Agenda Report
January 23, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Finance Committee
FROM: Department of Transportation
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL AGREEMENTS
AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR THE RECEIPT OF STATE AND
FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS FOR PASADENA DIAL-A-RIDE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(bX3) (General Rule).
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all agreements with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) associated with the receipt of $250,820 in reimbursable Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 grant funding for Pasadena Dial-A-Ride Covid-19 Response; and
3. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Forms required to receive Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) grant funds from the County of Los Angeles; and i. Increase revenue by $106,589 in account 20824033-646900-95094 to receive LCTOP funds from the County of Los Angeles; and
ii. Appropriate $106,589 to account 20824034-811400-95094 for expenses related to the purchase of Dial-A-Ride vehicles.
BACKGROUND:
FTA Section 5310 Funding
The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) Section 5310 is a grant program designed with the purpose of funding programs that held address transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), as the direct recipient of these funds, issued a grant MEETING OF __ O_l_f_23_f_2_o_2_3 8 AGENDA ITEM NO. ____ _ FT A Section 5310 Grant Authorization and LCTOP Resolution January 23, 2023
solicitation to competitively award these funds to transportation providers in Los Angeles County. This solicitation used funds allocated to Metro through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSM) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund operating projects.
The City successfully applied to receive reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses on Pasadena Dial-A-Ride in the amount of $250,820. City Council's authorization would allow the city to receive funds for the reimbursement of personal protective equipment used on Pasadena Dial-A-Ride and the cost to operate an enhanced door-to-door food bank delivery service with Pasadena Dial-A-Ride for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities. Expenses to be reimbursed were for the period of March 2020 to June 2021. This grant does not have a local match.
LCTOP Funding
The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) is part of the California Climate Investments program designed to assist transit agencies reduce their green-house gas emissions. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with the California Air Resources Board, administers the program. Each year, Caltrans allocates non-competitive LCTOP funds to transit operators; however, transit operators must submit a qualifying project to Caltrans to receive the funds.
On June 27, 2022, Caltrans approached the Department of Transportation informing us that the County of Los Angeles would not be submitting a qualifying project to claim their LCTOP funds. Instead, the County of Los Angeles agreed to contribute $106,589 of their FY22 LCTOP allocation to an already approved Pasadena LCTOP project.
Staff has prepared an application seeking $106,589 from the LCTOP grant to help fund the purchase of one (1) zero-emission bus and infrastructure for Pasadena Dial-A-Ride.
This one zero-emission bus will replace one (1) unleaded cutaway bus that has reached its useful life. Funds from this grant program will be provided to the City upfront, in advance of the purchase of the bus. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a LCTOP application is required. Staff will return to the City Council in 2023 to consider· authorization of the vehicle procurement. The funding from this grant will allow the City to accelerate the transition of its transit fleet to zero emission.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
By authorizing the receipt of FTA Section 5310 and LCTOP funds, it will advance the City Council's strategic planning goals of: maintaining fiscal responsibility, increasing conservation and sustainability, and encouraging non-auto travel.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed action has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for FTA Section 5310 Grant Authorization and LCTOP Resolution January 23, 2023
causing a significant effect on the environment. No direct physical changes to the environment are proposed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
FTA Section 5310 Funding
The one-time acceptance of $250,820 will be addressed by:
• Increase revenue by $250,820 in account 20824034-637400 to receive FTA Section 5310 funds from Metro.
LCTOP Funding
The one-time acceptance of $106,589 will be addressed by:
• Increase revenue by $106,589 in account 20824033-646900-95094 to receive LCTOP funds from the County of Los Angeles.
• Appropriate $106,589 to account 20824033-811400-95094 for expenses related to bus replacement.
Approval of this action will enable the City to obtain $106,589 in grant funds from Caltrans. The grant provides the funding up front. If the grant application and project is approved, funds are expected to be received in FY 2023. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Prepared by:
Management Analyst II
Approved by:
~.J.e MIGMARQUEZ
City Manager
R'.7?~9Jfully submitted,
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LRARUBTo-coRNEJo
Director
Department of Transportation