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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Minnella, Senior Planner
DATE: February 16, 2022
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between Kane County Division of Transportation and the City of Aurora to be Eligible to Offer Comments on the Forthcoming Request for Proposals that will be Used to Procure a Bike Sharing Contractor.
PURPOSE:
Kane County Division of Transportation is proposing entering a second Memorandum of Understanding to express interest in participating in the Kane County Bike Sharing Services and establish the contact list for the request for proposal (RFP) development.
BACKGROUND:
In 2017, as an initial partnership, the Cities and Villages of Algonquin, Aurora, Elgin, McHenry, Naperville, and South Elgin, applied for CMAP’s assistance in facilitation of partnership efforts, research and data collection, public outreach and engagement, facilities planning, and other topic-specific expertise to develop the plan for a Regional Active Mobility Program (R.A.M.P).
R.A.M.P is coalition of local and sub-regional partners to coordinate and increase opportunities for bicycling and walking in the greater Fox River Valley region.
Early in 2018, CMAP approved the grant application and conducted a few coordination meetings that involved the stakeholders.
Unfortunately, CMAP had decided that their role within the development of bike sharing in the suburbs, through the RAMP Initiative, needed to come to an end. They then took a step back and offered resources for interested parties rather than acting as the lead at meetings/projects.
Ryan Peterson, Transportation Planner with Kane County Division of Transportation, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator with Kane Kendall Council of Mayors; volunteered to coordinate between all the various counties and agencies that have taken up bike sharing or are interested in investing in the future. While the RAMP program was terminated, the underlying partnership among municipalities and the county continued and it is important to help advance bike infrastructure in the region.
The Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) is very excited to work with its municipalities, park districts, forest preserve(s), non-profits, and private institutions to create a countywide bike sharing system.
Aurora has had bike sharing for a few years now, a small bikeshare program that was established in 2016. The "hybrid" system currently has three dock locations and eighteen bicycles. The benefits of bike sharing schemes include transport flexibility, reductions to vehicle emissions, health benefits, reduced congestion and fuel consumption, and financial savings for individuals. Research has shown that bike sharing has a positive impact on commercial activity, as well. Users reported that they engaged in new spending at these neighborhood businesses because of the access provided by bike sharing. In short, for both businesses and consumers, bike share systems have a positive effect on business activity due to increased accessibility within local neighborhoods.
Bike sharing is an affordable, healthy, safe, environmentally sustainable, and popular addition to Kane County’s transportation options. Implementing a top-quality system will boost the County’s transportation network and further advance Kane County’s position as a high-quality destination and place to live. Bike share helps connect residents, commuters and visitors to more of Kane County’s businesses, institutions and attractions.
In 2019 the City of Aurora approved a memorandum of understanding in order to offer comments on the Requests for Proposals that was going to be used to procure a bike sharing contractor.
Since the inception of the Kane County Bike Share Program, currently operated by Koloni, ridership has been steadily increasing. The system logged 239 rides in the 2020 riding season which increased to 608 for 2021, indicating that the program has legs!
The initial RFP in 2019 saw interest from several vendors; however, only received an initial response. While this was somewhat disappointing, it must be understood that bike share in a suburban context is merely in its developing stages and has mixed results nationwide.
Kane County staff worked with the current municipal sponsors of the program, throughout 2020 and 2021, to discuss performance of the current vendor, and the potential for a renewed RFP in 2022 now that the program has been anchored. Kane County will pursue an RFP hoping to receive additional responses.
In order to start the process, a contact list for the RFP development must be established. Local agencies and partners interested were asked to execute the Memorandum of Understanding before you by March 4, 2022 in order to participate in this process. The county will be targeting vendor interest for the 2023 riding season.
DISCUSSION:
This proposal is based on the fact that the City recognizes the need for a comprehensive bike sharing program that can meet the demand of the community as well as the opportunity to create more livable cities, enhanced recreational offerings, additional transportation options and a reduced carbon footprint.
This MOU does not create any financial or legal obligations, nor does it signal any commitment of funds from either Party.
This MOU must be signed before March 4, 2022. In the event the MOU was not signed before the aforementioned deadline the City will not be eligible to offer comments to the RFP.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding provides the eligibility to offer comments on the forthcoming Request for Proposals that will be used to create a quality user experience with a convenient and easy-to-use system leveraging a bike share program.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council approve Memorandum of Understanding between Kane County Division of Transportation and the city of Aurora to be eligible to offer comments on the forthcoming Request for Proposals that will be used to procure a bike sharing contractor; and authorize the Mayor to sign it upon approval.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Kane County Division of Transportation Regarding Proposals to Procure a Potential Bike Sharing Contractor.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Division of Transportation and the City are proposing entering into a Memorandum of Understanding to express mutual interest in developing the Kane County Bike Share Program
WHEREAS, the partners listed below have agreed to enter into a collaborative agreement in which the Kane County Division of Transportation will be the lead agency
WHEREAS, the partners herein desire to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth goals and objectives identified for the initial launch of the system:
• Create a quality user experience with a convenient and easy-to-use system,
• Enhance connections to the public transit network and park-and-ride lots,
• Increase physical activity to benefit public health,
• Promote travel to landmarks, parks, trails and shopping districts (among
residents and visitors),
• Increase access to job opportunities and education,
• Expand mobility options for low-income residents,
• Improve connectivity between existing hubs of activity, and
• Leverage bike share to help shift local culture towards multi-modal
transportation, and
WHEREAS, this Memorandum of Understanding does not create any financial or legal obligations, nor does it signal any commitment of funds from either Party
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the City Council Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Kane County Division of Transportation and the city of Aurora to be eligible to offer comments on the forthcoming Request for Proposals that will be used to procure a bike sharing contractor.