The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutResolutions - 2026.03.11 - 42785 AGENDA ITEM: 2026 Access to Transit Award Recommendations DEPARTMENT: Economic Development - Oakland County Transit Division MEETING: Board of Commissioners DATE: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 6:00 PM - Click to View Agenda ITEM SUMMARY SHEET COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD Resolution #2026-6270 Motion to approve the disbursement of Access to Transit Grant funds for the projects detailed in the attached Schedule B – Project Summaries and Grant Awards for an amount not to exceed $1,108,980; further, approve the template Interlocal Agreement, which was developed with Corporation Counsel; further, authorize the Chair of the Board of Commissioners to sign the agreements. ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY Resolution Brendan Johnson INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND On October 16, 2025 the Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution #2025-5821 to authorize a one-time appropriation of $2 million from the County’s Public Transportation Millage Fund Balance Account for the purpose of funding the Access to Transit Program for a second year to support eligible projects that improve access to transit services provided by SMART, NOTA, OPC, People’s Express, and WOTA. Program details can be found at the following link: https://www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-transit/access-to-transit-program Program announcements were sent via email to elected officials, community staff, transit supporters, transit providers, and walking/biking advocates. On November 6, 2025, a webinar was held to provide a program overview and answer any questions that prospective applicants may have. Applications were accepted between October 31 and December 1, 2025. A total of nine applications were received requesting $3,572,652 in grant funds. A selection committee comprised of Oakland County Transit Division, Oakland County Planning Division, NOTA (representing local transit providers), SMART, RTA, MDOT, and RCOC scored the applications according to the Project Selection Criteria as outlined in the Program Guide. The total possible score was 480. The scores of the nine applications ranged from 168 to 458. Using the scores and feedback provided by the selection committee, the following six projects, which scored 250 or above, are being recommended to the Board of Commissioners for award: 1. City of Oak Park: $100,000 for an engineering study to design closure of a critical gap in the Nine Mile Pathway, improving connectivity between Oak Park and Southfield and enhancing ADA-compliant access to transit along Nine Mile Rd. 2. Village of Ortonville: $25,000 for design and preliminary engineering to relocate and construct an ADA compliant sidewalk in front of the Old Mill Museum, improving downtown Ortonville walkability, creating a safer pedestrian zone, and installing the community’s first transit stop shelter. 3. City of Pontiac: $193,105 to implement safety enhancements at the intersection of Baldwin Ave and Virginia St, including improvements aimed at increasing pedestrian visibility and reducing conflict points. 4. City of Royal Oak: $300,000 to transform a portion of W. Fifth St into a permanent pedestrian plaza to increase vibrancy, slow traffic, and support a larger citywide mobility strategy, with nearby access to SMART bus routes 450 and 730. 5. City of Southfield: $420,000 to build a midblock crossing on Nine Mile with a marked crosswalk, refuge island, and signage/lighting to improve pedestrian safety and access to nearby SMART transit stops. 6. Waterford Township: $371,875 to construct and repair approximately one mile of 5’-wide pedestrian pathways along a 3-mile stretch of Highland Rd (M-59) from Crescent Lake Rd to N. Williams Lake Rd, serving 17 stops on SMART Bus Route 759. The total budget for the six projects is $1,773,750, with Oakland County providing $1,216,875 and the communities contributing $556,875. All the communities are required to provide a minimum 20% in local match funds unless a waiver was requested. The City of Pontiac and the City of Southfield requested a local match waiver. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) developed a list of Eligible Distressed Areas based on population loss, property values, poverty rate, and unemployment rate. This was used to determine which communities in Oakland County qualify for a local match waiver. The list and criteria are available at the following link: https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/- /media/Project/Websites/mshda/developers/lihtc/assets/lica/mshda_li_ca_17_tab_h_elig_dist_areas .pdf?rev=b75ce4181a714750b854c2d0580ac0c1&hash=8D55B2906DE35C15F7FA5D225EF642F7 Grant funds were also requested for the following three (3) projects: • City of Auburn Hills: $507,922 for a HAWK Beacon at the Clinton River Trail and Adams Road • Commerce Township: $654,750 to construct a trail along Benstein Road between Loon Lake Road and the MI Air Line Trail • Oxford Township: $1,000,000 to construct a trail along Seymour Lake Road between Seymour Lake Township Park to Sanders Road Based on the proposed scope of work and selection committee review, the committee did not recommend the projects be funded from the Access to Transit program because they would make little to no improvement to transit access and would not facilitate a significant increase in transit ridership. As these projects enhance safety and walkability, Oakland Transit Staff recommended to the applicants to apply for a SEMCOG TAP Grant. Details regarding the TAP program were provided to the applicants. Upon approval by the Board of Commissioners, the Oakland County Transit Division will notify each community that applied of their award or non-award and provide instructions regarding executing an interlocal agreement, disbursement of funds, and reporting requirements. The Transit Division will provide the Board of Commissioners with regular updates on each of the awarded projects as they progress. FISCAL IMPACT: No Budget Amendment Needed Committee members can contact Barbara Winter, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at 248.821.3065 or winterb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional information. CONTACT Eli Cooper, Manager Transit ITEM REVIEW TRACKING Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 3/11/2026 AGENDA DEADLINE: 02/25/2026 4:30 PM ATTACHMENTS 1. DRAFT Schedule B 2. 2026 Access to Transit Presentation_2.27.26 3. 2024-08-13 Access to Transit Program Interlocal Agreement 4. DRAFT Access to Transit Program Guide_ 2026 COMMITTEE TRACKING 2026-02-27 Oakland County Transit - Report to Economic Development & Infrastructure 2026-03-04 Economic Development & Infrastructure - Recommend to Board 2026-03-11 Full Board - Adopt Motioned by: Commissioner Christine Long Seconded by: Commissioner Linnie Taylor Yes: Charles Cavell, Ann Erickson Gault, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Karen Joliat, Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, Robert Smiley, Yolanda Smith Charles, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David Woodward (16) No: None (0) Abstain: None (0) Absent: Michael Gingell, Brendan Johnson, William Miller III (3) Passed Oakland County, Michigan Economic Development Transit Division - 2026 Access to Transit Program Schedule B - Project Summaries and Grant Awards Project #Community AT2601 Oak Park AT2602 Ortonville AT2603 Pontiac AT2604 Southfield AT2605 Waterford Township Project Description Total Project Cost Preliminary Engineering: Pathway along Nine Mile Rd from Greenfield Rd to McClain Dr $220,000.00 Preliminary Engineering: Ortonville Old Mill Museum Sidewalk Realignment & Bus Shelter Installment $30,000.00 Construction: Safety Improvements at the Baldwin & Virginia Intersection $193,105.00 Construction: Mid-block Crossing between Providence Dr & Foster Winter Dr $420,000.00 Engineering & Construction: Various path/sidewalk segments along M-59 from Williams Lake Rd to Crescent Lake Rd $743,750.00 $1,606,855.00 Oakland County, Michigan Economic Development Transit Division - 2026 Access to Transit Program Schedule B - Project Summaries and Grant Awards Oakland County Grant Award Payments Local Match % Local Match Initial Grant Award Payment (50%) Final Grant Award Payment (50%) $120,000.00 55%$50,000.00 $50,000.00 $6,000.00 20%$12,000.00 $12,000.00 Waiver Requested 0%$96,552.50 $96,552.50 Waiver Requested 0%$210,000.00 $210,000.00 $371,875.00 50%$185,937.50 $185,937.50 $497,875.00 TOTAL $1,108,980.00 Oakland County, Michigan Economic Development Transit Division - 2026 Access to Transit Program Schedule B - Project Summaries and Grant Awards Access to Transit Program Transit Ad Hoc Committee- February 27, 2026 $2 million to provide financial support to municipalities in Oakland County to design and/or implement capital projects that make it… •easier •safer •more comfortable …to get to and wait for transit services. 2 Access to Transit Program Addressing the “first mile/last mile” problem: •Oakland County residents age 65+ to increase by 30%through 2035 •Half of all fatal or serious injury pedestrian or bicyclist crashes in Oakland County happened within a 5-minute walk from a transit stop (based on 2018-2022 data) 3 Why? Status Updates 2024 Access to Transit Projects 5 2024 Project Status Updates (as of November 2025) Amount Spent to Date Total Award Amount Estimated Date of CompletionStatus Project DescriptionProject PhaseCommunity $0$30,000March 2026RFP Drafted. Next steps: select consultant and conduct study Intersection Study: Southfield Rd and Beverly Rd Concept DesignBeverly Hills $8,000$20,000Spring 2026 Finalized Conceptual Plan, Conducted Traffic Counts. Next step: Conduct Pilot Study Corridor Safety Improvements N. Main St Concept DesignClawson $53,064 $100,000March 2026 Coordination with MDOT for proposed work on/near their structure. Next step: Design foundation for bridge and retaining walls Nine Mile Rd Non- Motorized Bridge Over M-10/M-39 Preliminary EngineeringSouthfield $33,229$120,000March/April 2026 Locations were selected by the City. Next steps: Fabricate and install shelters. Concrete work for bus shelter pads Bus Stop EnhancementsConstructionBirmingham $4,000$80,000Spring/Summer 2026 Conducted Bus Stop Evaluation throughout City & Identified worthy locations. Next steps: Fabricate and install shelters. Concrete work for bus shelter pads Bus Stop EnhancementsConstructionFarmington $45,783 $427,500Summer 2026Project out for bid. Next step: Begin construction in Spring 2026 Adams Rd Pathway ConnectionsConstructionRochester Hills Program Overview 2026 Access to Transit •10/31/2025: Application window opened •12/1/2025: Applications due (online form) •1/28/2026: Selection Committee reviewed and scored applications •Q1 2026: Projects selected and presented to BOC for approval •Q2 2026: Execute interlocal agreements and disburse initial payments Next Steps: •Semi-Annually: Awardees submit status reports •Upon Project Completion: Awardees submit Final Report, final grant disbursements made, Oakland Transit plaques installed at project sites 7 2026 Program Timeline 8 2026 Project Summary •Received Nine Project Applications •Total Amount Requested: nearly $3.6M •Project Types include: •Preliminary engineering for pedestrian pathways and sidewalks •Safety improvements at dangerous intersections •Access enhancements, pedestrian walkability improvements •Construction of a midblock crossing 9 Total Project Cost County Funding Request Project LocationProject DescriptionCommunity $609,506$507,922Adams Rd & Clinton River TrailConstruction: HAWK BeaconAuburn Hills $873,000$654,750 Benstein Rd from Loon Lake Rd to the MI Air Line Trail Construction: Pathway ConnectionCommerce Township $220,000$100,000Southside of 9 Mile from McLain to Greenfield Construction: Pathway ConnectionOak Park $30,000$25,000Old Mill MuseumPreliminary Engineering: Sidewalk Improvements Ortonville $1,605,985$1,000,000Seymour Lake Rd from Sanders to Seymour Lake Park Construction: Shared Use PathOxford Township $193,105$193,105Baldwin Rd & Virgina St Intersection Construction: Safety Improvements Pontiac $360,000$300,000Fifth Street from Center Street to Lafayette Construction: Safey ImprovementsRoyal Oak $420,000$420,000Nine Mile Rd between Providence Dr & Foster Winter Dr Construction: Mid-block crossingSouthfield $743,750$371,875 M-59 from Williams Lake Rd to Crescent Lake Rd Construction: Sidewalk Connections Waterford Township 2026 Quick Project Overview •Six projects are recommended by the Selection Committee •Oak Park •Ortonville •Pontiac •Royal Oak •Southfield •Waterford Township •Total amount requested •$1.2M 10 Award Recommendations •$100,000 Access to Transit Grant ($220,000 Total Project Cost) •Preliminary Engineering •Pathway along Nine Mile Rd from Greenfield Rd to McClain Dr •High ridership crosstown corridor in the SMART system 11 Oak Park Pathway Connection •$25,000 Access to Transit Grant ($30,000 Total Project Cost) •Preliminary Engineering •Ortonville Old Mill Museum Sidewalk Realignment & Bus Shelter Installment •Project located in the “Demand Response Area” of the County 12 Ortonville Sidewalk Enhancements and Bus Shelter •$193,105 Access to Transit Grant ($193,105 Total Project Cost) •Eligible for Local Match Waiver •Construction •Safety Improvements at the Baldwin & Virginia Intersection •High Frequency Pedestrian Fatality Location 13 Pontiac Intersection Improvement •$300,000 Access to Transit Grant ($360,000 Total Project Cost) •Construction- Safety & Accessibility Enhancements •Fifth Street from Center Street to Lafayette •Located near heavy transit rider usage 14 Royal Oak Pedestrian Plaza- Accessibility & Intersection Improvements •$420,000 Access to Transit Grant ($420,000 Total Project Cost) •Eligible for Local Match Waiver •Construction •Mid-Block Crossing between Providence Dr & Foster Winter Dr •High Frequency Pedestrian Fatality Location 15 Southfield Mid-block Crossing on Nine Mile •$371,875 Access to Transit Grant ($743,750 Total Project Cost) •Over-match shows community’s investment in this improvement •Engineering & Construction •Various segments along M-59 from Williams Lake Rd to Crescent Lake Rd •Improve accessibility along new SMART bus route 16 Waterford Township Connection of Pedestrian Path/Sidewalk on M-59 •Three Projects Not Recommended for Approval •Auburn Hills •Commerce Township •Oxford Township 17 Not Recommended for Award •$507,922 Access to Transit Grant ($609,506 Total Project Cost) •Construction •Installation of HAWK Beacon at the Clinton River Trail and S. Adams Rd •Very low transit ridership near this location •May be better suited for a TAP Grant 18 Auburn Hills HAWK Beacon •$654,750 Access to Transit Grant ($873,000 Total Project Cost) •Construction •Path along Benstein Rd from Loon Lake Rd to the MI Air Line Trail •Nearly 3 miles from nearest transit facility •May be better suited for a TAP Grant 19 Commerce Township Pathway Connection •$1,000,000 Access to Transit Grant ($1,605,985 Total Project Cost) •Construction •Path along Seymour Lake Rd from Sanders Rd to the Seymour Lake Township Park •Nearly 8 miles from nearest transit facility •May be better suited for a TAP Grant 20 Oxford Township Shared Use Path 21 OakGov.com/OaklandTransit Lindsay Wallace Oakland County Principal Transit Planner (248) 452-9749 wallacelr@oakgov.com Eli Cooper Oakland County Transit Manager (248) 975-9876 cooperel@oakgov.com Page 1 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Access to Transit Program Interlocal Agreement Between Oakland County and [Public Body] This Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made between Oakland County, a Municipal and Constitutional Corporation, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan 48341 (“County”), and the Public Body indicated below (“Public Body”). County and Public Body may be referred to individually as a “Party” and jointly as “Parties”. Purpose of Agreement The purpose of this Agreement is to provide funding to Public Body in exchange for the work to be performed by Public Body for the below named project. The Parties agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Project Number: Public Body Name: Project Title (“Project”): Grant Award (“Grant Award ”): Match Amount (“Match Amount”): Total Project Amount: First Grant Award Payment Amount: Final Grant Award Payment Amount: Effective Date: [the date the last Party to this Agreement signs the Agreement] End Date: [anticipated project end date included in application] By signing this Agreement, the below individuals certify they are authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf of their organization and the Parties will fulﬁll the terms of this Agreement, including any attached Exhibits. COUNTY OF OAKLAND: By:_________________________________________ David T. Woodward Chairperson, Board of Commissioners [Date] PUBLIC BODY: By:_______________________________________ [Name] [Title], [Organization] [Date] Page 2 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT 1. Agreement Execution: Public Body is required to sign the Agreement and return it to the County within sixty (60) calendar days of the date the Agreement is sent to Public Body. If not, the County may cancel this Agreement and the monies allocated under this Agreement may be issued to another entity, in the County’s sole discretion. 2. Contact Information: This Agreement shall be administered on behalf of the County by the Department of Economic Development – Transit Division. All notices, reports, documents, requests, actions, or other communications required between the County and Public Body shall be submitted to the contacts identiﬁed below. By written notice, the Parties may designate a different contact with correlating information. 2.1 Public Body Contact: 2.1.1 Public Body: 2.1.2 Name and Title: 2.1.3 Address: 2.1.4 Telephone Number: 2.1.5 E-Mail Address: 2.2 County Contact: 2.2.1 Name and Title: Eli Cooper, Transit Manager 2.2.2 Address: 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Bldg 41 West, Waterford, MI 48328 2.2.3 Telephone Number: 248-975-9876 2.2.4 E-Mail Address: cooperel@oakgov.com 3. Project Period: 3.1 Public Body shall complete the Project Scope of Work as set forth and described in Exhibit A within the Project Period. Exhibit A is incorporated as part of this Agreement. 3.2 As deﬁned in this Agreement, “Project Period” means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the End Date listed on page 1 of this Agreement. 4. Public Body’s Responsibilities: 4.1 Public Body’s Match Amount requirements are detailed in the Project Budget Exhibit B, which is incorporated as part of this Agreement. 4.2 Public Body shall invoice the County for the First Grant Award Payment Amount as listed on page 1 of this Agreement after this Agreement is executed. 4.3 Public Body shall submit to the County Semi-Annual Status Reports as provided in Exhibit C, which is incorporated as part of this Agreement. 4.4 Prior to submitting an invoice to the County for payment of the Final Grant Award Amount as listed on page 1, Public Body shall contribute the entire Match Amount listed on page 1 and shall submit to the County a Final Report as provided in Exhibit D, which is incorporated as part of this Agreement, by the Agreement End Date or within sixty (60) days of ﬁnal project completion, whichever date is sooner. 4.5 Public Body shall respond to and be responsible for Freedom of Information Act requests relating to Public Body’s records, data, or other information. 4.6 Public Body must comply with any other reporting requirements regarding the Grant Award and/or this Agreement, as determined by the County. 4.7 Public Body may only use Grant Award for purposes consistent with those speciﬁed by the Public Body in its approved Project Scope of Work (Exhibit A) and Project Budget (Exhibit B). 4.8 Any cost overruns incurred to complete the Project shall be the sole responsibility of the Public Body. Page 3 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT 5. County’s Responibilities: 5.1 The County shall disburse the First Grant Award Payment Amount as listed on page 1 of this Agreement within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving the invoice from the Public Body. 5.2 Within thirty (30) calendar days of the County receiving the Final Report (Exhibit D) from the Public Body, the County will make a determination of Project completion, which may include an on-site inspection and an audit. If the County determines Public Body has satisfactorily completed the Project Scope of Work (Exhibit A), the County shall request an invoice from the Public Body for the Final Grant Award Amount as listed on page 1. 5.3 The County reserves the right to request additional information necessary to substantiate payments. 5.4 The County shall disburse the Final Grant Award Amount as listed on page 1 to the Public Body within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving the invoice from the Public Body. 5.5 The County shall not pay any portion of the Grant Award directly to a contractor or subcontractor. Grant Award shall only be paid to the Public Body. 5.6 Upon issuance of ﬁnal payment from the County, Public Body releases the County of all Claims against the County arising under this Agreement. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or by State law, ﬁnal payment under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of the County’s Claims against Public Body. 6. Public Body Assurances: 6.1 Public Body affirms that all representations made to the County in connection with its application and this grant were accurate, truthful, and complete and remain so. Public Body acknowledges that all representations and information provided have been relied on by the County to provide the Grant Award under this Agreement. Public Body shall promptly notify the County, in writing, of the occurrence of any event or any material change in circumstances which would make any Public Body representation or information untrue or incorrect or otherwise impair Public Body’s ability to fulﬁll its obligations under this Agreement. 6.2 Public Body shall comply with all applicable local, State, and Federal laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations in the performance of this Agreement, including but not limited to construction of the Project according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-336, 104 Stat. 328 (1990)R and any other barrier free regulations and rules. 6.3 Public Body shall obtain all necessary local, County, and/or State permits, licenses, inspections, and approvals for construction and maintenance of the Project. This Agreement shall not be construed to obligate the County or any other governmental entity to issue any permit or license required for the Project. Public Body shall solely determine what permits or licenses are required for the Project, secure the needed permits or licenses, and remain in compliance with such permits or licenses. Public Body shall retain a copy of all permits and licenses and make them available to the County upon request. 6.4 Public Body shall either: 6.4.1 have control of the real property upon which the Project is located through fee simple title, lease, or other recorded interest; or Page 4 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT 6.4.2 have written documentation from the road agency conﬁrming its willingness to allow Public Body to complete construction of the Project in its road right-of-way and maintain the Project. 6.5 Public Body shall abide by all State and Federal threatened and endangered species regulations when completing the Project Scope of Work (Exhibit A). 6.6 Public Body shall not discriminate against an employee or an applicant for employment in hiring, any terms and conditions of employment or matters related to employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, height, weight, disability, veteran status, familial status, marital status or any other reason, that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position, in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws. Public Body further agrees that any subcontract shall contain non-discrimination provisions, which are not less stringent than this provision and binding upon all subcontractors. A breach of this covenant shall be regarded as material breach of this Agreement. 6.7 Public Body shall ensure any contractor or sub-contractor performing work in the Project Scope of Work (Exhibit A) complies with the requirements of the Davis Bacon Act / Michigan Prevailing Wage Act. 6.8 Public Body shall require that no individual be denied access to the Project or Project activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, height, weight, disability, veteran status, familial status, or marital status. 6.9 Public Body is solely responsible for all activities performed under this Agreement and for the construction and maintenance of the Project. Public Body shall be the sole point of contact regarding contractual matters for the Project, including payment of all charges resulting from the Project. 6.10 Public Body shall require all contractors and subcontractors constructing or performing the Project to comply with this Agreement. 6.11 Public Body shall ensure all contractors and subcontractors constructing and performing the Project are qualiﬁed to perform such work. 6.12 Public Body shall be solely responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Project subject to this Agreement. 6.13 All records related to the Project must be maintained for a minimum of ﬁve (5) years after the ﬁnal payment has been issued to Public Body by the County. 6.14 Public Body shall install an Oakland Transit recognition plaque at the Project site stating that the Project or a portion of the Project was paid for with monies provided by the Oakland County Public Transportation millage. The County, at its sole cost, shall provide the recognition plaque to Public Body. The recognition plaque shall remain at the Project site for a minimum of ﬁve (5) years. 7. Setoff or Retention of Funds: 7.1 Public Body shall expend the entire Grant Award under this Agreement by the End Date. Any portion of the Grant Award not used by that date shall be returned to the County. 7.2 In any case where Public Body is required to return an amount of money to the County under this Agreement, Public Body agrees that unless expressly prohibited by law, the County or the Oakland County Treasurer, at their sole option, shall be entitled to set Page 5 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT off from any other Public Body funds that are in the County's possession for any reason, including but not limited to, the Oakland County Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund ("DTRF"), if applicable. Any setoff or retention of funds by the County shall be deemed a voluntary assignment of the amount by Public Body to the County. Public Body waives any Claims against the County or its officials for any acts related speciﬁcally to the County's offsetting or retaining of such amounts. This paragraph shall not limit Public Body's legal right to dispute whether the underlying amount retained by the County was actually due and owing under this Agreement. 7.3 Nothing in this Section shall operate to limit the County’s right to pursue or exercise any other legal rights or remedies under this Agreement or at law against Public Body to secure payment of amounts due to the County should the Grant Award not be used by the End Date. The remedies in this Section shall be available to the County on an ongoing and successive basis if Public Body becomes delinquent in its repayment of unused Grant Award. Notwithstanding any other term and condition in this Agreement, if the County pursues any legal action in any court to secure its repayment of unused Grant Award under this Agreement, Public Body agrees to pay all costs and expenses, including attorney fees and court costs, incurred by the County in the collection of any amount owed by Public Body. 8. Liability: 8.1 The County is not liable or required to operate, maintain, or contribute to the operation or maintenance of the Project or any associated Project activities. 8.2 As used in this Agreement, “Claims” mean any alleged losses, claims, complaints, demands for relief or damages, lawsuits, causes of action, proceedings, judgments, deﬁciencies, liabilities, penalties, litigation, costs, or expenses including, but not limited to, reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees, witness fees, court costs, investigation expenses, litigation expenses, amounts paid in settlement, and/or other amounts or liabilities of any kind which are incurred by or asserted against a Party, or for which a Party may become legally and/or contractually obligated to pay or defend against, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, whether based upon any alleged violation of the Federal or the State constitution, any Federal or State statute, rule, regulation, or any alleged violation of Federal or State common law, whether commenced or threatened. 8.3 Public Body shall defend any Claim brought against either Party that involves the Project, involves associated Project activities, or that involves title, ownership, or other rights to the real property upon which the Project is located. 8.4 Public Body is responsible for all Claims arising under or in any manner related to the Agreement, the activities authorized by Agreement, or the use and occupancy of the Project. 8.5 Performance of this Agreement is a governmental service and function. This Agreement does not, and is not intended to, impair, divest, delegate, or contravene any constitutional, statutory, and/or other legal right, privilege, power, obligation, duty, or immunity of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of governmental immunity of either Party. 9. Insurance: 9.1 Public Body shall acquire and maintain insurance or a program of self-insurance, which Public Body deems necessary, to protect it from liability related to construction and/or Page 6 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT operation of the Project. The County shall not obtain any insurance or provide any self- insurance for construction and/or operation of the Project. 9.2 Prior to the Public Body entering into a contract to complete the Project Scope of Work (Exhibit A), any contractor for the Project shall produce evidence satisfactory to the County that it maintains insurance coverage in types and amounts deﬁned in Exhibit E and naming the County as an additional insured thereon. 10. Audit and Access to Records: The County reserves the right to conduct programmatic and ﬁnancial audits of the Project and may withhold payment until the audit is satisfactorily completed. Public Body shall maintain all pertinent records and evidence pertaining to this Agreement, including Grant Award and Match Amount, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other procedures speciﬁed by the County. The County or any of its duly authorized representatives must have access, upon reasonable notice, to such books, records, documents, and other evidence for the purpose of inspection, audit, and copying. Public Body shall provide proper facilities for such access and inspection. All records must be maintained for a minimum of ﬁve (5) years after the ﬁnal payment has been issued to Public Body by the County. 11. Termination: 11.1 Failure by Public Body to comply with any provision of this Agreement shall be a material breach of this Agreement. Upon breach of the Agreement by Public Body, the County may, in addition to any other remedy provided by law: 11.1.1 Terminate this Agreement; 11.1.2 Withhold and/or cancel future payments to Public Body on any or all current grant projects with the County until the violation is resolved to the satisfaction of the County; 11.1.3 Withhold action on all pending and future grant applications submitted by Public Body to the County; 11.1.4 Require repayment of funds already paid to Public Body under this Agreement; and/or 11.1.5 Require speciﬁc performance of the Agreement. 11.2 Upon the date of termination, all outstanding reports and documents are due to the County and after the termination date the County will no longer be liable to pay or reimburse Public Body any outstanding Grant Award. 12. Assignability: Public Body shall not assign or transfer any interest in this Agreement without prior written authorization of the Transit Manager. 13. Successors and Assigns: This Agreement shall be binding upon and beneﬁt the successors and assigns of the Parties. 14. Waiver: Waiver of any term or condition under this Agreement must be in writing. No written waiver, in one or more instances, shall be deemed or construed as a continuing waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement. No waiver by either Party shall subsequently affect its right to require strict performance of this Agreement. 15. Cumulative Remedies: A Party’s exercise of any remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other remedies, all of which shall be cumulative. A Party shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which remedies are to be exercised and in which order. 16. Changes/Amendments: Any changes to this Agreement requested by Public Body shall be made in writing and sent to the County contact listed in Section 2 of this Agreement. The County may approve or deny such change, in its sole discretion. Except for being granted an administrative no-cost time extension by the Transit Manager, changes requiring an amendment to this Page 7 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Agreement will be executed by the County and Public Body in the same manner as this Agreement. This Agreement cannot be modiﬁed unless reduced to writing and signed by both Parties. 17. Severability: If a court of competent jurisdiction ﬁnds a term or condition of this Agreement to be illegal or invalid, then the term or condition shall be deemed severed from this Agreement. All other terms or conditions shall remain in full force and effect. 18. Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed, interpreted, and enforced by the laws of the State of Michigan. 19. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including facsimile or electronic copies, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one instrument. 20. Third Party Beneﬁciaries: This Agreement does not and is not intended to create any obligation, duty, promise, contractual right or beneﬁt, right to indemniﬁcation, right to subrogation and/or any other right in favor of any other person or entity other than the Parties herein. 21. Entire Agreement: This Agreement sets forth all covenants, promises, agreements, conditions, and understandings between the Parties concerning the Project. There are no covenants, promises, agreements, conditions, or understandings, either oral or written, between the Parties other than are herein set forth. 22. Survival of Terms: The Parties understand and agree that all terms and conditions of this Agreement that require continued performance, compliance, or effect beyond the End Date of this Agreement shall survive the End Date and shall be enforceable in the event of a failure to conform or comply. 23. Duration of Interlocal Agreement: This Agreement and any amendments shall be effective when executed by both Parties with resolutions passed by the governing bodies of each Party except as provided in Sections 23.1 and 23.2 below. The approval and terms of this Agreement and any amendments, except as speciﬁed below, shall be entered in the official minutes of the governing bodies of each Party. An executed copy of this Agreement and any amendments shall be ﬁled by the County Clerk with the Secretary of State. 23.1 The Transit Manager may grant an administrative no-cost time extension if changes do not result in an increased Grant Award. Changes which result in an increased Grant Award shall require an amendment following the procedure explained in Sections 16 and 23. 23.2 The Chairperson of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is authorized to sign amendments to the Agreement to add Exhibits that were previously approved by the Board of Commissioners. An amendment signed by the Board Chairperson under this Section must be sent to the Election Division in the County Clerk's Office to be ﬁled with the Agreement once it is signed by both Parties. 23.3 Unless extended by an Amendment, this Agreement shall remain in effect until the End Date or until cancelled, granted an administrative no-cost time extension by the Transit Manager, or terminated by any of the Parties pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Page 8 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Exhibit A Project Scope of Work Project Title: Project Description: Page 9 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 10 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 11 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 12 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 13 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 14 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 15 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 16 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 17 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 18 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Page 19 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Exhibit B Project Budget Project Scope Item Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost Total Project Budget Funding Source % of Total Project Access to Transit Program Grant Award Match Amount* General Funds or Local Restricted Funds Force Account Labor Federal or State Funds Private or Philanthropy Cash Donations Donated Labor/Materials *Refer to the Access to Transit Program Guide for acceptable match sources. Page 20 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Exhibit C Semi-Annual Status Report Date: Public Body Name: Public Body Contact: Name and Title: Address: Telephone Number: E-Mail Address: Project Title: Grant Award: Match Amount: Total Project Amount: Project Status Summary: Completed Project Components: Outstanding Project Components: Timeline for Completion: Additional information to be attached: • Photographs of project status • Permits • Budget balance/amount of budget expended • Match Amount allocated and/or expended Page 21 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Exhibit D Final Report Date: Public Body Name: Public Body Contact: Name and Title: Address: Telephone Number: E-Mail Address: Project Title: Grant Award: Match Amount: Date and Amount of Contribution of Match Amount: Total Project Amount: Date of Project Completion: Design Professional Certiﬁcation: □ I – the Design Professional for the Project – certify that all design and/or construction was completed according to industry standards and that all necessary permits were obtained from and approved by the relevant agencies. Design Professional Name and Title: Design Professional Signature: Additional information to be attached: • Copies of invoices (not purchase orders or statements) • Contractor releases (documentation that the contractor has been paid) • Copies of canceled checks and/or screen shots of ACH payments made to contractors/suppliers/vendors • Copies of credit card receipts for any credit card transactions • Budget balance/amount of budget expended • Match Amount allocated and/or expended o Documentation of force account labor (if applicable) o Documentation of any donated labor or materials related to construction from sources other than the grantees' own paid labor. Donated.labor.should.be.valued.at. Page 22 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT minimum.wage.unless.the.person.is.professionally.skilled.in.the.work.being. performed.on.the.project¡.When.a.professional.is.volunteering.professional.services?. the.wage.rate.this.individual.is.normally.paid.for.performing.this.service.may.be. charged.to.the.project¡.Value.of.donated.materials.must.be.documented¡.Value.of. donated.land.does.not.count.as.match¡ • Photographs of completed project • Any other relevant information, records or other pertinent documentation, which may be requested by the County. If requested by the County, the Public Body shall provide information concerning the Grant Award to the County in a web-based format. Page 23 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Exhibit E Contractor Insurance Requirements During this Contract, the Contractor shall provide and maintain, at their own expense, all insurance as set forth and marked below, protecting the County against any Claims, as deﬁned in this Contract. The insurance shall be written for not less than any minimum coverage herein speciﬁed. Limits of insurance required in no way limit the liability of the Contractor. Primary Coverages Commercial General Liability Occurrence Form including: (a) Premises and Operations; (b) Products and Completed Operations (including On and Off Premises Coverage); (c) Personal and Advertising Injury; (d) Broad Form Property Damage; (e) Broad Form Contractual including coverage for obligations assumed in this Contract; $1,000,000 – Each Occurrence Limit $1,000,000 – Personal & Advertising Injury $2,000,000 – Products & Completed Operations Aggregate Limit $2,000,000 – General Aggregate Limit $ 100,000 – Damage to Premises Rented to You (formally known as Fire Legal Liability) Workers’ Compensation Insurance with limits statutorily required by any applicable Federal or State Law and Employers Liability insurance with limits of no less than $500,000 each accident, $500,000 disease each employee, and $500,000 disease policy limit. 1. ☐ Fully Insured or State approved self-insurer. 2. ☐ Sole Proprietors must submit a signed Sole Proprietor form. 3. ☐ Exempt entities, Partnerships, LLC, etc., must submit a State of Michigan form WC-337 Certiﬁcate of Exemption. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance covering bodily injury or property damage arising out of the use of any owned, hired, or non-owned automobile with a combined single limit of $1,000,000 each accident. This requirement is waived if there are no company owned, hired or non-owned automobiles utilized in the performance of this Contract. Commercial Umbrella/Excess Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $2,000,000 each occurrence. Umbrella or Excess Liability coverage shall be no less than following form of primary coverages or broader. This Umbrella/Excess requirement may be met by increasing the primary Commercial General Liability limits to meet the combined limit requirement. Third -Party Employee Theft Insurance Coverage will be required in the minimum amount of the grant with the County of Oakland named as an additional insured. Page 24 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Supplemental Coverages – As Needed 1. Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions Insurance (i.e., Consultants, Technology Vendors, Architects, Engineers, Real Estate Agents, Insurance Agents, Attorneys, etc.) with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $1,000,000 aggregate shall be required when the Contractor provides professional services that the County relies upon. 2. Cyber Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $1,000,000 aggregate shall be required when the Subrecipient has access to County IT systems and/or stores County data electronically. 3. Other Insurance Coverages as may be dictated by the provided product/service and deemed appropriate by the County Risk Management Department. General Insurance Conditions The aforementioned insurance shall be endorsed, as applicable, and shall contain the following terms, conditions, and/or endorsements. All certiﬁcates of insurance shall provide evidence of compliance with all required terms, conditions and/or endorsements. 1. All policies of insurance shall be on a primary, non-contributory basis with any other insurance or self-insurance carried by the County; 2. The insurance company(s) issuing the policy(s) shall have no recourse against the County for subrogation (policy endorsed written waiver), premiums, deductibles, or assessments under any form. All policies shall be endorsed to provide a written waiver of subrogation in favor of the County; 3. Any and all deductibles or self-insured retentions shall be assumed by and be at the sole risk of the Contractor; 4. Contractors shall be responsible for their own property insurance for all equipment and personal property used and/or stored on County property; 5. The Commercial General Liability and Commercial Automobile Liability policies along with any required supplemental coverages shall be endorsed to name the County of Oakland and it officers, directors, employees, appointees and commissioners as additional insured where permitted by law and policy form; 6. If the Contractor’s insurance policies have higher limits than the minimum coverage requirements stated in this document the higher limits shall apply and in no way shall limit the overall liability assumed by the Contractor under contract. 7. The Contractor shall require its contractors or sub-contractors, not protected under the Contractor’s insurance policies, to procure and maintain insurance with coverages, limits, provisions, and/or clauses equal to those required in this Contract; 8. Certiﬁcates of insurance must be provided no less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the County’s execution of the Contract and must bear evidence of all required terms, conditions and endorsements; and provide 30 days’ notice of cancellation/material change endorsement. Page 25 of 25 ACCESS TO TRANSIT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT 9. All insurance carriers must be licensed and approved to do business in the State of Michigan along with the Contractor’s state of domicile and shall have and maintain a minimum A.M. Best’s rating of A- unless otherwise approved by the County Risk Management Department. 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 1 of 14 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 2 of 14 Contents About the Program ..................................................................................................................... 3 Eligible Applicants ...................................................................................................................... 5 Eligible Projects ......................................................................................................................... 5 Funding Guidelines .................................................................................................................... 7 Eligible Expenses ....................................................................................................................... 8 Project Selection Criteria ............................................................................................................ 9 Project Selection Process .........................................................................................................10 Timeline .................................................................................................................................... 11 How to Apply ............................................................................................................................. 11 Contact .....................................................................................................................................12 Appendix A: Sample Community Resolution .............................................................................13 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 3 of 14 About the Program In 2022, Oakland County voters approved the Oakland County Public Transportation millage. This voter-approved, 10-year, 0.95 millage is dedicated to maintaining and expanding public transit services throughout Oakland County. As a result of the millage, Oakland County now contracts directly with five transit providers that provide four different types of public transportation services: 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 4 of 14 The five transit providers are: - Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), which operates Fixed Route, ADA Paratransit, and Microtransit service and also partners with individual municipalities in its service area to provide Community Transit services. - North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), which operates Community Transit in northeastern Oakland County. - OPC Social & Activity Center (OPC), which operates Community Transit in the Rochester area. - People’s Express (PEX), which operates Community Transit in southwestern Oakland County. - Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA), which operates Community Transit in northwestern Oakland County. Community Transit Microtransit (Flex) Fixed Route (ADA Paratransit within ¾ mile) 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 5 of 14 To further the enhancement and expansion of public transit services and in keeping with its goal to make transit stops easier and safer to get to and more comfortable to wait at, the Oakland County Transit Division launched the Oakland County Access to Transit Program in 2024 to fund capital improvement projects that will improve safe access to SMART, NOTA, WOTA, OPC, and PEX services for riders. The Access to Transit Program uses limited Oakland County Public Transportation Millage funds to implement publicly supported projects in Oakland County. Two million dollars in funding is available through the Access to Transit Program for 2026 Investing in mobility and safety improvements, including pedestrian and bicycling facilities in proximity to, and serving, existing or planned transit services, provides several benefits for local municipalities, transit riders, and the regional transit system, such as: • Provides more transportation options for residents that are unable to drive. • Improves first and last mile connections, enhances safety and makes it easier for riders to get to and from transit service. • Increases transit ridership, which helps reduce congestion and vehicle emissions. • Lowers instances of driving single occupant vehicles and reduces demand for commuter parking. • Supports pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and promotes public health through active transportation. • Supports transit-oriented development by fostering active, walkable places. • Provides universal access for all riders regardless of age or ability. • Improves a community’s economic vitality and attracts and/or retains businesses. This is a competitive application process and will be scored on how well each applicant’s project aligns with program criteria, as detailed below. If a project is approved, an interlocal agreement will be executed and the sponsoring municipality is responsible for project implementation. Eligible Applicants The Access to Transit Program applications must be submitted by a city, village, or township in Oakland County. A municipality may partner with one or more municipalities on a project; however, only one city, village, or township will act as the applicant. Eligible Projects The Access to Transit Program seeks applications for capital improvement projects that will foster safe access to SMART, NOTA, WOTA, OPC, and PEX services, which may include but are not limited to: • Universal Accessibility Improvements: Pickup and drop-off areas, curb ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian-activated beacons and signals, sidewalk connections, key walks and wayfinding signage. • On-Road and Off-Road Bicycle Facilities and Amenities: Bike lanes, cycle tracks, bicycle signal heads, bicycle parking and storage, bike repair stations and bike tire air pumps. 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 6 of 14 • Bus Stop Enhancements and Amenities: Concrete pads, benches, shelters, electronic schedules, bus ticket kiosks, emergency phones, trash and recycling receptacles, and portable device charging station. • Intersection Improvements: Crosswalk pavement markings, curb extensions, refuge islands, pedestrian signal heads, traffic signals, and intersection reconfiguration. • Mobility Hub Elements: Co-location and installation of multi-modal infrastructure including bikeshare stations, and e-scooters. • Filling Gaps in Pedestrian Networks: Connections between segments of shared-use paths, side paths, and sidewalks. • Street Lighting, Street Trees, and Streetscape • Wayfinding Signage: Signage and wayfinding systems must prioritize transit access by clearly supporting first- and last-mile connections, facilitating seamless inter-agency transfers, and addressing all other critical touchpoints in the rider journey. • Park-and-Ride Enhancements • Other Innovative Projects: Support access to transit improvements such as micromobility programs/infrastructure (contact the Transit Manager before applying if you have a special project in mind). Project phases eligible for funding include: 1. Conceptual Design: Public engagement, design charrettes, topographic surveys, utility location/identification, conditions assessments, project scoping, conceptual site plans, preliminary cost estimate preparation, and/or environmental assessments. 2. Preliminary Engineering: Soil borings, construction drawings, final specifications, utility coordination, permitting, environmental review, and/or engineers estimate of costs. 3. Bidding and Construction: Prepare final bid documents, project advertising, and costs directly related to construction. 4. Construction Engineering: Construction observation/project oversight, contract administration, construction/survey layout, materials testing, final inspection, and prepare as-built construction plans. Projects should be included, or planned to be included, in a community Master Plan, Transportation Plan, Non-Motorized Plan, or Capital Improvement Plan. The applicant is responsible for providing the public with an adequate opportunity to review and comment on the proposed project. A public hearing is not required; however, the project must be an agenda item at a public meeting of the municipality and open to discussion by the general public. The applicant should hold at least one public meeting to receive input about the project. This meeting must be held within one year of the application deadline. Public meetings focused on review of the community’s Master Plan or Transportation Plan will not meet obligations for public input for the application unless the meeting notice and agenda indicate that the meeting will cover both plan review and the specific project. A resolution supporting the project and committing to matching funds, if the application is selected, passed by the legislative body of the municipality is also required (a sample resolution is provided in Appendix A). 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 7 of 14 Funding Guidelines The Access to Transit Program will provide an initial disbursement of 50 percent of the total grant award, which will enable the community to initiate the project. The remaining funds will be disbursed as reimbursement at the end of the project. Semi-annual status reports will be required as the project progresses and a final report with documentation of expenses will be required at the end of the project. Grant awards vary by project phase. Grant award requests must meet the following thresholds: • Conceptual Design: Requests must be between $15,000 and $50,000. • Preliminary Engineering: Requests must be between $25,000 and $100,000. • Bidding and Construction: Requests must be between $150,000 and $1 million. • Construction Engineering: Requests up to 15 percent of construction costs with a maximum request of $150,000. With most projects, a 20 percent match is required. Certain communities may be eligible to have the match requirement waived or partially waived – if your community has difficulty providing matching funds, please contact the Transit Manager. Acceptable match sources are: • General Funds or Local Restricted Funds: Local cash or budgeted funding from the applicant’s general fund or applicable restricted funds such as transportation or recreation. • Force Account Labor: The applicant’s paid employees that will work directly on the construction of the project. This value cannot include project administration or supervision costs but may include preliminary/design engineering or other approved professional services. • Federal or State Funds: Federal or State grant funds that have been awarded (or are pending award) for funding within the project period. • Private or Philanthropy: Funds that have been awarded (or are pending award) for funding within the project period through private donations or philanthropic organizations. • Cash Donations: Cash generated from donations, fundraising, or other similar means. • Donated Labor/Materials: Labor or materials directly related to the construction of the project from sources other than the applicant’s own paid labor. Donated labor will be valued at minimum wage, unless the person is professionally skilled in the work being performed on the project. When a professional is volunteering professional services, the wage rate that this individual is normally paid for performing this service may be charged to the project. Value of donated materials must be documented. The value of donated land will not be counted as match. Applicants seeking local match funding for other grant programs do not need to provide a match, however they must provide the grant application or letter of commitment from the external granting agency. If funding from the Access to Transit Program is awarded, the awardee shall commit to the following responsibilities: 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 8 of 14 • Concept design or preliminary engineering projects will subsequently move forward with implementation and construction within a reasonable time frame. • The project must comply with all federal and state requirements regarding accessibility for people with disabilities. • The awardee will coordinate with local transit providers, road agencies, and property owners to obtain all necessary approvals, easements, rights-of-way (ROW), and permits within the proposed project timeline. • The awardee will maintain the project site and any approved project scope items installed for the intended design life. This includes ensuring access that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). • Any contractor or sub-contractor performing work on the project shall comply with the requirements of the Davis Bacon Act / Michigan Prevailing Wage Act. • The design professional for the project will be required to certify that all design and/or construction was completed according to industry standards and that all necessary permits were obtained from and approved by the relevant agencies. • Construction projects must install an Oakland Transit recognition plaque (provided by Oakland County) at the project location and maintain it at that site for a minimum of five (5) years from the date of project completion. Eligible Expenses Only those costs directly associated with the design, preliminary engineering, and construction of the project will be reimbursed. The grant award received will be based on the information included in the application. The municipality will be responsible for all cost overruns or any additional costs needed to complete the project. Extension of the project completion time may be granted at the discretion of the Transit Manager as long as changes do not result in an increase in the grant award (for example: project delay due to permitting). Changes which result in an increase to the grant award can only be made by amending the interlocal agreement. Program administration or supervision expenses will not count toward the match, and the Access to Transit Program will not fund right-of-way acquisition or easements or maintenance equipment. Overhead, maintenance, administration, attorney, and contingency costs are not eligible expenses. 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 9 of 14 Project Selection Criteria Applications will be scored based on the following criteria: Proximity to Transit Access Improvement Safety Improvement How well the project improves safety for people accessing public transit services (refer to the Public Support Letters of support and documentation of outreach to members of the general public demonstrating public support for the project (if there is opposition to the proposed project, Design Ridership Increase Potential 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 10 of 14 Equity Community Project location proximity to a US Department of Transportation-Designated Disadvantaged Long-Term Maintenance To what extent a plan is in place for the long-term maintenance of the project once Universal Accessibility documented engagement with the disability community and/or Universal Total Score 0-60 points Project Selection Process All applications submitted will be reviewed and scored by a selection committee consisting of Oakland County Transit and Planning Division staff as well as staff from the transit providers and road agencies. The selected projects will be recommended by the Transit Division to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for final approval. Once a project is approved by the Board of Commissioners, an interlocal agreement will be executed and the sponsoring municipality will be responsible for project implementation. 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 11 of 14 Timeline October 31, 2025 December 1, 2025 by 4:00 Applications due 2025- January Applications are reviewed and scored. Site visits and audits are conducted, if needed (applicants may receive requests for additional information). Q1 2026 Commissioners for funding approval (successful applicants are notified after Board approval). Oakland County executes interlocal agreement with city, Semi- annually Awardees submit a semi-annual status report to Oakland County throughout the course of the project by the following deadlines: • July 31 of the current year (for Jan-June) • Within 60 days of project Awardees submit a final report with expense documentation, Oakland County makes final grant award payment, and construction projects receive an Oakland Transit recognition plaque to install at the project location How to Apply Authorized officials of Oakland County cities, villages, and townships can apply for the program at the following link: https://oakgov.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2n3WOmxMUNBG51Q Applications must be submitted on or before December 1, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. An authorized official is the applicant’s representative who has the authority to obligate the community legally and financially to initiate and submit an application on behalf of the community. Typically, this is a senior-level, paid staff person of the local unit of government or the chief elected official of the community. A contractor who may gain financially from the project cannot represent the community at either the application or implementation stage. Applicants may submit more than one project; however, separate applications are required for each project and the applicant must indicate the priority order, with the first application submitted sequentially being the highest priority application. Each application must be a standalone project – that is, not dependent on another project application – in order to be constructed. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Transit Manager if they have any questions prior to submitting an application. If a proposed project is located in road right-of-way under the jurisdiction of another entity, such as the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) or the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), applicants should submit letters of support or interest from those entities with the application. If a project is awarded funding, it is the awardees’ responsibility to obtain the required permit(s) from those entities for all work proposed within their rights-of-way. 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 12 of 14 Contact Please direct questions about the Access to Transit Program to: Eli Cooper Transit Manager Oakland County Transit Division 248-975-9876 cooperel@oakgov.com or Lindsay Wallace Principal Planner Oakland County Transit Division 248-452-9749 wallacelr@oakgov.com 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 13 of 14 Appendix A: Sample Community Resolution WHEREAS voters passed the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage in November 2022; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners appropriated $2 million of Oakland County Public Transportation Millage to create the Oakland County 2026 Access to Transit Program (the “Program”); and WHEREAS the Program seeks to assist cities, villages, and townships in Oakland County to further the enhancement and expansion of public transit services by providing limited matching funds to support their efforts in making transit stops easier and safer to get to and more comfortable to wait at; and WHEREAS the __________________ [Community Name] (the “Community”) desires to submit a Program application for _____________[Name of the project] to _______________[Project description and/or scope]; and WHEREAS the proposed application is supported by the ________________[insert name of community Master Plan or Capital Improvement Plan]; and WHEREAS the _________________[Community Name] has prepared a Program application in the amount of $_________, based on a total project cost of $__________, to fund ________________ [Concept Design, Preliminary Engineering, Bidding/Construction, or Construction Engineering] for the desired and proposed improvements; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the ___________________ [Community Council/Board] hereby approves the submission of an application to 2026 Access to Transit Program in the amount of $XXXX based on a total project cost of $XXXXXXXX. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the project is approved, _______________________ [Community Name] will enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Oakland County, which will require the _______________________ [Community Name] to make available a local match and other grant funding through financial commitment of $XXXXX during the 20XX-20XX fiscal years. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED if Program funding is awarded, _______________________ [Community Name] agrees to comply Program requirements, including commitment to long-term maintenance of the project site and installed scope items and acknowledges all Project related cost overruns be the responsibility of _______________________ [Community Name]. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ______________________________ [Name and Title of Person] will be authorized to sign all Program-related documents on behalf of the _______________________ [Community Name] and take any other action necessary or appropriate on the Community’s behalf to participate in the Program. AYES: NAYES: ABSENT: MOTION APPROVED. 2026 Oakland County Access to Transit Program Guide Page 14 of 14 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a Resolution duly made and passed by _____________________ of ______________________________ at their regular meeting held on _________________, 20__, at _______a.m./p.m., with a quorum present. _______________________________ ______________________________ Clerk Date