AGENDA TITLE:
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Adopt a Resolution of the Lodi City Council Authorizing City Manager to Execute Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Forms for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for the Following Project: Free Student Fares ($139,157) (PW)
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MEETING DATE:
May 7, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Public Works Director
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution of the Lodi City Council Authorizing City Manager to Execute Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Forms for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for the Following Project: Free Student Fares ($139,157).
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) is one of several State funding programs that are part of the Transit, Affordable Housing, and Sustainable Communities Program established by the California Legislature in 2014. The LCTOP was created to provide operating and capital funding for transit agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve mobility, with a priority on serving designated Disadvantaged Communities.
The LCTOP is administered by California Department of Transportation in coordination with California Air Resources Board and the State Controller’s Office. Funds are distributed based on prior use of State Transit Assistance funds with 50 percent to the regional agencies, in our case, San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG), and the other 50 percent to local transit operators. For the Fiscal Year 2023/24 LCTOP funding cycle, the City is eligible to receive $15,763in a direct allocation as a transit operator. In addition, SJCOG’s regional allocation of $2,045,568 will be allocated among transit providers, with Lodi receiving $123,394. This provides the City with a total LCTOP allocation of $139,157.
The Transit Division plans to apply for this years’ allocation to continue the highly successful Free Student Fare program. This program provides public transit bus rides to K-12 students, allowing them to ride, free of charge, the Lodi GrapeLine's five (5) weekday regular routes, three (3) weekday express routes, and four (4) weekend routes. For students and their families, the program represents an economically affordable, safe, and reliable transportation option. The Lodi Free Student Fare Program initially began in August 2019, utilizing the LCTOP Fiscal Year 2018/19, Fiscal Year 2019/20, Fiscal Year 2021/22, and Fiscal Year 2022/23 allocation. It is presently being maintained using the LCTOP Fiscal Year 2023/24 allocation. As of April 2025, 332,680 total student rides have been provided through the program. Based on current ridership projections, this allocation will extend the program through June 2027.
In order to complete the allocation process and receive LCTOP funds, the City is required to submit several supporting documents, which are required to be approved by the City Council:
1. An “Authorized Agent” form to designate the City Manager, and/or designee, as signatory on any documents associated with obtaining and managing LCTOP funds.
2. The “Certification and Assurances,” which contain general conditions of the LCTOP program as well as some additional cost principles and record retention requirements that are standard for other State-funded projects.
3. Project Allocation form acknowledging Lodi as the Lead Agency and SJCOG as the Contributing Sponsor of LCTOP funds.
4. A Resolution adopted by Council approving all of the submittals on behalf of the LCTOP program.
STRATEGIC VISION:
1D. Downtown: Accessibility for multi-modal transportation and public safety.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$139,157in LCTOP funds will be additional revenue to offset operations. There is no matching requirement and there is no impact to the General Fund. All interest accrued for these funds must also be applied to the project.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not Applicable
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Charles E. Swimley
Public Works Director
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Christina Jaromay
Acting City Manager