Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2013 0717 CCSA REG ITEM 10E ITEM 10.E. City Counciu W6+ap4lnq MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL —� a0 J3 AGENDA REPORT �me�=_�,.,�� �►__t _ TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Dave Klotzle, City Engineer/Public Works Director Prepared By: Shaun Kroes, Senior Management Anal st OPP- DATE: June 28, 2013 (CC Meeting of 07/17113) SUBJECT: Consider Report of the 2012-2013 Grand Jury"Senior Transportation in Ventura County" SUMMARY On May 23, 2013, the City of Moorpark received the Ventura County Grand Jury Report of the 2012-2013 Grand Jury"Senior Transportation in Ventura County"(Report) (Attachment 1). The City of Moorpark has been requested to provide a response to five Recommendations provided in the Report. Staff is requesting that the City Council consider approving the proposed responses and authorize the Mayor to sign a response letter to the Grand Jury (Attachment 2). BACKGROUND The Grand Jury's Report was in response to a protocol meeting held in early 2012. The Grand Jury reportedly reviewed numerous public records regarding transportation needs and concerns of senior citizens and interviewed seniors who used Dial-A-Ride and fixed route services. The Report specifically requires responses from the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors. The Report requests additional responses from the cities in Ventura County. The Report does not appear to have taken into consideration all of the various factors of providing public transit in Ventura County. For example, the Report gives the impression that VCTC and Gold Coast Transit are the same organization, when in fact they are two separate agencies. In addition, the Report does not mention limitations that public transit services are faced with, such as the requirement to maintain a ten percent farebox ratio for Dial-A-Ride services that are funded with Transportation Development Act funds. SAPublic Works\EveryonelReports\Staff Reports\2013\July\7-17-2013(Grand Jury Response Letter).doc 87 Honorable City Council July 17, 2013 Page 2 On June 13, 2013, many of the transit operators in Ventura County met to discuss the Report. The group noted that, with the exception of staff from VCTC, none of the other transit agencies had been contacted or requested to provide information to the Grand Jury. It should be noted that the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), which is discussed in the Report is not a public transit provider; however, it does offer specialized transportation services for seniors that qualify for their transportation programs (such as assistance for seniors in Ventura County who need non-medical emergency transportation services and are outside of a public transit agency's service area). DISCUSSION Attachment 2 provides a detailed response to the specific Recommendations that the Grand Jury has requested that the City of Moorpark respond to. The Recommendations are listed below, along with the proposed responses. R-01. The Grand Jury recommends that an independent, non-elected County administrator be assigned to oversee the collaborative efforts of all the senior transportation modalities in the County and produce strategies to simplify senior transportation. This administrator would seek consensus with the independent companies and city transportation agencies with a goal of consistency in the areas of availability, acceptability, accessibility, adaptability, and affordability. Further, the administrator would develop an advisory board comprised of senior bus-riding citizens to point out the opportunities for improvements. In addition, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors should be encouraged to ride a bus route once a year to determine needs and the effectiveness of the programs. City Council Response: The City of Moorpark does not believe that an independent, non-elected County administrator assigned to oversee the collaborative efforts of all the senior transportation modalities in the County would simplify senior transportation. The City of Moorpark is currently working with other transit operators in Ventura County to implement strategies to encourage simplified senior transportation. The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has an adopted Ventura County Coordinated Public Transit — Human Services Transportation Plan, which includes recommendations for improved public transit. The City of Moorpark also participates in the VCTC Transit Operators Advisory Committee which discusses all transit programs, including improving senior transportation. R-02. In cooperation with the VCTC and VCAAA, programs should be implemented that are designed to assist senior citizens with transportation within their cities and throughout the County. 88 Honorable City Council July 17, 2013 Page 3 City Council Response: It is the City of Moorpark's understanding that VCTC currently provides funding for travel training through Federal and State grants both through its contractor, Mobility Management Partners, and local transit operators. Moorpark would support VCAAA also providing travel training (either directly or through a third party contractor). Ventura County transit agencies work collaboratively with the VCTC and the VCAAA in the development of programs with the focus of addressing the transportation challenges faced by Ventura County seniors. Examples of county- wide collective ventures include computer-aided dispatching software, automated vehicle locators (AVL); and, working groups such as the Transit Operators Advisory Committee; the Americans with Disabilities Act Intercity Committee; and the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee, R-03. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors should allocate specific funding for senior transportation. City Council Response: The City of Moorpark believes that each agency in Ventura County operating transportation services should allocate funding that best meets the needs of the residents served. R-04. The VCTC, working with the VCAAA, should standardize requirements for participation in the senior transportation programs. They should also publicize the availability of programs that fulfill the transportation needs of seniors. City Council Response: The VCTC has already established standards for participation in senior transportation through the Ventura County Coordinated Public Transit — Human Services Transportation Plan. The City of Moorpark currently publicizes the availability of senior transportation services through its website, quarterly city-wide City Magazine, and Moorpark Active Adult Center. Although standards for senior transportation are beneficial, the City of Moorpark also believes that local communities should have the discretion to adjust their respective transit services to meet the local needs/desires of their respective communities. R-05. The VCAAA should plan for increased staffing to accommodate a growing senior population. 89 Honorable City Council July 17, 2013 Page 4 City Council Response: The City of Moorpark recognizes that the staffing level of the VCAAA is dependent upon the amount of available funding and resources that Ventura County is able to provide. FISCAL IMPACT None. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and file Grand Jury report and authorize the Mayor to sign the response letter from the City of Moorpark. Attachments: 1. Ventura County Grand Jury Report 2. Draft Response Letter 90 Attachment 1 Ventura County Grand Jury 2012 - 2013 .00 x �w. a ►.f Final Report Senior Transportation in Ventura County May 30, 2013 91 This page intentionally blank 92 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report Senior Transportation in Ventura County Summary The 2012-2013 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) opened an inquiry into the transportation needs of senior citizens in the County of Ventura (County). Research into Senior Transportation developed after an interesting protocol meeting early in 2012. The Grand Jury chose to look into the issue for further clarification. The organization of public transportation services for the County is a vital service for senior citizens. The Transportation Development Act requires that funds be spent for public transit as well as road repairs. The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) contracts with private companies for that purpose. Considerable effort by the VCTC and the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is being made to ensure that transportation options meet the needs of seniors. One of the most critical turning points in the lives of seniors is when they are no longer able to travel on their own to meet their needs. Although many seniors continue to drive their own cars well into their eighties and beyond, there are many who are no longer able to do so because of financial, physical and/or cognitive limitations. After a study of the issues surrounding senior transportation, the Grand Jury found that senior transportation providers, planners and funding organizations have failed to work together to provide an integrated county-wide transportation network for the entire County. With the residents of the County living longer, the need for senior transportation continues to increase. This inquiry identified and evaluated various senior transportation programs to determine if they are meeting the current needs of the seniors of the County. The Grand Jury recommends that the VCTC and the VCAAA improve transportation options and their availability to the seniors of the County. In addition, the Grand Jury recommends that provision for senior transportation needs be given a top priority within the County. The Grand Jury recommends assigning an independent, non-elected County administrator to oversee and manage the collaborative efforts of all senior transportation modalities. They also need to produce strategies to simplify senior transportation. This administrator would gain cooperation by and with all transportation entities with a goal of consistency in the areas of the "5 A's" (Availability, Acceptability, Accessibility, Adaptability, and Affordability as seniors' needs for transportation) as put forth by the Beverly Foundation. [Ref-02] Background Transportation is one of the most important concerns in today's society. Aging is a major life transition that typically means leaving the workforce and living on a fixed income that either does not vary over time or rises modestly to cover a portion of annual inflation. The Census Bureau stated in 2010 that many older citizens live in poverty, which makes access to affordable public senior Senior Transportation 1 93 Ventura County 2012 — 2013 Grand Jury Final Report transportation crucial. This is not a problem limited to lower income citizens. Many seniors may not be able to walk to the bus stop, or even to the curb, to avail themselves of a ride. Getting to the store to buy groceries, making it to a doctor's appointment or simply meeting with friends can be very difficult. In many cases the senior feels isolated and no longer a part of the community. The Beverly Foundation identifies five different areas ("5 A's") of need for senior transportation. They are: • availability • acceptability • accessibility • adaptability • affordability Public senior transportation in the County is provided by ten different agencies through a combination of fixed route and demand-response transit services. The nonprofit senior/disabled transportation is as follows: [Ref- 03] • Agoura Hills Dial-A-Ride • Camarillo Health Care District Care-A-Van • Fillmore and Piru Vista Dial-A-Ride • Gold Coast Transit Access • Help of Ojai • Moorpark Dial-A-Ride • Santa Paula Vista Dial-A-Ride • Simi Valley Dial-A-Ride • Thousand Oaks Dial-A-Ride • Ventura County Transportation Commission These agencies are not integrated into a single coordinated system. Methodology The Grand Jury reviewed numerous public records with respect to the various transportation needs and concerns of senior citizens. The Grand Jury examined the practices and policies of the VCTC, as well as those of the VCAAA. Also considered were current and historical documents related to senior transportation. Seniors who use demand-response transit (Dial-a-Ride and ACCESS, which are commercial names) and fixed route bus transportation (Vista and Gold Coast) were interviewed, as well as administrators and clients of senior centers. In addition, the Grand Jury obtained best practices information from impartial experts within the senior transportation field and used Internet sources of public 2 Senior Transportation 94 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report records. The Grand Jury researched programs in other areas of the U.S. that provided the kind of transportation service that met the needs of seniors. Facts FA-01. Based on local funding policies and perception of transportation needs, transit operators offer non-matching days and hours of service. [Ref-01] FA-02. An effort to provide integrated or coordinated service has been minimal. However, the VCTC and the transit operators have attempted to improve connections through coordinated fares, media and scheduling software. [Ref-01] FA-03. VCAAA is the main advocacy group for senior services in the County and has provided the seniors of the County with specialized transportation options, such as: "personalized trip planning," instructions on how to obtain paratransit (for disabled seniors) and a helpful brochure that clearly explains transportation options such as demand-response transit systems for County seniors. In addition, their website offers advice on other services available. [Ref-07] FA-04. The County consists of ten cities and large unincorporated areas that are separated by many miles, with many diverse communities and transit centers. Geographic areas do not share common economic, social and/or transportation needs. [Ref-01] FA-05. The Beverly Foundation was founded in 1977. Its mission is to foster new ideas and options to enhance mobility and transportation for today's and tomorrow's older population. [Ref-02] FA-06. The Beverly Foundation emphasizes the following factors as essential to effective and acceptable senior transportation: availability, acceptability, accessibility, adaptability and affordability. [Ref-02] FA-07. The Beverly Foundation stated senior men may live as many as six years and women as many as ten years after the time that they no longer drive. They become dependent on family, as well as on a broad array of community transportation services. [Ref-02] FA-08. The Federal Government's Older Americans Act of 1965 provided for transportation needs of the elderly. This was termed demand-response transit. These services are found in most cities in the County. [Ref-04] FA-09. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national elderly population is projected to double to approximately 80 million by the year 2050. [Ref-05] FA-10. In Thousand Oaks, demand-response transit service is restricted to seniors only. Senior Transportation 3 95 Ventura County 2012 — 2013 Grand Jury Final Report FA-11. In Fillmore, seniors, children, farm workers and others are allowed the use of this service without priority to seniors. FA-12. The VCTC Bus Book print size is small and difficult to read. [Ref-06] Findings FI-01. The Grand Jury found that senior transportation in the County is inadequate. There is little coordination among the ten cities in the County and/or the 10 transportation companies, making it difficult, if not impossible, for a senior citizen to travel easily. (FA-01-04) FI-02. The Grand Jury found that mobility and transportation options are limited to the existing bus routes, and there is little or no coordination of the time schedules. (FA-05, 07) FI-03. The Grand Jury found that.the aging of the County population impacts accessibility to essential services and cultural events. (FA-06, 08-09) FI-04. The demand-response transit services are found in all ten cities, although each city's service is independently operated and functions differently. This has been found to be very confusing and in some cases potentially dangerous to seniors. In Thousand Oaks, the service is for seniors only. However, in the Heritage Valley (Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula) seniors, children, farm workers and others are allowed the use of this service. (FA-08, 09) FI-05. The Grand Jury found that many bus routes, fees, stops, and schedules differ so profoundly that this is confusing to many. The cognitive limitations of many senior citizens add to this issue. (FA-01, 02, 04-09, 11, 12) Recommendations R-01. The Grand Jury recommends that an independent, non-elected County administrator be assigned to oversee the collaborative efforts of all the senior transportation modalities in the County and produce strategies to simplify senior transportation. This administrator would seek consensus with the independent companies and city transportation agencies with a goal of consistency in the areas of availability, acceptability, accessibility, adaptability, and affordability. Further, the administrator would develop an advisory board comprised of senior bus-riding citizens to point out the opportunities for improvements. In addition, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors should be encouraged to ride a bus route once a year to determine needs and the effectiveness of the programs. R-02. In cooperation with the VCTC and VCAAA, programs should be implemented that are designed to assist senior citizens with transportation within their cities and throughout the County. 4 Senior Transportation 96 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report R-03. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors should allocate specific funding for senior transportation. R-04. The VCTC, working with VCAAA, should standardize requirements for participation in the senior transportation programs. They should also publicize the availability of programs that fulfill the transportation needs of seniors. R-05. The VCAAA should plan for increased staffing to accommodate a growing senior population. Responses Responses Required From: County of Ventura, Board of Supervisors (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-04, FI-05) (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) Ventura County Transportation Commission (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-04, FI-05) (R-01, R-02,R-04,R-05) Responses Requested From: City Council, City of Camarillo (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Fillmore (FI-04) (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04,R-05) City Council, City of Moorpark (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Ojai (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Oxnard (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Port Hueneme (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Santa Paula (FI-04) (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Simi Valley (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Thousand Oaks (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) City Council, City of Ventura (R-01, R-02, R-03, R-04, R-05) Commendations The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging is an outstanding advocate for the transportation needs of the County's senior citizens. VCAAA staff actively participates in and collaborates with other County entities concerned with identifying resources and resolving senior transportation issues in each community. Senior Transportation 5 97 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report References Ref-01. Ventura County Regional Transit Study, Final Report-Executive Summary and Report to Legislature as adopted by the VCTC, April 13, 2012, pp. 3-4. Ref-02. Beverly Foundation - www.beverlyfoundation.org/about Ref-03. Eldercare, Ventura County Star 2012-2013 Resource Guide for Services in Ventura County, Community Resources, p. 21. Ref-04. Older Americans Act of 1965. (Pub. L. 89-73, 79 Stat. 218, July 14, 1965 Ref-05. www.census,go v/popul ation/socdemo/statbriefs/agebrief.html. Attachments Att-01. VCTC (Gold Coast Transit) Bus Book, pp. 4-5. Att-02. VCAAA brochure, Ventura County Public Transit for Seniors 6 Senior Transportation 98 Ventura County 2012 — 2013 Grand Jury Final Report Glossary TERM DEFINITION County County of Ventura Demand-response Any non-fixed route system for transporting transit individuals that requires advanced scheduling by the customer, including services provided by public entities, nonprofits, and private providers. Fixed route Includes any transit service in which vehicles transportation run along an established path at preset times. In the County, buses are the most common examples of this type of service. Grand Jury Ventura County Grand Jury Modalities The type of behavior, expression or way of life that belongs to a particular person or group of people. Protocol visit For the purpose of educating the Grand Jury to governmental functions of the County, cities and special districts so that jurors can meaningfully perform their statutory oversight functions Senior citizen A common polite designation for an elderly person, and it implies or means that the person is at least 65 years old or older. VCAAA Ventura County Area Agency on Aging VCTC Ventura County Transportation Commission Senior Transportation 7 99 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report This page intentionally blank 8 Senior Transportation 100 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report Attachment 01 VCTC (Gold Coast Transit) Bus Book, Feb. 10, 2013, pp. 4-5 Senior Transportation 9 101 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report This page intentionally blank 10 Senior Transportation 102 Ventura County 2012 — 2013 Grand Jury Final Report HOW TO BEAD THEBUS SCHEDULE Each schedule lists timepoints for several stops along the route, and these are shown on the accompanying route map. Read the schedule from left to right. To know when you should arrive at a stop that is between the listed timepoints,use the time from the timepoint before your stop. If you need assistance with your trip planning, please call GCT's Customer Service Center at 805-487-4222.Our team is available to help Monday-Friday,7 AM- 7 PM. 1 :LEER EL HORAR110 DEL AUTOPUS! Cada horario muestra el tiempo para vanas paradas a to largo de la ruta y estos se muestran en el mapa de la ruta que acompana. Lea el horario de izquierda a derecha. Para saber cuando debe Ilegar a una parada que esta entre el tiempo indicado, use el fiempo antes de su parada. Si necesita ayuda con la pianificacion de su viaje,por favor Ilame a nuestro Centro de Servicio al Cliente al 805-487-4222,abierto de lunes-viemes,7 AM-7 PM. f ! ; DAILY DiAnio 6ti v`S� QGO�15` o4c ® © 0 a 6:25AM 6:33 6:47 6:54 7:05 7;10 7:18 7:32 7:39 7:50 8;00 8:08 8:24 8:34 8:47 8:55 9:03 9:19 9:29 9:42 9:50 9:58 10:14 10:24 10:37 10:45 10:53 11:09 11:19 11:32 11:40 11:48 12:04eM 12-14 12:27 NOTE:•THESE TRIPS DO NOT OPERATE ON WEEKENDS NOTA•ESTOS VUWfS NO OPERAN LOS RNES DE SUMM The heading tells the route name,number,direction of travel and the day of operation. (El tituto muestra el nombre de la rota,la direccion de la ruta y los dial que opera esta ruta.) The numbered discs are timepoints which correspond to the time a bus will depart at that location.These timepoints are not the only stops on the route.(Solo los puntos ctaves a!o largo de la ruta estan enumerados en el horario.No son las unicas paradas.) Symbols are used to denote specific information about a particular trip.This information is detailed in the"Note"section. (Los simbolos se utilizan Para denotar informacidn de un viaje particular.Se detallan en la seccion "Nota"). Senior Transportation 11 103 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report 1A serves Port Hueneme via Pleasant Valley Rd 1B serves Port Hueneme via Bard Rd See OTC Inset 40 4th St 'Tn' Q IF GoldCOast F¢' Sth St 0mrd City Hall n` .�t_7 i.72ni1 Morin.®` .. - 51h St 3rd St ■H �.: T M is Post U 4th Si'' x win Waotey Rd Gua Wuig e - i ..... . Museum � .: N N 5th SC OXNARD m � s - f Route 1A/111 Santa Clara HS Qr Ttmepoint{see schedule{ Me Centewint Mau Transfer Point _ ■Post Office Channel Islands III . _. Transit/Transfer Center ® Train Station «-*' Rail Line ■ Pant of loterest Yucca SS _ .... Sdtool . Map not to scale l0 0MV NAVAL SASEC Bard Rd-F-Route le YlitliiA COtlf�FY Base Entrance■ Route 1A—r► ■Library Hueneme HS■ Pteasat�tValieyRd r.-. ■Post Office n PORT HUENEME � 4 pmt a t>Port Hueneme Hueneme Scott St t City Half Harbor �HuenemeRd-o—Route lA . SearlewS Route tB— , 0 4 p _•rSW N Pacific Ocean 805-487-42221 GOLDGOASTTRANSIT.ORG 12 Senior Transportation 104 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report Attachment 02 VCAAA brochure, Ventura County Public Transit for Seniors Senior Transportation 13 105 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report This page intentionally blank 14 Senior Transportation 106 rD O rr O Relax and Enjoy the Ride! Join us for Lunch! II n► WELCOME ABOARD! Many older adults think that giving Did you know? Public transportation up the keys to their car means losing for seniors attending one of the county's O their independence, but this does 14 hot lunch programs is available daily VENTURA COUNTY � not have to be you! With a little during the week at no charge? Be sure to PUBLIC TRANSIT planning, you can get where you tell the driver that you are attending the ~ need to go. For a minimal fare, Sr. Nutrition Luncheon or call the VCAAA FOR SENIORS ti buses and Dial-A Ride vans can take at(800)510-2020 for more information. N you to and from the grocery store, clubs, senior centers, lunch with w rD friends and medical appointments. ? v O O s= 4 re�tan =* The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) serves the County's 60+ n population including those with different social and cultural needs. Did you know? Every city in Ven- tura County has a public transit sys- tem with buses that are accessible PERSONALIZED TRIP PLANNING"GO VENTURA"800-438-1112 Jdh to persons with disabilities and sen- Vaufta iors? If you cannot ride the bus, you PERSONALIZED TRAVEL TRAINING N,,, ,,�-•,,,y;,,<,.,,.­,,,,,b—g "MMP"800.966-7114 r,...W .. ...• may qualify for Dial-A-Ride services. rD O v, r-� 0 rn � rr FIXED ROUTE DIAL-A-RIDE SPECIALIZED TRANSIT C v Do you qualify for Dial-A-Ride(DAR)? Ojai, Meiners Oaks&Mira Monte: If you are unable to access a bus, you may C Y Y HELP of Ojai—55&Older$2—$3 qualify for other public transit services known (Door to Door)805-646-5122 I' as "Dial-A-Ride." You can make a reservation -Ojai Trolley—65&Older$.25 N on a wheelchair-accessible van or bus that will p pick you up and drop you off at your home. To 805-653-2230 get an application &schedule an assessment •Gold Coast ACCESS—65&Older$3.00, N call the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Connects with the Ojai Trolley at Vons) N Certification Office toll-free at 1-888-667- 805-485-2319 O 7001. SENIORS MAY ACCESS DAR WITH W � Oxnard, Port Hueneme&Ventura: rD OUTADA CER77FICATION. PLANNING YOUR BUS TRIP •Gold Coast ACCESS-65&Older$3.00 O CITY DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICES (Curb to Curb)805-485-2319 STEP 1: Get a bus schedule and map .; Camarillo: Harbor&Beaches DAR 805-207-0699 4 y STEP 2: Find your routes and transfers .Camarillo Area Transit(CAT)-55&Older C STEP 3: Determine your departure and $1.50(Curb to Curb) 805-988-4CAT(4228) Santa Paula: O arrival times •Camarillo Health Care District Care-A-Van- •VISTA 65&Older—$1.00 r'* STEP 4: Locate your bus stops and have 55&Older$6.50—$21(Door to Door for ADA (Curb to Curb)805-933-2267 your fare ready. &Non-Emergency Medical Appointments) Fiilmore&Piru: O 805-388-2529 O •VISTA 65&Older—$1.00 Moorpark: (Curb to Curb)805-524-2319 •City of Moorpark—62&Older$1.50—$4.50 FRAIL SENIORS NEEDING SPECIAL CARE (Curb to Curb)1-800-881-9521 ext 290 Elder Help& Medi-Ride programs provide a Thousand Oaks: limited number of no-cost door-through- •Thousand Oaks Transit—62&Older$1.50 door rides for non-emergency medical ap- PERSONALIZED TRIP PLANNING pointments for frail seniors who qualify. "GO VENTURA"800-438.1112 (Curb to Curb)805-375-5467 Transportation to Los Angeles county is PERSONALIZED TRAVEL TRAINING Simi Valley: available in some instances.Call the VCAAA ;10 "MMP"800-966-7114 •Simi Valley Transit 60&Older$1.50 at 800-510-2020 for more details. cD (Curb to Curb) 805-583-6464 rfo,,+ O 00 Ventura County 2012 - 2013 Grand Jury Final Report This page intentionally blank Senior Transportation 17 109 Attachment 2 F °9 CITY OF MOORPARK 0 o° 799 Moorpark Avenue,Moorpark,Cahfornia 93021 1 Phone(805)517-6200 1 Fax(805)532-2528 94°R'4 iEO 31 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR July 17, 2013 The Honorable Brian J. Back Presiding Judge of the Superior Court County of Ventura 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA 93009 Dear Judge Back: The City of Moorpark has received the 2012-2013 Grand Jury report, "Senior Transportation in Ventura County". In accordance with Penal Code Section 933.05, we submit our reply in response to the Grand Jury recommendations, including recommendations for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA). The City Council appreciates the efforts of the Grand Jury for its investigation into the public transportation needs of Ventura County senior citizens. The Grand Jury has requested the City of Moorpark provide responses to the recommendations R-01 through R-05 as outlined in the Grand Jury report. RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS The Moorpark City Council has carefully reviewed the Recommendations in the Grand Jury Report and has the following responses to each of the five Recommendations, R-01 through R-05. The Grand Jury Report statement of the Recommendation is presented first, followed by the City's response. R-01. The Grand Jury recommends that an independent, non-elected County administrator be assigned to oversee the collaborative efforts of all the senior transportation modalities in the County and produce strategies to simplify senior transportation. This administrator would seek consensus with the independent companies and city transportation agencies with a goal of consistency in the areas of availability, acceptability, accessibility, adaptability, and affordability. Further, the administrator would develop an advisory board comprised of senior bus-riding citizens to point out the opportunities for improvements. In addition, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors should be encouraged to ride a bus route once a year to determine needs and the effectiveness of the programs. City Council Response: The City of Moorpark does not believe that an independent, non- elected County administrator assigned to oversee the collaborative efforts of all the senior transportation modalities in the County would simplify senior transportation. The JANICE S.PARVIN ROSEANN MIKOS,Ph.D. KEITH F.MILLHOUSE DAVID POLLOCK MARK VAN DA 0 MAvnr C-niinrilmrmlipr ('n,—il»,o,,,k - !'..,,—;1.,,x..,1. .. :1.., t--- Grand Jury "Senior Transportation in Ventura County" Page 2 City of Moorpark is currently working with other transit operators in Ventura County to implement strategies to encourage simplified senior transportation. The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has an adopted Ventura County Coordinated Public Transit — Human Services Transportation Plan, which includes recommendations for improved public transit. The City of Moorpark also participates in the VCTC Transit Operators Advisory Committee which discusses all transit programs, including improving senior transportation. R-02. In cooperation with the VCTC and VCAAA, programs should be implemented that are designed to assist senior citizens with transportation within their cities and throughout the County. City Council Response: It is the City of Moorpark's understanding that VCTC currently provides funding for travel training through Federal and State grants both through its contractor, Mobility Management Partners, and local transit operators. Moorpark would support VCAAA also providing travel training (either directly or through a third party contractor). Ventura County transit agencies work collaboratively with the VCTC and the VCAAA in the development of programs with the focus of addressing the transportation challenges faced by Ventura County seniors. Examples of county-wide collective ventures include computer-aided dispatching software; automated vehicle locators (AVL); and, working groups such as the Transit Operators Advisory Committee; the Americans with Disabilities Act Intercity Committee, and the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee, R-03. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors should allocate specific funding for senior transportation. City Council Response: The City of Moorpark believes that each agency in Ventura County operating transportation services should allocate funding that best meets the needs of the residents served. R-04. The VCTC, working with the VCAAA, should standardize requirements for participation in the senior transportation programs. They should also publicize the availability of programs that fulfill the transportation needs of seniors. City Council Response: The VCTC has already established standards for participation in senior transportation through the Ventura County Coordinated Public Transit — Human Services Transportation Plan. The City of Moorpark currently publicizes the availability of senior transportation services through its website, quarterly city-wide City Magazine, and Moorpark Active Adult Center. Although standards for senior transportation are beneficial, the City of Moorpark also believes that local communities should have the discretion to adjust their respective transit services to meet the local needs/desires of their respective communities. 111 Grand Jury "Senior Transportation in Ventura County" Page 3 R-05. The VCAAA should plan for increased staffing to accommodate a growing senior population. City Council Response: The City of Moorpark recognizes that the staffing level of the VCAAA is dependent upon the amount of available funding and resources that Ventura County is able to provide. SUMMARY: The City of Moorpark wishes to thank the Grand Jury for its time in performing their review and determining their Recommendations. Sincerely, Janice S. Parvin, Mayor C: Foreperson, Ventura County Grand Jury City Council City Manager City Attorney City Engineer/Public Works Director 112