HomeMy WebLinkAbout9B - Proposed Metropolitan Council Regional Transit Policies
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake. MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AUGUST 2, 2010
9B
JANE KANSIER, BUILDING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIR
JANE KANSIER
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LETTER TO THE METROPOLITAN
COUNCIL COMMENTING ON PROPOSED METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
REGIONAL TRANSIT POLICIES
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to consider a letter the council directed
be sent to the Metropolitan Council commenting on a set of draft regional
transit policies proposed by the Metropolitan Council. Following the City
Council's discussion and direction on July 19, 2010, the Staff has drafted
the attached letter providing input on the proposed policies.
Historv
The City Council reviewed draft policies titled Facilities Ownership,
Procurement, Vehicle Fleet, and Regional Transit Operating Revenue. The
City Council directed staff to draft a letter to the Metropolitan Council based
on the comments received.
Current Circumstances
The City Council commented on the need for regional policies to ensure
equal and efficient operation of transit services. The Council's concerns
were not with the creation of such policies, but with the impact these
policies may have on the City's local residents. The City of Prior Lake is
strongly committed to providing transit services to City residents. We
believe transit is an important factor in maintaining the quality of life in our
community.
Conclusion
The City of Prior Lake has invested heavily in our transit program, and
hopes to continue to do so in the future. However, the City also believes it
must remain an alternative provider in order to continue to meet the needs
of Prior Lake residents. Transit service in Prior Lake, and in all of Scott
County, plays an important role in the region. Because the service
provides an alternative to individual automobile use, it has a major role in
reducing congestion on some of the region's most congested corridors. As
a result, road transportation dollars can be stretched further. We hope the
draft policies will be revised to recognize our concerns and our needs.
The proposed policies have an impact on how the City runs its transit
services. The attached draft attempts to incorporate the comments and
concerns stated by the City Council during its review of the draft policies on
July 19.
RICouncil12010 Agenda Reportsl08 02 10\Transit Policies Draft Letter Agenda Report.doc
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
There is no financial impact as a result of this action.
AL TERNATIVES:
1. Approve the draft letter and direct staff to forward it to the Metropolitan
Council.
2. Provide staff with further direction.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Alternative #1.
A motion and second to approve the draft letter and direct staff to forward it
to 1 Metropolitan Council.
--
RICollncill2010 Agenda Reportsl08 02 10\Transit Policies Draft Letter Agenda Reportdoc
2
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake. MN 55372
August 2,2010
Metropolitan Council
Attention: Peter Bell, Chair
390 North Robert Street
St. Paul, MN
RE: Draft Policies Related to Transit
Dear Chairperson Bell:
The Prior Lake City Council has reviewed the draft transit policies titled Facilities Ownership,
Procurement, Vehicle Fleet and Regional Transit Operating Revenue and we appreciate the
opportunity to provide comments on the effect the draft policies will have on the residents of the CITY
who rely on public transportation. We understand regional policies are important to ensure equal and
efficient operation of transit services. Our concerns are not with the creation of such policies, but with
the impact these policies may have on our local residents.
The City of Prior Lake is strongly committed to providing transit services to City residents. We believe
transit is an important factor in maintaining the quality of life in our community. We have demonstrated
this fact as one of the earliest communities to provide opt out services first under the auspices of MVTA
and now as a member of Lakers Lines and BlueXpress. We are in the transit business for the long term
as we believe such services are beneficial both to our residents and the entire metropolitan area. Along
the way we have received critical assistance from the Metropolitan Council to make our program
successful.
In 2003, Prior Lake partnered with Scott County, the City of Shakopee, and other Scott County
communities to create a Transit Review Board (TRB), with the mission to "enhance the transit options
of all Scott County residents through an intergovernmental; best management process." With active
participation by the Metropolitan Council, the TRB developed the Unified Transit Management Plan for
the Communities of Scott County. This plan lays out the future needs for transit services in our
community.
Since 2003, the City has committed staff time and funding to actively build the Local Laker Lines transit
service, increasing from one commuter bus to 8 morning and 8 evening runs (in partnership with
Shakopee Transit) in just a few years. A 500-stall park and ride lot began operating in 2007, and a
second 550-stalllot is under construction and will be open in late 2011. In 2008, we received a Jobs
Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant to expand our service by creating reverse commutes for local
employers. We have also been awarded a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, effective in
2014, for additional buses that will run from the second park and ride lot (Eagle Creek Transit Station).
All of these projects are consistent with the Unified Transit Management Plan and the Regional Park
and Ride Plan.
Our concerns about the specific policies are outlined below:
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245/ www.cityofpriorlake.com
Procurement:
. The policy requires Metropolitan Council review of all procurement documents. The
Metropolitan Council's response time has been troublesome in the past, but the policy lays out
specific response times for the Metropolitan Council. It is yet to be seen whether or not these
timelines will be met.
Vehicle Fleet:
. The new policy increases the minimum life of coach buses to 14 years. If the 14 year cycle is
adopted, it means we must wait longer for replacement buses. This also creates the potential
for higher maintenance and repair costs as the buses age and frankly raises some passenger
safety concerns at the manufacturers recommend at 12 year replacement cycle.
Reoional Transit Qoeratino Revenue Allocation:
. The City of Prior Lake transit reserve fund is currently above 35% of our operating costs. At
current levels of revenues and costs, we estimate our reserves will be depleted in 5 years. At
that time, we would be eligible for RAMVST, but would most likely still have to reduce service.
. The major ramification of this policy is current and expected future inability of Prior Lake to
share in the growth in the MVST percentage dedicated to transit. This seriously impairs our
ability to grow and manage our service to meet our customer's needs.
To summarize, the City of Prior Lake has invested heavily in our transit program, and hopes to continue
to do so in the future. However, we also believe we must remain an alternative provider in order to
continue to meet the needs of Prior Lake residents. Transit service in Prior Lake, and in all of Scott
County, plays an important role in the region. Because the service provides an alternative to individual
automobile use, it has a major role in reducing congestion on some of the region's most congested
corridors. As a result, road transportation dollars can be stretched further. We hope the draft policies
will be revised to recognize our concerns and our needs.
Sincerely,
Mike Myser
Mayor
Ken Hedberg
Councilmember
Rick Keeney
Councilmember
Steve Millar
Councilmember
Warren Erickson
Councilmember