TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a Second 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. 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 No. 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 Agreement No. 33371 with LBT to continue providing bus services for Belmont Shore employees. At the February 23, 2016 Council meeting the City Council approved a six-month extension to allow a review of this Program and funding.
City staff recommends the Program be extended for an additional period of six (6) months to facilitate the transfer of fiscal obligation back to the Commission. During the six-month period, the BSBA and Commission will have an opportunity to negotiate an agreement with the LBT to continue the program beyond the temporary support of Proposition A funds, as well as review other models that may achieve similar goals.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Robin Zur Schmiede on August 23, 2016 and by Revenue Management Officer Julissa Jose-Murray on August 26, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested September 13, 2016, 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 for an additional six (6) month period. Based on the monthly cap of $15,000, the maximum 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,
KATHRYN MCDERMOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF
ECONOMIC AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER