Agenda 06/14/2011 Item #16A13
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6/14/2011 Item 16.A.13.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve the de-obligation of the Federal Transit Administrative (FTA)
Grant Funds for 49 D.S.C. ~5316 - Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and 49
D.S.C. ~5317 - New Freedom (NF) Programs.
OBJECTIVE: Recommendation to approve the de-obligation of the Federal Transit
Administrative (FT A) Grant Funds for 49 U.S.C. ~5316 (JARe) and 49 U.S.C. ~5317 (NF)
Programs due to the expiration oftirne available to utilize the funding.
CONSIDERATION: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, Pub. L. 109-059), enacted on August 10, 2005 and codified in
49 D.S.C. Chapter 53, authorizes ~5316, the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program
and S5317, the New Freedom (NF) Program, among others. The JARC program is meant to
improve transportation services to employment and related activities for welfare recipients and
other low income individuals and to transport residents of urbanized and non-urbanized areas to
suburban employment opportunities. The purpose of the NF Program is to provide additional
tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the
workforce and fun participation in society.
The Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, created in 1989, entered into an
agreement with Collier County whereby the County was to assume the role of Community
Transportation Coordinator (CTC). In this role, Collier County's Alternative Transportation
Modes Department, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), was responsible
for developing a plan for the effective use of funding for the transportation disadvantaged
population in a coordinated system, which was to include JARC and NF Program funds.
As a designated JARC and NF funding recipient, Collier County received funding
apportionments for JARC and New Freedom during 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the amount noted
below for each program.
Collier County was responsible under the apportioned guidelines to either conduct a competitive
selection process or establish alternative arrangements to administer and conduct the competitive
process for the grant projects. Collier County elected to have a competitive selection process TUn
through the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). This selection process was to
ensure open competitiveness anlongst prospective project applicants including Collier County's
transit operator and other transit companies and agencies interested in the funding under both the
JARC and NF Program.
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6/14/2011 Item 16.A.13.
After a public participation process, the community identified the Lee-Collier route as the top
priority for the utilization of these funds. The cost for establishing and maintaining new fixed
route service into Lee County far exceeded the funds available under this program therefore
additional funding needed to be obtained. With the limited funding appropriated annually under
these programs Collier County was infonned by the grantor that pooling the funding over the
years was allowable and that funding for multiple years could be combined for the
program/project solicitation process. Quarterly reports were submitted to FT A noting that intent.
In the interim Staff explored the availability of Public Transit Service Development funds which
have been made available over the year through an application process administered by the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). In 2007 Collier County submitted Service
Development Grant applications for a new route that would provide regional transit connection
service between Collier and Lee Counties. The Collier County project proposal requested a
three-year 100% project funded award in the amount of $816,512 with no local match. Service
Development Grant funds were awarded to Collier County for FY 08-09 and FY 09-10 for a total
of $491,289 with a 50% local match requirement. A two year Staff effort to convince FDOT to
ftmd 100% of the project was unsuccessful. With prospects of a down economy, staff did not
want to move forward with the expansion of service without the assurance of committed future
revenue to sustain the new route.
Additionally, despite prior grantor advice that pooling of funds over the years was allowable,
staffwas recently advised by the current FTA regional personnel that under both JARC and NF
programs, funds were only available for use during the fiscal year of apportionment plus two
additional years. . Thus, for example, funds apportioned in fiscal year 2006 were only available
until the end offiscal year 2008 (September 30, 2008).
All funds that have been apportioned to Collier County have expired and must now be de-
obligated in the FT A system. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. g 1554, these funds will be
evaluated and considered for re-obligation through next year's program apportionment. As part
of the de-obligation process, Collier County is required to conduct a public process to provide
information on the termination of the competitive process and the intent to de-obligate the funds.
The MPO Public Involvement process is being utilized for this process. The Pathways Advisory
Committee, Technical Advisory Committee and Citizen Advisory Committee and Metropolitan
Planning Organization have endorsed the de-obligation of FT A grant funding for g5316 (JARe)
and 95317 (NF) Programs.
FISCAL IMPACT: The FT A JARC (5316) and New Freedom (5317) grant programs have not
been appropriated to date. The 50% local match requirement is forgone and results in a cost
avoidance anlount of$463,989.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed and approved by the County
Attomey's Office, is legally sufficient for Board action and only requires a majority vote for
Board approval-SRT.
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6/14/2011 Item 16.A.13.
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GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: Consistent with Objectives 10 and 12 of the
Transportation Element of the Growth Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approve the de-obligation
of the Federal Transit Administrative (FTA) Grant Funds for 95316 (JARC) and 95317 (NF)
Programs.
Prepared by: Glama Carter, Public Transit Manager, Alternative Transportation Modes
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6/14/2011 Item 16.A.13.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.A.13.
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the de-obligation of the Federal Transit
Administrative (FTA) Grant Funds for 49 U.S.c. 95316 (JARe) and 49 U.S.C. 95317 (New
Freedom) Programs
Meeting Date: 6/14/2011
Prepared By
Name: CardesoYousi
Title: Administrative Assistant,Alternative Transportatio
5/19/201111:16:06AM
Submitted by
Title: Manager - Public Transit,Altemative Transportation Modes
Name: CarterGlama
5/19/201111:16:06AM
Approved By
Name: OberrathKaren
Date: 5/26/2011 8:47:03 AM
Name: BetancurNatali
Title: Executive Secretary,Transportation Engineering & Construction Management
Date: 5/27/20119:42:18 AM
Name: Cal1erGlama
Title: Manager - Public Transit,Altemative Transportation Modes
Date: 5/27/2011 12:28:50 PM
Name: ArnoldMichelle
Title: Director - Alt Transportation Modes,Alternative Tr
Date: 5/27/2011 4:09:22 PM
. Name: SotoCaroline
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Title: ManagementlBudget Analyst,Transportation Administr
Date: 6/1/2011 8:38:10 AM
Name: FoordMarlene
Title: Grant Development & Mgmt Coordinator, Grants
Date: 6/1/2011 10:36:32 AM
Name: MarcellaJeanne
Title: Executive Secretary,Transportation Planning
Date: 6/2/2011 8:13:33 AM
Name: TeachScott
Title: Deputy County Attorney,County Attorney
Date: 6/2/2011 10:40:24 AM
Name: FederNorman
Title: Administrator - Growth Management Div,Transportati
Date: 6/2/20112:15:35 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 6/3/2011 3:27:40 PM
Name: StanleyTherese
Title: ManagementlBudget Analyst, Senior,Office of Management & Budget
Date: 6/5/2011 7:47:18 PM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager
Date: 6/6/2011 10:58:23 AM
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6/14/2011 Item 16.A.13.