HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - DIAL-A-RIDE VEHICLES (2)Agenda Item: __I
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Darren Herndndez
DATE: February 28, 2006
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF NEW DIAL -A -RIDE VEHICLES AND
APPROPRIATION OF MATCHING FUNDS
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council appropriate $44,800 from fund 801 to 2460-8615 to be used as a grant match for
new Dial -a -Ride vehicles being purchased by the state for the City through the federal 5310 grant
program. Authorize City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute all documents, subject to
City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program provides funding to private
non-profit agencies, specifically to purchase vehicles for transporting senior and/or disabled
passengers (paratransit service). During FY 2003/2004, the City of Santa Clarity applied for a
$131,200 grant in Section 5310 funding. Because the grant was established to fund private rather
than public non-profit agencies, it was necessary to demonstrate that the City would not be
competing with local private non-profit agencies. For this reason, a public hearing was held on
April 27, 2004, inviting local non -profits to indicate their intentions to apply for Section 5310
funding. Since the City's application was not challenged, the City Council passed a resolution
allowing Santa Clarita Transit (SCT) to apply for the grant.
The original grant application submitted in May 2004 was for the purchase of four (4) minivans
modified to meet Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) requirements. These modified
minivans were valued at $156,000 and are typically configured to carry three (3) ambulatory
(walking) passengers, plus two (2) passengers in wheelchairs. The intent of ordering these
smaller vehicles was to use them to be more efficient on routes that did not carry full loads.
APPROVED
In December 2005, the FTA invited Santa Clarita to inspect prototypes of the modified minivans.
At this time, staff determined that due to increased capacity needs and the high maintenance
requirements of the minivans, they would not be sufficient to meet demand. After further
negotiations, the federal agents administering the 5310 grant supported staffs determination and
agreed to provide the additional funding needed for four (4) El Dorado National (Aerotech 220)
vehicles that carry 12 ambulatory, plus two (two) wheelchair passengers. The value of each
awarded El Dorado National is $56,000, thereby increasing the value of the grant from $168,000
to $224,000. The City is requested to provide 20% matching funds at a cost of $44,800. If
approved, the new Dial -a -Ride vehicles would be delivered in July 2006.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Local match funds have been programmed in Transit Fund 801. No General Fund money will be
used to match the Section 5310 grant.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
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