Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/07/1993, C-2 - COUNCIL DIRECTION ON NON-CITY USE OF SLO TRANSIT VEHICLES IIIIIIII�III�IIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIII "J f MEETING DATE: C� o san suis oBIspo Dec. 7, 1993 Was I RM COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: ILI FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Works Director Harry Watson, Transit Manager .." SUBJECT: Council Direction on Non-City use of SLO Transit Vehicles CAO RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution establishing a policy that San Luis Obispo Transit vehicles, including the trolley, will only be used for SLO Transit routes and City activities. DISCUSSION: At the September 7, 1993 Council meeting, Council turned down a request by Morro Bay for use of the City's back-up trolley for their Harbor Festival, and directed staff to return with a proposed formal policy for consideration. Staff receives numerous requests to supply SLO Transit service and/or vehicles, in particular the trolley, to private citizens, companies, organizations, and other municipal governments for various activities. Private citizens want to use the vehicles in support of parties and weddings, while corporations and companies want to use them for company outings, real estate tours, and sales promotions. Organizations want to use them in fund raising and multi-location activities, and municipalities want their use for festivals and celebrations in their local communities. Staff routinely answers all such requests for such service negatively in that insurance and proper training of operators are issues that cannot be easily addressed. Rather than continue such denials on an ad-hoc basis, staff sought direction from the Mass Transportation Committee in order to formulate a policy for Council adoption. The Mass Transportation Committee (MTC) discussed the issue of loaning the trolley and buses at their August 1993 meeting and recommend a policy be developed denying such requests for the following reasons: 1. The primary use of our second trolley must be to back up our primary trolley and it must be available at all times. Likewise, back-up buses must also be available. 2. Loaning or renting of buses and trolleys for non-City sponsored activities is an inappropriate use of the taxpayer's dollars. 3. Outside use of transit vehicles raises several responsibility issues, among which are: a) who is responsible for any required repairs?; b) who is responsible for any damage incurred?; and c) who is responsible for servicing the vehicle? 4. The trolley would not be covered by the existing service providers insurance policy if it were being.operated by a third parry. 5. Who checks out the drivers to verify they are qualified to operate the vehicles? (Do they have necessary licenses, experience and medical certificates to operate the equipmentt�?) I�►n�►�►►��IIIIIIIIIP��°►��UIII city of San IDIS OBISpo i COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 6. Staff time would he required to book reservations and monitor compliance of rules. This may,"L require some overtime work since primary requests have been on weekends. Vehicles would need to be inspected prior to each check out and upon return. 7. The next logical step of any short term loan or rental agreements would be long term and long distance requests for charters of transit vehicles for social and field trips. 8. The City should not compete with the private charter business, as it is an inappropriate role for a City to play. 9. Current federal regulations disallow federally-funded (entire fleet except back-up trolley)from being used as charter vehicles. The MTC felt that any one of these objections was adequate basis for their recommendation. Staff was unable to find tiny City that operates a trolley as part of their transit system and also rents or leases its trolley equipment out. Cities with trolleys that were contacted include Chula Vista, San Diego, San Francisco, Bell Gardens, and Beverly Hills, California; San Antonio, Texas; and Golden, Colorado. The City currently contracts the operation of our transit vehicles which also includes all maintenance, insurance and accident repairs. If non-contractor individuals were allowed to operate our fleet vehicles, problems could arise in enforcing the terms of our contract due to disputes on who was responsible for any damage or maintenance deficiencies. If SLO Transit doesn't provide this service, who can? Regional Transit (CCAT) has provided charter service for one special event, "Earth Fair" at Chorro Park. CCAT does not provide weekend service except for one San Simeon/SLO Saturday route, so their fleet is available. Additionally, Silverado Tours, and San Simeon Stages both provide charter bus service. The restaurant Loco Ranchero has a double decker bus available for special events. No other private trolley services are available locally, however trolleys can be chartered from San Francisco Cable Car Company (Morro Bay rented one recently). FISCAL IMPACT: There will be no fiscal impact, either positive.or negative, with the adoption of the recommended policy. No funds in the current budget are anticipated either as income or expenses related to outside services. CONCURRENCE: Both the City Attorney and the Risk Manager agree that City Transit vehicles should not be loaned, rented or chartered due to potential conflicts with our service contract. Volleyl/hwl by RESOLUTION NO. (1993 SERIES) A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADOPTING A POLICY FOR SLO TRANSIT VEHICLE USE WHEREAS, a policy for SLO Transit vehicle use needs to be developed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo sets the following policy for SLO Transit vehicle use. 1. San Luis Obispo Transit vehicles, including the trolley, will only be' used for SLO Transit routes and City of San Luis Obispo activities. 2 . That no San Luis Obispo Transit vehicles will be loaned, leased, or rented to another city, firm, or individual. 3 . The City of San Luis Obispo can make its transit vehicles, with operators, available to support Regional Transit activities that benefit the City of San Luis Obispo. Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1993 . Mayor Peg Pinard ATTEST: Diane Gladwell, City Clerk 'Resolu..tion No: (IPO Series) APPROVED: eloveliine/mm2 "