Appropriating $15,000.00 Community Development Block Grant Fund

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CITY of SOUTH BEND ROGER O. PARENT, Mayor COUNTY -CITY BUILDING • SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 48801 DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MARZY T. BAUER Director STEVEN F. COMPTON Deputy Director M E M O R A N D U M Z ®II V • -O II Y 1440 County -City Building South Bend, Indiana 48801 (219) 2849335 TO: MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FROM: MARZY BAUER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 1" SUBJECT: 1979 CDBG UNSPECIFIED LOCAL OPTION APPROPRIATION FOR SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM DATE: OCTOBER 21, 1980 Specialized Transportation System of St. Joseph County has requested assistance from the City of South Bend to operate their program of providing accessible transportation service to elderly and handicapped residents. S.T.S. is an adjunct of TRANSPO, which operates vans equipped with lifts to facilitate use by persons in wheelchairs. Their services are by scheduled appointment, and provide door -to -door transportation. Approximately 75 percent of their ridership is over the age of 60, and 40 percent reside in Community Development Neighborhood Strategy Areas. Because of a change in federal funding regulations, TRANSPO has reduced its contribution to S.T.S.'s operations for 1981, from $84,000 this year to $70,000 in 1981. This would dictate a severe cutback in services unless the shortfall was made up. The city proposes funding S.T.S. on a one -time basis, in the amount of $15,000. These funds will be used to purchase gasoline for existing vehicles. Community Development Block Grant funds may be used to fund this activity under the "Public Service" category. Since CD would be funding only 18 percent of S.T.S.'s 1981 budget, while close to 40 per- cent of its ridership live in NSA's, this activity is eligible. S.T.S. will be given the responsibility of examining other alternative sources of funds in the coming year. Another anticipated change in federal regulations should also produce additional dollars for S.T.S. by 1982.