Gainesville has been promised about $7,800,000 in economic stimulus funding, according to Thursday's city commission agenda.
The announcement comes just over a month after President Barack Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law. Money was awarded through a population-based formula. "The dollars are appreciated, but the vast majority of them are capital investment," said Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, referring to controls set on the funds.
Much of the money can only be spent on buildings and items and may not be used to fund programs, said Jeanna Mastrodicasa, a city commissioner.
About $3 million will go to buying new buses for the Regional Transit System, as awarded through Transit Capital Assistance, according to a presentation given during the meeting.
Additionally, there are 22 state and federal grants that Gainesville will compete for.
"I think we'll be really competitive on these things," Mastrodicasa said.
Commissioners also discussed possible new ordinance that would create stricter safety rules for bicycle taxis that patrol the streets near campus on game days.
The ordinance, which would regulate carriages pulled by bikers or pedestrians, passed first reading unanimously. To become law, the ordinance must pass a second reading on April 2.
Currently, there are no safety rules governing bike taxis in Gainesville, according to a Public Safety Committee report.
"They've been running around wild for quite a while," Gainesville Police Department Corporal Fernando Zaragoza said in an interview.
Under the ordinance, bike taxi providers would be required to obtain insurance, permits and limit passenger loads.
In addition, rates must be displayed and bikes have to be equipped with a horn, lights and other safety features.
Street restrictions for bike taxis were discussed at length. The streets that will be off limits to the bike taxis have yet to be chosen, GPD Capt. Ed Posey said. "We do want them off University Avenue," Posey said.
The commission moved to have the list of streets discussed at a Public Safety Committee meeting before becoming law.
Catherine Ojeda, speaking for Redi Pedi Cab Company, a bike taxi service based out of Orlando, expressed concern as to which streets would be blocked from bike taxi use.
Ojeda said the taxi service benefits many game goers, especially those who can't walk for long.
"Without us, they wouldn't find a way to the game," she said.
Alex Ramos, president of Gainesville Rickshaws, added that bike taxis can be a safe alternative to drunk driving.
"We stop them from getting their cars and taking the risk," he said.
