HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.A 05/18/2015Agenda Item #3.A
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DATE: May 18, 2015
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Dan St. John, RASCE — Director, Public Works & Utilities
Joe Rye — Transit Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application with the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission for Allocation of Transportation Development Act/
State Transit Assistance Funds. for the City's Transit System for FY 2015-16
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the filing of an
application with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for allocation of Transportation
Development Act/State_Transit Assistance funds for the City's transit system for FY 2015-16.
BACKGROUND -
The Transportation Development Act (TDA) provides two major sources of funding for the
development and support of public transportation in California: the Local Transportation Fund
(LTF) and the State Transit Assistance Fund (STA). A one-quarter cent statewide sales tax
measure supports these funds. Although the County Treasury holds revenues, the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (MTC), as the Transportation Planning Agency for the region, has
the responsibility for approving applications and ensuring that all funds distributed are used for
eligible expenditures. Upon approval of an application, MTC authorizes payment as a lump sum,
in installments, or as funds become available. The TDA or LTF programs represent the main
source of funds used to operate Petaluma's fixed route and paratransit service. These programs
require the transit agency's governing bodies to adopt a resolution of support as a condition of
applying for these funds.
The City of Petaluma requests this funding annually every spring for the upcoming fiscal year.
The funding is the primary source of funds for the City's transit system. The City Council
approved the last two TDA/STA claims on May 20, 2013 and May 19, 2014.
DISCUSSION
An initial TDA apportionment exists for each city in Sonoma County; the total FY 2015-16
apportionment to Petaluma is $2,600,324. Contributions to Golden Gate Transit and Sonoma
County Transit are taken off the top prior to the City allocation. Golden Gate Transit, the
County's intercity and regional transit provider, receives $750,321 (29%) of what would
otherwise be Petaluma's funding; Sonoma County Transit receives $259,734 (10%) to support
Sonoma County intercity services ($216,445 for Routes 44 and 48 to Rohnert Park/SSU, and
Santa Rosa, plus $43,289 for intercity paratransit). This leaves Petaluma with an estimated
$1,590,268 (61%) available for its FY 2015-16 budget.
Legislative action in 2009 reinstated the STA program that provides a critical component of local
transit capital and operations funding. In addition to the TDA apportionment, Petaluma Transit
anticipates $287,527 in FY 2015-2016 STA funds. Beyond these two largest sources of operating
funds, Petaluma Transit also receives key funding from.Measure M, passenger fares, and
competitive grant programs at the regional level such. as TFCA (Transportation Fund for Clean
Air), and at the federal level with JARC (Jobs Access Reverse Commute) and New Freedom.
This year, Petaluma Transit is requesting $1,676,133 of the $1,590,268 available for TDA
operating funds. and TDA capital funds. This will claim all available TDA funds from FY 15-16
plus $85,865 from TDA Reserves.. The larger 'than usual amount of capital funds will contribute
to local match for the purchase of three replacement fixed route buses and to make needed
improvements to the Transit Facility, which includes mostly bus yard expansion and security
features. TDA reserves are used to fund local match on capital projects, and to provide cushion
against future economic downturns to buffer service from immediate reductions. The Petaluma
TDA reserves at the end of FY 2015-16 are projected to be at $500,000. The STA operating
funds request is $287,527.
Approval of the attached resolution will authorize staff to file an application, with the MTC for
allocation of Transportation Development Act/State Transit Assistance funds for the City's
transit system for FY 2015-16 in order to fund transit operations.
The proposed action meets Council Goal: "Achieve fiscal stability and maintain financial
sustainability".
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Petaluma's total available FY 2015-16 TDA funding of $1,590,268 has increased by $122,149
(8.3%) from the prior year. STA funds for FY 2015-16 are expected to be $287,527, up 3.7%
from FY 14-15. The targeted funding is reflected in the proposed FY 15-16 Budget request.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
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Attachment 1
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FOR
ALLOCATION OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT/STATE
TRANSIT ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR THE CITY'S TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR
FY 2015-2016
WHEREAS, the Transportation Development Act (TDA) (California Public Utilities
Code §99200 et seq.), provides for disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund
(LTF) of the County of Sonoma for use by eligible applicants for the purpose of fixed route and
paratransit service; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the TDA, and pursuant to the applicable rules
and regulations hereunder (21 Cal. Code of Regs. §6600 et. seq.), a prospective applicant
wishing to receive an allocation from the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) shall file its claim.
with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission; and
WHEREAS, the State Transit Assistance (STA) fund is created pursuant to Public
Utilities Code, Section 99310 et seq.; and
WHEREAS, TDA funds from the Local Transportation Fund of Sonoma County and
STA funds will be required by applicant in Fiscal Year 2015-2016 for fixed route and paratransit
service; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is an eligible applicant for TDA and/or STA funds,
pursuant to Public Utilities. Sections 99260, 99260(a) and 99400, as attested by the opinion of
counsel dated May 1, 2012.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma
that the City Manager is authorized to execute and file appropriate TDA/STA applications,
together with all necessary supporting documents, with the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission for an allocation of TDA and STA funds in Fiscal Year 2015-2016; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission, in conjunction with the filing of the claim; and the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission be requested to grant the allocation of funds as
specified in the claim.
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