AGENDA DATE: 1/15/2020
TITLE:
Title
Resolution of Support for Afton Express Transit Service Grant
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request the Board of Supervisors approve a Resolution of Support for a grant request to be submitted by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission to fund the Afton Express Transit Service
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, Benish, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Examining the feasibility for inter-regional transit service between the Staunton-Augusta County-Waynesboro area and the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area has occurred over the past four years. These planning efforts have been based on identification of the need for this service in multiple prior planning efforts. With the assistance of the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro and Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO’s, the local jurisdictions and the universities, a feasibility study exploring this concept was coordinated by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) and completed in 2017. This report was then provided to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) for their review and guidance on potential next steps.
Earlier this year, DRPT contracted with consultant Kimley-Horn to complete an additional study to confirm demand, to develop a detailed service plan and budget, and to identify potential funding sources. A stakeholder group representing multiple jurisdictions and the University of Virginia was assembled to work with the consultant on what is now referred to as the proposed “Afton Express” transit service. This stakeholder group provided the consultant with commute-related information regarding their workforce(s) and participated in two meetings related to the development of the Service Plan.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities
DISCUSSION: The proposed route includes two stops at the University of Virginia, two stops in downtown Charlottesville and a stop in Albemarle County, at Fifth Street Station. The DRPT requires that commitment from the local partners accompany the grant application which is due in early February 2020. This commitment indicates the intent to enter into an agreement with the other local funding partners and to provide the local match share each fiscal year of this initial term of service starting in FY2021. The University of Virginia through its University Transit Services has proposed committing a total three-year contribution of $69,655. The balance of the match, $34,878 would be split equally between the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County for a total of $17,437 each.
At this time, the CSPDC is requesting an expression of intent from the “East-Side” partners to continue to participate in service-related planning activities, to enter into an agreement with the local partners, and to provide a share of the local funding each fiscal year of this initial term. The attached Resolution demonstrates Albemarle County’s support and intent to partner on this project and provide its share of the local match to allow the CSPDC to proceed with the grant application.
BUDGET IMPACT: If the DRPT grant is approved for funding Albemarle County would be requested to provide its share of the local match totaling $17,437 over four fiscal years. The payment plan would be as follows: $770 in FY21, $5,443 in FY22, $5,547 in FY23, and $5,677 in FY24.
If the Board adopts the attached Resolution to support this grant, and the DRPT awards the grant to the CSPDC, staff will bring appropriation requests to the Board for approval in each of the four fiscal years as referenced above during the normal annual budget process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt the attached Resolution in support of the Afton Express Transit Grant.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Resolution of Support for Afton Express Transit Service Grant