Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

A.  The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) requires Board approval of a Resolution authorizing the execution of Joint Participation Agreements (JPAs).

B. Board Approval is required for Budget Resolutions.

C.  Board Approval is required for new positions.

A & B.  Approves a supplemental Joint Participation agreement (JPA) that provides $500,000 in additional grant funding from FDOT for the provision of Limited Stop fixed-route ("Breeze") bus service along Broward Boulevard between the City of Sunrise and Downtown Fort Lauderdale. No County match is required.

C.  Approves the addition of eight grant funded positions (six Bus Operators and two Mechanics) for the service which is expected to begin in January 2019.

April 24, 2018, Item No. 48.

THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT/TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.

This item supports the Board's Value of "Cooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network".

The Transit Division (BCT) is requesting approval of a supplemental Joint Participation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in the amount of $500,000 to provide additional grant funding for the operation and maintenance of Breeze limited-stop bus service along Broward Blvd (No County match is required) and for the addition of eight grant funded positions, 6 Bus Operators and 2 Mechanics, to support the "Broward Breeze" bus service.

This new "Broward Breeze" service will travel westbound and eastbound, giving customers access to employment, education and medical centers, transit facilities, government centers, and entertainment venues in Sunrise, Plantation, and downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Broward Breeze will operate every 30 minutes on weekdays during peak morning (from 5:40 p.m. to 10:16 a.m.) and afternoon (4:05 p.m. to 8:46 p.m.) travel times. Forty-two-foot Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) style vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi will be utilized for the service which will begin operation in January 2019. Service will begin in January 2019. FDOT is providing full funding for the first 3 years of the service and if there is sufficient ridership for BCT to continue the service after the initial three years, FDOT has committed to providing half the costs to operate the service for an additional three years. Additional SJPA to fund for the service will be forthcoming. A motion to set the Public Hearing for the establishment of this new service is included in today's agenda. 

As background, on April 24, 2018, Item No. 48, the Board approved a Joint Participation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in the amount of $500,000 to provide initial grant funding for the operation and maintenance of Breeze limited-stop bus service along Broward Blvd. This supplemental JPA No. 1 provides an additional $500,00 for total FDOT funding of $1,000,000 for operations & maintenance of the "Broward Breeze" service for the first year of service.

The JPA (Exhibit 2) has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Attorney’s Office.

County approval of the Resolution and execution of JPA is required prior to FDOT executing said agreement.