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2023 (Section 5310) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Project Selection
Crystal Odum, MPO Staff
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Each year, the Raleigh Urbanized Area (UZA) is apportioned formula grant funding by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program. Section 5310 funds are available for capital and operating expenses that support the provision of enhanced transportation services to meet the specific needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities outlined in the region’s coordinated public transit and human services transportation plan. The City of Raleigh, the federally recognized designated recipient of Section 5310 funding for the Raleigh/Cary UZA, developed and CAMPO adopted a program management plan in June 2015 that lays out the policies and procedures for project selection, funding distribution and administration of projects supported by the funding.
In accordance with the 2020 updated program management plan that was adopted by the RTA and endorsed by the CAMPO Executive Board on September 16, 2020, the City of Raleigh administered a call for eligible projects February 27th, 2023 to March 24, 2023 soliciting applications for projects for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025 that would make use of the Raleigh UZA’s Section 5310 funding. To assist potential applicants with the application process, understanding project eligibility and program expectations, a virtual application workshop was held March 7, 2023, and a recorded Power Point presentation/webinar was made available on GoRaleigh’s website beginning March 10, 2023-March 24, 2023. A total of $2.3 million dollars is available to be awarded for eligible projects for the period of performance. This amount includes $2 million from FY 2022 and 2023 allocations and additional funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act - $114,609 and from the American Rescue Plan - $114,611.
In response to the Call for projects, a total of six (6) applications were received from various agencies. (Center for Volunteer Caregiving, Community and Senior Service of Johnston County, GoTriangle, GoWake, Pearl Transit Corporation and CAMPO.) A project selection committee comprised of representatives from TJCOG, DCHC MPO, NC DOT - Intermodal Mobility Division (IMD), the Town of Morrisville, the Town of Clayton, Harnett County/Harnett Area Rural Transit Services and consultants Planning Communities met on April 13th to review the applications and make a recommendation on which projects should be awarded funding based on selection criteria outlined in the adopted program management plan.
All six projects were recommended; and all but GoWake at the full requested amount. GoWake was the lowest scoring federally-funded transportation agency and made a sizable request. The adjustment to their request is consistent with past recommendations when total funding requests exceeded available funds. COVID relief funds have been distributed to eligible projects which adjusted local match requirements and slightly increased the total federal funding amount provided to those applicants. Those receiving COVID relief funds will benefit from having a reduced match total / greater federal. All projects except for GoTriangle and GoWake benefit from this funding.
The project selection committee’s recommended program of projects is provided as Attachment B for this agenda item.
A thirty (30) day public comment period is scheduled from May 22, 2023 to June 21, 2023 advising of the 5310 Section Recommended Program of Projects for the two year period beginning October 1, 2023. A Public Hearing will be held at the June 21, 2023 CAMPO Executive Board meeting.
Requested Action: Action Recommend the approval of the 2023 Section 5310 Selection Committee’s Program of Projects as attached.