Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #4 to Agreement #A-14096 with Monterey Salinas Transit, extending the term to June 30, 2025 to allow the Aging and Adult Services Branch to continue to distribute taxi vouchers to eligible seniors; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this Agreement as long as they do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #4 to Agreement #A-14096 with Monterey Salinas Transit, extending the term to June 30, 2025 to allow the Aging and Adult Services Branch to continue to distribute taxi vouchers to eligible seniors; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this Agreement as long as they do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This agreement allows the Department of Social Services Aging and Adult Services Branch to distribute taxi vouchers to eligible seniors in Monterey County. Funding for this program comes from Measure Q, a countywide sales tax for public transit, approved by Monterey County voters on November 4, 2014. The money raised through Measure Q is to be used only for services and equipment that support transportation programs for veterans, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. Using funds raised through Measure Q, Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) offers a taxi voucher program to assist seniors and veterans in accessing important locations within their community.
To receive the senior voucher, seniors may visit the Aging and Adult Services offices located at 730 La Guardia Street, in Salinas, CA. A senior qualified to receive the vouchers is a resident of Salinas or Marina who has provided evidence that they are 65 years of age or older. The vouchers for seniors are provided on a monthly basis.
A customer may contact one of the participating taxicab companies to schedule a ride. With the voucher and $3.00 co-pay, a customer can travel the equivalent of up to a meter reading of $17.00. Only one voucher can be used per one-way trip. Customers are responsible for costs above the $17.00-meter reading. Taxi sharing is encouraged, with only one taxi voucher required for a shared ride.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
MST provides funding for the vouchers through Measure Q. There is no cost to the Department’s Budget or any impact to the County General Fund through this approval.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This Agreement correlates to the Economic Development and Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing transportation solutions to assist seniors with access to employment, health and human services, and increased access to local community service providers
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Ronald Lee, Management Analyst III, x8493
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Original Agreement
Amendment 1
Amendment 2
Amendment 3
Proposed Amendment 4
Proposed Amendment is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board report.