RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-183
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AND COUNTY OF SONOMA FOR AN UNLIMITED RIDES PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYEES WHEREAS, the City of Santa Rosa Unlimited Rides Program provides a mechanism for partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and other entities to provide fare-free access to Santa Rosa CityBus; and WHEREAS, fare-free transit access supports City and regional goals for promoting increased transit use, affordability, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector; and WHEREAS, the Unlimited Rides Program has been successful in increasing ridership on CityBus and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions as residents make fewer car trips; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Rosa and County of Sonoma are two of the largest employers in Sonoma County; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Rosa and County of Sonoma seek to establish a reciprocal unlimited pass pilot program enabling City of Santa Rosa employees to ride Sonoma County Transit fare-free, and County of Sonoma employees to ride Santa Rosa CityBus fare-free; and WHEREAS, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District passes through Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funds to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) which are then annually allocated by formula to CityBus; and WHEREAS, Santa Rosa CityBus has available TFCA funds, restricted for programs that improve air quality in the Bay Area, to support expansion of its Unlimited Rides Program; and WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors delegated authority to the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa for a pilot program allowing each entity’s employees to ride free on Sonoma County Transit and Santa Rosa CityBus through December 31, 2024, with two one-year options to renew through December 31, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa approves a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Santa Rosa and County of Sonoma for a reciprocal unlimited rides pilot program for employees on Santa Rosa CityBus and Sonoma County Transit. ///
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa authorizes the City Manager or designee to execute the Memorandum of Understanding and any future amendments, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 14th day of November, 2023.
AYES: (7) Mayor N. Rogers, Vice Mayor MacDonald, Council Members Alvarez, Fleming, Okrepkie, C. Rogers, Stapp
NOES: (0)
ABSENT: (0)
ABSTAIN: (0)
ATTEST: _________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________
City Attorney
Exhibit A – Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Santa Rosa and County of Sonoma Unlimited Rides Program for Employees Reso. No. RES-2023-183