HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - Update on Summer 2021 Balboa Peninsula Trolley OperationQ �EwPpRT
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<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report
April 13, 2021
Agenda Item No. 14
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311,
dawebb@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Eric Loke, Senior Civil Engineer, eloke@newportbeachca.gov
PHONE: 949-644-3336
TITLE: Update on Summer 2021 Balboa Peninsula Trolley Operation
ABSTRACT -
As part of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Measure M2 Project V
program, two grants were awarded to the City of Newport Beach (City) to operate the
Balboa Peninsula Trolley for seven years. After three years of operation, from 2017
through 2019, the program was postponed and did not operate in the summer of 2020
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the COVID-19 numbers now trending downward and with increased public access
to vaccines, staff anticipates the Balboa Peninsula will remain a popular destination for
summer activities this year. Considering this, staff has worked with OCTA and the City's
trolley vendor on a plan to return the Balboa Peninsula Trolley to service this summer.
Normal operation typically starts Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day.
However, due to concerns that there still maybe some lingering COVID-19-related
apprehensions to using this public transit system, staff is proposing the start of this
summer's trolly operation be delayed to start operating the weekend of Saturday, June
26, and run through the Labor Day holiday, September 6, as normally planned.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly;
and
b) Commence with the 2021 Summer Balboa Peninsula Trolley operation on weekends
with a delayed start date of Saturday, June 26, and running through the Labor Day
holiday, September 6.
DISCUSSION:
Through the OCTA Measure M2 Project V program, two grants were awarded to the City
for the operation of the Balboa Peninsula Trolley for seven years. The program
successfully operated for three summers from 2017 through 2019, providing convenient
and free transportation for residents and visitors along the Balboa Peninsula.
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Update on Summer 2021 Balboa Peninsula Trolley Operation
April 13, 2021
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City suspended the trolley's operation in the summer
of 2020. As a whole, there has been a sharp decline in transit operation, reduced public
opinion of transit, and significant challenges to providing proper distancing, sanitization,
and personal protective equipment (PPE). OCTA allowed the City to automatically extend
the program for another year, through the summer of 2024, to make up for the inability to
operate the program in 2020.
With the COVID-19 numbers trending downward and increased public access to
vaccines, staff anticipates the Balboa Peninsula will be a popular destination this summer.
Considering this, staff has worked with OCTA and the City's trolley vendor on a plan to
return the Balboa Peninsula Trolley to service. Normal operation typically starts Memorial
Day weekend. However, staff is recommending this summer's service be delayed,
proposing that operations begin the weekend of Saturday, June 26, and run through the
Labor Day holiday, September 6. The planned operational period could be delayed further
depending on conditions as there is still uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic
and future infection numbers.
As of now, additional measures are planned to provide adequate distancing, protection
and sanitization for riders and drivers. These include, but are not limited to, reducing the
ridership capacity of each vehicle to 50 percent, periodic disinfection and cleaning during
the operation day, PPE for the operators and passengers, and full disinfection of each
vehicle at the end of the day. Staff estimates these additional measures may increase
operational costs an additional 15 to 20 percent. Furthermore, it is anticipated these
measures may lead to a moderate decrease in passenger boarding and delays in shuttle
arrivals. Staff will continue to monitor COVID-19-related requirements and work with the
City's vendor to ensure proper measures are incorporated into the program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FY 2020-21 Capital Improvement Program Budget currently includes $697,393 for
the Balboa Peninsula Summer Trolley (17T13/19T13). The funding includes $522,896 in
OCTA Measure M grant funds and $174,497 in Balboa Village Parking Management
Funds as the local matching funds.
Operational costs for the summer of 2019 were approximately $217,000. Approximately,
$170,000 of the cost was reimbursed by grant funding with the remaining $47,000 funded
by the Balboa Village Advisory Committee (BVAC).
Anticipated costs for this summer's operation are estimated at $205,000. Additional costs
due to required PPE and disinfection are offset by shortening the operation by one month.
The actual cost may vary as the COVID-19-related requirements are expected to evolve
up to and through the Trolley's operational period.
OCTA has authorized an automatic extension of one year to account for the program that
was cancelled for 2020, with the option of an additional year should the City choose to
not operate in 2021. Therefore, the Measure M grant funds for the Balboa Trolley may be
automatically extended for the summers of 2024 and, optionally, 2025.
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Update on Summer 2021 Balboa Peninsula Trolley Operation
April 13, 2021
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
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