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)
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Council Agenda Statement
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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.