Agenda Report
June 20, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Department of Transportation
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LOS ANGELES
COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR
CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE PROPOSITION A
DISCRETIONARY INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR SUB
REGIONAL PARATRANSIT SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the City's continued participation in the sub-regional paratransit service program is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a five year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for continued participation in the Proposition A Discretionary Incentive Grant Program for Sub-Regional Paratransit Services. Neither Competitive Bidding nor Competitive Selection are required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(H) and Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(A)(3), contracts with other governmental entities.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute future anticipated MOU's with Metro for subsequent annual funding allocations for the Proposition A Discretionary Incentive Grant Program for Sub-Regional Paratransit Services.
BACKGROUND:
Since 1991 the City of Pasadena, as the lead agency, has partnered with Los Angeles County and the City of San Marino to provide Pasadena Dial-A-Ride services for residents who are 60 years of age or older or who have a disability that prevents them from using regular fixed route public transit services. Per Metro's guidelines, Pasadena qualifies for funding from the Proposition A Discretionary Incentive Grant Program for Sub-Regional Paratransit Services because of the agreements it has to provide these two other agencies with Pasadena Dial-A-Ride services.
MEETING OF __ ..,,_O 6"'-/,_.2....,.Q,...,./ ..... 2 ....... 2 AGENDA ITEM NO. _ _,_ _ _ _ Metro MOU - Proposition A Discretionary Incentive Grant Program for Sub-Regional Paratransit Services June 20, 2022
The previous five year MOU enabled the City to receive these funds through FY21. This new MOU will provide for funds to be received for FY22 through FY26. For each fiscal year, Metro allocates to the City of Pasadena, as the lead agency, a share of the Program Funds pursuant to the Annual Transit Fund Allocations approved by the Metro Board. For Fiscal Year 2022 the City will receive approximately $478,805 from this grant program to support the City's Dial-A-Ride program. This allocation accounts for 15% of the funding for the annual program cost of approximately $3 million. Prior to the pandemic, approximately 14% of the Dial-A-Ride trips provided were to customers who are served per this funding .
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action is consistent with the following goal of the City Council: Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Stability.
Renewing the MOU with Metro is also in keeping with the City's General Plan Mobility Element, which states that in order to implement many of the programs necessary to encourage non-auto travel, it is important to partner with other agencies for funding opportunities. The MOU with Metro ensures grant funding under the Incentive Program for the City's Dial-A-Ride program, allowing us to continue with this service to neighboring jurisdictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed action to approve a MOU between the City of Pasadena and Metro has been determined to be exempt from CEQA per Section 15061 (b) (3), the General Rule.
The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The proposed action is an administrative function to allow the City of Pasadena to continue to receive these grant funds from Metro for the operation of the City's Dial-A-Ride program. There are no proposed changes to the existing Dial-A-Ride program.
Metro MOU - Proposition A Discretionary Incentive Grant Program for Sub-Regional Paratransit Services June 20, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
Pasadena Dial-A-Ride services are primarily funded through Proposition A Sales Tax (Fund 208). The Metro Proposition A Discretionary Incentive Grant Program aids in funding the operating costs for the entire Dial-A-Ride program, including paratransit services to neighboring Los Angeles County and San Marino residents. To receive these funds the City must execute the MOU with Metro. No budget appropriation is requested.
Prepared by:
ebastian A. Hernandez
Principal Planner
Approved by:
Respectfully submitted,
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LA~O-CORNEJO
Director
Department of Transportation