SR 05-28-2019 3J
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 28, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.J
1 of 2
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward King, Director, Big Blue Bus, Finance & Administrative Services
Subject: Big Blue Bus Resolution for Low Carbon Transit Operations Program
(LCTOP)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution for the Low
Carbon Transit Operations Program, which was created to provide operating and capital
assistance for transit agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve
mobility.
Summary
Big Blue Bus is committed to providing a safe, sustainable transit option, operating a
100% clean energy fleet and exploring opportunities to electric vehicles in the near
future. The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) is one of several
programs that are part of the Transit, Affordable Housing, and Sustainable Communities
Program established by the California Legislature in 2014. Big Blue Bus is eligible for
$627,179 from the LCTOP program, which would be used to operate revenue service
hours, vehicle maintenance expenditures, and operating staff salaries. To receive
funding through LCTOP, a City Council resolution must be submitted, which authorizes
the City Manager to execute the required documents for funding.
Discussion
California State Senate Bill 862 (2014) established the ongoing LCTOP as a formulaic
program instead of a state-level competitive program. The LCTOP uses the existing
State Transit Assistance (STA) fund formula to distribute $75 million statewide. The
STA formula divides the money into two pools – a population share and a revenue
share. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) receives all of
the population share, while the revenue share is divided among the Los Angeles County
Municipal Operators and Metro. The California Department of T ransportation (Caltrans)
2 of 2
is responsible for ensuring that the statutory requirements of the program are met in
terms of eligibility, greenhouse gas reduction, disadvantaged community benefit, and
other requirements of law.
The LCTOP guidelines describe the process that transit agency recipients must follow
to qualify and receive a share of the fund. The intent of the program is to provide
operating and capital assistance for transit agencies to reduce greenhouse gas
emission and improve mobility for the California public with a priority placed on serving
disadvantaged communities. LCTOP is an ongoing funding source for Big Blue Bus.
To qualify for funding, a resolution, certification and assurances, a project description,
and allocation request form must be submitted. The resolution would authorize the City
Manager to execute the required documents for funding.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
4/17/17 (Attachment B) Adopt Resolution for Low Carbon Transit Operations
Program (LCTOP)
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
As stated above, Big Blue Bus is eligible for $627,179 from the LCTOP program. There
is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of this specific
recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required
in the future.
Prepared By: Enny Chung, Sr. Admin Analyst - Grants
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Adopt Resolution for Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) - Web
Link
B. BBB - Reso - Low Carbon Transit Operations Grant - 05.28.2019
1
City Council Meeting: May 28, 2019 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO APPLY FOR LOW CARBON TRANSIT OPERATIONS PROGRAM (LCTOP)
PROJECT FUNDS – FIXED ROUTE BUS TRANSIT OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $627,179; AND TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS THERETO
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus is an eligible project sponsor
and may receive state funding from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program
("LCTOP") for transit projects; and
WHEREAS, the statutes related to state-funded transit projects require a local or
regional implementing agency to abide by various regulations; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 862 (2014) named the Department of Transportation
("Department") as the administrative agency for the LCTOP; and
WHEREAS, the Department has developed guidelines for the purpose of
administering and distributing LCTOP funds to eligible project sponsors (local agencies);
and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica seeks LCTOP funds for the Big Blue Bus
Fixed Route Bus Transit Operations.
2
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City, as the fund recipient, agrees to comply with all conditions
and requirements set forth in the Certification and Assurances document and applicable
statues, regulations and guidelines for all LCTOP funded transit projects .
SECTION 2. The City Manager is authorized to submit the followin g project
nomination and allocation request to the California Department of Transportation in FY
2018-19 LCTOP funds:
Project Name: Enhanced Fixed Route Bus Transit Operations
Amount of LCTOP Funds requested: $627,179
Project Description: Big Blue Bus service changes in part of the Los
Angeles County Metro’s Expo Light Rail Line. As part of the integration
plan, BBB increased its service hours by adding and/or expanding routes
to the system to route; 16. The LCTOP funds will be used to operate the
new routes and/or expanded fixed route service.
SECTION 3.The City Manager is authorized to execute all required documents of
the LCTOP program and any amendments thereto with the California Department of
Transportation.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
Lane Dilg
City Attorney
REFERENCE:
Resolution No. 11171
(CCS)