DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update On Jail Transportation Pilot
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on the Jail Transportation Pilot.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 19-680 (August 20, 2019), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a Phase II Transportation Pilot for a six-month period. The Phase II Transportation Pilot created DakotaLink, a bus loop three times each weekday to link Hastings with public transportation hubs at Cedar Grove Transit Station and Signal Hills Shopping Center to help individuals get to and from Hastings for courts, jail, probation services and other necessary activities. This was funded by Community Services Budget Incentive Plan (BIP) funds.
By Resolution No. 20-086 (February 25, 2020), the County Board authorized continuation of the DakotaLink Transportation Pilot for an additional 12 months, and execution of a contract with Minnesota Coaches Incorporated, dba Hastings Bus Company, for the period of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Due to COVID-19, DakotaLink services were suspended on March 17, 2020, and the DakotaLink Transportation Pilot plan and execution of the April 1 contract with Hastings Bus Company were put on hold.
By Resolution No. 20-088 (June 16, 2020), DakotaLink Transportation Pilot restarted on June 22, 2020, with COVID-19 precautions in place. A 12-month contract with Hastings Bus Company was executed in the amount of $121,740. The pilot was funded by Community Services BIP funds.
At the Community Services Committee of the Whole (CSCW) meeting on February 9, 2021, the Board was provided with information on recommended changes to the pilot. DakotaLink and the contract with Hastings Bus Company were ended and a new iteration of the Jail Transportation Pilot began on March 25, 2021, using Lyft Concierge to provide rides from the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings to individuals being released from jail. The cost of rides is currently funded by Community Services BIP funds via Dakota County’s contract with Lyft, and the cost of the call center to set up the rides for individuals released from jail is funded by the Dakota County 5310 federal transportation grant.
At the September 14, 2021, CSCW, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recommended continuing the Jail Transportation Pilot using Lyft Concierge for a 12-month period. This was funded by Community Services BIP funds.
Staff recommends continuing the current Jail Transportation Pilot using Lyft Concierge for an additional 12-month period. This will allow services to continue while staff continue to evaluate data on utilization and cost amidst ongoing uncertainty tied to the pandemic, including jail population, Lyft ride costs, potential funding sources and public transit usage. After the 12-month period, staff will return to the Board to discuss options and next steps, including the potential for restarting a loop bus route, making the Lyft Concierge service an ongoing program, or discontinuing the service. The estimated costs of Lyft rides for the recommended 12-month period are $120,000 ($10,000/month) to be funded by Community Services BIP funds. Staff is requesting guidance from the County Board on this recommendation.
OUTCOMES
See Attachment: Data - Ridership and Costs, for data from the Jail Transportation Pilot, including both DakotaLink and Lyft Concierge.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None. An administrative amendment will be processed.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
19-680; 8/20/19
20-086; 2/25/20
20-088; 6/16/20
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Data - Ridership and Costs
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACTS
Department Head: Evan Henspeter
Author: Robyn Bernardy