TRAN2335.SR.JD
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
S
eptember 25, 2023
TO: City Council
F
ROM: Department of Public Works
S
UBJECT: APPROVAL OF AMEND ED FY 2023-24 TRANSIT PROGRAM OF
PROJECTS (POP) AND A RELATED SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
REQUEST IN THE TRANSIT FUND (FUND 750) AND LOCA L
TRANSPORTATION FUND ( FUND 238) WITH AN INTERFUND
TRANSFER; AUTHORIZATION TO A CCEPT FUNDS FROM THE
CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) AWARD TO
PURCHASE THREE (3) LIGHT -DUTY ELECT RIC VANS AND
CONSTRUCT VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCT URE AT THE
TRANSIT MAINTENANCE FACILITY
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the City Council:
1. Appr
ove the amended Simi Valley Transit Program of Projects (POP) for FY 2023-24, and approve a related Supplemental Budget Request in the Transit Fund (Fund 750) for $218,716;
2. Appr
ove a Supplemental Budget Request for the required local match of $324,693 from the California Transportation Development Act Local Transportation Fund (CTDA) in the Local Transportation Fund (Fund 238);
3. Appr
ove an interfund transfer of $324,693 from Fund 238 to Fund 750; and
4. Acce
pt a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality ( CMAQ) award of $1,549,27 5, including the required local match of $200,725 from CTDA funds for a total project cost of $1,750,000 to purchase three (3) light-duty electric vans and construct vehicle charging infrastructure at the transit maintenance facility.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
O
n June 5, 2023, the City Council approved the FY 2023-24 Transit Budget and POP (Attachment A, page 6 ). The POP was then forwarded to the Ventura County Transportation Commis sion (VCTC) for final approval and to be included in the City’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 49 U.S.C grant applications , which include Section 5307, Section 5339, CMAQ, Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC), and other grants funds.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (3)
TRAN2335.SR.JD
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
Simi Valley Transit’s Program of Projects (POP) provides the foundation for the City’s grant applications for federal funds, which partially offset the cost of operating the Simi Valley Transit System and capital projects. As part of the City’s Annual Budget consideration, the City Council reviews and approves proposed funding amounts as part of the POP review. Following City Council approval, Simi Valley Transit’s approved POP is forwarded to the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), the City’s current designated recipient of FTA funds, who will conduct a public hearing for final approval and inclusion in the City’s FTA Section 5307, CMAQ, and Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant applications. With the evaluation of the City’s proposed 2023-24 POP completed, the City needs to amend the POP to reflect revised grant allocations.
Pursuant to 49 U.S. C. 5307 (“Section 5307 Funds ”), FTA apportions Urbanized Area Formula Program funds to urbanized areas for public transportation, capital projects, operating assistance, job access , reverse commute projects and transportation- related planning. VCTC determines the funding available to all eligible agencies in the County within each Urbanized Area (UZA), and then annually approves specific projects within their funding targets. Because the Federal Fiscal year (FFY) and the State Fiscal year are different, VCTC issues a preliminary estimate before the end of the State Fiscal Year to allow local agencies to budget, and a final one when Congress approves the Federal Fiscal Year.
The estimated Simi Valley Urbanized Area 5307 funding for the FFY ending September 30, 2024, is $3,699,623 of which $539,760 funds VCTC’s planning and programming costs (PAP) and the remaining $3,159,863 are used for operating expenses and preventive maintenance. The amended POP reflect s a $221,839 increase in PAP costs from $ 317,921 to $539,760, offset by a decrease in funding for operating assistance.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5339 (“Section 5339 Funds”), FTA awards grants under this section to finance capital equipment such as bus and bus -related projects to support the continuation and expansion of public transportation services. Transit plans to use Section 5339 Funds to complete the following two capital projects in FY 2023-24.
Transit Bus Wash System
On June 13, 2022, the City Council approved a $500,000 Transit Bus Wash capital project using Section FTA 5307 and CTDA funds. This project has been on hold due to staff turnover. It is recommended that the Section FTA 5339 fund is more appropriate to fund this project since the Section FTA 5307 fund has been used historically to support operating expenses and preventive maintenance. The revised 2023-24 POP table below reflects a change in the funding source from Section FTA 5307 to Section FTA 5339.
This will allow Transit to utilize FFY 2024 5339 Funds of $335,989 and CTDA funds of $164,011 for the local match to fund this project.
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The existing bus wash system has far exceeded its useful life and now consistently needs repair and maintenance. The new bus wash system will be more reliable and efficient and will provide faster cleaning service to the vehicles.
Electric Chargers
Transit plans to purchase six (6) electric chargers to support its fixed routes, Dial-A-Ride, and support vehicles using FFY 2021 and FFY 2023 Section 5339 Funds of $642,727.
The total estimated cost for the chargers including installation is $803,409. The difference of $160,682 is the required local match funded by the CTDA funds.
The following chart identifies the revised 2023-24 POP budget:
City of Simi Valley
Planning Assistance
Planning Assistance and Programming (Section 5307) $ 539,760
Federal
Grant
Local
Match
Operating Assistance
Simi Valley Transit (Sec. 5307) $2,502,141 $2,502,141
Capital Assistance
Preventive Maintenance (Sec. 5307) 287,760 71,940
Non Fixed Route ADA Paratransit (Sec. 5307) 369,962 92,491 Bus Wash System (Sec. 5339 FFY 2024) 335,989 164,011
Electric Chargers (Sec. 5339 FFY 2021 / FFY 2023) 642,727 160,682 Three (3) Electric Vans and Charging Infrastructure
(CMAQ)
1,549,275 200,725
Total Operating and Capital Assistance $6,227,614 $3,191,990
In addition, on November 14, 2022, the Council was informed of a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality ( CMAQ) Call for Projects application of $1,549,275 to purchase two (2) electric buses and construct a charging infrastructure (Attachment B, page 8). Transit was awarded the $1,549,275 in early December 2022 (Attachment C, page 9). After further research and studies, three (3) light-duty transit vans are more feasible for a Community Service Route/Micro-Transit than the two (2) 28- 30 foot buses originally planned. Staff will return to the Council requesting contract approval for the electric van purchase.
Herein, staff requests the Council to accept the CMAQ grant award of $1,549,275 and approve the purchase of three (3) light -duty electric vans instead of two (2) 28- 30 foot electric buses.
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve the amended Simi Valley Transit Program of Projects (POP) for FY 2023-24 and related Supplemental Budget Request in the Transit Fund (Fund 750) for $218,716; approve a Supplemental Budget Request for the required local match of $324,693 in the Local Transportation Fund, (Fund 238), with a interfund transfer of $324,693 from Fund 238 to Fund 750; and accept the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) award of $1,549,275 , including the required local match of $200,724 from CTDA funds for a total project cost of $1,750,000 to purchase three (3) light-duty electric vans and construct vehicle charging infrastructure at the transit maintenance facility.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve the amended Simi Valley Transit Program of Projects (POP) for FY 2023-24, and approve a related Supplemental Budget Request in the Transit Fund (Fund 750) for $218,716;
2. Approve a Supplemental Budget Request for the required local match of $324,693 from the California Transportation Development Act Local Transportation Fund (CTDA) in the Local Transportation Fund, (Fund 238);
3. Approve an interfund transfer of $324,693 from Fund 238 to Fund 750; and
4. Accept a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) award of $1,549,275, including the required local match of $200,725 from CTDA funds for a total project cost of $1,750,000 to purchase three (3) light -duty electric vans and construct a vehicle charging infrastructure at the transit maintenance facility.
5. Provide staff with other direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to approve the amended Simi Valley Transit Program of Projects (POP) for FY 2023-24 and related Supplemental Budget Request in the Transit Fund (Fund 750) for $218,716; approve a Supplemental Budget Request for the required local match of $324,693 in the Local Trans portation Fund, (Fund 238), with a interfund transfer of $324,693 from Fund 238 to Fund 750; and accept the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) award of $1,549,275, including the required local match of $200,724 from CTDA funds for a total project cost of $1,750,000 to purchase three (3) light-duty electric vans and construct vehicle charging infrastructure at the transit maintenance facility.
SUMMARY
On June 5 , 2023, the City Council approved the FY 2023-24 Transit Budget and POP , which is then forwarded to the VCTC for final approval and to be included in the City’s FTA 49 U.S.C grant application funds including Section 5339 and CMAQ. It is 4 TRAN2335.SR.JD
recommended the City Council approve the amended Transit Program of Projects for FY 2023-24, approve a related Supplemental Budget Request of $218,716, and approve a Supplemental Budget of $324,693 in the Local Transportation Fund (Fund 238) with an interfund transfer of $324,693 from Fund 238 to Fund 750. It is also recommended that the City Council accept the FTA CMAQ grant award of $1,549,275, including the required local match of $200,725 from CTDA funds for a total project cost of $1,750,000 to purchase three (3) light-duty electric vans and construct a vehicle charging infrastructure at the transit maintenance facility.
____________________________________
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
Prepared by: Tan Koehler, Management Analyst
INDEX Page
Attachment A (Excerpt from FY2023-24 Budget Staff Report) .......... …………6 Attachment B (Excerpt from November 14, 2022 Staff Report) ........ …………8 Attachment C (CMAQ Call for Projects Awarded List) ...................... …………9 5 ATTACHMENT A
6 7
ATTACHMENT B
8 Item
#9
December 2, 2022
MEMO T
O: VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
FRO
M: HEATHER MILLER, PROGRAM MANAGER
SUBJE
CT: APPROVE PRIORITY RANKING FOR COMBINED CALL-FOR-PROJECTS FOR
CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY (CMAQ), TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT (TDA) ARTICLE 3, SB 1 STATE OF GOOD REPAIR (SGR), AND CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAM (CRP) FUNDS – PUBLIC HEARING RECOM
MENDATION:
• Open pu
blic hearing and receive testimony.
• Program $20,038,729 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, $2,627,950 State of Good Repair (SGR) funds, and $694,150 Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds for a total of $23,360,829 to the transit projects prioritized in Attachment A. • Reprogram $1,075,544 in Section 5339 funds from VCTC Intercity leases and technology equipment to VCTC’s Valley Express Replacement Buses project included in the prioritized transit project list in Attachment A.
• Program $18,649,638 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, $1,839,348 FY 22/23 TDA Article 3, $500,000 FY 23/24 TDA Article 3 funds, and $5,768,383 Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds for a total of $26,757,369 to the non-transit projects as shown in Attachment B. • Approve $1,469,949 for “Shelf List” funding as specified in Attachment B.
BACKGROUND:
At its
July 8 meeting, the Commission approved guidelines for the combined CMAQ/TDA Article 3/State of Good Repair Call-for-Projects with a subsequent Notification of Funding Availability announced on July
11. The guidelines outlined program eligibility, funding availability, and provided for separate scoring of transit and non-transit projects, with the Transit Operators Advisory Committee (TRANSCOM) to review transit projects and the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) to review non-transit projects and approve recommendations to the Commission in keeping with the policy that each of the two categories receive half of the CMAQ funds.
When t
he guidelines were adopted by the Commission, “off-the-top” funding for Regional Ridesharing and Transit Outreach was also approved resulting in an estimated of $24.3 million in available CMAQ funds for non-transit projects and $13.5 million in available CMAQ funds for transit projects. Additionally, non- transit projects (primarily bicycle and pedestrian) could receive available TDA Article 3 funds (deducting a 25% set aside for bike path maintenance) that include prior carryover funds and FY 22/23 and 23/24 fund estimates for a total of $2.57 million. In addition, Transit projects could receive available State of Good Repair (SGR) funds. SGR funds for capital transit projects provide $6 million through FY 2026/27. 33 ATTACHMENT C
9 Additionally, staff recommends augmenting this call-for-projects with Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds. The CRP is a new program introduced with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that provides funds for projects designed to reduce transportation emissions (CO2). CRP funding is apportioned to regions and local agencies based on population and would add approximately $7.6 million in total funding over the five years of the IIJA from FY 21/22 through FY 25/26 for either transit or non- transit program eligible projects.
DISCUSSION:
Project Ranking
As specified in the guidelines, project applications were due to VCTC on September 23. VCTC received a total of eighteen (18) projects with a total project cost of $64,254,289 and total funding request of $57,321,483.
As provided in the approved guidelines, the first step in screening the applications was to review the eligibility of the projects based on requested program funding, financial feasibility, and planning consistency. All submitted projects met with the initial screening requirements. All applicants also provided an 11.47% funding match to be eligible for CMAQ funds. The subsequent scoring of projects was based on the approved criteria in the Guidelines and performed by VCTC staff, apart from the Air Quality criterion which was scored by Ventura County Air Pollution Control District ( VCAPCD) staff.
Additionally, staff from the Southern California Associations of Governments (SCAG) reviewed and approved the final recommended project list.
For transit projects, points were awarded in the categories of a project’s potential to increase transit ridership, a project’s necessity to the continued operation of the existing transit system, air quality benefits, safety & security, and the leveraging of funds for other grant opportunities. The strongest scores primarily reflect projects providing the most air quality improvement (up to 45 points of the 100 awarded) such as new transit service or alternative fuel vehicle purchases. The highest scoring project , GCTD’s Booster Service project, demonstrated strong existing ridership demand due to the recent launch of the Youth Ride Free program, and highest potential for air quality improvement and lowering of vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) for every anticipated vehicle trip taken off the road.
For non-transit projects, points were awarded in the categories of safety improvement, project readiness, air quality benefits, project potential to attract active transportation users and reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), network connectivity, complete street design, and leveraged funds. The City of Oxnard’s Accessible Pedestrian Enhancement Project ranked highest due to the safety improvement benefits of the project and the potential to encourage a high number of active transportation users in the identified project location.
Project Funding
Based on available funding, a prioritized list of transit and non-transit projects and recommended funding is provided in Attachment A (transit projects) and Attachment B (non-transit projects.)
Transit
Sufficient CMAQ funds allowed for a majority of the submitted transit projects to be funded primarily for local transit operator’s bus purchases as shown in the project priority list. CMAQ funds are recommended for Gold Coast Transit District’s (GCTD) purchase of twenty-one (21) replacement CNG buses, including a match for federal Low-No Program grant funds awarded to GCTD in order to upgrade six (6) of the 21 bus purchases to hydrogen. The purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of transit fleets to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles and aligns with the goals of the CMAQ program.
Supplemental Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds are recommended for Thousand Oak’s Microgrid (Battery Backup) for EV Bus Charging lnfrastructure project. This project is suitable for CRP funds since they are required to be used within the urban area to which they are apportioned and for projects that demonstrate the potential to reduce carbon emissions.
34 10
State of Good Repair (SGR) funds are recommended for the City of Thousand Oak’s Replacement of Dial-a-Ride Vans. VCTC’s Valley Express Replacement Buses project is also recommended for SGR funding since the project is ineligible for CMAQ funds. VCTC’s Valley Express Bus Replacement reflects a lower potential for air quality improvement since the replacement vehicles were not identified as alternative fuel vehicles pending the outcome of a Zero Emission Bus Rollout (ZEB) Plan. However, the entire VE fleet has exceeded their useful life (ULB) and require replacement to maintain the current level of service, therefore the project is recommended for SGR funding. Additionally, FTA Section 5339 funds that were previously programmed for VCTC Intercity leases and technology equipment, but are now not needed, are recommended to be reprogrammed to the Valley Express Replacement Buses project to fully fund this project.
TRANSCOM approved the list of transit projects recommended for funding on November 9.
Non-Transit
Recommended bicycle and pedestrian projects for funding is shown in Attachment B with CMAQ/CPR funds primarily supporting these projects. The City of Thousand Oaks submitted two CMAQ project applications that were also submitted to the Cycle 6 Active Transportation Program (ATP). Both project applications received strong CTC scores from the statewide ATP selection evaluation and are anticipated to receive regional MPO Component ATP funding. The CMAQ application included design phase funding requests and increased construction costs that the ATP did not include, therefore staff recommends funding the difference with available CMAQ funds.
In addition, State TDA Article 3 funds are recommended for the City of Ojai’s Bike Rack project, the City of Santa Paula’s Community Bike/Trail Connectivity project, and the County of Ventura’s Camarillo to CSUCI Shared-Use Path Feasibility Study Project. The feasibility study is for a Class I shared-use path from the City of Camarillo to California State University, Channel Islands and as a planning project only eligible for Article 3 funds.
Staff recommends funding the Port of Hueneme’s North Shore Power Terminal project with Oxnard/Ventura’s allotment of CRP funds for FY 21/22-22/23 in combination with CMAQ funds for a total of $10.4 million of the $11.5 million requested by the Port. The North Shore Power Terminal project provides significant emission reduction benefits to “fence line” communities with the installation of an electrical-grid-base connection allowing vessels to shut down diesel emissions while at berth. The unfunded portion of the project will be placed on a Shelf List (included in Attachment B) in the event additional future funding becomes available, or it is necessary to quickly obligate funds to a ready -to-go project to avoid a possible loss of funds to the county. VCTC staff may reprogram funds between CMAQ and CRP to ensure the maximum availability of both types of funding.
TTAC approved the list of non-transit projects recommended for funding on November 16.
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Attachment A
RECOMMENDED FEDERAL (CMAQ/CRP)/STATE (SGR) FUNDED TRANSIT PROJECTS Project Name Agency Committee Score Federal (CMAQ/CRP) State (SGR) Total Funds:
GCTD Booster Service for Youth Ride Free Program Gold Coast Transit District 80 370,232$ 370,232$ Simi Electric Buses / Charger for Community Service Route City of Simi Valley 72 1,549,276$ 1,549,276$ TO Expansion EV Buses City of Thousand Oaks 69 1,327,950$ 1,327,950$ TO Replacement EV Buses City of Thousand Oaks 65 2,655,900$ 2,655,900$ Valley Express New Fillmore to Moorpark Route VCTC 65 1,854,689$ 1,854,689$ GCTD 21 Near‐Zero Emissions Bus Replacement Gold Coast Transit District 60 11,912,472$ 11,912,472$ TO Replacement Dial‐A‐Ride Vans City of Thousand Oaks 60 1,327,950$ 1,327,950$ TO Microgrid (Battery Backup) for EV Bus Charging lnfrastructure 1 City of Thousand Oaks 54 1,062,360$ 1,062,360$ Valley Express Replacement Buses 2
VCTC 47 2,375,544$ 2,375,544$
Total: 24,436,373$
1 Funds include $694,150 in CRP and $368,210 in CMAQ.
2 Funds include $1,300,000 in SGR and $1,075,544 in Section 5339 (5339 funds were previously programmed for VCTC Intercity leases and technology equipment, but are not needed.) 12