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MCOG amends SB 125 allocation plan: $1.575 million for operations, $9.38 million for capital and projects
Summary
The Mendocino Council of Governments adopted a resolution to amend its Senate Bill 125 allocation plan, splitting the region’s SB 125 funds between capital projects — including Ukiah transit-center improvements and zero‑emission vehicle purchases — and a second project to cover two years of operating shortfalls for Mendocino Transit Authority.
The Mendocino Council of Governments on May 5 adopted a resolution amending its SB 125 allocation plan to specify projects and to allocate remaining formula funds for transit capital and operations.
Staff told the board SB 125 created a five‑year formula program (the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and the Zero Emission Transit Capital Program). The region’s total available SB 125 balance cited at the meeting was $11,063,615; the amendment would allocate the remaining balance across two projects and the administrative share.
What the amendment does
- Project 1 (capital and pilot projects): staff kept the items from the original allocation plan and added an activity to purchase and install automated passenger counters across MTA’s fixed‑route fleet. The project components include improvements at the Ukiah Transit Center, administrative and maintenance facility upgrades, charging infrastructure (including possible hydrogen fueling feasibility), and a three‑year pilot service for Laytonville and Cobb (initially one day per week, with capital and operations for up to three years). Staff identified a subtotal of $4,652,980 for Ukiah‑area capital items within project 1 and indicated a project‑level total of $9,377,980 for project 1 overall. - Project 2 (operations to avoid service cuts): staff proposed $1,575,000 to cover operating deficits across two years so MTA can continue existing services while revenues and costs are rebalanced. Staff said the operating allocation would be used to address a current-year deficit and to hedge against reduced local Transportation Development Act receipts in the next year.
Staff noted two program benefits: the region may later submit amendments if a planned activity proves infeasible, and once state funds are drawn down they do not expire, which provides flexibility for multi‑year capital projects.
Public comment and disposition
A public commenter, Gizmo Manasino, expressed support for zero‑emission items. After a motion and second, the board took a roll‑call vote and adopted the resolution; all voting members recorded “aye.”
Vote (roll call)
- Director Klein: Aye - Director Allman: Aye - Director Carter: Aye - Director Chris: Aye - Caltrans (Tasha Alstrand): Aye - Chair Haschek: Aye
Why it matters: The amendment allocates the region’s SB 125 funds toward zero‑emission vehicle purchases and infrastructure, pilot rural service, and a two‑year operating stabilization fund — measures intended to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions, support ridership and avoid immediate service cuts.
Sources and next steps
Staff will transmit the amended allocation plan to the state per program rules and may later submit amendments if projects change. Several capital items (for example, Ukiah Transit Center improvements) will depend on additional competitive grants to fully fund construction; SB 125 allocations are intended in part to serve as local match or seed funding.
Ending note: The board adopted the resolution in a unanimous roll‑call vote and will advance the amended plan to the state.
