Minutes 03/25/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 25. 2008 Discussion: . The City of Portsmouth desires to have shuttle service in our downtown area. . Such service is normally provided by a Transit Agency. . The City of Portsmouth does not operate this kind of service for its citizens but contracts with HRT to provide the transit services. . Normally, when a city in the Commonwealth of Virginia receives a CMAQ grant involving Transit Service: o A letter of understanding is developed between the transit provider and the City as to the purpose of the grant and the use of the funds. o After the letter of understanding is developed, the City requests VDOT to transfer the CMAQ funds to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) so that the funds can then be made available to the transit agency (this process is referred to as "Flexing"; a process required by the State). o The transit agency is responsible for carrying out the purpose of the grant under the guidance of the City and in compliance with the letter of understanding. . The City of Portsmouth and HRT have developed the attached letter of understanding. Financial Impact: . The grant is a fully funded grant and does not require any city match funds. . By flexing the funds to HRT, Portsmouth does not have to develop a support organization to operate the shuttle, thus saving the City considerable funds otherwise necessary to develop an operating system for the shuttle. Staff Recommends: Adoption of the resolution. Vision Principle: Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Next Steps Following City Council Action: . Notify VDRPT, HRPDC, and HRT and of City Council's decision. . Continue to work with HRT to make the shuttle service a success. 1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, 363 Middle Street, spoke in support of this item. Motion by Ms. Psi mas, and seconded by Mr. Heretick, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $2,173,200 IN CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) GRANT FUNDS TO THE TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT COMMISSION OF HAMPTON ROADS FOR THE PURCHASE AND OPERATION OF TWO SHUTTLE BUSES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA FOR A THREE-YEAR PERIOD. WHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth, on October 10, 2006, accepted a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant in the amount of $2,173,200 from the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purchase of two buses and the operation of a shuttle service in the Downtown area for a period of three years; and WHEREAS, when a locality does not operate its own transit agency, the CMAQ grant permits the locality receiving the grant and an independent transit agency to arrive at an understanding as to the purpose of the grant and the use of the funds by the transit agency; and WHEREAS, the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, operating as Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) and the City have developed a letter outlining such an understanding; and WHEREAS, under said letter, HRT will be responsible for carrying out the purpose of the CMAQ grant under the City's guidance and in compliance with the letter of understanding.