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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 6, 1993 (63)d. CITY OF.LOD! COUNCIL COMMUNICATION otic +. AGENDA TITLE: Public Hearing Regards.— Unmet Transit Needs Within the City of Lodi MEETING DATE: January 6, 1993 PREPARED BY: Assistant City Manager BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In order to utilize Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds for street and road improvements and to properly allocate thefunds spent for transit purposes, it is necessary, to reasonably meet any unmet transit needs. The San Joaquin Council of Governments (COG) requires all agencies to annually hold a public hearing to solicit input from the citizens on unmet transit needs. So that we can assure the widest input possible, we schedule two hearings - one during the morning hours at Hutchins Street Square. 125 So. Hutchins Street, and one at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. The first hearing was conducted on Wednesday morning, December 2, 1992 at the Fine Arts Building at Hutchins Street Square. Approximately 20 persons were in attendance. A summary of that meeting is attached and should be made an official part of this meeting. A member of the COG staff will be in the audience and will make the actual recommendations to the COG Board of Directors as to the City of Lodi's unmet transit needs. 7bat report will become the basis for the City's 1993-99 transit claim. FUNDING: None required Respectfully submitted, ry L. Glenn Assistant City Manager TLG:br Attachment CCCOM683/TXTA.07A APPROVED: _ / THOMAS A. PETERSON , ecyc;s0 pave( City Manager J UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS PUBLIC HEARING H TfCHINS STREET SQUARE FINE ARTS BUILDING 125 SOUTH HUTCHINS STREET WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1992 10:00 A.M. Assistant City Manager Glenn opened the meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m. Mr. Glenn first gave an opening statement pointing out the following achievements for Dial -A -Ride during the last year: a. In September problems occurred with City Cab Company. City Cab was operating without Workers' Compensation Insurance, among other various operational problems, resulting in the Dial -A -Ride drivers walking off the job. Dial -A -Ride was then taken over by the City. The City has hired more drivers than were used previously, provided training sessions for the drivers and dispatchers, and operated more vehicles on Saturdays, all of which have caused fewer delays. b. Last year the City became eligible for Federal. funds for transportation which the City plans to use to expand on the Dial -A -Ride program and to make any enhancements for transit needs. Following further comments by Mr. Glenn the hearing was then opened to the public. Mr. Bob Phillips, a resident of Lodi, commented that certain cities, Stockton for example, uses all of the funds set aside for transit needs, and that the City of Lodi should possibly consider doing that also. Mr. Phillips also suggested that the City try to reach more people through advertisements, notices, etc. in notifying the public of transit needs public hearings and to make it easier for the disabled/handicapped to get to these meetings. Further Mr. Phillips feels a strong need for a fixed transit system and a need for Lodi to Stockton transportation. Hazel Tusten, a disabled citizen, expressed her gratitude for Dial -A -Ride, but emphasized the need for Lodi to Stockton transportation for those who need to travel to Stockton for medical/doctors appointments, shopping, school attendance at the various colleges, etc. Ms. Tusten also suggested that Dial -A -Ride operate on Sundays to accommodate those who attend the local churches. A request was then made for a brief report regarding a fixed -transit system. Mr. Glenn responded that a study had been done by a consultant regarding the City of Lodi Ia transit system. The study did show ti.at if the City continued to grow as it is, Dial -A -Ride will someday be insufficient; however, the consultant did not define -'someday". Mr. Glenn is currently in the process of preparing the Trarsportat;_, Development Act claim asking for funds for mini -vans which could carry 9 - 12 people, and could be used on an experimental basis if the City were to try a fixed -route bus system. 1 Continued December 1 1991 Comments were then made on how efficient Dial -A -Ride is since the City took over its operation; however, it was suggested that it offer more weekend transportation, especially on Sundays. Mr. Glenn stated the main reason there is no Sunday operation, is the fear that the Dial -A -Ride system will become overloaeed with the church service transportation. A comment was made by a member of the audience that the study done regarding the City's transportation system did determine that Dial -A -Ride was maxed out at certain times (food distribution days, Loel Center activities, etc.), and that there was a need to search for slternate situations. A fixed -route bus system was then compared with Dial -A -Ride. Comments were made that most senior citizens will not want to walk certain distances to and from a bus stop whereas Dial -A -Ride offers door service, one comment was made that a fixed -route bus system would not work in Lodi, and that the City should. instead concentrate on expanding the Dial -A -Ride system or creating a fixed flexible system with vans and mini -vans. However, it was stressed again the importance of a Lodi to Stockton transportation system. Questions were then posed regarding the possibility of Amtrack coming to the area. Nancy Miller of the San Joaquin County Council of Governments (COG) responded that it eventually will; however, there are delays concerning equipment, and there is no time frame when Amtrack will be operational in our area. Mr. Glenn explained that Amtrack would not be an immediate assistance to Lodi area transportation due to poor scheduling, but it could eventually be worked out to benefit the community. Comments were then made about the problems encountered with the Greyhound Bus system in regards to seating and with County Area Transit (CAT) that it can only be used by senior citizens and the handicapped/disabled for medical transportation only. CAT also transports( only town to town and not within a certain are.. Several other miscellaneous counts were then made by members of the audience: • The City of Lodi needs to have a reliable; consistent, scheduled transportation system for those needing to keep scheduled appointme.lts. • A suggestion xas made that future advertisements for unmet transit needs public hearings be sent in the City of Lodi utility billings. • School children need transportation to and from school. • Senior citizens walk more now than ever before and would be willing to walk to a bus stop. • Citizens need to be reeducated about transportation and not be afraid to make a change in their lifestyle (carpool, take public transportation, etc.). e Dial -A -Ride takes z o (2) bags per person rather than per ticket. There being no further cca=ents, Mr. Glenn closed the public hearing and informed the audience that the comments would be summarized in a report to the Lodi City Council at its public hearing to be held on January 6, 1992 and invited the public to attend. 2 C �ontinued Decemk r 18, 1991 The meeting was then adjourned at approximately 11:10 a.m. Attest: 2nnitiv fe� Perrin Deputy Caty Clerk 3 DECLARATION OF MAILING On October 28, 1992 in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, I deposited in the United States mail, envelopes with first-class postage prepaid thereon, containing a copy of the Notice attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A"; said envelopes were addressed as is more particularly shown on Exhibit "8" attached hereto. There is a regular daily communication by mail between the City of Lodi, California, and the places to which said envelopes were addressed. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on October 28, 1992, at Lodi, California. Alice M. Reimche City Clerk J ifer W Perrin Deputy City Clerk DSC#01/TXTA.FRM I NOTICE OF POBLIC HEARING REGARDING UMMT TRANSIT NEEDS WITHIN TIM CITY OF LODI NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, December 2, 1992 at the hour of 10:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, the Lodi City Council will conduct a public hearing at the Hutchins Street Square, Senior Center, 125 South Hutchins Street, Lodi to obtain citizens, comments on transit needs within the City of Lodi. NOTICE IS F GIVEN that this Public Hearing will be continued to January 6, 1993, at the hour of 7:30 p.m. in conjunction with the regular meeting of the City Council at the Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi. Information regarding this matter may be obtained in the offices of the City Clerk. All interested persons are invited to present their views. Written statements sway be filed with the City Clerk at any time prior to the hearing scheduled herein and oral statements may be made at said hearing. If you challenge the subject matter in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hear described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk at, or prior to, the public hearing. Dated: October 21, 1992 By Order of the Lodi City Council * - *M� Alice M. Reimche City Clerk Note: Please run regular columnar bordered ad ` UNMET PUBLIC TRANSIT HEARING MAILING LIST EXHIBIT B Hutchins Street Square Loel Center Senior Referral Center 105 South Washington Street 125 South Hutchins Street Lodi, CA 95240 Lodi, CA 95240 San Joaquin County Salvation Arany (Center of Hope) Council of Governments P.O. Box 1388 1860 East Hazelton Lodi, CA 95241 Stockton, CA 95202 Lodi Service Center 860 East Pine Street Lodi, CA 95240 k z DECLARATION OF MAILING On October 28, 1992 in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, I deposited in the United States mail, envelopes with first-class postage prepaid thereon, containing a copy of he Nacice attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A"; said envelopes were addressed as is more particularly shown on Exhibit "B" attached hereto. There is a regular daily cc:rmunication by mail between the City of Lodi, California, and the places to which said envelopes were addressed. I declare under pec.alty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on October 28, 1992, at Lodi, California. Alice M. Reimche City Clerk #ennifer �t. Perrin tfputy City Clerk ; i DEC#01/TXTA.FRM NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS WITHIN THE CITY OF LODI NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, December 2, 1992 at the hour of 10:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, the City Council will conduct a public hearing at the Hutchins Street Square, Senior Center, 125 South Hutchins Street, Lodi to obtain citizens' comments on transit needs within the City of Lodi. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that this Public Hearing will be continued to January 6, 1993 at the hour of 7:30 p.m. in conjunction with the regular meeting of the City Council at the Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi. Information regarding this :natter may be obtained in the office of the City Clerk. All interested persons are invited to present their views and comments or. this matter. Written statements may be filed with the City Clerk at any time prior to the hearing scheduled herein, and oral statements may be made at said hearing. If you challenge the subj?ct matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, 221 west Pine Street, at or prior to the Public Hearing. Dated: October 21, 1992 By Order of the Lodi City Council Aa) I - &ft4� Alice M. R imche City Clerk Hutchins Street Square Senior Referral Center VS South Hutchins Street Lodi, CA 95240 San Joaquin County Council of Governments 1860 Bast Hazelton Stockton, CA 95202 Lodi Service Center 860 Bast Pine Street Lodi, CA 95240 UNMfiT PUBLIC TRANSIT HEARING MAILING LIST EXHIBIT b Loel Center 105 South Washington Street Lodi, CA 95240 Salvation Army (Center of Hope) P.O. Box 1388 Lodi, CA 95241