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Home My WebLink About02/07/2006, C7 - EXTENDING TROLLEY SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 23, 2006 FOR THE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA EVENT council ` ccar4NU j agenda Repojzt C I TY OF SAN LU I S O B I S P O FROM: Jay Walter,Director of Public Works Prepared By: Austin O'Dell,TransiVManager . SUBJECT: EXTENDING TROLLEY SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 23, 2006 FOR THE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA EVENT CAO RECOMMENDATION As recommended by the Mass Transportation Committee, adopt a resolution approving the trolley service to begin at 12:00 PM on February 23, 2006 to provide alternative transportation between the Downtown and upper Monterey Street for the Tour of California event. DISCUSSION Background In preparation for the inaugural Tour of California, staff has been considering a way to provide alternative transportation to assist the anticipated crowds for this event. The challenge is to devise a service that: 1) can integrate in the current public transit schedule; 2) meets state and federal regulations; and 3)can be implemented within existing resources. Staff considered and discounted the possibility of providing additional bus service for this event for two main reasons. The fust reason is that no additional buses will be available during the event time because San Luis Obispo Transit will be in daily peak service. The second reason is that federal regulations prohibit transit operators that receive federal assistant funding from providing special event service without first soliciting private sector competition. The Federal Transit Administration mandates that their dollars are to be used for public transit service, and that special event services must be performed by private sector charter bus companies. The consequence of noncompliance of this regulation is suspension of federal funds. Based on the number of buses in service at the time of the event and the location where tourists will be lodging for this event,staff has determined that the trolley can provide some additional service to reduce congestion between Downtown and upper Monterey Street. The trolley's regular operating hours on Thursdays are from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM. As recommended by the Mass Transportation Committee, staff is requesting to extend the trolley's operating hours on February 23, 2006 by beginning service at 12:00 PM. In addition to the Mass Transportation Committee's recommendation, staff also requests that the trolley's route be extended to Cuesta Park. Staff has secured Cuesta Park as a remote parking location for Tour of California. Though the Mass Transportation Committee did not review this component of the request, it is consistent with the Committee's desire to provide alternative transportation for this event. This recommendation will provide alternative transportation between Cuesta Park, Monterey Street, and Downtown, in order to reduce the need for event spectators to drive and park near the downtown area. rte\ Trolley Service Extension for Tour of California Page 2 Requirements Because this is a temporary and minor change to remain in effect for less than one hundred eighty days, no public hearing or public comment period is required (Public Hearing Procedures for Major Service or Fare Changes, Short Range Transit Plan May 2004). However, City Council will need to approve the request to extend the service for one day. Notification If approved by the City Council, staff will coordinate with the Parks and Recreation Department, the lodging industry, and other City partners to notify the event sponsor and tourists of the extended availability of the trolley for this event. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no.financial impact to the General Fund. The cost of expanding trolley service for three additional hours is less than one hundred dollars ($100.00). This is a nominal impact to the transit fund, but one that will provide a great benefit to the City by reducing the vehicle trips to the downtown. CONCURRENCES On January 11, 2005, the Mass Transportation Committee reviewed and concurred with staff's recommendation. (Attachment 2) ALTERNATIVES The Council may choose to deny the recommendation of the Mass Transportation Committee to extend the trolley service. The consequence to this alternative is that spectators lodging on Monterey Street may be more inclined to drive to the downtown to watch the event, when the City is trying to minimize downtown traffic. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 2. MTC minutes from the January 11, 2006 meeting 1:\-CAR Reports\2006\Transiffrolley CAR Extending Service on Feb 23,2006 for the Tour of CA-PRODUC ION.doc RESOLUTION NO. (2006 Series) MA"HMEK i RESOLUTION APPPROVING TROLLEY SERVICE EXTENTION ON FEBRUARY 23, 2006 REQUEST FOR THE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA WHEREAS, the Tour of California will be staging a major international bicycle event in the City of San Luis Obispo on Thursday,February 23, 2006, and may attract significant numbers of tourists; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo operates the trolley service between downtown and upper Monterey Street and begins its trolley service Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., continuing in accordance with the schedule in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the Mass Transportation Committee desires to provide alternative transportation between upper Monterey Street and downtown by extending the City's trolley service on February 23, 2006; and ' WHEREAS, the Public Hearing Procedures for Major Service or Fare Changes in the Short Range Transit Plan (May 2004)does not require a public hearing for temporary and minor change to remain in effect for less than one hundred eighty days. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo approves the trolley service to begin at 12:00 p.m., and extend service to Cuesta Park on February 23, 2006. Upon motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution adopted this day of 2006. Mayor Dave F. Romero ATTEST: Audrey Hooper, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Jonathan P. Lowell, City Attorney R � 7 3 - ATTACHMENT 1 EXHIBIT A REGULAR TROLLEY SERVICE SCHEDULE Day Schedule Thursday 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. J ATTACHMENT The motion did not carry. The Committee agreed to continue discussion and a motion on the Trolley service changes to a date uncertain. C. ACTION ITEMS Cl. Recommendations to Revoke Central Coast Taxi Certificate of Necessity and Convenience Mr. O'Dell reported that the Central Coast Taxi C Company had gone out of business and that staff needs to go to Council f a public hearing to revoke their Certificate of Necessity and Convenience. Motion made by Mr. Johnson, seconded y Ms. Howard, to recommend a resolution to City Council revoking th Certificate of Necessity and Convenience from the Central Coast Taxi Cab co pany. .The motion passed unanimously. C2. Request from Beach Cities C Company to Modify Their Rates Mr. O'Dell reported that Bea Cities Cab had increased their fleet to 16 vehicles and were requesting a mile a rate increase of 35 cents/mile. Mr. Doyle was not co inced that the increase was justified and reminded the MTC that the comp y had previously requested and received a rate increase recently. Ms. Rai , as a previous business owner,understood Beach Cities' request since th .will incur additional costs due to labor, benefits, insurance and taxes. Motion de by Mr. Johnson,seconded by Ms. Rains, to approve the rate incre equest. The motion carried,with Mr. Doyle abstaining. C3. Extend Trolley Service for One Day on February 23,2006 for the"Tour of California"Event Ms. Knox discussed the special event and the desire for longer Trolley service hours on that date. She noted service would be extended by three hours. Motion made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Doyle, to approve the three-hour service extension request. The motion passed unanimously. D. INFORMATION ITEMS C 7-S