Consent 1.F.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 01/23/2017
- 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 (MET) 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 or operating assistance. MET was advised by the MDT of the availability of Federal grant funds for capital assistance.
Under the current Transportation Bill, FAST-ACT, 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 MDT and MET can apply for funding for three Paratransit vans. This funding will provide 80% of the cost of the vans. The local match is 20%. These vans will be included in the FY 18 MET capital budget.
Additionally, Section 5339 funding can become available for capital funding to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, and to construct bus related facilities. Should capital grant funds become available under the Section 5339 program, MET would like to apply for these funds as well.
In order to apply with the MDT for these grants, it is necessary to include with the grant applications a City Council approved Resolution formally authorizing the City of Billings' Director of Aviation and Transit to submit the MDT on-line grant application, the annual certifications and assurances, and any other documents required to secure the grant funding from the MDT, and for the Mayor to execute any subsequent grant agreements with the MDT.
Under the current Transportation Bill, FAST-ACT, 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 MDT and MET can apply for funding for three Paratransit vans. This funding will provide 80% of the cost of the vans. The local match is 20%. These vans will be included in the FY 18 MET capital budget.
Additionally, Section 5339 funding can become available for capital funding to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, and to construct bus related facilities. Should capital grant funds become available under the Section 5339 program, MET would like to apply for these funds as well.
In order to apply with the MDT for these grants, it is necessary to include with the grant applications a City Council approved Resolution formally authorizing the City of Billings' Director of Aviation and Transit to submit the MDT on-line grant application, the annual certifications and assurances, and any other documents required to secure the grant funding from the MDT, and for the Mayor to execute any subsequent grant agreements with the MDT.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Approve the Resolution for the City of Billings applying for and executing grant agreements administered by MDT to purchase vehicles other capital assistance; or
- Disapprove the Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Through these grants, the MET will be able to replace up to three vans should the funding be available. For three vans the cost would be approximately $180,000 ( 80% ) of Federal share, and $45,000 (20%) of Local share.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Resolution authorizing the City of Billings MET Transit to apply to the MDT Transit Planning Division for any Section 5310, 5339 or any other available capital grants and allowing the Mayor to execute any subsequently awarded Grant Agreement(s) provided by the MDT.