Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Authorizing Resolution, Grant Application, Execution of Follow Up Grant Agreement with Federal Transit Administration re: FY2020 Space Coast Area Transit CARES Act Formula Grant
End
Fiscal Impact:
$17,872,063 from Federal Transit Administration CARES Act Funds (4136/TBD)
Dept/Office:
Transit Services
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve the following actions for the 2020 CARES ACT Urbanized Area Formula Program from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the amount of $17,872,063:
• the Chair to sign the Authorizing Resolution,
• the Chair to sign the Grant Application,
• the Chair to sign the Designation of Signature authority allowing staff to submit the Grant electronically,
• Authorize the County Manager to execute necessary Budget Change Requests,
• the Transit Director to execute and submit the Grant Agreement electronically, contingent upon County Attorney and Risk Management approval,
• the Transit Director to execute any additional follow-up documentation/resolutions and amendments necessary to secure these funds.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
On Friday, March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act provided for $25 billion in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for public transit formula operating and capital grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 pandemic. The bill provided that FTA distribute the transit funds proportionally based on the ratio funding of four specific programs; one of which is the Urbanized Area Formula Grants (49 U.S.C. 5307). Space Coast Area Transit/Brevard County Board of County Commissioners is an eligible recipient of Section 5307 funds.
The CARES Act transit funds were established to provide funding to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines for utilizing these funds are still coming through and so far two conference calls have been held. What we have been instructed by the Federal Transit Administration is:
• The funds are 100% federal share; no local funding.
• Priority for funding is operational expenses; however, all activities normally eligible under Section 5307 formula program, including planning and capital are eligible.
• Operating expenses are those costs necessary to operate, maintain and manage a public transportation system.
• There is no limit on the amount of funds that may be used for operating expenses for fixed route or paratransit service.
• Expenses may be incurred starting on January 20, 2020.
• Funds are available until expended; no lapse date to obligate funds.
• Transit systems are encouraged to spend funds expeditiously to respond to local needs.
The bill gave the Federal Transit Administration seven days to apportion these funds from the date of enactment. Using the FY2020 apportionment formulas, Space Coast Area Transit’s eligible apportionment is $15,478,622 (Palm Bay/Melbourne Large Urbanized Area) and $2,393,441 (Titusville Small Urbanized Area).
The total CARES Act Grant will include the following line items:
|
100% Federal share operating (Palm Bay/Melbourne) |
$15,478,622 |
|
100% Federal share operating (Titusville) |
$2,393,441 |
|
TOTAL APPLICATION AMOUNT |
$17,872,033 |
These are currently some of the expenses/projects that Transit Services will be applying towards the grant:
|
Salaries and Benefits (January 25, 2020 - September 30, 2020, or later) |
|
Preventative Maintenance (January 20, 2020-September 30, 2020, or later) |
|
Personal Protective Equipment (January 20, 2020-September 30, 2020, or later) |
|
Cleaning Services and supplies (January 20, 2020-September 30, 2020, or later) |
|
Telecommuting Equipment |
|
Alternate Site Contingency |
|
Operators Protective Barriers on Buses |
|
Retrofitting Cloth Bus Seats to Hard Plastic Seats |
We are currently researching many alternatives for sanitization and cleaning of the buses and terminals. As we receive further instructions and clarification from FTA, more projects and expenses will be applied towards the grant allocation.
The CARES Act is 100% federally funded and no local match is required. At this time, we are unsure how accessing CARES Act will impact other budgeted revenue.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return one set of the signed Authorizing Resolution, signed Grant Application, signed Designation of Signature Authority and Board Memo to Transit Services.