TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft an amendment to Ordinance No. ORD-08-0012, to expand the uses of the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund (SR 136) to include subsidizing bus passes for Belmont Shore employees. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission (BSPBIAAC) was established with the purpose of improving parking conditions in the Belmont Shore business district. The Belmont Shore area has experienced parking challenges for many years, both residential and commercial, and to address this issue, the BSPBIAAC has explored various options including new parking lot construction, as well as programs to reduce the number of employee-owned vehicles parking in the area. One viable option would be to partner with Long Beach Transit (LBT) to offer a Belmont Shore Employee Rider Pass Program (Program). The purpose of the Program would be to reduce the number of employee-owned vehicles occupying parking spaces in the Belmont Shore area by providing free bus passes to local business employees. The bus passes could be used for door-to-door service, or pickup and drop off at a remote site.
LBT has presented a cost-sharing proposal for a trial program to implement in Belmont Shore. This Program is modeled after the highly successful student rider program established between LBT and California State University, Long Beach. LBT has proposed to offer their service at a generous discount, which would initially be subsidized by the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Revenue Fund (Fund). In order to fund the Program, it is necessary to amend the City ordinance.
On June 13, 1985, the City Council approved Ordinance C-6170, known as the Appropriations Ordinance, to establish the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund. Subsequent amendments have been approved over the years, and on June 20, 2008, the City Council approved Ordinance No. ORD-08-0012, repealing Ordinances No. C-6219 and C-7090, for the purpose of expanding the boundaries and the uses for which such funds may be expended in the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Revenue Fund area.
Expenditures from the Fund are limited to: acquisition, construction, improvement, operation or maintenance (including all services and supplies) of City parking lots, parking facilities, or parking-related equipment or fixtures; for traffic signals, street lighting, street furniture, landscaping, project art and other appurtenant work; and improvements to streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks on public streets and alleys located within, or which are for the benefit of the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area. At its June 16, 2011 meeting, the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission voted unanimously to approve the Program.
It is recommended that the City Attorney draft an amendment to ORD-08-0012 thereby allowing expenditure of the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund to permit funding of the Belmont Shore Employee Rider Pass Program in partnership with Long Beach Transit.
This letter was reviewed by Chief Assistant City Attorney Heather Mahood on September 26, 2011, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 6, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 1, 2011, to allow the Long Beach City Attorney to draft an amendment to ORD-08-0012.
FISCAL IMPACT
The pilot Program will run approximately three months with a payment cap of $15,000 per month, and existing appropriation from the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund (SR 136) is sufficient to cover the total estimated cost of $45,000. Given historical expenditures, there will also be sufficient appropriation to cover 12 months of this Program at $15,000 per month. There is no impact to the General Fund and no local job impact associated with the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER