Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution expresses support for Metro Transit's Section 5339b and 5339c Low or No Emission discretionary grant applications to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding would support bus facility improvements at 1 S Ingersoll Street and the satellite facility on Hanson Road and support electric 60’ articulated buses, equipment, and charging infrastructure for the electrification of select routes. A separate resolution accepting the grant award will be submitted at a later date should the City be awarded the grant funding from the FTA.
Title
Supporting Madison Metro's Section 5339b and 5339c Low or No Emission Grant Applications to Federal Transit Administration for facility solar projects, chargers, and electric 60’ articulated buses.
Body
WHEREAS, the Madison Metro Transit Facility Study, completed March 9, 2018, recommended a six-phase strategy with over $55 million in renovations at 1 S Ingersoll Street, and
WHEREAS, the roofs on Metro’s facilities are at the end of their useful life and need to be replaced in order to reduce operating costs and create necessary foundation for expansion of the City’s solar panel project, and;
WHEREAS, Climate Forward Madison initiative & 100% RENEWABLE Madison commits to 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2030, and;
WHEREAS, the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board’s “2050 Regional Transportation Plan” identifies bus storage and maintenance facility as one of the “most immediate capital needs.” Goal 5 of the plan is: "Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Transportation System; Ensure that the transportation system is designed, built, operated, and maintained in a way that protects and preserves the natural environment and historic and cultural resources, and is supportive of energy conservation". The plan states that a new “Aging infrastructure needs to be maintained and updated which will be required to accommodate future high-capacity transit, new all-day service, and regional routes.” Recommendation 6 of the plan urges, “Renovate and remodel the existing Metro maintenance/bus storage facility and address maintenance issues.”, and:
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration has competitive funding programs, Section 5339b for Buses and Bus Facilities and Section 5339c Low or No Emission, of which the renovations at Metro’s maintenance facility located at 1 S Ingersoll Street and satellite facility on Hanson Road and electric 60’ articulated buses, equipment and charging infrastructure would qualify for a federal grant under both of these program, and;
WHEREAS, the Section 5339 program requires a commitment for a local funding match with the application, and that such commitment would make Metro’s application for such grants more competitive, and;
WHEREAS, the Madison Common Council has taken similar action (RES-19-00471, RES-20-00282 and RES-21-00771) to amend and adjust the city budget to demonstrate the City’s commitment to providing local match for a federal grant to fund transit supportive investments, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison’s 2023 Six Year Capital Improvement Plan includes city funding for Metro Facilities Repairs and Improvement, Transit Coaches, Satellite Facility and Transit System Upgrades in the amount of $26,487,000 for 2023-2028, of which this grant submittal supports and helps implement.
WHEREAS, a separate resolution will be introduced to accept the Section 5339 discretionary grant funding if Metro Transit is awarded it.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that if the Federal Transit Administration awarded the City of Madison a grant of up to $30.8 million for roof replacement at Metro’s maintenance facilities, solar power installations, electric articulated buses and related equipment, the City of Madison would provide the match funds required, up to $7.7 million.