Agenda Item #13.5
For Council Meeting of: October 13, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RACHEL EDE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR – TRANSIT, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FORMULA AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2027 THROUGH 2031 AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation and Public Works Department recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize the Director of Transportation and Public Works or designee to submit applications and execute documents necessary to obtain Federal Transit Administration Formula Program and Surface Transportation Program funding for Federal Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031; 2) commit approximately $12,701,317 in required local matching funds from the Transit Division’s Transportation Development Act Article IV funds; and 3) provide the assurances required by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission regarding funding deadlines, regulatory compliance, and completion of the proposed projects. This item has no impact on the current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year, the Transit Division applies for federal formula funding to support Santa Rosa CityBus operations, preventive maintenance, state-of-good-repair activities, vehicle purchases, and equipment upgrades. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission programs the region’s federal transit funding through its Transit Capital Priorities process and includes approved projects in the federal Transportation Improvement Program.
MTC is preparing its five-year programming cycle for Federal Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 and requires applicants to submit a resolution authorizing the applications, committing the required local matching funds, and providing required project-delivery assurances. Because the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law currently authorizes the applicable federal programs only through Federal Fiscal Year 2026, the resolution also addresses funding made available under subsequent federal transportation authorization legislation.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #1, Achieve and Maintain Budgeting Excellence and Fiscal Stability, by pursuing available federal funding for transit operations; Council Goal #2, Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City’s Infrastructure, by supporting preventive maintenance and replacement of transit vehicles and equipment; and Council Goal #4, Foster a Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Community, by supporting public transportation services that reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel and greenhouse gas emissions.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), reauthorized FTA formula programs for Federal Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026.
Federal transportation authorization legislation governing funding after Federal Fiscal Year 2026 has not yet been enacted. The City anticipates applying for funds made available under subsequent federal transportation authorization legislation.
Eligible transit operators submit proposed projects to the appropriate metropolitan planning organization for programming and inclusion in the federal Transportation Improvement Program. Following programming, operators submit applicable grant applications to FTA.
MTC, the metropolitan planning organization for the San Francisco Bay Area, is preparing its next five-year programming cycle for Federal Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031.
The requested authorization will allow the City to seek funding for fixed-route operations, Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit operations, preventive maintenance, state-of-good-repair activities, bus purchases, and equipment upgrades. Anticipated funding includes FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funds, FTA Section 5337 State of Good Repair Grants Program funds, FTA Section 5339 Buses and Bus Facilities Program funds, and Surface Transportation Program funds.
The City Council previously authorized the filing of applications for federal transit funding by the following resolutions:
October 18, 2016, Resolution No. 28871;
January 31, 2017, Resolution No. 2017-009, for Federal Fiscal Years 2017 through 2020 funding; January 26, 2021, Resolution No. 2021-020, for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 funding; April 12, 2022, Resolution No. RES-2022-065, for Federal Fiscal Years 2022 through 2024 funding; and November 12, 2024, Resolution No. RES-2024-171, for Federal Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 funding.
ANALYSIS
MTC estimates that approximately $19,051,976 in combined FTA Formula Program and Surface Transportation Program funding will be available to CityBus for Federal Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031. The funding may be used for fixed-route and paratransit operations, preventive maintenance, state-of-good-repair activities, bus purchases, and equipment upgrades.
The funding is expected to require approximately $12,701,317 in local matching funds, which will be provided from the Transit Division’s Transportation Development Act Article IV funds.
Estimated funding and matching expenditures for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 are included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026-27 Transit Division budget; therefore, no additional appropriation is requested at this time.
To be eligible to receive the proposed funding, the City must provide MTC with a resolution adopted by the City Council that:
authorizes submission of the funding applications;
commits the required local matching funds;
provides assurances that the City will comply with applicable MTC requirements and complete the projects as described in the applications; and authorizes the Director of Transportation and Public Works or designee to execute and submit the applications and related documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund.
MTC estimates that approximately $19,051,976 in combined FTA Formula Program and Surface Transportation Program funding will be available to CityBus for Federal Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031. The associated local match is estimated at $12,701,317 and will be provided from the Transit Division’s annual allocations of Transportation Development Act Article IV funds. Funding and matching expenditures for each year will be included in the applicable Transit Division budget. The estimated funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 is included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026-27 Transit Division budget; therefore, no additional appropriation is requested at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), the recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it consists of authorizing applications for and committing matching funds to governmental funding programs and does not independently authorize or commit the City to a physical activity that may result in a potentially significant environmental effect. Implementation of any physical project funded through the applications remains subject to completion of applicable environmental review and receipt of all required approvals.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PRESENTER(S)
Shawn Sosa, Administrative Analyst
AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FORMULA AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2027 THROUGH 2031 PAGE 3 OF 3