For City Council Meeting July 23, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
FROM: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
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Request City Council to: 1) Accept the Continuing Partnership Funds, from Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program from Omni Transportation in the amount of $497,671.82 for Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled persons for Fiscal years 2025-2026; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 8257 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 fiscal budget; 3) Approve the Funding Agreement with OmniTrans; 4) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Accept the Continuing Partnership Funds, from Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program from Omni Transportation in the amount of $497,671.82 for Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled persons for Fiscal years 2025-2026;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 8257 amending Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget;
3) Approve the Funding Agreement with OmniTrans;
4) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all necessary documents
BACKGROUND
On April 12, 2022, the City Council authorized the submission of a grant application in the amount of $477,994 to OmniTrans to fund a proposed two-year program that would provide transportation services for seniors and disabilities persons. The grant application required a 20% local match for operation costs and 10% local match for capital costs.
On July 29, 2022, the City Council accepted the funds for the OmniTrans two year grant: $249,253 for year one (2022/2023 fiscal year), and $228,741 for year two (fiscal year 2023/2024).
On April 9, 2024, the City Council approved a grant application for OmniTrans’ Continuing Partnership Application, extending the previous grant award from the Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. In addition to the previously awarded funds ($477,994), OmniTrans allows for up to an additional 4.3% CPI for operating costs and capital costs.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
An additional form of transportation will greatly impact the quality of life for seniors and those living with disabilities. Many of our seniors and those living with disabilities need additional transportation resources for hospital visits, rides to the grocery store, and even rides to recreation facilities. Transportation to the Loma Linda VA is difficult for those who use public transportation or depend on family and friends for rides. Hospital visits, another challenge with local transportation, requires transfers, specific time frames, and an extensive waiting for the ride.
This transportation program is not meant to replace the current transportation programs in Rialto, it is designed to complement it by providing additional transportation options for Rialto’s seniors and those living with disabilities who need additional transportation resources.
With the help of an app and a call-in method, users can book a ride to the local hospital, grocery store, senior center, or recreational facility free of charge. The program will run standard operational hours (Monday-Friday). The program will always have one ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) van with wheel-chair access during year one (and a second one on year two), and one without. Riders will be allowed to request additional transportation needs, at which point a driver from Parks and Recreation will plan their route to transport riders quickly and easily.
On May 28, 2024, OmniTrans provided a notice of award for the grant that will provide funding as follows:
Year 1 FY 24/25 (operating): $87,168.96
Year 1 FY 24/25 (Capital): $151,967.19
Year 2 FY 25/26 (operating): $171,674.64
Year 2 FY 25/26 (Capital): $86,861.04
Grant funds awarded total: $497,671.82
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a Project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Guiding Principles 1: Rialto is a Family First Community
• Essential community services and amenities must meet the needs and desires of our families.
Guiding Principles 3: Rialto’s Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse
• Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Guiding Principles 4: Rialto is an Active Community
• We will create transportation alternatives that allow us to walk, bike, and use public transportation to travel within our community and reach regional destinations.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operational Costs
The proposed Program has an estimated operational cost in Year 1 (Fiscal Year 2025) of $108,955.63 for operational costs (account #2283851-51001). The OmniTrans grant will provide $87,168.96 in grant funds requiring a 20%match, separated by a local cash match totaling $6,847.66 (account #10108351-52021); and in-kind match totaling $10,622.01 (10108351-51001) Full-Timer personnel, and $4,317 10108351-51010 Part-Time Personnel), totaling $14,939.01.
A budget amendment is recommended to appropriate the grant fund revenue and related expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget in the amount of $ $87,168.96.
The proposed Program has an estimated operational cost in Year 2 (Fiscal Year 2026) of $214,585.53 for operational costs. The OmniTrans grant will provide $171,674.64 in grant funds requiring a 20% match, divided in the form of a local cash match totaling $14,276.22 and in-kind support totaling $28,634.67, totaling $42,910.89.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The proposed Program has an estimated capital cost in Year 1 (Fiscal Year 2024/2025) of $168,852.43 for capital cost to acquire vehicles. The OmniTrans grant will provide $151,967.19 in grant funds requiring a 10% local match of $16,885.24 (grant match funds are already available).
A budget amendment is recommended to appropriate the grant fund revenue and related expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget.
The proposed Program has an estimated capital cost in Year 2 (Fiscal Year 2026) of $96,512.26 for capital cost to acquire vehicles. The OmniTrans grant will provide $85,861.04 in grant funds requiring a local match of $9,651.23.
The Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget will be prepared to incorporate the Year 2 grant funds and expenditures.
*rates are determined by 5% overhead, 5% Cash Match, and 10% In-kind Match covered by the City of Rialto
Licensing
No licensing required to accept the funds.