Approval of Candidate Projects for ND FTA 5339 & 5310 Grant application. Background: In February, the MPO and NDDOT solicited applications for FTA 5339 & 5310 projects. This is the first year that NDDOT solicited applications for projects under both funding sources at the same time. Additionally, NDDOT is relying on a computer based, online system for any candidate projects to be submitted. Projects are not directly submitted to the MPO; the MPO accessed the system to see what projects have been entered. The NDDOT has a deadline of May 1, 2017. Any candidate projects from the MPO area were due to the MPO by April 1 st. This ensured the candidate projects could be vetted through the MPO in time to meet the NDDOT deadline. Any candidate projects are submitted directly by the MPO. The only candidate projects that the MPO received for 5339 & 5310 projects were from Cities Area Transit (CAT). This staff report will list each FTA program separately below. The 5339 program focuses funding to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, and to construct bus related facilities. There is a total of $420,000 available for urban areas. There is $1,500,000 available to fund statewide transit providers, which urban providers are eligible to receive as well. CAT 5339 funding request includes the following projects in priority order: 1. Fare Media Encoding PEM Machines: CAT has two PEM machines to read and encode bus passes. Both are in need of replacement, as service and replacement parts are no longer available. Total cost for the two replacement PEM machines is $38,000. CAT is requesting $30,400 in Section 5339 funding; the 20% local match of $7,600 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget.
2. Facility Rehabilitation: The Public Transportation Maintenance and Administration Facility (Facility) was built in 1983 and is in need of renovation. The Facility has old and inefficient heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and lighting systems. It was designed to hold seven buses. The CAT operation has grown to a fleet of eleven buses, nine vans, four staff cars, two shop pickups, and a staff of over 30. Rehabilitation projects are needed to bring CAT s largest FTA funded asset to a state of good repair. This will provide for safe and efficient operations well into the future. Facility Rehabilitation will include replacement of inefficient HVAC system to accommodate existing space and future office and storage area expansions, indoor and outdoor lighting, and two metal doors. The total cost of the project is $387,000. CAT is requesting $309,600 in Section 5339 funding; the 20% local match of $77,400 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget. 3. Mobile Video Camera System: The Mobile Video Camera System on CAT s large buses has exceeded its useful life and is in need of replacement. The total cost for the Mobile Video Camera System is $60,000. CAT is requesting $48,00 in Section 5339 funding; the 20% local match of $12,000 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget. 4. Maintenance Software: This project involves replacing CAT s Maintenance Software program. The project will improve the maintenance and record-keeping for vehicles, equipment, and facilities. The total cost of the project is $100,000. CAT is requesting $80,000 in 5339 funding; the 20% local match of $20,000 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget. The 5310 program focuses funding to Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities. There is $370,000 available for urban areas. Projects can be submitted by public transit providers, nonprofit agencies, social service agencies and others. All projects must show consistency with the locally adopted Human Services Public Transportation Coordination Plan. This plan is currently being update and will be part of the updated TDP. CAT 5310 funding request includes the following projects in priority order: 1. Mobility Manager: The Mobility Manager serves as a regional transit coordinator and is responsible for planning, marketing, education and outreach for Cities Area Transit. The Mobility Manager provides bus training for senior citizens and persons with disabilities and is the agency contact for local human service providers. The total cost for the Mobility Manager position is $92,932. CAT is requesting $74,345 in Section 5310 funding the 20% local match of $18,587 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget.
2. Replacement of ADA Minivan: The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan #109 has a current mileage of 140,822 and has exceeded its useful life of 4 years or 100,000. The vehicle is scheduled to be replaced with an ADA Minivan for a total cost of $38,500. CAT is requesting $30,400 in Section 5310 funding, the 20% local match of $7,700 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget. 3. Replacement of ADA Minivan: The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan #121 has a current mileage of 96,501 and has exceeded its useful life of 4 years or 100,000. The vehicle is scheduled to be replaced with a 15 + 4 Passenger Van for a total cost of $68,500. This larger vehicle is needed to accommodate passenger demand at peak operating times. CAT is requesting $54,800 in Section 5310 funding, the 20% local match of $13,700 will be paid out of the Grand Forks City Public Transportation budget. Findings and Analysis: The current TDP does not list capital project past 2016. The TDP update does list projects for 2017 and beyond. The TDP Update does list priority on State of Good Repair and Transit Asset Management. The Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan emphasizes the need for marketing and education. This work falls under the Mobility Manager s responsibilities. Staff recommends approval of the 5339 & 5310 application as being consistent with the TDP. Support Materials: CAT Staff reports Section 5339 & 5310 Applications