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I. � r�� r� ��ret� ��nr A. Transit for Livable Communities Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) is a non-profit corporation, located in St. Paul, Minnesota. TLC works to improve the quality of life i n Minnesota communities through a balanced transportation system that encourages transit, walking, biking, and transit-oriented development. In the 2005 federal transportationbill, the US Congress named TLC to administer the Non-MotorizedTransportation Pilot Program in Minnesota. For more informationaboutTLC, visit www.ticminnesota.org. B. NTP Federal Program Overview The six-year federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) enacted in the summer of 2005 authorized a Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program in four communities — Minneapolisladjoining communities in Minnesota; Sheboygan County, Wisconsin; Mari� County, California; and Columbia, Missouri. Each community will receive approximately $21.5 million over four years. The program will test how infrastructure improvements, combined with planning, public education, and promotion, can increase the number of people bicycling and walking and reduce driving. The program funds will be used to create a network of non-motorized transportation facilities, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian and bicycle trails, that directly connect with transit stops, schools, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers. The four communities will also study the impact of these investments on traffic congestion, energy use, health, and the environment. Results will provide information to other communities and provide information for the next federal transportation bill. The complete language from SAFETEA-LU regarding the NTP can be found in Appendix A. Selected projects are required to comply with a number of federal and state requirements. While the funding provides a great opportunity, communities are advised that following federal and state regulations require a significant commitment of time and resources on the part of the applicant andlor sponsor. Communities are encouraged to consider their ability to meet these requirements before submitting an application. Some considerations should include: ► Do I have the necessary staff to administer the funding? * Do I have the funding to cover project costs until they are reimbursed? * Do I have the funding to support costs that cannot be reimbursed? * Do I have the resources to support continuation of the project after project completion? C. NTP Minnesota Program Overview The TLC Board of Directors, in consultation with its staff, advisory committee, and agency partners, will determine how the program funding will be used. TLC will allocate funding to projects through several means: * Through at least two rounds of requests for applications for planning, operations, and infrastructure and up to two rounds of requests for applications for education and community outreach, * By directly funding projects selected by the TLC Board, and • By retaining funds for projects implemented or managed by TLC. Since this is a pilot project, with evaluation being a key part of the NTP program, TLC is committed to funding a variety of different projects and measuring the effectiveness of those projects. Mar�n �3,200� NTP Request for Applications — Page 4 of 34