TITLE:
title
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS UNDER THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA) FOR AN ORANGE COUNTY ENHANCED MOBILITY FOR SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES GRANT PROGRAM (EMSD)
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DEPARTMENT: PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
PRESENTED BY: BRIAN GRUNER, PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRIAN GRUNER, PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR (714) 754-5065
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-XX “A Resolution of the City of Costa Mesa City Council Authorizing City staff to apply to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for an Orange County Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Grant Program to support the City’s Senior Mobility Program (Attachment 1) and establish coordination with non-profits and ensure services are not being duplicated.
2. Authorize the City’s commitment for a grant city match of 20% not-to-exceed $89,760 should the City be awarded the EMSD grant for a grant period from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2029.
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BACKGROUND:
The Orange County Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Program was developed to support local agencies in the delivery of Federal Transit Administration eligible activities. The EMSD Program is intended to meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when transportation services provided are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meet these needs. The EMSD program offers grant funding for capital (vehicles and equipment), operating mobility management, and operating assistance type projects.
On June 2026, the OCTA Board of Directors approved the use of up to $5.85 million for the 2026 EMSD Call for Projects using local funding support based on Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 (FTA 5310) amounts allocated to Orange County.
On August 2026, City staff submitted a grant application for the EMSD grant to secure additional funding to support the Senior Mobility Program, City staff submitted an operational EMSD grant application totaling $448,800 (Attachment 2). The application requires an apportioned 20% City match ($89,760), which is not currently budgeted. The funds will cover 24 months of expenses for the Senior Mobility Program (SMP) from July 2027 to June 2029.
As a condition of applying to the EMSD grant, the City is required to approve the application at a City Council open public meeting to establish coordination with non-profits and ensure services are not being duplicated.
ANALYSIS:
The City of Costa Mesa Senior Center Senior Transportation Program is a low-cost curb-to-curb transportation service to all residents of Costa Mesa ages 60 and older. The program is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for rides to medical appointments in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Orange, and Tustin. The Senior Taxi Program also provides non-medical rides throughout the City of Costa Mesa.
The current program is funded by a combination of Measure M2, General Fund, and grant funding. The EMSD grant funds will allow the program to expand service levels by increasing weekly rides for medical services. The expanded service levels will be determined by funding received.
City staff applied for $448,800 in grant funding, which requires the City to commit a 20% match should it receive the grant. The City match is in the amount of $89,760 and will be derived from the general fund and included during the budget development process for FY 2027/2028.
City staff identified the non-profit Abrazar as a service provider of non-emergency medical transportation services to seniors in Orange County. Abrazar has been notified of the City’s grant application and the public hearing.
As part of the grant application process, staff is including this item on the October 6, 2026, Regular City Council Agenda, along with Resolution No. 2026-XX, which must be adopted by the governing body confirming the City’s match commitment and legal authority to submit.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City may withdraw the grant application; however, service capacity for the program will remain limited.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The total EMSD grant request is $448,800, plus a required 20% match in the not-to-exceed amount of $89,760, if the City is awarded the grant. The City’s match will be included by the Parks and Community Services Department during the FY 2027-28 budget development process.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and approves it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This project works toward achieving the following City Council goals:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-XX authorizing staff to apply to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for an Orange County Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) Grant Program to support the City’s Senior Mobility Program (Attachment 1) and establish coordination with non-profits and ensure services are not duplicated.
2. Authorize the City’s commitment for a grant city match of 20% not to exceed $89,760 should the City be awarded the EMSD grant for the duration of the grant period from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2029.