REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider the Senior Advisory Commission’s Transportation Interest Letter and Request for Referral of the topic to the Council Priority Setting Session
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
In October 2016, the City of Santa Clara adopted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-friendly Cities Framework which proposes eight (8) interconnected domains that can help to identify and address barriers to the well-being and participation of older people in the community as well as to help cities align their policies and programs to address gaps based on available resources. The Age-friendly Cities Framework’s domains include: Economics and Employment; Community; Housing; Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Transportation and Streets; Health, Wellness, and Nutrition; and Social and Civic Engagement. In 2017, the Parks & Recreation Department conducted a Senior Needs Assessment (SNA) using the domains as areas of focus to assess the needs of older adults (persons over 50 years) living in Santa Clara. Since then, the Senior Advisory Commission has used both the SNA and the eight (8) domains- as areas of focus for discussion and to develop the Commission’s annual Work Plan goals and activities.
In 2020/21, the domain of “Transportation and Streets” became an area of interest and focus for the Commission, and a subcommittee was formed to gather information. The Commission reviewed the SNA results regarding transportation and identified several transportation challenges for seniors, such as:
• limited public bus and train routes that serve neighborhoods away from main streets;
• limited weekend public transportation options; and,
• increased traffic congestion poses a challenge to the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
The SNA also identified senior’s interest in:
• a safe and accessible shuttle service to serve older adults;
• more bus stops near public facilities, such as libraries and closer to homes to reduce walking distances; and,
• more frequent buses.
The Commission subcommittee also gathered information about door-to-door ride services and shuttle services, as well as funding strategies found in other cities in Santa Clara County. The Commission received informational presentations from other cities who have shuttle services and conducted personal outreach in the region. They were interested in the models found in the West Valley Shuttle, Marguerite Shuttle in Palo Alto, and the Mountain View Shuttle.
DISCUSSION
The Commission recognizes that transportation involves multiple agencies and resources beyond the capacity of the Commission. It is, therefore, interested in broadening the conversation within the City, first to better understand the size/scope of the issue (senior transportation), current public and private programs/services and available funding sources addressing the need, and then study any remaining service gap(s) in Santa Clara.
The Commission subcommittee on transportation drafted a Transportation Interest Letter. The intent was to request Council consideration and prioritization of a formal study of the issue(s), including public input, so that additional resources can be allocated to study and analyze the current transportation resources and potential need for additional transportation and/or shuttle services in the City. The cost, funding source, and staff support necessary for this study have not been identified and currently the suggested study is not within the City’s workplan or capacity. To be clear, the Commission is not recommending a shuttle service at this time, rather consideration of additional resources needed in order to study the potential transportation needs and gaps in service to seniors. At the May 24, 2021 Senior Advisory Commission meeting, the Commission approved the Transportation Interest Letter (Attachment 1), to be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at the Council priority setting session in 2022.
This is a topic that the Council can discuss at its February 8 Policy Priority Session.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 153778(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of staff time and/or consultant resources is unknown at this time and would be based on the size and scope of the project.
COORDINATION
The report was coordinated with the Finance Department, the City Attorney Office and the City Manager Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Review the Senior Advisory Commission Transportation Interest Letter and refer the issue of a transportation needs analysis to the Council Priority Setting Session.
Staff
Reviewed by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Senior Advisory Commission - Transportation Interest Letter