Title
A MOTION requiring the executive to report on options for enhancing mobility in areas of the county that have high concentrations of people with disabilities.
Body
WHEREAS, Center Park is a one-hundred-thirty-seven-unit low-income public housing facility located at 2121 - 26th Avenue South, Seattle, that is owned and operated by the Seattle Housing Authority and that serves a high proportion of residents with disabilities, and
WHEREAS, King County has provided customized transit service to residents of Center Park since the 1970s, originally providing this service because Center Park was the central location for Seattle Housing Authority to house most or all residents with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the housing distribution for individuals with disabilities in public housing has changed significantly;
WHEREAS, the King County council has required that customized transit service provided to residents of Center Park to continue to be provided during the hours that were in effect as of September 1, 2017, using Metro Transit vehicles appropriate for the operating conditions, and that this schedule shall remain in effect until the effective date of the September 2018 service change unless another service schedule is approved by the council by ordinance, and
WHEREAS, King County is currently engaged in an evaluation of King County's Access paratransit service that is provided for people with disabilities who are unable to use regular, fixed-route transit services, as part of an effort to make the paratransit service more effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of its users, and
WHEREAS, the King County council wishes to ensure that people with disabilities throughout King County, particularly in locations of the county that have similar numbers and concentrations of people with disabilities as live at Center Park, both those who use regular, fixed-route transit services and those who use paratransit services have transit options available to enhance their mobility;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The executive shall submit a report and a motion that approves the report on all areas of the county that have similar numbers and concentrations of people with disabilities as live at Center Park, together with options for enhancing mobility for these individuals.
B. The report shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Data on areas of the county that are comparable to Center Park in the number of residents with disabilities;
2. Options for improving mobility for the residents of these locations, including but not limited to improved fixed route transit service, Community Connections or alternative services, the Community Access Transportation program and Access paratransit service for those eligible; and
3. A synopsis of how implementing the options identified in subsection B.2. of this section aligns with current efforts to improve fixed route service accessibility, implement the Community Connections program and improve Access paratransit service implementation.
C. The executive should file the report and a motion required by this section by February 28, 2018, in the form of a paper original and an electronic copy with the clerk of the council, who shall retain the original and provide an electronic copy to all
councilmembers, the council chief of staff, the chief policy officer and the lead staff for the transportation, economy and environment committee, or its successor.