TITLE:
title
ENHANCED MOBILITY FOR SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES GRANT FUNDING - OCTA
end
DEPARTMENT: PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
PRESENTED BY: MONIQUE VILLASENOR, RECREATION MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: MONIQUE VILLASENOR, RECREATION MANAGER, (714) 754-5009
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Accept the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) grant funding in the amount of $237,600 from Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
2. Authorize a budgetary increase of $237,600 to be funded by the EMSD grant reimbursements.
3. Increase the annual not-to-exceed amount of the current Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Orange County Yellow Cooperative, Inc, formerly Cabco Yellow, by $200,000 for a total annual amount of $500,000 with an additional 10% contingency.
4. Authorize the Interim City Manager and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 2 to the PSA and any future changes and amendments to the agreement within Council authorized limits.
end
BACKGROUND:
The Senior Transportation Program began in 2011 and provides free senior transportation services for medical and non-medical rides to Costa Mesa seniors. The transportation program is divided into two components: the Medical Transportation Program (MTP) and the Senior Mobility Program (SMP). The Senior Mobility Program provides door to door transportation within Costa Mesa’s boundaries and the Medical Transportation Program provides door to door transportation for non-emergency medical appointments throughout Orange County.
In order to be eligible to utilize either component a senior must:
• Be 60 years or older
• A member of the Costa Mesa Senior Center
• Provide proof of residency
Prior to 2020, the City operated a two-shuttle model, one for each component of the program, through a PSA with Keolis Transit Services. In May 2020, after Keolis Transit suddenly became insolvent, the City entered into an Emergency PSA with Cabco Yellow to transition the program to a taxi program. In June 2021, the City entered a standard PSA with Cabco Yellow, now Orange County Yellow Cooperative Inc., for all components of the Senior Transportation Program.
With the transition from a shuttle model to the taxi model, the Senior Transportation Program has seen tremendous growth in ridership. In order to support the growth-associated program costs, staff applied for the Orange County Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) grant. The EMSD Program is intended to meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when transportation services are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meet these needs, and can be used to supplement the Senior Transportation Program for the mobility component.
In July 2024, the City held a public hearing as a requirement for the EMSD grant fund application. In November 2024, the OCTA Board of Directors awarded the City of Costa Mesa a one-time grant totaling $237,600 (Attachment 1). OCTA provided the City a preliminary draft agreement on June 11, 2025, with the final agreement forthcoming.
ANALYSIS:
Due to the increase in ridership and associated program costs, the EMSD grant will assist in supplementing the funding for the mobility program. Funding for the entire grant must be utilized by June of 2026. With this grant, the transportation program will be funded through a combination of the EMSD grant and M2 funds, both with a 20% match from the City, and an annual grant from Hoag Hospital.
Staff will continuously evaluate ridership trends and use that information to guide the program’s future structure. The Senior Center staff will conduct outreach with users regarding the program and continue to share updates through newsletters, email communications, marketing materials, and direct phone calls to ensure participants are well-informed.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may withdraw the grant application; however, funding for the program without the grant is insufficient to maintain the current senior transportation program needs. The City Council may choose not to approve the not to exceed amount of the California Yellow Cab PSA, which would require cessation of the Senior Transportation Program.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The Fiscal Year 2024-25 senior transportation programs are estimated at $465,000. The current budget, utilizing all the aforementioned grant funds, is sufficient for this program.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and approves it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This project works toward achieving the following City Council goals:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Accept the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (EMSD) grant funding in the amount $237,600 from Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
2. Authorize a budgetary increase of $237,600 to be funded by the EMSD grant reimbursements.
3. Increase the annual not-to-exceed amount of the current Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Orange County Yellow Cooperative, Inc, formerly Cabco; Yellow, by $200,000 for a total annual of $500,000 with an additional 10% contingency.
4. Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 2 to the PSA and any future changes and amendments to the agreement within Council authorized limits.