HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-19-2013 - 6i 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 19, 2013
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-i
SUBJECT: Orange Public Transportation Expansion Vehicles for FYs 2016-2020
DEPARTMENT: Planning/Transportation PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Local Funding Commitment Form Craig Benedict, 245-2585
Bret Martin, 245-2582
Pearl Waite, 245-2004
PURPOSE: To consider approving a project funding request from Orange Public
Transportation (OPT) to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for three (3)
expansion vehicles for fiscal years (FYs) 2016-2020 and to authorize the Chair to sign the
associated Local Funding Commitment Form.
BACKGROUND: At its November 5, 2013 regular meeting, the BOCC considered and
approved a grant application that included a request for two (2) expansion vehicles to be
added to the OPT fleet for FY 2015. The acquisition of these two (2), 25-foot, 18-
passenger buses is intended to expand OPT's fleet for FY 2015 to implement service
recommendations outlined in the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan (OCBRIP)
and OPT's Five-Year Bus Service Expansion Program currently under development. That
request required a commitment from Orange County to provide a 10% local match for these
vehicles in that year, the funding for which will come from a capital set-aside reserve
managed by Triangle Transit and taken from the transit sales tax/vehicle registration fee
revenues collected to implement the OCBRIP.
In addition to the two (2) expansion vehicles already approved by the BOCC, staff
estimates a need for OPT's fleet to be expanded by an additional three (3) buses over FYs
2016-2020 to continue implementation of the County's bus service expansion
recommendations. This project funding request is to receive one bus in each of FYs 2017,
2018, and 2019. This would equate to a total expansion of OPT's fleet by five (5) buses
through FY 2020. If awarded, this fleet expansion would accommodate up to an additional
projected total of 7,600 hours (approximately 1,520 hours per bus) of service beyond OPT's
current service program by FY 2020. The services to be implemented with these buses will
likely involve a mixture of both existing fixed-route service frequency increases and
expansions, new location fixed-route services, and enhanced general public demand
2
response services. The refinement of details associated with future service provision will
be part of the County's draft Five-Year Bus Service Expansion Program that the BOCC is
expected to receive and review at its January 23, 2014 meeting. The BOCC will also
receive an update on this program's development at its December 2, 2013 meeting.
As opposed to requesting expansion vehicles on a year-by-year basis as was the
prescribed procedure in previous years, State grant requests for expansion vehicles
starting in FY 2016 are subject to the Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) scoring
process and must be submitted to the State by November 29, 2013 for consideration for
funding and inclusion in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This request for funding for the three (3) expansion vehicles
mandates Orange County to commit the necessary 10% local matching share for the buses
as funds are available during the requested project years if the vehicles are awarded. This
commitment is made using the attached Local Funding Commitment Form (Attachment 1).
The total cost of the three (3) vehicles to be requested in year of expenditure dollars is
$234,458. If awarded, the acquisition of the buses would require a minimum $23,446 local
match, which would be covered by the capital set-aside reserve managed by Triangle
Transit that is taken from the transit sales tax/vehicle registration fee revenues collected in
Orange County. This will be included and requested in the budget process for the
upcoming respective years (any of FYs 2016-2020) for which the vehicles are awarded.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends the Board:
1. Approve the project funding request from Orange Public Transportation to the North
Carolina Department of Transportation for three (3) expansion vehicles for FYs
2016-2020; and
2. Authorize the Chair to sign the Local Funding Commitment Form.
3
ATTACHMENT 1
N.C.Department of Transportation-Division of Public Transportation Division
Local Funding Commitment Form
APPLICANT NAME: Orange County(Orange Public Transportation)
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND YEAR OF PROPOSED FUNDING: Three (3), 25-foot, 18-
passenger light transit expansion vehicles to implement additional service in each of FYs 2017,
2018, and 2019. The services would be a combination of additional fixed-route and expanded
demand-response service to accommodate up to an additional approximately 7,600 hours of bus
service beyond current service programs. These expansion vehicles will be used to implement
service recommendations suggested in the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan and the
draft Orange County Five-Year Bus Service Expansion Program currently under development.
COMMITMENT OF LOCAL FUNDS AND APPLICANT INFORMATION:
Total State Match $ 23,446 Federal Match: $187,566
Local Matching Funds Required$ 23,446 representing a 10% local share of the project.
1. Applicant Information
Official Name of Applicant: Oran e Count Oran e Public Trans ortation
Name of Official Responsible for Project: Cram Benedict
Title of Official Responsible for Project: Orange County Director of Planning and Inspections
Official Address: 131 W.Margaret Lane,Hillsborough,NC 27278
Official Telephone Number: 919 245-2585 FAX: 919 644-3002
2. Commitment of Local Funds
I hereby confirm that Orauge Count,_ is committed to the local matching share of$ 2323 446 required for this
project as funds are available during the requested project year. I further confirm the applicant is duly authorized to commit
and enter into an Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation during the appropriate Fiscal Year.
Signature of Authorized Official:
Title: Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners
Date:
ATTACH FORM TO: Appropriate folder labeled FY 2016, FY 2017, FY 2018, FY 2019, and FY 2020 found in the Partner
Connect System, https://partner.ncdot.gov/iri/aortal.
Created September 16,2013