TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a First Amendment to Agreement No. 33371 with the Long Beach Public Transportation Company to extend the Agreement for six months to provide sufficient time to optimize the Belmont Shore Employee Rider Pass Program elements in anticipation of a long-term amendment. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Belmont Shore Business Association (BSBA) and the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission (Commission) are always exploring ways to mitigate parking challenges for residents, as well as for customers shopping in Belmont Shore. As a result of the success of an initial trial, the initiation of the Belmont Shore Employee Rider Pass (Program) has proven to be effective in making available more parking spaces for the community. This Program makes use of the 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.
On December 18, 2012 the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents with the LBT for a twelve (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 33371). Initially, this Program was funded by the Belmont Shore Parking Meter Fund in the Department of Public Works. In July 2013, approval was given to support this Program with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Proposition A funding, which is used for mass transit. The current Agreement stipulates a rate of $0.75 per ride with a payment cap of $15,000 per month to reimburse LBT for passenger fares.
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 the agreement with LBT to continue providing bus services for Belmont Shore employees.
City staff would like an opportunity to optimize the Program to ensure its effectiveness, both in service and cost, and requests that the existing Agreement be extended for a period of six months while this review is being completed. After such review, staff will present to the City Council for its review and approval, the terms and conditions of a long-term extension to the Agreement.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on February 9,2016 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 5, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested February 23, 2016, in order to allow the Program to continue on a month-to-month basis.
FISCAL IMPACT
The payment cap of $15,000 per month to reimburse LBT for passenger fares will continue on a month-to-month basis. Based on the monthly cap of $15,000, the annual cost of the Program is not to exceed $180,000, 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,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER