Consent 1.H.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/22/2016
- TITLE
- Submittal and Acceptance of Grant Application to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) for Capital Assistance
- PRESENTED BY:
- Kevin Ploehn
- Department:
- Transit
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
Each year the City of Billings MET Transit Division applies for various types of grants with the Transit Planning Division of the State of Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). These grant funds may be available for planning, capital, training, demonstration, and/or operating assistance grants. The City of Billings MET Transit Division was advised by the MDT Transit Planning Division, of the availability of Federal grant funds for capital assistance applied for through the State of Montana. The MDT Transit Planning Division has two grant programs, Section 5310 and Section 5339.
Under the Transportation Bill, MAP-21, Section 5310 is funding that has been allocated to the State of Montana's three larger urban systems (Missoula, Great Falls, and Billings) for capital assistance. This program will be administered by the State, and MET Transit is looking to apply to receive funding for two paratransit vans. This funding will provide 80% for the cost of the vans. The local match would be 20%. These vans will be included in the FY17 Transit capital budget.
Additionally, Section 5339 created by the MAP-21 Transportation Bill provides capital funding to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, and to construct bus-related facilities. Should funding become available for Section 5339 funding, MET would apply to these funds as well.
In order to apply for these grants, it is necessary to include with this Grant Application a City Council approved Resolution formally authorizing the City of Billings Mayor to execute any Grant Agreements with the MDT.
Under the Transportation Bill, MAP-21, Section 5310 is funding that has been allocated to the State of Montana's three larger urban systems (Missoula, Great Falls, and Billings) for capital assistance. This program will be administered by the State, and MET Transit is looking to apply to receive funding for two paratransit vans. This funding will provide 80% for the cost of the vans. The local match would be 20%. These vans will be included in the FY17 Transit capital budget.
Additionally, Section 5339 created by the MAP-21 Transportation Bill provides capital funding to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, and to construct bus-related facilities. Should funding become available for Section 5339 funding, MET would apply to these funds as well.
In order to apply for these grants, it is necessary to include with this Grant Application a City Council approved Resolution formally authorizing the City of Billings Mayor to execute any Grant Agreements with the MDT.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Approve the City of Billings applying for and executing grant agreements administered by the MDT's Transit Planning Division to include the purchase of vehicles; or
- Disapprove the City of Billings applying for any grant programs administered by the MDT's Transit Planning Division.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Through these grants, the City's Transit Division will be able to replace two vans and other capital needs, typically with a grant that covers 80% of the cost and a local match at 20%.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the City of Billings MET Transit applying to MDT Transit Planning Division for any available Sections 5310, 5339, and any other available grants with the execution by the Mayor of any subsequently awarded Grant Agreement(s) provided by the MDT.