City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: April 1, 2024
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Monterey-Salinas Transit's Gonzales Circulator Project
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council receive a presentation on Monterey-Salinas Transit’s Gonzales Circulator Project.
BACKGROUND
Monterey-Salinas Transit is planning to replace the Dial-a-Ride service in Gonzales, Soledad, and Greenfield with dedicated fixed route shuttle service in each City (aka, Circulator Service). For Gonzales, the Circulator Service would be a new MST Line 31.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
The advantages to Circulator Service are:
1. Regular schedule service on a 40-minute route
2. Dedicated stops provide greater visibility.
3. Room for ridership growth
4. Lower cost
Disadvantages include:
1. Requires up to a five-minute walk to/from a bus stop (not door to door using Dial-a-Ride)
2. Installing new bus stops entails removal of parking spaces.
AGENDA
ITEM
8 Using the City’s on-call engineering consultant list, MST engaged Harris & Associates to prepare the attached plans for the route and stops in Gonzales.
City staff reviewed the 60 percent plans followed by a field review of each bus stop with MST, and provided feedback to MST including extending service to the Business Park.
Staff recommends that the City Council receive a presentation on Monterey-Salinas Transit’s Gonzales Circulator Project and provide comments and any direction. MST’s slide deck for the April 1st Council meeting is attached to this report.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: The City appreciates MST’s efforts to improve transit options in Gonzales.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: See Vision explanation above.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: See Vision explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes X No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education Yes X No N/A
Explain: See Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council can provide direction to Monterey-Salinas Transit staff regarding some or all of the proposed bus stops.
BUDGET IMPACT
This project will be completely funded by Monterey-Salinas Transit and any work with the public rightof-way will be performed under a City encroachment permit.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council receive a presentation on Monterey-Salinas Transit’s Gonzales Circulator Project.
Attachments:
1. Gonzales Circulator Plan set
2. MST Project Slide Deck