Capital District June 14, 2013
Transportation
Committee
REGIONAL
TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE
DRAFT RECORD OF MEETING
DATE/TIME: April 30, 2013, 1:30 pm – 3:30
pm
ATTENDANCE: Margo
Mahoski, Catholic Charities Senior Services Schenectady, , Bill Garrison, Center for Disability
Services, Mary Ellen Casey Usis, CDTA, Michelle Abel, Catholic Charities of the
Diocese of Albany Wheels & Ways to Work, Darci Carter, NYS OTDA, Tom
Vaughan, NYSDOT, Xiaoye Sue, NYSDOT, Rocco Ferraro, CDRPC, Ross Farrell, CDTA,
Ed Wolk, CDTA, Rosemary Nichols, Watervliet Green Island Transit Co., Regina Jean
Warner, Watervliet Green Island Transit Co.,
Pamela Gatto, Schenectady ARC, Tim Farrell, Albany County DSS, Nelson
Ronsvalle, Town of Halfmoon, Kelly Mateja, Colonie Senior Services Centers, Anne
Benware, CDTC
DISCUSSION
SUMMARY:
1. Review
of JARC Proposals and Evaluation Committee Recommendation.
The
RTCC reviewed the materials previously distributed by CDTC staff on the results
of the JARC Evaluation Committee recommendation. The evaluation committee reviewed the
proposals and reached consensus that each meets the needs, gaps and barriers
identified in the coordinated plan and eligibility requirements and goals of the
JARC program and recommended funding the 3 project proposals as follows:
o
CDTA
Enhanced Mobility Late Night/Weekend Service
(Federal
funds = $238,156/Local Match = $238,156 )
o
CDTA
Mobility Management
(Federal
funds = $35,825/Local Match = $ 8,956)
o
Catholic
Charities Wheels and Ways to Work
(Federal
funds = $60,000/Local Match = $75,000)
A motion was made to accept the results of the Evaluation
Committee review and to recommend CDTC’s
Planning Committee fund the three proposed JARC projects. The motion was approved.
2. Update
Ideas for the 2011 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation
Plan
CDTC
staff distributed a handout on DRAFT ideas and outline for the update to the
current Coordinated Plan adopted in 2011 to start the discussion on how the
update should proceed especially in light of the 2010 Census data and recent
changes to federal transportation legislation via MAP 21. Anne asked the group to consider
participating in a subcommittee to help steer the update work. Margo, Bill and Michelle said they’d be interested. It was pointed out that military veteran’s
transportation issues are becoming more critical and will be a needed part of
the update.
3.
RTCC Activities
New Freedom Program — Status of
2009 Projects
Watervliet
Project – Mary Ellen re-iterated that funding ended December 31, 2013 and that
other
options (potential use of a van?) were
being explored between CDTA and the City of Watervliet.
Accessible
Taxis – Mary Ellen also reported that Albany now had their accessible taxis and
that needed working to change the City
of Albany charter to allow the taxis as dual purpose vehicles has been worked
through. The next step is City Council
approval of the needed change which looks promising. Saratoga has two accessible taxis, and Troy
and Schenectady each have one.
Regarding
the Watervliet Project, Rosemary noted there was an understanding that the City
agreed to continue the service for six months for a three days a week shortened
service span. She asked if that conforms
to the original contract under the New Freedom funding. CDTA indicated they would look into the issue
and report back. Other RTCC members
asked if there were other potentially available fund sources to continue the
service. The City of Watervliet would have to pursue.
2012/13
New Freedom Allocation/Solicitation Results
Anne handed out a short write up
regarding the results of the solicitation and the review process and
timeline. It was noted proposals were
due April 19th , leaving insufficient time
to convene a meeting of the evaluation committee ahead of this RTCC meeting.
The sole proposal was submitted
by the Center for Disability Services in collaboration with Catholic Charities
Senior Services in Schenectady and Senior Services of Albany. The project entails 2 components:
·
Regional
Driver Training Center to be located in a redeveloped building/site at its
current Transportation Services facility at 700 South Pearl Street.
·
Development
of standard driver training curricula and training practices for use at the
Center for Disability Services, Catholic Charities Senior Services in
Schenectady and Senior Services of Albany, and potentially others in the
future.
The evaluation committee review
process and subsequent RTCC and CDTC Planning Committee review and
recommendation process for New Freedom will follow the same process followed
for the JARC proposals. It is expected
that the RTCC will consider their recommendation to the Planning Committee for
the New Freedom proposal at the June meeting.
There was a question as to whether the proposed project is eligible for
New Freedom funds. CDTA will reach out
to FTA to get a determination on eligibility.
CDTC staff initial review indicates the proposal is consistent with the
Coordinated Plan.
4.
NYSDOT
a. United We Ride (Albany County)
- Tom noted that the remaining $25,000 will most likely have to be lapsed
back to FTA.
b. Section
5310 Program
Recent grant awards update - Tom reported grant awards will
be announced very soon; it’s expected contracts and
award letters will accompany the announcement. Some residual funds were left
from SAFETEA-LU; consequently there may be a small solicitation in the fall of
2013.
MAP
21 requirements NYSDOT/NYS MPOs statewide approach
Tom
reminded the group of the changes MAP 21 is requiring for the Enhanced 5310
program. (Note: The 5310 program now includes
New Freedom-type projects and New Freedom was eliminated as a standalone program.
MAP 21 also includes regional allocations
for 5310 eligible projects in areas with over $200,000 in population such as
the four county CDTC region. In addition a decision must be made at the
MPO level on the assignment of the Designated Recipient (e.g. administrator) of
the program whereas under SAFETEA-LU NYSDOT administered the program statewide
with no regional allocations; grants were based on a statewide competition.)
NYSDOT
has heard informally from most MPOs and Transit Agencies and is hosting a conference
call with those entities to further discuss the pros/cons of different options
including having NYSDOT be the Designated Recipient for the Enhanced 5310
program. If NYSDOT is the designated
recipient there would be one solicitation process and package, and each
MPO/region’s allocations would go to that region; projects selected would be
based on the priorities of the regional coordinated plan. The CDTC area’s allocation is still to be
determined but NYSDOT estimates and amount of approximately $800,000 for Federal
Fiscal Year (FFY) 2013/14 based on FTA’s six month appropriation table; this
amount could change.
Tom
stated that each MPO has to have a discussion on priorities for the enhanced
5310 program as soon as possible so that the next solicitation round isn’t
delayed. This round is anticipated for late fall of 2013. NYSDOT may decide to do a solicitation for
two years worth of funds. The
solicitation could be combined with the residual FFY 2012/SAFETEALU 5310 funds
(for vehicles only).
As has
been discussed informally with the RTCC previously, the process to assign
Designated Recipient status for the CDTC area will be as follows: the RTCC will
be asked to consider the question of designating NYSDOT as the recipient (CDTA/CDTC
staff recommendation is that NYSDOT should be the DR based on the
administrative and oversight requirements that are placed on the DR and the
fact that NYSDOT has handled this for the 5310 vehicles in the past and has
vast experience) and then recommend an action to the Planning Committee; CDTC’s
Planning Committee will then consider the RTCC recommendation and the CDTA/CDTC
staff recommendation and then take an action to forward its recommendation to
the CDTC Policy Board who will have the ultimate decision. That decision is then forwarded to the State
and the Governor then acts to name the Designated Recipient.
Tom
informed the group that NYS is looking to implement a uniform grants management
system which will be web-based. This
web-based system could be in place for the next 5310 solicitation.
Consequently
Tom asked that the group set out priorities for enhanced 5310 program as soon
as possible. The group agreed to have a
special meeting to discuss this issue on Thursday, May 16th at 9 am
at CDTC. Items to be discussed will be the results of the 2011 Human Service
Agency Survey as those relate to current and future vehicle needs. In addition priorities amongst capital only
projects, operating projects and mobility management type projects will be
discussed. Considerations for this
discussion include the current OGS contract that expires in 2014. A
question was asked regarding whether adherence to the OGS “Adult Bus Contract”
was required under MAP 21 for 5310? The answer was that previous 5310 vehicle
grant purchases were required to adhere to this contract but perhaps this could
be loosened depending on the number of MPOs/current DRs (i.e. transit agencies)
participating with NYSDOT as the Designated Recipient (DR).
Following
this issue specific special meeting, the RTCC will consider the DR designation
at its June 18th meeting.
5.
CDTA
a. CST
Activities – CDTA staff indicated once the paperwork is processed at the state
level the vouchers should be available to Albany County within 2 to 4 weeks.
b. JARC
Activities – the mobility enhancement rollout using pre-FY 2012 JARC funds is
expected to rollout in August 2013 pending FTA approval.
6.
Other - News Around
the Table
There
was discussion on the issue of upcoming changes to Medicare/long term care and related
transportation implications; RTCC members’ agencies will need to monitor. Veteran’s transportation needs continue to be
at the forefront. Michelle reported on a recent Albany Devils hockey game at
which WWW/Catholic Charities, in partnership with others, gave away 3 cars to
area veterans families in need. She
noted that Progressive Insurance is working with them and is looking to give
veterans cars this summer; if anyone knows of a veterans family in need who
could support owning a car please contact her.
WWW is also taking car donations.
Margo
reported that after twenty years of collaboration, Catholic Charities of
Schenectady and the ARC will not be working together to service vehicles due to
budgetary issues. Catholic Charities
will be working to find another partner.
Pam
noted that Schenectady ARC didn’t apply for New Freedom funds due to budget
issues.
Darci
reported that the 2013 NYS budget included $112,000 in CST funds. The plan for
the funds is still in the works.
Proposals from the last solicitation have been reviewed and evaluation
recommendations have been made; the Commissioner will likely approve those soon
and the notices will go out.
7. Adjournment Next Meeting – Proposed for June 18th @ 1:30 pm