REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Sean Crumby, Director of Public Works
Subject:
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Authorize the Public Works Director to request a two-year extension from the Orange County Transportation Authority for the City’s Project V Grant for the Huntington Beach Southeast Rideshare Pilot Program
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Statement of Issue:
In the spring of 2020, the City was awarded a Project V grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for the Huntington Beach Southeast Rideshare Pilot Program. Due to COVID-19, the program could not move forward as planned. OCTA is requesting that agencies make a formal extension request.
Financial Impact:
Matching funds for the first year of the grant program are included in current fiscal year budget in Air Quality Management District Fund (AQMD) account 20185301.69505. This funds will be carried over into next fiscal year.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Authorize the Public Works Director to request a two-year extension of the timeframe for the City’s Project V Grant for the Huntington Beach Southeast Rideshare Pilot Program.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not authorize the extension request. By not requesting an extension, the City would forego the awarded grant funds, if a formal request is not made.
Analysis:
On January 21, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-02 approving the submittal of an application to OCTA for funding under the Project V Community-Based Transit/Circulators Program. Under Measure M2, OCTA developed the Project V Community-Based Transit/Circulators Program, which established a competitive process to enable local jurisdictions to develop local transit services that complement regional transit services and meet needs in areas not adequately served by regional transit. Projects must meet specific criteria in order to compete for funding through this program. In addition, local jurisdictions are required to demonstrate the ability to provide matching funds.
The City proposed a two-year pilot program to provide residents reduced cost, fixed fee, shared rides to downtown Huntington Beach. This would connect riders to OCTA bus routes. Staff identified the southeast area of Huntington Beach as the pilot area to gauge the effectiveness of the program. This area was chosen due to the gaps in existing bus service, particularly from north to south with a 2.3-mile gap between routes 178 and 1. A segment of 35 (Brookhurst from Hamilton to PCH) and route 173 were recently eliminated. A map of the proposed service area, including current active bus routes, is attached.
The grant was awarded to the City in the early spring of 2020. The total two-year program cost is estimated at $1,007,800, with OCTA providing $806,240 in funding, and the City providing a 20% match of $201,560; the first year of which is currently budgeted in the AQMD fund.
The original proposed start date for the program was July 1, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was put on hold. Not surprisingly, many other agencies were forced to delay their respective projects/programs under Project V as well. Staff received communication from OCTA that if the City is unable to proceed with the program by June 30, 2021, a formal extension request needs to be submitted to OCTA. Due to the uncertainty that continues with the pandemic situation, staff is recommending that the City request a two-year extension to the timeframe of the grant.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Community Engagement
Attachment(s):
1. Pilot Program Area Map