Keyline Free Bus Rides for Students with Dubuque Community Schools 2007-08THE CTTY OF
DLTB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
July 11, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Free KeyLine Bus Rides for School Students
Economic Development Director Dave Heiar and Transit Manager Jon Rodocker are
recommending approval of an agreement with the Dubuque Community School District
to provide free ridership for public and parochial students enrolled in the district. It is
anticipated that this contractual relationship will reduce student truancy and increase
KeyLine ridership, thereby making this arrangement mutually beneficial. Initially, under
this option, there is a projected loss in revenue of $13,000 annually. Under this
contract, the Dubuque Community School District agrees to pay $6,000 of the lost
revenue. If ridership increases dramatically, within two years KeyLine may receive
more State Assistance Funding, thus recouping a portion or all of this revenue.
The agreement would be effective August 1, 2007, and run for aone-year period.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~~ ,,t~ ~~
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Jon Rodocker, Transit Manager
THE CITY OF
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MEMORANDUM
July 9, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Jon Rodocker, Transit Manager
SUBJECT: Free KeyLine Bus Rides for School Students
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to provide a written agreement for Council consideration to
accommodate free KeyLine bus rides to public and parochial students in the Dubuque
Community School District
DISCUSSION
On May 21, 2007, based on a recommendation of the KeyLine Transit Board, the City
Council authorized staff to prepare a contract between the City's KeyLine Transit
service and the Dubuque Community School District to provide free ridership for public
and parochial students enrolled in the district. It is anticipated that this contractual
relationship will reduce student truancy and increase KeyLine ridership, thereby making
this arrangement mutually beneficial.
A similar program was successfully implemented in Clinton. Based on this arrangement
the students would be required to show their school ID to receive free transportation.
This would entitle students to ride throughout the year free-of-charge on any KeyLine
fixed route bus during all hours of operation, including weekends. Many youth already
ride free in the summer to participate in activities provided by the Leisure Services
Department. Initially, under this option, there is a projected loss in revenue of $13,000
annually. Under this contract the Dubuque Community School District agrees to pay
$6,000 of the lost revenue. If ridership increases dramatically, within two years KeyLine
may receive more State Assistance Funding, thus recouping a portion or all of this
revenue.
It was mutually agreed that implementation of the free ride option, requires changes
concerning the conduct policies and procedures for the students using the KeyLine
buses. KeyLine agreed to install several older security camera systems on three buses
that currently transport the students. The intent of the cameras would be to deter unruly
behavior and provide a record of any inappropriate conduct while riding the bus. New
conduct policies directly related to the students have been created with stiffer
consequences. The new conduct policies will be made available to all students with
their registration packets for the 2007-08 school year (see attached documentation).
The Transit Board is interested in increasing KeyLine ridership. The Board also places
great value on encouraging young people to become regular users of public transit. The
initial Board concern was unruly student conduct which we hope is addressed in the
attached conduct policies. The Board recommends that the Council proceed with
offering free rides to students. This would extend to students attending all Dubuque
schools including the parochial school system.
ACTION REQUIRED
That the City Council approve the attached 28E Agreement for one year, which would
allow students to ride KeyLine buses at no charge effective August 1, 2007.
F:\USERS\DHeiar\Transit\memo for mvm dh concerning approval of free rides 2.doc
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
AND
THE DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOR BUS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
This Agreement, dated for reference purposes the day of
2007, is made and entered into by and between the City of
Dubuque, Iowa (City) and the Dubuque Community School District (District).
SECTION 1. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be from August 1, 2007
through July 31, 2008.
SECTION 2. SCOPE OF SERVICES. City agrees to provide free bus
transportation to District's K-12 students on City's established routes, which
routes City shall determine in its sole discretion.
SECTION 3. COMPENSATION. District agrees to pay City $6000.00 for the
services provided herein upon receipt of a statement from City but not later than
December 31, 2007,
SECTION 4. TERMINATION. City shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement with or without cause upon sixty (60) days written notice to District.
Upon termination of this Agreement, City shall refund the prorated amount of the
compensation for the unexpired term of this Agreement.
SECTION 5. RULES AND REGULATIONS. City shall in its sole discretion
determine the rules and regulations which apply to the bus transportation of
District's students.
SECTION 6. PUBLICIZING SERVICE. District agrees to cooperate with City in
publicizing the availability of the service.
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT
By By
Michael C. Van Milligen Douglas Horstman
City Manager President of the Board
By
Joni Lucas
Secretary of the Board
ss ~ .~ Dubuque
-~ ~-~ Community
July, Zoos -' ~ ~ Schools
To: DCSD Parents/Guardians
From: John L. Burgart, Superintendent
Subject: Free Keyline bus service for students
Learning•Leading•I,iving
I am pleased to announce that, as the result of an agreement between the Dubuque
City Council and the DCSD Board of Education, Keyline Transit will offer free
rides on existing routes to students enrolled in Dubuque's public and private
schools. This service will become effective on August 28, 2007.
Students will be required to show a current school picture ID in order to
receive the free ride. All high school and middle school students will be issued a
temporary ID, if necessary, for use as a bus pass until their picture ID is available.
Parents of elementary students who are interested in using the Keyline free ride
program must inform school staff who will then provide an appropriate ID.
I have included with this memo a copy of the Keyline Bus Safety and Security
Guidelines which outline the rules for behavior and the consequences for violation of
those rules. The rules of behavior are consistent with expectations the district has for
student behavior on school buses. However, Keyline's consequences for violation of
rules are more strict. Parents/guardians are asked to review these rules and
consequences with their children before the first time the student rides the
Keyline bus.
Note that, upon the first incident of rule violation, a student will lose 15 days of
Keyline privileges. Consequences become more severe upon further violations. In
addition, the student's ID may be taken by the bus driver and returned only at a
conference which includes the student, parent/guardian, a school representative, and
the manager of Keyline Transit. We do expect this will not be a concern for most of
our students, who will exercise courtesy and good citizenship.
Maps and information about routes, pick-up and arrival times, locations of bus stops,
etc., will be available at registration at each school. If you have questions, please
contact Keyline at 589-4196 or DCSD Transportation at 552-3275.
We hope that this service will be of value to many of our students and their families.
John L. Burgart, Superintendent of Schools
Dubuque Community School District - 2300 Chaney Road -Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3095
319.552-3012 - 319.552-3014 FAX - jburgart@dubuque. k 12. ia. us
THE C1TY OF
DUB E
~'°~.~.~
KeyLine Transit
2401 Central Ave
Dubuque IA, 52001
Phone: 563-589-4196
Fax: 563-589-4340
Effective August 28, 2007 KeyLine Transit will offer free rides to students enrolled in
the City of Dubuque Schools. Students will be required to show a current school
identification to receive the free ride. In conjunction with this service KeyLine and the
Dubuque schools have developed the following guidelines.
KeyLine Bus Safety and Security Guidelines
Each transported student has the right to a safe and pleasant ride that is free from
intimidation, threat, or harassment.
Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual's
academic progress, social relationships, and sense of self-worth. Therefore, KeyLine
will not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of a person's protected
status, such as age, color, creed, disability, gender, marital status, national origin,
physical attributes, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
A student's eligibility to ride KeyLine buses may be suspended or revoked for a
violation of bus safety and security guidelines, KeyLine bus passenger rules, or for
violation of any other law or policy governing conduct on a public bus. The removal of
a student's KeyLine bus riding privileges is not considered to be a suspension or
expulsion from school.
KeyLine Bus Passenger Rules
The following activities and items are NOT allowed:
Fighting, spitting or making threatening gestures
Using obscene, profane or offensive language
Harassing, offensive or rowdy behavior
Smoking or possessing any lighted tobacco product
Destroying, defacing, soiling or removing any part of the bus
Throwing or sticking objects out the windows
Soliciting, peddling and panhandling
Animals out of carriers (except trained service animals)
Gasoline and other flammable liquids
Firearms and air guns
Open or exposed knives
Bicycles
Toxic or illegal materials
Other bulky items that cannot safely be carried/transported on the bus
Passengers will:
o Obey all bus rules.
o Board buses in single file (pushing and shoving is not allowed)
o Walk to buses (do not run) when they are loading or unloading
o Use appropriate language, no profanity, hand gestures allowed
o Talk at a classroom noise level, no yelling, screaming or distracting
noises
o Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself
o Respect other passengers and property
o Keep the interior of the bus clean and free from litter
o Pay for vandalism damage to KeyLine buses
Passengers may use electronic games, media players or cell phones on the bus;
but headphones must be used on any device producing sound or music. The
volume on electronic games must be turned off.
KeyLine Transit assumes no responsibility for damaged, misplaced or stolen
items.
Rule Violation Consequences
First Incident - Student loses fifteen (1 5) school days of bus riding
privileges. KeyLine Transit notifies the
parent/guardian. The parent/guardian becomes
responsible for student transportation.
Second Incident - Student loses forty-five (45) school days of bus
riding privileges. KeyLine Transit notifies the
parent/guardian. The parent/guardian becomes
responsible for student transportation.
Third Incident - Student loses bus privileges for the remainder of
the school year. KeyLine Transit notifies the
parent/guardian. The parent/guardian becomes
responsible for student transportation.
The second and third incidents require that a Mandatory Behavior Contract be
written and signed at a conference with the student, parent/guardian, a school
representative, and the manager of KeyLine Transit before the student can
begin riding again.