2003-10-07 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY- - OCTOBER 7, 2003- -8:00 P.M.
Mayor Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 8:41 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Gilmore, Kerr,
Matarrese and Mayor Johnson - 5.
Absent: None.
(03 -462) Study Session to address Ferry Operations.
Bill Smith, Alameda, discussed ferry service.
The Ferry Services Manager gave a PowerPoint presentation on the
City's current Ferry services and upcoming Request for Proposal.
Councilmember Kerr stated the amount public subsidy needed for
ferry operations has received a bad reputation in the Bay Area; the
Alameda Oakland Ferry Service (AOFS) does not cost much more than
AC Transit's cost per passenger trip; requested staff to provide
the amount of public subsidy cost for AC Transit's trans -bay trips;
stated the City needs to be able to justify ferry costs; requested
staff to check public subsidy figure for the Vallejo ferry; stated
Harbor Bay Maritime (HBM) requires almost twice as much subsidy as
the AOFS; HBM management overhead is considerably higher per
passenger than the OAFS; overhead costs should be included when the
matter returns to Council; further requested information on the
public subsidy costs for trans -bay trips on BART.
The City Manager stated staff would research the matter and provide
Council with the information; noted the ferries divert 540
passenger trips per year from other forms of transit.
Mayor Johnson noted ferry service is being proposed in other areas;
viewpoints will change as ferry services expands; inquired whether
AC Transit cost per passenger includes the cost of maintaining
roadways.
The City Manager stated capital maintenance should be included.
The Ferry Services Manager stated the comparison is difficult
because the ferry service figures include all costs, e.g. staff
time, security, capital and maintenance costs; AC Transit and
BART' s fare box recovery figures vary greatly, from 19% to 70%,
based on the type of service provided; services, such as midday
service in Montclair, does not have great fare box recovery.
The City Manager stated staff would obtain audited numbers and make
assumptions to complete the comparison; the amount detail needed to
provide exact comparisons is not available.
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October 7, 2003
Councilmember Matarrese requested the subsidy cost per vehicle
across the Bay Bridge also be provided; stated a new bridge and
retrofitting is costly.
The Ferry Services Manager noted HBM costs are higher than AOFS
because HBM must have two eight -hour crews to meet union
requirements even though midday services, which would generate
revenue, are not provided.
Councilmember Kerr stated that she looks forward to analysis of the
differences in management overhead.
Vice Mayor Daysog inquired whether other factors cause costs to
differ.
The Ferry Services Manager stated HBM did not have a backup vessel;
if a vessel failed, there was no revenue generation.
Vice Mayor Daysog inquired whether Blue & Gold [AOFS service
provider] has exercised its right to have extra fuel costs covered,
to which the Ferry Services Manager responded the City pays the
invoice price for fuel.
Vice Mayor Daysog inquired whether the City has had to pay more for
fuel.
The Ferry Services Manager responded prices went up for a short
time; prices are now lower; noted maintenance costs have been lower
than anticipated; stated overall, the City is doing well with the
cost -plus- fixed -fee arrangement.
Vice Mayor Daysog thanked Councilmember Kerr for continuously
focusing on combining the two services.
AdIournment
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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October 7, 2003