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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1992 0115 CC REG ITEM 09AITEM - MOORPARK 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864 Council Yeotng /-/S, 1992- ACTION: M E M O R A N D U M By TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Nary K. Lindley, Assistant to the City Manager DATE: January 8, 1992 (Council Meeting 1/15) SUBJECT: Consider Adoption of Resolution 92_ ?Approving the City's Paratransit Plan as Required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Background The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was enacted into law with the President's signature on July 26, 1990. The Act amends civil rights legislation to provide rights to access, employment, telecommunications, public accommodation and transportation to persons with disabilities. The underlying intent of the ADA is equal opportunity, full participation, and independence for persons with disabilities. The Act contains five titles, two of which directly pertain to public agencies: Title I - Employment Prohibits employers from discriminating based on an individual's disabilities regarding application for employment and terms of employment. Title II - Public Service Prohibits public entities from discriminating based on an individual's disabilities regarding access to public services and participation in public programs. A substantial part of this title addresses transportation services. Complementary Paratransit Service The regulation pertaining to transportation services, requires public agencies providing fixed route bus service to implement PAUL W. LAWRASON JR JOHN E. WOZNIAK SCOTT MONTGOMERY BERNARDO M. PEREZ ROY E. TALLEY ,R. Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Paratransit Plan January 8, 1992 Page 2 complementary paratransit service. Paratransit service is defined as a "demand responsive", door -to -door transit system. ADA paratransit service is limited to individuals who are functionally unable to use fixed route services. Persons with disabilities are not eligible for paratransit service merely by virtue of being disabled. Under the ADA, an individual must meet established requirements in order to be eligible for paratransit service. An individual must fall in one or more of the following categories: - Unable to board, ride or disembark an accessible vehicle independently. - Unable to travel to or from a fixed route bus stop due to environmental barriers. - Able to use an accessible vehicle, but such a vehicle is not provided. Paratransit eligibility may be conditional, based on a temporary disability or specific trip purpose. Entities must develop a eligibility certification and review process. Complementary paratransit programs must provide a level of service that is comparable to that provided on the fixed route system. The area serviced must extend at least 3/4 of a mile outside of the route established for fixed route. The 3/4 mile refers to street miles. The fare for paratransit can not be more than twice the fare of the fixed route system. Paratransit systems must also have comparable days and hours to that of fixed route, and an eligible individual must receive next day service upon making a reservation. Each entity currently operating a fixed route transit system must prepare and submit a paratransit plan to the U. S Department of Transportation by January 26, 1992. Plans must indicate when full compliance with paratransit regulations will be achieved. Plan implementation must begin by January 1992 and full compliance is required as soon as possible, but no later January 1997. Kooroark's PrODQsed Paratransit Plan Determining the number of Moorpark residents eligible for paratransit service was difficult. Census figures for 1980 identified individuals who had difficulties using a fixed route bus system. Since the City did not incorporate until 1983, this information was not available for Moorpark (1990 census did not collect information on handicapped residents). Agencies that provide services to handicapped individuals were contacted to determine how many Moorpark residents participate in their programs. Camarillo's estimates of paratransit eligible Paratransit Plan January 8, 1992 individuals in their City was used for comparison. The total number of individuals estimated to be eligible for paratransit service in the City is roughly 1.04 percent of the population. Of that, it is estimated that approximately 10 percent will actually use the City's paratransit system. See Section 4 of the Plan for actual service demand estimates. Due to the low demand anticipated for paratransit and the expense involved in providing the service, staff proposes that the City utilize a fixed route /route deviation system to comply with the ADA regulations. This system is currently used by the City of Fillmore. The City's transit system will continue to operate with one bus along the existing route, following the same schedule. Upon request, the bus will deviate from the set route to pick up or deliver an paratransit eligible individual and return to the same point on the route to continue its run. The City currently requires its bus operator to provide a wheelchair lift equipped vehicle with 24 hour notice, this practice will remain in effect. To implement a route deviated transit system, the City needs slightly increase the time between stops. The bus needs additional time to deviate from, and return to, the route while maintaining a schedule. Staff recommends eliminating two sections of the current bus route to provide some of the additional time. The bus currently travels along Southampton Road and Christian Barrett Drive to Peach Hill Road three times per day. To date, only one individual utilizes the stop on this run and they have indicated their ability and willingness to use the Peach Hill Park bus stop. The bus also makes a loop from Tierra Rejada Road /Mountain Trail Street to Mountain Meadows Drive. Again, only one individual is utilizing this run and they to have indicated their ability to use the stop at Mountain Meadows Drive and Tierra Rejada Road. Eliminating both of these runs would allow the City to reduce the time needed to complete the proposed route deviated transit system. Since Moorpark's projections for paratransit demand is relatively low, the system is not expected to require any additional expenditures over and above those for the fixed route system. The bus system is funded by the City's annual Transportation Development Act, Article 8 Funds (TDA) allocation. The City's annual TDA allocation is approximately $420,000. Money remaining after transit expenses ($90,600) is allocated to the City's streets and roads budget. The proposed paratransit plan includes the formation of an advisory committee, with representatives from agencies that serve handicapped individuals, to assist with implementation. The committee will meet to review exiting operations and provide recommendations regarding service improvements. The committee will Paratransit Plan January 8, 1992 Page 2 also assist with the further development of the eligibility process, i.e., developing an application form and evaluation procedures. An eligibility panel, comprised of three to four members, will be established to review applications and determine eligibility. Individuals who are denied eligibility will have an opportunity to appeal the decision to a designated appeals board. The significant milestones for implementing the proposed paratransit plan include: 1) establish an advisory committee by the end of February 1992, 2) develop and disseminate paratransit eligibility applications by June 1992, and 3) begin paratransit service by August 1992. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that Council: 1) adopt the Resolution 92 -'Z approving the Paratransit Plan, and direct staff to revise the current fixed route schedule, eliminating the Southampton/ Christian Barrett and Mountain Trail/Mountain Meadows runs by February 29, as outlined in this report.