HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Mayor to sign Letter of Support for CyRide's FY 2019 Low-or No-Emission Grant Application RESOLUTION NO. 19-154
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN LETTER OF SUPPORT
FOR CYRIDE LOW OR NO EMISSION GRANT APPLICATION
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS,CyRide has been studying the feasibility of deploying electric buses in the community for
over a year; and,
WHEREAS,CyRide has been utilizing the consulting services of the Center for Transportation&the
Environment(CTE)with their findings reported to the Ames Transit Agency Board of Trustees; and,
WHEREAS, after considering CTE's reports on electric buses and the necessary supporting
infrastructure,the Board of Trustees recently approved submitting a federal grant application for electric buses;
and,
WHEREAS,the FY2019 Low or No Emission Grant is a highly competitive grant process and transit
agencies from around the country compete for the same pool of available funds;and,
WHEREAS,applications from agencies that enjoy strong local support from community partners have
traditionally been viewed more favorably in the evaluation process, therefore, CyRide is requesting that the
Mayor sign a letter of support to be included with the grant application;and,
WHEREAS,if CyRide is approved for the grant by the Federal Trade Administration,the grant would
fund the purchase of two electric buses along with funding the engineering, design, and construction of
supporting infrastructure within the CyRide facility; and,
WHEREAS,the FY2019 Low or No Emission Grant would cover other eligible expenses that include
a driver and mechanic training,plus consulting services during the deployment of the electric buses;and,
WHEREAS, the total amount applied for is $1,660,180 in federal funding, which would require a
maximum local match of$455,620,and CyRide has identified potential local funding sources should the grant
be approved.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City ofAmes,Iowa,that the Mayor
is authorized to submit the letter of support for CyRide's FY2019 Low or No Emission Grant application.
ADOPTED THIS 23`d day of April,2019.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Martin
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher,Corrieri,Gartin, Martin,Nelson
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 23`d day of April, 2019.
CITY OF
A m e s'"
Smart Choice
AP ri123 2019
Federal Transit Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Re: Ames Transit Agency (CyRide) Letter of Support
Dear FTA Representative:
On behalf of the City of Ames, I would like to share my support of the Ames Transit Agency's (CyRide's)
FY2019 Low or No Emission Grant application for electric buses, facility modifications, training, and
supporting equipment, as well as consulting services to ensure a successful outcome. The City Council
fully supports CyRide's project and the approach it has taken to not only become familiar with this bus
technology, but also to understand what it takes to deploy electric buses. This project aligns with the
Council's goal to enhance sustainability within the community, as well as the City's Sustainability Task
Force whose mission is "...to develop sustainability plans that will help achieve cost-effective energy
reductions in the various sectors of the community through the focus on electrical energy
consumption...."
The City of Ames, with a population of 67,000, is a small urban center in the rural State of Iowa. Being
just slightly over the Federal Transit Administration's "rural" transit system designation, it was
important to the community to ensure that an electric bus deployment could be successful in Ames.
CyRide's approach has been a thoughtful process to determine the feasibility and identification of
possible benefits regarding electric buses in the Ames community before considering a federal Low or
No Emission application. This journey, supported with local dollars, was guided by an industry expert-
Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE). Further partnering with CTE on this project if a
grant award is made will allow their experience, and lessons learned in deploying similar projects, to
complete a successful and timely project in Ames.
This is an exciting project for the community and I encourage the Federal Transit Administration to
strongly consider the Ames Transit Agency's 2019 Low or No Emission Grant application to complete a
project that can be the stepping stone to larger endeavors in sustainable public transit in this small,
Midwestern community.
Sincerely,
John Haila, Mayor
City of Ames
Mayor's Office 515.239.5105 main 515 Clark Ave,,P,O,Box 811
515.239.5142 fax Ames,IA 50010
www,CltyofAmes,org