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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-07-2015 - 6f1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 7, 2015 Action Agenda Item No. 6 -f SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Staff to File Applications with the Federal Transit Administration DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Authorizing Resolution INFORMATION CONTACT: Bret Martin, Transportation Planner, 919- 245 -2582 Peter Murphy, Transportation Administrator, 919 - 245 -2002 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 919- 245 -2592 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution authorizing the Orange County Transportation Planner and Orange Public Transportation Administrator to file applications with the Federal Transit Administration for Federal financial assistance. BACKGROUND: Orange County transportation planning staff is currently coordinating with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to become a direct recipient of Federal financial assistance for public transit projects it undertakes within the Burlington and Durham Urbanized Areas (UZAs). For the entirety of its existence, Orange Public Transportation (OPT) has only been a sub - recipient of Federal financial assistance for transit projects it provides in rural areas, with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) acting as a pass- through entity that receives the funds directly from the FTA and administers and oversees OPT's use of the funds. Federal financial assistance for public transportation projects undertaken in UZAs requires a local recipient to receive the funds directly from the FTA. In doing so, the direct recipient assumes the responsibility of showing compliance with regulations and reporting requirements attached to the funds. Each decennial census, a greater portion of OPT's service area is encompassed by both the Burlington and Durham UZAs. In order for OPT to retain its current level of Federal transit funding in the future and to be eligible for additional sources of Federal transit funding that could be used to support more service, OPT must position itself to become a direct recipient of Federal financial assistance. The '/2 percent public transportation sales tax and vehicle registration fees would function as the local match that allows OPT to leverage these additional sources of Federal transit funding. Federal financial assistance for which OPT is eligible for projects it plans to undertake within the Burlington and Durham UZAs was assumed in the five - year bus service expansion program approved by the BOCC in October 2014. Authorizing Resolution: One requirement of the FTA for OPT to become a direct recipient of its UZA grant funding is for the governing body (BOCC) of the transit agency to adopt a resolution that authorizes a designated official to act on its behalf to file official grant applications with the FTA (Attachment 1). The attached resolution authorizes the Orange County Transportation Planner and the Orange Public Transportation Administrator to interface with the FTA and file applications for Federal financial assistance to support transit projects OPT undertakes. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Approval of the resolution is necessary to achieve the positive financial impact associated with acquiring additional sources of Federal financial assistance for services OPT provides that would be leveraged by the '/2 percent public transportation sales tax and vehicle registration fees allocated to OPT. Orange County transportation planning staff has worked to secure additional Federal funding for OPT for use within the Burlington and Durham UZAs (Section 5307 funding secured through the MPOs of which Orange County is a member) in future years that would range between an additional $250,000 - $432,000 per year. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the Orange County Transportation Planner and Orange Public Transportation Administrator to file applications for Federal financial assistance directly with the Federal Transit Administration. RES- 2015 -022 K Attachment 1: Resolution Authorizing Staff to File Applications with the Federal Transit Administration A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, AN OPERATING ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED BY 49 U.S.C. CHAPTER 53, TITLE 23 UNITED STATES CODE, AND OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES ADMINISTERED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, the Federal Transportation Administrator has been delegated authority to award Federal financial assistance for a transportation project; and WHEREAS, the grant or cooperative agreement for Federal financial assistance will impose certain obligations upon the Applicant and may require the Applicant to provide the local share of the project cost; and WHEREAS, the Applicant has or will provide all annual certifications and assurances to the Federal Transit Administration required for the project; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that- 1 ) The Orange County Transportation Planner and Orange Public Transportation Administrator are authorized to execute and file an application for Federal assistance on behalf of Orange County and Orange Public Transportation with the Federal Transit Administration for Federal assistance authorized by 49 U.S.C. chapter 53, Title 23, United States Code, or other Federal statutes authorizing a project administered by the Federal Transit Administration. The Applicant (Orange County and Orange Public Transportation) has received authority from the Designated Recipients of Urbanized Area (UZA) Formula Program assistance for the Burlington UZA (North Carolina Department of Transportation) and the Durham UZA (Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization /City of Durham) to apply for said assistance as a Direct Recipient. 2) The Orange County Transportation Planner and /or Orange Public Transportation Administrator are authorized to execute and file with its applications the annual certifications and assurances and other documents the Federal Transportation Administration requires before awarding a Federal assistance grant or cooperative agreement. 3) The Orange County Transportation Planner and Orange Public Transportation Administrator are authorized to execute grant and cooperative agreements with the Federal Transit Administration on behalf of Orange County and Orange Public Transportation. Upon motion of Commissioner seconded by Commissioner , the foregoing resolution was adopted this the 7 t" day of April, 2015. M I, Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on April 7, 2015, as relates in any way to the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of said Board. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of , 2015. Clerk to the Board of Commissioners