HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-14-2010 - 8aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 14, 2010
Agenda
Item No. S "U
SUBJECT• Orange Public Transportation -Chapel Hill Transit Consolidation Study Update
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) [N~
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Study Scope Outline -Draft
2. Study Timeline -Draft
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Benedict, Planning Director,
245-2592
Mila Vega, Land Use/Transportation
Planner, 245-2582
PURPOSE: To receive a report on the status of the Orange Public Transportation (OPT)-
Chapel Hill Transit (CHT) Consolidation Study.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Planning Department and the Manager's Office, Chapel
Hill Transit and Chapel Hill Manager's Office, and North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) have begun to pursue the OPT-CHT consolidation study process. The purpose of the
study is to review various alternatives ranging from a contractual relationship between transit
providers to a full consolidation, while maintaining high quality transit service for Orange
County's residents. The study has two main elements:
1) Consolidation Plan
2) Community Transportation Service Plan (CTSP)
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is the project manager and sponsor
for the study. The Orange County Planning Department and Chapel Hill Transit worked with
NCDOT on selecting a consulting firm to work on the study with a list of eligible consultant firms
being provided by NCDOT. Following careful review of work portfolios and references provided
by the firms, the team selected KFH Group.
KFH Group specializes in public transportation -transportation planning and management,
policy analysis, service evaluation and design, and operational support for transportation
programs in communities of all sizes -smaller towns and rural areas, suburban and urbanizing
regions, and larger metropolitan environments. The firm also has substantial experience in
conducting consolidation studies for transit agencies.
Orange County Planning, Chapel Hill Transit and NCDOT staff met with the consultant to
discuss the study scope. The consultant provided a draft scope for review and comments.
Orange County and Town of Chapel Hill Managers, along with the staff, reviewed the draft and
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submitted comments to the consultant to incorporate into the scope. Attachment 1 is the Study
Scope Outline Draft. The anticipated study timeline is 12-15 months (Attachment 2).
NCDOT requires the creation of a steering committee to guide the study. The steering
committee composition requirements were provided to Orange County and Chapel Hill Transit.
This committee will include the full range of human service stakeholders as well as local
government partners and general transit users. The committee will be formed after the study
scope of work is finalized and the contract is signed. The estimated timeline is January 2011. In
addition to the steering committee, the study team (Orange County Planning, Chapel Hill Transit
and NCDOT) will develop a reporting mechanism to provide timely study updates to the elected
officials and seek guidance and feedback.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
• There is no financial impact associated with the study. NCDOT sponsors the study
100%. The study cost will be developed after the scoping process is completed.
• The financial impact of study recommendations will be determined once the study is
completed. The study will be completed within the 15-month timeframe with interim
phases to assist the County through other decision phases.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the report.
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ttachment 1: Stud Sco a Outline Dra
I. INTRODUCTION
II. STUDY PURPOSE
III. BACKGROUND
IV. STUDY ISSUES
V. TASKS
Task 1: Initial Project Coordination Meetings
Subtask 1.1: On-Site Technical Data Collection Meeting
Subtask 1.2: Initial Steering Committee Workshop
Subtask 1.3: Advisory and Govemance Structure
Task 2: Inventory the Transit System's Current Organizational Direction and
Service Delivery
Subtask 2.1: Organizational Focus
Subtask 2.2: County and Regional Demographics and Geography
Subtask 2.3: Service Characteristics
Subtask 2.4: Funding and Financial Management
Subtask 2.5: Capacity Analysis
Task 3: Assess and Analyze Opportunities and Provide Recommendations for
Consolidation of Transit Services
Subtask 3.1: Assess Consolidation Issues and Opportunities
Subtask 3.2: Provide Analysis and Recommendations Regarding
Consolidation
Subtask 3.3: Provide Recommendations on Govemance and Funding
Subtask 3.4: Technical Memorandum #1
Subtask 3.5: Steering Committee Meeting #2 and Public Meetings
Task 4: Public Satisfaction and Community Needs
Task 5: Analyze and Develop Service and Management Alternatives
Subtask 5.1: Administration and Management of the Transit System
Subtask 5.2: Service Analysis and Alternatives
Subtask 5.3: Coordination Opportunities
Task 6: Technical Memorandum #2, Steering Committee Meeting #3 and
Community Meetings
Subtask 6.1: Technical Memorandum #2
Subtask 6.2: Steering Committee Meeting #3
Subtask 6.3: Public Education and Public Involvement
Task 7: Develop the Draft Plan
Subtask 7.1: Combine Technical Memoranda
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Subtask 7.2: Five-Year Draft Plan
• Executive Summary
• Implementation Plan
• Implementation Schedule
• Dynamic Financial Plan and Budget Tool
• Capital Improvement Plan
• Performance Measurement Plan
• Public Involvement Description
Subtask 7.3: Meet with PTD Staff to Review Financial Plan and Budget
Tool
Task 8: Present the Draft Plan at the Final Steering Committee Workshop
Subtask 8.1: Preparation of the Draft Plan
Subtask 8.2: Final Steering Committee Workshop
Task 9: Provide Final Project Deliverables to NCDOT and the Public Governing
Boards for Adoption
Subtask 9.1: Distribute Draft Plan
Subtask 9.2: Final Plan Approval and Resolution by the Governing Bodies
Subtask 9.3: Final Project Deliverables
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ttachment 2: Stud Timeline Dra
The project will begin upon written Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the NCDOT-Professional
Services Management Unit. Tasks will be completed in conjunction with requirements of
NCDOT. The schedule for the effort is as follows.
'Task Date
Task 1: Initial Project Coordination Meetings Month 1 of Project.
Task 2: Inventory Month 2 of Project.
Task 3: Consolidation Opportunities and
Recommendations Month 3 of the Project.
Task 4:
Needs Public Satisfaction and Community Throughout and Month 4 of the
Project.
Task 5: Service and Management Alternatives Months 5 and 6 of the Project.
Task 6: Technical Memorandum #2, Steering
Committee Meetin #3 Month 7 of the Project.
Task 7: Develop the Draft Plan Months 8 and 9 of the Project.
Task 8: Presentation of the Draft Plan Months 10 and 11 of the Project.
Task 9: Final Deliverables Month 12 of the Project.
' Specific month depends upon the timing of the Notice to Proceed.