CC Minutes 05/13/2013 Workshop - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of May 13, 2013 — Workshop Page 2 of 3 FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) to help subsidize the operation of the system for a test phase for a period of one or two years. Mr. Newlon went on to explain that as things had progressed, an impasse had been reached with the mass transit partner, Lynx, wherein they expressed that they did not wish to run the system during its test phase. He added that Lynx had suggested that the cities run the system themselves, utilizing a third party contractor to act as operator. He stated that the partner cities, consisting of Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood and Maitland, had met and agreed by consensus to do just that. He added that Altamonte Springs had sought and received guidance from its City Commission to take several steps, and they had asked the other partner cities to consider doing the same, and that discussion of that issue was one of the reasons for tonight's workshop. He stated that prior to that discussion, though, the City's Assistant Public Works Director and City Engineer, Dr. Kelly Brock, would present an overview of the FlexBus program and give an update on where the program is and what staff is recommending. Dr. Brock gave a presentation on the FlexBus program which contained the following components: FlexBus concept and timeline; initial stations; estimated operating costs; previous actions; implementation update; and staff recommendations. Discussion: A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the next steps to be taken, including applying for the FDOT Service Development Grant and executing agreements with the partner cities, FDOT and Lynx covering responsibilities, cost sharing, funding, access to SunRail stations, and integration with Lynx's system and use of the capital equipment for FlexBus, among other issues. Also discussed were concerns about the potential for failure of the system and the City's liability if that should happen, in additional to whether governments should be involved in operating this type of mass transit. Both Mr. Newlon and Dr. Brock explained that language would be included in any agreements which would protect the City as much as possible from unnecessary liability, and provide for an exit from the agreements should the City at any time feel that the program would not be successful. In response to questions from the Commission, Dr. Brock explained that the City's share of cost for the initial demonstration phase had been determined by dividing the cities' portion of the match for the FDOT grant monies by the number of stations. He added that the City of Casselberry's share was proposed to be $120,000. He also noted that all the costs were estimates based on preliminary projections of ridership, and he believed there would be sufficient funding from the Local Option Gas Tax in Fiscal Year 2014 which would be included in the proposed budget coming forward. There was additional discussion regarding comparison of Lynx's current NeighborLink system and the FlexBus system. Mr. Brock advised that FlexBus had the potential to reach a much wider area and have a significantly reduced wait time for pickups. It was also noted that such a system involved groundbreaking technology and had the potential of pioneering the use of new technologies in mass transit nationwide. Mr. Newlon requested that the Commission consider authorizing staff to prepare an updated letter stating the City's commitment to support of the initial phase of the FlexBus project and offering a conditional commitment of local funding for operating of the system for the purpose of applying for a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Set -vice Development Grant. Dr. Brock added that the letter would basically be an updated version of the one authorized by the City in November 2012, but that this one would be addressed to Secretary Prasad of FDOT, rather than to Mr. John Lewis, the CEO of Lynx. He further added that the letter of commitment would state that the City's commitment would be subject to certain specific conditions which would be set out in the letter.