Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Parks and Recreation Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20210811-001) to accept and appropriate $155,482 in grant funds from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to provide funding for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Project.
De
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $155,482 is available from Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. A City funding match is not required. A fiscal note is attached.
Prior Council Action:
February 15, 2018 - Council approved Resolution No. 20180215-021, which approved acceptance of grant funds for this project for Fiscal Year 2018 on a 10-0 vote with Council Member Casar off the dais.
For More Information:
Lucas Massie, Assistant Director, 512-974-6772; David Crabb, Manager, Community Recreation Division, 512-974-6759; Nan Dowling, Records Analyst, 512-974-6716.
Additional Backup Information:
The Federal Transit Administration Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Section 5310 Program provides funding to serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services.
In Fiscal Year 2018, $49,368 was received in grant funds from this program. However, the previous grant agreement required a 50% City match. No match is required in the current grant.
Funds will be used to supplement the operating budget of the Senior Transportation Program, which has been providing rides to this population for over three decades. The program provides transportation to pre-qualified individuals with the goal of enhancing quality of life and promoting independence for persons 60 years or older residing in the Austin city limits. Three types of transportation are offered: 1) Regular Routes/Lunch Program is a free service that provides reliable service from the patron’s door to the nearest congregate meal lunch locations and back home again; 2) Reserve-a-Ride is a door-to-door service to and from the requested destination within the Austin city limits for a fee of $6 roundtrip; and 3) Group Travel (at least seven riders) is offered to destinations within the Austin city limits for $6 roundtrip per rider.
The proposed grant will provide partial funding for the program for the period November 8, 2021 through September 30, 2023 and will allow the Senior Transportation Program to hire three additional part-time drivers and one part-time dispatcher to address the increasing demand. Additionally, grant funding will augment the current operational budget, which will allow more seniors to have access to these transportation services. Two new congregate meal sites have been added (Asian American Resource Center and Turner Roberts Recreation Center) and increased service at one existing site (Dove Springs Recreation Center) has increased from three to five days per week, requiring increased transportation services for seniors taking advantage of these programs. By increasing the number of routes, the Senior Transportation Program will be able to provide an additional 252 rides per week. Council action regarding the grant funding will allow the department to increase transportation access in areas of the city that have been underserved, allowing for greater access and equity to City senior programs.
The General Fund will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently budgeted to this grant. When the grant funds expire, the Parks and Recreation Department’s need for continuing funding will be evaluated and may be denied.
Strategic Outcome(s)
Strategic Outcome(s):
Economic Opportunity and Affordability, Mobility, Safety, Health and Environment, Culture and Lifelong Learning, Government that Works for All.