For City Council Meeting April 9, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: David N. Carmany, City Manager
AUTHOR: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Title
Consideration of a Grant Application to OmniTrans for their Continuing Partner Application, Extending the Current Grant, OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Ratify the Submission of a Grant Application to OmniTrans for their Continuing Partner Application, Extending the Current Grant, OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program for Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026.
2) Approve the City Manager to Execute All Documents
Body
BACKGROUND
On April 12, 2022, City Council Authorized the submission of a grant application for the 2022 OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) Program. The original grant amount was for $487,750 with a local match of $77,350 for the 2023 and 2024 fiscal year.
On July 14, 2022, The City of Rialto received an award letter from OmniTrans. The Measure I award offered $228,741 for the 2022/2023 fiscal year and $249,253 for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
On September 13, 2022, City Council approved the Resolution to accept the grant funds and amend the budget to reflect the awarded amount. Council approved the allocation and expense of $13,165 in Account no. 283-500-8351-1010 for a part time driver, $27,382 for a full-time driver in Account no.283-500-8351-1001, $15,105 in Account 283-500-8351-1050 for benefits, $27,386 for services and supplies, and $145,702 in Account no. 283-500-8351-3050 for the purchase of two vehicles (one ADA) for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
On January 10, 2023, City Council approved the purchase of One Wheelchair Assessable Van and One Standard Passenger Van from A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. in the amount of $144,368.83.
On February 21, 2024, OmniTrans asked Parks and Recreation to apply for the Measure I grant to continue the partnership between OmniTrans and the City of Rialto, allowing the City to maintain the original grant’s plan that was awarded for 2023 and 2024, adding to the application a 4.3% CPI for operating costs and capital costs. Since funds are not allowed to be rolled over, the resubmission of the grant application would work to continue to secure the funding that was not able to be expensed.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Due to the urgency of meeting the last-minute grant application deadline and ensuring continuity of essential transportation services, the Parks, Recreation & Community Services department took proactive measures to prepare and submit the last-minute application request from OmniTrans.
The decision to proceed with the submission was made with the best interests of the City of Rialto Council created guiding principles in mind and the community’s need for additional transportation services.
In light of the circumstances and the critical importance of securing funding for ongoing transportation initiatives, the department is requesting that the City Council ratify the submission of the grant application to OmniTrans for their Continuing Partner Application. By endorsing the submission, the City Council will affirm its support for the efforts to extend the current grant under the OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program, thereby ensuring that essential transportation services the City of Rialto is interested in providing seniors and individuals with disabilities can come to fruition.
When City Council approved the van/bus vendor in spring of 2023, Parks and Recreation was informed of delays in vehicle delivery. The influx in auto purchases, shortage of chips, and chassis created a shortage that many manufactures did not anticipate. During Parks and Recreation’s first quarterly update, staff members informed OmniTrans of complications with acquiring a proper vehicle. The staff at OmniTrans communicated similar issues with other awardees and suggested the city continue to be patient with their acquisitions.
Parks and Recreation continued to organize the grant design by lining up software, travel, and staff during the pause in the capital acquisition. Staff maintained communication with the vehicle provider who assured the city of Rialto that the City’s pending order and the company was waiting for a delivery date from Ford.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, Parks and Recreation informed OmniTrans that the City was still on a wait list for a vehicle. The OmniTrans staff asked Parks and Recreation staff to continue waiting because some cities received delivery of their vehicles after more than eight months.
In January of 2023, the vehicle provider informed the city that all sales for 2023 vehicles were closed, and they would not be able to acquire the van we wanted before the end of the fiscal year or end of the grant terms (2024). Parks and Recreation staff communicated with the grant provider and asked for an immediate meeting. In February, OmniTrans staff thanked the City for communicating the status and asked if the City could continue their partnership with OmniTrans by immediately reapplying for the same grant funds in 2024/2025.
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's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
This grant covers two years - July 2024 through June 30 of 2026. The City was previously awarded but unable to get the program off the ground because of the delay in getting the vehicles manufactured and put in place to operate the program. The department currently has the grant match budgeted in its general fund budget and has included the 20% in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request.
OmniTrans Year One Grant Award - $103,767 would be allocated to account #22838351-51001, Rialto Year One Grant Match - $5,188 will be allocated in 10108351-52021 for overhead; From the general fund, $10,622 will be allocated in 10108351-51001 (Full-Timer personnel), $4,317 will be allocated in 10108351-51010 (Part-Time Personnel), and $6,847 in 10108351-52021 (materials and supply).
OmniTrans Year Two Grant Award - $204,367 will be allocated to account #22838351-51001, Rialto Year Two Grant Match - $10,218 will be allocated in 10108351-52021 for overhead; $20,634.67 in the Senior Centers Budget 10108351-51001 (Full-Timer personnel), $8,000 will be allocated in 10108351-51010 (Part-Time Personnel), and $14,276 in 10108351-52021 (materials and supply).
*rates are determined by 5% overhead, 5% Cash Match, and 10% In-kind Match covered by the City of Rialto
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Ratify the Submission of a Grant Application to OmniTrans for their Continuing Partner Application, Extending the Current Grant, OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) program for Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026.
2) Approve the City Manager to Execute All Documents