HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - August 23, 2005 SSCITY OF LODI
INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING
"SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday,
August 23, 2005, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members — Hansen, Johnson, Mounce, and Mayor Beckman
Absent: Council Members — Hitchcock
Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and Deputy City Clerk Perrin
B. TOPIC(S)
B-1 "Short Range Transit Plan and Proposed Service Reductions and Enhancements"
Public Works Director Prima stated that transit typically runs at a loss and is heavily
subsidized; however, there are ways to optimize service to both serve the public and be
fiscally responsible.
Tiffani Fink, Transportation Manager, introduced the Draft Short Range Transit Plan, which
is a Federal Transportation Administration requirement, and explained that it is a planning
tool used to manage transit, evaluate performance, and to look at long-term needs and
growth. It also provides an in-depth look at ridership by route and time of day and
assesses needs, including the locations of bus stops and shelters and the capital fleet
maintenance requirements. The Plan serves as a comparison with other agencies of
similar and varied size by using traditional measures such as service, ridership, cost per
hour and per mile, and fare box recovery. Ms. Fink reviewed the recommended reductions
and enhancements:
Reduction #1 — Evening Service Hours on Grapeline
The recommendation is to cut service on fixed -route starting at 7:00 p.m. and offer a
general public reduced rate on Dial -A -Ride (DAR) to those people who are affected.
Currently, the last loop runs until 7:39 p.m., and the ildership on many of these evening
routes is extremely low. On average, the system serves 20 passengers per hour with five
routes total (or four people per route).
Council Member Johnson suggested eliminating the last bus and combining the 6:15 p.m.
and 7.00 p.m. times to avoid having to offer the DAR benefit, to which Ms. Fink responded
that staff would look into the suggestion. Despite the low ridership during this timeframe,
there are people who utilize the service to get home from work, which was the reasoning
behind the reduced DAR rate. Public Works Director Prima added that the City pays for
the service based on the number of hours; therefore, a slight reduction may not realize a
cost savings.
Ms. Fink confirmed that MV Transportation estimates DAR has the capacity for that time
period and could pick up passengers without incurring delays or long wait times.
Mayor Beckman questioned the criteria for the reduction in the general public rate on DAR,
to which Ms. Fink responded that the rate would be reduced from $5 to $3. Another option
is to leave the rate as is, but offer a lower rate to those with a monthly pass for fixed route.
In that case, riders would purchase a supplemental ticket and use it together with the
monthly pass. Mayor Beckman expressed his opposition to the general public reduced
rate for DAR and was supportive of the monthly pass option.
Continued August 23, 2005
Reduction #2 — Weekend Service Hours on Grapeline
Saturday and Sunday ridership is extremely low late in the day, and staff is proposing to
cut the service to one time (i.e. 3:09 p.m.) for both days. Currently, the run times are
staggered, and this change would be a reduction of 2 hours and 10 minutes on Saturdays
and 45 minutes on Sundays. DAR would be available for those who need transportation.
In response to Council Member Mounce, Ms. Fink stated that on the weekends DAR would
be able to cover any potential increase. There may be occasions, however, such as during
the Lodi Grape Festival, where service would be extended to the existing level to meet the
higher passenger demands.
Reduction #3 — Combine Route 1 and Route 5 into one Route A on Weekends
Route 1, which goes by Lodi Lake, Raleys on Lower Sacramento Road, and the shopping
centers on both sides of Kettleman Lane, and Route 5 which serves primarily the east
side, Kettleman Lane, and Cherokee Lane, have the lowest ridership levels on the
weekends. Staff is proposing to eliminate one of the routes and make a circuitous route,
which would connect residents on the east side to facilities and services on the west side
without the need for a transfer. There is a potential for lost ridership; however, this will offer
a more attractive route with access to the lake and shopping on the weekends.
In reply to Council Member Johnson regarding the low ridership on Route 5, Ms. Fink stated
that on Sundays people typically go to church or out of town, visit families, find rides from
other people, walk, or stay in their area of the community. During the weekdays, there is a
large student population that uses the express routes to get to school, which picks up on
the east side of town and then connects with other routes.
Reduction #4 — Fixed Route and Dial -A -Ride: Holiday Reductions
Currently, the City dfers DAR and fixed route all day on Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve,
and Thanksgiving efening. Historically, ridership has been extremely low, and staff has
annually cut back the service on a case-by-case basis. Staff is proposing to offer only DAR
services on Easter Sunday morning. On Christmas Eve, staff is proposing to cut service
early (fixed route at 12:09 p.m. and DAR at 2:00 p.m.), and on Thanksgiving evening, fixed
route would run until 7:00 p.m. and DAR would end early.
Council Member Hansen stated that it appears all of these reductions are warranted;
however, he felt it was important that the transit system provide transportation for people
who have no other means of transport. Mr. Hansen expressed mixed feelings about the
buses being used by high school students and the impact it has on our system. The City
should not subsidize the school district for its lack of a bus system within the City limit
boundaries, and he questioned the cost of providing this service.
Ms. Fink stated that the express routes run at extremely full levels and the fare recovery is
high. This service is subsidized by the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG). For
every hour it operates, the City receives 75% of its costs back from SJCOG, which together
with the fare is very close to the full cost. The City has also applied for Congestion
Mitigation Air Quality grant funding to replace existing gas vehicles and has requested
Measure K funds to provide a match as this service is funded by SJCOG.
Council Member Hansen questioned if the fixed route system was the most expensive to
operate, to which Ms. Fink replied that fixed route is a much more efficient system for the
cost than DAR because the bus runs whether there is one person or 40.
In response to Mr. Hansen, Ms. Fink stated that the fares cover approximately 20% of the
fixed route cost; the 80% subsidy is made up with Measure K, federal, and state funding.
On DAR, the subsidy is approximately 90% with the same funding sources. Ms. Fink
confirmed that the approximate cost savings for these reductions would be $131,000, and
Mr. Hansen questioned if the rise in fuel costs would tap into the savings.
2
Continued August 23, 2005
Ms. Fink stated that compressed natural gas typically does not fluctuate as high as fuel,
as the City purchases it directly from PG&E. Staff anticipates that it will stay Wthin the
budget; however, staff will return to Council with the specifics.
Enhancement #1 — Holiday Light Tours
The holiday light tours were extremely successful last year and served 521 passengers over
the six nights. Staff is recommending to expand this program during the holiday season
and to charge $2 per person, or $8 for a group of five. Residents who decorate their houses
would be part of the route and included in the Lodi News -Sentinel layout, and passengers
could vote for the best decorated house. This program has opened up a new ridership base
of those who had never been on the bus. The $2 per person charge should completely
cover the costs and potentially make revenue.
Enhancement #2 — Winery Route
The City has been approached about creating a fixed route that would leave from downtown
and go from winery to winery. Staff has been communicating with the Lodi -Woodbridge
Winegrape Commission and the Lodi Conference and Visitors' Bureau on this proposal,
which is in the early stages of development. If Council is interested in this program, the
next step is to see which wineries are interested in participating, after which a potential
route would be created. Staff would also inquire if the wineries would help offset the costs,
and a price would then be set that would pay for the program. The Winter Wine Wander
would serve as a good test weekend. Additionally, "Destination Lodi" is a good source to
bring people to Lodi on the train.
Council Member Hansen expressed support for the Christmas light tour as it would bring in
revenue and he hoped that the winery route would be approached in the same manner, or at
the very least, it would break even.
Council Member Johnson echoed Mr. Hansen's support of and comments on both
proposals and stated that he does not want the entire cost burden placed upon the City.
He hoped the wineries that are benefiting from this would help defray some of the costs.
Public Works Director Prima added that it is difficult to put together a business plan of the
costs and routes without the commitment from the wineries; however, staff did not want to
proceed without Council support. Any new start up will have a time where it may not do
well; it will take time to build up the ridership. If Council is interested in this proposal, staff
will come back with a more detailed plan.
City Manager King stated that Van Ruiten, Jessie's Grove, Michael -David, and Borra
wineries are looking at a business plan for downtown tasting rooms with buses transporting
visitors to their wineries to see their operations. These two ideas are developing
independently and could cross over.
Council Member Hansen pointed out that Destination Lodi has amazing potential in
marketing Lodi and suggested combining train routes with bus routes to downtown Lodi and
local wineries. Ms. Fink reported that she attended Destination Lodi meetings and there
has been interest expressed in coordinating different events in town with transit.
City Manager King informed Council that the Short Range Transit Plan will come back to
Council at the September 7 regular meeting for a public hearing.
Council Member Hansen requested an update on Greyhound, to which Ms. Fink replied that
the contract language was reviewed by the City Attorney and sent to Geyhound for
revisions. Staff anticipates that the contract will be returned this week. Currently,
Greyhound runs through the transit station; however, it does not sell tickets out of that
location. Mr. Hansen reported that he received citizen complaints that staff behind the DAR
counter has not been helpful and he asked that this be looked into.
Continued August 23, 2005
C. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
None.
D. ADJOURNMENT
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 a.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Perrin
Deputy City Clerk
0
Recommended Reduction #1
Fixed Route: Evening Service Hours on Grapeline
Proposal:
Eliminate Grapeline's last run beginning at 7:00 pm and ending at 7:39 pm. A reduced
general public rate on Dial -A -Ride would be offered after 7 pm.
Total Reduction and Potential Cost Savings:
Anticipated reduction in service hours is approximately 975 hours annually. Anticipated
cast savings (based on fully allocated rate minus depreciation): $48,750
Recommended Reduction #2
Fixed Route: Weekend Service Hours on Grapeline
Proposal:
Eliminate the last three runs on Saturday and the last run on Sunday. This would make
the 2:30 pm run the final run with service on Fixed Route ending at 3:09 pm both clays. A
reduced general public rate on Dial -A -Ride would be offered after 3pm.
Total Reduction and Potential Cost Savings:
Anticipated reduction in service hours is approximately 780 hours annually. Anticipated
cost savings (based on fully allocated rate minus depreciation): $39,000
Recommended Reduction #3
Fixed Route: Combine Route 1 and Route 5 into one Route A on Weekends
Proposal:
Combine Route 1 and Route 5 into Route A on Saturdays and Sundays to capture
transfers between the two lines and to reduce the number of fixed routes operating due to
the limited number of weekend riders on the two routes. In addition, it is recommended to
rename the remaining routes to alphabetical routes on the weekend so that Route 2 would
become B, Route 3 would become C and Route 4 would become D.
Total Reduction and Potential Cost Savings:
Anticipated reduction in service hours is approximately 923 hours annually. Anticipated
cost savings (based on fully allocated rate minus depreciation): $44,250
Recommended Reduction #4
Fixed Route and Dial A Ride: Holiday Reductions
Proposal:
Offer reduced Dial -A -Ride service only on Easter and shortened Fixed Route and Dial -A -
Ride service on specific other dates due to lowered ridership demand.
Total Reduction and Potential Cost Savings:
Anticipated reduction in service hours is approximately 100 hours annually. Anticipated
cost savings (based on fully allocated rate minus depreciation): $5,000
Recommended Enhancement #1
Fixed Route: Holiday Light Tours
Proposal:
Re -institute the Holiday Light Tours for the two weeks before Christmas, including the
weekend before (no weekend service was provided previously).
Total Reduction and Potential Cost Savings:
By operating full vehicles at $2.00 per person we should be able to cover our cost
completely and hopefully incur additional income. In addition, this helps with meeting
our passengers per hour goal. This light tour would add about 100 hours of service.
Recommended Enhancement #2
Fixed Route: Winery Route
Proposal:
Add Weekend Fixed Route G with service to the local wineries in the greater Lodi area.
This service would operate with 2 vehicles on 60 minute headways and initially would
operate two (2) weekends a month.
Total Reduction and Potential Cost Savings:
Staff anticipates this service will require 528 hours of service per year. The cost of
operation will be determined once the full system is developed. Staff will work with the
local wineries to encourage sponsorship of the routes as well.
Proposal
Potential
Number of
Potential Cost
Number of
Service Hours
Savings
Passengers
Reduced
Affected
per Year
Reduction #1
5,200
975 hours
$48,750
Reduction #2
2,340
780 hours
$39,000
Reduction 93
5,800
923 hours
$44,250
Reduction #4
100
100 hours
$5,000
Reduction #1
7,540
1,755 hours
$87,750
and #2
Reduction #1
11,000
1,898 hours
$93,000
and #3
Reduction #1
5,300
1,075 hours
$53,750
and #4
Reduction #2
8,140
1,547 hours
$77,350
and' #3
Reduction #2
2,440
880 hours
$44,000
and #4
Reduction #3
5,900
1,023 hours
$49,250
and #4
Reduction #1,
13,340
2,522 hours
$126,100
#2 and #3
Reduction #1,
7,640
1,855 hours
$92,750
#2 and #4
Reduction #1,
11,100
1,998 hours
$98,000
#3 and #4
Reduction #2,
6,240
1,647 hours
$82,350
#3 and #4
Reduction #1,
13,340
2,622 hours
$131,100
#2, #3 and #4