All Stats Finalized, NF Projects Approved, JARC/IBC Going to Commission, More FTA Circulars for Comments
All Year-end Stats Were Finalized by the Deadline Last Friday
It took a lot of scrambling, both here in the Office of Public Transit and out at many of your shops, but everyone got to the point of having their stats finalized by the deadline this year, so we will be able to provide FY2008 funding projections for STA, based on DOT’s official projections for use-tax receipts, at the IPTA meeting next week. We will also have tentative numbers for 5310 and 5311 allocations, based on the “guaranteed” authorizations in SAFETEA-LU. (Note that last year Congress did appropriate the guaranteed numbers, but then turned around and passed a ¾% across-the-board reduction so that we actually got slightly less than the SAFETEA-LU numbers would have provided.) Since Congress went on recess last week with just another continuing resolution through December 8th, this is the best we can do, and we’ll get an update out once there is an appropriation and apportionment from FTA.
These figures are being provided to help you in doing your planning and budgeting for FY08. As in previous years, each transit system’s percentages of these various funding programs will not decrease from the figures to be presented, unless information comes to light which requires a change to that systems own statistics that results in a lower formula allocation. On the other hand, there is always a slight possibility that your system’s share might increase if someone’s is adjusted based on new information.
Commission Approves First Year of New Freedom Projects
At their November 14th meeting, the Iowa Transportation Commission approved the recommended program of projects utilizing FFY06 New Freedom funding. (See attached spreadsheet below.)
Unfortunately FTA has not yet allowed us to submit the grant application in their electronic grants system, know as TEAM. Because the New Freedom program is subject to the Department of Labor reviews, it is possible that grant approval may take up to 60 days from whenever we are allowed to submit the application. With the action by the Commission, these New Freedom projects are covered by FTA’s blanket advanced authority to incur costs, but it may be advisable to hold off on project implementation until the FTA grant award is made. OPT staff reviewed all of the projects and concluded that they should be eligible based on the interim New Freedom guidance published last March and which FTA announced October 31st is still applicable, but with this being a brand new program, we would hate to see anyone get burned in FTA comes up with different opinions on eligibility.
We will keep you updated as to the progress of the statewide application.
Intercity Bus Program to Go to Commission in December
We received applications from two private intercity carriers and three transit systems for calendar year 2007 Intercity Bus assistance projects. All projects are being recommended for approval by the Iowa Transportation Commission at their December 12th meeting.
Mid-year JARC Projects to Go to Commission
Our solicitation for mid-year applications under the Job Access / Reverse Commute program resulted in applications from one transit system in the 50,000-200,000 population grouping and two regional systems that fall under the rural grouping. All projects are being recommended for approval by the Commission at the December meeting.
More FTA Materials Out for Comment
FTA currently has new guidance for the Clean Fuels program; reflecting changes made by SAFETEA-LU, out for public comment through December 15th. These can be accessed at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-17071.pdf.
Also out for comment at this time is an new FTA Circular providing guidance on Safety and Security Management. The comment period closes December 11th. The Federal Register Notice can be accessed at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16684.pdf and the draft circular itself can be found at http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf98/416609_web.pdf.
Attachment for 12-12-06 ICB CO.xls