SALISBURY Salisbury City Council members approved Tuesday’s 4-1 vote to purchase a 25-foot light-duty vehicle to replace an aging transit fleet.
Rodney Harrison, Salisbury’s Transit Director, requested that a 25-foot, low floor, light-duty transit vehicle be purchased to replace an Orion bus in 2004. To replace four Orion buses, which are now 18 years old and need to be replaced, the Federal Transit Administration grant has provided $480,000. Tuesday’s purchase was the first.
Federal dollars cover 80%. The remaining 20% will be covered with city funding. So, while the cost of a single bus is $191,642, the city’s share amounts to $38,329.
Harrison stated that the replacement vehicles will improve access, allow for greater social distancing, lower maintenance costs, and serve the community and local police under different circumstances. The vehicle can be used as a cooling station for firefighters, or to transport residents in the case of flooding or natural disasters.
Additionally, Harrison said it’s a “safety net” in case the city’s endeavor of a micro-transit doesn’t pan out. Council members discussed the creation of a pilot program to provide on-demand ride-hailing services, similar to Uber and Lyft, during their January retreat.
He added that the replacement vehicles could be used if the pilot was successful.
David Post, a Council member, asked Harrison if he could look for an environmentally-friendly option to replace a gasoline-powered vehicle. Harrison said it’s a big request because the grant funding is competitive and the application was submitted prior to a national shift toward energy-efficient transportation options. However, the vehicles could be “retro-fitted,” or modified, with more environmentally sound features, Harrison said. Harrison agreed to provide more information.
Harrison explained to Post that the current 30-foot buses have around 32 seats and some standing room. Replacement vehicles have 15 seats. He was unable to provide the average ridership numbers, but Harrison said it’s become harder to employ drivers for the larger buses because they need a more advanced license. The vehicle also allows flexibility in the microtransit program.
Post voted against the purchase and stated that he wanted Harrison to confirm the grant funding options. He added that if the vehicle purchase was solely for special events, he could support it, but not if it’s to replace four existing buses. Post suggested that the city should be more aggressive in seeking out micro-transit.
This is not strategic planning. This is a one time event. I dont think thats the way to deal with our transit,” Post said. “Especially when most of its paid with taxpayer dollars and grant dollars. Its not paid with ridership dollars.”
Anthony Smith, a member of the Council, disagreed.
But is it not strategic to do that as a fail-safe in lieu of micro-transit not actually working out,” he asked Post. “It seems strategic to me.
Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Sheffield said she didn’t want the city to lose the grant and funding opportunity over one bus that’s needed.Sheffield also said the council still has time to determine potential options for the replacement of the other three buses with the grant. The grant funding will end in September 2023.
Harry McLaughlin, Council member, agreed that adding the vehicle can be modified using more energy-efficient options.
Also available at the meeting:
City Council members will meet in person for the March 1 meeting, and then begin holding regular meetings in a hybrid format.
Council members approved the submission of Salisbury’s application for the use of HOME-American Rescue Plan funding to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development through the Cabarrus/Iredell/Rowan HOME consortium. The city will receive $525,940 in order to address housing insecurity and provide support services for those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. Staff recommend that $487,247 be allocated to non-congregate shelter programs, while the $38,693 be used for grant administration and fair housing activities. These allocations were based on months-long documentation and public input.
The council approved an ordinance amendment of $6,950 to the 2021-22 budget in order to allocate donations received for recreation programs or special events.
The council approved several re-appointments to the city’s boards and commissions. They approved the appointment of new members because applications are still being made and the term expires on March 31. Council members approved the reappointment Kim Hardiman to Community Appearance Commission; Patricia Ricks, Salisbury Planning Board; Will James, Historic Preservation Commission; Kyna Grub, Crystal Jackson, and Jessica Cloward to the Housing Advocacy Commission; Gerry Hurley to the Hurley Park Advisory Board.
The council approved a variance for the city’s uniform construction standard to conform to state standards regarding the minimum drop through, sanitary sewer manholes in Granges America.
The council authorized Brian Hiatt, Interim City Manager, to sign a revised contract worth $99,177 with Cary-based WithersRavenel to provide engineering services related to the watershed analysis for the Jump and Run branch.