City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Kevin Werner, City Administrator
Date: 06/11/2024
Subject: Funding Resolution - FTA Section 5311 Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This resolution approves the City of Ripon submission of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Sections 5311 and 5339 applications to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and designates the City Administrator and Finance Director the authority to sign all FTA Sections 5311 and 5339 related documents including applications, certifications and assurances.
This resolution approves the submission of Federal Transit Administration Sections 5311 and 5339 applications to the California Department of Transportation for funds to operate the Blossom Express transit service and purchase of a 9-person CNG bus.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Ripon has been designated as part of the Manteca Urbanized Area since 2007. As part of the Manteca Urbanized area, Ripon has been allocated FTA 5307 funds. The City has not been able to utilize these funds for transit operations, but rather the funds have been used to fund the City’s share of the capital cost to implement the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) station that is planned to be located on Industrial Avenue (near the old Nestle water tower).
As part of the 2020 Census, the City was removed from the Manteca Urbanized Area and was placed in the Rural or Non-Urbanized Area. As a result, the City is now eligible for FTA Sections 5311 and 5339 funding through Caltrans and will no longer receive 5307 funds.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City of Ripon is now a part of the Rural or Non-Urbanized Area along with Escalon and the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD). As part of the Rural or Non-Urbanized Area, Ripon will be receiving FTA Section 5311 funding through programming by San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) for the purposes of operating assistance of transit services in Ripon. The FTA 5311 funds for the Rural or Non-Urbanized Area are distributed by population - Ripon’s share of the funding is 19% based on the City being 19% of the rural area population in San Joaquin County.
The FTA 5311 funds are distributed annually and may be used for operating Ripon’s transit service, although the funds require a 44.67% match. The City would be using its share of Measure K Renewal transit funding for the local match. The City’s share of Measure K Renewal transit funds and Local Transportation Funds (LTF) Transit funds are currently funding transit service operations in Ripon.
Additionally, the City is now eligible for FTA Section 5339 funds. The distribution of these funds is a discretionary process where Caltrans would distribute the funds based on the need of bus and bus facilities. The City has a 1997 diesel bus that is currently used by Bethany Home and para-transit services that requires replacement. This competitive fund source could procure a Compressed Natural Gas nine passenger bus to replace the City’s 1997 bus.
In order to obtain these funds, the City Council will need to authorize the submittal of this FTA Section 5311 and 5339 grant application to Caltrans.
FISCAL IMPACT:
For FY 2024-25, the City is budgeting $127,008 of expenses to operate transit services. The City estimates receiving $87,792 in FTA 5311 funding to cover Blossom Express operations for FY 2024-25. The matching funds of $39,216 (44.67%) will be funded by the City’s Measure K Renewal Transit funds.
The estimated cost of the CNG 9-person bus is $202,639. The City is submitting a grant to receive $162,111 of funding. The remaining share of $40,528 (20%) will be paid with Ripon’s LTF Transit funds (current balance: $419,000).
RESOLUTION NO. 24-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIPON AUTHORIZING THE FEDERAL FUNDING UNDER
FTA SECTION 5311 (49 U.S.C. SECTION 5311) AND/OR 5339
(49 U.S.C. SECTION 5339) WITH CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WHEREAS, the U. S. Department of Transportation is authorized to make grants to states through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support capital/operating assistance projects for non-urbanized public transportation systems under Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act (FTA C 9040.1G), and Section 5339 of the Federal Transit Act (FTA C 5100.1); and WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation (Department) has been designated by the Governor of the State of California to administer Section 5311 and Section 5339 grants for transportation projects for the general public for rural transit and intercity buses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ripon desires to apply for said financial assistance to permit operation of service/purchase of capital equipment in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties; and WHEREAS, the City of Ripon has, to the maximum extent feasible, coordinated with other transportation providers and users in the region (including social service agencies).
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, ORDERED AND FOUND by the City Council of the City of Ripon, State of California, as follows:
1. The City Council of the City of Ripon does hereby authorize the use of Federal funding under FTA Sections 5311 and 5339 with the California Department of Transportation.
2. The City Council of the City of Ripon does hereby authorize the City Administrator, Finance Director and authorized staff to file and execute applications on behalf of the City with the Department to aid in the financing of capital/operating assistance projects pursuant to Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act (FTA C 9040.1G), as amended, and pursuant to Section 5339 of the Federal Transit Act (FTA C 5100.1), as amended.
3. That the City Administrator, Finance Director and authorized staff are authorized to execute and file all certifications and assurances, contracts or agreements or any other document required by the Department.
4. That the City Administrator, Finance Director and authorized staff is authorized to provide additional information as the Department may require in connection with the application Section 5311 and/or Section 5339 projects.
5. That the City Administrator, Finance Director and authorized staff is authorized to submit and approve request for reimbursement of funds from the Department for Section 5311 and/or Section 5339 project(s).
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ripon this 11th day of June, 2024, by the following vote:
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY CONSENT VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Vice Mayor
SECONDER:Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia
THE CITY OF RIPON,
A Municipal Corporation
By ________________________________
LEO ZUBER, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
LISA ROOS, City Clerk