REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Extension of the Peery Park Rides Shuttle Program Funding Agreement with Valley Transportation Authority
Report
BACKGROUND
In early 2016, the City, in partnership with the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), received a $1,129,000 grant award from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. It was made available through the Climate Initiatives Parking Management and Transportation Demand Management Grant Program. As a part of the grant application, the City committed to a local match of up to $400,000 (Attachment 2) using funds received through the Community Benefits Program, collected from development projects within the Peery Park Specific Plan (PPSP) area. In September 2016, in conjunction with the adoption of the PPSP, the City Council approved the use of an additional $100,000 to ensure the shuttle program would be fare free to passengers (Attachment 3).
In November 2020, the City Council authorized the City Manager to sign a funding agreement (Attachment 4) with the Valley Transportation Authority for the Peery Park Rides Shuttle Program. Council also approved a budget modification in the amount of $500,000 (RTC No. 20-0343). The funding agreement was signed in March 2021 and remains in effect through December 31, 2023.
The City and VTA had hoped to launch the Peery Park Rides Shuttle Program in the summer of 2021. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a pause in the program as many of the potential riders in Sunnyvale were working from home. Subsequently, in early 2023, one of VTA's unions filed a grievance alleging that VTA violated its contract with the union by attempting to contract the Peery Park Rides Shuttle service to another provider. The grievance caused further delays. The union's grievance was denied at the end of August 2023. VTA is preparing to advertise a request for proposal (RFP) for this Program for a potential spring 2024 service start.
EXISTING POLICY
Sunnyvale General Plan
Chapter 3:...
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