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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R26-06 RESOLUTION NO. R26-06 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL TRANSIT. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, Section 1: Approval. The Transportation Coordination Plan for the City of Laurel Transit (hereinafter "Transportation Coordination Plan"), a copy attached hereto and incorporated herein, is hereby approved. Section 2: Execution_. The Mayor is hereby given authority to execute the Transportation Coordination Plan on behalf of the City. Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 101' day of February 2026, by Council Member Wheeler. PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel the 10t' day of February 2025. APPROVED by the Mayor the 101h day of February 2025. CITY OF LAUREL 14004 Dave Waggoner, Mayor ATTEST: OF Str r, erk-Treasurer o SEA APPROVED AS TO FORM: ,,,,,111111„0 Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney R26-06 Approve Transportation Coordination Plan TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION PLAN LAUREL TRANSIT MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FY-27 Prepared by: City of laurel Kelly Strecker, Clerk/Treasurer Scheduled for City Council Adoption: February 10, 2026 Montana Coordination Plan Outline Adoption by Transportation Advisory Committee: The relevant transportation providers and agencies are described in more detail. Laurel Transit: Laurel Transit (also referred to as the transit system) is working to provide a successful on- demand service for public transportation within the City limits of Laurel while offering regular service to Billings. Laurel Transit is looking to contract with as many agencies in the area as possible to provide expanded service. It is currently not feasible for Laurel to have a fixed route system; however, accommodations for such a system are being discussed such as bus benches and signs within the City. Laurel Transit Schedules: Laurel Transit operates Monday-Friday 10:00 AM —4:00 PM. The Billings service route begins at 7:30 and in-town service begins at 10:00 am. Appointments are taken Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- S:OOPM. Billings buses run only on Tuesday's. Laurel Transit Fleet: Laurel Transit has 3 vehicles in our fleet. 2009 Dodge Sprinter: 10 Passenger Van. Mileage is 98,000 and is ADA compliant. 2023 Transit Van: 13 Passenger Van.This is our newest Van. Mileage in under 6,000 and is ADA compliant. 2024 Endra Van:This is 14 Passenger Van. Mileage is 9,000 and is ADA compliant. Agencies Involved: • Allies in Aging (formally ARA of YC)-- has partnered with the City of Laurel to provide the drivers for the buses and the cell phones. Allies in Aging previously operated the senior bus in Laurel, which was absorbed with the formation of Laurel Transit. The City works 2 1 P a g e very closely with Allies in Aging to ensure the level of service delivered through the senior bus program is continued in Laurel Transit. • Tender Nest Assisted Living—Contact with Tender Nest Assisted Living continues, and the facility has contracted with the City for vouchers. • COR—There is a plan to include COR in future TAC meetings. • Riverstone Health —The transit system is working to contract demand/response service for Riverstone Health patients. • Laurel Senior Center—The Ford Endura and the Transit buses currently stored in a garage at the Senior Center. The Dodge Springer is currently being stored at the City Shop garage. Frequent trips are taken to the senior center for rider visits. • Laurel Health and Rehab- Continues to utilize the bus service for transportation purposes for their clients and residents. • MET-contact with MET in Billings has been made in hopes to grow the Laurel Transit system and gain new ideas. Public Involvement: The Transportation Advisory Committee meets quarterly. Meetings notices are published on the City of Laurel website and at City Hall. Meetings are open to the general public. For more participation at TAC meetings, more community outreach will be done to involve public participation. Private Sector: The City of Laurel does not have any private transportation system available. Needs Assessment and Plan to Increase Ridership: Laurel Transit will be starting focus groups this fiscal year in order to determine the needs of the community and their transit provider. The focus groups will include current riding members, City staff, other transportation providers, healthcare employers, and other members from the community. The groups will focus on the current challenges the transit program faces and get a better idea of how to improve the system. The Laurel Transit System has stepped up its advertising strategies by designing and distributing flyers with route information and publishing that flyer in the Yellowstone County News on a 3 1 P a g e regular basis. There have been talks with Allies in Aging regarding placing advertisements on the new transit bus. This type of advertisement may be an option for other local businesses. Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings: The Laurel TAC meets on a quarterly basis. The TAC is comprised of City staff, community interested members and representatives from Residential Support Services, Allies in Aging, and other interested parties. For more participation at TAC meetings, more community outreach will be done to involve public participation.