Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing - Consideration of an Application to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) 2026 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Grant Program for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessible Bus Replacements.
End
publichearing
• Staff Report
• Mayor and City Council Questions for Staff
• Public Comments
• Mayor and Council Member Discussion
• Council Action
End
From: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Michael Son, Management Analyst; Heather Dodd, Senior Center Supervisor
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Receive public comments regarding the transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities within the City of Westminster and the City's proposed application to the Orange County Transportation Authority's (OCTA) 2026 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Grant Program; and
B. Adopt Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY’S 2026 ENHANCED MOBILITY FOR SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES GRANT PROGRAM FOR CAPITAL FUNDING TO PURCHASE UP TO TWO ADA-ACCESSIBLE REPLACEMENT BUSES FOR THE WESTMINSTER SENIOR CENTER’S WESTMINSTER ON WHEELS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, COMMITTING THE REQUIRED LOCAL FUND MATCH, DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT AND EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ADMINISTER THE GRANT.”
end
BACKGROUND
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) administers the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Grant Program, a grant program funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program. The program provides funding for capital and operating projects that improve transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout Orange County.
The City of Westminster operates the Westminster Senior Center's Westminster on Wheels (WOW) transportation program, which provides free door-to-door transportation services for Westminster residents age 60 and older who live independently within the community. The WOW program helps older adults remain independent by providing transportation to essential nutrition services and community social and recreational programs.
The 2024 Orange County Human Services Transportation Coordinated Plan identifies the City's WOW program as an established community transportation provider and recognizes its role in connecting older adults with nutrition services, shopping opportunities, and community activities. The proposed project supports the Coordinated Plan's regional objective of preserving reliable, accessible transportation services that enable older adults to remain active and independent.
As part of the EMSD application process, OCTA requires public agency applicants to conduct a public hearing, coordinate with nonprofit transportation providers, and adopt a governing body resolution authorizing submission of the application and committing the required local cash match.
The EMSD Grant application is due to OCTA on August 28, 2026 by 4 p.m.
Project Description
The City proposes to submit an application to OCTA’s EMSD Grant Program for capital funding to purchase up to two ADA accessible replacement buses for the WOW program. The project will replace aging buses that have reached the end of their useful mechanical life with updated, fully accessible vehicles, ensuring the continued provision of safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible transportation services for Westminster residents age 60 and older.
The WOW program is a vital component of the City's senior services. The program provides free weekday transportation that enables Westminster residents age 60 and older to remain active, independent, and connected to essential services within the community.
The WOW program consists of two primary transportation services:
• Nutrition Van Program - Provides curb-to-curb transportation for seniors participating in the Westminster Senior Center's congregate meal program.
• Shuttle Program - Provides scheduled transportation between the Senior Center, senior housing communities, mobile home parks, and designated shopping destinations throughout Westminster.
Together, these services provide transportation to:
• Congregate nutrition services
• Grocery shopping
• Pharmacy trips
• Health and wellness education
• Exercise and fitness classes
• Educational programs
• Social and recreational activities
• Other essential community destinations
The WOW fleet currently consists of four ADA accessible vehicles, two of which are proposed for replacement through this grant application. These two buses have exceeded their useful mechanical life and were originally acquired secondhand from OCTA after completing service in the ACCESS program. As the vehicles have aged, maintenance costs have increased, reliability has declined, and recurring mechanical, electrical, suspension, and auto body issues have resulted in increased downtime and a greater risk of service interruptions. While the vehicles continue to meet ADA accessibility requirements, they lack many of the safety, accessibility, and operational enhancements available on modern transit vehicles, including improved wheelchair securement systems, enhanced driver visibility technology, and updated occupant safety features.
The proposed project is intended to preserve and enhance the City's existing transportation services. Replacement of the aging fleet will improve passenger safety, reduce maintenance costs, minimize service interruptions, improve operating efficiency, and ensure continued access to essential transportation services for Westminster's older adult population.
The proposed replacement vehicles are anticipated to be smaller than the City's existing buses, making them better suited for the current needs of the WOW transportation program. Their smaller size will improve maneuverability within Westminster's neighborhoods, including mobile home parks, senior housing communities, and other higher-density residential areas where larger buses can be more difficult to operate. In addition, the smaller vehicle classification will provide greater operational flexibility by allowing the City to utilize a broader pool of qualified drivers while continuing to provide safe and reliable transportation services.
The replacement vehicles will:
• Improve passenger safety through updated vehicle technology, enhanced visibility systems, and modern occupant safety features.
• Maintain fully ADA accessible transportation services with improved boarding and wheelchair accessibility.
• Improve vehicle reliability while reducing maintenance costs and vehicle downtime.
• Improve fuel efficiency and overall operating performance.
• Improve maneuverability within neighborhoods, mobile home parks, senior housing communities, and other areas with constrained access.
• Increase operational flexibility by utilizing smaller vehicle platforms that expand the pool of qualified drivers.
• Preserve the City's existing transportation program while improving long-term sustainability.
The proposed replacement vehicles will be procured through the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) procurement program and are fully equipped for transit service, eliminating the need for additional vehicle modifications before entering service. This procurement method will streamline implementation while ensuring the vehicles meet applicable accessibility and transit standards.
The proposed project is consistent with the priorities identified in the 2024 Orange County Human Services Transportation Coordinated Plan, which emphasizes maintaining and strengthening community-based transportation services that improve mobility and access to essential destinations for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Coordinated Plan specifically recognizes the WOW program as an important local transportation resource that connects seniors with nutrition services, shopping opportunities, and community activities. By replacing buses that have reached the end of their useful life, the City will preserve an established community transportation resource while improving service reliability, accessibility, and long-term operational sustainability.
Outreach
Consistent with EMSD Program requirements, the City has provided notice of the proposed grant application and public hearing to nonprofit organizations and transportation providers serving seniors and individuals with disabilities. The public hearing provides an opportunity for the City Council to receive comments regarding local transportation needs and the proposed project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will have no immediate fiscal impact; a budget adjustment will be requested at the time the grant is accepted by the City Council. If awarded, EMSD grant funds will be used to purchase up to two ADA accessible replacement buses for the City’s WOW senior transportation program. The City will satisfy the required 10 percent local match using existing Title III Older Americans Act Nutrition Transportation funds administered through the Orange County Office on Aging and Meals on Wheels Orange County and currently held by the City for senior nutrition transportation purposes.
Estimated Project Budget
|
Funding Source |
Estimated Amount |
|
OCTA EMSD Grant Request |
$ 326,700 |
|
City Local Match - Title III Older Americans Act Nutrition Funds (10%) |
$ 36,300 |
|
Total Estimated Project Cost |
$ 363,000 |
Project Cost Breakdown
|
Description |
Estimated Amount |
|
Two ADA-Accessible Vans (approximately $165,000 each) |
$ 330,000 |
|
10% Contingency |
$ 33,000 |
|
Total Estimated Project Cost |
$ 363,000 |
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Approval of the recommended actions will authorize the City to submit an application for the OCTA EMSD Grant Program. If awarded, the grant will provide funding to replace up to two aging ADA accessible buses serving the City’s WOW transportation program. The replacement vehicles will preserve a vital transportation service for Westminster residents age 60 and older while improving passenger safety, accessibility, vehicle reliability, operational efficiency, and maneuverability. The project will also enhance the long-term sustainability of the WOW transportation program by reducing maintenance costs, improving service reliability, and providing modern vehicles better suited to serving Westminster's neighborhoods and senior communities.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Public Hearing Notice
3. Non-Profit Notification Distribution List
4. Letters of Support
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager