Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 3/18/2025
Item Status: New
From: Ann Simpson, Director of Transportation; Frank Lundy, County Engineer
Submitted by: Ann Simpson, Director of Transportation
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Donation of Transportation Services for Historic Blakeley State Park Living History Event
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the request from the Historic Blakeley State Park to utilize one (1) Baldwin Regional Area Transit System (BRATS) bus on Saturday, April 5, 2025, to provide shuttle service from
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at an estimated donated cost of $557.70 for a living history event commemorating the Battle of Fort Blakeley.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Director of Transportation, Ann Simpson, received a request dated March 10, 2025, from Mr. Mike Bunn, Director of Historic Blakeley State Park, requesting the use of one (1) BRATS bus on April 5, 2025, to shuttle visitors for the living history event commemorating the Battle of Fort Blakeley.
Under 49 CFR, “if a third party requests charter service for the exclusive use of a bus or van, but the transit agency provides the service free of charge, the transit service does not fall under the charter service restrictions. The definition of charter service under 49 CFR Section 604.3(c) requires a negotiated price, which implies an exchange of money. Thus, free service does not meet the negotiated price requirement.” The donated cost for the use of one bus for this event is $68.33 per hour for a combined 8 hours which includes the commute time to and from the BRATS hub, pre-trip, and post-trip inspections. Total cost of transportation services is $546.64. BRATS requests approval from the Baldwin County Commission to donate this service in order to comply with federal charter regulations.
Previous Commission action/date:
February 7, 2023 - Approved the donation of transportation service at a cost of $546.64 for 2023 Living History Event held April 1, 2023.
July 5, 2022 - Approved the donation of transportation service at a cost of $665.00 for a special celebration of the opening of a new trail system at Fort Blakeley.
March 19, 2019 - Approved the donation of transportation service for the 2019 Living History Event held on April 6, 2019.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Admin Staff send NOA email; BRATS Staff schedule and coordinate transportation upon approval by Commission.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed):
Administration: send NOA via e-mail:
Mike Bunn - director@blakeleypark.com
cc: Ann Simpson - ann.simpson@baldwincountyal.gov
Additional instructions/notes: N/A