HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.B.3. Approval of Negotiation of Letter of Intent to Enter into an Agreement with Metropolitan Council for the Provision of Express Bus Service
/3.B.3 ·
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
CASE LOG NO.: NA
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Approval of Negotiation of Letter ofIntent to Enter into an
Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the Provision of
Express Bus Service
MEETING DATE: April 4, 2006
INTRODUCTION:
As a part of the implementation of the Scott County Unified Transit Management Plan
(UTMP), staff has been working with Metropolitan Council staff (particularly Carol
Becker) to secure four buses (two forty-foot and two coaches) for delivery on or about
October of this year for the new express service that would be provided in the STH 169
corridor by Shakopee Transit. As recommended in the UTMP, Scott County Transit is
shifting its service exclusively to dial-a-ride, ADA, and circulator services. Thus, it is
necessary to secure another provider for the express service.
Other existing suburban transit providers (e.g. Southwest, MVTA, Maple Grove,
Plymouth, and Prior Lake) provide express service in a number of different ways,
including;
0 Operating the service themselves;
0 Contracting directly with the Metropolitan Council;
0 Contracting with private vendors (e.g. Laidlaw, Shorty's).
The City does not have experience with providing direct express service. Staff has
considered using a "request for proposal" process initially to select a contractor, but is
concerned about managing that process in a timely way to introduce the new service. As
a result, staff is proposing that initially the City contract with the Metropolitan Council
for the service, but that any negotiated agreement provide for the opportunity to consider
other options in a reasonable timeframe.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Offer and approve a motion approving the draft letter of intent to enter into
negotiations with the Metropolitan Council for the provision of express bus service as
presented.
H:\CC\2006\04-04\Express Bus Letter ofIntent Report.doc
2. Offer and approve a motion approving the draft letter of intent to enter into
negotiations with the Metropolitan Council for the provision of express bus service
with revisions.
3. Do not approve the draft letter of intent, and direct staff to seek other proposals for
the provision of express bus service.
4. Table the matter for additional information.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends alternative number 1 or 2.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Offer and approve a motion approving the draft letter of intent to enter into negotiations
with the Metropolitan Council for the provision of express bus service as presented or
with revisions.
A;
R. Michael Leek
H:\CC\2006\04-04\Express Bus Letter ofIntent Report.doc
A Letter of Intent Between the City of Shakopee and the Metropolitan Council
For the Provision of Transit Services
By this letter, the City of Shakopee (hereinafter Shakopee) affirms its intent to request of, and
enter into an agreement(s) with the Metropolitan Council (the Council) to provide a package
of services to support the establishment of express regular route transit service from Shakopee
to downtown Minneapolis.
With the approval ofthis letter of intent by the Shakopee City Council, Shakopee and the
Council will enter into negotiations to determine the scope of the package of services, the
rate(s) of reimbursement Shakopee will pay the Council for these services, and all applicable
details for management and operation of these services. The tentative timeframe for the start
of the express transit service will be on or about October 2006, dependent on availability of
the Park-and-Ride facility, necessary equipment, systems, and information, and the City's
directives.
The Council will provide services including, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
. Procurement of and contracting for a full operations and maintenance transit service
provider to perform the day-to-day functions of the route or routes.
. Service design for the runs and routing ofthe express service.
. Managerial oversight, reporting, and financial administration of the service and
contract.
. Coordination with Prior Lake's Laker Lines express service also calling at the.
Shakopee Park-and-Ride
. Review and compliance with all local, state, and federal regulation that may impact
the operation of the transit service.
. Technical assistance in marketing as requested.
. Customer service contacts and administration as agreed.
. Periodic reports to the City as specified on service performance, costs, and other
Issues.
Shakopee have responsibilities, including but not necessarily, limited to the following:
. Reimburse the Council from Shakopee's transit revenues forthe following costs;
. cost of the contract;
. direct costs incurred in designing, coordinating, procuring, and managing the
transit full service contract;
. and fully allocated overhead expense.
. Reimbursement for temporary equipment expenses if needed and agreed upon in
advance, prior to delivery of permanently assigned Regional Fleet vehicles for the
servIce;
. Provision oflocal park-and-ride or other terminal facilities in Shakopee or Scott
County. Shakopee need not be the owner of the terminal facilities, nor be directly
responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of such facility.
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. Coordination with the Council on new vehicle specifications, external appearance
and graphics (which shall be under the control of Shakopee) , and other vehicle
Issues.
. Local marketing and promotion ofthe service as desired by the City.
Agreements shall also consider and address other relevant considerations, including, but not
limited to, legal issues, administrative, named Shakopee and Council contacts and approving
authorities, insurance and liability, assignments and termination of the agreements.
John 1. Schmitt
Mayor, City of Shakopee
Judy Cox
Shakopee City Clerk
Peter Bell (or other authorized signer)
Metropolitan Council
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