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DRAFT MINUTES Page 6 December 17, 2007 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting performance of the LINKS Shuttle and increases the per-employee assessment rate by 3.31% from $10.88 to $11.24). (2938/2993/3032/3034) Councilmember Souza expressed surprise that there was no presentation or opportunity for discussion planned for this item. Councilmember Souza stated that while she feels it is worthwhile to provide shuttle service for individuals, she believes that neither the BID nor RDA funds is the proper funding mechanism for the service. She commented that she does not believe the LINKS has been able to achieve sustainability and has become more reliant on the City for funding, and that there are no facts to prove that approximately 70% of LINKS riders are from BID-assessed businesses. She suggested that passes be issued to employees of businesses that pay the BID assessment, and non- employees wishing to ride the shuttle could either purchase a pass or petition the City for a fee waiver. Councilmember Souza recalled that in 2005, the shuttle route was expanded due to the receipt of a grant to provide service to the Davis Street Family Resource Center. She asked whether the increase in ridership was due to this additional service and whether the route would revert back now that there is no longer grant funding for Davis Street. Councilmember Souza commented on the annual report and pointed out that an additional $50,000 in RDA gap funding may be needed for this fiscal year. She expressed concern about continuing to fund a project that does not provide requested information, has not secured grant funds, and is being sustained by RDA funds. Councilmember Souza stated that there are many projects which could be funded through RDA funds, and shuttle service should be funded instead by General Funds. Councilmember Souza made a motion to remove the item from consideration. remarks. She commented that shuttle service to West San Leandro is a great concept and sorely needed, and she agreed with Councilmember Souza regarding the funding mechanism for the program. Councilmember Starosciak pointed to the Flex Shuttle, stating that it is completely funded by Measure B grant funds. She encouraged City staff to look closely at what programmatic funding options are available through ACTIA or CMA for ongoing funding for the LINKS. Councilmember Starosciak commented that she feels it is important for the Council to discuss whether continuing to support the LINKS shuttle is in line with its priorities for the use of RDA funds. She stated that she believes the program overhead is too high, and she disagreed with the use of RDA funds to pay LINKS staff wages. Councilmember Starosciak suggested that the RDA gap funding be offset by staff wages until the staff has secured grant funding to cover wages. Councilmember Starosciak seconded the motion made by Councilmember Souza. Councilmember Stephens commented that the LINKS Shuttle was initially approved by the Council with the proviso that it become self-sustaining. He agreed with Councilmembers Souza and Starosciak that the City needs to reevaluate funding for the LINKS program, and he indicated that he would not vote to increase the BID assessment.