Calendar:
Monday, December 20
12:00 pm - Agenda Briefing, Room 280
4:00 pm - City Manager's Evaluation continued, Room 280
5:00 pm - Council Manager Dinner, CH-14
6:00 pm - Zoning Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Wednesday, December 22
8:30 am - Mayor's Task Force on Cultural Facilities Meeting, CH-14 AGENDA: Discussion of Recommendations
Thursday, December 24
Christmas Holiday - City Offices Closed
Monday, December 27
Christmas Holiday - City Offices Closed
Information Items:
Snow Policy
Staff Resource: Layton Lamb, 704-336-5128
Council member Tabor asked the following questions about our Street Maintenance Snow and Ice Response Program:
1) Do we have a map that shows all the roads to be covered in the policy? Yes. A copy of the City's snow plan and street maintenance map is on the City's website, at the address mentioned below: http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Transportation/
Street+Maintenance/Home.htm
2) Do we have any projections on costs for this change of policy Our operational costs should be about the same as in the past for "normal" storms (less than eight inches of snow). If we get a major storm like we had last year (greater than eight inches of snow with several days of freezing temperatures), our costs will be higher since we will be doing more work on residential streets. Street Maintenance works with the Budget Office to identify funds within existing resources if costs exceed the budgeted amount.
South Corridor Light Rail Project Update
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
Recent Bid Opening: On Monday, CATS opened bids on two contract packages for the South Corridor Light Rail Project with a total budget of approximately $49.6 million. The Train Control and Communications package had a budget of $32.4 million and the Traction Power package had a budget of $17.2 million. Multiple bids were received on both packages with the same firm (Mass Electric/Aldridge Electric) submitting the low bid on both contract packages. After removing allowances for contingencies and sales taxes, the two low bids totaled approximately $47.3 million, which is more than $2 million below budget.
Staff is currently reviewing the bids received on Monday to ensure they are responsive to the City's requirements for the contracts and that the low bidder will be able to perform the work involved. Questions have been raised about whether the low bidder has the appropriate North Carolina business licenses. This matter is currently being reviewed by Procurement and Legal staff.
Assuming successful completion of the bid review, Council action on these two contracts is tentatively scheduled for January 10. Any Council action on January 10 would be subject to receipt of a Letter of No Prejudice from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
FTA Workshop: On Tuesday, CATS staff completed a two-day workshop with representatives of the FTA to review the budget and schedule status of the South Corridor Light Rail Project. The FTA workshop involved a review of the recent bids. This review included a re-assessment of the risks associated with the Project's $398.7 million budget developed in January and February of this year at the 65% design level and the Project's schedule for starting light rail operations by October 31, 2006.
At the end of the workshop, FTA representatives advised CATS staff that they will need two to three weeks to complete their review of the information provided during the workshop before they can make a determination on any revisions to the Project's budget and schedule. Their review will also determine to what extent the FTA would be able to provide increased funding for the Project should the budget increase. Therefore, we will not be able to finalize the Project's budget and schedule for at least three more weeks. Once the review is complete, the FTA will be able to issue Letters of No Prejudice for Project contracts (i.e.Vehicle Maintenance Facility, Train Control and Communications and Traction Power) that will allow the City to issue notices to proceed to contractors.
Full Funding Grant Agreement Status: The Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for the Project continues to be on hold at the U.S. Department of Transportation as it has been since October when the first major construction contract for the Project experienced high bids due to steel prices and other factors. The FFGA will remain on hold until the FTA completes the review of the Project as described above. Whether the terms of the FFGA will be revised before it is submitted to Congress for its 60-day review depends on the results of the FTA's review of the Project. The review will also determine whether or not there are any changes to the Project budget and schedule. FTA leadership and staff continue to express their strong support for the South Corridor Project and moving it forward into construction and eventual operation.
December 15, 2004 Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) Meeting Summary
Staff Resource: Ron Tober, 704-336-7245
· Advertising at Rapid Transit Stations - At its December 15 meeting, the MTC authorized changes to CATS' Policy and Regulations on Interior Vehicle Advertising to include language pertaining to Rapid Transit Station Advertising. The name of the policy was changed to Policy and Regulations on Transit Advertising. Specifically, the MTC action established policy provisions within the existing policy regarding advertising at rapid transit stations. This will help guide decision making by the MTC and CATS management in the future on this issue. Additionally, it will provide the framework to raise revenues, supplementary to those from fares and tax proceeds, to be used to aid in financing CATS operations. It is estimated that annual revenue of approximately $30,000 could be generated at each of the rapid transit stations. This policy would apply to 15 stations on the South Corridor Light Rail Line (three trolley only; seven combined light rail/trolley stations and eight light rail only stations). Staff estimates the total annual revenue will be approximately $450,000.
· Trolley Fares - The MTC adopted a resolution amending Historic Trolley Service fare policies to simplify the administration of fares for children, encourage the use of an all-day trolley pass, and promote the use of the trolley for transportation to the retail and restaurant businesses along the trolley corridor. The MTC adopted a comprehensive Fare Policy in 2001 that provides guidelines for the setting and adjustments of fares for CATS services. In October 2003, the policy was amended to include Trolley service. CATS operation of the trolley service began in June 2004 and actual experience since then has indicated that trolley fare policies should be adjusted. The changes in fare structure will become effective in January 2005, and are as follows:
Fare Type New Fare Structure
Children (ages 0-2) Free
Children (ages 3-5) $1.00
Children (ages 6-12) $1.00
Adults (ages 13-62) $1.00
Seniors/Disabled $0.50
All Day Pass $3.00
Re-boarding Privileges Free/Same Direction
Estimated annual farebox $195,000 (vs $125,000 annually at present)
· Proposed Operating and Capital Programs - The MTC also received its first informational briefing on the proposed FY2006-FY2007 Transit Operating Program and the FY2006-FY2010 Transit Capital Investment Plan. Detailed briefings on the Operating and Capital Programs will be presented at the January and February meetings. The MTC is scheduled to vote on the FY2006-FY2007 Transit Program at its March meeting. City Council is scheduled to review the CATS FY2006 budget proposal at is March 2nd Budget Retreat.
Members were encouraged to attend the kickoff ceremony for the new I-77 HOV lanes on Friday December 17, 2004. The event will be held at CATS' Huntersville-Gateway Park N' Ride lot.
The next MTC meeting will be Wednesday, January 26, 2005.
Passenger Vehicle for Hire Ordinance/ Maximum Vehicle Age Requirements
Staff Resource: Joe Vanderlip, 704-398-6793
Recently Council members may have received inquiries regarding the requirements for the age of vehicles covered by the Passenger Vehicle for Hire Ordinance.
In May 2000, the Council approved the new ordinance which expanded the City's regulatory authority from metered vehicles (taxis) only to all passenger vehicles for hire, including limousines, limousine sedans, shuttle vans, contract vehicles and special needs transportation vehicles. The new scope and requirements came after extensive review with interested stakeholders, including the industry, business and hospitality and tourism representatives. The new ordinance was intended to ensure safe, reliable vehicle for hire service; provide appropriate regulation while preserving open entry into the market; support market demands for a variety of services; and respond to concerns by stakeholders.
One of the concerns was the appearance of vehicles for hire. One of the ways suggested to improve the appearance of vehicles was to impose an age limit. A number of cities have an age requirement so this was not unprecedented. After considerable discussion, it was determined that a maximum vehicle age limit of seven years was reasonable. Only vehicles defined as limousines are exempt from the seven-year age requirement. However, to minimize the financial impact on vehicle owners subject to the requirement, the ordinance provided for a five-year grace period to allow time for owners to bring vehicles into compliance.
The ordinance became effective in July 2001, with the vehicle age limit requirement becoming effective on July 1, 2006.
We understand that owners of some cab companies as well as special transportation companies (service to people with disabilities) have a concern about the age requirement as the deadline for compliance approaches.
The City Council could change the age requirement by an amendment to the ordinance. If Council would wish to review a possible change, staff would suggest that the Mayor, Council and Manager-appointed Passenger Vehicle for Hire Board, as well as representatives of the original stakeholders, be asked to provide input. While ordinance review is not within the stated charge of the Vehicle for Hire Board, the ordinance does provide for the Board taking on other responsibilities as assigned by the City Council or the City Manager.
