CC Resolution No. 2317RESOLUTION NO.2317
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, ADOPTING CITY OF BAYTOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES; AND PROVIDING FOR
THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby adopts the
City of Baytown Community Development Transportation Program Guidelines. The guidelines
are attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein for all intents and purposes.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by
the City Council of the City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative voteCity Council of the
City of Baytown this the 1 Oth day of July, 2014.
DONCARLOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
Pu j,;
y A C
LETICIA BRYSCH, C>
APPROVED AS TO FROM:
NACIO RAMIREZ, SR., y Attorney
\\COBFSOI\LegallKaren\Files\CityCouncil\Resolutions\2014Vuly IOWdoptTransportationProgramGuidelines.doc
Exhibit "A"
Revised May 12, 2014
CITY OF BAYTOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES
PURPOSE
The City of Baytown Community Development Transportation Program (the "Program") is
sponsored by the City of Baytown Community Development Block Grant Program in
collaboration with the Harris County Office of Transit Services Division. Together the City of
Baytown (the City) and Harris County can provide two transportation options under the Rides
Program (Rides) and Harris County Transit. A description of each is included as Articles I and II,
respectively. The goal of the Program is to provide eligible citizens with non -emergency
transportation services within the city limits of Baytown and to and from Houston for medical
appointments.
GENERAL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for participation in the Program, an applicant must:
A. 65 years of age or older and provide proof thereof, which may include one
of the following:
• State -issued photo Identification Card or
• State -issued Drivers' License; or
B. Disabled as certified by either:
• the applicant's doctor via the City of Baytown Doctor's Certification
Form; or
• a federal award letter for disability income, such as Supplemental
Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or
Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI); or
C. A victim of domestic violence or sexual assault.
Note: Eligibility Option C is reserved for clients who have been given a
written referral within the last 60 days through a designated program in
place for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, such as the
Baytown Police Department.
2. Be a resident of the City of Baytown and provide proof thereof, which may include one
of the following*:
A current utility bill (water, electricity, gas, phone) indicating that service
is provided in the applicant's name;
A rent receipt indicating that applicant resides at the premises for which
rent is being paid; or
Revised May 12, 2014
• A deed or lease indicating that the applicant owns/resides at the premises.
*A person seeking to qualify for the Program pursuant to paragraph IC above shall be required to provide proof of
residency in Baytown, proof of temporary shelter provisions, and will be reviewed on a monthly basis for eligibility
3. File a completed Program application in person with the City of Baytown's
Community Development Office located at 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas;
4. Satisfy the following income eligibility requirements:
A. Participants' annual gross income must not exceed the limits recalculated
each year based on HUD guidelines and the median household income of
the Houston Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area;
B. Documentation of the above -referenced income eligibility requirement
shall include, but will not be limited to, all of the following that apply for
all members of the household:
• Social Security Award Letter;
• Supplemental Social Security Income Award Letter;
• Food Stamp Award Letter;
• Retirement Verification;
• Veteran's Administration Award Letter;
• Bank Statements for the past three (3) months;
• Investment Interest;
• Verification of Employment/Self-Employment;
• Welfare Verification;
• Proof of any other source(s) of income; and
5. Fulfill the requirement that all members of applicant's household are legal
residents of the United States.
ARTICLE I - HARRIS COUNTY RIDES
Description
Under the Rides Program, Participants have access to advanced reservations for ride -sharing
with other passengers (Shared Rides) and metered fare provider or same -day service (Taxi
Services).
1. Shared Rides Reservations (non -metered providers)
• Shared Rides may be used outside the city limits, into the Houston Metro
areas for medical appointments only. Wheelchair accessibility is available.
• Shared Ride Providers do not accept cash. Reservations may be made a
minimum of one day ahead of the requested trip date.
• Service is available Monday through Friday but cancellation requests are
accepted on a daily basis.
Senior & Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines, Page 2
Revised May 12, 2014
• Participants may not make reservations with more than one Provider for any
given trip. Overbooking constitutes abuse of the program.
Participants may make no more than two (2) cancellations in any 30-day
period. Excessive cancellations constitute abuse of the program.
2. Taxi Services Reservations (metered providers)
• Transportation is available on a first -come, first -served basis within the City
limits of Baytown, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wheelchair accessibility is
available.
• When scheduling a taxi trip, Participants should give the Provider at least 90
minutes advance notice. Taxi schedules are dependent upon many variables;
the Providers may not arrive at exactly the time specified during the
reservation process.
• Advance -scheduled trips will be accepted no earlier than 6 p.m. on the day
before travel. Cancellations must be made at least 4 hours ahead of the
requested trip time, or as soon as it is known that the trip will not be taken,
whichever comes first.
• Participants may not make arrangements with more than one Provider for any
given trip. Overbooking constitutes abuse of the program.
• For same -day trips, cancellations will be accepted up to one hour before the
requested trip time. After that, cancellations will be regarded as no-shows.
Participants may accumulate no more than two no-shows in a 30-day period.
Excessive no shows constitutes abuse of the program.
• The cost of this metered same -day service is based on the rate of the meter
fare box.
• Taxicabs are the only Providers that accept cash. Taxi cabs will accept a
combination of cash and Rides funds. All other Providers must be paid with
Rides funds only.
Rides Process
1. City of Baytown Process
City staff will issue eligible participants a fully -funded, permanent Rides Card
along with details about the Providers. The Program funds will be administered
on a monthly basis; each month shall be referred to as the "Program Period."
Each Participant will be funded to a maximum amount determined by Harris
County and the City of Baytown, via the Participant's Rides Card at the beginning
Senior & Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines, Page 3
Revised May 12, 2014
of each Program Period. If the Participant uses all of the allotted funds, the
Community Development Staff, in its sole discretion, may authorize additional
funds for that Program Period. If the Participant does not use the allotted number
of funds within the Program Period for which they are given, the unused funds
will roll-over from month -to -month providing the Participant remains eligible for
the Program. At the beginning of each Program Period, the participant will be
allotted enough funds to bring his/her account back up to the agreed upon
maximum monthly limit. Harris County Rides will maintain an online database
detailing each trip and the total amount of funds used by each Participant during a
Program Period.
2. Participant Process
In order to obtain transportation services, a Participant must call a Provider on the
Transportation Providers List. The list and telephone numbers of participating
Providers are updated regularly. A current copy of the Transportation Providers
List may be obtained by contacting the Community Development Office.
Providers shall pick up a Participant at the origination point designated by the
Participant within the city limits of Baytown, and take the Participant to the
destination point designated by the Participant within the city limits of Baytown
or in Houston for medical appointments. Neither the origination or destination
point shall be an establishment primarily serving or selling alcoholic beverages
(bars/liquor stores). The Providers have been notified of this restriction and shall
not accept the responsibility to transport a Participant to such an establishment
under the above -stated circumstances. The City will deny payment for such trips.
The Participant must be present and personally utilize the service for the trip to be
accepted by the Provider. One person may accompany the Participant at no
additional charge; provided that both persons have common origination and
destination points. Rides funds issued by the City of Baytown cannot be used by
any person(s) other than the Participant to whom it was issued, even if such other
person(s) qualifies for the Program.
Providers do not accept cash. The Participant must have his/her Rides Cards
available to pay for travel. Lost or stolen cards will be replaced one (1) time by
the City at no cost. Thereafter, a card will be replaced at a $5.00 charge to the
Participant; any such charge will be deducted from funding for the following
Program Period.
At the time of service, the Participant will present his/her Rides Card and photo
identification to the Provider. The Provider will transport the Participant to
his/her destination within the city limits of Baytown or to medical appointments
in Houston. A Rides detail log will be updated on the Harris County Rides online
database. The Provider will then submit the Rides detail log to Harris County for
verification and payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Rides
Program.
Senior & Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines, Page 4
Revised May 12, 2014
The City of Baytown will contract with Harris County to fund Participant Rides
cards. Harris County will contract annually with Providers for the provision of
transportation services pursuant to the Rides Program guidelines. Participants
must comply with the current rules and guidelines established by Harris County
for Rides, a copy of which may be obtained from the Community Development
Office or the Rides website: www.harriscoun!yrides.com.
ARTICLE II - HARRIS COUNTY TRANSIT DESCRIPTION
Description
The Program will be administered on a monthly basis, each such period shall be referred to as the
"Program Period". Participants must apply in person at the Community Development Office
and, if eligible, will be issued a Customer ID Number. The City of Baytown will contract with
Harris County to provide bus passes.
Participants will be given an unlimited number of bus trips at the beginning of each Program
Period. The bus trips will be given to the Participant in the form of a monthly bus pass, which
only the participant named on the pass is authorized to use. By the tenth day of each month, the
Harris County Office of Transit Services must provide documentation of total trips provided for
the Baytown routes during the previous month.
Harris County Transit provides transportation on a fixed route within the Baytown city limits,
and to surrounding areas such as Highlands, Crosby and into Houston (based on availability by
Harris County). When a Participant requires transportation, they will wait at a designated bus
stop location at the appropriate time, and a regularly scheduled bus will arrive. Bus schedules
and maps may be obtained by contacting Harris County Transit, at (713)-578-2216 or online at
www.harriscountytransit.com.
The Participant will present his/her photo identification and the City issued bus pass to the bus
driver. The bus will transport the Participant to the bus stop location nearest their destination on
the fixed route. Lost or stolen bus passes will not be replaced until the following Program
Period.
Fixed Route Service is available 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The service days are Monday through
Friday, with unlimited transfers (note: Harris County reserves the right to mods the routes and
times of service). One person may accompany the Participant at no additional charge; provided
that both persons have common origination and destination points. Carry -on items must be
limited to four bags and no open containers will be allowed.
GENERAL PARTICIPANT RULES
No weapons, explosives, flammable liquids or hazardous chemicals will be transported.
2. No person may smoke, use alcohol or drugs in a Provider's vehicle or bus, or at a bus
stop.
Senior & Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines, Page 5
Revised May 12, 2014
Participants must be courteous to the reservation agent as well as to the Providers and bus
drivers. Obscene or threatening language or disrespectful behavior with a reservation
agent, Rides Provider, bus driver, or member of City staff will not be tolerated and may
result in the Participant's removal from the Program.
4. Participants must report a change of address within ten (10) calendar days of his/her new
address to maintain eligibility. Address changes should be sent in writing with proof to
the Community Development Office, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas 77520.
The Community Development Office will review Program files on a monthly basis.
Participants who remain inactive for a period of six months will be terminated from the
Program and re -application will be necessary. Funds from removed clients will be used
for regular Program funding.
6. This list is not exhaustive. Additional rules and regulations as required by Harris County
must be followed, and will be provided to Participants at the time of approval in the
Program.
GENERAL PARTICIPANT INFRACTIONS POLICY
Participants shall comply with the rules and guidelines set forth by all Providers, Harris County,
and the City of Baytown. A Participant with infractions on his/her account will be verbally
warned and instructed on proper behavior and the related regulations. If infractions continue, the
Participant will be placed on a 60-day probation during which time any additional infractions
will result in a 30-day suspension from the Program. Following any suspension, a Participant
will be placed on 60 days probation. In the event of continued infractions, the Director of
Planning and Development Services or his/her designee reserves the right to permanently remove
the Participant from the Program.
Neither the Provider, bus driver nor any of their employees or subcontractors is authorized to
make a determination regarding a Participant's noncompliance with the terms and conditions of
these guidelines, and therefore, may not refuse service on this basis unless such noncompliance
relates to the rules and guidelines set forth by the Providers, Harris County, or the City of
Baytown. However, the Providers, bus drivers or Harris County may submit complaints
regarding Participant's behavior to the Director of Planning and Development Services or his/her
designee for investigation. If the Director of Planning and Development Services or his/her
designee determines that a participant should be placed on probation, suspension, or be
permanently removed from the Program, the Participant shall be notified of such decision in
writing. Such written notice will be mailed to the Participant at the address on file in the
Community Development Office. Any person wishing to appeal a decision of the Director of
Planning and Development Services or his/her designee, on the grounds that the decision
misconstrues or wrongly interprets these guidelines may, within thirty (30) days after the
decision, appeal the decision to the City Manager or his/her designee; provided that the
Participant gives notice of appeal in writing to the Community Development Office no less than
ten (10) days following the receipt of written notice of the decision which the Participant is
Senior & Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines, Page 6
Revised May 12, 2014
appealing. The written appeal must clearly state the reason for the appeal and must include
verifiable support for a request to reconsider the probation, suspension or permanent removal
from the Program. The decision of the City Manager or his/her designee shall be final and
binding on the Participant, the Provider and the City of Baytown. If the decision of the Director
of Planning and Development Services or his/her designee is not properly appealed, the decision
of the Director of Planning and Development Services or his/her designee shall be final and
binding on the same parties.
The Director of Planning and Development Services or his/her designee reserves the right to
enact the Infractions Policy if Participants are found to be abusing the Program in any manner.
Complaints regarding the Program should be made in writing and sent to the following address:
The City of Baytown Community Development Transportation Program, Community
Development Division, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas 77520.
AUTHORIZATION TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM
The City Manager or his/her designee has the authority to review these Program Guidelines and
make revisions as necessary due to changes in the format in which services are distributed to
Participants; provided that the purpose and intent of the guidelines are not altered.
R \KarenTilesTommunity Developmeriffransportation Program\Guidelines for Participants - 06122014 doc
Senior & Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines, Page 7