HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-17-1981 /G3
•
BOARD 'OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
• CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, SEPTEMBER 17, .'1981
• 1
• 1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, .Indiana, met in
. 2 regular session September 17, 1981 at the hour. of 9:00 a.m. in the Municipal
3 Building in said City. Mr. Meredith presided with Mr. Ryder and Mr. Webb
4 present. The following business was had, to-wit:
5
6 APPROVAL .OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 10,- 1981 •
7
8 Mr. Webb moved the minutes of the previous meeting be approved and placed on
9 file as prepared, seconded by Mr. Ryder and on unanimous voice vote the motion
10 was carried.
11
12 HANDATHON MOTORCADE = Bill .Quigg, WKBV - WRIA -
. 13 . • .
14 Mr. .Bill Quigg, representing WKBV & WRIA requested permission for a motorcade
15 on Tuesday, September 22 starting. at 5:00 p.m. at the City. Building. The
16 . motorcade will proceed east on Main 'Street to South "A" Street going east
17 on South: "A" to South .10th•• Street, proceeding north on•lOth to Main and east
18 on Main Street to Tom Brookbank. Chevrolet. He further requested two_ (2)
. 19 police' cars as escorts. This will be for a promotion where twenty (20) •
20 people will put their hands on a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette and the last •one
•
• 21 ' standing with a hand on the •car will- win the car. Traffic Capt. Dan Wogoman
22 suggested an earlier time would be better. Mr. Quigg agreed to be at the
23 City Building 'at 4 :30 and leave.at 4:45.
24 . . • ..
25 Mr.. Ryder moved to approve the WKBV WRIA Handathon Motorcade for Tuesday,
26 .September .22, 19811 at:: 4:45 p.m. with the route as indicated on their proposal
27 and also that there be two (2) police escorts, seconded by Mr. Webb and on
28 unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
29 -
30 REPORT ON UNSAFE BUILDING AT 106 S.• W. "F" Street - Charles' Roberts
31
32 Mr. Roberts reported he checked the property Wednesday morning and the owner
33 and her grandson were there and had rented "a, high pressure.water paint re-'
34 mover and .had removed the outside paint and were in the process of painting
35 ' the. structure. There is 'no permit needed for the• painting. Mr. Roberts'
36 feels they are doing .a-good job. If the .work does •not continue. to progress,
37 Mr: -Roberts is to notify 'this Board.. •
38 -
39 REPORT ON•NUISANCE HEARINGS FOR 1401 SOUTH '4th and 907 NORTH "I"
40 . .
41 Mr. Dennis Bronston reported that .both the complaints have .been cleared.
42 ,There was one vehicle moved in after the complaints were filed and that
43 vehicle has also been removed-
. 44 • •
45 POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS Chief Charles Chris
• 46 -
47 Chief Charles .Chris recommended the following promotions effective September
48 19, 1981 as the officers have been certified by the Richmond Police Merit
49 Commission for the ranks as indicated:.
50 • . . • .
51 ' • Acting Captain Stephen Sanford to Permanent Captain
52 . Acting Lieutenant Ron Williams to Permanent Lieutenant
53 Investigator John Lantz to Permanent Sergeant
54 Permanent Lieutenant John Farmer to Acting Captain
55 . • - Permanent Sergeant Marshall Smith to Acting Lieutenant •
56 '
57 Mr. Webb moved for approval- of the subject request, seconded .by Mr. Ryder
III58. and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. '
59 '
60 REQUEST FOR NO TRUCK TRAFFIC ON NORTH "H" & NORTH "I" BETWEEN NORTH 8th AND
• 61 U.S. 27 - Tim Ryder . -
62 .. . .
63 Community Development Director Tim"Ryder stated as. a result of his depart-
64 ment's• street improvement project and requests of neighborhood residents,
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Board of Public Works & Safety Minutes Cont'd.
September. 17, 1981
Page 2
1 he is requesting the Board consider posting no truck traffic on North "H"
2 and North "I" in the 800 and 900 blocks. These are residential streets
3 and not suitable for truck traffic. There are alternative routes so the use
4 of these streets is not necessary. Mr. Ryder noted he earlier had requested
5 that 8th Street be blocked off to prohibit truck traffic and, since that did
6 not come about, he is requesting this be done.
7
8 Mr. Meredith stated that since there was opposition to the closing of North
9 8th Street, this matter. will be taken under advisement and he requested the
10 businesses and residents in the area who will be affected be notified. This
11 will be brought back on the agenda October 8, 1981.
11/
12
13 CORTA Jerry Haynes
14
15 • Department of Transportation Director Jerry Haynes stated that due to changes
16 in Federal and State financing a reduction in income in operating assistance
17 is developing. Due to changes approved by Council in budgetary for 1982 and
18 with recommendations made by Council, he presented a proposal for a change in
19 the present on street transit system.. In the past five years a number of
20 studies have been done by outside. sources,- each of which have indicated an
21 increase in cost. Not having funds to use outside sources, DOT contacted a
22 local department to help develop a plan. The City Plan Department has been
23 doing a study since April, 1981. Federal assistance funds as it stands now
24 are due, to be slated out in December of 1982, which represents approximately
25 $150,000. The project was undertaken with the idea of maintaining an effective
26 transit system in the City within our reduced resources. He requested Director
27 of City Planning Bob Goodwin present his study. Mr. Goodwin read the following:
28
29 CORTA
30 .
31 The City of Richmond Transit Authority (CORTA) has run a deficit for the
32 first half of 1981 of $125,121.23. The deficit for all of 1980 was $174,605.26.
33 .
34 Currently, the federal government reimburses the City for 80% of the
35 administrative costs and 50% of the operating costs of the system. The
36 State of Indiana finances two-thirds of the remaining deficit.
37
38 The federal subsidies are due to end in 1982. State subsidies are
39 uncertain.
40
41 The Plan Department initiated a study in„April of this year at request
42 of Mr. Haynes to determine what steps could be taken to lower costs to
43 the bus system and possibly continue bus service beyond the point where
44 subsidies are no longer available.
45
46 ' Ridership throughout the year averages approximately 800-1 ,0000 persons
47 per, day. Assuming these are one-way trips, we are servicing approxi-
48 mately 2% of our total population.
49 . .
50 On-board and stationary surveys conducted in 1975, 1978 and 1981 indicates
51 ridership trends have remained reasonably consistent with a total loss of
52 100 riders per day since 1975.
53
54 The following chart shows the operating characteristics of the existing
55 bus..system each day.
56 .
57 CHART #1 - BUS SYSTEM DAILY CHARACTERISTICS
58
59 Fare - 50G
60 5 Transfers - 0
61 Daily Miles - 1,209
62 Gallons of gas - 179
63 Number of buses - 7-8
64 Number of drivers - 10 regular &: .. extra board
65 Service intervals - 1/2 hour and 1 hour
/c 5
• Board of Public Works & Safety Minutes Cont'd.
September 17, 1981
Page 3 .
1 • Six day .week. — Monday - Saturday
2 ,Hours of operation .- 5:15 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. - 13 hr. day
3 Man hours per day - 96:5 .
4 The Plan Staff would. recommend the -following changes be made at the .
-5 • earliest practical time. Routes as shown on Exhibit "A" be adopted
6 to change daily characteristics as follows:
7
8 • ` • Fare - 75C . ' •
9 • Transfe-rs - 25c
III10 ' ' ' Daily Mileage - 431.8
11 Gallons of:gas - 61.7
12 • Number of buses - 4
13 Number of drivers - 4 plus 1 extra board
14 : .'Service intervals _ 1 hour except the East Main Reid
15 . . Reid Hospital. bus which is 1/2 hr.
16 Five day week - Monday = Friday
17 • Hours of operation - 9:00 A.M. -5:30 P.M. - 9 Hr. day
18 Man hours per day - 38 •
19
20 Additional savings would be realized at the garage since a mechanic
21 would not have to be available on Saturdays.
22 .
23 • . ,The new routes shown on the map will still cover• the primary areas
24 . such as downtown, east and west side shopping areas, both hospitals,
25 all senior citizen housing sites except Cambridge Square.
26 .
27 • . Areas where service would be 'dropped includes the industrial area
28 northwest and southeast, IU East and Ivy Tech and .the southern
29- run out Liberty Avenue.
30 • .. . .
31 All routes would receive. one (1) hour service except East Main to
32 the shopping center and Reid Hospital which would continue to re-
33 ceive 1/2-hour service.
34 . .
35 Changes such as we suggest are drastic.. However, once the State
36 and Federal subsidies are .discontinued. after 1982; the full burden
37 of this system will fall back on local resources. The anticipated
38 . . deficit for..1983 will exceed $400,000.
39 -
40 The Plan Staff is not reluctantly making these recommendations.
41 We feel that failure to trim the annual deficit•of this system
42 • will insure its complete demise when the full-impact of this
43 staggering deficit falls on local government. • It is not
44 .reasonable to expect Council will fund a $400,000 plus deficit
45 ' for a service for less than 2% of the population.
46
'47 Drastic reduction of service, now and refinement of the new system
48 over 'the next' fifteen (15) months may .be the first step toward
49 . saving bus service for the •City of Richmond beyond December of 1982.
. 50 •
•
51. . The following three (3) . pages of the report show comparison of operation
52 characteristics of existing and proposed bus system, deficits for 1980, 81,
53 82 and. annual trips including transfers. - . .
54 - • .
55 Mr. Haynes stated this is an expanded system since 1975. There has not been.
56 a reduction in any runs. A comparison was noted that in the week of July 30.
57 to August 5 there were 5,727 riders. A free coupon was offered after this
558 and the week of August 27 through September 2 there was. a decrease in rider- •
59 ship 'with 5,675 riders even. though ,school started and free coupons were being
60 used during this time. •
61 . - • .
62 Mr. Ryder asked what effect a, change in the bus system the reduction would
63 have on the application for. subsidy to UMTA. MMr. Goodwin stated we would
64 , still be eligible for operating assistance. The reason they would like to
1G4, •
Board of Public Works & Safety Minutes Cont'd.
September 17, 1981
Page 4
1 see this done as soon as possible is that any, change could create a dew
2 crease in ridership and in order to find out what the full impact of deficit
3 will be at the end of 1982 it, would be better to have the system in operation
4 to determine what the cost will be and make the adjustments during 1982.
5 The subsidy is a percentage of actual deficit. The Federal subsidy is 80%
6 of the administrative cost and 5.0% of the operating cost. The State then pays
7 2/3rds of the remaining deficit. Mr. Goodwin stated he feels if the City of
8 Richmond is to continue to have bus service, the deficit has to be cut to
9 where it can be handled locally.
10 .
11 Mr. Dave Leffel, 319 Mulberry Blvd. , Centerville, President of Local 1474 Amalga-
12 mated Transit Union, stated the Union was not asked their opinions as to these
13 plans. He stated he, was assured by the Administration two weeks ago that the
14 system was in good shape for 1981 and 1982. He called the proposal a suicidal
15 attempt of the bus system. He stated additional routes were added to receive
16 additional subsidy. He stated the Union had offered their services to make
17 the system sound and no one would listen. He requested the Board throw the
18 proposal out. He resented the Union not being notified of the proposal in
19 advance. Mr. Webb stated that while working on the grant it was stated that
20 if the City endeavored to operate the system- at the same level it is now being
21 operated and the subsidy was ended at the end of 1982 that would be the death
22 of the system. The feeling was that there was just so much local money that
23 • could be added to the system and it would have to be trimmed back before the
24 end of 1982 to try to come back with a viable system. Mr. Leffel, stated he
25 feels the City is jumping the gun, if we are in good financial shape through 1982.
26 .
27 Mr. Jack Shaffer, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated under-
28 standing the problems due to limited funds, the Chamber asked Mr. Haynes to meet
29 with the Retail Small Business Council last winter to see what the Chamber could
30 do toward a promotional program and get material into the hands of the public:.
31 The Chamber spent approximately $1,500 in getting flyers printed and distributed
32 showing the transit schedule. He noted that had the Chamber had knowledge that
33 .the routes might be changed, they would have waited to design the map and
34 schedule. They have also had art work done for a large poster which would have
35 been attached to the .inside of the shelters for the public's use and displayed
36 on the Promenade. These are being held.
37
38 Mr. John:Valentine, President-elect of the Chamber, stated he has been involved
39 in the past with transportation systems and in I.U. 's study of the Richmond
40 system. He stated many of the recommendations of I.U. were never put into
41 effect, such as promotion of ridership. Mr. Valentine noted the Chamfer met
42 with Mr. Haynes to try to work out problems. He stated Mr. Haynes indicated
43 his problems were operating problems. Due to receiving subsidy,he would have
44 to live with regulations that were atrocious. One of the things the Chamber
45 felt they could do was to print a schedule which would hopefully promote rider-
46 ship. Free coupons were put in the schedule to promote ridership. Mr. Valentine
47 stated the Chamber was trying to get the program to where it could be self- '
48 supporting by increasing ridership. He stated the Chamber was not aware until
49 day before yesterday that any austerity programs were being considered. Mr.
50 Valentine -stated that as long as the subsidy money is there, as long as the
51 interest of•the community is there in bus ridership, and as long as there is need
52 for the bus system, he believes we should try to solve any problems, so as not
53 to adversely affect business.
54
55 Ms. Paula Wambo, Chairman of the Small Business Retail Council, emphasized that
56 any societal changes do have an effect on the small business and retail merchants.
57 They will have a decline in customers coming in which will affect their profit
58 and loss figures; particularly if the Saturday routes are discontinued. She
59 stated she is dismayed by the. lack .of communication.
60
61 Mr. Haynes noted Council cut $100,000 out of next year's operating budget.
62 He stated the busses can be run through 1982 and then close or they can consider
63 the proposal of Mr. Goodwin which could run from 1983 on. He noted this is a
64 radical change to try to keep the system on the street. He feels the alterna-
65 tive is to run it through 1982.
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Board of Public Works & Safety Minutes Cont'd.
September. 17, 1981
Page 5
1 Mr. Haynes presented five (5) options for fee changes. He requested these
2 changes be studied by the Board along with the proposed route changes.
3
4 Mr,-Meredith stated Exhibit A referred to in Mr. Goodwin's proposal are maps
5 which are here and available for anyone to examine. He stated the City does
• 6 appreciate the Chamber's efforts in' promotion of CORTA, the work they have
7 done and the funds they .have expended and the. interest the bus drivers have
.8 ` shown. He requested the ridership figures be rechecked with use of the
9 . free coupons.
10 . S
11 Mr. Meredith set a public hearing for September 29, 1981 at 7 :00 p.m. in the
12 City Court Room concerning this proposal in order to give the public an
13 • opportunity to attend. He requested the Clerk invite-the Council, Chamber of
14 Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association and Shopping Center Associations
15 and participants listed on the CORTA schedule. He requested Mr. Haynes have
16 a notice of the public hearing posted on the busses inviting the riders to
17 . attend or turn in written comments. He also invited Mr. Leffel and any other
18. . members of .the 'Union_ or bus drivers.
19
-20 RECOMMENDED RATE INCREASE FOR OFF STREET PARKING SYSTEM - Jerry Haynes
21 . .
22 Mr. Haynes stated the Department of Transportation is asking the Board to
23 consider proposals for a .rate increase in. the, off street parking system.
24 - The system has been 'self-supporting except for,. two (2) major repairs. The
25 proposed rates are Garage $20.00, N. . 7th.. lot $15.00 and N. 10th lot $10.00.
26 . The hourly rate proposal 'is 1- and .2 hrs. free, 3 hr. 3.5. , 4 hr. 50t, 5 hr.
27 65 , 6 hr. 85 , 7 hr. $1.00 and 8 hr. $1.50. The increase would generate
28 a projected' revenue of $26,522.40 peryear.
29 • .
30 Mr. Meredith announced this will be 'continued under advisement in hope of
31 getting input from the general public'.especially those who take advantage
32 of the downtown 'facilities.' •
33 •
34 CANCELLATION OF BOARD OF WORKS FOR' SEPTEMBER 24, 1981 •
35 • • ..
36 Mr. Meredith announced that .the Board. of Works Public Safety will not
III 37 meet .next Thursday, which is the regular meeting 'date, and there will be
38 no meeting set for next .week. This is-due to the fact'that Mr. Meredith
39 will be in Indianapolis attending conference and. Mr. Ryder will be on
40 vacation, which does not leave a quorum. However, 'there will be at 9:00
41 a.m. a public hearing conducted by Mr. Webb concerning'the bus subsidy which
42 has been properly advertised. He will be assisted by Mr. Nepote, the City
43 Grantsman.
44 •
45 • ADJOURNMENT
46
47 There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
48
49 Donald E. Meredith
50 President '
51 . .
52 ATTEST: JoEllen Trimble • '
53 Clerk of the Board