TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Clifford G. Finley, Public Works Director
DATE:May 9, 2023
SUBJECT: 2023 Transit Title VI Plan Update
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve update to Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan for City-operated transit services.
2. Adopt resolution of approval, required as a condition of Federal Transit Administration funding.
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time to prepare report is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 Transportation Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) was established in 1981 and provides fixed route and commuter bus service, Senior Dial-A-Ride (DAR), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services to residents of Thousand Oaks. In addition, TOT provides services under contract to the Cities of Moorpark, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and the County of Ventura for Oak Park and select unincorporated areas and East County Transit Alliance’s (ECTA) InterCity DAR service.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, requires agencies receiving federal funds to have a Title VI Plan and update the plan every three years. TOT is the recipient of federal grants and allocations and therefore is required to have a Title VI Plan. Prior to 2015, as a sub-recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding, the City operated under the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Title VI Plan. To best serve the residents of our community
2023 Transit Title VI Plan Update
May 9, 2023
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8 and focus the plan on our ridership, it was determined to be beneficial for the City to adopt a Title VI Plan specific to its own service area. City Council adopted the initial TOT Title VI Plan in 2015, approved the first plan update in 2018, and approved a limited scope update in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a condition for being allowed to do a limited-scope update in 2021, the City was required to prepare a full update no later than June 30, 2023. This update satisfies that condition.
Title VI Plans help ensure transit services are provided without discrimination against any portion of the population served and provide residents with the resources to file a complaint of discrimination. Furthermore, when population demographics reach designated thresholds, transit agencies are required to provide written translations of some materials in languages other than English.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City is committed to ensuring no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, national origin, or any protected class. The TOT Title VI Plan helps ensure transit services are provided without discriminating against transit riders and provides residents with the resources to file a complaint of discrimination.
Due to reduced ridership caused by the pandemic, much of the data from sources such as rider surveys, stakeholder discussions, and focus group workshops, was difficult to obtain in 2021. To ensure no person was excluded from participation or denied the benefits of transportation services, TOT requested, and was granted by VCTC, a deferment of a full Title VI update until 2023.
The City hired Moore and Associates, the firm that prepared the original 2015 Plan and both Plan updates in 2018 and 2021, to conduct a full Plan update (Attachment #1). The update includes demographic data obtained from the American Communities Survey, surveying relevant local non-profit groups, on-board surveys, as well as surveys mailed to selected residences. The data and survey responses have identified that no major changes to the Plan are warranted at this time and that users of the service are overall satisfied with the services provided.
In addition to an updated Plan, FTA regulations stipulate that a City Council resolution (Attachment #2) be adopted as a condition of continued funding. Staff recommends City Council approval of the Title VI Plan update and resolution.
Community Outreach: Copies of the draft Title VI Plan update were posted to the City website and links provided to TOT social media platforms. City Clerk Department placed public notices in the Ventura County Star newspaper and on the City’s website.
2023 Transit Title VI Plan Update
May 9, 2023
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8 COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
PREPARED BY: Tyler Nestved, Assistant Transit Planner
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – 2023 Title VI Plan Update
Attachment #2 – Resolution
DPW:940-10\tn\etm\Council\2023\050923\ Title VI Plan Update staff report.docx