Title
Joint resolution authorizing an agreement with Pace Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) providing terms and conditions for the operation of the Ride Lake County paratransit service as a borderless Countywide service for 2022 and appropriating $1,000,000 of ¼% Sales Tax for Transportation funds.
Staff Summary
• Paratransit coordination and expansion has been discussed and worked on within Lake County for many years.
• This agreement establishes terms and conditions for Pace to operate a new Countywide paratransit service for Ride Lake County.
• Ride Lake County will be funded through a combination of County, Pace, and federal funding without contributions from municipalities and townships.
• Pace will provide $917,387 for the new Ride Lake County service from May 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.
• This project is included in the Transportation Improvement Program, and designated as Section 22-00280-09-ES.
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, the Lake County Board on September 14, 2021, passed a resolution directing LCDOT staff to negotiate terms for the establishment of Ride Lake County as a borderless countywide paratransit service for seniors and individuals with disabilities, to be funded through a combination of County, Pace, and federal funds.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this Lake County Board, that the County Engineer of Lake County is authorized and directed to execute the agreement, and any subsequent amendments, between Lake County and Pace Suburban Bus Division of the RTA pertaining to the Ride Lake County countywide paratransit service, designated as Section 22-00280-09-ES, and appropriating $1,000,000 of ¼% Sales Tax for Transportation funds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County Engineer shall transmit, in writing, the final agreements and any subsequent amendments to the County Clerk.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on February 8, 2022.