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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-2017 - MTC Agenda - Final PacketService Complaints:  Complaints regarding bus service or routes are to be directed to the Transit  Coordinator at 781‐7531.  Reports of complaints/commendations are available to the public upon  request.    MISSION: The purpose of the Mass Transportation Committee is to assist with the ongoing public transit  program in the City and Cal Poly. As requested, the Committee provides advisory recommendations and  input to the Council regarding routes, schedules, capital projects, fares, marketing and additional services.    ROLL CALL: Elizabeth Thyne (Chair – Senior), John Osumi (Vice Chair – Business), Cheryl Andrus (Cal Poly),  Denise Martinez (Disabled), Louise Justice (Member at Large), James Thompson (Technical), Diego‐ Christopher Lopez (Alternate), Justin Frentzel (Student), David Figueroa (Alternate)    ANNOUNCEMENTS: None        0 min.    PUBLIC COMMENT:         10 min.  At this time, the public is invited to address the Committee concerning items not on the agenda but are of  interest to the public and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Mass Transportation Committee.  Public comment is limited to three minutes per person. The Committee may not discuss or take action on  issues that are not on the agenda other than to briefly respond to statements or questions, or to ask staff  to follow up on such issues.  MINUTES: January 11, 2017 (Attachment 1)             ACTION ITEMS:  1.   Fare Change Analysis  (Att 2)       20 min.  2.   Title VI Plan  (Att 3)       10 min.    DISCUSSION ITEMS:  3. MTC Bylaw revisions (Clerk’s Office)      15 min.  4. Major City Goals Update (Att 4)       10 min.  5. Transit Manager Updates        10 min.                ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting will be held March 8, 2017.         The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs, and activities. Please contact the Clerk or staff liaison prior to the meeting if you require assistance.  Agenda – Special Meeting  Mass Transportation Committee  Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo  Wednesday, February 8, 2017 – 2:30 pm  ACTION ITEMS:    Agenda Item 1: Action Item – Fare Change Analysis  Based on 1) newly award Transit Operations contract costs 2) SRTP full implementation service  expansion costs, and 3) the Federal Transit Administration 20% farebox recovery mandate; Staff  has initiated a fare change analysis and public comment process.  Staff is seeking final  recommendation from the MTC to bring before the City Council on March 7th, 2017 (unless  otherwise noticed). See Attachment 2    Staff Recommendation: MTC to approve a motion of staff’s recommended fare changes, or to  approve a motion for some version of them, for City Council’s adoption.    Agenda Item 2: Action Item – Title VI Plan  Title VI prohibits discrimination by recipients of Federal financial assistance on the basis of race,  color, and national origin, including the denial of meaningful access for limited English proficient  (LEP) persons, in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. FTA requires that  all direct and primary recipients document their compliance by submitting a Title VI Program to  their FTA regional civil rights officer once every three years.     A revised version encompassing fiscal years 2017 thru 2020 has been created in conformance  with Federal Circular 4702.1.B regarding Title VI.  The revised plan was brought before the public  in a special meeting held on January 31st, 2016 and made available for public comment and in  order to bring forth the final plan for City Council adoption on February 21st (unless otherwise  noticed). See Attachment 3    Staff Recommendation: MTC to approve a motion in support of the revised Title VI Plan for City  Council’s adoption.      DISCUSSION ITEMS:     Agenda Item 4: Discussion Item ‐  MTC Bylaw Revisions  The City’s Clerk’s Office is working on updating the Advisory Body Handbook.  The primary  reason is to update the manual before the annual recruitment, appointment process and  training which takes place in March and April. One of the goals of this update is to standardize as  much as possible and to document and clarify best practices. The Handbook requires that each  advisory body review its bylaws by May 1st of each year.     ∙         Does anyone else anticipate changes to your bylaws?   ∙         Additionally, are there any changes you’d like to propose at this time to the Handbook?     Discussion Item only.   Agenda Item 5: Discussion Item ‐  Recommended Major City Goals  During the City budgeting process, Major City Goals are developed in order to help identify  funding priority projects.  Advisory body input largely shapes these adopted goals along with  public comment.  The final outcome of the public participation survey and the recommended  Major City Goals will be discussed.  See Attachment 4.    Discussion Item only.    Agenda Item 6: Discussion Item ‐  Transit Manager Updates  General verbal update on the events, happenings, promotions, on‐going projects, data and  status of the transit program.    Discussion Item only.        The next meeting will be held: March 8, 2017     ATTACHMENTS:   1. Minutes of the January 11, 2017 MTC meeting  2. Fare Change Council Agenda Report  3. Fare Change Public Comment  4. Revised 2017 Title VI Plan  5. Title VI Plan Public Comment  6. Major City Goals Press Release    G:\Transportation Division\_Transportation Committees\MTC Committee\FY 2017  FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Public Works Director Prepared By: Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Manager SUBJECT: 2017 TRANSIT FARES AND ADVERTISEMENT RATES ANALYSIS RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt new transit fares 2. Adopt new interior bus advertisement rates DISCUSSION Background The City of San Luis Obispo adopted the most recent Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) in August of 2016. This plan outlines the needs and growth for the SLO Transit system over the course of the next five to seven years. These recommendations are largely based on data trends, needs assessments and public comments. Specifically, the top four feasible public comment request were for 1) longer academic schedules, 2) longer summer schedules, 3) longer weekend schedules, and 4) more frequency. Implementation of these recommendations will largely improve the current transit services, making the system more practical and functional by better meeting the needs of the current 1.2 million local transit riders while attracting more individuals to use the improved public transit system. While within the adopted recommendations there are system refinements to transit lines for better efficiency, the recommendations for expansion of service comes with financial challenges. Implementation of newer routes to new and underserved areas, increased frequencies along heavier transit-use corridors and expansion of operating hours come with an associated cost increase. These added costs are further compounded by the operating contract annual percentage cost increase; which would occur with or without implementation of the SRTP. Fare Revenues Though transit operating costs are largely subsidized by both the federal and state governments, there is a State requirement for locally generated funds. The California Public Utilities Code Section 99268.3 specifically states, in part: (a) In the case of an operator which is serving an urbanized area, and which was eligible for (TDA) funds under this article …, the operator shall be eligible for such funds in any fiscal year, …, if it maintains, for the fiscal year, a ratio of fare revenues to operating cost, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 99247, at least equal to one-fifth (20%)… Failure to meet the set forth 20% farebox recovery ratio can jeopardize future state assistance, a more than significant funding source for SLO Transit. Based on full implementation of the Short Range Transit Plan and the contractual operating escalation costs of roughly 3% annually; SLO Transit operational costs for the next five fiscal years are anticipated be as shown in the table below: Table 1: Five Year Projection 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 New Operational Costs $3,851,522 $3,915,604 $4,013,887 $4,100,213 $4,223,220 New 20% FareBox Amount $770,304 $783,121 $802,777 $820,043 $844,644 Current Farebox w/o Change $710,251 $724,456 $738,945 $753,724 $768,799 Difference -$60,053 -$58,665 -$63,832 -$66,319 -$75,845 5 Year Projection Transit fares have not changed in over seven years. Without any changes to current transit fares, there is an annual farebox recovery short fall ranging from $58k to $75k compounding annually. One way to address these short falls is with a fare change in the transit system’s base fare, going from $1.25 to $1.50, elimination of significantly underperforming punch passes, and with strategic and subsequent changes to the lower-tier bus passes (1 day, 3 Day, 5 Day and 7 Day bus passes). Adjusting these fares will go a long way in addressing the annual projected shortfall and help secure continual state and federal support for our local transit system. The proposed Fare structure changes would be as follows: Table 2: Fare Changes Pass Type Cost Break Even Cost Break Even Senior/Dis Discount $0.60 0.48 $0.75 0.5 Cash Fare $1.25 1 $1.50 1.0 1 Day Pass $3.00 2.4 $3.25 2.2 3 Day Pass $6.00 4.8 $7.00 4.7 5 Day Pass $10.00 8 $12.00 8.0 7 Day Pass $14.00 11.2 $15.00 10.0 Senior 31 Day $12.50 20.8 $22.00 29.3 Student 31 Day $25.00 20 $25.00 16.7 31 Day $37.00 29.6 $37.00 24.7 Current After PROPOSED FARE CHANGE *” Break Even” refers to the number of trips needed in order to break even with the base fare Staff is proposing that these changes be noticed, per the City’s adopted Fare Change Notification Policy, and go into effect in tangent with the service enhancements which become effective June 19th, 2017; with one exception. For various reasons, the Senior/Disabled 31 Monthly Pass has not kept up proportionately with changes to other existing passes. Staff propose that this pass be phased in and that initially there be only a $1.50 fare increase in this initial year followed by two dollar incremental increases over the course of the next five years. These fare changes, to the base and low tier bus passes, will help address the immediate annual farebox ratio shortfalls for operating costs. However, because of the unknowns of current State assistance - which has been trending down -, volatile fuel prices and the pending results of the negotiations with Cal Poly University for their student/staff transit subsidy program; staff may have to come back to council to adjust the top-tier monthly passes at a later date. Advertising Rates Staff has also further sought to mitigate the impact of a fare change on the general public, while helping ensure sufficient farebox recovery, by supplementing these funds with other sources. Existing law authorizes an operator to satisfy the applicable ratio of fare revenues to operating costs by supplementing its fare revenues with local funds, as defined. Since Self-Help Measure J did not pass, there is no General Fund support of transit services, nor a transit impact fee on newer developments, one avenue for additional locally generated funds is in on-bus advertisement sales. 99268.19. If fare revenues are insufficient to meet the applicable ratio of fare revenues to operating cost required by this article, an operator may satisfy that requirement by supplementing its fare revenues with local funds. As used in this section, “local funds” means any nonfederal or nonstate grant funds or other revenues generated by, earned by, or distributed to an operator. City Resolution NO. 8885 (1998) allows for interior advertising on SLO Transit vehicles. To- date, interior advertisement rate revenues have been nominal and under promoted. With the addition of three replacement buses, outfitted with video infotainment system, there lies an opportunity to revisit current ad rates and further promote this as a potential local funds revenue generator. Namely, historically non-profits have advertised for free on transit vehicles while making up the vast majority of onboard ads. Transit interior ad rates would change as follows: Table 3: Interior Transit Advertising Rates Non-Profit For Profit Non-Profit For Profit Two 11 x 17 $0.00 $350.00 $250 $400 Two 11 x 28 $0.00 $450.00 $350 $500 Thirteen 5 x 2 3/4 $0.00 $150.00 $75 $150 Infotainment System N/A N/A $300 $400 One Modesty Panel N/A N/A $250 $350 Package Discount N/A N/A $925 $1,500 Bus Advertising Rates Current After *No fee for advertising City Services, Events and Sponsored Events. It is anticipated that these new advertisement rates, paired with more active promotion, that roughly $12,000 an annual advertisement revenue could be generated and used, alongside the fare changes, towards addressing the new annual operating farebox amounts. Public transit is viewed as a significant method by which to reduce traffic impacts, green-house gases and as a method to help the socio-economically challenged. Fare changes are not taken lightly but only as absolutely necessary. The proposed fare changes ensure the local obligation in farebox is met in order to substantiate further state and federal funding while enabling implementation of the SRTP which will improve local transit services community wide. CONCURRENCES Mass Transit Advisory Committee supports these changes, see 2/8/17 meeting FISCAL IMPACT Transit fares have not changed in over seven years. Without any changes to current transit fares, there is an annual farebox recovery short fall ranging from $58k to $75k compounding annually and jeopardizing further State funding assistance. Adjusting these fares, combined with new ad rates, will address the annual projected shortfall and help secure continual state and federal support for our local transit system. ALTERNATIVES  Approve fare changes  Modify fare changes to other amounts with direction to staff to delay full implementation of the SRTP to reflect lower locally generated fare revenues  Deny fare changes with direction to staff to maintain or cut back transit service to reflect the lower locally generated fare revenues. Staff rechecked with FTA and the only requirement is for a half off fare on the base fare and does not apply to any other pass types. "Instead of increasing the Senior/Disabled Monthly pass by $2 starting this year and for the next four years, until meeting the $22 rate, could we only raise it only $1.50 this year and then two dollars the following years?" Staff supports this change to final recommendations to City Council "Does transit have to offer a half off discount for the Senior/Disabled on other pass types besides the base fare?" slotransit.org Public Comment - 2017 Fare Change Analysis Comment Staff Response Title VI Plan | Page 1 Title VI Plan City of San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit ) Date Adopted: February 21, 2017 I. Plan Statement Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d). The City of San Luis Obispo-San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1.B. This plan was developed to guide SLO Transit in its administration and management of Title VI- related activities. Title VI Contact information: City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager (Title VI Coordinator) Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)781-7121 slotransit@slocity.org As of July 1, 2016, the City of San Luis Obispo contracts with First Transit Inc. for maintenance and operations of SLO Transit. The contractor(s), by extension, will also assist and comply with the adopted Title VI policy. Title VI Plan | Page 2 II. Title VI Information Dissemination Title VI information posters shall be prominently and publicly displayed in the city owned SLO Transit facility and on their revenue vehicles. The plan information, along with contact information for the City’s Title VI coordinator is available on the SLO Transit website (slotransit.org). Additional information relating to nondiscrimination obligation can be obtained from the SLO Transit Title VI Coordinator. Title VI information shall be disseminated to SLO Transit employees annually via the Employee Education form (see Appendix A) in payroll envelopes. This form reminds employees of SLO Transit’s policy statement, and of their Title VI responsibilities in their daily work and duties. During New Employee Orientation, new employees shall be informed of the provisions of Title VI, and SLO Transit’s expectations to perform their duties accordingly. All employees shall be provided a copy of the Title VI Plan and are required to sign the Acknowledgement of Receipt (see Appendix B). Title VI information shall also be made available in non-English languages, consistent with the City’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plan. III. Subcontractors and Vendors All subcontractors and vendors who receive payments from SLO Transit where funding originates from any federal assistance are subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended. Written contracts shall contain non-discrimination language, either directly or through the bid specification package which becomes an associated component of the contract. IV. Record Keeping The Title VI Coordinator will maintain permanent records, which include, but are not limited to, signed acknowledgements of receipt from the employees indicating the receipt of the SLO Transit Title VI Plan, copies of Title VI complaints or lawsuits and related documentation, and records of correspondence to and from complainants, and Title VI investigations. V. Title VI Complaint Procedures How to file a Title VI Complaint? The complainant may file a signed, written complaint up to one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Title VI Plan | Page 3 The complaint should include the following information: Your name, mailing address, and how to contact you (i.e., telephone number, email address, in-person, etc.) How, when, where and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the location, names and contact information of any witnesses Other information that you deem significant The Title VI Complaint Form (see Appendix C) may be used to submit the complaint infor mation. The complaint may be filed in writing with SLO Transit at the following address: Title VI Contact information: City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager (Title VI Coordinator) Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 781-7121 slotransit@slocity.org NOTE: SLO Transit encourages all complainants to certify all mail that is sent through the U.S. Postal Service and/or ensure that all written correspondence can be tracked easily, but is not required. For complaints originally submitted by facsimile, an original, signed copy of the complaint must be mailed to the Title VI Coordinator as soon as possible, but no later than 180 days from the alleged date of discrimination. What happens to the complaint after it is submitted? All complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in a service or benefit provided by SLO Transit will be directly addressed by SLO Transit. SLO Transit shall also provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including those persons with disabilities, or who are limited in their ability to communicate in English. Additionally, SLO Transit shall make every effort to address all complaints in an expeditious and thorough manner , as herein described. A letter of acknowledging receipt of complaint will be mailed within thirty (30) days (Appendix D). Please note that in responding to any requests for additional information, a complainant's failure to provide the requested information may result in the ad ministrative closure of the complaint. Title VI Plan | Page 4 How will the complainant be notified of the outcome of the complaint? SLO Transit will send a final written response letter (see Appendix E or F) to the complainant. In the letter notifying complainant that the com plaint is not substantiated (Appendix F), the complainant is also advised of his or her right to 1) appeal within seven calendar days of receipt of the final written decision from the SLO Transit, and/or 2) file a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Transportation and/or the FTA. Every effort will be made to respond to Title VI complaints within 60 working days of receipt of such complaints, if not sooner. In addition to the complaint process described above, a complainant may file a Title VI complaint with the following offices: Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator East Building, 5th Floor – TCR 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 VI. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan SLO Transit is required to take responsible steps to ensure meaningful access to the benefits, services, information and other important portions of our programs and activities of individuals who are Limited English Proficient (LEP). SLO Transit consulted the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT)’s LEP Guidance and performed a four factor analysis of our contact with the public to determine the appropriate mix of LEP services to offer. The plan has been prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Federal Transit Administration Circular 4702.1B dated October 1, 2012, which states that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. This plan outlines how to identify a person who may need language assistance, the ways in which assistance may be provided, staff training that may be required, and how to notify LEP persons that assistance is available. In order to prepare this plan, the City utilized the U.S. DOT four-factor LEP analysis which considers the following factors: 1.The number or proportion of LEP persons in the service area who may be served or are likely to encounter a City Transit program’s activity of service. Title VI Plan | Page 5 2.The frequency with which LEP persons come into contact with City Transit programs, activities or services. 3.The nature and importance of programs, activities or services provided by the City to the LEP population. 4.The resources available to City staff and overall costs of providing LEP assistance. A summary of the results of the City four-factor analysis is in the following section. Four Factor Analyses: 1.The number or proportion of LEP persons in the service area who may be served or are likely to encounter a City Transit program’s activity of service. Data was gathered from the following sources to identify information on persons who do speak languages other than English at home and who speaks it less than well or not at all and would be classified as limited English proficient or “LEP”: a. 2010 Census Data. b. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and Fact Finder Surveys. c. Department of Labor LEP Special Tabulation website. A review of the census data on the numbers of limited English proficient or LEP persons revealed that in San Luis Obispo, CA the highest percentage of total population 5 years and over that spoke a language other than English at home were Spanish speakers. The total Spanish speaking population was 14.7% of the 45,119 total population of San Luis Obispo, CA (see U.S. Census Bureau Data). The number of Spanish speaking LEP individuals that spoke English “not well” or “not at all” in San Luis Obispo was 13.9%. Documents related to fares, transfers, passes, pass sale locations, days of service, and contact information are available in both English and Spanish translations. 2.The frequency with which LEP persons come into contact with City Transit programs, activities or services. We serve LEP persons daily via our fixed route transit system that operates 10 peak vehicles from Labor Day to mid-June and reduced service from mid-June-Labor day. Within the First Transit Inc. operations-maintenance staff located at 29 Prado Road, there are (2) bilingual employees available for Spanish translation, including (1) daytime road supervisor and (1) evening technician. Staff translated in person approximately 10 -15 times a month and over the phone 5- 10 times a month during the previous 12 months. Within the Public Works Department located Title VI Plan | Page 6 at 919 Palm Street, there is (1) bilingual approved transit employee in addition to (3) bilingual approved employees available for Spanish translation. No calls or requests for translation were received by SLO City staff during the previous 12 months. SLO Transit will continue to monitor the following key program areas such as: Use of bus; Participation in public meetings; Customer service interactions; Ridership surveys; Operator surveys; Purchase of passes and tickets through outlets, and the Rideshare website. 3.The nature and importance of programs, activities or services provided by the City to the LEP population. The City of San Luis Obispo is centrally located in California between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The City has an estimated population of 45,119 (2010 Census Bureau estimate). San Luis Obispo is also home to the California Polytechnic State Universit y (Cal Poly), a major source of population, employment, and other overall economic and social impacts. SLO Transit, a program operated out of the Department of Public Works, is the City of San Luis Obispo’s transit provider and operates fixed route service throughout the City and trolley service downtown. Other regional and paratransit service providers also offer service to the City. SLO Transit, a City entity with service operation contracted to First Transit Inc., provides fixed- route bus service throughout the City of San Luis Obispo. SLO Transit operates a total of seven regular bus routes on weekdays, six routes on Saturdays, and four routes on Sundays, as well as a San Luis Drive Tripper (SLD Tripper) and Kennedy Library Tripper (KLT Tripper) on weekdays and a Downtown Trolley Thursday through Saturday. Five routes operate Monday through Friday evenings during the school year. 4.The resources available to City staff and overall costs of providing LEP assistance. SLO Transit currently provides some information in Spanish such as surveys, bus routes and fares, public service announcements and information on the buses. Documents related to fares, transfers, passes, pass sale locations, days of service, and contact information are available in both English and Spanish translation. Within the First Transit Inc. operations-maintenance staff located at 29 Prado Road, there are two (2) bilingual employees available for Spanish translation, including one (1) daytime road supervisor and one (1) evening technician. Within the Public Works Department located at 919 Palm, there is one (1) bilingual approved transit employee in Title VI Plan | Page 7 addition to three (3) bilingual approved employees available for Spanish translation. About $2,500/year could be allocated in FY 2016-17 for additional language services. Implementation Plan: Based on the four factor analysis, SLO Transit recognizes the need to continue providing language services in the region. A review of SLO Transit relevant programs, activities and services that are being offered or will be offered by the City as of December 2016 include: Spanish speaking translators are available upon request during normal business hours Route and schedule brochures are available in both English and Spanish Route and schedule information available in Spanish on the SLO Transit website (slotransit.org) Transit surveys to be conducted by SLO Transit will be available in Spanish Public meetings will include outreach to the Spanish speaking community in San Luis Obispo. Information will be provided in Spanish and a translator will be on site to help with questions or concerns Meetings to be scheduled at times and locations that are convenient and accessible for minority and LEP communities Different meeting sizes and formats to be employed Radio, television, or newspaper ads on stations and in publications that serve LEP populations to be considered by SLO Transit Public participation opportunities through means other than written communication, such as personal interviews or use of audio or video recording devices to capture oral comments will be considered by SLO Transit SLO Transit will perform a four factor analysis every three years to identify what, if any, additional information or activities might better improve SLO Transit’s services to assure non-discriminatory service to LEP persons. SLO Transit will then evaluate the projected financial and personnel needed to provide the requested services and assess which of these can be provided cost - effectively. VII. Community Outreach As an agency receiving federal financial assistance, SLO Transit has made the following community outreach efforts: The City of San Luis Obispo Mass Transportation Committee (MTC) Advisory Body holds public meetings bi-monthly to review SLO Transit service and performance. All meetings are compliant with the Brown Act of California which guarantees the public's right to attend and participate in Title VI Plan | Page 8 meetings of local legislative bodies. Agendas and minutes are available at http://www.slocity.org/advisorybodies.asp. At these meetings the public is welcome to attend and share in discussion with a variety of Community Outreach discussions. Additionally, SLO Transit works with the other transit agencies in the service area and other stakeholder organizations to review and discuss the planning and have involvement in the decision making process. SLO Transit from time to time will provide on-board survey hand-outs to customers for their feedback about a variety of issues. SLO Transit held public meetings for public review and comment regarding the Title VI Program. Public meetings are held in convenient, accessible, and diverse locations along bus routes whenever possible. Public meetings are held under the supervision of the SLO Transit Manager. Public comments are recorded and filed. Public meetings may be held at regular MTC meetings. Spanish speaking assistance will be available. SLO Transit submits to the California Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration annually an application for funding. The application requests funding for both capital and operating assistance. Part of the annual application is a public notice, which includes a 30-day public comment period. VIII. Mass Transportation Committee The City of San Luis Obispo Mass Transportation Committee (MTC) Advisory Body has nine (9) members: (1) Cal Poly designated employee (1) Cal Poly student representative designated by Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) (1) senior citizen (62 years of age or older) (1) person from the business community (1) person with technical transportation planning experience (1) disabled person (1) member at-large (2) alternate members Amongst these volunteer members, there is currently one (1) Hispanic member and eight (8) non-Hispanic, White members. Committee vacancies are listed on the City of San Luis Obispo website (slocity.org), as well as on the SLO Transit website (slotransit.org) and SLO Transit social media. The City Clerk’s Office and Title VI Plan | Page 9 City Council review the submitted applications in fairness and equity, evaluating the necessary qualifications for the vacant position. Title VI Plan | Page 10 APPENDIX A Employee Annual Education Form Title VI Policy No person shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. All employees of San Luis Obispo Transit (currently contracted by First Transit Inc.) are expected to consider, respect, and observe this policy in their daily work and duties. If a citizen approaches you with a question or complaint, direct him or her to the City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager who is the Title VI Coordinator. In all dealings with citizens, use courtesy titles (i.e. Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) to address them without regard to race, color, or national origin. Title VI Plan | Page 11 APPENDIX B Acknowledgement of Receipt of Title VI Plan I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the San Luis Obispo Transit’s Title VI Plan. I have read the plan and am committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1.B. _________________________________ Your signature _________________________________ Print your name _________________________________ Date Title VI Plan | Page 12 APPENDIX C Title VI Complaint Form City of San Luis Obispo Transit – SLO Transit Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: ____________ Zip Code: ______________ Home Telephone No: ( ) ___________________________ Work Telephone No: ( ) ____________________________ Email Address: ______________________________________ What do you believe is the reason for your discrimination?: Race Color National Origin Other (specify) _______________________ Date of Alleged Incident: ______________________________ Explain as clearly as possible what happened and how you believe you were discriminated against. Indicate who was involved. Be sure to include the names and contact information of any witnesses. If more space is needed please use the back of the form. Have you filed this complaint with any other federal, state, or local agency; or with any federal or state court? Yes No Title VI Plan | Page 13 If yes, check all that apply: Federal agency Federal Court State Agency State Court Local Agency Please provide information about a contact person at the agency/court where the complaint was filed: Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: ____________ Zip Code: ______________ Telephone Number: _________________________________ Please sign below. You may attach any written materials or other information that you think i s relevant to your complaint. Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ____________________________ Please mail this form to: City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)781-7121 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The City of San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit) respects civil rights and operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin. SLO Transit is committed to complying with Tile VI requirements in all of its programs and services. Any person who believes he/she has been subjected to discrimination in the delivery of or access to public transportation origin, may file a complaint with SLO Transit. Such complaint must be filed in writing with SLO Transit no later than 180 days after the alleged discrimination. A letter of acknowledging receipt of complaint will be mailed within 30 days. For more information on the Title VI transit obligations and how to file a complaint, please contact SLO Transit: City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager, Public Works Department, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Title VI Plan | Page 14 APPENDIX D Sample Letter Acknowledging Receipt of Complaint Today’s Date Ms. Jo Doe 1234 Main St. San Luis Obispo, California 93401 Dear Ms. Doe: This letter is to acknowledge receipt of your complaint against San Luis Obispo Transit allegin g _____________________________________________________________________________. An investigation will begin shortly. If you have additional information you wish to convey or questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact this office by telephoning _____ _____ ______, or write to me at this address. Sincerely, Title VI Coordinator City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)781-7121 Title VI Plan | Page 15 APPENDIX E Sample Letter Notifying Complainant that the Complaint Is Substantiated Today’s Date Ms. Jo Doe 1234 Main St. San Luis Obispo, California 93401 Dear Ms. Doe: The matter referenced in your letter of ______________ (date) against San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit) alleging Title VI violation has been investigated. (An/Several) apparent violation(s) of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including those mentioned in your letter (was/were) identified. Efforts are underway to correct these deficiencies. Thank you for calling this important matter to our attention. You were extremely helpful during our review of the program. (If a hearing is requested, the following sentence may be appropriate.) You may be hearing from this office, or from federal authorities, if your services should be needed during the administrative hearing process. Sincerely, City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager (Title VI Coordinator) Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)781-7121 Title VI Plan | Page 16 APPENDIX F Sample Letter Notifying Complainant that the Complaint Is Not Substantiated Today’s Date Ms. Jo Doe 1234 Main St. San Luis Obispo, California 93401 Dear Ms. Doe: The matter referenced in your complaint of ______________ (date) against San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit) alleging ____________________________ has been investigated. The results of the investigation did not indicate that the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, had in fact been violated. As you know, Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program receiving federal financial assistance. San Luis Obispo Transit has analyzed the materials and facts pertaining to your case for evidence of the city’s failure to comply with any of the civil rights laws. There was no evidence found that any of these laws have been violated. I therefore advise you that your complaint has not been substantiated, and that I am closing this matter in our files. You have the right to 1) appeal within seven calendar days of receip t of this final written decision from San Luis Obispo Transit, and/or 2) file a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Transportation and/or the Federal Transit Administration at Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights Attention: T itle VI Program Coordinator East Building, 5th Floor - TCR 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 Thank you for taking the time to contact us. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, do not hesitate to call me. Sincerely, City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager (Title VI Coordinator) Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)781-7121 Title VI Plan | Page 17 APPENDIX G Samples of Narrative to be included in Posters to be displayed in Revenue Vehicles and Facilities Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d). The City of San Luis Obispo-San Luis Obispo Transit is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI in Federal Transit Admin istration (FTA) Circular 4702.1.B. If you feel you are being denied participation in or being denied benefits of the transit services provided by San Luis Obispo Transit, or otherwise being discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability, you may contact our office at: City of San Luis Obispo Transit Manager (Title VI Coordinator) Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)781-7121 slotransit@slocity.org For more information, visit our website at slotransit.org. slotransit.org Public Comment - 2017 Title VI Plan Comment Staff Response "insert a map for the location of the your office"Staff supports this change to the Title VI plan 1 Anguiano, Gamaliel From:Grigsby, Daryl Sent:Monday, January 30, 2017 10:38 AM To:Public Works Subject:FW: SLO CITY COUNCIL SETS GOALS FOR THE 2017-2019 BUDGET CYCLE fyi From: City Communications Sent: Monday, January 30, 2017 9:43 AM Subject: SLO CITY COUNCIL SETS GOALS FOR THE 2017-2019 BUDGET CYCLE DATE: January 30, 2017 RELEASE: Immediate CONTACT: Katie Lichtig, City Manager 805-781-7114 klichtig@slocity.org COUNCIL SETS GOALS FOR THE 2017-2019 BUDGET CYCLE Budget workshop follows a highly successful public outreach effort After a successful outreach program that garnered extensive community input, the City Council formally set its goals Saturday for the 2017-2019 budget cycle, naming Housing, Multi-Modal Transportation, Climate Action and Fiscal Sustainability and Responsibility as its top four priorities and Downtown Vitality as an Other Important Objective. 2 The Council set those Major City Goals and the Other Important Objective during a daylong workshop at the City/County Library. There, Council Members addressed several options, then deliberated before taking action. The workshop is one of several important steps the Council takes in creating a budget, including a review of work plans associated with the priorities (on April 18) and a preliminary Financial Plan presentation on May 15. In an effort to assist the Council in aligning goals with community needs, the City called for public input, as it does prior to every new two-year Financial Plan, and received record- breaking feedback. More than 1,200 people completed surveys and 2,000 offered input, both online and at a packed public forum held Jan. 10. “The Council was able to use this feedback and their sense of what is important to the community to arrive at these priorities,” said City Manager Katie Lichtig. “I’m pleased that so many individuals are engaged in the process, which really shows how much people care about our community.” The Major City Goals and Other Important Objective determined by the Council are: Major City Goals Housing: Facilitate increased production of all housing types designed to be economically accessible to the area workforce and low and very low-income residents, through increased density and proximity to transportation corridors in alignment with the Climate Action Plan. Multi-Modal Transportation: Prioritize implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan, pedestrian safety, and the Short-Range Transit Plan. Climate Action: Implement Climate Action Plan, assess requirements to achieve a “net-zero carbon City” target, and implement cost-effective measures, including implementation of a Sustainability Coordinator and formation of a Green Team. Fiscal Sustainability and Responsibility: Continue to implement the City’s Fiscal Responsibility Philosophy with a focus on economic development and responsiveness, unfunded liabilities, and infrastructure financing. 3 Other Important Objective Downtown Vitality: Continue to improve safety, infrastructure investment, and maintenance in the Downtown and support Downtown Association’s proposal to consider a Downtown improvement district. Following the presentation of the preliminary Financial Plan, workshops will be held in June before it is adopted June 20. The Financial Plan lasts for two years. The City of San Luis Obispo has received national recognition for its use of a two-year financial plan and budgetary process that emphasizes long-range planning and effective program management. More information on the goals and the budgetary process can be found on the City’s website.