Minutes 2004 0517 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IVlINUTES Page 10 City of San Leandro City Council, San Leandro Redevelopment Agency, and San Leandro Public Financing Authority J oint Meeting-May 17, 2004 TMO Executive Director should aggressively seek out grants and other new funding sources for the Shuttle, such as selling advertising space. She commended MDL for stepping up and providing Shuttle funding and suggested that other big businesses that reap the benefits of the Shuttle service should step up as well. Councilmember Nardine asked if the LINKS Shuttle could qualify for City grant funding and if, given the financial outlook for both the City and RDA, the City could elin1inate RDA funding to the LINKS if the TMO were successful in finding alternate sources of funding. Mr. Jermanis stated that the funding proposed to be taken by the State from special districts such as AC Transit and BART will put increased pressure on the RDA to help suppOli the Shuttle program. He pointed out that the RDA stepped up to provide support for the Shuttle due to the need identified in the West San Leandro Advisory Committee report and by the Chan1ber's Industrial and Tedmology Roundtable. The RDA now provides a stable backup funding source for the Shuttle operations, and Mr. J ennanis stated that the Agency intends to continue to provide funding assistance through the next fiscal year. He stated that the City would not expect the TMO to seek funding from the City's social services grants but instead through formation of the BID and clean air and transportation grants. Councilmember N ardine asked if the Flex Shuttle could assume the funding currently granted to LINKS to provide service to businesses and low-income persons if the BID is unsuccessful. Mr. J ennanis indicated that grant funding is often restricted to particular purposes, and the Flex Shuttle operates on funding that is earmarked to serve seniors. He acknowledged that staff will need to evaluate the situation and work with service providers to determine how to meet various transportation objectives with declining resources. Counciln1ernber Nardine asked if the Council has the ability to expand the Flex Shuttle service beyond just the eligible senior population. Mr. J ermanis responded that the service could be expanded if the City provided additional funding. Mayor Young commented that she has been conflicted over this issue as she owned a business in Oakland for many years and found taxes to be burdensome. She pointed out that San Leandro's business license tax is lower than other neighboring cities. She noted that this is a divisive issue and hoped meetings will be held to help resolve the issues within the business community created by this process regardless of the decision tonight. Mayor Young pointed to the need for the service and the success of the Shuttle. She noted that the loss of funding by AC Transit will translate into reductions to the 81 and 55 routes. Mayor Young stated she conferred with the City Attorney, and it is not incumbent upon the Council to take action this evening. Mayor Young made the following alternative funding suggestions and asked staff to determine if any of the ideas are workable: