TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to amend the Nine-Year Operating Agreement between the City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Public Transportation Company for public transportation services from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2014. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach is currently in the middle of a Nine-Year Operating Agreement (Agreement) with Long Beach Transit for July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2014. Section 2 of the existing Agreement states:
"Long Beach Transit shall prepare and submit a proposed operating and capital improvement budget for Long Beach Transit's next succeeding fiscal year to the City's City Manager with a copy to the Director by March 15 each year. The City Manager will transmit it, with his comments, to the City Council. Long Beach Transit's budget shall not become effective until the City Council has had sixty (60) days in which to review and comment on the budget."
Long Beach Transit's budget document is generally not completed until late May each year, based on a July 1st fiscal year. Therefore, it is recommended that the Agreement be amended to accommodate Long Beach Transit's standard operating procedures so that they will not be in violation of the terms of the Agreement. The Agreement would, therefore, be changed to state the following:
"Long Beach Transit shall prepare and submit a proposed operating and capital improvement budget for Long Beach Transit's next succeeding fiscal year to the City's City Manager with a copy to the Director by May 30 each year. The City Manager will transmit it, with his comments, to the City Council. Long Beach Transit's budget shall not become effective until the City Council has had thirty (30) days in which to review and comment on the budget."
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on May 19, 2008 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 20,2008.
SUSTAINABILITY
Long Beach Transit provides a convenient alternative to driving for their nearly 27 million boarding customers per year. With 240 buses, shuttles and vans, they continue to implement strategies to reduce emissions and promote cleaner air. Long Beach Transit has an aggressive policy for retiring aging buses and integrating cleaner more efficient buses into the fleet. They were the first agency in California to install particulate traps on their diesel bus fleet, and have been using ultra low sulfur fuel since 2001. They have also recently added 62 hybrid gasoline electric buses. Most of their buses include bike racks, and bicycle parking is available at many of their bus stops to make it easier for people to leave their cars at home.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Council action is requested on September 23, 2008 to authorize the amendment of the nine-year operating agreement, which will expire on June 30,2014.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact since this agreement addresses only the operating relationship.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
|
APPROVED: |
|
|
|
|
|
PATRICK H. WEST |
|
CITY MANAGER |