TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Ivan Cabrera, AICP, Redevelopment Manager
THROUGH: Renée A. Jadusingh, Esq., CRA Executive Director
DATE: November 12, 2020
Title
DISCUSSION - FIXED ROUTE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Board direction.
Body
Background:
The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and First Transit, Inc. (First Transit) previously entered into a two (2) year Fixed Route Transportation Services Agreement dated June 25, 2019, (Original Agreement). On February 25, 2020, both parties entered into to a First Amendment to the Original Agreement to amend the Contract Price for the Fixed Route Transportation Services.
On March 23, 2020, the Fixed Route Transportation Service was suspended by the City of Delray Beach (City) until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the City’s declared state of emergency and the ensuing emergency orders, the CRA and First Transit entered into a Second Temporary Contract Amendment (Second Amendment).
The Second Amendment was executed on April 3, 2020 and included temporary changes related to ceasing operations of the service route and modifications to the contract price paid by the CRA to First Transit during COVID-19 as follows:
• The Contract Price paid by the CRA to First Transit shall be $30.04 per hour. The purpose of this Contract Price during the Term of this Second Amendment is to retain the drivers and manager at the current pay and benefits.
• During the Term of this Second Amendment, the CRA reserves the right to request First Transit to provide other services, such as, but not limited to, meal pick-up and delivery. In the event the CRA elects to exercise this right, the CRA shall pay First Transit the Requested Services Contract Price of $47.50 per hour The Requested Services Contract Price shall be all encompassing and include driver wages and fringe benefits, manager wages and fringe benefits, administrative expenses, technician wages and fringe benefits, revenue vehicle lease, and maintenance parts and supplies.
In the months of April and May 2020, the CRA partnered with organizations that provides meals and groceries to those in need. The Downtown Connect shuttles provided meal delivery service on the weekends and as needed.
Since that time, the Downtown Connect shuttles have not been in service nor have they been utilized for another purpose.
Additionally, CRA staff has received more than fifty calls and emails related to resuming the service. These calls have ranged from residents who need the service to commute to and from east of I-95 and Atlantic High School, to business owners whose employees need the service to commute to and from the Tri-Rail station and downtown Delray Beach.
This Second Amendment was intended to remain in effect until the City terminates its state of emergency due to COVID-19, at which time the terms and conditions of the Original Agreement shall be reinstated. The City’s state of emergency remains in effect.
We are at the point now where we would like the CRA Board’s feedback on making a request to the City about resuming the service or canceling the service since there is a monthly financial impact to the CRA by keeping the service on hold.
In the event that the services is resumed, the CRA and First Transit have proposed certain safety precautions, including plastic dividers between drivers and riders, mandatory use of face masks, wiping down of seats, and limiting the number of riders and seating (see Exhibit A for the full list of proposed safety precautions.)
At this time, CRA staff is requesting direction from the CRA Board regarding the service.
Attachment(s): Exhibit A - Proposed Safety Precautions
CRA Attorney Review:
N/A
Finance Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Funding is available in the amount of $1,400,000 - GL# 5230 - Transportation Services