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HomeMy Public PortalAbout8AAGENDA ITEM S.A. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: November 2, 2010 TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Jose E. Pulido, City Managers By: Cathy Burroughs, Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE EXPANSION OF DIAL -A -RIDE ELIGIBILITY TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITHIN CERTAIN UNINCORPORATED COUNTY AREAS RECOMMENDATION: The City Council is requested to continue offering transportation services into Temple City for qualified residents of approved Los Angeles County unincorporated areas. BACKGROUND: 1. At the City Council meeting of April 6, 2010, Councilmember Sternquist requested the City consider offering Dial -A -Ride transportation to residents of unincorporated county areas adjacent to Temple City. Previously, Temple City's Dial -A -Ride program provided curb to curb transportation service for Temple City residents (60 years and over, or under 60 years with a disability) living within the City limits only. Individuals living in unincorporated county areas were referred to Pasadena Dial -A - Ride which provides transportation for residents of Pasadena, San Marino, Altadena and unincorporated county areas of East San Gabriel and Monrovia Dial - A -Ride which provides transportation for residents in certain county areas east of Santa Anita Avenue. 2. The Parks and Recreation Commission, at their meeting of April 21, 2010 considered the item from Councilmember Sternquist. The Commission considered various issues during their discussion including the possible number of county residents that could begin using Temple City's Dial -A -Ride program if the eligibility area were expanded, the distance Dial -A -Ride vehicles may have to travel if the area were expanded, and the impact these items might have on existing Dial -A - Ride members that are Temple City residents. Ultimately the Commission recommended no changes be made to the Dial -A -Ride program. 3. On June 1, 2010, the City Council approved expansion of the Dial -A -Ride eligibility City Council November 2, 2010 Page 2 to allow residents of specific unincorporated county areas to schedule rides from their home address into Temple City only. The Council identified the unincorporated county area east of Temple City and the unincorporated county area west of Temple City (as far north as Duarte Road) for inclusion. The City Council directed staff to monitor the use and provide a status report after three months. City staff publicized the expanded eligibility area in June 2010 and updated the Dial -A -Ride applications to include the recently approved changes. The changes became effective on July 1, 2010. ANALYSIS: At the regular City Council meeting of June 1, 2010, the Council discussed various options to allow residents of unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, adjacent to Temple City, to utilize the City's Dial -A -Ride transportation program. The options ranged from making no changes to the program to allowing county residents to use the Dial -A -Ride program with no restrictions. Ultimately the City Council agreed to a compromise that allowed residents of certain unincorporated areas, adjacent to Temple City, to use the Dial -A -Ride program for specific trips. Trips were limited to pick up from the Dial -A -Ride member's home address into Temple City and return home only. Approved County residents were eligible to begin using Dial -A -Ride on July 1, 2010. Staff contacted Tectrans, Inc. the City's Dial -A -Ride provider to determine what impact, if any, this change has made to the program. As of October 20, 2010, nine (9) county residents have registered for Temple City's Dial -A -Ride program. According to Tectrans' records, although registered for the program, none of the nine county residents have as yet used the Dial -A -Ride program. Since there has been no impact on Temple City residents, staff recommends continuation of the eligibility expansion. If, at a later date, it appears the expansion is having an impact on Temple City residents, staff will return to Council for further direction. CONCLUSION: Effective July 1, 2010, the City Council expanded the eligibility criteria for the City's Dial - A -Ride program to include residents of certain unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. After three months, staff has determined the expansion has not impacted service to Temple City residents and recommends the specified County residents continue to be eligible for transportation into Temple City. FISCAL IMPACT This item does not have an impact on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-11 City Budget.