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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-05-24 minutes APPROVED 2016 PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 Boone/Bancroft Conference Room 1:30 p.m – 2:30 p.m. Committee Member(s) – Present Mrs. Ann Bax Mr. William Case Mr. Terry Donner Mr. Wayne Lee Mr. Royal Spiedel Committee Member(s) – Absent Dr. William (Bill) Marshall Mr. Frank Underwood Council Liaison: Mr. Larry Henry – Absent Staff: Mr. Mark Mehmert Mr. Gerry Stegeman Ms. Glenna Vernon Guest(s): Ms. Madeleine Leroux, News Tribune, Sue Gibson, Paul VanHorn, Ruth Robinson Introductions: The meeting was called to order by Chair Ann Bax at 1:30 p.m. All attendees were welcomed and self-introductions were conducted. Limits of and Approval of Agenda: Mr. William (Bill) Case moved to accept the agenda as presented, and Mr. Royal Spiedel seconded the motion. The motion carried without objection. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Wayne Lee moved to approve the minutes dated, March 29th, 2016. His motion was seconded by Mr. Royal Spiedel. The motion carried without objection. APPROVED 2016 4) Transit Administration Report (Transit Director Mark Mehmert) **Power Point Presentation a) Lo-No Emission Grant Application A fast paced grant notice of funds opportunity became available on 03/29/2016 and closed on 05/13/2016. This grant was specifically for buses and bus facility monies and allowed Grant 5307 recipients to apply. The grant application was completed and submitted prior to deadline. If awarded, would require electrical work in our current bus barn facility to accommodate. No timeline was available on the announcement of awards, but it is anticipated to be around 90 days. b) Section 5307 Grant Update Transit’s Grant awarded amount this year is $752,000.00. This is an increase from last year’s $738,000.00. Recently, FTA has transitioned from old online system (TEAM) to a new, upgraded system (TRAMS). FTA funds are reimbursable funds, meaning JEFFTRAN must first demonstrate the funds have been expended on transit in order to actually receive the funds. At this point, we have drawn down approximately $500,000.00. c) JEFFTRAN Stats / Other Updates Ridership numbers were provided to the committee. Historically, JEFFTRAN’s lowest ridership numbers usually fall in the months of February, May, and November. The months with the highest ridership are usually April and October. JEFFTRAN Administrators are developing an RFP to purchase Automatic Passenger Counters (APC), Automatic Vehicle Locators (AVL) and Automatic Voice Annunciators (AVA). This equipment will provide JEFFTRAN with data which will be critical for future decision-making. Handi-wheels are based on client-assigned numbers, so APC and AVA functionality are not needed for those buses. It is noteworthy that manual counting contains some errors. Triennial Review is scheduled for FY2017 (Summer). This review is completed by the FTA and is reviewed every three years. JEFFTRAN’s Title VI Program was updated recently. This was due April 1st, 2016 and requires updating every three years. Since the TAC is now the entity through which formal public input is received, the Transit Focus Group meetings were redundant and thus discontinued in the plan. Any individuals with concerns can speak with any Transit Administrator to raise issues. If a certain topic is desired to be addressed by the TAC from the general public, an Agenda APPROVED 2016 Item Request Form can be submitted to the Administrative Assistant at Transit for consideration by the TAC Chair and Vice-Chair. Summer Youth Pass sales are slower then hoped and expected. Email outreaches, radio promotion and outreach to youth have been conducted, as well as flyers distributed at the Library to promote the pass. Anthony Nichols, the Central MO Rides Mobility Coordinator housed at Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) has proposed JEFFTRAN collaborate with them to create a “How to Ride the Bus” video. Currently, JEFFTRAN Administrators occasionally provide individual instruction, taking the fixed routes with customers to demonstrate how to navigate the bus system. This includes both adults and children. 5) Public Comments Ms. Sue Gibson requested clarification on Capital Funds/Matching Funds for Transit. Ms. Gibson also requested an update on JEFFTRAN’s efforts to put up “No Smoking” signs on transit facilities, including bus shelters. Mr. Mehmert noted that Administrators have asked for bids from several entities for signage prices, as is required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Operations Supervisor Stegeman is currently working with three sign companies. When awarded and completed, signs will be placed in the bus shelters. Ms. Gibson noted the smoking restrictions would not be enforced by staff. Ms. Gibson expressed concerns regarding the TAC itself. Specifically: a lack of diversity, no mission statement nor vision from committee, a lack of interest, no experience in riding buses, no results in a year since the TAC’s existence, and agendas which are geared only toward the Transit Division Director giving reports. TAC Chair Ann Bax thanked Ms. Gibson for her input. Ms. Bax also thanked TAC volunteers for their service, and voiced the opinion that it has taken the first year as TAC members to better understand the processes and goals, but this should not be mistaken as a lack of interest or desire to move the transit system forward in a positive direction Mr. Paul VanHorn spoke regarding the importance of JEFFTRAN service to the Lincoln/Parks & Recreation’s Multi-Purpose Center. He also invited TAC members to the next Community Service Committee (CSC) on June 16th at 11:30 AM, at which Mr. Mehmert will be attending and presenting regarding the estimated costs of extending JEFFTRAN’s service. Mr. Spiedel requested a discussion regarding the CSC at the next scheduled meeting. 6) Adjourn Mr. Wayne Lee moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. William (Bill) Case. The next Public Transit Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26th, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.