04-30-07 Item 7D, Care-A-Van Funding Request

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TO: MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: TERRY SCHWERM CITY MANAGER DATE: APRIL 6, 2007 SUBJECT: CARE-A- V AN FUNDING REQUEST At the February workshop meeting, the City Council discussed a request from Mounds View Community Education and the New Brighton Eagles Club for City funding for the CARE-A- VAN service. This service provides rides to senior residents of Shoreview, New Brighton, Mounds View and Arden Hills for various shopping trips and medical appointments. The program provides about 950 round trip rides per year. Attached is more information regarding this service. The CARE-A-V AN service has been funded by the New Brighton Eagles Club and the School District. However, contributions from the Eagles Club have diminished over the past few years and the past two years it has required an average subsidy from the School District of$23,000. The Community Education Director has indicated that they would need an ongoing contribution of about $15,000 per year to continue this service. Based on the breakdown of rides per community, the four cities would need to contribute the following amounts each year: Shoreview New Brighton Mounds View Arden Hills $6,000 $5,400 $2,100 $1,500 At the February workshop, the Council asked how many residents from each city are using this service. According to their records, 33 New Brighton residents, 32 Shoreview residents, 12 Mounds View residents, and 9 Arden Hills residents used this service in the past year. Based on this information, a $6,000 contribution from Shoreview would provide an average City subsidy of$15.80 per ride or $187.50 per person for residents who use this service. Community Education has indicated that unless the cities assist with the funding or an alternative funding source is found, it is likely that this service will be discontinued. Staff is seeking Council feedback on this issue.