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Home My WebLink About10/14/2008 00 Agenda and Packet istant Mayor ;:-.41141,1- David Edler, Mayor r t M icah Cawley, Ass Yakima Kathy Coffey ( $y 3 ' • Rick Ensey N. :,� �;, ; 14 City Council Norm Johnson 4 rrkn„ ,�_ Agenda Bill Lover r 129 N. 2nd Street,Yakima,WA.98901 Neil McClure Phone: (509) 575 -6000 • Fax (509) 576 -6614 �' City Manager Email: ccouncil @ci.yakima.wa.us • www.ci.yakima.wa.us i, Richard A. Zais, Jr. Anyone wishing to address the Council, please fill out the form found on the tables and give it to the City Clerk YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING / STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 14, 2008 — 8:00 — 9 :30 A.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL 1. RoII CaII 2. Altematives of Adjusting the Current Transit Fare Policy 3. Audience comments (9:15 — 9:30 a.m.) 4. Adjournment } Yakima biglid AFAnnuall City ofYakima Vision Statement: To create a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, safe, and strongYakima community. 1 1 I I I e Adopted March 2008 1994 9 STUDY SESSION MEMORANDUM October 14, 2008 TO: Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, and Dick Zais, City Manager FROM: Ken Mehin, Transit Manager SUBJECT: Study Session on Alternatives of Adjusting the Current Fare Policy Transit staff had proposed in the preparation of the 2008 Budget that transit fares be nominally increased to reflect an awareness of the length of time it has been since the last fare adjustment and to offset, albeit marginally, the increase in costs to operate the system. Since that time, fuel prices have risen dramatically again and created the need for two alternatives for rate adjustment consideration; one more comprehensive than the other in adjustments with higher revenue generation. User rates generate $352,000 or 4.45% of total 2008 revenues. The larger the system, the more important user rates become. Staff has followed federal guidance in the process of considering fare adjustment. Two Public Hearings have been held and comments taken. A survey has been done and results will be provided. This Study Session is for City Council to examine the rate increase proposals and citizen comments prior to a vote on the preferred option. Formal action on the fare adjustment is scheduled for October 21, 2008. The fare adjustments will be factored into the 2009 operating budget. The following are the alternative proposals to the current fare policy: Yakima Transit Fare Increase Proposals Adult Youth 4 Reduced Adult Youth Reduced Cash Cash Cash fare fare fare Pass Pass Pass CURRENT FARES $0.50 $0.35 $0.25 $17.00 $12.00 $5.00 PROPOSED FARES 1 $0.75 $0.50 $0.35 $17.00 $12.00 $5.00 PROPOSED FARES 2 $0.75 $0.50 $035 $20.00 $15.00 $8.00 Note: The Dial -A -Ride fare is currently twice the Regular Adult Cash Fare. Staff recommends that Council conduct the Study Session and provide direction on which fare adjustment proposal to bring back to Council for formal action. List of attachments: ❖ The passenger opinion survey sheet (the results will be presented at the meeting). ❖ Excerpt from September 16, 2008 City Council Minutes -- Public Hearing to consider a Transit Fare Adjustment Excerpt from the Minutes of the YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 — 5:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL 6:00 P.M. — PUBLIC SESSION 1. Roll CaII Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Council Members Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and Neil McClure Staff: City ManagerZais, Acting City Attorney Harvey, and City Clerk Moore 7. Public Hearing to consider a Transit fare adjustment proposal Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, proposed two alternatives for a fare increase: 1) cash increase for walk -ons only, or 2) cash increase and an increase on monthly passes. There is a second public hearing scheduled to be held on September 23 at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers. It was pointed out that the fare increase would not cover the fuel cost increases, but is an attempt to help offset them. Council Member McClure advised that the recommendation from the Transit Committee was for Option 1. It was their intent to not impact those that use Transit as a primary mode of transportation and obtain bus passes. • Mayor Edler opened the public hearing. Mary McDaniels, 924 S. 16 Avenue, said she supports a transit increase as we need to financially support the bus system. Don Meighan, 312 N. 4 Street, asked questions about federal money in the transportation budget. He suggested that the federal government probably wouldn't give -more money, but they may be amenable to forgiving the federal gas tax for transit. He also asked about the potential of having a phone line for call -ins from viewers of the various televised committee meetings. He closed by saying he would be in favor of increasing the senior rate to cents as we all should be doing our share. Lynne Kittelson said she would also support the increase for seniors. • Mayor Edler closed the public hearing and announced the next hearing will be held September 23, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Yakima Transit Bus Fare Increase Survey - 2008 Q1. Where is your primary destination on the bus? 1 Work 2 School 3 Shopping 4 Medical 5 Other Q2. How often do you ride the bus? 4 4 or more times a week 3 1 to 3 times a week 2 1 to 3 times per month 1 Less than once a month Q3. Do you have another option for transportation other than the bus? 1 Yes - If yes, what is it? 2 No Q4. Transit has not increased the fare since 1995. The Yakima City Council is reviewing an increase now. The Adult cash fare will go from 50¢ to 75¢. Do you think that is a reasonable increase to help cover the cost of fuel? 1 Yes 2 No If no, why is that? Q5. Are you happy with the transit system the way it is? 1 Yes 2 No - If no, why it is? Supplemental questions Q6. How likely would you be to use extended hours on weekdays? 5 Definitely Should bus service be extended 4 Probably from 5a. m. to 10p. m. additional 3 Might or might not funding will be needed for 2 Probably not providing this service. 1 • Definitely not Q7. How likely would you be to use Sunday service? 5 Definitely Service hours to mirror Saturday 4 Probably service levels. 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