HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2014 10 Transit Service Yakima-Ellensburg; Revision of RCW 35.84.060 - Commuter ServiceBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of: 1/21/2014
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ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Discussion concerning potential state legislation related to
transit service.
Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
Current state law limits municipal transit agencies from providing service beyond 15 miles
outside municipal boundaries. However, other transit entities in Washington state are not
restricted in the same way municipal transit agencies are. Yakima Transit currently provides
service to and from Ellensburg through a partnership with Hope Source, a non-profit entity. The
Washington State Transit Association is proposing state legislation that would remove the
municipal transit agency 15 -mile service restriction from state law, thereby placing municipal
transit agencies on equal footing with other transit service providers.
The Council is being asked to provide direction to City staff and to the City's Olympia lobbyist
regarding the City's position concerning the proposed legislation.
Resolution:
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Contract: Contract Term:
Start Date: End Date:
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Item Budgeted: NA
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Insurance Required? No
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APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
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City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Memorandum - Potential State Legislation Related
to Transit Service
Upload Date Type
1/16/2014
Cover Memo
Informational Item
Date: January 16, 2014
To: Honorable Mayor, Members of City Council, City Manager
From: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
Ken Mehin, Transit Manager
Subject: Revision of RCW 35.84.060 — Commuter Service
Currently, RCW § 35.84.060 prohibits city -owned transit agencies from operating more
than fifteen miles from their corporate limits. RCW § 35.84.060 affects five transit
agencies statewide which includes the City of Yakima and its Yakima -Ellensburg
Commuter.
The Yakima -Ellensburg Commuter is funded under a two-year state grant in the amount
of $1,063,247. WSDOT allowed Yakima Transit to transfer grant management to
HopeSource to adhere to the requirements of RCW 35.84.060. The Commuter buses
are owned by Yakima Transit, but driven and maintained by HopeSource.
Under the current agreement, HopeSource is required to provide the service according
to the grant award, which includes 16 one-way trips between Yakima and Ellensburg on
a schedule that operates between 6am and 6pm Monday through Friday.
Yakima Ellensburg Commuter - Revenues
Local
$264,000
Partner Support - CWU
$120,000
Partner Support - Yakima Transit
$132,000
Direct Funding - HopeSource
$12,000
Fares
$377,000
Total Revenues
$641,000
Consolidated Grant Funds (State and Federal)
$422,247
Total Project Cost - 2 years (July 2013 - June 2015)
$1,063,247
The purpose of modifying RCW 35.84.060 is for the City to have viable options should
HopeSource or another agency cancel their grant management contract or if the City
was not satisfied with the service being provided. Otherwise, the service would be
eliminated and the grant funds returned.
We would like to City Council's direction on whether to revise RCW 35.84.060 with the
assistance of our lobbyist Jim Justin and Senator Curtis King.