Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify and amend the existing contract for the CoGo Bike Share system with Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC and to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with other entities in order to accept funds from those entities to contribute to the operation of the CoGo Bike Share System.
Since 2019, Motivate International, Inc., a division of Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC, has managed the CoGo Bike Share system. Motivate has recently merged with and into its existing parent company, Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC. This ordinance will allow the City to modify the existing Bike Share Agreement with Lyft Bike Share and Scooters, LLC to assist in the acquisition, installation, and management of a bike sharing service for the City. The amended Agreement will be directly between the City of Columbus and Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC.
Currently, the CoGo system has over 600 bikes and 88 stations throughout the city, averaging over 50,000 rides per year. The CoGo Bike Share system is popular with system members, tourists, residents, special event attendees, downtown employees, and students as it offers an alternative transit option in Columbus. The bike share system offers a unique low cost way to complete short trips without the use of a car. The health benefits of active transportation are well recognized as well. The system is also expanding into neighborhoods where access to a bike can offer an important transportation option. Lyft will provide the City of Columbus with 5,000 annual memberships per year as part of this Amended Agreement.
It has been determined that it is necessary to assist in the funding of further improvements and management of the bike sharing program. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the system has experienced a negative economic impact to its business operations. Other entities, such as the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), have also realized the importance of the bike sharing program. The City has been in discussions with those entities to join in sharing program costs. This ordinance will authorize the Director to enter into Memorandum of Understandings with such other entities in order to receive funding from them. Any such funds will be deposited into Recreation and Park’s CoGo Bike Share Property Management Subfund solely for expenses related to the bike share System. The City and Lyft also agree to partner in securing a long-term sponsor to fund the program.
Principal Parties:
Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC
185 Berry Street, Suite 5000, San Francisco, California 94107
Miller Nuttle, mnuttle@lyft.com
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 002898, 27-1439188
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: October 30, 2021
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that the Amended Agreement can be executed immediately in order to continue sustainable operation of the bike share system. Also, emergency action is requested to allow for immediate execution of requisite agreements necessary to accept funds from entities who commit to contribute to the operation of the CoGo Bike Share System.
Benefits to the Public: The bike share system improves access to trails, greenway corridors, parks, jobs, events, and attractions throughout the City while improving the environmental health of the City.
Community Input/Issues: -------CoGo Bike Share continues to be a highly recognized and well-used system of bikes available for use by the general public. The community has expressed support for expanding access while continuing to keep the ride costs affordable for all and maintaining high quality customer service for users.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the department’s Master Plan by removing access and circulation barriers to city parks, destinations, and trails.
Fiscal Impact: The Amended Agreement will require a payment of $65.00 per bike dock per month and this ordinance authorizes the Recreation and Parks Department to make monthly payments to Lyft of $65.00 per bike dock. This ordinance will provide $300,000.00 in funding to make these payments for multiple months while funding agreements are pursued and finalized. $300,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recovery Fund 2209 to meet the financial obligations of these payments. The City Auditor established the CoGo Bike Share Property Management Fund 2294, Subfund 229405, as authorized by Ordinance No.: 2037-2013. Any future deposits that the City may receive, that are intended to support the bike share system, are hereby deemed to be appropriated to this subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify the existing contract for the CoGo Bike Share system with Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC; to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with other entities in order to accept funds from those entities to contribute to the operation of the CoGo Bike Share System; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the Recovery Fund 2209; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to modify the existing contract for the CoGo Bike Share system with Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with other entities in order to accept funds from those entities to contribute to the operation of the CoGo Bike Share System; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the Recovery Fund 2209; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a negative economic impact to the CoGo Bike Share system’s business operations; and
WHEREAS, an expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funding to continue sustainable operation of the bike share system is necessary to address the negative economic impact to the CoGo Bike Share system’s business operations caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify the agreement in order to continue sustainable operation of the bike share system, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare and, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to modify the existing contract for the CoGo Bike Share system with Lyft Bikes and Scooters, LLC.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with other entities in order to accept funds from those entities to contribute to the operation of the COGO Bike Share System.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a fund to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said fund that the fund has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said fund; except that no transfer shall be so made from a fund funded by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 6. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. That any such future deposits that the city may receive, that are intended to support the bike share system, are hereby deemed to be appropriated, and the City Auditor is hereby authorized to pay such amounts thereof, in accordance with payments made towards the COGO Bike Share Property Management Fund 2294, Subfund 2229405.
SECTION 8. For the purpose of continuing the sustainable operation of the CoGo Bike Share System, the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recovery Fund 2209 per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof,, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.