InterCity Bus Assistance Program Grant Application THE CITY OF 411WA Dubuque*****
DUBB E All erica City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2012
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: InterCity Bus Assistance Program Grant Application
DATE: July 30, 2012
Director of Transit Operations Barbara Morck recommends City Council approval to
submit an application to the Iowa Department of Transportation Office of Public Transit
for an InterCity Bus Assistance Program grant to help with the build-out of the intercity
bus portion of the Intermodal Center/Terminal. If awarded, the grant would be used
towards the construction of the ticketing/office area for the intercity bus carriers
(Burlington-Trailways Company and Lamers, currently located at 400 Rhomberg) as
well as a portion of the passenger waiting area.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
/7AAh kt1&1
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Barbara Morck, Director of Transit Operations
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Barbara Morck, Director of Transit Operations
CC: David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Kelley Deutmeyer, Executive Director of ECIA
SUBJECT: InterCity Bus Assistance Program Grant Application
DATE: July 27, 2012
Dubuque
All- America City
hill!
2007
BACKGROUND
In 2008 the intercity bus service, then provided by the Burlington - Trailways Company,
was given notice that their lease at 253 West 1st Street would not be renewed, and
eventually relocated to 400 Rhomberg. In effort to facilitate and support their continued
service to Dubuque, it was agreed that over the next five (5) years (effective May 2009)
a portion of their rent would be paid for by The Jule: $800 per month /$9,600.
In mid -2011 Lamers began providing daily intercity service between Dubuque and
Madison, WI, and shares ticketing and waiting space at the 400 Rhomberg location.
DISCUSSION
Burlington - Trailways has been serving the City of Dubuque for many years, providing
daily service between Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Chicago, IL. The
intercity bus station currently lies in a residential neighborhood, is served by only one of
five of The Jule's fixed routes, and is 18 blocks away from the downtown core. The
building that currently houses the intercity bus station is aged and the waiting area small
and barely adequate, especially since the arrival of new intercity bus service by Lamers.
The station has very limited short -term parking and no on- property overnight parking for
patrons.
In 2011 the City received noticed that it had been awarded an $8,000,000 State of Good
Repairs (SGR) grant for the final design and construction of the Intermodal Center. The
Intermodal Center will serve as a hub for transportation services in the city of Dubuque.
These services include but are not limited to public transit (The Jule), passenger rail
(Amtrak), charter service coaches, taxi service, bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and
intercity bus service as currently provided by Burlington - Trailways and Lamers.
Including a ticketing and waiting area for patrons of intercity bus service is a natural fit to
the Intermodal Center's terminal building, and as such has been included in the design
plans.
The Office of Public Transit (OPT), which is under the Iowa Department of
Transportation (IA DOT), suggested that The Jule apply for InterCity Bus Assistance
grant funding to help with the build -out of the intercity bus portion of the Intermodal
Center /Terminal. If awarded, the grant would be used towards the construction of the
ticketing /office area of the intercity bus carriers as well as a portion of the passenger
waiting area (depending on overall cost).
RECOMMENDATION /ACTION STEP
I recommend that the City Council approve the application to the InterCity Bus
Assistance Program for a grant of $260,000 (at 100% funding), to be used for the build -
out of the intercity bus ticketing office(s) in the Intermodal Center. I have included the
Authorizing Resolution needing signature.
Form 020120
12 -Oltvd
f-A Iowa Department of Transportation
Authorizing Resolution
We, hereby, authorize Barbara Morck, Director of Transit Operations
(Name of Authorized Signatory)
on behalf of City of Dubuque d.b.a. The Jule
(Legal Name of Applicant)
to apply for financial assistance as noted below and to enter into related contract(s) with the Iowa
Department of Transportation.
From federal funds for transit in non - urbanized areas, Intercity Bus Assistance Program:
$ 260,000.00
We understand acceptance of federal transit assistance involves an agreement to comply with certain
labor protection provisions.
We certify that City of Dubuque d.b.a. The Jule has sufficient non - federal
(Legal Name of Applicant)
funds to provide required local match for capital projects and at time of delivery will have the funds to
operate and maintain vehicles and equipment purchased under this project.
We request that State Transit Assistance formula funding be advanced as allowed by law, to improve
transit system cash flow.
Adopted the 6th day ofAugu , 2012 .
Name: City Co it of Dub ue, Iowa
(Applicant's governing body)
By: (Signature of chief executive officer)
Title: Mayor U
Address: 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Telephone: 563 -589 -4121
Iowa Department oflransportation
Iowa Intercity Bus Assistance Program
Background
On Sep. 14, 1999, the Iowa Transportation Commission adopted the Transit System Plan. The
Transit System Plan includes a multifaceted program to:
• Provide support for the existing intercity bus routes that tie Iowa to the rest of the country
• Provide assistance for new feeder routes that will give smaller communities not served by
the existing routes access to stops along those routes
• Increase public awareness of the intercity connections that are available through a targeted
intercity bus marketing program
• Help providers to upgrade equipment and facilities, including adding accessibility features
required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
The Iowa Intercity Bus Assistance Program described herein addresses these elements within
the context of the federal program guidance. The definition of intercity bus service used shall be
that established by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the federal program which is,
"regularly scheduled bus service for the general public, which operates with limited stops
over fixed routes, connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity, which has
the capacity of transporting passengers and their baggage, and which makes meaningful
connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points through the
national network of routes."
Charter and tour bus services are specifically excluded. Commuter services (which primarily
provide work trips within a local or regional laborshed) are included only if they meet the
requirement to make meaningful connections to the intercity bus network. Connections to
scheduled intercity rail or air passenger services, where available, are strongly encouraged as a
supplement to intercity bus connections, but cannot be substituted for them. Each route must
include service to population centers outside of urbanized areas (those with populations more
than 50,000).
Who can apply?
The Iowa Intercity Bus Assistance Program is open to:
• Private intercity bus companies
• Firms wishing to start intercity bus service
• Public transit agencies either operating or proposing to operate intercity bus services or
terminals
• Local communities wishing to support intercity bus connections to their community
Joint public and private applications are encouraged. If identical proposals are received from
public and private providers, the private sector proposals shall generally be considered more
favorably.
What types of projects are eligible?
Proposed projects must directly support the provision of intercity bus services in Iowa. Eligible
routes must serve Iowa intercity bus terminals connected to the nationwide intercity bus network
and include stops in nonurbanized areas. The following funding categories have been
established for the Iowa Intercity Bus Program. These categories are listed in priority order.
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Intercity Bus Assistance 8/1/2012
Priority 1: Provide a base level of funding support to preserve the existing intrastate
system
• Funding will be approximately 20 cents per revenue mile based primarily on preventive
maintenance and insurance costs
• Funding will be allocated based on existing miles of Iowa intercity service
• To qualify for these funds, carriers must provide quarterly reports noting the number of Iowa
passenger trips by route, miles of revenue service, and total cost per revenue mile
• Eligible carriers must serve Iowa intercity bus terminals connected to the nationwide intercity
bus network
Priority 2: Provide support for the development of new connector /feeder service
• Funding assistance shall be up to 50 cents per mile based primarily on preventative
maintenance and insurance costs. Funding for new routes that duplicate existing route shall
be limited to 50 cents per mile
• New service projects are eligible for funding for three years
• To qualify for these funds, carriers must provide quarterly reports noting:
o The number of Iowa passenger trips by route
o Miles of revenue service
o Total cost per revenue mile
• Eligible carriers must serve Iowa intercity bus terminals connected to the nationwide intercity
bus network
• New intercity bus service must be ADA accessible and each route must include service to
nonurban population centers
Priority 3: Provide funding assistance for route specific marketing projects
• Marketing of new services will have the highest priority for this category of funding
• Marketing of new routes will be funded at 80 percent federal and 20 percent nonfederal, with
a federal cap of $12,000 per route
• New marketing of existing service will be funded at 80 percent federal and 20 percent
nonfederal, with a federal cap of $7,500 per carrier
• Joint project development between cities, intercity carrier terminal managers, and operators
is encouraged
• The funding will be limited to external nonlabor costs only
• Applicants should include a system wide overview of their current marketing efforts
• Applicants with unused marketing funds may have their marketing funding requests reduced
or eliminated unless proper justification is provided. Justification should include reasons why
funding is unspent plus a plan that assures the balance and any additional funding will be
spent in a timely mariner
Priority 4: Provide support for vehicle and bus terminal improvements
• Vehicles required to support new services for Iowa will have the highest priority for funding,
terminal improvements will have the next highest priority
• Terminal improvements shall require commitments to continue service for a period of years
• All improvements must meet ADA accessibility standards
How are funds to be matched?
The nonfederal share of projects is to come from resources other than passenger revenues
from intercity bus services. This can include advertising or parcel revenues, interest income,
state or local public funds, etc.
How are funds paid out?
All project funds are paid on a cost reimbursement basis. Costs and funding sources must be
documented for work performed before payment can be requested. Mileage -based projects
21Page Intercity Bus Assistance 8/1/2012
shall require documentation of service mileage and cost per mile for preventive maintenance
(per FTA definition), insurance or other specifics as noted in the project. Assuming all
documentation is present and correct with a payment request, payment generally is mailed
within 10 days to two weeks.
How long can projects last?
A solicitation for project applications shall be conducted annually. Projects for operation of Iowa
intercity bus service shall generally cover a one -year period. Projects for capital improvements
shall require that funds be obligated within one year, but will allow a reasonable period for
project implementation thereafter, based on the nature of the project
How does an interested party apply?
Applications containing project proposals may be submitted to the Iowa Department of
Transportation's (DOT) Office of Public Transit no later than Oct. 1, each funding year.
Proposals must include a detailed description of the applicant's project(s), including a break out
of costs and revenue sources with rationale for inclusion of each cost and the basis of cost
proration for each, if applicable. Proposed projects, other than those supporting existing Iowa
intercity bus services, must present the project's justification based on needs and benefits to
Iowa citizens.
How are projects selected?
Iowa DOT staff will review all applications and proposals. Project costs will be reviewed in
relation to anticipated benefits to Iowa citizens. Those proposals considered to have unusually
high costs versus benefits may be dropped. Proposals may also be restructured in a
collaborative effort between Iowa DOT staff and the applicant to develop a proposal that exhibits
a cost benefit relationship that is more reasonable.
Flexibility in the allocation of grant funding
An attempt will be made to fund all eligible projects within each category, should funding in one
or more categories prove insufficient. Consideration will be given to moving unused funding
from other categories proportionate to the initial allocations to the under - funded categories. If
additional funding is not available, or, based on the nature of the applications, is not felt to be
appropriate, available funding within the category will be prorated among projects. Within the
service support and vehicle /equipment purchase categories proration of available funds shall be
based on relative intercity mileage in Iowa. Within the station /stop improvement category and
generic marketing category, efforts will be made to prorate funds based on relative readiness to
proceed.
What other requirements are there?
Providers of intercity bus service must hold proper interstate or intrastate operating authority.
Recipients will also have to comply with various federal requirements based on receiving federal
transit funding. These include:
• Federal Transit Alcohol and Drug testing provisions, which vary somewhat from those of the
Federal Highway Administration
• Federal transit procurement standards (for project- related procurement)
• Independent audit requirements
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise regulations
• Labor protection certifications
• Environmental protection regulations
• Construction projects must adhere to Davis -Bacon wage rates
Projects for purchase /refurbishment of vehicles /equipment or improvement of stations /stops
shall involve provisions assuring continued use in Iowa intercity bus service over the useful life
of the improvement.
31Page
Intercity Bus Assistance 8/1/2012
6'j
Iowa Department of itansportatlon
Iowa Intercity Bus Assistance Program Project Proposal
Provide the following information on a separate page for each project
Legal name of applicant:
Contact person Barbara Morck
Title Director of Transit Operations
Address 2401 Central Avenue Phone (563) 589 -4341
Dubuque, IA 52001
Brief description of the applicant's involvement in intercity bus service:
Dubuque is currently served by two (2) intercity bus lines: Burlington - Trailways
and Lamers. Burlington - Trailways operates daily service between Dubuque, Cedar
Rapids, Des Moines and Chicago, IL (and points between). Lamers began operating
daily service between Dubuque and Madison, WI in 2011.
In 2008 the intercity bus service, then provided by the Burlington - Trailways
Company, was given notice that their lease at 253 West 1st Street would not be
renewed. They were eventually relocated to 400 Rhomberg. As part of the move and in
order to facilitate and support their continued serve to Dubuque the City of Dubuque
d.b.a. The Jule agreed to pay a portion of the rent at their new location: $800 per
month /$9,600 per year for five (5) years effective May 2009.
Brief description of the proposed project:
In FFY 2011 The Jule was awarded a State of Good Repairs grant to fund the
construction of an Intermodal Center. Dubuque has a large transit - dependent population
that needs access to transportation between Dubuque, Chicago, Cedar Rapids and Des
Moines. The building that currently houses the intercity bus service is aged and has
limited short -term parking and no overnight parking for their patrons. Including the
ticketing and waiting area for patrons of intercity bus service is a natural fit to the
Intermodal Center Terminal building, and as such has been included in the design
plans. Construction of the Intermodal Center is currently anticipated to start by /before
the end of 2012.
This grant application addresses Priority 4, by providing funding that will be used in the
construction /build -out of the intercity bus services portion of Dubuque's Intermodal
Center. Build -out would include (e.g.) ticketing and information offices, a business
office, luggage and package storage area, as well as shared spaces such as a
passenger waiting area, public and employee restrooms, mechanical and janitor
spaces, etc.
Funding request is based on the estimated cost per square foot (done by Newmann -
Monson as part of schematic design work). Funding of the areas that would be
constructed in whole or in part with this grant is based on projected proportional use by
41Page
Intercity Bus Assistance 8/1/2012
passengers of public transit verses intercity bus services (see Attachment A). Projected
is based on FY 2011 passenger counts, as is the percentage of use of the shared
spaces (e.g. public restrooms, passenger waiting areas, maintenance /IT, etc.). FY 2011
passenger counts for The Jule include fixed route and paratransit service (393,758 total)
and Burlington - Trailways' record of boardings and de- boarding in Dubuque, Iowa (8,525
total). Funding request also includes cost for office equipment (e.g. freight scale) at
$4,004 and office furnishing (e.g. desks, chairs, file cabinets) at $5,300.
Total project cost $11,940,299.00 Federal funds requested $254,295.13
Funds will be matched by City of Dubuque funding sources (transit levy and /or general
bonds).
Show calculation /allocation of costs to project on attached pages. Include any other supporting
materials, as appropriate. (List any complaints alleging discrimination in service delivery filed
within the past year, together with a statement of status or outcome of each such complaint or
earlier, and a list of any lawsuits which might impact ability to implement public transit services,
together with a statement of status or outcome of each such lawsuit or earlier lawsuits.)
See attached documents.
(Signature of authorized representative of applicant)
Barbara Morck
(Printed name)
Director of Transit Operations
(Title)
August 6, 2012
(Date)
51Page
Intercity Bus Assistance 8/1/2012
Elevator Machine Room
Family RR
Janitor
nterCity Bus Indoor Space
Total passengers for FY 2011 (FX and MB) 393,758
Total passengers for Burlington- Trailways 8,525
Percentage of use 2.17%
Unit Cost Total
InterCity Bus Area(s) SQ. FT. Per Sq. Ft. Cost
Ground Level
Vestibule 7
Concourse 48
Corridor 16
Intercity Bus 1 96
ntercity Bus 2 96
Storage 54
Office 538
Electrical 2
T 2
Womens RR (staff)
Mens RR (staff)
Mechanical
Corridor
Elevator Machine Room
Family RR
Janitor
Mens RR
Womens RR
2
2
11
14
1
2
1
6
6
905 �'l 5 $248,995.13
ntermodal Campus Indoor Space
SQ FT Unit Cost
Ground Level
Vestibule 338
Concourse 2200
Corridor 749
Transactions 250
Pass Sales /Info 433
Storage 54
ntercity Bus 1
Intercity Bus 2
Storage
Office 538
Electrical 91
T 98
Womens RR (staff) 91
Mens RR (staff) 91
Mechanical 529
Corridor 656
96
96
54
Mens RR
Womens RR
Second Level
orridor
orridor
Subtotal
68
85
59
277
277
Cos
7130 $275 $ 1,960,750 00
Meeting Room
Break Room
Open Office
Office
Office
Office
Womens
Mens
Mechanical
Storage
Corridor
Corridor
292
1102
975
238
586
188
Subtotal
Parkin Component Spaces
116
188
232
232
1381
94
289
81
4751 $275 $ 1,306,52500
Parking Stalls (524) 175,000 $501 $ 8,750,00000
Cashier Area- Equipment and Gates 1 $205,0001 $ 205,00000
Covered Walkway 4180 $160 $ 668,80000
Bicycle Storage 21 $1,500 $ 31,50000
stair and elevator tower 2 $90,000 $ 180,00000
Subtotal 179,204 $ 9,835,300 00
R I P a P
+orr, +y G3 „c c +anrP
!Grand Total 191,085 $297,260 $ 13,102,57500
8/1/2012