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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/1996, C-11 - MULTI-MODAL CENTER PRIVATE/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP STUDY council '"fiv°d°-7-Z-% j aG En ba Repout h. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Mike McCluskey, Director of Public Worksirv � Prepared By: Al Cablay, Public Works Managep* SUBJECT: Multi-Modal Center Private/Public Partnership Study CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt a resolution supporting the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments' application for a $12,000 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 18(i) Intercity Bus Program grant to fund a study on enhancing Private/Public Partnerships in the development of multi-modal transfer centers for the cities of San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles. 2. Authorize the expenditure .of up to $4,000 in Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to finance the City of San Luis Obispo's portion of the agency matching funds required by the Section 18(i) grant. DISCUSSION The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) recently proposed making application for a Federal Transit Administration(FTA) Section 18(i) Intercity Bus Program grant. The grant, along with the TDA funds from participating cities and SLOCOG, will be used to hire a consultant to study the use of Private-Public Partnerships in the development of the multi-modal transfer centers for the cities of San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Atascadero. The project's intent is to look into off-setting some of the operational costs by enhancing private sector involvement in the three centers, all currently in the development stage. For example, food concessions can be allowed with the requirement that the rest room facilities be maintained for the general public, cutting ongoing city maintenance expenses. A request for proposals will be developed by SLOCOG, with input from the cities, and will include the following tasks: collection of data on similar private/public centers; conducting discussions with all principal agencies on current plans for each center Assembling information about land uses surrounding each center, potential economic development opportunities and transportation currently available. Council Agenda Report - Multi-Modal Center Study Page 2 developing alternatives; formulating recommendations. It is also planned that throughout the entire process, cities will have ample opportunity to address local issues such as connectivity (coordination with other public transportation systems),business development and operation costs that are normally associated with multi- modal centers. Each city has been asked to contribute $3,000, with SLOCOG also contributing $3,000 and $10,000 of in-kind staff time. In anticipation of possible contingencies, each city has also been asked to set aside an additional $1,000 of TDA funds as a reserve for the project CONCURRENCES SLOCOG - Technical Traffic Advisory Board (TTAC) recommendation May 31, 1996. FISCAL IMPACT The total project is expected to cost $34,000. The cost of the consultant contract is estimated at$24,000 with an additional $10,000 of in-kind SLOCOG staff costs. The Section 18(i) grant request will be for $12,000. Each of the three cities and SLOCOG are being asked to contribute $3,000 of TDA funds to make up the agency matching amount. An additional $1,000 in contingency funding is also being requested from each city. The total cost to the City of San Luis Obispo would not exceed $4,000. Sufficient TDA funds are available for this project. Attachments Resolution Attachment 2 - SLOCOG staff report of June 5, 1996 Attachment 3 - Memo from Dan Herron, SLOCOG i:mmttc RESOLUTION NO. (1996 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FOR SUPPORT OF A PRIVATE/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP STUDY AND ALLOCATION OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT (TDA) FUNDS WHEREAS, the cities of San Luis Obispo,Atascadero and Paso Robles are currently in the planning stage for the development of multi-modal transit centers and are looking to enhance public/private partnerships in the projects; and WHEREAS, grant funding is now available through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 18(i) Intercity Bus Program to fund capital and operating projects; and WHEREAS, SLOCOG, being the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RPTA) and acting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), may on behalf of member agencies act as lead agency and apply for FTA Section 18(i) funding to conduct a study on multimodal public/private partnership projects; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby declares to SLOCOG: SECTION 1. The support of SL OCOG's application for a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 18(i) grant to be used for the preparation of a study on enhancing public/private multimodal transportation projects,with SLOCOG as lead agency. SECTION 2. The authority to use up to a total of$4,000 of the City's share of TDA funds for the purpose of this study. Upon motion of seconded by , and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 1996. c��3 _ City Council Resolution No. (1996 Series) Page 2 ATTEST: ty Clerk_ — -- - APPROVED AS TO FORM: t Uty AUOrney - -- i �partner SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS STAFF REPORT ".IIIAEETING DATE. ung�;T'y/� :y:, k tic a . ;�uBJEGT.0 ; ulbmodal � ate Part Cs M � blicJPrry ne lup Pt'a�ect ' 't;%.,.�`kt .cY+.fir+, p"x � x4 ✓} "' w t t h � , SUMMARY This report discussed the opportunity to use federal funds to help generate a study, done by a consultant,to maximize public/private partnerships in three multimodal centers(Paso Robles,San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach rail stations). The final report may be useful elsewhere as multimodal centers share common concerns with self-sustainability. RECOMMENDATION Staff. Approve submission of a grant application subject to city involvement CTAC: TTAC: DISCUSSION Cycle Four of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 18(I) Intercity Bus Program has been announced by Caltrans, the administering agency. Approximately $1.5 million will be available to fund capital and operating projects statewide, on a competitive basis. In most of the past years, the Section 18(l) program has left money unallocated as applications do not meet guidelines regarding connectivity for private transportation providers. Only public sector agencies can apply, yet the program stresses private sector involvement in connecting rural areas to intercity transportation. One of the areas specifically mentioned in the guidelines is planning. A concept has emerged that would enhance the development of public/private partnerships in and around multimodal centers. A grant application could be submitted that would allow for a consultant study for three multimodal centers—Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach--to develop options for private involvement in their rail/bus stations. A unique timing exists that makes the project more cost effective, in that all centers are currently developing this year. Each city has shown interest in the project, as lt could enhance the revenue stream required for facility maintenance. For example, food concessions can be allowed with the requirement that rest room facilities be maintained for the general public, cutting ongoing city expenses. Transportation service such as B-2-1 ATTACHMENT 2 the Greyhound depot, Orange Belt depot,taxi dispatching or bus storage can be developed,with a corresponding income stream from rentals. Staff is recommending SLOCOG prepare a regional project, using a consulting firm to develop options and recommendations for maximizing public/private sector involvement at the centers. The consultant would work closely with City staff, private transportation providers like Greyhound and Ride-0n, and the community to develop options that would enhance each community. The suggested amount of the consultant contract is $24,000. A local match of 50% is required for the grant, and-staff is proposing that-the three cities-involved be-requested for a commitment of $3,000 from TDA revenues to allow the project to proceed,with committing the same amount from TDA contingency fund money for FY96/97. The attached draft Project Description and budget would form the basis for the application. \ftalkdan B-2-2 Part 3— PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project is a planning study to collect information, develop alternatives and make recommendations to enhance private. sector involvement in three multimodal (bus/ra!Vshuttle/taxVbike/pedestrian) centers throughout San Luis Obispo county. All three sites have been identified and commrttrnents exist for facility development Connectivity issues are emerging from a rapid expansion this year of the ability of rail passengers to arrive and depart from new stations in North County (Paso Robles) and South County (Grover Beach). New train services (San Diegan extension) and a•potential bus center at the San Luis Obispo rail station also need study for connectivity with surrounding rural areas. The project will endeavor to maximize the attractiveness and use of the centers by the following systems: intercity bus, local bus, airport and Amtrack shuttles, car or vanpools, bicycles, taxi services, pedestrians, telecenters, business offices, concessions, restaurants and travel agencies. SLOCOG staff will work closely with City staff, Caltrans, private transportation and public transportation providers throughout the study. An RFP will be jointly developed,and a consultant will be selected to do the bulk of the.project SLOCOG will administer the project and submit the final report to the Cities, Caltrans and any organization interested in the findings. In this way,the project could have impacts throughout California, as the issues of private involvement in public multimodal centers are similar everywhere. The consultant will be tasked with a scope of work that would cover at least the following areas. 1. Collect information about public/private partnerships in similar centers elsewhere. 2. Conduct discussions with all principal agencies involved (City staff, Greyhound, Orange Belt, Amtrak, San Luis Obispo Airport, Yellow Cab, SLORTA, SCAT, Ride- On Transportation, Caltrans and SLOCOG) on current plans for each center and transportation service plans. 3. Assemble information about land uses surrounding each center, potential economic development opportunities and enhancement to the transk/pedestrian- friendl'iness of the area, and public and private transportation currently available. 4. Prepare a draft paper developing options available for each center in potential public/private partnerships that would either enhance transportation connectivity or build self sufficiency for each center; prepare a concept paper(s) including potential funding resources and multiyear projections of costs and revenues for recommended projects. 5. Hold at least one joint planning session to refine/add to the enhancement concepts. 6. Prepare a final paper with findings and recommendation for each center. 7. Present the paper to SLOCOG for approval. The scope of work will be refined with City input prior to distribution in the RFP. B-2-3 C-��7 The purpose of FTA Section 18i is to enhance intercity bus connectivity, and the project will address current gaps being identified in each area. In Paso Robles, the o to areas of San -- Miguel, Shandon and Heritage Ranch are inadequately connected with the Greyhound /Orange Belt depot administered by Paso Robles City. In the South County, connections with the Greyhound Depot and transportation requests from Nipomo (a rural area just south) need exploration. Close work with SCAT is envisioned in this as they will beimplementing a transit consultant study of service options to meet expressed unmet needs. The San Luis Obispo facitransit is envisioned to be the transfer center for city and regional transit, tying closely with the increased train service now available and an expansion of the station by 23 acres. The ruralconnectivity issues in this area are North Coast connections, ties with the Airport and the Greyhound depot, which is unlikely to shift from its current location by the freeway. In all of the connectivity issues, Ride On Transportation is expected to play a major role, coordinated with the public systems and Greyhound. Ride On is a private transportation provider that already works very closely with all transit, as well as the business community, in its role as Transportation Management Association. As such, Ride-On is used to developing innovative approaches to bridging transportation gaps in ways that can be self-sustaining. While the connectivity issues are important, it is also critical to develop self-sustaining modes of operation for each center, as there are costs associated with operating a multimodal center. There are examples elsewhere of concessions, restaurants, travel agency and taxi/bus office involvement in centers, to the advantage of the public, businesses and the cities involved. A review of surrounding properties may also provide "livable communities"opportunities that help make the transportation node an attractive, transit friendly and pedestrian friendly area. Caltrans and interested agencies elsewhere. Implementation of the recommendations The final report,when approved by SLOCOG,will be made available to each of the affected cities, of report will be the responsibility of the Cities, with technical assistance by SLOCOG staff. the COSTS BUDGET Consultant Contract $24,000 Staff Costs (in-kind by agencies) 1000___ TOTAL COSTS $34,000 REVENUES TDA Revenues SLOCOG (Contingency) 3,000 City of Paso Robles 3,000 City of San Luis Obispo 3,000 City of Grover Beach 3,000 In-IGnd Services (staff time) 10,000 Requested-of FTA Sec 18() 12000 TOTAL REVENUE34 000 \(tal8i.dan B-2-4 rEKO San Luls Obispo Council of Governments T0: city staff FROM: Dan Herron DATE: 8/7/96 REGARDING: Scope of Work. Multimodal'Centers Private/Public Partnership Project As you probably know. SLOCOG reviewed on Wednesday a concept for a grant application to obtain tunas to nae a consultant to help maximize private/public partnerships at each of three multimodal centers (Paso, SLO and Grover). The full discussion is in a staff report In the SLOCOG agenda package for the June 6th meeting. They approved submission of the request, subject to city participation. We are now asking you for two things. The current scope of work can be covered with your commrtment being $3,000, and TDA can be used for the purpose. If the scope increases, we may have to ask for$4,000 from each of the four partners (SLOCOG will equally contribute), but it is unlikely to have to go even that high. Please let me know if you have problems with this. Secondly, please examine carefully the scope of work attached and fool free to mark It up with any special concerns you want covered. If R is faxed back to me by Monday, June 10, 1 can get it into the first draft of the application, and if it comes later we can refine the application for the next week or so. TTAC has reviewed It and added the work task for examining prohibitions against Income generation for facilities Involving public funding. If the funding Is secured,you may treat the consultant as a specially skilled staff member for your city,and the consultant will be charged with working closely with you on ideas you want explored. We are optimistic about getting the funding, and will know by August. ATTACHMENT 3