TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to amend Agreement No. 33371 with the Long Beach Public Transportation Company, for the Belmont Shore Employee Rider Pass Program, to extend the term for a six-month period and increase the contract by an amount not to exceed $90,000. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Belmont Shore Business Association (BSBA) and the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission (Commission) continue to explore ways to mitigate parking challenges for residents, as well as for customers shopping in Belmont Shore. The Belmont Shore Employee Rider Pass (Program) utilizes existing Long Beach Public Transportation Company (LBT) bus services for employees of Belmont Shore businesses. This bus pass allows unlimited rides (seven days per week), on all LBT bus routes at no cost to the employees. The implementation of the Program has proven to be effective, averaging approximately 450 unique bus riders each month and making available more parking spaces for the community.
On December 18, 2012, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents with LBT for a 12-month period for the Program in an amount not to exceed $180,000, and authorized the City Manager to execute any necessary amendments, including term extensions at the sole discretion of the City Manager (Agreement No. 33371). Initially, the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund in the Department of Public Works funded this Program. In July 2013, approval was given to support the Program with Proposition A funding, which is allocated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Proposition A funding is used for the operation of public transportation and related improvements, as well as transportation demand management programs intended to reduce vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled. The current Agreement stipulates that the City will reimburse LBT at a rate of $0.75 per passenger ride, which is $0.50 less than the regular LBT fare, with a payment cap of $15,000 per month.
At the January 21, 2016 Commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved extending the Program, and they requested that the City Council approve a long-term extension of Agreement No. 33371 with LBT to continue providing bus services for Belmont Shore employees. At the February 23, 2016 and the September 13, 2016 meetings, the City Council approved six-month extensions of the Agreement. City staff recommends the Program be extended for an additional six-month period to continue the review of the Program and funding.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on December 22, 2016 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on January 17, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested February 7, 2017, to allow the Program to continue.
FISCAL IMPACT
The payment cap of $15,000 per month to reimburse LBT for passenger fares will continue on a month-to-month basis for an additional six-month period. Based on the monthly cap of $15,000, the cost of the six-month extension is not to exceed $90,000, and is budgeted in the Transportation Fund (SR 182) in the Public Works Department (PW). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN KEISLER
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC
AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER