TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Application for FY 2019 FTA Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager or his designee to file and execute applications and funding agreements with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program to rehabilitate maintenance bay bus lifts at the District’s Central Maintenance Facility (CMF).
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BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The District plans to apply for up to $5.6 million in Federal FY2019 funds to rehabilitate maintenance bay bus lifts at CMF. This project is currently in the Capital Improvement Plan as Project 2094, with $1.4 million of PTMISEA grants. Awards under the Bus and Bus Facilities Program require a minimum 20% match; therefore, the District will apply for $5.6 million for the Bus and Bus Facilities Program and use the PTMISEA funds as the required match if awarded the full amount.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On May 15, 2019, the FTA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program with applications due on June 21, 2019. This is a competitive funding program that makes $423 million available to replace, rehabilitate, purchase or lease buses and related equipment; and to rehabilitate, purchase, construct or lease bus-related facilities. Staff recommends applying to rehabilitate maintenance bay bus lifts at CMF.
Several of the bus lifts at CMF are original equipment that were installed when the facility was built in the 1980s. They are now in need of repair or are no longer serviceable for operation. The bus lifts are installed in the revenue repair maintenance bays at CMF which is the District’s heavy repair department that performs engine, transmission, and differential repairs as well as other large mechanical tasks to the District’s fleet.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Not applying for the funds would cause the District to forgo the opportunity to compete for federal funds to keep the District’s facilities in a state of good repair. The cost for these projects would need to be funded through other funding opportunities or absorbed into current District budgets.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff could apply for the funds for bus purchases or other facility improvements and rehabilitations such as bus washers and paint booths. However, bus lifts have been identified by staff as the most applicable to the funding program and the most consistent with the District’s immediate needs.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR17-240 FTA Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Application
SR18-190 Application for Federal FY2018 FTA Bus & Bus Facility Grant
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Approved by:
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer
Reviewed by:
Denise C. Standridge, General Counsel
Salvador Llamas, Chief Operating Officer
Joe Callaway, Director of Capital Projects
Chris Andrichak, Director of Management and Budget
Prepared by:
Cecil Blandon, Director of Maintenance
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning and Grants Manager