Title
Authorization of Federal Transit Administration Grants (Ordinance S-43294)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to: (1) enter into agreements with the FTA for the purpose of accepting awarded grants; and (2) enter into an agreement with Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (VMR) receiving the FTA grant funds as pass through from the City of Phoenix. Further authorize the City Controller to receive and disburse grant funds in accordance with the terms of the aforementioned grants and agreements.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix is the designated recipient of FTA grant funds for the Phoenix-Mesa Urbanized Area. As such, the City of Phoenix submits FTA grant applications on behalf of all local governments and agencies in the region.
VMR was allocated federal funds of $1,251,000 from FTA's Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration Program through a competitive selection process. This demonstration program is funded by FTA Section 5312 Public Transportation Innovation Program funds and provides a venue through which integrated MOD concepts and solutions - supported through local partnerships - are demonstrated in real-world settings. FTA seeks to fund project teams to innovate, explore partnerships, develop new business models, integrate transit and MOD solutions, and investigate new, enabling technical capabilities such as integrated payment systems, decision support, and incentives for traveler choices. This project will provide a pilot program of additional features for Valley Metro's existing mobile application, Ridekick.
Financial Impact
FTA Section 5312 funds of $1,251,000 will be received and passed through to VMR. Required matching funds are committed from the regional Public Transportation Fund. VMR is designated as the sub-recipient of the funds as it will administer the project. There is no financial impact to the City of Phoenix.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.