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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2013-005 Sponsored by: Hunt CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2013 -005 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE TOP THREE TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURSUING STATE AND FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT FUNDING WHEREAS, people with special transportation needs have the right to mobility. Individuals with limited income and people with disabilities rely heavily, sometimes exclusively, on public and specialized transportation services to live independent and fulfilling lives. These services are essential for travel to work and medical appointments, to run essential errands, or simply to take advantage of social or cultural opportunities; and WHEREAS, under the SAFETEA -LU program, projects funded through three Federal Transit Administration (FTA) human services transportation programs must be derived from a "locally developed, coordinated public transit -human services transportation plan ", including: Elderly and persons with Disabilities (Section 5310), Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC, Section 5316), and New Freedom (Section 5317). The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities also includes funds from the Alaska Mental Health Trust in the application process; and WHEREAS, the JARC Program provides capital and operating funds for services to improve access to jobs for low income persons; and WHEREAS, the New Freedom Program provides capital and operating funds for transit and para- transit services and improvements for persons with disabilities, which are new and go beyond those required by the American with Disabilities Act; and WHEREAS, the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program provides capital assistance funding to provide transit and purchase of services to private nonprofit agencies, federally recognized tribes, and to qualifying local public bodies that provide specialized transportation services to elderly persons and to persons with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Alaska Mental Health Trust provides grants to private non - profit agencies, federally recognized tribes, and to qualifying local public bodies that serve community transit needs of trust beneficiaries, namely Alaskans who experience mental illness; developmental disabilities; chronic alcoholism with psychosis; or Alzheimer's disease and related dementia through funding for purchase of services, capital and coordinated transportation system planning; and WHEREAS, in order to meet the requirements for federal funding, a local transportation committee was formed a number of years ago, with representation from public, private and nonprofit transportation providers and human service agencies, including the State of Alaska, CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2013 -005 SeaView Community Services, Seward Independent Living Center, First Student, the City of Seward, CARTS, the Seward Senior Center, and others. The purpose of this group is to identify and prioritize transportation needs in the community to maximize the use of federal funds, as required by the grant programs. Most recently, this group met on Friday, December 16, 2012 for the purpose of developing a funding request priority list, with the recommended priorities as follows: 1) Independent Living Center request for $28,800 to purchase transportation services for the ILC Voucher Program which will purchase 300 one -way rides per month, from participating local cab companies, with funding to be matched 27% from rider contributions; 2) Two replacement accessible vans for SeaView, which currently has no vehicles that are accessible. One van will seat up to two wheelchairs and six passengers, and a smaller accessible mini -van with flexible seating arrangements. The funding request is for 80% of the cost ($63,000 for the first van, $53,000 for the second), with SeaView matching the grant request with 20% cash; and 3) Seward Senior Center requests $28,800 to purchase a non - accessible passenger vehicle, with the Seward Senior Center providing a $6,000 match; and WHEREAS, the local committee reviewed and recommended through consensus, the above Project List of three priorities to be submitted to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. The Seward City Council supports the top three priorities as identified by the local transportation committee, for the purposes of pursuing state and federal grant funding opportunities. Section 2. This resolution takes effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 14 day of January, 2013. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA David Seaw ' r . , Mayor CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2013 -005 AYES: Valdatta, Bardarson, Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Terry, Seaward NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: i o anna Ki i ey, CMC ty Clerk (City Seal) ••y OF SE ''•. PD �7 • • • G � `� GQR TA O It -._ • I SEAL -�--- • 0 • • �•. •° ti• T F OF ASP •• ' • Council Agenda Statement e 4 of s Meeting Date: January 14, 2013 =la � �p To: Seward City Council Through: James Hunt, City Manager From: Karin Sturdy, Director of Parks & Agenda Item: Approval of Seward Community Coordinated Transportation Plan BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: In order to ensure the most effective use of federal funds administered through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the program requires that a local transportation committee be established for the purpose of vetting projects, to ensure that the projects meet the highest and best use for the community as it relates to limited transportation- related grant funding. The FTA and other granting agencies specifically require that the local government approve the priority list in order to qualify for funding. A number of years ago, a transportation group was established in Seward to coordinate local transportation needs. Over time the group has adopted a transportation plan, and the group meets periodically to establish priorities to meet various grant opportunities. The group includes representatives from various organizations in the community which provide transportation services to people with special transportation needs, including the State of Alaska, SeaView Community Services, CARTS, Seward Independent Living Center, First Student, the City of Seward, the Seward Senior Center, and others. Local taxi cab companies have also been invited to participate in numerous meetings. The intent of the group is to coordinate efforts so that all of Seward's transportation needs can be met. The local transportation group most recently met on Friday, December 16, 2012 for the purpose of establishing three priorities in pursuit of grant funding through the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The priorities as approved by the group, are as follows: Priority 1: Independent Living Center (ILC) request for $28,800 to purchase transportation services for the ILC Voucher Program which will purchase 300 one -way rides per month, from participating local cab companies, with funding to be matched 27% from rider contributions. Priority 2: SeaView Community Center's request for two replacement accessible vans, as they currently have no accessible vehicles. One van will seat up to two wheelchairs and six passengers, and a smaller accessible mini -van will have flexible seating. The funding request is for 80% of the cost ($50,040 for the first van, $42,040 for the second), with SeaView matching the grant request with 20% cash. Priority 3: Seward Senior Center requests $28,800 to purchase a non - accessible passenger vehicle, with the Seward Senior Center providing a $6,000 match. These grant applications require that the local government support the priorities as established by the transportation committee. INTENT: To obtain City Council approval of three transportation priorities for submission to State of Alaska DOT's transportation grant program. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A 1. Comprehensive Plan (document source here): Pages 11, 22 & 23 X 2. Strategic Plan (document source here): Pages 3, 4 & 16 X 3. Other (list): Seward Transportation Plan X FISCAL NOTE: This action has no financial impact on the City of Seward. Successful grant funding however, will benefit local non - profit organizations which provide transportation services to local residents with specialized transportation needs. Approved by Finance Department: �4r,� ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X 0 RECOMMENDATION: Seward City Council support the transportation priorities identified by the transportation committee, for the purposes of seeking grant funding through the State of Alaska DOT.