ITEM TITLE:
#16-41 Supporting the Valdez Senior Center Transportation Grant Application
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Von Bargen, CED Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution #16-41 Supporting the Valdez Senior Center Transportation Grant Application.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
On December 15, 2015 the Council approved the 2016 Community Transportation Plan. A copy of the plan is attached for Council information. Although the plan includes Connecting Ties, the Senior Center and Frontier Services as agency participants, Connecting Ties had taken the lead role as a transportation provider in the community. Connecting Ties was dispatching for what is called “purchase of service” rides in the community. Eligible senior citizens and persons with disabilities were able to buy vouchers for $4. The vouchers could be used to purchase service (transportation rides) from the local cab company or from Connecting Ties. Connecting Ties was also the recipient of a matching grant to manage these services. This is a very brief description of the complicated nature of the program. If the Council is interested a comprehensive report about transportation issues was written last year and has been attached to this agenda statement.
At this time Connecting Ties has opted to discontinue managing transportation services in Valdez and will be focusing purely on providing service to their clientele - persons with developmental disabilities. This leaves a significant gap in the transportation services available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The Valdez Senior Center wishes to fill some of this gap and has been working with the Alaska Department of Transportation to understand how to take on some of this responsibility in a manageable fashion. Very soon the Senior Center will take ownership of a new eight passenger van funded by the City of Valdez and Valdez United Way. They wish to use the new van to provide transportation to senior citizens and persons with disabilities who do not require the use of a wheelchair. Rides would be provided through “reservations” Monday through Friday during normal business hours and would enable seniors and persons with disabilities to conduct activities of daily living which require transportation (e.g. grocery shopping, picking up medication, doctor visits, etc.).
The limited schedule being proposed by the Senior Center requires no matching funds on their part - at this time. The ADOT transportation grant administrator has advised the Senior Center they will be able to use a current part time staff position as in-kind match for grant funding to make that position full time. That additional time will allow either that staff person or another part time person to act as a dispatcher scheduling rides. Grant funding will allow for a part time driver as well.
City staff met with Debbie Plant, Senior Center Director, and members of the VSC Board about the proposed grant application and the Valdez Senior Center’s Prioritized Project List in support of the Valdez Coordinated Community Transportation Plan 2016. What the Senior Center is proposing will fill a much needed gap in the unfilled transportation needs of Valdez, and does so in a way where there is not risk to the Senior Center budget. In addition to assistance with two part time staff positions, the grant will also pay for the operating expenses of the program like advertising, gas and other vehicle maintenance.
Much of the information within the 2016 Community Transportation Plan has changed since its approval last December. Despite that, the Plan is valid for five years. ADOT is not requiring an amendment to the plan to support the Senior Center application as its Prioritized Project List, a requirement of ADOT, meets Goal 2 outlined in the existing plan. Goal 2 is “Rides to continue to provide transportation to eligible individuals [seniors and persons with disabilities] within the Valdez community.” The Senior Center and the City may want to consider a plan amendment sometime in the next year, once the Senior Center has had an opportunity to put their transportation program in place and additional community partners, like Providence have an opportunity to become involved. However, it is unknown if a plan amendment can b submitted. According to DOT, the plan is good for four more years and VSC is to support it through project lists that pertain to any of its goals.
The Senior Center held a public community meeting to provide information about the proposed grant application and the services that will be provided. Many agency stakeholders attended the meeting and were very supportive of the Senior Center’s efforts. VSC Manager, Debbie Plant, advised participants there would be more stakeholder meetings in the future as the program gets underway and the needs of the community are more fully understood.
At this time the Senior Center needs a resolution from the Council supporting their grant application. That resolution is attached for Council review and approval. The Senior Center Director has worked diligently to put this application together. The Senior Center Board will be addressing this at the Board Meeting on November 15th.