HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1997 0115 CC REG ITEM 07NCITY OF MOORPARK
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Mary K. Lindley, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE: December 23, 1996 (CC Meeting of January 15)
- =M Nom'
SUBJECT: Consider VISTA -East Cooperative Agreement for 1996/97 Fiscal Year
The City Council is begin asked to consider and approve the attached Cooperative Agreement for
VISTA -East bus service. Transportation Development Act funds were budgeted for this service
in the FY 1996/97 budget and the service is currently operating.
In December, 1993, the City entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the cities of Thousand
Oaks, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, and Westlake Village, and VCTC to operate the VISTA -East
bus service. VISTA -East, along with VISTA- Central, and VISTA -101, were established as
commuter express services designed to get workers and students to their destinations quickly.
VISTA -East also serves as the only connection between the participating cities.
The VISTA services were originally implemented as two -year demonstration projects in response
to testimony at the "unmet transit needs" hearing. Congestion Management Air Quality grant
funds are obtained by VCTC to operate the demonstration services, and the cities were required
to provide at match of 11.5 percent. The City's share was approximately $4,000 during each of
the last two fiscal years. In FY 1996/97, the required match was increased by the Federal Transit
Administration to 20 percent and Moorpark's share is approximately $5,000, which is paid for
with the City's Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds.
Since its initial implementation, VISTA -East has gone through several changes. The cities of
Agoura Hills and Westlake Village terminated their participation due to low ridership; large coach
buses were replaced with significantly smaller ones, again due to low ridership; and tripper buses
are now used a couple of times per day to handle additional wheelchair riders due to the limited
space on the smaller buses.
The ridership on VISTA -East is significantly lower than was estimated by the consultant hired to
design the system. The most recent farebox figures indicate that the service is operating at .a
farebox ratio of 15 percent; the farebox goal is 20 percent. Since the service is currently
operating as a demonstration, the farebox shortfall does not have to be made up.
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VISTA -East Agreement
2
Although we did not have a current agreement, the participating cities continued the service when
VCTC announced that it had secured additional CMAQ grants funds for a third year in an effort
see if additional ridership could be generated. The City Council is being asked to approve the
Cooperative Agreement which formalizes our relationship with the other participating
jurisdictions. The Agreement expires June 30, 1997,
The City Council should note, that while staff recommends the approval of the VISTA -East
Cooperative Agreement for a third year, there are serious concerns about the continuation of the
service past the demonstration period. If VISTA -East continues for a fourth year, the
participating jurisdictions will have to fund 100 percent of its costs ($450,000). VCTC is in the
process of conducting a ridership survey to identify where riders live. The survey results will help
the City determine whether enough Moorpark residents use the service to justify the cost and the
City's continued participation. If the service meets the 20 percent farebox ratio, the City may be
required by law to continue its participation.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the City's participation in the VISTA -East
Cooperative Agreement for 1996/97 Fiscal Year and direct the Mayor to sign on behalf of the
City.
C:\DOCS\TRANSPOR\VISTAGR.AGD
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This Agreement is made and entered into by and among CITY OF MOORPARK (Moorpark), the
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY (Simi Valley), the CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS (Thousand Oaks),
and the VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (VCTC). The cities are
collectively referred to herein from time to time as the "AGENCIES."
The purpose of this Agreement is for the AGENCIES and VCTC to cooperatively provide transit
service by contract for the third year of a three -year demonstration program to determine the level
of need for such services within the service area as described in Attachment A.
The name of the service to be provided pursuant to this Agreement by the AGENCIES and VCTC
shall be VENTURA INTERCITY SERVICE TRANSIT AUTHORITY (VISTA) - EAST AREA.
The demonstration program is to be funded approximately 80 % by Federal Congestion Mitigation
and Air Quality (CMAQ) Funds as approved by the Ventura County Transportation Commission
(VCTC) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and 20% by the AGENCIES. Lead
responsibility for preparation, submittal and approval of CMAQ Funding Application through
FTA is VCTC. The VCTC is the grant recipient and is responsible for the federal funds received.
The following approximate 20% local match shall be paid by the AGENCIES for FY 96/97
services based on population as follows:
City of Moorpark
$ 5,135
City of Simi Valley
$20,072
City of Thousand Oaks
$21,473
If Federal CMAQ Funds are not approved for this project, or if the lowest acceptable proposal
for providing the services required is higher than the grant amount plus 20 %, and additional
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CMAQ money is not available for the difference, then any party may by 30 -day written notice to
the other parties, terminate participation in the Agreement. A terminating party will be
responsible solely for its proportional share of any expenses incurred prior to the date of
termination.
The VCTC will act as the lead agency to prepare and issue Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the
contract services. The County will act as Administrator as outlined in Section 6 and Attachment
B. The County will be reimbursed from the funds available for this purpose, primarily the CMAQ
grant amount, for the County's full, actual administration expenses associated with the County's
work on project administration. An estimate of administrative expenses is $11,856 annually.
VCTC will provide AGENCIES and FTA with operational data as needed. AGENCIES will
review the service contract for any content change and service revisions.
Fare revenues, including monthly pass revenue and any passenger contributions collected from
specific establishments being served such as Moorpark College will be used to defray operating
costs. Fare revenues will be compared to actual ridership counts of passengers on the vehicles to
assure an accurate ridership assessment. VCTC will conduct onboard surveys.
After the demonstration period is over, specific establishments being served by VISTA such as
Moorpark College may contribute money to continue operating the service.
The term of this Agreement shall be for one fiscal year beginning July 1, 1996 and ending June
30, 1997, unless service is terminated as provided in Section 3 and Section 6. The Agreement may
be extended by mutual agreement of all parties.
The County will provide VCTC and AGENCIES monthly and quarterly reports about operations,
as shown in Attachment B. Based on the performance standards, also shown in Attachment B,
the services will be evaluated by the AGENCIES and the VCTC in January, 1997. Depending
upon the results of that evaluation, the services will be continued, modified and continued, or
canceled. For details about the evaluation process and schedule, see Attachment B.
In January, 1997, if it is determined that service is to be continued beyond the demonstration
period, work will begin on a new formula for dividing local contributions and a new evaluation
schedule.
This Agreement may be changed from time to time by mutual written agreement of all parties.
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Meetings shall be held in accordance with the State "Brown Act" at least two times each fiscal
year by the AGENCIES and VCTC. Each agency shall appoint a voting member who shall attend
meetings of the AGENCIES. Each agency may select its voting member by its own procedures.
A quorum is necessary to transact any business; two members shall constitute a quorum. All
actions shall be approved by majority vote.
Section 9: Contract Arrangements
VCTC, as the grant recipient, will sign and monitor the contract for service after review by the
AGENCIES.
Each AGENCY (individually when indemnifying other parties referred to herein as the
"Indemnifying Party") shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold each other AGENCY and VCTC,
their officers, employees and agents harmless from all liability, claims or damages arising out of,
caused by, or resulting from, the Indemnifying Party's negligence in performing its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement.
VCTC shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold each AGENCY and its officers, employees and
agents harmless from all liability, claims or damages arising out of, caused by, or resulting from,
VCTC's negligence in performing its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
Any contract for operation of a VISTA route pursuant to this Agreement shall provide that the
operator contracting (the "Contractor ") with VCTC indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless
VCTC (and the contracting AGENCY, as applicable), its officers and employees from all liability,
claims or damages arising out of, caused by, or resulting from, the Contractor's performance of
its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and such contract.
Any changes to this Agreement must be approved by the governing board for each AGENCY
participating in this Agreement.
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Any notice required to be given in writing under this Agreement shall be given to the AGENCIES
and VCTC at the following addresses:
MOORPARK:
City Manager
City of Moorpark
799 Moorpark Avenue
Moorpark, CA 93021
SIMI VALLEY:
City Manager
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
THOUSAND OAKS:
Public Works Director
City of Thousand Oaks
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION:
Executive Director
950 County Square Drive #207
Ventura, CA 93003
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In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the dates stated below.
CITY OF MOORPARK
By
Mayor
Date
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
By
Mayor
Date
CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS
By
Mayor
Date
VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
By
Chair, VCTC
Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By
City Attorney
Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By
City Attorney
Date
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Attachment A
The following is a general description of the East Area Demonstration Project, and may be revised
and /or adjusted during the fiscal year.
This demonstration project continues intercity, fixed route express bus service in eastern Ventura
County and connections to adjacent Los Angeles County. The route will include stops at Westlake
Boulevard /Agoura Road, the Oaks Park and Ride lot and the Oaks Mall, the Route 23 Park and
Ride lot and the Thousand Oaks Library in Thousand Oaks; the Moorpark Metrolink Station and
Moorpark College in Moorpark; and, Madera Road /Los Angeles Avenue and Wood Ranch in Simi
Valley.
Service will operate approximately between 6 am and 7 pm weekdays. In the morning and evening
peak hours, buses will have approximately 60 minute headways. In the off -peak hours, the
headways will be approximately 120 minutes. The peak hours will be a maximum of three hours
in the morning and three hours in the afternoon. A tripper bus service will also operate daily for
three round trips in the morning and three in the afternoon to provide additional accessible service
for persons with disabilities to and from Moorpark Community College.
The schedule will be arranged to provide timed transfers with local and intercounty transit
providers such as: the Moorpark City Bus; Simi Valley Transit (in particular, to access the Simi
Metrolink Station); Thousand Oaks Transit, VISTA East service, and the VISTA HWY. 101
service.
Regular scheduled VISTA one -way passenger fares are: $1 for passengers between 22 and 61
years of age; 75 cents for students aged 6 to 21 years; and, 50 cents for passengers aged 62 years
and older and persons with disabilities. Children 5 years and under ride free if accompanied by
fare paying adult.
VISTA- mmled Dial -A -Ride fares are $1.50 in Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula. The fare includes
one transfer to the VISTA intercity service.
They SmartCard Passport fares are: adults $40; youth 5 -20 years of age $30; seniors 62 years of
age and older and persons with disabilities $20. The cash debit feature is sold in $10 increments.
Purchased monthly, this passport is valid for unlimited trips on all Ventura County fixed -route
public bus systems. For an additional 50 cents per trip, holders of the base pass may use the Dial -
A- Rides.
The Dial-A-Ride Monthly Passport fares are: adults $56; students $46; seniors and persons with
disabilities $36; all of these fares include the dial -a -ride service.
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Attachment B
► : ►
Service near the end of the third year will be evaluated based on "Passenger Fare Ratio" * actual
results for the best quarter of the year.
1'' • n.G
Urban* Less than 15 %
Rural Less than 7 %
Urban 15 % to 20 %
Rural 7% to 10%
Urban 20% or more
Rural 10 % or more
Hold public hearing and decide
whether or not to cancel service.
Consider modifying and
continuing service.
Continue service.
Other factors, in addition to those noted above, which will be considered in evaluating service
include but are not limited to the following: increasing ridership trends, and the potential impact
of a modification or cancellation of service on system connectivity (e.g., transfers between other
intercity VISTA and local services).
Actions to modify the service may include items such as:
• increased marketing
0 schedule/headway changes
0 route changes
0 fare changes
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Attachment B (cont.)
WE
On a monthly basis, County will provide the following statistics:
Farebox Revenues and Farebox Recovery Ratios
Contractor Operating Costs
Administrative Costs
Total Operating Costs
Vehicle Service Hours
-Total Hours
Vehicle Service Miles
Total Miles
Passengers
On a quarterly basis, County will summarize monthly statistics by quarter and total year -to -date,
as well as calculate the following indicators:
Farebox Recovery Ratio
Passenger Fare Ratio*
Total Operating Cost per Vehicle Service Hour
Total Operating Cost per Passenger
Passengers per Vehicle Service Hour
Passengers per Vehicle Service Mile
VCTC will conduct and use onboard survey information gathered in September /November, 1996,
to analyze where passengers' trips originate, as well as where the passengers board.
* The "Passenger Fare Ratio" statistic is calculated as follows:
((Full Fare Passengers * Base Fare) + (Discount Fare Passengers * Discount Fare)) /Total
Operating Costs
Full Fare Passengers and Discount Fare Passengers include those passengers who use
passes or some type of multiride tickets.
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Attachment B (cont.)
10. 1 1
For the third year, the schedule for evaluating service relative to performance standards is as
follows:
July 1, 1996 Third year demonstration service begins.
September, 1996 - Vista staff meetings monthly to review service and begin future
June, 1997 service planning.
September, 1996 - VCTC conduct onboard surveys on VISTA routes so that VISTA
November, 1996 committees will have pertinent information in a more timely manner
for decision - malting purposes.
October 17, 1996 Vista elected & staff meetings to review first quarter operating data, service
and administrative issues, and upcoming schedule of meetings.
January 16, 1997 Vista elected & staff meetings to review year -to -date (i.e., first six months)
performance trends, passenger survey information, and the 3rd year of the
federal CMAQ program.
For service which has not yet met the Farebox Recovery Ratio requirement,
contingency plans for service modification and /or service cancellation will
be formulated.
February 10, 1997 Unmet transit needs hearings are conducted. As part of these meetings,
AGENCIES may wish to inform public of:
- service performance results to date
schedule for service cancellation and /or service
modifications
April 17, 1997 Vista elected and staff meetings to review third quarter performance
results and begin implementation of any fourth year plans for service.
May or June, 1997 VCTC /City /County actions on service funding
July 1, 1997 Implement fourth year plans
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