Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
08/09/2011
Agenda Report # 683
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Federal Transit Administration for Sustainability Program
Funds
(TIGGER III & Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus Facilities Discretionary Grant
Program)
INITIATED BY: Department of Transportation/METRA
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application, and if
approved, accept a grant from the Federal Transit Administration for
Sustainability Program Grant(s) under Section 5308, 5309 (b) (as amended by the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users (SAFETEA-LU)) August 10, 2005, and Section 2223 of the Department of
Defense and Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (enacted April 15,
2011).
Background: The city has applied for capital, grants to the Federal Transit
Administration since 1972. The Sustainability Program Grant(s) are to be funded
in the following manner.
Grant Category City (SPLOST) FTA Total
Capital 5308 17% 83% 100%
Analysis:
2011 FTA Sustainability Program
(TIGGER III and Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus Facilities Discretionary Grants Program)
Section 5308 Transit Capital
Grant Category City (SPLOST) FTA Total
Capital 5308 $343,546 $1,677,314 $2,020,860
Financial Considerations: If the City chooses not to apply for the
Sustainability Grant, Columbus would be turning down funding for capital
investments that assist in reducing the energy consumption of a public
transportation system and/or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a public
transportation system. The purpose of the program is also to assist maintenance
areas in achieving or maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
for ozone and CO and to support emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion
technologies for transit buses and markets for those technologies.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The hybrid electric/diesel buses will
replace buses that are fueled 100% with diesel fuel. The displacement of 100%
diesel powered buses with the hybrid electric/diesel propulsion systems will
save on average 25% per bus in diesel fuel.
Legal Considerations: A resolution from the City Council authorizing
application for a grant, authorizing the City Manager or Mayor to apply for,
accept Sustainability Funds, and to enter into a contract with the Federal
Transit Administration is required. The intent is to apply for Sustainability
funding in compliance with all applicable Federal Regulations governing
appropriations at such time as said appropriations are made available.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize a resolution to approve for the City to
submit an application for Sustainability Program (TIGGER III & Clean Fuels/Bus
and Bus Facilities Discretionary Grant Program) capital transit assistance,
from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for all appropriated annual years
under the FY 2011 Discretionary Sustainability Funding Opportunity TIGGER III
Program and Clean Fuels Grant Program, Augmented with Discretionary Bus and Bus
Facilities Program and further authorizing the City Manager or Mayor to accept
the grant, if approved, and enter into a contract with the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA).
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND IF APPROVED ACCEPT
FEDERAL SUSTAINABILITY FUNDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2011 FOR TRANSIT INVESTMENTS FOR
GREENHOUSE GAS AND ENERGY REDUCTION (TIGGER) PROGRAM AND CLEAN FUELS GRANT
PROGRAM, AUGMENTED WITH DISCRETIONARY BUS AND BUS FACILITIES PROGRAM. AND TO
CONTRACT WITH FTA FOR SECTION 5308 FUNDS, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY SHOULD THE
APPLICATION(S) RECEIVE APPROVAL, AND AMEND THE TRANSPORTATION FUND BY THE
AMOUNT OF THE AWARD.
WHEREAS, under Section 5308, 5309 (b) (as amended by the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(SAFETETEA-LU)) August 10, 2005, and Section 2223 of the Department of Defense
and Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (enacted April 15, 2011) has
been authorized to make grant (s) for transit capital improvement; and,
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Transportation/METRA is designated the
recipient of these Sustainability transit funding; and,
WHEREAS, the City owns and operates the Columbus Department of
Transportation/METRA, in Columbus, Georgia which provides public transportation
within the urbanized service area; and,
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administrator has been delegated authority to
award federal financial assistance for the purchase of four (4) Hybrid Low
Floor Electric Buses; and,
WHEREAS, the grant or cooperative agreement for federal financial assistance
will require the Columbus Consolidated Government to apply a 17% match
($343,546) for the purchase of four (4) Hybrid Low Floor Electric Buses; and,
WHEREAS, the local match, $343,546 to be used to purchase four (4) Hybrid Low
Floor Electric Buses; will come from the 1999 Special Local Option Sales Tax
Fund, designated for the purchase of clean air diesel buses; and,
WHEREAS, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the State
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) both indicate the amount of the
Section 5308 funds to be obligated; and,
WHEREAS, METRA may apply to FTA for a capital assistance contract covering
eighty three percent (83%) of the eligible sustainability transit assistance
for the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
(1)
That the Mayor or City Manager is hereby authorized submit an
application and if approved accept $2,020,860 or the amount awarded, with a
$343,546 match from the Federal Transit Administration for Sustainability
Program Grant on behalf of the City for Federal economic stimulus transit
assistance; and,
(2)
That the Mayor or City Manager is hereby authorized to execute
contracts in accordance with fiscal year expenses on behalf of the City with
FTA for the purpose of receiving FTA Sustainability funds should the
application(s) be approved; and,
(3)
That the Department of Transportation/METRA is hereby authorized to
furnish such additional information as may be required in connection with the
application(s).
_______________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held on the __ day of _________, 2011, and adopted at said meeting
by the affirmative vote of members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting ____________.
Councilor Baker voting ____________.
Councilor Barnes voting ____________.
Councilor Davis voting ____________.
Councilor Henderson voting ____________.
Councilor Huff voting ____________.
Councilor McDaniel voting ____________.
Councilor Thomas voting ____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting ____________.
Councilor Woodson voting ____________.
____________________________________ ____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned duly qualified and acting
(Title of Officer) of the Columbus Consolidated Government certifies that the
foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution, adopted at a legally
convened meeting of the Columbus Council held on , 2011.
Official Seal
______________________________
(Signature of Recording Officer)
______________________________
(Title of Recording Officer)
______________________________
(Date)
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