HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.G 06/20/2016DATE: June 20, 2016
Agenda Item #3.G
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: D WtI6�,F.ASCE — 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 16/17
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 16/17.
BACKGROUND
Two major sources of funding are available to develop and support public transportation in
California: the Transportation Development Act (TDA), which is the source of the Local
Transportation Fund (LTF); and the State Transit Assistance Fund (STA). A one-quarter cent
statewide sales tax 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 and STA programs, which
represent the main source of funds used to operate Petaluma's fixed route and paratransit service,
require the transit agency's governing bodies to adopt a resolution of support as a condition of
applying for these annual funds. Total available FY 16/17 TDA funds have increased by .48%
from the prior year while STA funds are expected to be down 5%. The City of Petaluma requests
these funds every spring for the upcoming fiscal year. The City Council approved the most
recent TDA/STA application on May 18, 2015.
DISCUSSION
The total FY 16/17 apportionment to Petaluma is $2,582,282 based on the initial TDA
apportionment for each city in Sonoma County. Contributions to Golden Gate Transit and
Sonoma County Transit are taken from the City allocation. Golden Gate Transit, the County's
intercity and regional transit provider, receives $744,894 (29%) of what would otherwise be
Petaluma's share of the funding. In addition, Sonoma County Transit receives $239,516 (9%) to
support Sonoma County intercity services. Of that, $199,597 supports Routes 44 and 48 to
Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University, and Santa Rosa, and $39,919 for intercity paratransit.
This leaves Petaluma with an estimated $1,597,872 remaining of LTF funds.
This year, Petaluma Transit is requesting $1,710,847 from TDA, $1,448,721 in operating funds
and $262,186 in capital funds. This targets all available TDA funds for FY 16/17 plus $112,976
from TDA Reserves. The larger than usual capital funds request will contribute to the local
match for the three fixed -route buses that the City is buying, and will pay for needed
improvements to the transit yard. TDA reserves are normally used to fund the local match on
capital projects, and to provide a cushion against future economic downturns. The Petaluma
TDA reserves at the end of FY 16/17 are projected to be at $700,000.
In addition to the TDA apportionment, $188,678 in FY 16-17 STA funds will be requested.
Beyond these two largest sources of operating funds, Petaluma Transit also receives key funding
from local Measure M, passenger fares, and competitive grant programs at the regional and
federal levels.
Approval of the attached resolution will authorize staff to file an application with the MTC for
allocation of the TDA/STA funds needed to run the City's transit system for FY 16/17. This
action constitutes a definite program commitment on the part of the City to the TDA State
Transit Assistant Funds program, and therefore requires review under the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") regarding potential environmental impacts. However, this
program activity consists of the operation, maintenance, and/or minor alteration of existing
public facilities, including facilities of publicly -owned utilities used to provide public transit
services, and involves negligible or no expansion of use beyond that currently existing.
Accordingly, this activity is exempt from the requirements of CEQA in accordance with section
15301, subdivision (b) of the CEQA Guidelines.
The proposed action meets Council Goal: "Achieve fiscal stability and maintain financial
sustainability". This item was recommended for Council approval by the Transit Advisory
Committee at their June 2, 2016 meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The targeted funding is reflected in the proposed FY 16/17 Budget request.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2
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
FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017
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 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 LTF for Sonoma County and STA funds will be
required by applicant in Fiscal Year 16/17 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 Exhibit I, attached; and
WHEREAS, this program activity, namely, the purchase of three replacement, fixed -
route buses and bus yard improvements and security features consists of the operation,
maintenance, and/or minor alteration of existing public facilities, including facilities of publicly -
owned utilities used to provide public transit services, and involves negligible or no expansion of
use beyond that currently existing as of the time of the Council consideration and possible action
on the 2015 MTC grant application, in accordance with section 15301, subdivision (b) of the
CEQA Guidelines.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma
as follows:
1. The above recitals are declared to be true and correct and are hereby made findings of
the City Council.
2. The contemplated program activity consists of the operation, maintenance, and/or
minor alteration of existing public facilities, including facilities of publicly -owned
utilities used to provide public transit services, and involves negligible or no
expansion of use beyond that currently existing as of the time of the Council
consideration and, accordingly, this project is exempt from the requirements
of CEQA in accordance with section 15301, subdivision (b) of the CEQA Guidelines.
3. 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 FYI 6/17.
4. Staff is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission, including the Opinion of Counsel attached to and made a
part of this Resolution as Exhibit I in conjunction with the filing of the claim; and the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission is requested to grant the allocation of funds
as specified in the claim.
0
OPINION OF COUNSEL
TO: METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
FROM: CITY OF PETALUMA
DATE: June 20, 2016
RE: ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT FUNDS/
STATE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE FUNDS
This communication will serve as the requisite opinion of counsel in connection with the
application of the City of Petaluma for an allocation of Transportation Development Act
(TDA)/State Transit Assistance (STA) funds.
1. City of Petaluma is authorized to provide and assist public transportation by acquisition,
construction and operation of existing or additional transit facilities. This assistance may
be provided directly or by contractual arrangements with other parties.
2. City of Petaluma is an eligible applicant for Transportation Development Act (TDA)/
State Transit Assistance (STA) funds pursuant to PUC sections(s) 99260, 99260(a) and
99400.
3. I have reviewed the pertinent state and local laws, and I am of the opinion that there is no
legal impediment to City of Petaluma's making applications for TDA/STA funds.
Furthermore, as a result of my examinations, I find that there is no pending_ or threatened
litigation which might in any way adversely affect the proposed projects, or the ability of
the City of Petaluma to carry out such projects.
Sincerely,
Legal Counsel
Eric Daniy
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