HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1996 0207 CC REG ITEM 08ATO:
FROM:
DATE:
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF MOORPARK
Honorable City Council
Mary Lindley, Assistant to the City Manager r*N
January 5, 1996 (CC Meeting of February 7)
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ITEM #4 -�
I�
SUBJECT: Receive Public Testimony and Consider the Adoption of Resolution 96-
— Finding the City in Compliance with the Paratransit Requirements
of the Americans with Disabilities
Background
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was enacted into law 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 regulation pertaining to transportation services requires public agencies providing fixed route bus
service to implement 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.
The City submitted its original Plan in January 1992. At that time, the City chose to utilize a fixed
route /route deviated system to comply with the ADA regulations. Under this system the City
continues to operate with one bus which follows a fixed route. Upon request, the bus deviates from
the set route to pick up or deliver a paratransit certified individual and returns to the same point on
the route to continue the run.
The City implemented its paratransit service in June 1993 and since that time has been in full
compliance with the paratransit requirements under the ADA. There are 9 certified riders in
Moorpark, and four others whose certification has expired. Of those 13, only five have ever ridden
the bus, four of whom ride regularly.
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ADA Paratransit Compliance
January 5, 1996
Page 2
The eligibility and certification process for paratransit service is coordinated on a county -wide basis
in Ventura County. The Ventura County Transportation Commission has designated one individual
from its staff to perform as the Paratransit Coordinator.
Moorpark residents certified for paratransit service receive an identification card and a letter from the
City notifying them of their eligibility status and explaining how the City's system works. The City
of Moorpark must, as must all transit operators, provide paratransit service to any individual who has
been certified by any other jurisdiction. To receive service, riders must make reservations 24 hours
in advance. The City makes every effort to meet the schedules of its paratransit riders.
The 1996 Paratransit Plan Update process is a more streamlined approach, reducing the
administrative burden of the Regulation. The City is only required to submit a simplified one -page
form rather than the lengthy document required in the past. In addition, the City is also required to
conduct a Public Hearing, providing current and potential riders the opportunity to comment on its
paratransit service.
In years past, staff has convened a meeting of a small group of Paratransit riders to solicit comments
and suggestion for inclusion in the City's Update document. In an effort to gather input from a larger
group, this year a questionnaire with a stamped return envelope was sent to every certified Paratransit
rider in the City. The City received four completed questionnaires back.
In summary, the four paratransit riders indicated that they felt that the paratransit service offered by
the City was either "very good" or "good ". One respondent felt that the on -time performance of the
bus was only "fair ". Another respondent, who used to take public transit to the Goebel Senior
Center in Thousand Oaks to participate in Braille activities, has stopped because the transfer between
the Moorpark bus and VISTA -East was inconvenient.
The attached Resolution states that the City Council finds the City in full compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act for Paratransit service.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council receive public testimony and adopt the attached Resolution
96 -_ finding the City in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for Paratransit service.
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