Capital District                                                                                                              October 4, 2013

Transportation Committee       

 

 

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE

DRAFT RECORD OF MEETING

 

DATE/TIME: September 24, 2013, 1:30 pm

 

ATTENDANCE: Mike Barry, Center for Disability Services, Darci Carter, OTDA, Ed Wolk, CDTA, Michelle Abel, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany Wheels & Ways to Work, Tom Vaughan, NYSDOT, Rocco Ferraro, CDRPC, Margo Mahoski, Catholic Charities Senior Services Schenectady,  Anne Benware, CDTC

 

1.      Welcome/Introductions and Review of draft meeting notes from June 2013 RTCC meeting 

 

There were no comments or changes to the notes.  It was suggested that future meeting notices include a request for RSVPs.

 

2.      Update: NYSDOT Designated Recipient for 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program under MAP 21

 

A copy of the CDTC Policy Board resolution signed September 5th, selecting NYSDOT as the Designated Recipient under the FTA 5310 program was distributed.  Tom indicated the next step is for the Governor to write to FTA formally requesting the designation.  Other Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) around the state are on track to complete this step as required by MAP 21

3.      5310 draft solicitation discussion

 

Anne distributed a 2 page handout summarizing: a) previous RTCC comments on a draft 5310 solicitation to be carried out by NYSDOT and b) CDTC staff review of a draft application NYSDOT had provided to the NYS MPO Transit Working group for input. 

 

Anne briefly recapped the issue: NYSDOT is currently developing the 5310 solicitation and updating the Statewide Management Plan and wants to structure the 5310 project solicitation to meet regional needs and to be consistent with MPOs Coordinated plans.  Tom noted that once things are set NYSDOT plans on conducting a series of webinars in November potentially targeted to three different groups (state agencies, planning agencies/coordination committees, and operators). It was pointed out that under MAP 21 federal transportation legislation the reconfigured 5310 program requires that within a region, 55% of the regional allocation must be spent on capital projects that are considered “traditional” 5310 projects (i.e. capital, public transportation projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable) and up to 45% can be spent on any other eligible purpose, including capital and operating expenses, and New-Freedom-type projects (i.e. public transportation projects: that exceed the ADA minimum requirements, improve access to fixed route service and decrease reliance by individuals with disabilities on ADA complementary paratransit service, or provide alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation). 

 

The group was asked: for the potential “up to” 45% for non-traditional 5310 projects, how do we envision prioritizing those? Tom also restated the concern that if entities propose operating type projects, those requests could eat up the limited funding very quickly. Tom noted that eligible participants under the required minimum 55% “traditional” type projects are the traditional non-profits.  

There are several issues that the RTCC was asked to provide input on. Since there was low attendance at the RTCC meeting it was decided that the entire RTCC should be polled on these issues with responses due by October 18th:

a)     Number of years for next 5310 solicitation:  It was noted that there was no grant solicitation in 2013. Discussion centered on whether 1 or 2 years’ worth of funding (FFY 2013 and 2014) should be used to solicit for projects in the upcoming solicitation planned for November or December 2013.  Human service agencies, especially the smaller entities, could have difficulty providing match for two years’ worth of requested vehicles/other projects; larger agencies with bigger budgets could probably handle a 2 year solicitation.  

Tom pointed out that because NYSDOT is the Designated Recipient for the majority of MPOs/regions around the state, if other MPOs prefer a two year solicitation and the Capital Region prefers a one year solicitation, it would be very difficult for NYSDOT to conduct a one year solicitation just for our region.  Anne noted that this was an issue that the statewide NYSMPO association Transit Working Group should discuss and will follow up with that group asap.

Tom clarified that for a two year solicitation, two years of funds would be available; for a 1 year solicitation, only 2013 funds would be available.  One idea to address this issue might be to conduct a two year solicitation but to stagger the awarding of funds over two years.   

The group present at the meeting indicated preference for a solicitation for one year’s worth of funds.  To assist in this discussion Tom offered to find out the timing of the next solicitation (i.e. November or December 2013) and when a subsequent solicitation could happen as this somewhat depends on the state’s grants gateway system. Tom is concerned that we need to catch up; the last solicitation was back in the summer of 2012 and agencies need to replace/add vehicles.

b)     Maximum percentage for non-traditional 5310 projects: It was noted that at a minimum, 55% of funds must be spent on capital for “traditional” 5310 projects which in our region have typically been comprised of vehicles for human service agencies.  It was also noted that the local match for capital projects is 20% while for operating projects the match is 50%.  There was a suggestion that we likely won’t get many “non-traditional” non-capital projects due to the higher match requirements related to operating projects or project elements.  The thinking expressed was that because of this we could limit the upcoming solicitation to “traditional” 5310 projects for the full 100% of the regional allocation.  Others pointed out that as a region in the recent past we have used New Freedom program funds to support some successful projects that now fall under the category of “non-traditional” 5310 eligible projects under that program.  These recent projects have been beneficial to the region, resulting in coordination among various agencies.

Tom suggested we could say that 85% of regional allocation of 5310 funds is to be spent on vehicles which would exceed the required 55% minimum which must be spent on ‘traditional” 5310 projects.  It was noted that with the upcoming federal Managed Care law, there may be a whole new set of small entities seeking funds for vehicles to service medical trips. 

The group acknowledged that the challenge for the upcoming solicitation is determining a way to prioritize selection of any proposed “non-traditional” 5310 projects which can include both capital and operating components.  It was noted one way to approach this would be to require “non-traditional” type project proposals to include a high level of inter-agency coordination.

The group present at the meeting would like to see the next 5310 solicitation include an option allowing entities to propose “non-traditional” 5310 projects.  The 5310 application should include demonstration of a commitment to coordination.

4.      Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan update effort and New Visions 2040 Task Forces and schedule

 

Anne distributed two handouts related to the Coordinated Plan update and the upcoming New Visions 2040 Plan update process and schedule.  The Capital Region Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) was first adopted in 2007 and updated in 2011.  The coordinated plan is required to be updated every four years.  CDTC will be updating its long range regional transportation plan (New Visions 2040) by December 2015.  The time frame for the coordinated plan update is intended to coincide with that for the long range regional transportation plan.  The Regional Transportation Coordination Committee will assist CDTC staff in developing the draft Coordinated Plan.

 

The group briefly reviewed the RTCC Draft Outline document that was an update of the handout previously distributed and discussed.  Two issues were raised:

 

a) now that the JARC (Job Access Reverse Commute (old 5316)) program was eliminated in MAP 21 (JARC type projects are now eligible under the 5307 program – Urbanized Area Formula Program, of which CDTA is the Designated Recipient) the question was asked whether the Coordinated Plan needs to include analysis, assessment of service gaps, etc. related to low income individuals.  Why not limit the collection of census and other data and the assessment and identification of gaps, barriers and strategies to the region’s seniors and disabled individuals?

 

b) the proposed timing of the Coordinated Plan update to coincide with the New Visions 2040 update schedule which won’t be complete until 2015.  With respect to timing, FTA may adopt regulations requiring projects funded under the 5310 program to be listed in the Coordinated Plan.  This would be a change from the previous requirement in which projects were to be derived from strategies found in the plan, not specifically listed themselves.  This change would require that the Plan be updated sooner.  

 

Anne will develop a draft Coordinated Plan Update work plan and schedule to address FTA’s requirements and these two issues and distribute to the group.  The draft schedule will include proposed meeting dates for the subgroup of the RTCC interested in assisting with development of the draft plan. Draft plan components will be reviewed and approved by the full RTCC at quarterly meetings prior to any submittals to CDTC’s Planning Committee.

 

5.      RTCC Activities

 

Ed reported that the eight Accessible Taxis for the region are in service and have been providing a mix of wheelchair accessible rides and general purpose rides. Additional marketing is being undertaken for the two accessible taxis providing service in Saratoga. 

 

Ed also reported that CDTA has been working with Catholic Charities/Wheels and Ways to Work on the required FTA paperwork to assist with start up of their JARC grant.  The project is on track to start October 1, 2013.

 

The Center for Disability Services New Freedom funded driver training curriculum and center is getting off the ground paperwork wise.  The required paperwork should be in place next month.

 

6.      News Around the Table  – none

 

7.      Adjournment and Next Meeting – Anne will propose meeting dates for the next two meetings via email coordinated with meetings related to the New Visions update subcommittee schedule as appropriate.