Referred to: The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairwoman Sperry and Legislators Clinton, Corcoran, Hewitt, Litts, Stewart and Walls), The Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation Committee (Chair Nolan and Legislators Donaldson, Kovacs, Litts, and McCollough), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairwoman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, Megan Sperry, and Deputy Chair Herbert Litts, III offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the Executive on behalf of the Department of Planning and Ulster County Area Transit; and

WHEREAS, emerging service models supported by new technology allows for greater flexibility to complete short trips and provide first-mile, last-mile solutions to meet transit needs through flexible, on-demand transit service in places with high transit need (microtransit); and

WHEREAS, Ulster County recognizes that utilization of innovative transit models coupled with fixed routes service can better meet the transit needs of Ulster County including its disadvantaged communities; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) seeking proposals from applicants to develop and operate on-demand transit as part of an Innovative Transit Mobility Pilot Program for which Ulster County, as a designated recipient of transit funding, is eligible to apply; and  

WHEREAS, projects are eligible for a maximum of $3 million for capital and/or operating expenses over the 5-year period with all capital expenditures occurring in the first three years for which no matching funds are required, and an additional maximum of $5 million for capital expenses only, under the federal Carbon Reduction Program funds that are also being made available under this NOFA; now, therefor be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Executive or designee is hereby authorized to submit an application, as well as all necessary understandings, assurances, and additional information as may be required, to the NYSDOT to develop and operate an innovative transit mobility service consistent with the funding levels, purposes, and other criteria as provided for in the NOFA; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of the application shall be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature upon submittal,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                  NOES:    

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on ______________.

Passed Committee: Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation on ______________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$8,000,000.00– (UP TO) ADDITIONAL STATE REVENUE DOLLARS – NYSDOT