Submitted By: Tye Chighizola
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Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Resolution 2024-27 supporting the submittal of a grant application for the FDOT 2026 Public Transit Service Development Program concerning the proposed Downtown Circular Trolley Service
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: The City of Ocala (City) is actively pursuing funding through the Public Transit Service Development Program to support the initial marketing efforts and operating expenses of an innovative fixed-route downtown circulator trolley service.
The necessity for a downtown circulator trolley service emerged during the public engagement process as part of the Fiscal Year 2018-Fiscal Year 2027 Transit Development Plan (TDP) Major Update. It garnered significant support and was included in the unfunded needs plan. This proposed service will enhance mobility of residents and visitors in the downtown core, providing a convenient and efficient mode of transportation. The trolley service will increase the exposure of downtown businesses to potential patrons, thereby boosting the local economy. Further, it aims to improve connections between existing core routes, namely the Orange, Blue, Green, and Purple routes, and connections to the Amtrak shuttle service provided at the downtown transfer station. The service will also reduce traffic congestion.
The major activity centers along the proposed route include:
1. Ocala Downtown Square (includes Hilton Garden Inn and various street-front stores and restaurants, among others)
2. Ocala Post Office
3. Advent Health Ocala Hospital
4. Ocala Regional Medical Center
5. Marion County Courthouse
6. Marion County Tourist Development Council
7. Ocala Downtown Market & Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership
8. Ocala City Hall
9. Citizens’ Circle
10. Downtown Square
11. Tuscawilla Park
12. Reilly Arts Center
13. Downtown Transfer Station
The proposed downtown circulator service will be free of fare charge and is slated to operate at intervals of every 20 minutes, running from Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the peak hours of downtown activities. The operating hours and frequency have been carefully chosen based on the expected demand for the service. It's important to highlight that the current systemwide service frequency is 70 minutes, leading to suboptimal transfer timings at the downtown transfer station. Introducing the downtown circulator will alleviate this issue by offering more frequent transfer opportunities between this route, other core routes, and other transportation services.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The downtown area, with vibrant cultural, historical, shopping, and dining amenities, is a testament to the City's commitment to development and redevelopment efforts along with urban sustainability. The proposed electric trolley underscores the strong dedication to eco-friendly transportation solutions, making Ocala a leader in sustainable urban development.
Extensive planning efforts have been undertaken after identifying this unfunded need in the previous TDP. In collaboration with the Ocala Marion Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the City has identified this new service in its 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
FISCAL IMPACT: The City has received a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Consolidated Capital Grant to cover the acquisition of the battery electric trolley and associated charging infrastructure. The funds from the FTA grant will be used to acquire the trolley and charging infrastructure, while the state participation will cover the operating expenses and marketing campaign activities.
The city seeks 100 percent state participation to fund the initial three-year operating expenses and two-year marketing campaign activities before and after the route opens. The proposed operating expenses for the initial three-year period will total approximately $229,145. If the state funds the initial three-year period at 50 percent, the local match will be $114,573 at 50 percent. After the initial three-year period of the grant, the proposed service will be funded by a combination of federal, state, and local operating dollars. As part of the overall project, the City will work with stakeholders in the downtown and the community to address any local match required.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Table
• Deny
RESOLUTION 2024-27
A RESOLUTION supporting the submittal of a grant application for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) 2026 Public Transit service development program concerning the proposed Downtown CIRCULAR Trolley Service
WHEREAS, the city is actively pursuing funding through the 2026 Public Transit Service Development Program to support the initial marketing efforts and operating expenses of an innovative fixed-route downtown circulator electric trolley service; and
WHEREAS, the necessity for a downtown circulator trolley service emerged during the public engagement process as part of the FY2018-FY2027 Transit Development Plan (TDP) Major Update.; and
WHEREAS, the proposed downtown circulator service will be free of fare charge and is slated to operate at intervals of every 20 minutes, running from Monday to Saturday between 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which are the peak hours of downtown activities.; and
WHEREAS, in collaboration with the Ocala Marion Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the city has identified this new service in its 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), and
WHEREAS, the city has received a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Consolidated Capital Grant to cover the acquisition of the battery electric trolley and associated charging infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the city is committed to funding the proposed service with local operating dollars after the initial three-year grant period.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session duly assembled, that the City Council President is hereby authorized to approve the submittal of a grant application for the FDOT 2026 Public Transit Service Development Program concerning the proposed Downtown Circular Trolley Service.
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2024.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Barry Mansfield
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney