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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/1988, C-7 - CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A RIDESHARING PROGRAM FOR DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEES ����►�►�iiuullllllllI�►u'u►� I city of San Luis OBispo MEIPJJAJpp Niilil�lly C OUN IL AGENDA REPORT nEM NUMBER FROM: Nancy Knofler, Transit Manager via Toby Ross, Acting CAO SUBJECT: Consideration of approving A Ridesharing Program for Downtown Employees CAO RECOMMENDATION: Approve the document and support the County Ridesharing Coordinator's marketing efforts. BACKGROUND: On October 20, 1987, the City Council approved the City of San Luis Obispo Parking Management Plan (PMP) . The PMP serves as a guide for the management of downtown parking--the plan includes goals, policies, an action plan and an implementation schedule. One action in the plan requires the development of a ridesharing program for downtown employees. Specifically, page two of the PMP states: "Employee Parking Programs POLICY: * Programs should be established by employers to encourage employees of downtown businesses and government offices to use the parking structures as well as to use transportation other than the automobile. ACTION: * A program with specific means for encouraging alternative means for transportation, including an incentive program for City and County employees, will be prepared by the Parking Management Committee for Council review and incorporation in to the PMP. " A Ridesharing Program for Downtown Employees (RP) is intended to compliment the PMP in meeting its two primary goals: -to maintain downtown as a viable retail center and -to protect the character of the downtown and surrounding office and residential zones. The word "ridesharing" is a collective term which refers to transportation alternatives to the single occupied vehicle--walking, bicycling, carpooling and public transit are all means of ridesharing. There are approximately 3,370 full and part-time employees working for downtown employers. The three largest employers are the County of SLO (750 employees) , Rileys (146 employees) and the City of SLO ( 120 employees including 20 Recreation Department employees) . With majority of downtown employees residing outside of the City of SLO, it is clear that for a ridesharing program to be successful it must have a regional approach. Caltrans sponsors ridesharing programs throughout the State of California. Each county has a Ridesharing Coordinator financed with state funds. Ms. Kristie James is the current SLO County Ridesharing Coordinator. 11111VuiIIIIIIIIP211111 11 city o� san Luis 081spo ORGA COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT The primary function of the Ridesharing Coordinator's job is to encourage countywide ridesharing activities. According to figures provided by the SLO Rideshare Office, since the inception of the Rideshare Program in January 1980, the Rideshare Program has placed about 3,500 SLO County residents in Carpools and vanpools. This program has "saved" approximately 1 .2 million gallons of fuel, 1,325 tons of pollutants and 20.4 million miles of vehicle driving. Within the Caltrans-approved Ridesharing Coordinator's "Overall Work Program" for Fiscal Year 1988-89, $2,000 and approximately one month of the Coordinator's time will be dedicated to a "SLO Downtown Rideshare Promotion" . The activities are scheduled to be completed this summer and are described in the Overall Work Program as follows: "Activities will include radio and newspaper publicity and advertising; a grand prize (possibly a one week vacation) , additional prizes donated by downtown merchants, ridesharing presentations (outreach with surveys) to all downtown employees; incentives to downtown employees/work sites to include free carpool parking, subsidized or free bus passes and alterations in work hours. " The City's Transit Manager will be available to assist the County Ridesharing Coordinator in these promotional efforts. A copy of A Ridesharing Program for Downtown Employees is available for review in the City Council 's office. ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS 1. Approve the document and support the County Ridesharing Coordinator's marketing efforts. This is the recommended alternative. Promoting ridesharing activities is consistent with Council policies and City practices. Staff is not aware of any significant disadvantages associated with this recommendation. 2. Modify the document and direct staff to bring this document back to the Council for review at a later date. The City Council may modify the document as considered appropriate. Modification may result in the Ridesharing Coordinator delaying the summer promotional activities. 3. Null option. The City is not required to produce this document. If this document is not approved, the Ridesharing Program will continue to provide its standard services to county residents and employers. CONCURRENCES Both the Parking Management Committee and the Mass Transportation Committee have reviewed this document. The document was unanimously approved by those members in attendance. FISCAL IMPACT None. The $2,000 promotional funds are provided by Caltrans. CAO RECOMMENDATION Approve the document and support the County Ridesharing Coordinator's marketing efforts.