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Council advances CDBG grant for mobile hygiene trailer and approves trolley fare increase
Summary
Council moved a CDBG-CV public-service grant request from Vita Nova Village to first reading to purchase a mobile shower and laundry trailer for people experiencing homelessness and approved a budget amendment for transit staffing as the city prepares to restart trolley service; the council also advanced an ordinance increasing trolley fares from $1 to $2 (discounted fare from $0.50 to $1), effective Feb. 4.
The City Council advanced multiple service and budget items related to human services and transit.
Vita Nova Village requested CDBG-CV public-service funds to purchase a mobile shower and laundry trailer to provide hygiene services for people experiencing homelessness. Rhonda Thompson said the agency will operate showers and laundry on their sites and at invited partner locations; the trailer is 20 feet and towable. Staff said the CDBG-CV funds originated with coronavirus-response allocations; the city received roughly $612,000 in CV funds in 2020 and has used them to support nonprofit partners that serve moderate-income and vulnerable residents. Council moved the Vita Nova item to first reading and approved the exhibits and staff recommendations to proceed.
Separately, the council approved a budget amendment to create two part-time transit driver positions reimbursed 50% by a MAPS grant to prepare for the trolley restart. Staff said the amendment increases revenue by $22,750 and expenditures by $45,500 to support hiring and operations.
On transit fares, staff recommended increasing the single-ride trolley fare from $1 to $2 and raising the discounted transit ID (for riders 60+ or disabled) from $0.50 to $1; the ordinance will take effect Feb. 4. Staff said user fees must recover the cost of service under Hancock provisions and that previous unlimited passes strained system capacity.
Council advanced the CDBG and transit amendments on first reading with typical administrative review to follow and scheduled additional votes where required.
