HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/18/2014 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 044, 2014, APPROPRAgenda Item 17
Item # 17 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 18, 2014
City Council
STAFF
Karl Gannon, Financial Analyst
Kurt Ravenschlag, Transfort/DAR General Manager
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 044, 2014, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the Keep Fort Collins Great
Fund to Fund Sunday Service for the MAX Bus Rapid Transit System.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to appropriate funds to provide MAX Bus Rapid Transit service on Sundays. These
funds would provide Sunday service for MAX only, from May 11, 2014 through December 28, 2014. The
Sunday service would be provided between the hours of 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, with 15 minute frequencies. The
service hours and frequency are designed to capture the following markets: church, mid-day shopping, and
summer festivals. The expense in 2014 to provide MAX Sunday service is $272,500.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
There has been much community interest and input to add Sunday Transfort bus service. As a result, staff was
asked to submit a proposal to provide MAX Sunday service beginning May 11, 2014. Transfort submitted
similar budget offer requests in the 2013 - 2014 Budgeting for Outcomes process to provide MAX Sunday
service (offer #119.6) and Sunday Transfort local service (offer #119.7), but they were not funded.
The biggest challenge facing Transfort in meeting this request is staffing availability. Transfort received notice
in November 2013 that budget revisions were approved to increase headways and hours of service for east-
west fixed route service to complement the new MAX service beginning May 2014. In addition, Transfort
recently received notice that Colorado State University (CSU) accepted an offer to significantly increase transit
services associated with the CSU campuses. These two separate enhancements add 26,000 hours of
additional service to the 2014 schedule.
To meet this increased service demand, Transfort has increased bus operator staffing over the last couple
months, but will still incur overtime expenses through the summer. Transfort has ongoing bus operator training
classes planned for June - December 2014 to increase staffing levels up to an optimum level of efficiency. As a
result of these staffing resource and training challenges, the maximum additional service that Transfort could
accommodate in May 2014 would be the addition of Sunday service for MAX only. This is not an optimal
scenario as the Transfort east-west fixed route service does not currently operate on Sundays which would
limit access to MAX only via bike, walk or car.
To meet this additional Sunday service, Transfort will require an additional Dispatcher, Field/Training
Coordinator, and Transit Service Officer. Dial-A-Ride service would also need to be provided within ¾ of mile
of the MAX service during hours of operation per Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Agenda Item 17
Item # 17 Page 2
Transfort will need direction no later than April 1, 2014, as to whether Sunday MAX service will be provided in
May 2014. There are a number of time sensitive activities that need to occur prior to Transfort being able to
provide Sunday service (additional staffing, schedule development, printing of schedules, public outreach,
etc.).
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The provision of MAX service on Sunday from May 11 through December 28, 2014 will require funding of
$272,500. The requested 2014 appropriation provides funding for labor, fuel and maintenance to provide MAX
service and the required complementary Dial-A-Ride service within ¾ of mile of MAX. A full year of MAX
service on Sundays in 2015 will require funding of $344,200. Staff recommends that the 2014 appropriation to
fund MAX service on Sunday be provided from Keep Fort Collins Great - Other Transportation reserves.
Public transportation improvements, whether they are capital or operating, can have significant positive
impacts on the local economy. Transit provides community access for work, school, medical, shopping, social
and recreational trips. As in many communities, a large percentage of business activity occurs on Saturday
and Sunday. The ability to increase the convenience of travel and access on Sunday to local businesses along
the Mason Corridor will provide a positive economic climate within the community.
The American Public Transportation Association provides the following economic impact data:
very dollar communities invest in public transportation generates approximately four dollars in economic
returns.
Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates 36,000 jobs.
Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business
sales.
Every $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million in increased business sales.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The MAX Bus Rapid Transit fosters more than economic development and improved transportation options; it
embodies the City of Fort Collins' commitment to sustainability. Sustainability, by definition, means taking a
broad look at how decisions and actions affect environment, economy, and social health. Through MAX, the
City is able to positively impact all three of these components and further Fort Collins as a leader in
sustainable development. The addition of MAX Sunday service will provide more options to safely and
conveniently travel to key areas in the city, providing access to church, work centers, shopping areas, and
recreation facilities, without the need of a car. As people utilize alternative modes of travel, congestion and
pollution levels in our City will decrease, which means less CO2 (one of the key measures used in evaluating
the environmental health) will be emitted in the community.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
This appropriation request has not been presented to the Transportation Board. However, the budget offers
119.6 and 119.7 in the 2013 -2014 budget for Sunday service were supported by the Transportation Board
(see Attachment 1 for Transportation Board minutes).
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Transfort staff has conducted public outreach since May 2013 regarding the planned service changes
beginning May 2014 (see Attachment 3 for list of outreach). Transfort frequently receives feedback from
customers and potential customers asking that Sunday service be provided. Sunday service, in addition to
Agenda Item 17
Item # 17 Page 3
increasing bus frequencies, late evening service and increased coverage are the requests heard most
frequently. Attachment 2 provides the results of a recent survey regarding which additional services are most
important. Sunday service ranks third behind increasing frequencies and extended evening hours of service.
City Council approved a budget revision in November 2013 to increase Transfort service frequencies on select
routes and extend evening service to compliment MAX.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter to Council - BFO 2012 (PDF)
2. Transfort Survey Results (PDF)
3. Public Outreach (PDF)
4. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
Garry W. Steen, Chair
Transportation Board
August 21, 2012
Mayor Weitkunat and Councilmembers:
RE: Budgeting For Outcomes 2013/2014
The Transportation Board reviewed the available Budgeting for Outcomes materials at our regular
August 15
th
meeting relating to transportation issues, and while the final proposal to Council was not
complete at that date, the Board discussion included the following concerns and comments:
With the passage of the November 2010 ballot initiative 2B, also known as Keep Fort Collins Great, the
City was able to return to a level of street maintenance that should allow a prudent repair level, saving
many of our streets and roadways from being completely reconstructed in the near future. The ability to
fund other portions of transportation is also appreciated, from repairing critical infrastructure such as
structurally deficient bridges, to furthering efforts to increase multi-modal transportation opportunities
extending to transit, bicycle and pedestrian mobility. The Board is very relieved to see the KFCG tax
revenues restore funding to allow adequate management of our city’s most expensive asset. However,
the current funding situation is limited as we attempt to move forward.
The expressed concern for a sustainable funding mechanism for transportation is a continuing challenge
that needs to be a top priority as current tax initiatives sunset in the very near future. The need for a
diversified revenue plan is crucial and impacts the entire City beyond our ability to move people and
goods safely and efficiently, especially with new challenges in our future dealing with expected growth,
climate variations, and unforeseen events.
The Budgeting for Outcomes process is probably the best instrument to align community interests and
priorities with accountability, innovation and collaboration within city government and with partners
both regional and private. Given the extent of the detail demanded by the community and the complexity
of the task, the Board appreciates the extensive effort to present Council with the 2013/2014
recommended budget.
I am happy to discuss this matter further at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Garry W. Steen
Board Chair
(970) 420-7557
ATTACHMENT 1
3/5/2014 SurveyGizmo Report - Summary Report - Mar 5, 2014
https://appv3.sgizmo.com/reportsview/?key=174583-2765863-eb89d29ff0263dc67d750af3bbb9ad8c&print=true 1/1
Survey: Transfort Route Changes (2014)
Value Count Percent %
Higher frequency service 120 67.4%
Later evening service 124 69.7%
Earlier morning service 16 9.0%
Sunday service 83 46.6%
Additional routes 62 34.8%
Easy transferring between routes 57 32.0%
No additional services needed 1 0.6%
Other: 10 5.6%
Statistics
Total
Responses
178
Summary Report - Mar 5, 2014
5. Please indicate the additional services you find to be the most important. (check up
to 3)
5. Please indicate the additional services you find to be the most important.
(check up to 3)
67.4% 69.7%
9%
46.6%
34.8% 32%
0.6%
5.6%
Higher
frequency
service
Later evening
service
Earlier
morning
service
Sunday
service
Additional
routes
Easy
transferring
betw een
routes
No additional
services
needed
Other:
0
100
25
50
75
Toggle Fullscreen • Export:
ATTACHMENT 2
Attachment 3
Transfort Public Outreach Regarding May 2014 Service Changes
Open House / Public Meetings Date Attendance
Open House - Downtown Library 5/1/13 55
Open House - 215 N. Mason 9/25/13 30
Open House - Museum of Discovery 2/20/14 160
MAX Bus Outreach Date Attendance
MAX Bus - Downtown Transit Center 1/28/14 80
MAX Bus - North College (Bluespruce) 1/28/14 45
MAX Bus - Walmart (North) 1/28/14 45
MAX Bus - Cinemark Theatre 1/29/14 40
MAX Bus - Downtown Transit Center 1/29/14 60
MAX Bus - Rigden Farm 1/29/14 50
MAX Bus - Front Range Community College 1/30/14 80
MAX Bus - Mall Transfer Point 1/30/14 70
MAX Bus - Walmart (South) 1/30/14 30
Boards / Commissions Date Attendance
Planning and Zoning Board 7/12/13 8
Air Quality Advisory Board 8/19/13 9
Transportation Board 10/16/13 11
Youth Advisory Board 2/5/14 7
Planning and Zoning Board 2/7/14 8
Parking Advisory Board 2/10/14 11
Senior Advisory Board 2/12/14 12
Transportation Board 2/19/14 11
Air Quality Advisory Board 2/24/14 9
Commission on Disability 2/27/14 11
Affordable Housing Board 3/6/14 7
Other Date Attendance
University Connections (UCC) 9/3/13 10
Barrier Busters - Public Transit Action Group (BB-PTAG) 10/9/13 9
Dial-A-Ride Transfort Advisory Committee (DARTAC) 11/7/13 6
University Connections (UCC) 2/4/14 10
Dial-A-Ride Transfort Advisory Committee (DARTAC) 2/6/14 6
Barrier Busters - Public Transit Action Group (BB-PTAG) 2/12/14 9
Sustainable Living Fair 9/14/13 50
Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU) 9/25/13 35
Alternative Transportation Fair - CSU 10/3/13 75
South Fort Collins Business Association 10/15/13 15
North Fort Collins Business Association 10/23/13 25
Oakbrook 1/30/14 25
South Fort Collins Business Association 2/11/14 15
Larimer County Department Head 2/14/14 25
CSU Housing Fair 3/5/14 100
1
1
Transfort Sunday Service
Kurt Ravenschlag
Transfort General Manager
2
Transfort Sunday Service
• Appropriation to provide Sunday service for MAX and
the required complementary Dial-A-Ride service
• May 11, 2014 through December 28, 2014
• Sunday service hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Service Frequency: 15 minutes
ATTACHMENT 4
2
3
Staff Recommendation
• Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First
Reading
4
Background
• Sunday service is third most requested Transfort
service enhancement
• Provides access to downtown weekend events
• Provides mobility for transit dependent population
3
5
Background (cont.)
• Dial-A-Ride will operate within ¾ mile of the MAX
service.
• Paratransit service within ¾ mile of any fixed route is
a requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act
6
Other Considerations
• BFO offers 119.6 and 119.7 for Sunday service in
2013-2014 were submitted but not funded.
• 26,000 hours of new transit service has been added
since November 2013.
• Transfort will be stretched with available staff to
provide Sunday service.
4
7
Other Considerations (cont.)
• MAX Sunday service does not include connecting
routes.
• Running complementary routes on Sunday will
increase MAX productivity.
8
Financial Impacts
2014 (Budget) 2015 (Draft)
MAX Sunday
Service $272,500 $344,200
East/ West
Service
improvements
$260,000 $393,939
Evening Service $240,000 $363,636
MAX $2,040,094 $2,184,564
Transfort Base $7,847,759 $8,279,246
Dial-A-Ride Base $1,255,065 $1,407,031
CSU
Enhancements* $380,000 $760,000
Total $12,295,418 $13,732,617
* Anticipated funding from CSU & ASCSU
5
9
Environmental Impacts
• Improved mobility for community on Sunday
• Reduction in carbon emissions through use of
alternative modes of transportation
10
Public Outreach
• Public outreach regarding May 2014 service
changes:
– 38 public meetings
– 1,264 attendees
• Top three public requests for transit service:
1. Increase frequencies
2. Increase hours of service
3. Provide Sunday service
- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. 044, 2014
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE KEEP FORT COLLINS
GREAT FUND TO FUND SUNDAY SERVICE FOR THE MAX BUS
RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the MAX Bus Rapid Transit System (“MAX”) is a dedicated guideway
along the Mason Corridor that will run from Harmony Road to Downtown Fort Collins and is
scheduled to begin service in May of 2014; and
WHEREAS, MAX fosters economic development, travel congestion mitigation,
improved transportation options, and sustainability by providing access to work centers,
shopping areas, and recreation facilities without the need of a car; and
WHEREAS, members of the community have expressed strong interest in Sunday transit
service that would allow access to church, mid-day shopping, and summer festivals; and
WHEREAS, MAX Sunday service would begin on May, 11, 2014, and continue through
December 28, 2014, at a projected cost of $272,500; and
WHEREAS, City staff have determined that additional funding for MAX Sunday service
is available from the Keep Fort Collins Great - Other Transportation reserves; and
WHEREAS, the present $272,500 funding request would fund the additional labor, fuel,
and maintenance to provide MAX Sunday service, including complementary Dial-A-Ride
service within three-quarters of a mile of MAX, as required by the Americans with Disabilities
Act; and
WHEREAS, the funds appropriated by this Ordinance are for MAX Sunday service only
and are not intended for Transfort east-west fixed route services that currently do not operate on
Sundays;
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not
previously appropriated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from reserves in the Keep
Fort Collins Great Fund the sum of TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED DOLLARS ($272,500) to fund MAX Bus Rapid Transit services on Sunday from
May 2014 through December 2014.
- 2 -
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of
March, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 1st day of April, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 1st day of April, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk