Stimulus Information:
Proposal for Transit Capital Investment Economic Stimulus Grant
Resource:
Keith Parker, CATS, 704-336-3855, kparker@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, (ARRA) 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The Act includes $1.5 billion of discretionary grant funds to be awarded on a competitive basis. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) will utilize selection criteria which bases award on surface transportation projects that have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. Each recipient may receive an amount up to $300 million.
On April 22, 2009 the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) passed a resolution directing CATS to apply for funding under this program for the North Corridor Commuter Rail Project. On May 13, 2009 MTC Chair Pat McCrory and CATS CEO Keith Parker sent the attached letter to Governor Perdue advising her of the MTC's recommendation.
It is our understanding that application for discretionary grants funding must be submitted by September 15, 2009 and grants will be announced by the USDOT by February 17, 2010.
Information Items:
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Resource:
Keith Parker, CATS, 704-336-3855, kparker@ci.chalrotte.nc.us
At its meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 the MTC had one action item and one information item on the agenda:
House Bill 148: Congestion Relief/ Intermodal Transportation 21st Century Fund
MTC members unanimously passed a resolution (attached) to request that the State Delegation include Mecklenburg County to House Bill 148, Congestion Relief/ Intermodal Transport Fund, to provide Mecklenburg County with the authority to levy an additional one-half cent Sales and Use Tax for transit, pending voter approval at a future time.
Rapid Transit Line Color
The MTC deferred making name changes to the Blue Line Extension (BLE) until after the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) decision to approve the BLE to enter Final Design. The MTC will move on changing the name of the North Corridor commuter rail line from the Purple Line to the Red Line at a future meeting. MTC members also directed staff to develop a policy for future name changes.
CEO Report: Under the Director's report, Mr. Parker discussed the following:
a. Monthly Budget Update: The monthly budget update is attached.
b. Triennial Review: The FTA conducted its 2009 Triennial Review of CATS May 20-22. The Triennial Review (conducted every three years) is the FTA's comprehensive examination of transit systems' policies, procedures and operations to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Of the 23 areas reviewed, only two require additional work by CATS staff. Of these two areas, one of the findings is due to new requirements, which was noted by FTA in their draft report, while the other is a due to the opening of the LYNX Blue Line.
The two outstanding findings are:
1. Maintenance: CATS must submit a comprehensive Facilities Maintenance Plan which addresses the maintenance activities associated with the light rail system.
2. Title VI: Develop and submit CATS methodology to analyze the Title VI impacts of future fare and major service changes and a written assurance that the requirement will be followed in the future. (Need to submit policy for what constitutes a major service change). This is the "new" requirement.
CATS will respond, with corrective actions, within 60-90 days.
Bus Wrapping
Olaf Kinard reported that the interested vendor did not submit a written proposal to pursue bus advertising.
North Carolina Public Transit Association
The Bus Operations and the Special Transit Services won overall awards during the annual ROADEO conference in Wilmington.
Federal Transportation Administration Meeting
On May 18, Keith met with Dr. Yvette Taylor, regional administrator for FTA, to discuss possibly increasing the Federal share of the Blue Line Extension.
