CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: October 7, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Discussion of the FDOT Service Development Joint Participation Agreement for Fallschase Extension
TARGET ISSUE: N/A

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

StarMetro is requesting the approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager and Treasurer-Clerk to execute a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to provide $240,000 in service development funding to assist the startup of a route extension on Mahan Drive (US 90) and provide new service between Fallschase and downtown Tallahassee. The required local matching funds ($240,000) are already included in StarMetro’s operating budget.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Option 1 – Adopt the Authorizing Resolution (No. 09-R-37) and authorize the City Manager to execute the JPA with FDOT in the amount of $240,000. Local matching funds in the amount of $240,000 will be provided from StarMetro’s operating funds and funds ($40,000) from Leon County. Contingent upon County Commission Approval on October 13, 2009.

FISCAL IMPACT

The JPA with FDOT will provide $240,000 for StarMetro’s 2010 operating budget for the operation of the Mahan Drive/Fallschase Extension. The required local match will be met through StarMetro’s approved operating budget and from Leon County ($40,000). The Office of Budget and Policy has reviewed this item, and it is in compliance with City guidelines.

Ronald L. Garrison, Director, StarMetro

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Brian Waterman, Transit Planning Administrator, 891-5564

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS

HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES

Currently StarMetro operates Route 12 from C.K. Steele Plaza to Weems Road a distance of 10 miles. StarMetro plans on extending this route to the Fallschase commercial center to provide additional service into Leon County and to serve as the initial step toward decentralization projected to take place in the fall of 2010, which will include a route running from Capital Circle Northwest to Buck Lake Road. In the second and third years of the Service Development Grant, StarMetro intends to increase the frequency of bus service along East Tennessee St./Mahan Drive from Capital Circle Northwest to Fallschase from one bus every hour to a bus every 10 minutes during peak periods (6:00am to 9:00am and 3:00pm to 6:00pm) and every 20 minutes during off peak (9:00am to 3:00pm). The current ridership on Route 12 is 43,933 annually and we expect a 5% increase for this route when we extend service to Fallschase.

FDOT funding will assist in covering the increase in operational costs for the route extension and cost of increased service on the US 90 corridor from one bus an hour to a bus every 10 minutes during peak periods and every 20 minutes during off peak once the nova2010 decentralization plan is implemented. We expect Leon County will participate in funding this service in the future. However, if County funding is not provided, the route will be restricted to the City limits.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

This does not apply as this is an agreement between and funded by the State of Florida and the City of Tallahassee.

OPTIONS

1. Adopt the Authorizing Resolution (No. 09-R-37) and authorize the City Manager to execute the JPA with FDOT in the amount of $240,000. Local matching funds in the amount of $240,000 will be provided from StarMetro’s operating funds and funds ($40,000) from Leon County. Contingent upon County Commission Approval on October 13, 2009.

Pros:
· Additional operating assistance for an extended Route 12 and decentralization;
· Establishes a cross-town route running from Capital Circle Northwest to Fallschase;
· Implements the first route of the proposed nova2010 concept plan; and
· Encourages additional cooperation between the City of Tallahassee, StarMetro, and Leon
County to provide transit service to Leon County residents.

Cons:
· May require additional funding to keep the route in service after year three

2. Do not approve and provide alternative guidance to staff.

Pros:
· No changes are made to the existing StarMetro route structure.

Cons:
· City of Tallahassee loses the service development grant.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES

1. Authorizing Resolution 09-R-37
2. FDOT Public Transportation Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement Number 2