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Board approves CMAQ-funded vehicle replacements, engine repair and $10,000 maintenance threshold
Summary
Trustees authorized use of CMAQ funds to replace aging vehicles (up to six), approved an $11,000–$12,000 engine replacement for vehicle 54, and set a $10,000 threshold for board approval of maintenance projects.
The board voted to approve a resolution to use CMAQ funding to begin replacing aging transit vehicles, approved an engine replacement for vehicle 54, and established a $10,000 approval threshold for maintenance projects.
Staff explained CMAQ funding available for vehicle replacements totals about $600,000 and that CMAQ rules would allow the authority to buy one gas-powered vehicle with CMAQ and use the remainder of funds for other vehicle types (propane, hybrid) as allowed. The packet listed a gas-equipped transit van priced at $91,241.36 that would be ready for quick purchase if the board authorized use of the CMAQ allocation. Staff noted trade-offs: transit vans are lighter and easier to maneuver but have a shorter useful life (roughly a 4-year/100,000-mile threshold) versus cutaways (around 7 years/200,000 miles).
The resolution authorized spending CMAQ funds to replace up to six vehicles, with vehicle choices subject to VIA operational needs and maintenance considerations. Trustees discussed testing a hybrid vehicle and whether to flex roughly $80,000 in CMAQ funds allocated for EV infrastructure toward vehicles; staff said flexing funds is possible with CMAQ approval.
On a separate item, the board approved replacing the engine in vehicle 54; staff estimated the cost between $11,000 and $12,000 and noted the vehicle’s mileage was about 100,000 miles, roughly half of the vehicle’s usable life.
Trustees also approved a policy setting a $10,000 threshold: maintenance projects with estimated costs up to $10,000 may proceed without board approval; projects estimated above $10,000 require board approval. Trustees discussed edge cases (for example, a $1,400 transmission repair) and confirmed the intent to allow staff to address smaller repairs promptly.
All three items passed on separate roll-call votes with trustees recorded as voting yes. Staff will proceed to program the CMAQ money, check vehicle specifications with VIA, and return with procurement details or confirmations as vehicles become available.
