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Home My WebLink About5B Update Unified Transit Management Plan MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JUNE 2, 2008 5B JANE KANSIER, BUILDING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AN UPDATE TO THE UNIFIED TRANSIT MANAGEMENT PLAN Introduction The purpose of this agenda report is to review and approve an update to the Unified Transit Management Plan. The staff recommends approval of this update. Historv In January 2001, the City Council chose to opt-out of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) in order to provide improved local transit services to Prior Lake residents. Since that time, the City has developed and operated the Laker Lines express commuter, and the Local Laker Link summer circulator. The City also partners with the City of Shako pee to operate the BlueXpress commuter service to downtown Minneapolis. In March 2003, Scott County. the Scott County HRA, and the cities of Prior Lake, Shakopee, Savage, Belle Plaine, Elko, Jordan, New Market, and New Prague created a Transit Review Board (TRB) and Transit Planning Team (TPT). The mission of both the TRB and the TPT is to enhance the transit options of all Scott County residents through an intergovernmental best management process. The TRB and TPT developed a Unified Transit Management Plan (UTMP) which was adopted by Scott County and the cities within Scott County in 2005. Current Circumstances Many of the long-term recommendations regarding service, capital investments and long-term funding were not addressed in detail in the UTMP adopted in 2005. The expansion of the express commuter service took significantly less time than was originally anticipated. The update to the UTMP provides more detail as it relates to the longer term recommendations. The changes to the approved UTMP include updates and recommendations in the following areas: . Relationship of the UTMP to the Scott County 2030 Comprehensive Plan . Long-Term Funding Issues . Express Bus Service . Suburban Local Service . Dial-A-Ride Service www.cityofpriorlake.com lP.h~lJlD~A4~!900QR~~T9&2914 7.4245 . Connections to Other Services The complete update is attached to this report. ISSUES: The major issue in implementing the long-term goals of the updated UTMP will be funding. In summary, the update recommends continued expansion of services as funds become available through federal, state and other opportunities. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact as a result of the adoption of the UTMP update. The TRB and TPT will continue to look for opportunities to expand services as the needs become apparent and as funding becomes available. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Adopt a Resolution accepting the updates to the Unified Transit Management Plan. 2. Deny the resolution and provide staff with additional direction. RECOMMENDED MOTION: The staff recommends alternative 1. A motion and second adopting a resolution accepting the updates to the Unified Transit Management Plan. Reviewed by: J ~J~/- Frank BOy:;tt ~,'anager R\Counci!\2008 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 RESOLUTION OS-xx A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNIFIED TRANSIT MANAGEMENT PLAN Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, The City Council recognizes the value of providing quality, cost-effective transit services in the Prior Lake community; and WHEREAS, The City values its partnerships with Scott County and other Scott County communities; and WHEREAS, In April, 2004, Scott County and the communities of Prior Lake, Shakopee, Savage, Belle Plaine, Elko New Market, Jordan, New Prague, and the Scott County HRA partnered to hire a consultant to develop a Unified Transit Management Plan (UTMP) to improve the delivery of transit services and infrastructure over the next fifteen years; and WHEREAS. The City's 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan identifies objectives for transit services that are addressed in part by the UTMP; and WHEREAS, The Prior Lake City Council adopted the UTMP on August 1, 2005; and WHEREAS, Many of the long-term recommendations for service, capital investments and long-term funding were less fully developed in the approved UTMP; and WHEREAS, The expansion of the express commuter service took significantly less time than was originally anticipated; and WHEREAS, The update to the UTMP provides specifically more detail as it relates to the longer term recommendations. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The recommendations of the amended Unified Transit Management Plan are hereby adopted with the following conditions associated with its implementation: a. The City will remain in control of the management of and funding mechanisms for City-provided transit services. b. The City Council must formally approve the site, allocation of funds and any associated joint powers agreements for the construction of a regional park and ride facility. c. The identity of the City's Laker Lines commuter service shall be maintained and operated by its current provider. :s i' p'~: ;-).0 mr.Ai" "Cndrnent ~dtf~~iorlake.com Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 2ND DAY OF JUNE, 2008. R:\Council\2008 Agenda Reports\06 02 08\Amendment resolution. DOC I Hau~en I Erickson I Hedbe"9 I LeMair I Millar YES Haugen Erickson Hedber~ LeMair Millar Frank Boyles, City Manager NO Introduction: In 2005 a Unified Transit Management Plan (UTMP) was prepared for Scott County, and ratified by Scott County and the cities within the County. Because of the extraordinary cooperative efforts that the UTMP generated, the partners have been able to accomplish many of the tasks recommended in the UTNIP. As a result, it is appropriate to update the UTMP. It was contemplated that it would take significantly more time to accomplish the expansion of express commuter service to Downtown Minneapolis and the construction of Scott County's first significant park and ride facility. Many of the long-term recommendations for service, capital investments and long-term funding were less fully developed. This update is intended to provide specifically more detail related to the longer term recommendations. This Update continues to rely on the underlying detail and analysis that are contained in the original UTNIP. To the extent that this Update may be silent on a specific aspect of service description, service delivery, long-term planning, funding, or capital investments, readers are referred to the original UTMP. Organization of the Update: For this update, an attempt has been made to simplify the organization of the recommendations. This organization is as follows; Relationship to Comprehensive Planning, 2030 and Beyond . Long-Term Funding Issues . Update Recommendations o Express bus service · Background c New or additional service c Capital investments o Suburban local service Background · New or additional service · Capital investments o Dial-a-Ride service Background New or additional service c Capital investments o Connections to other services/service providers · Commuter rail Light rail .transit · Bus rapid Transit C:\Documents and Settings\jane.PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKSA\UTMP 2007 Update ver 2 (4).doc Relationship to Comprehensive Planning, 2030 and Beyond Townships, cities and counties within the seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area are engaged in the process of preparing their decennial comprehensive plan updates. The City of Prior Lake has received Metropolitan Council approval of its 2030 plan. In preparing their 2030 plans Scott County and the City of Shakopee are looking beyond the 2030 timeframe to ultimate build out conditions. All other communities in the County are engaged in the update process. A key element of any comprehensive plan is the transportation element. Its importance is evidenced by the fact that the Metropolitan Council designates it as one of the "regional systems." Without appropriately planned, funded and time transportation improvements, both growth and quality of life for Scott County residents is negatively impacted. For that reason, this Update is being prepared with the 2030 planning process in mind, especially as it relates to major roadway corridors that might be served by transit as well Long Term Funding Issues For several years, transportation funding has been a critical issue in Minnesota. In recent years, the state legislature's debates over funding have evidenced the realization that it is not just a question of funding roads and bridges, but also transit alternatives. With the collapse of the 1-35W bridge concerns have recently been re-focused on the adequacy of the state's basic road and bridge infrastructure. Passage of the constitutional amendment to dedicate MVST funds to transportation and transit was an important step. However, that action does not begin to generate any new funds for transit operations until 2008 or 2009, and the amount of new money it generates will not be anywhere near enough to meet the demands for new or expanded transit alternatives. The need for new or increased funding falls into three categories; Funds for implementation of new service; Funds for the operation of both existing and new services; and Funds for capital investments (e.g. land acquisition, park and ride facilities, stations, buses, etc.) Scott County and its communities are fortunate to have a structure in place through which efforts can be channeled to affect the long-term funding issue at the federal and state level, i.e. the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE). The partners in the UTMP should continue to work through C:\Documents and Settings\jane,PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet 2 Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update \er 2 (4).doc SCALE to identify and utilize new and additional sources of funding for transit services and improvements that serve Scott County and its residents. STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS Express bus service: Background: The principal recommendations of the original UTMP were to 1) expand express commuter service to Downtown Minneapolis, and 2) construct a park and ride facility for that service in the vicinity of TH 169 and CR 18. With the opening in July of 2007 of the SOD-space "Southbridge Crossings Transit Station," the expansion of Prior Lakes express service, and the commencement of Shakopee's express service (both services known as the BlueXpress), these recommendations have been implemented far ahead of schedule. An offer had been made to acquire a parcel of land for a second park and ride site for which federal construction money has been secured. However, that parcel has now been sold to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), and it is clear that it not only remains a viable alternative for the second park and ride. It is in detailed design and is expected to be in service before the end of 2010. New Dr additional Service: o BlueXpress Service to Downtown Minneapolis: At the current rate of ridership growth, it is expected that additional commuter runs will need to be added by 2009. Recommendation: The BlueXpress service should be expanded as demand increases, funding for additional buses become available and park and ride spaces are brought on line to meet the demand. o Express Service to the University of Minnesota and 1-494 Corridor The original UTMP identified the University of Minnesota and 1494 Corridor as commuter destinations that should be considered for future express service. Other transit providers (such as MVTA and SW) have found the University of Minnesota to be a destination that they could fairly readily serve because it is more concentrated. The 1-494 Corridor, while it is home to a substantial employment C:\Documents and Settings\jane.PRlORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet 3 Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update ver 2 (4).doc concentration, is far more dispersed geographically, and thus has proven more difficult to serve. Recommendation: Given that no new funding is currently available, it is recommended that additional study be done in 2008 to determine the actual demand for service to these two destinations, and the likelihood that such service would be successful. As new MVST funds become available in 2009, or if other operational funding sources become available, new service to one (or possibly) both of these markets should be instituted. Capital investments: Expansion of the BlueXpress service to Downtown Minneapolis and opening of new express service to the University of Minnesota and/or 1- 494 Corridor will require a) additional coach buses and b) additional park and ride capacity. Discussions are already underway between Shakopee and the Metropolitan Council to acquire one new additional coach, but more will be needed. In addition, more parking capacity will need to be available at either the Southbridge Crossings park and ride or a second site. Additional parking capacity at the Southbridge Crossings site would involve constructing a parking deck, which would be quite expensive. For that reason, it seems more prudent to move forward first, if possible, with the acquisition of the proposed second site at CR 16 and future CR 21 , which has a federal funding commitment for construction. Long term, there is a need to evaluate the need, if any for additional park and ride facilities along identified principal arterials in Scott County's 2030 comprehensive plan. Recommendations: . Acquire and construct the CR 16/21 park and ride site by 2010 to accommodate additional parking to serve the Downtown Minneapolis, and possibly, University of Minnesota and 1-494 Corridor express services. Continue to seek regional or other capital funds for the construction of additional parking space in the form of a parking deck at the South bridge Crossings Transit Station, with the intent to have the additional space available in the 2012-2015 timeframe. · Working with Scott County and its communities, in 2008 possible future areas for the location of park and ride facilities along principal arterials in the County. C:\DOClIlllents and Settings\jane.PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet 4 Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update vel' 2 (4).doc Suburban Local Service: Background: At present, the City of Shako pee/Shako pee Transit provides Monday- Friday circulator service within the City of Shakopee. Both Prior Lake and Shakopee have also provided summer circulator services for the past few years. At present and for the next few years, the volumes of riders utilizing these services would not seem to warrant the expansion of these services. New or additional Service: Recommendation: No new or additional service is recommended at this time. Capital investments: Recommendations; No additional investments are recommended at this time. C:\Documents and Settings\jane.PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet 5 Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update ver 2 (4).doc Dial-A-Ride (OAR) Service: Background: In general, the Metropolitan Area is experiencing growth in its population of elderly arid persons with disabilities as demonstrated in the following table. These trends are also reflected in Scott County Twin Cities: Disabled A~e group 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 161064 years: 175491 187580 194764 100200 2(n298 206978 05 to 7.1 years: 18102 14415 45571 .'i6370 64825 69595 75 yenl's and over: (,5480 68059 71316 83981 I047.'i7 I 27025 16 Years and OWl' 269172 290075 312652 .\40650 372880 403599 Age group ZOO5 2010 2015 Z020 2025 2030 5 (014 399.559 400.777 408,218 422.184 441.967 457.661 15 (064 1.959.183 2.1I94.14IJ 2.174,353 2.236.154 2.269.626 :!.310.710 65 to 74 137.552 167.954 222.269 274.936 3Ih.l77 339.442 75+ 134.661 139.966 148.722 I 72.70l) 215.436 261.232 I The principal recommendations of the original UTMP were that 1) the cities of Shakopee and Prior bake not provide service and 2) that Scott County take over OAR for the entire County. Effective January 1,2007, Scott County Transit took over OAR for the entire County, with the City of Shakopee making a one-time payment of about $100,000 for its transit operating funds to facilitate the transition. New or additional Service: As the County's population grows, and the demographic composition of the County's population changes, the demand for OAR will likely increase, and the specifics of service delivery may change. Recommendation: Scott County Transit needs to continually monitor both ridership and travel patterns of dial-a-ride users. As ridership on these services increases, Scott County Transit needs to develop a series of service benchmarks to identify high ridership C:\Documents and Settings\jane.PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet 6 Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update ver 2 (4).doc and high productivity dial-a-ride corridors as candidates for transitioning from dial-a-ride to route deviation or fixed route services. Recommendation: Capital investments: Recommendations: If Scott County Transit chooses to continue providing dial-a-ride services directly, a separate maintenance and storage facility will need to be developed for dial-a-ride and local circulator service vehicles. This facility should be located in close proximity to the transit center in order to minimize deadhead (non- revenue) service hours and costs. C:\DOCLlments and Settings\jane.PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet 7 Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update \cr 2 (4).doc Connections to Other Services/Service Providers: Background: Several proposals for new light rail transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that have an impact on Scott County and its users are under study. Of most interest are the 135W BRT which would be available and convenient to residents of eastern Scott County, and the Southwest Corridor LRT. Indeed, Elko New Market is a logical, potential terminus of the 135 W BRT. It is not yet clear how bus service under the UTMP should be coordinated with this and other services that may develop. It is important that the Scott TPT and TRB monitor the planning for these and other transit services (such as possible 1494 service), as well as participate to the greatest extent possible, and develop specific recommendations to connect Scott County transit service providers services with them. New or additional Service: Recommendation: No new or additional service is recommended at this time. Capital investments: Recommendations: No additional investments are recommended at this time. C:\DoclIments and Settings\jane.PRIORLAKECH\Local Settings\Temporary Internet g Files\OLK5A\UTMP 2007 Update ver 2 (4).doc