HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-29-2020 Public Comment - V. Palmer - Full funding for StreamlineFrom:Vanessa Palmer
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment for June 1, 2020 Commission Meeting
Date:Friday, May 29, 2020 4:16:24 PM
Dear Mayor and City Commissioners,
At HRDC, we are so grateful for the City of Bozeman's relationship with Streamline.
However, we are extremely disappointed to see that the City only plans to fund $150,000 ofStreamline's $300,000 request for the upcoming fiscal year. We are hopeful that the City will
reconsider funding Streamline's entire request.
In 2006, HRDC agreed to operate a fixed route public transit system since it already operateda paratransit service. However, once Bozeman becomes a "small urban" area, HRDC will no
longer be eligible to receive federal transit funding. Instead, the City, County, or Urban TransitDistrict will have to take over the fiduciary responsibility. HRDC staff is working hard to
create an Urban Transit District as this option gives the most flexibility with transit fundingand administration. However, in order to create an Urban Transit District, HRDC must first
successfully generate a 20 percent voter initiative to get the district on the ballot. If the voterinitiative is successful, the district must pass by a simple majority in a general election.
In order to generate sufficient public interest in the Urban Transit District, Streamline needs to
be seen as a critical community resource that is seeking to improve and expand service. In thepast year, Streamline has taken multiple steps to ensure continual improvement in service
specifically by commissioning the Redesign Streamline 2020 study, starting a UTD workinggroup, and starting the process of a comprehensive bus stop audit. Despite these recent
successes, Streamline is facing a substantial increase in costs this next fiscal year due toincreases in insurance costs, capital purchases, and contractual services with Karst Stage. In
order to continue our existing service and even consider service expansion, we need to havefull funding support from the City of Bozeman. If the City does not allocate the full $300,000
to Streamline this upcoming year, it is very likely Streamline will have to cut back on service.A reduction in existing service would be extremely detrimental to our future efforts to reach
out to voters and request the creation of an Urban Transit District.
-- Vanessa Palmer
Transportation Program Manager
Human Resource Development Council IX1812 N. Rouse Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715Phone: (406) 567-2363
www.thehrdc.org