Title
Request Retroactive Authorization to Apply for and Accept FTA COVID-19 Research-Demonstration Program Grant Funds and Enter into Grant Agreement (Ordinance S-47176)
Description
Request retroactive authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Public Transit Department to apply for a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to purchase and install bus operator safety shields, as well as enter into an agreement with the FTA to accept the grant. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. The grant is anticipated for an amount not to exceed $2,043,242.
Report
Summary
In response to the potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, earlier this year the Public Transit Department requested, and received, approval to move forward with a Request for Proposals for the manufacture and installation of bus operator safety shields on the City’s fleet of 483 heavy-duty transit buses at the April 23, 2020 Policy Session. On Aug. 26, 2020 the City Council approved a contract with Complete Coach Works (CCW). Bus operator safety shields will provide a physical barrier between the bus operator and passengers, providing a barrier against physical harm and protection from viruses potentially transmitted via water droplets associated with passengers coughing or sneezing.
With the FTA announcement of the Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program in October 2020, the Public Transit Department seeks aid in funding of the CCW contract. The request for retroactive authorization to apply for the grant is due to the short application timeline. The COVID-19 Research-Demonstration Grant application deadline was Nov. 2, 2020.
Financial Impact
The grant application requests a federal amount of $2,043,242, with the Phoenix match portion to be $510,811. The local match is encouraged by the FTA to make the application more competitive in the grant evaluation and award process. If awarded, the federal grant will offset federal CARES funding currently allocated for this project.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- The City Council approved Bus Operator Protective Barriers Agreement 152951 (Ordinance S-46879) on Aug. 26, 2020.
- The Citizens Transportation Commission recommended this item for approval on Nov. 19, 2020, by a vote of 10-0.
- The Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee recommended this item for approval on Dec. 2, 2020, by a vote of 4-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.