Agenda 06-18-19 Item 6-d - Amendment to the Orange County Transit Plan to Increase Funding for the Chapel Hill Transit North South Bus Rapid Transit (NSBRT) Project

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the SWG approved recommending to the governing bodies of the Interlocal Agreement for the Orange County Transit Plan (Orange County, GoTriangle Board and DCHC MPO Board) approval of the request to dedicate $1 million in FY20, $1.5 million in FY21, $1.5 million in FY22, and $4 million in FY23. The Town of Chapel Hill will also be seeking offsetting project funds through the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Strategic Prioritization Process (SPOT 6.0). The proposed Transit Plan amendment stipulates that any outside funds received for the project will be applied to reduce the financial obligations contained in the Amended Orange County Transit Plan, up to $8 million. SPOT 6.0 awards are expected to be announced in November 2019. The funding request is considered a material change to the Transit Plan which requires approval by the governing bodies. The SWG recommendation and funding request will be considered by the governing boards on the following schedule: • Orange County Board of County Commissioners – June 18, 2019 • GoTriangle Board – June 26, 2019 • DCHC MPO Board – August 14, 2019 If approved by the governing bodies, this amendment would allow the Town to submit a rating request to FTA by September 1, 2019. A delay in the schedule would mean that 2020 would be the earliest a rating request for the project would be considered by FTA. The project website is www.nsbrt.org. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The adopted Orange County Transit Plan currently allocates $6.1M to the North South BRT project. The proposed amendment (Attachment 1) would dedicate an additional $8M to the project in fiscal years FY2020 through FY2023. Sufficient dedicated transit revenues are available to fund this addition. The lowest Transit Plan fund balance during this scheduled draw down of dedicated transit revenues would occur in FY2022 when the balance is estimated to be $929,500 under current assumptions. If outside funding is secured by the Town of Chapel Hill for this project, the financial obligations of the Transit Plan will be relieved, up to $8 million. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. Public Transportation provides opportunity for access to jobs and services to many individuals. 2