City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 21, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: TARRENCE MOORER, INTERIM DIRECTOR, T&ES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the FY 2023 Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No) and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Should the City seek grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to advance electrification of the DASH bus fleet and associated infrastructure?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the attached resolution supporting the grant applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT);
(2) Commit to include funds for its local match of $5.8 million, if awarded, in its Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Program Budget;
(3) Approve the submission of up to $38 million in Federal funding to the Low-No and Buses and Bus Facilities grant programs by April 13, 2023; and
(4) Authorize the City Manager to apply for the Low-No and Buses and Bus Facilities grants and enter into any necessary agreements with FTA and DASH to accept this funding.
BACKGROUND: In 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) to fund infrastructure improvement programs. In 2023, the FTA announced $1.22 billion and $469 million respectively for the Low or No Emissions (Low-No) and Buses and Bus Facilities competitive discretionary grant programs. In FY 2022, the City applied for the first round of funding and was not selected for an award.
The Low-No Program aims to support the transition of the transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy-efficient transit vehicles. The Bus and Bus Facilities Program assists in financing buses and bus facility capital projects....
Click here for full text