ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Staff Report
January 8, 2015
To:
Transit Committee
From:
Darrell Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
Subject:
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Overview
The Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Grant Program provides
grant opportunities for local public agencies and non-profit organizations to
help meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with
disabilities. In accordance with the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century Act, the Orange County Transportation Authority is responsible for
selecting projects and transmitting a list of selected projects to the California
Department of Transportation, which will be responsible for grant
administration and subrecipient oversight. A list of recommended projects is
presented for consideration, along with an authorizing resolution as required by
the Section 5310 Grant Program.
Recommendations
A.
Approve the candidate project list recommended by the regional
evaluation committee and authorize staff to amend the Regional
Transportation Improvement Program to accommodate grant revenues.
B.
Adopt Orange County Transportation Authority Resolution No. 2015-02
authorizing the Chief Executive Officer, or designee, to transmit the
Section 5310 Regional Project List and required certification and
assurances to the California Department of Transportation for funding
and grantee oversight as the designated recipient of Section 5310
funds.
Background
In existence since 1975, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310
Program has a long history of providing local agencies and non-profit
organizations with grant opportunities to help meet the special transportation
needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. In keeping with the two-year
Orange County Transportation Authority
550 South Main Street / P.O. Box 14184 / Orange / California 92863-1584 / (714) 560-OCTA (6282)
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Page 2
federal surface transportation authorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the
21st Century Act (MAP-21), signed into law in 2012, FTA’s 5310 Enhanced
Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program provides an
opportunity to provide both capital and operating grants to local agencies and
non-profit organizations. Eligible transportation projects and programs include
those that are carried out to meet the special mobility needs of seniors and
disabled individuals above and beyond what traditional, mandated public
transportation services can provide, as well as those that exceed the
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As in prior years, the Section 5310 program will be jointly administered by the
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the California Department
of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Division of Mass Transit. As the regional
transportation planning agency for Orange County, OCTA is responsible for
conducting a call for projects and allocating Section 5310 funds. Following
project selection by OCTA, Caltrans will continue in its role as the designated
recipient of FTA 5310 funds and will enter into grant agreements with FTA,
administer the subrecipient funding agreements, conduct procurements and
contracts, provide technical assistance, and undertake federal compliance
monitoring of grantees in Orange County throughout the federal useful life of
the grant-funded projects. In addition, Caltrans will provide the state’s
Transportation Development Credits, also known as toll revenue credits, in lieu
of local match requirements, resulting in projects that will be 100 percent
federally-funded through FTA Section 5310 Program funds. Toll revenue
credits are based on revenues generated by toll authorities within the state and
can be used as a substitute for the required non-federal share of a federallyfunded project.
On October 13, 2014, the OCTA Board of Directors (Board) approved the
funding priorities for the Section 5310 Program and directed staff to issue a
countywide call for projects. The approved funding priorities favored the award
of paratransit vehicles over operating assistance, which is in keeping with
MAP-21 and FTA guidelines. The amount of federal fiscal year (FFY) 2012-13
and FFY 2013-14 Section 5310 Program funds available for award to eligible
Orange County applicants is $3,819,668. A summary fact sheet of the
program, funding priorities, and timeline is presented in Attachment A.
Discussion
As directed by the OCTA Board on October 13, 2014, staff released a call for
projects on October 14, 2014, with over 700 notices distributed electronically or
by mail to potential applicants throughout Orange County. OCTA hosted two
applicant workshops to provide an opportunity to discuss program
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Page 3
requirements and prepare applications. The workshops held on October 27
and November 3, 2014, were well attended with over 100 participants.
Throughout the application development period, OCTA staff assisted
applicants and provided guidance to enhance the likelihood of grant funding.
On December 1, 2014, OCTA received grant applications from nine local
organizations. Collectively, the applications requested $1.93 million in grant
assistance for 11 paratransit vans, 14 buses and related equipment, as well as
two mobility management and four operating assistance projects. The
applications were reviewed by a regional evaluation committee comprised of
five representatives, which included the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, Special Needs Advisory Committee, and OCTA staff
from the departments of Community Transportation Services, Finance and
Administration, and Government Relations. The committee scored applications
based on Caltrans’ scoring criteria, and then met to review scores and discuss
variances.
The requests were scored and ranked based on the funding priorities adopted
by the OCTA Board to arrive at the recommended regional project list
presented for consideration in Attachment B. The regional project list
recommends the award of $1.65 million in Section 5310 funds to support 14
eligible candidate projects. Supporting information regarding the types of
vehicles and their standard seating capacities are also provided in
Attachment C. The recommended projects include those with a score of 60
points or above, which is in keeping with historic scoring thresholds of the
Section 5310 Grant Program and confirmed by the evaluation committee as the
minimum score needed for funding consideration.
OCTA coordinates and/or funds transportation services provided by several of
the recommended applicants through the following programs:
•
Senior Mobility Program: Participating cities and agencies receive funding
to support local senior transportation services. Section 5310 Program
applicants participating and/or providing transportation services under this
program include Abrazar, Jewish Federation and Family Services,
Vietnamese Community of Orange County, and the cities of Anaheim,
Santa Ana and Tustin.
•
OCTA Cooperative Agreements: OCTA has cooperative agreements to
subsidize alternative transportation services for trips that would otherwise
have been provided on ACCESS. Agencies receiving funding and/or
providing transportation services under this program include Abrazar and
Alzheimer Family Services.
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
•
Page 4
Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program (SNEMT): Under
Measure M2, the County of Orange receives funding to support the SNEMT
program. Abrazar is the service provider under this program.
These programs provide transportation alternatives which help alleviate
demand on ACCESS. An award of 5310 funding to these agencies will help
ensure that a variety of quality transportation services is available to special
needs communities in Orange County.
Next Steps
Upon Board approval, the regional project list will be transmitted to Caltrans for
for funding and grantee oversight. As part of the transmittal, OCTA is required
to include a Certification and Assurances (Attachment D) and Board resolution
(Attachment E). Both documents are general attestations that OCTA has
complied with program requirements.
Since approximately $2 million in Section 5310 Program funds remain to be
allocated, staff will begin preparations needed to conduct the next call for
projects in May 2015. This work will include continued coordination with
Caltrans to provide the additional time needed for local applicants to fully
develop project proposals. Staff will also explore the use of Section 5310
Program funds for projects and programs directly implemented by OCTA.
Summary
The Orange County Section 5310 Grant Program makes available capital and
operating grants to help meet the transportation needs of seniors and persons
with disabilities in Orange County. OCTA convened a regional evaluation
committee which scored and ranked applications received based on the
prescribed criteria. A recommended list of 14 candidate projects is presented
to the OCTA Board for funding consideration, along with the certification and
assurances and resolutions that are required by the grant program.
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Page 5
Attachments
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Orange County FTA Section 5310 Grant Program Fact Sheet and
Timeline
2014 Orange County Section 5310 Program Requests and Award
Recommendations
Available Vehicle Types FTA Section 5310 Grant Program
MPO/RTPA Section 5310 Certification and Assurances
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Orange County
Transportation Authority, Federal Transit Administration Section 5310
Regional Project List
Prepared by:
Approved by:
Ric Teano
Senior Grant Specialist,
Government Relations
(714) 560-5716
Lance M. Larson
Executive Director,
Government Relations
(714) 560-5908
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Attachment A
ATTACHMENT A
Orange County FTA 5310 Grant Program
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
PROGRAM FACT SHEET AND TIMELINE
Program Purpose
The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) new
Section 5310 Grant program is intended to
enhance mobility for seniors and persons with
disabilities by providing funds that support the
special needs of seniors beyond traditional public
transportation services and for those with
disabilities beyond that required by the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Funds Available
• Approximately $3.8 million in FY2013 and
FY2014 FTA Section 5310 funds are available
for this cycle.
• 100% federal funds upon FTA approval of
Caltrans’ Transportation Development Credits
(no local match required).
Eligible Applicants
• Private non-profit corporations.
• Public agencies where no private non-profits are
readily available to provide the proposed service
(a public hearing is required as documentation).
Eligible Activities
• At least 55% (minimum) of the funds awarded
must be used for “traditional” 5310 capital vehicle
projects beyond traditional public transportation
services.
• The remaining 45% (maximum) may be used for
“enhanced” 5310 projects formerly eligible under
the FTA Section 5317 New Freedom program,
which include operating transportation services
beyond that required by ADA, as well as mobility
management, and driver and travel training.
Funding Priorities (in order of priority)
• Paratransit vehicle replacement and related
equipment for existing vehicles that meet or
exceed their useful life
• New paratransit vehicles and related equipment
that support the expansion of existing service.
• Expansion of successful existing transportation
services that address the target population’s
transportation needs, which include expanding
existing mobility management, and driver and
travel training projects.
• New transportation services that address the
target population’s unmet transportation needs,
including new mobility management, and driver
and travel training projects.
Project Eligibility
• All projects must be supported by the Orange
County
Public
Transit-Human
Services
Transportation Coordination Plan.
• Applicants must have management oversight
and control over the operations of the service
and equipment.
Vehicle Eligibility
• Awarded vehicles must provide a minimum of
20 hours of service per week per vehicle or in
coordination with other agencies.
• Vehicles proposed for replacement must meet or
exceed its useful life and be in active service
during the applicant’s normal days and hours of
operation.
Service Eligibility
Applicants must be able to document that the
proposed service will serve additional persons or
trips, expand the service area or hours, and/or
increase the number or frequency of trips.
Program Requirements
Once approved by the FTA, successful
applicants will enter into a Standard Agreement
with Caltrans, which remains in effect throughout
the project’s useful life. Grantees are responsible
for the proper use, operating costs, and
maintenance of all project equipment, and must
be prepared to comply with all applicable state
and federal requirements.
Orange County FTA 5310 Grant Program
PROGRAM TIMELINE
October 14, 2014
Call for projects notifications released
Application and guidance documents available via OCTA website
October 27, 2014
OCTA 5310 Applicant Workshop
November 3, 2014
OCTA/Caltrans Joint 5310 Applicant Workshop
December 1, 2014
Applications due to OCTA
December 15, 2014
Evaluation committee scoring meeting
January 9. 2015
OCTA Transit Committee recommendation
January 12, 2015
OCTA Board approval
January 16, 2015
5310 Program of Projects due to SCAG for programming in FTIP
February 2, 2015
5310 Program of Projects due to Caltrans for funding and
administration
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Attachment B
ATTACHMENT B
2014 Orange County Section 5310 Program
Requests and Award Recommendations
Applicant
Request
Service Type
Qty
Abrazar
Medium Bus
Expansion
Vehicle
2
$67,000
$134,000
$134,000
95
Abrazar
Minivan
Expansion
Vehicle
7
$46,000
$322,000
$322,000
94
Abrazar
Small Bus
Expansion
Vehicle
6
$60,000
$360,000
$360,000
94
Aids Services Foundation
of Orange County
Minivan
Replacement
Vehicle
1
$46,000
$46,000
$46,000
85
Aids Services Foundation
of Orange County
Minivan
Expansion
Vehicle
1
$46,000
$46,000
$46,000
85
City of Anaheim
Large Bus
Replacement
Vehicle
3
$73,000
$219,000
$219,000
82
Alzheimers Family
Services
Mobility Management
Expand Existing
Service
n/a
$62,100
$62,100
$62,100
80
Jewish Federation
Mobility Management
Expand Existing
Service
n/a
$125,000
$125,000
$125,000
79
City of Santa Ana
Medium Bus CNG
Replacement
Vehicle
1
$93,000
$93,000
$93,000
78
City of Tustin
Large Bus
Replacement
Vehicle
1
$73,000
$73,000
$73,000
73
City of Santa Ana
Mobile Radio
Communication
n/a
6
$259
$1,554
$1,554
68
Vietnamese Community of
Minivan
Orange County
Expansion
Vehicle
2
$46,000
$92,000
$92,000
66
City of Tustin
Expansion
Vehicle
1
$73,000
$73,000
$73,000
63
Vietnamese Community of
Computer Hardware
Orange County
n/a
3
$977
$2,931
$2,931
61
Vietnamese Community of
Operating Assistance
Orange County
Expand Existing
Service
n/a
$113,532
$113,532
51
Vietnamese Community of
Mobility Management
Orange County
Expand Existing
Service
n/a
$47,041
$47,041
51
Expansion
Vehicle
1
$60,000
$60,000
46
Large Bus
Unit Cost
Requested
Recommended
Score
City of Fountain Valley
Small Bus
Alzheimers Family
Services
Operating Assistance Socialization
Expand Existing
Service
n/a
$51,875
$51,875
44
Alzheimers Family
Services
Operating Assistance Geographic Reach
New Service
n/a
$11,025
$11,025
44
Total
$1,933,058
$1,649,585
Recommended Awards By Applicant
Abrazar
$816,000
Aids Services Foundation
$92,000
Alzheimers Family Services
$62,100
City of Anaheim
$219,000
City of Santa Ana
$94,554
City of Tustin
$146,000
Jewish Federation
$125,000
Vietnamese Community
$94,931
Total Awards
$1,649,585
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Attachment C
ATTACHMENT C
Available Vehicle Types
FTA Section 5310 Grant Program
Available Vehicle Types
Minivan
Small Bus
Medium Bus
Medium Bus
Compressed Natural Gas
Large Bus
Large Bus
Compressed Natural Gas
Larger Bus
1
2
Standard Seating Capacity
5 Ambulatory Passengers; Ramp
(Wheelbase approx.121 inches)
8 Ambulatory Passengers; 2 Wheelchairs 1
(Wheelbase approx.138 inches)
12 Ambulatory Passengers; 2 Wheelchairs 1
(Wheelbase approx.158 inches)
12 Ambulatory Passengers; 2 Wheelchairs 1
(Wheelbase approx.158 inches)
16 Ambulatory Passengers; 2 Wheelchairs 1
(Wheelbase approx.176 inches)
16 Ambulatory Passengers; 2 Wheelchairs 1
(Wheelbase approx.176 inches)
20 Ambulatory Passengers; 2 Wheelchairs 1
(Wheelbase approx.190 inches)
Rear wheelchair lift floor plan
Costs are estimated and include accessibility equipment
Unit Cost 2
$46,000
$60,000
$67,000
$93,000
$73,000
$97,000
$105,000
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Attachment D
ATTACHMENT D
MPO/RTPA SECTION 5310
CERTIFICATION AND ASSURANCES
The
Orange County Transportation Authority
certifies and assures that the
requirements and conditions of 49 U.S.C. 5310 have been met by all applicants
recommended for funding.
The Orange County Transportation Authority certifies and assures that the Section
5310 applications recommended for funding will be included in the region’s public
participation process as required by Statewide and MPO Planning Regulations.
The Orange County Transportation Authority certifies by the attached resolution that
the projects recommended for funding are consistent with the local area’s Regional
Transportation Plan and Human Services Transportation Coordinated Plan. The
projects recommended for funding are located within an urbanized area and will
therefore be included in the Federal Transportation Improvement Program.
Certifying Representative:
Name: ________________
Signature:
Title: _________________________
Date:
_____
_____
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Section 5310 Grant Program Recommendations
Attachment E
ATTACHMENT E
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5310
REGIONAL PROJECT LIST
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program
makes funding available to private nonprofit corporations and public agencies under
certain circumstances, to provide transportation to meet the special needs of elderly
persons and persons with disabilities, for whom mass transportation is otherwise
unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate;
WHEREAS, the Orange County Transportation Authority is responsible for
preparing and adopting the Regional Transportation Plan and Public Transit - Human
Services Transportation Coordinated Plan.
WHEREAS, the Orange County Transportation Authority has assumed and
carried out the responsibilities of the Regional Transportation Planning Agency for the
FTA Section 5310 Program in Orange County;
WHEREAS, all applications submitted for the FTA Section 5310 Program were
reviewed and scored by the Regional Evaluation Committee;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Transportation
Authority certifies:
1. That the awarded projects are consistent with the Orange County Transportation
Authority’s Regional Transportation Plan, and Public Transit - Human Services
Transportation Coordinated Plan.
2. That the awarded projects will be programmed in the Federal Transportation
Improvement Program.
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this ____ day of ______________, 2015.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
______________________________
Laurena Wienert
Clerk of the Board
OCTA Resolution No. 2015-02
________________________________
Shawn Nelson, Chair
Orange County Transportation Authority