Title
Resolution providing policy direction and the authority to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with Pace Suburban Bus that would establish a borderless countywide paratransit service known as Ride Lake County.
Staff Summary
• This resolution directs Lake County Division of Transportation’s (LCDOT) staff to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with Pace that would establish a borderless countywide paratransit service known as Ride Lake County.
• Ride Lake County will be funded by a combination of Pace funds, federal funds, and County funds.
• This resolution also directs the County Board Chair to send a letter to Pace requesting all current Dial-a-Ride subsidies, provided by Pace to townships and municipalities, be reallocated to the new Ride Lake County Service.
• Upon establishment of Ride Lake County, LCDOT will no longer provide staff support to the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC).
Body
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC) has been guiding paratransit coordination efforts in the County to improve coordination, efficiency, reliability, and affordability of paratransit services in Lake County; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board, at its meeting on November 14, 2006, adopted a resolution in support of LCCTSC’s goal to develop borderless countywide paratransit service in Lake County to meet the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities or medical needs; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board, at its meeting on June 10, 2008, adopted a resolution establishing a framework for the services to be undertaken by the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) and a paratransit coordinator staff position to help achieve the long-term goal of coordinated countywide paratransit service; and
WHEREAS, LCDOT in coordination with LCCTSC, established a coordinated paratransit service in Antioch, Avon, Fremont, Grant, Lake Villa, and Wauconda Townships known as Ride Lake County West in 2010; and
WHEREAS, LCDOT in coordination with LCCTSC established a second coordinated paratransit service in Fremont, Libertyville, and Shields Townships known as Ride Lake County Central in 2016; and
WHEREAS, LCDOT in coordination with LCCTSC completed a Paratransit Market Study for the Lake County Region in April 2019; and
WHEREAS, this Paratransit Market Study recommended identifying a lead agency to advance paratransit coordination and to implement, monitor, and manage funds for future transportation improvement strategies identified in the study; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board, at its meeting on June 11, 2019, adopted a resolution establishing the Paratransit Lead Agency Working Group (Working Group) as an ad hoc committee comprised of individuals with past participation, expertise, and interest in transit and paratransit coordination; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group, in a letter dated July 8, 2020, recommended that Lake County government serve as the Executive Sponsor in a new Ride Lake County borderless countywide paratransit service model to simultaneously improve both the administration of the service and improve the experience for the users of the service; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2021, the Public Works, Planning and Transportation Committee directed LCDOT staff to develop a proposal for a borderless countywide paratransit service; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is desirous to establish Ride Lake County as a borderless countywide paratransit service for seniors and persons with disabilities or medical needs, to be funded through a combination of Pace funds, federal funds, and County funds.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this Lake County Board, that the County Engineer be authorized, and is hereby directed, to enter into negotiations with Pace Suburban Bus on an intergovernmental agreement that would establish terms and conditions for the operations of Ride Lake County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County Engineer is directed to bring the final intergovernmental agreement along with the necessary funding appropriation to a future County Board meeting for approval.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Board Chair and the County Engineer be authorized, and are hereby directed, to submit a letter to Pace Suburban Bus requesting subsidies, currently provided by Pace Suburban Bus to municipal and township Dial-a-Ride programs in Lake County, to be reallocated to the new Ride Lake County service.
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the County Engineer be authorized, and is hereby directed, to submit a letter informing the LCCTSC Board that, upon establishment of the new Ride Lake County service, LCDOT will no longer provide staff support to LCCTSC.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on September 14, 2021.