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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2010 0203 CC REG ITEM 09AITEM 9.A. CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA City Council Meeting Of A -3 -aoio ACTION: Ak, ,z, _. �f MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL ddAAjrs Y,t wtf-"d-1 AGENDA REPORT - BY: o ... TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Yugal K. Lail, City Engineer /Public Works Director Prepared by: Shaun Kroes, Senior Management An DATE: January 22, 2010 (CC meeting of 02/03/10) SUBJECT: Consider Providing Comments on Possible Unmet Transit Needs to the Ventura County Transportation Commission and Receive Report on Unmet Transit Needs Findings and Goals SUMMARY On April 18, 2002, Council directed staff to prepare an annual report on the City's transit performance regarding the findings and goals that the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) adopts each year at the conclusion of the Unmet Transit Needs process. Attachment "A" serves as this year's annual report on the City's performance. The Council is being asked to review the annual report, provide comments, and direct staff to forward the comments to VCTC prior to 5:00 p.m. on February 15, 2010. VCTC does not observe Presidents' Day as a holiday so their offices are open that day. DISCUSSION On February 8, 2010, VCTC will hold its annual public hearing on Unmet Transit Needs at Camarillo City Hall. This year, VCTC scheduled two additional evening sessions (one on January 26, 2010 at the Ventura County Government Center and one at Moorpark City Hall Community Center) for members of the public to participate in the Unmet Transit Needs process. A summary of Moorpark's evening session is attached (Attachment E). The public may also fax, email, telephone, or mail comments to VCTC until February 15, 2010. The information on how to submit comments is on the attached flyer, Attachment "B ". Staff advertised the comment period in the City transit buses, on the City cable TV Channel 10, and on the City website. The public was encouraged to submit their comments to VCTC. Additionally, information about the City Council's consideration of Unmet Transit Needs at its February 3, 2010 meeting was also distributed. S:\Public Works \Everyone \Reports \Staff Reports\2010\February\02 -03 -2010 (Unmet Transit Needs).doc 1 Honorable City Council February 3, 2010 Page 2 Most public transit operators in Ventura County use Local Transportation Funds (LTF) to support portions of their system. The LTF is authorized by the Transportation Development Act (TDA) and its revenue is derived from % cent of the 7.25 -cent retail sales tax collected statewide. LTF is distributed to the cities and counties based on population. This revenue, often referred to as TDA funds, must first be spent on transit needs that are "reasonable to meet." After those needs are met, any remaining TDA funds may be used for streets and roads by the receiving jurisdiction. The specific requirement of the TDA act, Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 99401.5(c), requires that the local transportation planning agency (VCTC) hold at least one public hearing each year for the purpose of soliciting comments on the Unmet Transit Needs that may exist within the jurisdiction and that may be reasonable to meet by establishing or contracting for new public transportation or specialized transportation, or by expanding existing services. All Unmet Transit Needs that are deemed reasonable to meet must be funded before any allocation is made to streets and roads. The definition used to determine if a need is reasonable to meet is outlined on Attachment "C ". According to PUC, VCTC must decide, by adopting a resolution, either that: 1. There are no unmet transit needs; 2. There are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet; or, 3. There are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to meet. The resolution must include information that provides the basis for VCTC's decision. A number of the public comments received over the years do not fall into the category of Unmet Transit Needs. However, VCTC recognizes that some of them may be attainable with operational changes. VCTC adopts some of these comments as goals. These goals, where applicable, are included in the City's Report of Performance (Attachment A) and are differentiated from the Unmet Needs Findings. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Provide comments and direct staff to forward them to VCTC, prior to the end of the public comment period. Attachment A — Report of Performance Attachment B — Transit Needs Flyer Attachment C — Unmet Needs Definition Attachment D — VCTC FY 09/10 Unmet Transit Needs Attachment E — VCTC Moorpark Evening Session Summary SAPublic Works\Everyone\Reports \Staff Reports\2010\February\02 -03 -2010 (Unmet Transit Needs) dm 2 Attachment A Report of Performance 2009/10 Unmet Transit Needs Moorpark City Transit Attachment D identifies all Unmet Transit Needs Findings adopted by VCTC including the Commission's approved goals for FY 2009/10. Attachment A below lists the Findings and Goals applicable to Moorpark City Transit and the City's efforts to meet the findings and goals. Findings adopted by VCTC May 1, 2009. Continue all existing bus services (except those identified in Attachment D). • Moorpark City Transit continued its previous levels of service, operating two fixed route buses Monday — Friday. Route 1 operates from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Route 2 operates from 6:40 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. Ridership grew to 72,747 trips in FY 2008/09, an increase of 11.0% compared to FY 2007/08. The City's VCTC audited farebox ratio was 28.11 %, meeting the target farebox ratio of 20.0% for the year. 2. Continue all public senior and disabled services in all jurisdictions in the County. • Moorpark senior and handicapped (ADA) Dial -A -Ride services continued in FY 2008/09, including the Inter -City Dial -A -Ride paratransit service. Transportation to the congregate AAA meal site and discounted rates on Moorpark City Transit for seniors and disabled continued as well. Senior and disabled travel on Moorpark City Transit decreased 5.3% in FY 2008/09. Trips performed on the Intra -City Dial -A -Ride program decreased 4.3% during FY 2008/09. Trips performed on the Inter -City ADA program increased 44.2 %. After adopting the recommendations listed above and on Attachment D and based on the analysis of the written and verbal testimony provided to the Commission, the finding was that there were no Unmet Transit Needs that were reasonable to meet. SAPublic Works\Everyone\Reports \Staff Reports\2010\February\Attachment A - Report of Performance 2010.doc 3 Page 2 In addition to the Unmet Transit Needs Findings, VCTC also adopted transit goals. The following is the list of adopted goals that relate to Moorpark's transit programs. Attachment D provides the full list of goals. 1. Continue to pursue and identify funding to allow local agencies to install more bus benches and shelters, and transit information, where warranted and feasible. • There are eighteen City bus shelters and twelve private bus shelters along the bus route -ways. There are two more City bus shelters installed at the Metrolink Train Station. In FY 2008/09, lower than expected sales reduced the amount of TDA funding. Consequently, funding for additional shelters was reduced. There are currently funds available to fund rehabilitation of existing bus shelters and perhaps the installation of a couple of shelters if desired. 2. Continue to improve schedule coordination and transfer connections between different bus systems where operationally feasible. • VISTA East County connects with Moorpark City Transit. CUSA (the City's contractor) uses the same radio frequency for both services (VISTA and Moorpark City Transit) so that bus drivers can coordinate transfers between the services. 3. Continue to adjust fixed route transit services, stops and schedules throughout Ventura County as needed and operationally feasible. o The City of Moorpark continues to review its operating hours and schedules to determine if adjustments can or should be made to accommodate as many passengers as possible. 4. Continue community outreach and marketing efforts to increase awareness of the availability of transit services for the general public, seniors and the disabled, to be coordinated by VCTC. • The City of Moorpark advertises its transit program in the Moorpark City Newsletter and Recreation Guide, which comes out quarterly. For $15 the Summer Youth Bus Pass provides unlimited ridership on Moorpark City Transit between June and the second Friday of September, giving Moorpark youth an opportunity to use the bus system for fun, which may increase their likelihood to continue using Moorpark City Transit throughout the year. On January 9, 2010, VCTC awarded a comprehensive marketing and outreach contract to Moore & Associates. 5. Continue operation of NEXTBUS countywide and provide additional NEXTBUS signs at appropriate locations. • The NEXTBUS web pages are promoted on the Moorpark City buses, website, Ride Guide, and bus stops. U Page 3 6. Ensure that bus stops and bus signage, vehicles, and operations are all in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. • Moorpark City Transit has placed route maps and timetables on poles at bus stops to make them readable by a person sifting in a wheelchair. Bus stops are ADA compliant. 7. Encourage cities and transit providers, and not for profits social service agencies to implement elements of the VCTC Countywide Human Services Transportation and Transit Services Coordination Study. • Staff participated in the Coordination Study in 2006 and 2007. Some recommendations, such as core weekday operating hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. are already met by Moorpark City Transit. Other recommendations, such as establishing Sunday services, are still under evaluation. 8. Support cost - effective actions to increase bike capacity on the transit system. • Moorpark City Transit buses currently have carrying capacity for two bicycles per bus. At this time, staff is not aware of user demand exceeding this capacity limitation. 9. Increase transit trips over auto usage during this time of heightened public awareness of the cost of fuel. • This goal was recommended by the Moorpark City Council. As detailed earlier, Moorpark City Transit did see an increase in ridership during FY 2008/09 compared to FY 2007/08. Moorpark City Transit is seeing a decrease in ridership during the first six months of FY 2009/10. The American Public Transit Association (APTA) has reported that public transportation overall is seeing a downturn in ridership and is likely a reflection of the economic downturn. As unemployment rises, there are fewer commuters using transit services. 10. Seek financial support from the cities to provide subsided fares for low income passengers transferring between local transit systems and VISTA. • The Moorpark City Council actually suggested to VCTC that there should be an agreement between the VISTA bus service and transit agencies in Ventura County to provide either free or discounted transfers for low income passengers transferring between transit agencies. This is a topic of continued discussion between the transit agencies. Moorpark City Transit could investigate providing its own low income discounted ridership program. This could then be used as a model for other transit agencies and inter - agency transfers. 61 Attachment B DO YOU HAVE TRANSIT NEEDS? Ventura County Transportation Commission Announces Its Public Hearing On Transit Needs The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) would like to hear your views on public transit service needs within Ventura County, and between Ventura County and Los Angeles /Santa Barbara counties as part of its process to identify unmet transit needs which it can reasonably meet. Are transit services adequate, or are there specific areas in which unmet transit needs could be reasonable to meet through the expansion of existing transportation systems, by establishing new systems, or by contracting for service from private operators? VCTC is especially interested in hearing about the specific transit needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, persons of low income, and for environmentally sensitive areas. P-1 PIMP; There are several ways you can submit your comments: Provide comments to us at two evening meetings: • Moorpark session will be on Wednesday January 27"', 6 — 8 PM at the Moorpark City Hall Community Meeting Room, 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. • Ventura session will be at Tuesday January 26th, 6 — 8 PM, Ventura County Government Center Hall of Justice Pacific Meeting Room. Send them by mail to the Ventura County Transportation Commission, Unmet Transit Needs Process, 950 County Square Drive, Suite 207, Ventura CA 93003 E -mail us at j", f0 tura:_4tor through our web site at www.goventura.org Fax us at (805) 642 -4860 Call us at 1- 800 -438 -1112 and ask to make a customer comment. Come to our public hearing (and check our web site for opportunities to provide comments directly to City Councils and the County Board of Supervisors) Come to the City of Moorpark's Public Meeting: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 7:00 P.M. MOORPARK CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 799 MOORPARK AVENUE. MOORPARK. CA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 1:30 P.M. — 3:30 P.M. `a_`°• CAMARILLO CITY HALL - COUNCIL - J• �� _ CHAMBERS 601 CARMEN DRIVE -- CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA We look forward to hearing from you. All comments must be received by February 15, 2010. �NECESITA SERVICIOS DE TRANSPORTE? La Comision de Transporte del Condado de Ventura le invita a presentar sus comentarios ante una Audiencia Publica acerca de los Servicios de Transporte La Comision de Transporte del Condado de Ventura (VCTC) le invita a participar en un foro acerca de los servicios de transporte publicos dentro del Condado de Ventura, y entre el Condado de Ventura y los Condados de Los Angeles y Santa Bfirbara. Es parte del proceso para identificar servicios de transportacion que faltan que pueden proveer razonablemente. 4Son adecuados los servicios de transporte? 4Son suficientes? 4Existen aun sectores especificas que no cuentan con medios de transporte adecuados? 4Se podria proporcionar un mejor servicio de transporte a trav6s de la expansion de los sistemas actualmente en existencia, a traves del establecimiento de nuevos sistemas, o mediante los servicios de operadores del sector privado? A VCTC le interesa especialmente saber cuales son las necesidades de transporte de las personas de la tercera edad, de las personas discapacitadas, personas de bajos ingresos y la necesidad de transporte en las regiones con condiciones ambientales vulnerables. Existen varias formas de presentar sus comentarios: Proporcionar comentarios para usar en dos reuniones por la noche: • Sesion de Moorpark tendra lugar el miercoles 27 de enero, 6 a 8 PM en el Municipio de Moorpark Sala de reuniones de la comunidad, 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. • Sesion de Ventura sera el martes 26 de enero, 6 - 8 pm, Centro de - Gobierno del Condado de Ventura Palacio de Justicia del Pacifico Sala de reuniones. Un mensaje por el correo electronico a vkamhi @goventura.org o por nuestra telarafia de pagina a www.qoventura.orq Llamenos al 1- 800 -438 -1112 Enienos un Fax al (805) 642 -4860 Asista a nuestra audiencia Publica (v visite nuestra pagina electronica Para tener la oportunidad de hacer comentarios al Conceio Municipal v a la Mesa Directiva de Supervisores del Condado). Come to the City of Moorpark's Public Meeting. Venga a la Junta Publica de la Ciudad de Moorpark MIERCOLES, 3 DE FEBRERO DE 2010 7:00 P.M. MOORPARK CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 799 MOORPARK AVENUE, MOORPARK, CA LUNES, 8 DE FEBRERO DE 2010 1:30- 3:30pm CAMARILLO CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 601 CARMEN DRIVE CAMARILLO, CA Esperamos su participacion. Todos los comentarios deberan ser recibidos para el 15 de Febrero de 2010. 7 Attachment C Item # 9F January 8, 2010 MEMO TO: VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FROM: MARY TRAVIS, MANAGER OF TDA & RAIL PROGRAMS SUBJECT: FY 10/11 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT (TDA) UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES AND DEFINITIONS OF "UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS" AND "REASONABLE TO MEET" RECOMMENDATIONS: • Approve the procedures and definitions of "Unmet Transit Needs" and "Reasonable to Meet" for the FY 10/11 Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing. • Chair request volunteers from Commission sit as public hearing board to take testimony February 8, 2010 and review findings/recommendations April 19, 2010. • Schedule two evening public forums (one east county, one west county) for staff to collect additional unmet transit needs testimony. !1�•1����•I:F Each year, the State Transportation Development Act (TDA) requires a public hearing be held to discuss public transit. The purpose of the annual public hearing is to take testimony on local and /or regional transit needs, and then develop findings that ensure that all reasonable transit needs are satisfied before TDA funds can be allocated for street and road purposes. The testimony is reviewed against adopted definitions describing what are "unmet transit needs" and what is "reasonable to met ". A schedule for the FY 10/11 public hearing was approved by the Commission at its December 4, 2009 meeting and is included again with this item. In summary, a Hearing Board will be appointed by the Chair, and will hold the "official" public hearing Monday, February 8, 2010 at 1:30 PM at Camarillo City Hall. The Hearing Board will reconvene to review the testimony and draft staff findings/recommendations at the same time /place on April 19, 2010. The full Commission will then consider the draft findings at its May meeting. Although as noted, the required public hearing has already been scheduled by the Commission on February 8th, it is also recommended that two other meetings be held in the evenings in January and early February, one in the east county and one in the west county, to maximize the opportunities for public comment. In addition, some areas might want to provide another forum for citizen input, for example, the City of Moorpark adds an agenda item each year specifically to discuss this topic. Any comments offered in these forums can then be added by VCTC staff to the overall hearing record. It is recommended that the procedures for the hearing outlined in this item be the same as in past years, that is, testimony will be collected from the public and local agencies interested in transportation. Testimony can be submitted by letter, email, telephone call to VCTC's toll -free "800" number, at local meetings scheduled by VCTC, transit operators, city councils or the Board of Supervisors, and /or by appearing at the public hearing. The testimony will be reviewed by VCTC staff and transit providers and analyzed in the context of the adopted definitions of "unmet transit needs" and "reasonable to meet ". WE S January 8, 2010 Item #9F Page #2 Two years ago, a thorough discussion took place at VCTC's Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee /Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (CTAC /SSTAC) about the required definitions used in the hearing process. Included as part of the discussion was a review of how other counties define the terms, and it was reassuring to discover that Ventura is setting the model for many other areas. Accordingly, staff is recommending the definitions stay basically the same. "Unmet Transit Need ": "Unmet transit needs" are, at a minimum, those public transportation services that have been identified by substantial community input through the public hearing process or are identified in a Short'Range Transit Plan, in local Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit plans and /or in the Regional Transportation Plan that have not yet been implemented or funded. "Reasonable to Meet ": Following is the VCTC adopted definition of "Reasonable to Meet" including the recommended benchmarks for the passenger farebox recovery ratio for new transit services in Ventura County. An unmet transit need shall be considered "reasonable to meet" if the proposed service(') is in general compliance with the following criteria: 20 0 Equity The proposed service will not cause reductions in existing transit services that have an equal or higher priority. 2. The proposed service will require a subsidy generally equivalent to other similar services. Timing The proposed service is in response to an existing rather than future transit need. Feasibility The proposed service can be provided within available funding. (Z) 2. The proposed service can be provided with the existing fleet or under contract to a private provider. Performance The proposed service will not unduly affect the operators ability to maintain the required passenger fare ratio for its system as a whole. 2. The proposed service will meet the scheduled passenger fare ratio standards as described in the recommended benchmarks for the passenger farebox recovery ratio for new transit services in Ventura County. 3. The estimated number of passengers to be carried will be in the range of other similar services, and /or, the proposed service provides a "link" or connection that contributes to the effectiveness of the overall transit system. Community Acceptance The proposed service has community acceptance and /or support as determined by the unmet needs public hearing record, inclusion in adopted programs and plans, adopted governing board positions and other existing information. (1) Proposed Service is defined as the specific transit service identified as an unmet need (as defined) and which requires evaluation against this definition of "reasonable to meet*. (2) Per state law, the lack of available resources shall not be the sole reason for finding that a transit need is not reasonable to meet. 21 10 RECOMMENDED BENCHMARKS FOR PASSENGER FAREBOX RECOVERY RATIO FOR NEW TRANSIT /PARATRANSIT SERVICES IN VENTURA COUNTY. The State has established a basic requirement in Section 99268 of the Public Utility Code for all proposed transit services in urban areas. This requirement is to achieve a 20% passenger fare ratio by the end of the third year of operation. A similar targeted passenger fare ratio of 10% exists for special services (i.e. elderly and disabled) and rural area services. VCTC has established more detailed interim passenger fare ratio standards, which will be used to evaluate services as they are xoposed and implemented, which are described below. Transit serving both urban and rural areas, per state law, may obtain an 'intermediate" passenger fare ratio. (i) END OF TWELVE MONTHS Performance Level Urban Service Rural /Special Services Recommended Action Less than 6 % Less than 3 % Provider may discontinue service 6% or more 3% or more Provider will continue service, with modifications if needed END OF TWENTY -FOUR MONTHS Performance Level Recommended Action Urban Service Rural /Special Services Less than 10% Less than 5% Provider may discontinue service. 10% or more 5% or more Provider will continue service, with modifications, if needed END OF THIRTY -SIX MONTHS (2) Performance Level Recommended Action Urban Service Rural/Special Services Less than 15% Less than 7% Provider may discontinue service 15 -20% 7 -10% Provider may consider modifying and continuing service 20% or more 10% or more Provider will continue service, with modifications if needed Per statute the VCTC may establish a lower fare ratio for community transit (dial -a -ride) services. A review will take place after 30 months to develop a preliminary determination regarding the discontinuation of proposed services. 22 11 Fiscal Year 2010/11 Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing Schedule (Approved 12/4/09) December 4, 2009 VCTC approves FY 09/10 unmet transit needs public hearing schedule December 8, 2009 CTAC /SSTAC reviews FY 09/10 unmet transit needs public hearing definitions December 10, 2009 Letters/flyers are sent to community groups, social service agencies, transit operators, and the general public to announce the public hearing and information is posted on the www.goventura.org website January 8, 2010 VCTC approves public hearing procedures and definitions January 8, 2010 Legal notice for public hearing published January/February West and east county meetings (times/locations to be determined) for public input January 12 and 26, 2010 Display advertisements on public hearing published in local English and Spanish language newspapers January 19, 2010 Reminder notices on the public hearing sent to agencies/citizens February 8, 2010 Public Hearing, 1:30 p.m. at Camarillo City Hall February 15, 2010 5 PM, hearing record closed - no further public testimony accepted March 11, 2010 Transit Operators Advisory Committee (TRANSCOM) reviews testimony and makes recommendations regarding the staff proposed findings March18, 2010 (Tentative Date) Managers Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC) reviews testimony and makes recommendations regarding the proposed findings April 13, 2010 CTAC /SSTAC reviews testimony and makes recommendations regarding the staff proposed findings April 19, 2010 1:30 p.m. at Camarillo City Hall - Hearing Board reviews and approves findings May 7, 2010 10:00 a.m. at Camarillo City Hall - VCTC adopts Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing Findings May 10, 2010 Adopted findings are forwarded to the State for review August 15, 2010 Deadline for State review of findings 23 IM Attachment D Item # 13 May 1, 2009 MEMTO TO: VCTC FROM: VICTOR KAMHI, BUS TRANSIT DIRECTOR. SUBJECT: 2009/10 UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS RECOMMENDATION: 1. Continue all existing bus services, except GCT Route 12 and JJC Dial -a -Ride, but including the Conejo- Warner Center Shuttle ( "Senior Concerns Shuttle") demonstration project. The Conejo - Warner Center Shuttle service may be modified, and operated in a cooperative effort by the City of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills as part of the required adjustments to allow it to meet the farebox performance requirements. 2. Continue all public senior and disabled services in all jurisdictions in the County, and work to implement the recommendations of the VCTC Countywide Human Services Transportation and Transit Services Coordination Study. 3. Find that Gold Coast Route 12 service is not an Unmet Transit Need which is reasonable to meet, since the route has not met the VCTC performance standards nor the Gold Coast Transit performance standards. 4. Monitor the implementation and operation of the VCTC funded transit shuttle service to the Transit service to the Valentine Road area, including the Tech Development Center and Adult Education School and other uses, both social service agency and employment related. 5. Monitor the Gold Coast Transit provision of additional Route 18 service to a new bus stop to be placed at or near the corner of Victoria and Gonzales. 6. Monitor the Gold Coast Transit/City of Oxnard efforts to develop a community based transit service in place for the area near Lombard and Sturgis, through the provision of a GCT retired vehicle made available through the newly adopted GCT policy to share retired vehicles with community groups. After adopting the recommendations listed above, and based on the analysis of the written and verbal testimony provided to the Commission: 7. Find by VCTC Resolution #2009 -04 that there are no Unmet Transit Needs that are reasonable to meet In addition to the above findings, VCTC will continue efforts to meet the following goals from prior hearings, and also, establish new goals resulting from the 2009 -10 hearing: • Continue to pursue and identify funding to allow local agencies to install more bus benches and shelters, and transit information, where warranted and feasible. • Continue to improve schedule coordination and transfer connections between different bus systems where operationally feasible. 37 13 May 1, 2009 Item #13 Page #2 • Continue to adjust fixed route transit services, stops and schedules throughout Ventura County as needed and operationally feasible. • Continue community outreach and marketing efforts to increase awareness of the availability of transit services for the general public, seniors, and the disabled, to be coordinated by VCTC. • Continue operation of NEXTBUS countywide and provide additional NEXTBUS signs at appropriate locations. • Continue to ensure that bus stops and bus signage, vehicles, and operations are all in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. • Continue to assist social service agencies in obtaining grant funding for equipment and rolling stock, utilizing Federal Section 5310 and any other funds available for those purposes. • Encourage cities and transit providers, and not for profits social service agencies to implement elements of the VCTC Countywide Human Services Transportation and Transit Services Coordination Study. • Initiate discussions and possible studies cooperatively with the City of Santa Ciarita to determine the potential demand and feasibility for transit services connecting Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Ventura with Santa Clarita. • Initiate a countywide transit study to identify short range and long range transit needs. • Continue to encourage AMTRAK and Caltrans Division of Rail to adjust the schedule times of the Surfliner to better serve commuters traveling between Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Proposed New Goals • Formally comment during the CEQA process regarding the potential difficulties and costs of providing transit services to low income housing and other public facilities with high transit dependent use which are not sited at locations served or easily served by public transit. • Support cost - effective actions to increase bike capacity on the transit system. • Increase transit trips over auto usage during this time of heightened public awareness of the cost of fuel (City of Moorpark) • Seek financial support from the cities to provide subsided fares for low income passengers transferring between local transit systems and VISTA (City of Moorpark) • Work with LOSSAN, Caltrans, AMTRAK, and other involved organizations to improve rail safety and maintain or increase speeds on the rails services. After adopting the recommendations listed above, and based on the analysis of the written and verbal testimony provided to the Commission: Find by VCTC Resolution #2009 -04 that there are no Unmet Transit Needs that are reasonable to meet. 38 14 Attachment E VCTC Moorpark Evening Session Summary January 27, 2009 6:00 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Vic Kamhi and Mary Travis from the Ventura County Transportation Commission led the discussion. Chuck Perkins with Simi Valley Transit and Mike Hauser with Thousand Oaks Transit attended. Eleven members from the public attended the meeting. Ten of the attendees utilized Moorpark's extended Dial -A -Ride service hours. The majority of the meeting consisted of the residents asking general questions about the transit programs in Moorpark and Ventura County. Comments included: • Interest in the City having 3`d party ADA certification of vehicles provided by the Paratransit contractor. • Request that Moorpark Dial -A -Ride provide direct trips to stops in Simi Valley that are located between the transfer points, such as Cosco and Walmart. • Request that Moorpark Dial -A -Ride provide direct trips to Kaiser in Woodland Hills. • Request for weekend service for all transit, but greater emphasis on Dial - A -Ride. The majority of the residents would like to see Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning service. • A couple of residents stated that they would like to see a more unified transit system instead of every city having its own boundaries; also, they stated that more Dial -A -Ride versus fixed- transit service would be better. • One resident requested extended hours of service for fixed -route and Dial - A -Ride during the summer. 15