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.