8A Consent 2009 0120 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MINUTES Page 10 December 15, 2008 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting (recommends approval of the 2008-09 Annual Report of the West San Leandro Shuttle Business Improvement District Advisory Board and directs the City Manager to impose the BID assessment at the Fiscal Year 2007-08 rate). (2938/2993) Councilmember Souza asked about the recommendations to re-establish the BID and expand the LINKS service. Mr. Hollister clarified that this item relates to the Annual Report of the BID Advisory Board, from which there were recommendations by the Board to examine the feasibility for service expansion, and to re-establish the BID. The action to re-establish the BID will be taken later tonight under Action Items, and does not include expansion of the service. Councilmember Souza expressed concern that businesses within the BID would not have a say in the expansion of the service. Councilmember Souza commented on the amount and duration of Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funding, and expressed concern that the system would become dependent on the funding. She asked about the sharp increase in the projected revenue from the Boys and Girls Club for 2008-09. Councilmember Souza also noted that the reduction in the Executive Dir will be offset with City staff time. She expressed concern about the value and use of City staff time, especially in the current budget situation, and she expressed disappointment at the lack of program marketing and outreach. Councilmember Souza added that she held a meeting of the District 3 businesses in the BID, and found that the businesses were generally supportive of the BID at the current rate. Mayor Santos recalled that when the BID was originally formed, the BID businesses were supposed to pay 50% of the program operating costs, but that has never happened. Mayor Santos commented that the LINKS Shuttle program effectively removes a significant amount of traffic from the west side of San Leandro. A motion was made by Councilmember Prola, seconded by Councilmember Grant to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Starosciak expressed concern regarding the accuracy of the report, noting discrepancies between information in the report and on the LINKS website, and she questioned the budget and ridership projections in the report. Councilmember Starosciak stated that she supports the BID, but would like to see a reduction in ongoing RDA support and possibly an increase in the BID assessment to get closer to the 50% goal. She added that the LINKS was the highest priority project for the Congestion Lifeline funding, and she stressed the importance of continuing the LINKS as a private transit entity in order to maintain eligibility for grant funding. Councilmember Starosciak indicated her willingness to assist in creating a Guaranteed Ride Home program to complement the LINKS service. Councilmember Souza stated that she supports the goals of the BID, and acknowledged it is a good program and that it keeps cars off the road. She added that she does not support the funding of the program.