Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SHORT-TERM CODES AGREEMENT WITH LYFT, INC. FOR LYFT RIDE SERVICES TO PROVIDE CONTINUED ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY FOR RESIDENTS ENTERING A CODE (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
In an effort to provide Carson residents with transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 7, 2020, the City Council approved an emergency three (3) month “Short-Term Codes Agreement” with Lyft, Inc. (Lyft) (Exhibit No. 2). As of August 1, 2020, the City has provided over 900 on-demand rides to the community to assist with safe and essential travel. Due to the unexpectedly prolonged existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Staff is now seeking approval of an Amendment No. 1 to extend the term of the Short-Term Codes Agreement until January 1, 2021. Should the City Council approve the proposed Amendment No. 1 to the Short-Term Codes Agreement (Exhibit No. 1), Staff will announce the continuation of services through the Public Information Office, Social Media, and the City’s website.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. APPROVE Amendment No. 1 to Short-Term Codes Agreement with Lyft, Inc. (Exhibit No. 1) (“Amendment No. 1”).
2. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the Agreement, upon approval as to form by the City Attorney.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
In response to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Disaster Council temporarily suspended its fixed-route bus services, including the Carson Circuit, effective March 28, 2020, in an effort to protect the health of the public and specifically to slow the community spread of COVID-19. Dial-A-Ride and Access services will remain in operation and will be unaffected by the suspension. The Dial-A-Ride program is available to eligible residents who have completed the application process and who are 60 years of age or older, or have disabilities such as ambulatory, vision or hearing impairments. Each trip is being limited to one eligible participant and their caretaker to minimize community spread of the COVID-19 virus.
At the direction of the City Manager, Staff worked with Lyft on an emergency three (3) month Short-Term Codes Agreement to provide on-demand ride services to City resident participants age 18 years of age or older, provided that the rides must begin and end within the boundaries of the City of Carson (Exhibit No. 2). The Short-Term Codes Agreement provides participants with safe and timely access to essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, food banks, and more.
On April 7, 2020, the City Council approved the emergency three (3) month Short-Term Codes Agreement with Lyft. By entering the codes, participants receive 50% off the cost of their ride and the City, through grant funds, covered the remaining balance, up to a maximum subsidy of $10. The promotional code applies the discount for rides that start AND end within the boundaries of the City. Residents are eligible for twenty (20) rides per person on a monthly basis.
As COVID-19 cases are still on the rise, Staff is now seeking an extension of Lyft’s services under the Short-Term Codes Agreement until January 1, 2021. Approval of the proposed Amendment No. 1 would effectuate that action. The funds approved pursuant to the Short-Term Codes Agreement will be sufficient to cover the extension period, with no additional funding authorization needed. The extended term will help the City meet residents’ needs while staff is in discussions with Lyft regarding the possibility for entering into a multi-year general services agreement in the future.
Commencement Date; Funding
Should the City Council approve the recommendation, City and Lyft would desire to amend the Agreement to extend the Term until January 1, 2021, and to ratify and affirm the continuous and uninterrupted Term of the Agreement from April 10, 2020 through the effective date of this Amendment. Funding for this emergency agreement will come from two sources, the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). There will be no fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City Council approve the proposed amendment, funds are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and appropriated in the accounts below. The grant funds are only available through the remainder of this fiscal year.
1. $30,000 from Proposition C account: 219-90-940-180-6004
2. $20,000 from AB2766 account: 225-90-830-075-6004
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Amendment No. 1 to Short-Term Codes Agreement with Lyft, Inc. (Agreement for Emergency Ride Services) (pages 4-6).
2. Short-Term Codes Agreement with Lyft, Inc. (Original agreement) (pages 7-12).
Prepared by: Jason Jo, Transportation Supervisor; City Attorney's Office