COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

June 7, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 25, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Charlene A. Silva, Director of Aging and Adult Services

SUBJECT:

Amendment No. 1 to agreement with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute amendment No. 1 to agreement with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates

Background

Accessible transportation is an issue of significant importance to seniors and people with disabilities in San Mateo County. Aging and Adult Services (AAS) is continually working on projects intended to improve transportation services for seniors and adults with disabilities. AAS has claimed Transportation Development Act (TDA) 4.5 funds offered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the past twelve years to provide technical support to the Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC).

The PCC advises the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) Board of Directors and represents residents of San Mateo County who due to disability are unable to use the fixed-route bus service provided by SamTrans. Funds from MTC enable the county to play a vital role in paratransit coordination, which it performs at the request of both the PCC and SamTrans. The funds received are passed through to a contractor who provides technical support and assistance to the PCC, assists in identifying problem areas, and outlines options for addressing them. This support enables the PCC volunteer membership to understand problems and issues and to make knowledgeable recommendations.

Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates is one of the few consultants with knowledge and expertise in both accessible transportation and disabilities-related issues. Its staff has provided services and technical support required by the PCC for the past several years . On September 11, 2001, your Board waived the Request for Proposals for the period of July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004.

Discussion

This amendment to the agreement with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates extends the term to June 30, 2004 and adds funds for the fiscal year 2002-03. The amount of funding is based on the amount provided by MTC for the upcoming year. Funding for the final year of this agreement will not be known until spring 2003 when notification will be received from MTC.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the amendment as to form and content.

Vision Alignment

The agreement with The Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates keeps the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 8: People- Help vulnerable people- the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others-achieve a better quality of life. Services provided by this contractor will contribute to this commitment and goal by providing alternatives to improve transportation services for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement is February 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004. The amount of the original agreement for fiscal year 2001-02 was $71,458. Amendment No. 1 adds $69,140 in funds from MTC for technical support to the PCC for fiscal year 2002-03. Any ongoing expenditures will be reduced if funds are unavailable in future years. The amount added in this amendment is included in the Aging and Adult Services' recommended budget for 2002-2003, and there is no impact on the county General Fund as a result of this action.