Title
A Resolution Approving the First Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement for Inter-Connection of Bus Services and Service to El Paso County Citizens Services Center Between the City of Fountain, Colorado and the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Presenter:
Craig Blewitt, Transit Services Division Manager
Brian Vitulli, Transit Services Planning Supervisor
Body
Summary:
The purpose of the proposed action is to improve transit access to the new El Paso County Health Facility scheduled to open in Fountain by December 31, 2020. The proposed resolution will allow Fountain Municipal Transit (FMT) to extend its bus service into Mountain Metropolitan Transit’s (MMT) service area in the Security area to co-serve one of MMT’s bus stops. This will create a new, convenient rider transfer location between the MMT and FMT bus services, improving transit access to the new Health Facility.
Because the Health facility will open by December 31, 2020, approval of this proposed resolution will be sought at Council’s December 8, 2020 formal meeting.
Background:
The City of Fountain is not part of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. In November 2009, the City of Fountain voters approved a sales tax for transit funding. In April 2012, the City of Fountain began operating its own transit system and no longer contracted with the City of Colorado Springs for transit services. Subsequently, the City of Fountain requested Fountain Municipal Transit (FMT) to interface with City of Colorado Springs bus service at the Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) transfer center. An IGA specifying the terms of interconnection between the FMT service and the transit services provided by the City of Colorado Springs was approved by City Council in 2012. The IGA was extended and revised in 2018 to also allow Fountain to provide transit service from Fountain to the El Paso County Citizens Services Center, located on Garden of the Gods Road.
On September 3, 2020 the El Paso County Board of Health approved the purchase of a building located at 6436 US 85/87 in Fountain to provide health services related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The project is being funded with CARES Act monies. Since that time, Transit Services Division staff has coordinated with the City of Fountain, El Paso County and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments to ensure transit service to the new facility. It was noted that the current transfer station located at the south Pikes Peak Community College campus is a good connection between four Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) bus routes and Fountain Municipal Transit (FMT) Services. An additional transfer point is desired to connect MMT’s Route 32, which serves the Security/Widefield area, to the FMT bus route that serves the new Health Facility. Fountain and Transit Services Division staff agreed that the MMT stop located near the intersection of Main Street and Marquette Drive in Security is the best location for a new transfer stop.
The City of Fountain supports the proposed IGA.
Previous Council Action:
City Council approved the initial Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the interconnection of bus services between the City of Fountain and the City of Colorado Springs on March 12, 2012. That agreement established the transfer station located at the Pikes Peak Community College south campus as the interconnecting point between services. The agreement was revised and extended on March 13, 2018, allowing Fountain to provide transit service from Fountain to the El Paso County Citizens Services Center, located on Garden of the Gods Road.
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Coordination meetings with the City of Fountain, El Paso County and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments were held to coordinate transit service to the new Health Facility.
Alternatives:
City Council may approve with conditions or deny the Resolution regarding the Intergovernmental Agreement.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move to approve the Resolution, thereby approving the first amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement for inter-connection of bus services and service to the El Paso County Citizens Services Center between the City of Fountain, Colorado and the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A