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Agreement with Dulac Enterprises for Trolley Service January 17, 2017 Page 2 Pilot Evaluation During, and since, the operation of the pilot program, staff has met with local restaurant owners, members of the Downtown Santa Ana Restaurant Association, and representatives from the downtown business improvement district (BID), to evaluate the success of the lunch trolley service. To date, all feedback has been positive. Several restaurant owners shared that they experienced increased foot traffic and lunch sales during the two months that the trolley operated. In fact, City staff has received several inquiries about the return of the trolley since the pilot program concluded in July 2016. According to representatives of the downtown BID, some local restaurants have noticed a reduction in lunchtime sales since the trolley program ended. During the trial period, daily ridership on the free trolley service ranged between 80 -110 passengers per day. Selected Vendor In September 2015, the City solicited bids from local trolley companies to provide a lunchtime trolley service in downtown Santa Ana. The City received three responses from interested vendors. Dulac Enterprises (DBA Big Red Bus) was selected for their experience and qualifications, reputation for excellent service, reasonable cost, and, importantly, their ability to meet accessibility the requirements of the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) — something that the other vendors were unable to accomodate. Dulac Enterprises was the only vendor that could meet ADA requirements as other vendors were unable to supply a vehicle with a wheelchair lift. As such, Dulac Enterprises was selected as the preferred vendor in May 2016 and the pilot program began on June 1, 2016. Staff recommends that the City enter into an agreement with the operator of the trolley pilot program, Dulac Enterprises, to provide a lunch trolley service in downtown Santa Ana for one year, beginning January 24, 2017. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item allows the City to meet Goal #3 (Economic Development), Objective 4 (continue to pursue objectives that shape downtown Santa Ana into a thriving, culturally diverse, shopping, dining, and entertainment destination), Strategy F (partner with downtown business and merchant associations to program events that showcase restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues — e.g. bus trolley tour, food festival, craft fairs, farmers' markets, etc.). FISCAL IMPACT Funds in the amount of $93,600 are available in the Downtown Enhancements and Parking Modernization Plan account (no. 02710133- 62300) for possible expenditure in FY 2016 -17. 25H -2