For City Council Meeting [September 13, 2022]
TO: Honorable City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Cynthia Alvarado, Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director
title
Request City Council to: (1) Accept the OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) Program Grant in the amount of $477,994 for Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled Community for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024; (2) Adopt Resolution No. 7971 Amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget; (3) Approve the Funding Agreement with OmniTrans; and (4) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents.
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BACKGROUND
The Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department serves a large senior population who require transportation assistance for normal day-to-day situations like doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping. Additionally, residents with certain disabilities living in Rialto have similar needs for transportation assistance. Providing appropriate transportation for these underserved communities was an item identified by Staff as a potential program that might be funded through OmniTrans.
On April 12, 2022, the City Council authorized the submission of a grant application in the amount of $487,750 to OmniTrans to fund a proposed 2-year program to provide transportation services for seniors and the disabled community, and for free bus passes. The grant application required a 20% local match for operational costs and 10% local match for capital costs. A copy of the staff report is included as Attachment 1.
City Council authorized Staff to submit the grant application.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On May 24, 2022, Staff attended an OmniTrans application workshop where OmniTrans explained the options, timelines, and challenges with acquiring electric vehicles. OmniTrans also discussed challenges related to maintenance of electric vehicles. Based on guidance provided by OmniTrans and the need to acquire, deliver and place into service the electric van for this program within the first year, the recommendation provided by OmniTrans was to fund the acquisition of a traditional (gas powered) vans to avoid the delay in obtaining the vehicle for the program.
Also, based on guidance and recommendations from OmniTrans, the 2-year program will consist of funds in the first year to cover the cost for two passenger vans (one ADA compliant, one not), a part time driver, one full time driver, and software cost for a transportation route application. Patrons will be able to schedule a ride on a specific transportation application or call the City’s Senior Center to schedule, at which point a City driver will organize and schedule their route to transport the residents in the most efficient route possible.
The second year of the proposed program will fund an additional part-time driver and acquisition of a third van (ADA compliant).
In conjunction with the resources center, senior center, community center, farmers market, and library, Staff will provide public outreach and information regarding this program to the Rialto community and increase rider attendance.
On July 14, 2022, OmniTrans provided a notice of award for the grant that will provide funding as follows:
Year 1 FY22/23 (Operating): $83,039
Year 1 FY22/23 (Capital): $145,702
Year 2 FY23/24 (Operating): $165,973
Year 2 FY23/24 (Capital): $83,280
Rialto will provide OmniTrans with monthly Project Milestones updates on the Project, as set forth in Exhibit A. In cooperation with Omnitrans, Rialto shall develop national ridership data reporting mechanisms sufficient for reporting as part of the NTD (National Transit Database) reporting system and shall provide such data to OmniTrans monthly.
Staff recommends the City Council accept the 2-year grant in the amount of $477,994 and approve the Funding Agreement included as Attachment 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to section 15378(b), a project does not include: (5) Organization or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
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.
Approval of this action also complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policies.
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and recommends approval of the staff report, resolution, and agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed Program has an estimated operational cost in Year 1 (Fiscal Year 2022/2023) of $103,799 for operational costs. The OmniTrans grant will provide $83,039 in grant funds requiring a 20% match in the form of a local cash match totaling $6,846 and in-kind match totaling $13,913 (grant match funds are already available).
A budget amendment is recommended to appropriate the grant fund revenue and related expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget in the amount of $103,799.
The proposed Program has an estimated operational cost in Year 2 (Fiscal Year 2023/2024) of $207,466 for operational costs. The OmniTrans grant will provide $165,973 in grant funds requiring a 20% match in the form of a local cash match totaling $14,276 and in-kind support totaling $27,217.
The Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget will be prepared to incorporate the Year 2 grant funds and expenditures.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The proposed Program has an estimated capital cost in Year 1 (Fiscal Year 2022/2023) of $161,891 for capital cost to acquire vehicles. The OmniTrans grant will provide $145,702 in grant funds requiring a 10% local match of $16,189 (grant match funds are already available).
A budget amendment is recommended to appropriate the grant fund revenue and related expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget.
The proposed Program has an estimated capital cost in Year 2 (Fiscal Year 2023/2024) of $92,533 for capital cost to acquire vehicles. The OmniTrans grant will provide $83,280 in grant funds requiring a local match of $9,253.
The Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget will be prepared to incorporate the Year 2 grant funds and expenditures.
RECOMMENDATION:
Request City Council to:
(1) Accept the OmniTrans Measure I Regional Mobility Partnership (RMP) Program Grant in the amount of $477,994 for Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled Community for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024;
(2) Adopt the Resolution No. 7971 Amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget;
(3) Approve the Funding Agreement with OmniTrans; and
(4) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents