THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s Vision and Goals for an "Efficient and Accessible Regional Intermodal Transportation Network."
Title 49 U.S.C. 5310 authorizes the formula assistance program for transportation projects to assist in providing transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. FTA refers to this formula program as “the Section 5310 program.” FTA, on behalf of the Secretary of Transportation, apportions the funds appropriated annually to the States based on an administrative formula that considers the number of older adults and individuals with disabilities in each State. Title 49 U.S.C. 5310(a)(2)(b) provides that a State may allocate the funds apportioned to it to a governmental authority that is approved by the State to coordinate services for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) administers the 5310 program for the state. FDOT recently advised Transit Division (BCT) staff that there were surplus federal grant funds in FY2013 and FY2014 after all other applicant needs were met. FDOT decided that as the designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC), the County could utilize a portion of the surplus 5310 grant funds for capital projects to support the Paratransit program and to submit a formal application. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2014 and the funds require a 10% cash match from the County of the total project amount. Additionally, in order to apply for the funds a Public Hearing is required to be advertised and held if requested. A Public Hearing has been scheduled before the Local Coordinating Board for Transportation Disadvantaged Services on June 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization Board Room, Trade Centre South, 100 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 850 for the purpose of advising all interested parties of service being contemplated if a grant is awarded and to ensure that contemplated services would not represent a duplication of current or proposed services provided by existing transit or paratransit operators in the County. The Notice of Public Hearing was advertised in the Sun Sentinel on June 13, 2014. This hearing is required to be conducted if, and only if, a written request for the hearing is received by Thursday, June 26, 2014.
The Transit Division is applying for funding from FDOT for a Section 5310 Fiscal Year 2013 capital grant for the purchase of Eight Champion Cutaway Ford 14500 GVWR Chassis propane buses in the amount of $700,000 and for a Section 5310 Fiscal Year 2014 capital grant in the amount of $700,000 for computer hardware and software to create a redundant, virtual desktop (VMware) infrastructure to be used for the paratransit services program and support the 5310 funded vehicles.
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