FISCAL IMPACT:
No General Fund impact. The $40,000 required for the MOU will come from the District V allocation of the deposits into the Livable Communities Trust funds. The current available balance in the District V portion of the fund is approximately $1.378 million (this total does not reflect the proposed $40,000 allocation).
BACKGROUND:
Memorandum of Understanding
This initiative to evaluate and assess ferry service along the northern waterfront was initiated by Supervisor Glover with the assistance of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. The initiative is expected to build on a previous analysis completed 2015, "Financial Feasibility of Contra Costa Ferry Service, 2015- 2024". That analysis identified next steps and the key findings included, "There are opportunities for further study that interested cities can pursue either independently or in partnership with CCTA." The subject MOU is acting on that finding. The total cost of the assessment is $200,000, the cost being equally split between the cities and the County.
The assessment may include the development of conceptual initial service parameters including projections for ferry demand, service frequency, fare structure, operating costs, purchase/lease agreement(s) for vessels (if needed), and other matters connected with a potential initial demonstration period and ongoing ferry service.
The MOU is limited to the assessment of future, potential ferry services. Nothing in the MOU commits the County to undertake or participate in any future project, including future ferry services.
Livable Communities Trust Funds
The Livable Communities Trust Fund is a Special Revenue Mitigation Fund that was established by the Board of Supervisors on November 15, 2005, following the approval of the Camino Tassajara Combined General Plan Amendment Project, also known as the Alamo Creek and Intervening Property residential projects, and was required as a condition of approval. The Fund was established to implement the County’s Smart Growth Action Plan. The residential developers pay an $8,000 per unit fee (excluding the affordable housing portions of the projects) into the Fund. The Department of Conservation and Development administers the Fund. On December 3, 2013, the Board of Supervisors determined that revenue from the Fund should be spent equally among supervisorial districts. At complete build-out, deposits to the Fund will total $8,448,000.
As of August 31, 2022, the account has collected $8,376,000 in revenue fees and $893,886.74 in accrued interest. Remaining $4,891,493.10 uncommitted funds total.
The approved expenditures to date are attached.
This allocation funds the County's share of the cost to conduct a multi-jurisdictional effort to evaluate and assess the potential for expanding ferry service along the northern waterfront area.
This effort supports goal five of the Smart Growth Action Plan to help fund transit and other transportation improvements that foster smart growth principles.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the memorandum of understanding is not approved and the livable communities trust funding is not allocated, the efforts of Supervisor Glover and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority's to assess ferry service will be compromised.