SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a four-year funding agreement in the amount not to exceed $130,625.22 between the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and the City of Clearwater for expanded Ferry Services and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
In the ongoing effort to relieve traffic congestion, address parking challenges, and provide alternative forms of transportation, PSTA has worked in collaboration with city staff in Clearwater and Dunedin to obtain a grant to expand ferry services. PSTA has obtained a grant to support this endeavor. The City of Clearwater already has an agreement with the Clearwater Ferry to provide ferry services between these two locations for 10-hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As part of the grant administered by PSTA, PSTA and the city staff seek to expand ferry services to include 10-hours of service on Thursday from the Clearwater Downtown Marina and the Clearwater Beach Marina.
The Clearwater Ferry was selected by PSTA through a competitive process to provide the expanded ferry service. PSTA has a separate agreement with the Clearwater Ferry to provide expanded ferry services, and the Thursday service is contracted by PSTA with the Clearwater Ferry in a separate agreement.
The annual cost associated to expand service coverage on Thursdays would be $65,312.61, with the PSTA grant paying 50%, or $32,656.30, of the cost and the City of Clearwater covering the other 50%. Based on the agreement, the City of Clearwater would have a not to exceed responsibility for no more than $32,656.31 per fiscal year. PSTA has agreed to pay the City of Clearwater $100,000 to help offset the subsidies the City has already paid the Clearwater Ferry for expanded service and equipment, resulting in a net cost of $7,656.30 per year to add the Thursday service.
The term of the agreement would be from date of approval through September 30, 2028. There is a one-time, three-year renewal option.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter amendment will establish special program 181-M2503, Clearwater Ferry - PSTA, to account for revenues and expenditures associated with this agreement.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
4.4 Develop accessible and active transportation networks that enhance pedestrian safety and reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions.
