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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1997-030 Public Works, Transit / Policy For Fare changes and major modificationsRESOLUTION NO. R-97- 30 A RESOLUTION: Approving and adopting a "Policy Statement Relative to Procedures Governing Transit Service and Fare Modifications" for the City of Yakima Transit Division. WHEREAS, the City of Yakima provides public transportation services to the citizens and visitors of Yakima through its Transit Division, and WHEREAS, the City Council wants to asure that the citizens of Yakima have an opportunity to make comment on proposed transit service and fare modifications, and WHEREAS, the City of Yakima is a grantee of Federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration which obligates it to comply with the regulations and policies of that agency, and WHEREAS, regulations established by the Federal Transit Administration and the policies which govern the implementation of these regulations require, among other things, that the City of Yakima, as a grantee, approve a policy statement which establishes written procedures to be followed in seeking public comment on proposed modifications to transit system base fares, and major decreases in service, and WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interest of the City of Yakima to adopt the attached and incorporated "Policy Statement Relative to Procedures Governing Transit Service and Fare Modifications," now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: The attached and incorporated "Policy Statement entitled Procedures Governing Transit Service and Fare Modifications" for the City of Yakima Transit Division is hereby approved and adopted. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 18th day of February 1997 ATTEST: J CITY CLERK ynn Buchanan, MAYOR POLICY STATEMENT Relative to PROCEDURES GOVERNING TRANSIT SERVICE AND FARE MODIFICATIONS INTRODUCTION: When considering major transit service modifications, particularly service reductions, or modification of basic system fares, the following procedures will be followed. GENERAL: Major changes in service, either routes or schedules, or any change in fares, must be approved by City Council Resolution. A major reduction in service is any modification of routes or service schedule which results in a reduction in force among transit operating personnel. A reduction in force is an action requiring the lay off or reassignment of personnel to other duties. This action is conducted in accordance with Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Prior to making a final decision on major service reductions or fare increases public comment must be sought. This will be accomplished through the public hearing process. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES: Public hearings can be conducted in two ways. The first method is for the City Council to conduct the hearing as an agenda item for a regular City Council meeting. The second method is for the hearing to be conducted separately. The hearing can be presided over by the City Council or by staff. Every public hearing will be advertised in a local news paper of general circulation at least two weeks prior to the date of hearing. The advertisement will indicate the date, time and location of the hearing, the subject matter upon which public testimony is being sought. The advertisement will also indicate where copies of the proposal or subject material can be obtained and where, and to whom, written testimony can be addressed. Detailed minutes of the hearing will be taken and published as a part of the record. At the appointed time, the meeting will be called to order by the person presiding over the hearing and introductory statements made by those making the proposal. The presiding officer will then call for public testimony by declaring the public hearing open. When all persons, who are present and wanting to speak, have had an opportunity to be heard, the public hearing can be closed by the presiding officer. At that time any written testimony can be entered into the record. Questions and discussion by those conducting the hearing are also appropriate at this time. A public meeting will be conducted for other changes in routes and schedules or fare structure which do not require a public hearing, but for which public comment is desired by the City Council. The same procedures may be used for notification and conducting a public meeting as that for public hearings as noted above. BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. I Li For Meeting of 2/18/97 ITEM TITLE: City Council Policy Statement establishing procedures for fare changes and major service modifications SUBMITTED BY: Jerry D. Copeland, Director of Public Works CONTACT PERSON, TELEPHONE: Bill Schultz, Transit Manager/575; SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations require the establishment of written procedures to be followed in soliciting public comment when considering fare increases and major service reductions. More over, FTA policy requires that such procedures should quantitatively define "major" service reductions, when a public hearing or public meeting is required, how such meeting should be conducted, and how the results of such meetings will be considered in making a decision on proposed modifications. The attached procedural description is offered as a proposed policy statement. If acceptable to the City Council, it can be adopted by Council approval of the attached resolution. EXHIBITS Resolution X Ordinance Contract Other (Specify) proposed Policy Statement Funding Source Transit Division Operating Budget t APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: motion to approve resolution adopting Policy Statement establishing procedure for major transit service decreases and fare changes. TRANSIT COMMI I 1 tE RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: