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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - August 13, 2013 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013 A. Roll Call by City Clerk An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, August 13, 2013, commencing at 7:00 a.m. Present: Council Member Hansen, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian, and Mayor Nakanishi Absent: Council Member Mounce Also Present: City Manager Bartlam, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl-Olson B. Topic(s) B-1 Presentation on Draft City of Lodi Short -Range Transit Plan Update (PW) Traffic Engineer Paula Fernandez and Gordon Shaw with LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. provided a PowerPoint presentation on behalf of the Public Works Department in regard to the Short -Range Transit Plan update. Specific topics of discussion included the purpose of the short range transit plan, existing conditions, service plan recommendations, capital plan recommendations, management plan recommendations, and performance measures. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Shaw confirmed that there is a bus stop within one quarter of a mile of almost every house in the City of Lodi and they are located approximately two blocks from one another. In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Fernandez stated that there is no student discount per se but there is a youth pass available during the summer months. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Bartlam and Ms. Fernandez confirmed that the school district does not provide general bus service to students with few exceptions including out of town service. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Shaw stated the 218,819 figure represents the total number of rides for 2012-2013. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Shaw stated the decline in Dial -A -Ride usage may be due to higher fixed -route usage and a segment of the ridership aging so that they no longer use Dial -A -Ride. Mr. Shaw indicated routes can be adjusted as needed for Dial -A -Ride throughout the year. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian, Mr. Shaw stated express routes are designed to serve schools more than anything else and run during peak times. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Shaw described how individual rides are calculated and the process for gaining public input through poster service. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Shaw stated currently routes end at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Mr. Shaw indicated the recommendation is to extend the hours to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. In response to Mayor Nakanishi, Mr. Shaw indicated there is an increase in federal funds to cover the recommended extension of service hours and most if not all cities over 50,000 do provide transit services. Mr. Bartlam briefly explained the history of the City providing transit services through contract over the last 15 years while maintaining ownership of the equipment and infrastructure. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian and Mayor Nakanishi, Mr. Shaw stated transit service operations vary from city to city in that some are provided through contract while others may be in-house or provided jointly through the county or a joint powers agreement. In response to Council Member Hansen, Ms. Fernandez stated Council acceptance of the plan is scheduled for September 4, 2013, and the extended hours would begin in mid-September. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Shaw stated certain loops will be available based on demand to ensure all buses can meet as needed for transfer requirements. Mr. Shaw stated the on demand service will be advertised and placards will be placed at bus stops and on the buses themselves. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Shaw stated the Costco stop is permanent and not on demand. Ms. Fernandez indicated staff previously spoke to Blue Shield about employee transit needs and will review the same if the company expresses an increased interest for transit use. In response to Council Member Hansen, Ms. Fernandez confirmed that staff has not looked into options for electric charging buses in light of the fact that the City has its own electric utility primarily due to costs associated with the same. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Shaw stated that, with respect to general comments received, the biggest concern expressed pertained to the lack of seating and shelter at the bus stops and the biggest compliment expressed pertained to the great relationship between the riders and the drivers. Mr. Shaw stated comparatively out of all comments received the City performed very well. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian, Ms. Fernandez indicated that Public Works continues to make efforts to install shelters and benches at bus stops throughout the year at an average rate of 7 to 8 annually. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Shaw stated based on his experience with other communities there are both pros and cons to advertising on benches at bus stops. In response to Mayor Nakanishi, Ms. Fernandez stated transit employees do receive customer service and courtesy training. She stated that, based on the responses at the public hearing, all riders with the exception of one, expressed good relationships with their drivers. Mr. Shaw indicated the City received a 4.9 out of 5 on the survey question pertaining to driver quality and interaction. In response to Council Member Hansen, Ms. Fernandez stated the City currently does not have advertising policies for buses and any advertising funds generated would need to go back into transit for operations or capital projects. In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Shaw stated the 12.75 number is paid for by federal funds and does not receive General Fund dollars. Mr. Shaw indicated the number will go down to the average of 12.40 based on increased ridership during extended hours and both numbers are good based on comparisons with other similar communities. In response to Mayor Nakanishi, Ms. Fernandez briefly discussed the funding for operations in 2012-2013, which is paid through Transportation Development Act funds, Measure K funds, and fare box recovery. In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Fernandez stated the standard numbers are created by the San Joaquin Council of Governments based on a formula and the City must meet two out of three criteria to receive funding. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian, Mr. Shaw confirmed that the fares are set by the City Council based on market conditions and the fare amount that patrons are able to pay for usage. Myrna Wetzel expressed her concerns about advertisement clutter on buses and stops. In response to Ms. Wetzel, Ms. Fernandez stated Dial -A -Ride and Vine Line provide transportation between Lodi and Woodbridge. C. Comments by Public on Non-Aaenda Items None. D. Adjournment No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 a.m. ATTEST: Randi Johl-Olson City Clerk AGENDA ITEM 3'0 1 CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Presentation on Draft City of Lodi Short -Range Transit Plan Update MEETING DATE: August 13, 2013 (Shirtsleeve Session) PREPARED BY: Public Works Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Presentation on draft City of Lodi Short -Range Transit Plan update. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Staff will present information on the draft City of Lodi Short -Range Transit Plan update (FY 2013/14 — FY 2023/24), a 10 -year planning document designed to provide a blueprint for sustainable transit service in our community. The presentation will provide an overview of the existing transit services, recommendations for route modifications, extended hours, capital improvement plan, financial plan and marketing strategies. Public participation included two public workshops held on June 12, 2013 at the Lodi Public Library and Transit Station; individual bus surveys taken on June 12, 2013; comment cards posted at City Hall, the Transit Station, and City transit website for two weeks; and three public workshops held on July 18, 2013 at Loel Senior Center, Lodi Public Library, and Farmer's Market (large bus on display). The first set of meetings was primarily to gather information from the public about how the existing transit system can be improved to better meet their needs. The second series of meetings provided results, presented alternatives for extended hours, and gathered additional public input on route recommendations. FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable JL2 1,6, )IQ A, d Xl—:— F. Wally S delin Public Works Director Prepared by Paula J. Fernandez, Transportation Manager FWS/PJF/pmf cc: Transportation Manager/Senior Traffic Engineer LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc., Principal Gordon Shaw SJCOG, Associate Regional Planner Zepeda APPROVED: L ..._ onradt Bartlam, Clue K:\WP\PROJECTS\TRANSIT\ShortRangeTransitPlan\2013 SRTP Update\CShirtsleevedraftSRTP.docCShirtsleevedraftSRTP.doc 8/5/2013 EIM EIM EIM EIM EIM Short Range Transit Plan August 13, 2013 City of Lodi City Council Shirtsleeve Purpose of the Study Meeting Existing Conditions — Community and Transit Potential Service Alternatives Potential Capital Alternatives Draft Plan / Recommendations Purpose of the Study • What is this project used for? ➢ Review existing services and identify current service areas and level of service ➢ Identify community's transit demand and need ➢ Develop strategies to address mobility and needs ➢ Goal is to enhance and improve transit options in the City of Lodi CITY OF LODIGRAPELINE WEEKDAY WEEKDAY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BUS ROUTES CITY OF LODI WEEKEND EEKEI D WEEKEND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BUS ROUTES Hus Routes -Weekend N ® Lodi Tlan:nMet— Bus Bion W E Tr fe.PaiM e.,. Ra trio Bus Rahe 5131 S — Bus Raine 2122 eus Rahe 34 Bus Routes -Weekday N 8 Lodi Tmdatl Station Bus stops - Weekday W E — Bus Route t Bus Route 2 Bus Route 3 S —Bus Route 4 _ Bus Route 6 CITY OF LODI WEEKEND EEKEI D WEEKEND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BUS ROUTES Hus Routes -Weekend N ® Lodi Tlan:nMet— Bus Bion W E Tr fe.PaiM e.,. Ra trio Bus Rahe 5131 S — Bus Raine 2122 eus Rahe 34 CITY OF LODI GRAPLL.INI: > XPRP.SS PI.[HI .rc tiroRKS D 'ARI-MENr BITS ROiJTF'S Bus Raures Express N Q Lodi Trend Slalion as Stpps - Express W E Express oris Rome r Express hue Rowe 2 express B., Raul. 6 A S, Express &�s Raure 6 -PM Express Sus R, tl I 6«911I6i1N[o TABLE 6: Historical Ridership by Month FixedRoute - Grapeline Dial A Ride - VineLine Change % Change FY 10-11 to FY 10-11 to FY 10-11 FY 11-12 FY 12-13 12-13 FY 10-11 FY 11-12 FY 12-13 12-13 July 12,143 13,918 14,754 21.5% 3,050 2,703 2,900 -4.9% August 17,006 17,731 15,913 -6.4% 3,094 2,965 3,250 5.0% September 15,508 16,385 14,902 -3.9% 2,988 2,910 2,691 -9.9% October 15,503 14,987 17,882 15.3% 2,835 2,988 2,639 -6.9% November 13,816 14,886 14,136 2.3% 2,639 2,765 2,434 -7.8% December 11,221 15,422 13,555 20.8% 2,497 2,733 2,458 -1.6% January 14,893 14,061 16,279 9.3% 2,645 2,917 2,614 -1.2% February 13,890 14,100 15,805 13.8% 2,275 3,011 2,394 5.2% March 14,878 13,376 15,843 6.5% 2,689 3,248 2,598 -3.4% April 15,974 14,190 17,739 11.0% 2,524 3,080 2,680 6.2% May 16,687 15,922 17,195 3.0% 2,617 3,048 2,746 4.9% June 14,571 13,268 12,701 -12.8% 2,826 2,933 2,711 -4.1% Total Ridership 176,090 178,246 186,704 6.0°0 32,679 35,301 32,115 -1.7°0 Total Grapeline and 208,769 213,547 218,819 4.8% VineLine Ridership Source: City of Lodi, 2013 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 Lq S �L L 25,000 20,000 Lq m CL 15,000 10,000 5,000 n �<-) �N �� (0 0 �?'c 0ti? 6«911I6i1HO Grapeline Ridership by Route t «e1 Biel 111911 RAMMO Figure 3 City of Lodi Senior Population by Census Tract 41.06 Amn. 41.04 — — I Legend: Senior Population ( Number of Persons) bus Route 1 Bus Route 4 146 183 r --j 609 - 1.481 Bus Raute 2- Bus Route 5 184 386 r --j 1,482 - 2,214 Bus Route 3 F City Limits 367 -608 Existing Conditions — Needs & Demand • What are transit needs? — The number of people in a given area likely to require a passenger transportation service — The number of trips that would be made by those persons if they had minimal limitations on their personal mobility — Lodi Transit Needs = 1,642 passenger -trips per day; 492,690 per year • What is transit demand? — The number of trips likely to be made over a given period within a given area at a given price — Lodi Transit Demand = 88,400 passenger -trips per year for local service Existing Conditions — Public Outreach • Public Outreach Efforts — Poster sessions at Public Library and Lodi Transit Station on June 12tH — Public workshops at Loel Senior Center and Public Library on July 18tH — Poster session at Farmer's Market on July 18th Existing Conditions — Public Outreach • Conclusions • Passengers are pleased with both services • Strong need for transit services in Lodi based on certain characteristics • GrapeLine Fixed Route and DAR/VineLine are meeting the primary transit needs • GrapeLine Fixed Route and DAR/VineLine are providing an adequate level of service • Service to Costco / Home Depot • Service to DMV • Later evening service on weekdays and weekends • Earlier service on weekdays for commuting • • • 0 Potential Service Alternatives Expand GrapeLine Fixed Route and DARNinel-ine hours ➢ GrapeLine Fixed Route weekend hours to 9:15 PM? 8:15 PM? 7:15 PM? ➢ Dial -A -Ride / VineLine hours to 9:30 PM? 8:30 PM? 7:30 PM? ➢ GrapeLine Fixed Route weekday hours to 7:15 PM? ➢ Dial -A -Ride / VineLine hours to 7:30 PM? Begin weekday GrapeLine services earlier ➢ Start at 6:30 AM? ➢ Start at 7:00 AM? Eliminate Express Route 7 ➢ Lowest performing route in the system, with about 1 passenger per hour Add service to Costco and the DMV on Route 5 Potential Capital Alternatives • Purchase vehicles as needed for GrapeLine and Dial -A -Ride / VineLine services • Install AVL technology on buses • Upgrade bus stop facilities to improve accessibility and as ridership increases • Security enhancement — additional cameras on buses and at transit station / parking structure • Add additional formal transit center at the Lower Sacramento Rd / Kettleman Ln intersection • Expand existing transit center to have secured bus storage and a driver training facility Draft Plan/Recommendatir 0 Lodi Transit SRTP Update - Recommended Service Plan Elements All Figures in Thousands Plan Element Service Plan Elements Expand weekday operating hours to 7:30 PM Expand Saturday operating hours to 9:30 PM Expand Sunday operating hours to 4:30 PM Begin weekday fixed route service at 6:30 AM Revise Route 5 to Include Costco / Home Depot as Scheduled Stop Eliminate Express Route 7 Total Net Impact Note 1: This analysis assumes an annual inflation rate of 3 percent. Source: LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. Projected FY13-14 Operating Fare box Cost Ridership Revenue $75,010 10,200 $10,447 $55,929 2,200 $1,737 $32,480 1,400 $1,078 $46,582 4,500 $3,176 $40,000 6,400 $4,467 -$28,119 -600 -$410 $221,881 24,100.0 $20,496 Draft Plan/Recommendations - Institutional • Institutional elements — Improve service quality • Continue conducting annual on -board passenger surveys, boarding/alighting counts by stop and tracking on-time performance — Marketing for new services and service changes — Develop advertising policy, using existing advertising panels on EZ Rider buses City of Lodi TDA Performance Measures Current City of Anticipated Performance Standards for City of Lodi Lodi Performance with Plan Elements Source: City of Lodi Transit, 2013 Baseline (FY 2010-11) FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 Cost per Vehicle Hour $129.11 $135.11 $137.82 $140.85 $93.81 $89.51 $93.76 Passenger -Trips per Vehicle Hour 6.6 6.8 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.8 7.1 Subsidy per Passenger -Trip $12.40 $12.40 $12.40 $12.40 $12.75 $12.30 $12.31 Source: City of Lodi Transit, 2013 Questions or Comments?