HomeMy Public PortalAbout10) 7E Approval of New Dial A Ride Location - Home DepotParks and Recreation Commission
April 3 , 2012
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The purpose of the meeting was to receive information, questions, and input into
the operations of the Dial-A-Ride program.
4. On February 15, 2012, the Parks and Recreation Commission conducted its
annual review of transportation services available to Temple City residents and
recommended to the City Council an expansion of the Dial-A-Ride service area to
allow Temple City residents to be transported to and from The Home Depot,
located at 9700 Lower Azusa Road , El Monte.
ANALYSIS :
For the past twenty years, the Parks and Recreation Commission has conducted a
public transportation meeting in February, to review and discuss the various
transportation programs and services available to Temple City residents. Included
among those services are Dial-A-Ride, reduced fare bus passes and tokens, recreation
transportation (excursions), and bus shelter maintenance. The primary focus of the
meeting is the Dial-A-Ride program . During the Commission's 2011 review of the
transportation programs, the Commission requested at least one additional, informal
meeting to be held the following year.
The Parks and Recreation Commission, at their November 16 , 2011 meeting,
appointed Commissioners Miller and Vigil to an ad hoc committee whose purpose was
to meet with interested Dial-A-Ride members, representatives from the current Dial-A-
Ride provider and staff to discuss issues, concerns, and enhancements to the program.
An informal public meeting was held at the Live Oak Park Community Center on
January 18, 2012. The meeting notice was placed in all Dial-A-Ride vehicles, on the
City 's website, and in the local newspapers . Approximately 20 individuals attended the
meeting. One item that was discussed at the meeting was a request to allow residents
to be transported to, and picked up from , The Home Depot, located at 9700 Lower
Azusa Road in El Monte. For several years staff had heard from residents that they
would like Dial-A-Ride to take them to The Home Depot in El Monte, however it was not
an approved location as it was outside the City limits. After hearing from various
residents about the lack of a hardware store in Temple City, and because the City
receives a portion of the sales tax generated from the El Monte Home Depot, staff
recommended The Home Depot on Lower Azusa Road be allowed as an approved
location .
The Parks and Recreation Commission considered and approved the recommendation
from staff authorizing The Home Depot as an approved location for Temple City Dial-A-
Ride members at their February 15, 2012 meeting. City Council approval is required
before the location can be added . It is staffs assessment that the addition of The Home
Depot will not have any impact on the existing level of service.
Parks and Recreation Commission
April3, 2012
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CONCLUSION:
The City Council is requested to consider a recommendation from the Parks and
Recreation Commission relative to the City's transportation services. The Council is
requested to consider and approve an enhancement to the Dial-A-Ride program that
would allow T ample City Dial-A-Ride members to be transported to and from The Home
Depot located at 9700 Lower Azusa Road, El Monte.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item does not have an impact on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011-12 City Budget.
ATTACHMENT:
A. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes -February 15, 2012
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
February 15, 2012
Page 2
Commission received the Attendance/Activity Reports for the month of
January 2012
C . MONTHLY REPORT ON SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ACTIONS AT LIVE
OAK PARK AND TEMPLE CITY PARK
Commission received reports from the Parks & Recreation Department
regarding Sheriff's Department actions at Live Oak Park and Temple City
Park for the month of January 20 12
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
7. NEW BUSINESS:
A. REVIEW OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AVAILABLE TO TEMPLE
CITY RESIDENTS
Director Burroughs presented the information as outlined in the staff report
dated February 15, 2012 . Various transportation programs offered by the
City include Dial-A-Ride (DAR), bus pass sales, bus shelter maintenance
and recreation transit. Director Burroughs stated staff mailed a DAR
survey to all registered DAR members seeking input in several areas of
service including dispatch , drivers and overall program service . An
informal public meeting was held at the Live Oak Park Community Center
in January and was attended by 20 Dial-A-Ride members. Staff is
requesting Home Depot located at 9700 Lower Azusa, El Monte be added
as an approved out of city location. Director Burroughs asked the
Commission to consider a fixed route shuttle/trolley program for FY 2012-
13 budget. The trolley would be available to all residents 5 days a week
during daylight hours only, charging a nominal fare.
Chairman Arrighi read a letter submitted by Dial-A-Ride member, Elaine L.
Redeker who was unable to attend the meeting.
Giovanna Billotti. resident. Dial-A-Ride member stated on behalf of herself
and others in attendance she asked that a transportation mission
statement be defined . Their concerns include slow pickup/non-answer by
dispatch, riders (on many occasions) wait extended periods of time for a
ride home, dispatchers tend to "fuss" with the drivers making it
uncomfortable for the passengers , afternoon dispatchers do not
communicate well, vehicle steps are difficult to maneuver. She asked that
the publicized service hours be changed to actual reservation hours .
Robert Barnes . First Transit stated due to liability the drivers are not
allowed to go onto private property. He stated extended waits
experienced by users are due to original pick up locations being changed
by the user without prior notification to dispatch adding he feels First
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
February 15, 2012
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Transit is doing a good job . Vehicle equipment including the steps cannot
be modified due to regulations and guidelines.
Commissioner Miller stated there is always room to improve customer
service and it is important to recognize the need for improvement if
warranted. She asked Mr. Barnes if he felt there was room for
improvement by First Transit and if the company could look into possible
changes.
Mr. Barnes replied dispatch needs to communicate better with passengers
when booking a reservation .
Cecilia, First Transit dispatcher stated members are not making advanced
reservations. Most riders do not like to rideshare .
Commissioner Vigil asked if dispatch follows a "script" when taking
reservations adding it would be a helpful tool for reservation accuracy.
Commissioner Miller asked Cecilia (dispatcher) if the expected quality of
customer service is also given to those that may be repeat complainers .
Vice-Chairman Fish moved to approve the Home Depot located at
9700 Lower Azusa as an approved location outside of Temple City,
seconded by Commissioner Wong and unanimously approved.
Commissioner Wong moved continue discussion of a shuttle/trolley
program for the FY 2012-2013 budget to the next scheduled meeting,
seconded by Commissioner Miller and unanimously approved .
B. REQUEST FROM PARENT REGARDING RESERVED USE OF THE
ATHLETIC FIELDS AT LIVE OAK PARK BY LOCAL SPORTS
ORGANIZATIONS
Director Burroughs presented the information as outlined in the staff report
dated February 15, 2012. Staff is recommending that additional language
be added to the Agreement for use of the Athletic Fields at Live Oak Park
as follows: In addition, SPORTS GROUP is required to comply with
Section 5164 of the Public Resource Code regarding background checks
for coaches and administrators; and to ensure that participants are not
subject to emotional, physical, verbal or sexual abuse, including the use of
any form of physical activity as punishment, during the course of any
activity on CITY facility. Additional wording at the end of the agreement
reads: Violation of any condition set forth in this Agreement may be cause
for revocation of permit.
Victor Sanchez. Temple City Youth Football & Cheer stated he is
concerned the proposed language is too broad and may be interpreted