Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2019-038 of the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, the title of which is as follows:

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2018 PURSUANT TO 49 U.S.C. SECTION 5310, TO PURCHASE COLLINS CUTAWAY TRANSIT VEHICLES FOR PARATRANSIT SERVICES, EACH VALUED AT SIXTY-NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO DOLLARS ($69,522); AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ACCEPT THE GRANT FUNDING IF IT IS AWARDED; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ACTION:  (T-3:59 PM)  Approved.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)

VOTE: 8-0.  Dr. Sharief was not present during the vote.

ACTION:  (T-4:02 PM)  Dr. Sharief telephonically requested being shown voting in the affirmative. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)

VOTE: 9-0.

FDOT requires Broward County Board of County Commissioners (Board) approval of a Resolution authorizing the grant application for federal grant program funds pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 5310.

Holds Public Hearing, as required by the State of Florida's Department of Transportation (FDOT), to authorize the submittal of a Section 5310 grant application to FDOT by the Transit Division (BCT) for the purchase of paratransit vehicles. BCT intends to apply to FDOT for a 5310 grant in the total amount of $1,218,851, including a 10% local match ($121,851) to purchase 18 paratransit vehicles.

None.

THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

This item supports the Board's Vision and Goals for "Cooperatively creating an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network."

In compliance with federal regulations, this public hearing will allow public comment on the Transit Division's (BCT's) proposed application to the State of Florida's Department of Transportation for a Federal Fiscal Year 2018 Section 5310 grant for the purchase of 18 paratransit vehicles, each valued at $69,522 for use in the paratransit transportation program (TOPS).

As background, Title 49 U.S.C. 5310 authorizes the formula assistance program to assist in providing transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Program exists to provide assistance in meeting the transit needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. FTA 5310 funds are apportioned annually, based on an administrative formula considering the number of older adults and individuals with disabilities. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been designated by the Governor to administer the 49 U.S.C. 5310, Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program for small urban and rural areas and does so through a discretionary grant process. Eligible recipients for U.S.C. 5310 funds include public agency Community Transportation Coordinators (CTCs) and private non-profit organizations.

Historically, Section 5310 funding applications were based upon the federal Fiscal Year (October 1-September 30) and awarded first to all eligible agencies in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. After community agency grant awards were made, FDOT would then notify the CTCs in Broward and Palm Beach the amount of the remaining Section 5310 funds available and delineate an even split between Broward and Palm Beach. FDOT notified BCT of the remaining unallocated federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 5310 grant funds of $975,081.  In late 2018, (after the Surtax Plan was finalized) FDOT changed the timing from the federal fiscal year to the state's fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Additionally, all applicants, regardless of type, must now apply at the same time; with an online submittal deadline of 5:00 p.m., February 1, 2019. As a result, these discretionary grants were not contained within the Surtax Financial Plan.

As the CTC for Broward County, it is BCT's intent to apply to FDOT for these remaining Federal Fiscal Year 2018 funds of $975,081, including a 10% state and local match of $121,885, for a total grant amount of $1,218,851 for the purchase of 18 paratransit vehicles. 

With the Federal Fiscal Year 2018 grant of $1,218,851, BCT anticipates ordering Collins Cutaway transit vehicles for the Paratransit program through FDOT via the Transit Research Inspection Procurement Services (TRIPS) program. The vehicles will be converted to operate on propane after delivery using our existing conversion contract.

Chris Walton, Director, Transportation Department, (954) 357-8301