Lafayette council authorizes grant applications for senior-transportation vans

The Lafayette City Council on Tuesday unanimously authorized the city manager to sign a grant application and related funding agreements that would allow a local senior transportation provider to apply for two replacement vehicles, and separately approved staff authority to sign grant applications and reimbursement requests.

The actions came during a public hearing on an application tied to a federal transportation grant program and a subsequent staff report. The applicant said the immediate request is for two new vehicles; the long-term fleet goal discussed includes three minivans and one larger van, with one older minivan to remain in service.

Ricky Chester, the applicant at the public hearing, told the council, “I have to demonstrate that there are no other nonprofit agencies that serve the same purpose,” and confirmed he was applying for two new vehicles. Chester said the application moves through Caltrans and the Department of Transportation. He also noted a required 15% local match for vehicle purchases.

Council members questioned how a public agency applying for the grant would be prioritized relative to nonprofits. Chester replied, “Nonprofits will always be prioritized,” and said the applications for vehicle purchases and for operating funds appear to be reviewed separately.

With no public commenters present, the council proceeded to formal motions. Council member Schueller moved to authorize the city manager to sign the grant application and adopt the resolution read into the record as “20 25 dash 46.” The motion received a second and passed unanimously. Later the council approved a staff report motion authorizing the city manager to sign grant applications and funding agreements generally and authorizing the program coordinator to sign program reports and invoices for payment; that motion also passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to authorize the city manager to sign the grant application and funding agreements for the La Mirada Spirit van senior-transportation program; adopt resolution (read as "20 25 dash 46"). Mover: Schueller; second: not specified. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

• Motion to authorize the city manager to sign grant applications and funding agreements for the senior-transportation program and to allow the program coordinator to sign reports and invoices for payments. Mover: not specified; second: not specified. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

The council recorded three members present at the start of the meeting (Mayor Campbell, Council Member McCormick and Council Member Witherspoon) and two absent. The meeting closed with no public comment on the items and no further discussion items on the agenda.