Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize State Transit Grant Applications and Appropriation of Funds - Authorization to submit two (2) grant applications to the California Department of Transportation to fund the Regional Transit Green Line Call Center in the amount of $215,000 and Travel Training in the amount of $110,000 for the total amount of $325,000, and appropriate the funds if awarded and received. Section 5310 (Resolution No. 2025-62 required)
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Deadline for Action: 8/18/2025
Submitting Department: Administration - Transit Division
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Carmen Quevedo, Financial Analyst, Carmen.Quevedo@Visalia.Gov, (559)713-4592
Angelina Baker, Transit Manager, Angelina.Baker@Visalia.Gov, (559)713-4591
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@Visalia.Gov, (559)713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to submit two (2) grant applications to the California Department of Transportation to fund the Regional Transit Green Line Call Center in the amount of $215,000 and Travel Training in the amount of $110,000 for the total amount of $325,000, and if awarded, accept and appropriate the grant funds. Section 5310 Resolution No. 2025-62 required.
Summary: The overall purpose of the City of Visalia’s transit program is to increase mobility opportunities for all citizens of the greater Visalia Urbanized Area (UZA), aid in improving air quality in the region, and reduce traffic congestion. The transit programs provide a level of intracity service that meets the needs of the transit dependent in Visalia and provides service to and from important destination points, which encourages transit use as a viable commute alternative.
Visalia Transit serves Visalia, Goshen, Farmersville, Exeter and the Tulare City transit center. There are thirteen (13) fixed standard transit routes, an ADA demand response service, a special youth center route, V-LINE, Visalia Connect microtransit, and five (5) seasonal routes to and within the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
If awarded, the grant funds will be used to continue operating the Green Line Call Center and Travel Training programs. Currently there are two (2) full-time staff members dedicated to the call center and one (1) full-time staff member dedicated to the Travel Training program. Public outreach throughout Tulare County has been provided and will continue to be provided to increase awareness and maximize the use of the Green Line Call Center.
These are one-year grants that can be used over multiple years. Transit staff is proposing to submit two (2) applications to the same granting agency, which is allowed and has been done in previous applications. While historically there has not been a need for a local match since there were Transportation Development Credits, also known as Toll Credits, this cycle does require a twenty percent (20%) local match which will come from Local Transportation Funds (LTF). Further, staff anticipates these grants to not fully cover the expenses and the balance will come from other Transit Operational revenue.
Background Discussion:
Programs:
The Call Center and Travel Training programs will continue to provide increased access to transit information to the general public with specific focus on added time to assist the elderly and disabled bus riders. Both programs are utilized to assist passengers both on the phone via information and in-person for bus rider training. Since inception, there have been an increasing number of calls requesting information about multiple transit services. The intent of these programs is to be a one stop shop for countywide transit questions.
The Green Line Call Center is designed to provide information Countywide regarding all transit systems and how to use them, including how to use multiple systems to reach a destination. The Travel Training program provides outreach in Tulare County for citizens to learn about Transit services. Visalia Transit staff go out into the community to educate citizens about Visalia Transit services and will show them how to use the Public Transportation system.
Prior Year Grant Utilization:
The City of Visalia has been successful in receiving funding for the Green Line Call Center since implementation in 2009 and the Travel Training program implementation in 2016 through fiscal year 2024. The following table depicts the number of calls and events attended per prior fiscal years:
Prior funding, before FY2020, was through the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and the New Freedom (NF) grant programs. Those programs are no longer available. In fiscal year 2017, Local Transportation Funds (LTF) and assistance from the other Tulare County Transit providers were used to cover the Green Line Call Center expenses.
The following table shows the breakdown of drawdowns from previous grant awards for both programs. The amount changes year over year depending on availability within the fund.
Fiscal Impact:
No additional fiscal impact beyond what is already indicated within this report.
Prior Council Action:
September 18, 2023 - City Council authorized the City Manager to submit two (2) grant applications, including the Regional Transit Green Line Call Center for $149,393 and Travel Training in the amount of $60,000 for a total amount of $207,393.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: None recommended
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager or designee to submit two (2) grant applications to the California Department of Transportation to fund the Regional Transit Green Line Call Center in the amount of 215,000 and Travel Training in the amount of $110,000 for the total amount of $325,000, and appropriate funds if awarded and received. Section 5310 Resolution No. 2025-62 required.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Section 5310 Resolution No. 2025-62