Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 15, 2020 C-14AGENDA ITEM c-14 CItv op Lopl Councrl ConTMUNIcATIoN TM AGENDA TITLE: MEETING DATE: April 15,2020 PREPARED BY: Public Works Director Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Execute Funding Documents with California Department of Transportation for Allocation of Fiscal Year 2019120 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Funds RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute funding documents with California Department of Transportation for allocation of Fiscal Year 2019i20 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program funds. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) is one of Å?åi:ff:"hHff % iåi lilÌ'.'l;å"å"" å?Íf'1.1 :: Ii3 3ii; established by the California Legislature in 2014. The LCTOP was created to provide operating and capital funding for transit agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve mobility, with a priority on serving designated disadvantaged communities. The LCTOP is administered by California Department of Transportation in coordination with California Air Resources Board and the State Controller's Office. Funds are distributed based on prior use of State Transit Assistance funds with 50 percent to the regional agencies, in our case, San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG), and the other 50 percent to local transit operators. For the Fiscal Year 2019120 LCTOP funding cycle, the City is eligible to receive $10,976 in a direct allocation as a transit operator. ln addition, SJCOG's regional allocation of $1.4 million will be allocated among transit providers, with Lodi receiving $72,664. This provides the City with a total LCTOP allocation of $83,640. The Transit Division plans to apply for this years' allocation to continue the free student fare program, which was launched on August 1, 2019, using Fiscal Year 2018/19 LCTOP funds. The free fare subsidy program provided 6,844 free student trips in the first month, with very minimal marketing. Ridership continued to increase each month, with a record high in February 2020o18,023 free studenttrips. Compared to last year, ridership on the Express routes, which serve the student population, has increased by 50 percent. ln the world of transit, this is a phenomenal increase. A total of 47 ,714 free student trips have been provided through February 2020, which equates to $59,642.50 in fare subsidies provided by last year's LCTOP funds. The COVID-19 event has made a severe impact on not only student ridership, but ridership in general. lt is anticipated that when normalcy returns, the free student ride program will continue its success into the next school year. Consistent with last year's LCTOP application process, the City must submit several supporting documents which are required to be approved by the City Council: 1. An "Authorized Agent" form to designate the City Manager, and/or designee, as signatory on any documents associated with obtaining and managing LCTOP funds. ffir04, APPROVED steve sEYì wtb-Mr (apr 8, 2o2o) KIWP\TRANSIT\CC LCTOP Grant FY 19-20.doc Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager 41112020 Adopt Resolution Authoriz¡ng City Manager to Execute Funding Documents with Cal¡fornia Department of Transportation for Allocation of Fiscal Year 2019/20 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Funds April 15,2020 Page 2 2. The "Certification and Assurances,"which contain general conditions of the LCTOP program as well as some additional cost principles and record retention requirements that are standard for other State-funded projects. 3. Project Allocation form acknowledging Lodi as the Lead Agency and SJCOG as the Contributing Sponsor of LCTOP funds. 4. A Resolution adopted by Council approving allof the submittals on behalf of the LCTOP program. Staff recommends authorizing City Manager to execute funding documents with California Department of Transportation for allocation of Fiscal Year 2019/20 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program funds. FISCAL IMPACT: $83,640 in LCTOP funds will be additional revenue to offset fares. There is no matching requirement and there is no impact to the General Fund. All interest accrued for these funds must also be applied to the project. FUNDING AVAILABLE:Staff anticipates receiving $83,640 in LCTOP funds beginning in Fiscal Year 2020121. Charles E. Swimley, J Public Works Director Prepared by Georgia Graham, Transportation Manager CES/GG/tc Attachments KIWP\TRANSIT\CC LCTOP Grant FY 19-20.doc 41112020 RESOLUTION NO. 2O2O-72 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES, AND AUTHORIZED AGENT FORMS, WITH CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ALLOCATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2O19I2O2O LOW CARBON TRANS¡T OPERATTONS PROGRAM (LCTOP) FUNDS FOR THE FREE STUDENT FARE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of Lodi is an eligible project sponsor and may receive State funding from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for transit projects; and WHEREAS, the statutes related to state-funded transit projects require a local or regional implementing agency to abide by various regulations; and WHEREAS, Senate B¡ll 862 (2014) named the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as the administrative agency for the LCTOP; and WHEREAS, Caltrans has developed guidelines for the purpose of administering and distributing LCTOP funds to eligible project sponsors (local agencies); and WHEREAS, the City of Lodi wishes to delegate authorization to execute these documents and any amendments thereto to Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager; and WHEREAS, the City of Lodi wishes to implement the LCTOP project(s) listed above. NOW, THEREFORE, BE lT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council on behalf of the City of Lodi hereby accepts and agrees that the City of Lodi, as a fund recipient, will comply with all conditions and requirements set forth in the Certification and Assurances and the Authorized Agent documents and applicable statutes, regulations and guidelines for all LCTOP funded transit projects; and BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager, is hereby authorized to execute all required documents of the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program, and any Amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation; and BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council hereby authorizes the submittal of the following project nomination and allocation request to Caltrans for FY 2019-20 LCTOP funds: Project Name: Amount of LCTOP funds requested Project Description: Benefit to Priority Populations Contributing Sponsors Free Student Fare Program $83,640 Provide free transit fares for students in underserved areas of Lodi to encourage and increase ridership on the fixed route transit system. Free transportation to schools, activity centers, youth clubs, and recreation activities. San Joaquin Council of Governments Dated: April 15,2020 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2020-72 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held April 15,2020, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTA!N COUNCIL MEMBERS - Chandler, Mounce, Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne COUNCIL MEMBERS - None COUNCIL MEMBERS - None COUNCIL MEMBERS - None PAMELA M. FARRIS Assistant City Clerk 2020-72