Agenda - 03-07-2023; 8-f - Resolution Authorizing Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) as a Direct Recipient for Federal Transit Administration 5307 Grants

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 7, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 8-f SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) as a Direct Recipient for Federal Transit Administration 5307 Grants DEPARTMENT: Orange County Transportation Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Authorizing Resolution Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Director, 2. Opinion of Legal Counsel 919-245-2007 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution authorizing Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) to file applications with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to become a direct recipient of 5307 Grants. BACKGROUND: OCTS is currently coordinating with the FTA to become a direct recipient of 5307 urbanized formula grants within the Burlington and Durham Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). OCTS is currently a sub-recipient through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) who administers and oversees the County's use of the funds. By becoming a direct recipient, OCTS will be responsible for grant compliance and reporting requirements attached to the funds. Each decennial census, a greater portion of OCTS service area is encompassed by both the MPOs. In order for the County and department to retain its current level of 5307 grant funding and possibly be eligible for more in the future, OCTS must position itself to become a direct recipient. OCTS is eligible for projects it plans to undertake within MPOs as approved in the 2022 Transit Plan and upcoming Short Range Transit Plan. Authorizing Resolution and Legal Counsel: FTA requires an authorizing resolution (Attachment 1) approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Opinion of Legal Counsel (Attachment 2) in order for OCTS to act on the County's behalf. Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Action: The OUTBoard met on Monday, February 20, 2023 and unanimously recommended approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT: FTA 5307 grants are formula based and allocated according to MPO Board approved formulas. Orange County receives 4% (estimated $130,000/annually) of Burlington- Graham MPO's allocation and 2.8% (estimated $270,000/annually) of Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro MPO's allocation. The County is obligated to provide 20% of the local match in order to receive the allocation. The County's percentage of MPO allocation increases as its transit service and population in the urbanized area increases, outside the Chapel Hill Transit service area.