Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Authorizing Resolution, Grant Application and Execution of Follow-Up Master Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration, Areas of Persistent Poverty 2021 Program
End
Fiscal Impact:
$180,000 - Federal Transit Administration Areas of Persistent Poverty Program 2021 (4136/R36342X)
$20,000 - Florida Department of Transportation Toll Revenue Credit (No exchange of funds)
Dept/Office:
Transit Services
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve the following actions for a Federal Transit Administration Areas of Persistent Poverty 2021 Grant Application:
• The Chair to sign the Authorizing Resolution,
• The use of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Toll Revenue Credits,
• The Transit Services Director to execute and submit the grant electronically through Grants.gov,
• The Transit Services Director to execute and submit the Grant Master Agreement electronically, contingent upon the County Attorney and Risk Management Approvals,
• The Transit Services Director to execute any additional follow-up documentation, resolution and amendments necessary to secure these funds,
• Authorize the County Manager to execute necessary budget change requests.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced an opportunity to apply for $16.3 million in competitive grants for the Areas of Persistent Poverty Program for Fiscal Year 2021. This program supports projects that will improve transit services or facilities in areas of persistent poverty through planning, engineering, technical studies, or financial plans for projects. An Area of Persistent Poverty is defined as any Census Tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2014-2018 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of Census. One of the main program goals is to support transportation planning to improve transit service in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. There are several census tracts in Cocoa that has been identified as Area of Persistent Poverty in Cocoa; one of which is where our Cocoa Terminal is located.
It has been the desire of the department to build a transfer center at the Cocoa Terminal to not only improve the visual effect on the neighborhood, but to provide an enhanced, safe environment for our passengers, bus operators and vehicles. This location will serve 5 bus routes that allow the residents of the community to reach areas through the County to get them to work, school, shopping and medical appointment. The transfer center will also provide riders with easy access to bus information, bus pass purchases and a larger location to wait while staying out of the elements of Florida’s weather.
In 2018, the department created a conceptual design with the anticipation of moving forward with the project, however, several other projects needed to be completed beforehand. Since the conceptual design would utilize approximately ½ of the existing parking lot, a parking lot was constructed for the employees to park utilizing FTA funding This project was completed this year. Although Space Coast Area Transit has several larger shelter locations where multiple routes serve; this would be the first true Transit Transfer Station in Brevard.
We are seeking funding for the planning, design, environmental analyses and permitting for the construction of the transfer station at the Cocoa Terminal. This grant funding is 90% federal and requires a 10% local match. We are proposing to use FDOT Toll Revenue Credit for the local match.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please send a copy of the Board Memorandum to Transit Services