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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-30-07 Item 7D, Care-A-Van Funding Request ~ ~HILLS Request for Council Action Prepared By: __~i~I:!E?~l~)~C?_lf~__ Dept.: Administration Council Mtg. Date:----AprH:io,20oi Final Action Needed By: ":Aeii)j.Q.;JQQZ- Agenda Item: 7.0. --_.~.. -NA ----"----------- ."".."" "..... .ooNA Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source. _ _ __~ rl~1r~Wmf!k~BTi~l!'ii!JJ~I'J!~i~~1J-.!.n__......___________... . Request City Council Feedback Regarding the Care-A- V an Funding Request l___.._n___n . Request City Council Feedback Regarding the Care-A-Van Funding Request Planning: PTRC: ~-Y-_?f.-~ _Y''"W'''fuMl!if!':iYl?iili '!'CCiX""'" "'mt1!!!SW'iJ:il!ifFIT" 1!~~~~~~::!!l~1"?,ta.1:tac"aOl:G.ifuilil Daleo April 30,200Hr~m CilY Ad';'i~istrat~~~Mi~h~;le Wolf;------ -. . ------- -. .----- --- - Resolution No.. I . . . . .- --------.------ n___ ----- -------- --- j Ordinance No.: ~_ Engineering Recommendation: i !Attorney Recommendation: '.........]...................................................................................................... l~l?ther i Attachment~Memo to the Shoreview City Council from-.Shoreview City Manager Terry -Schwerm Dated jA!,riI6,2007. MEMORANDUM ~ ~~HILLS DATE: April 30, 2007 AGENDA ITEM 7.D. SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator 1\ ~ \ ~ Care-A -Van Funding Request \ V \: TO: FROM: BACKGROUND Earlier this year, staff at the cities of Shoreview, New Brighton, Mounds View, and Arden Hills were approached by Nick Temali of Mounds View School District (MVSD) Community Education to discuss the Care-A-Van program. This topic was then discussed at a Mayors and Managers meeting. DISCUSSION I have attached some brief background information about the service. MVSD has been facing an increasing subsidy for continuing the Care-A-Van service. During their most recent fiscal year, the service cost about $26,000. Mr. Temali indicated at that time that in order for MVSD to maintain this service, he believes that there needs to be a supplemental revenues source to provide about $15,000 per year. Based on the percentage of rides provided to residents in each community, if this amount was spread out amongst the four cities, the cost allocation would be as follows: Shoreview: 40% $6,000 New Brighton 38% $5,400 Mounds View 14% $2,100 Arden Hills 10% $1,500 We were asked to see if our respective City Councils would support this level of contribution for this service. At this time, I believe that the City of Shoreview is the only city that has addressed this issue. They first discussed it in February. At that time, they indicated that they felt this was a good service that clearly requires a subsidy each year. However, they had questions about the efficiency of the service, who is using the service and for what purposes, and the per trip subsidy. In summary, they indicated a desire for more information before being comfortable with providing direction regarding funding. Also in February, Mayor Harpstead asked that we investigate whether this was a service that could be run by Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS). Shoreview Manager Terry Schwerm spoke with Kay Andrews ofNYFS. She indicated that the NYFS has recently updated their strategic plan, and after discussion, had decided to maintain their focus on youth and families, and not expand into services for seniors. She therefore felt it was unlikely that NYFS would consider operating this service. Funding for this service would also be an issue for NYFS. In March, Mr. Temali provided updated ridership information. The numbers below represent an unduplicated count of riders by municipality: New Brighton 33 Shoreview 32 Mounds View 12 Arden Hills 9 North oaks 1 On April 6, the Shoreview City Council again discussed the Care-A-Van service. Attached is a copy of the memo prepared for them by Shoreview City Manager Schwerm. It contains additional information, including the fact that about 950 round trip rides are provided per year. Mr. Schwerm subsequently communicated to the other three cities that after receiving the additional information regarding the number of people that use this service, the Shoreview Council was more receptive to providing funding for the service at least for the next year. Although, he also indicated that they are concerned about the long term costs and possible financial commitment in future years. They requested that Community Education look at ways that the service could be provided more cost effectively. They also expressed that it was important that all the communities that receive this service make a financial contribution to continue the service. Therefore, it is timely for the remaining three cities, including Arden Hills, to discuss this service. Reviewing the data provided, if Arden Hills agreed to contribute $1500 per year, that would provide an average subsidy of approximately $166.67 per person or $15.79 per trip. CONCLUSION At this time, I am asking for Council's feedback regarding the possibility of financial contribution to the Care-A-Van service. Mayor Harpstead and I are scheduled to meet with the other three cities on April 30, so we may have more information from that meeting to verbally report to you that evening at the City Council meeting. Attachments MW \\metro-inet\ardenhills\Admin\City Administrator\Memo\2007\4~30-07 Memo RE Care A Van.doc 'fEflR1:~c:;8yY~Etf0::(;~;:~ A V'a;;][a-c~gjo~ild:~o.c .. CARE-A-V AN Transportation Service The need for senior transportation was originally brought to the Community Education Department's attention by Norma Peterson, a cook for the senior citizens Congregate Dining Program in 1984_ Being a member of the New Brighton Eagles Aerie Auxiliary #3718, she helped convince them that this would be a wonderful undertaking for their organization. With their help and a grant, the first vehicle was purchased in 1985. The purpose of the Care-A- Van is to promote an independent lifestyle and a feeling of self- sufficiency for our elderly population residing in the cities of New Brighton, Mounds View, Shoreview and Arden Hills. During most years in service, the Care-A. Van has made approximately 950 round trips annually to medical appointments. grocery stores_ and beauty shops. A nominal donation is requested when traveling within the school district and slightly higher donation when traveling out of the area_ Weare now on our third and fourth vehicles. A 1998 Ford passenger van is equipped with a raised roof, mnning boards and special handrails for easier access. This vehicle has 142,940 miles and a 1994 Dodge/with lift that has 79,169 miles. As these vehicles get older, more maintenance and repairs are needed. As the senior population grows so does the need for transportation_ Every year, the New Brighton Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary #3718 holds a Care-A. Van Benefit in the spring which helps raise operational funds to that goes towards keeping the vehicle in operation. The Benefit is raising fewer dollars each year. This past summer, the Care-A- V an service was reduced to three days a week in an effort to reduce operating costs_ The Community Education Department is at the point of seriously studying how to keep the service going or disbanding it. We feel that the potential loss of this service will greatly impact our older population now and in the future. IE.B~Y'~~9~@EBl~F<:;are:I\Ya~ ~~y[Exeen(jitIUris:~()~.--=. ::"",:.:::'- Staff/Salary & Benefits Gas Vehicle Repairs Phone for driver Benefit expenses 2005 Postage Printing Care. A-Van Expenditures 7/1/04-6/31/05 $28,400.00 $3,407.46 $6,618.00 $676.00 $275.00 $ 74.00 $106.00 Misc. expenses (window wash, etc) $ 75.00 Total $39,631.46 Revenue $19,804.75 .,___"'''_'''''''"O,.,,_,~. , ShOltfalJ $19,826.71 Staff/Salary & Benefits Gas Vehicle Repairs Phone for driver Benefit expenses 2006 Misc. expenses Care.A.Van Expenditures 7/1/05.6/31/06 $28,470.71 $4,882.00 $2,323.00 $579_81 $275.00 $ ] 46_00 Total $36,676.52 Revenue $10,443.72 Shortfall $26.232_80 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.