HomeMy Public PortalAbout05 May 10, 2006 Citizens Advisory Committee / Social Services Transportation Advisory CouncilRIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE/
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
TIME: 11:30 A.M.
DATE: May 10, 2006
LOCATION: Conference Room 2B, 1" Floor
County of Riverside Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street, Riverside
*** COMMITTEE MEMBERS ***
Andrea Puga, Corona, Chairman
Mary Venerable, Office of Supervisor Buster, County of Riverside, Vice Chairman
Michelle Anglin, City of Norco
Peter Benavidez, Blindness Support Services, Riverside
Jim Collins, Include Me, Inc., Indio
Eunice Lovi, SunLine Transit Agency, Thousand Palms
Judy Nieburger, Office of Supervisor Ashley, County of Riverside
Mike Pistilli, City of Beaumont
Scott Richardson, Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside
Cindy Scheirer, Office of Supervisor Tavaglione, County of Riverside
Sherry Thibodeaux, Community Access Center, Riverside
*** STAFF ***
Tanya Love, Program Manager
76762
RECORDS
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE TO
CONFERENCE ROOM 2B,
1ST FLOOR, OPPOSITE HUMAN RESOURCES
11.36.10
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMM/SS/ON
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE/
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
www.rctc.org
AGENDA*
*Actions may be taken on any item listed on the agenda
11:30 A.M.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER
4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501
CONFERENCE ROOM 2B, 1" Floor
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Government Code Section
54954.2, if you need special assistance to participate in a Commission meeting, please
contact the Clerk of the Board at (951) 787-7141. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to
meeting time will assist staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made to
provide accessibility at the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: The Chairperson of the CAC/SSTAC kindly
requests that cell phones be turned off during the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS (The CAC/SSTAC may add an item to the agenda
after making a finding that there is a need to take immediate action on the
item and that the item came to the attention of the CAC/SSTAC subsequent
to the posting of the agenda. An action adding an item to the agenda
requires 2/3 vote of the Committee. If there are less than 2/3 of the
CAC/SSTAC members present, adding an item to the agenda requires a
unanimous vote. Added items will be placed for discussion at the end of the
agenda.)
Riverside County Transportation Commission Agenda
May 10, 2006
Page 2
6. FY 2006/07 - FY 2008/09 SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLANS
Overview
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to:
Pg. 1
1) Review and approve, in concept, the FY 2006/07 - FY 2008/09 Short
Range Transit Plans for the cities of Banning, Beaumont (collectively
Pass Transit System), Corona, Riverside, Palo Verde Valley Transit
Agency, Riverside Transit Agency, SunLine Transit Agency and
RCTC's Regional Rail program, as presented; and
2) Forward to the Plans and Programs Committee for review.
7. PALO VERDE VALLEY - FY 2006/07 UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS HEARING
Pg. 8
Overview
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to:
1) Reaffirm the Commission's definition of "Unmet Transit Needs" and
"Reasonable to Meet" standards;
2) Make a finding that based upon a review of the requests for services
received through the "Unmet Transit Needs Hearing" process, review
of existing services and proposed improvements to the available
services, that there are no unmet transit needs which can be
reasonably met in the Palo Verde Valley; and
3) Forward to the Plans and Programs Committee for review.
8. RESULTS OF SECTION 5310 - LOCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Overview
Pg. 15
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to receive and file the results of the Section
5310 recommendations made by the Local Review Committee.
Riverside County Transportation Commission Agenda
May 10, 2006
Page 3
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND INFORMATION
Overview
This item provides the opportunity for the Committee Members to report on
attended and upcoming meetings/conferences and issues related to
Committee activities.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The next Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:30 A.M.,
Wednesday, August 9, 2006, Riverside County Transportation Commission,
County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501, 3rd
Floor, Conference Room A.
MINUTES
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE/
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes
February 8, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation Advisory
Council was called to order by Judy Nieburger at 11:30 A.M. at the Riverside
County Transportation Commission Offices, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside,
California 92501, 3rd Floor, Conference Room "A."
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Peter Benavidez
Eunice Lovi
Judy Nieburger
Mike Pistilli
Andrea Puga, Chair
Scott Richardson
Cindy Scheirer
Sherry Thibodeaux
Mary Venerable, Vice Chair
Members Absent
Jim Collins
Also in Attendance:
Shirley Gooding, RCTC
Jennifer Harmon, RCTC
Tanya Love, RCTC
Tracy Mauser, Peppermint Ridge
Fortunato Penilla
Virginia Werly, RTA
Stephanie Wiggins, RCTC
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/S/C IVenerable/Puga) to approve the August 10, 2005 Minutes.
5. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS
There were no additions/revisions to the agenda.
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
February 8, 2006
Page 2
6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Tanya Love, RCTC, stated that Judy Nieburger has been the CAC/SSTAC Chair
for the past several years and Peter Benavidez was the Vice Chair until last year
when Andrea Puga was nominated as Vice Chair. The term of the Chair is one
year and elections are held annually.
Andrea Puga was nominated Chair and unanimously elected.
Mary Venerable was nominated Vice Chair and unanimously elected.
7. RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ' STRUCTURE,
OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP FOR 2006
Jennifer Harmon, RCTC, referred to the membership rosters attached to this
agenda item, outlined the structure and membership of the `Riverside. County
Transportation Commission and its various committees.
8. MEASURE A SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM - NON -EMERGENCY
MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION
Tanya Love announced that Naty Kopenhaver and Marilyn Williams retired in
December along with other RCTC staff changes and additions. '
She stated that approximately $2-3 million in Measure A'funding is available
annually to specialized transit services for western Riverside County. Five
percent of the Measure A funding is split 2.5% for rideshare and $2.5% for
specialized transit. Ms. Love pointed out that Riverside Transit Agency has
included the taxi demonstration program that was done in western Riverside
County in their regular service profile. A study of non -emergency medical
health transport needs in Riverside and San Bernardino County was
administered by the Southern California Association of Governments and
partners brought in match dollars consisting of community hospital, San
Bernardino Health Net, Inland Ernpire Health Plan, etc. The study identified the
needs of non -emergency medical transport and while the need isn't great, it is a
market that allows those who are unable to take public transportation to receive
medical care.
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
February 8, 2006
Page 3
In July, staff presented a proposal to the Commission to develop a non -
emergency medical transportation service. The focus of the Call for Projects
was to look at medical appointments to veterans and other health care facilities.
A.M.M.A., RCTC's consultant, interviewed over 60 people at health care
facilities and transportation facilities to talk about various transportation
problems.
Ms. Love announced that a Request for Proposals is being released today and
she highlighted the criteria and related schedule. She requested three
CAC/SSTAC volunteers to assist in reviewing the Measure A applications on
April 11, 2006.
1. Fortunato Penilla
2. Virginia Werly
3. Eunice Lovi
Based on the outcome of the call, a communications package will be developed
and a distribution outlet will be defined so that residents are aware of the
transportation providers available to assist their needs. If this committee would
like, Tanya Love will present an overview of the call results as well as some
ideas of how staff is proposing to market the program. It is anticipated that a
progress report on the Call for Projects will be provided at the August 2006
CAC/SSTAC meeting.
9. CAC/SSTAC COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Love reminded this committee that they are charged with reviewing transit
services in Riverside County and reviewing unmet transit needs hearings. She
stated that the CAC/SSTAC should be a working committee since they are the
eyes and ears of the community.
She outlined the Palo Verde Valley unmet needs hearing process and requested
a volunteer to attend the hearing.
Sherry Thibodeaux volunteered to serve on the hearing panel.
Tanya Love stated that 2% of the local transportation funds are set aside for
bicycle/pedestrian facilities and a Call for Projects is released about May of each
year.
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
February 8, 2006
Page 4
Three volunteers are being requested to review the SB 821 call.
1. Eunice Lovi
2. Peter Benavidez
3. Mike. Pistilli '
Lastly, the Section 5310 Program that provides capital grants will require three
volunteers to score the applications on March 14, 2006, 9:00 A.M. A pre -
meeting will also be scheduled to review the scoring criteria and process. The
following three CAC/SSTAC members volunteered:
1. Mary Venerable
2. Judy Nieburger
3. Andrea Puga
10. 2006 MEETING SCHEDULE AND AGENDA TOPICS
Tanya Love briefly reviewed the 2006 meeting schedule and agenda topics.
She requested suggestions for the August 9 meeting. Suggestions are:
1. An overview of Metrolink Commuter Rail
2. Call for Projects results
3. GPS was suggested. Although the Commission is not involved in
GPS, Robert Yates, RCTC staff, could provide information from a
technology standpoint. Scott Richardson suggested that Rick
Kaczerowski may also be available to make a presentation oh
RTA's GPS system.
Stephanie Wiggins, RCTC, stated that there is a $35 million earmark from the
federal authorization bill and staff is working with the jurisdictions to determine
how the funding will be distributed. The program calls for up to $7.5 million to
each jurisdiction consisting of Corona, Banning, city of Riverside, county of
Riverside and Coachella. In addition, staff is working with the jurisdictions for
safety improvements at Magnolia Avenue and with the decision -making process
for quiet zones.
Regarding the grade separation projects, she stated that they are averaging $30
million each. The city of Riverside had their kick-off meeting last month for
Columbia Avenue grade separation. They are proposing an overpass which they
hope to have completed in 2007.
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
February 8, 2006
Page 5
11. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND INFORMATION
Mary Venerable commented that at her suggestion, her son used public
transportation in Sacramento from the airport to where he had parked his
vehicle. Shuttle transportation would have cost $50, a taxi would have cost
close to $100 and bus transportation got him within walking distance of his
vehicle for less than $3.
Peter Benavidez said that regarding fixed route transportation, he participated in
the Go Riverside meetings which met for over a year. Based on the outcome, a
report went to City Council and he has not heard what happened. Tanya Love
stated that Go Riverside was modeled after Boulder, Colorado's system where
they would color their buses different colors and name them different names.
One of the naming suggestions for Riverside was Cheetah and Jaguar. Buses
would run every ten minutes within Riverside City at an affordable cost. Cost
analysis on the capital needs was done and it was high. A committee is looking
at ways to fund such a program using non -transit revenue.
Scott Richardson, RTA, stated that buses would connect to retail areas and to
different locations.
Judy Nieburger thanked the committee for their help while she was Chairperson
and particularly the staff who have been so helpful.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for consideration by the Citizens' Advisory
Committee/Social Services Transportation Advisory Council, the meeting
adjourned at 12:40 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for 1 1:30 A.M., May
10, 2006, County of Riverside Administrative Center, Conference Room "A,"
3rd Floor, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside 92501.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Love
Program Manager
AGENDA ITEM 6
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMM/SS/ON
DATE:
May 10, 2006
TO:
Citizens` Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council
FROM:
Tanya Love, Program Manager
THROUGH
Stephanie Wiggins, Regional Programs Director
SUBJECT:
FY 2006/07 - FY 2008/09 Short Range Transit Plans
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to:
1) Review and approve, in concept, the FY 2006/07 - FY 2008/09 Short
Range Transit Plans for the cities of Banning, Beaumont (collectively Pass
Transit System), Corona, Riverside, Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency,
Riverside Transit Agency, SunLine Transit Agency and RCTC's Regional
Rail program, as presented; and
2) Forward to the Plans and Programs Committee for review.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Riverside County FY 2006/07 - FY 2008/09 Short Range Transit Plans (SRTP)
cover the three apportionment areas of the county and are comprised of plans for the
municipal operators, the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency, the Riverside Transit
{ Agency, SunLine Transit Agency, and RCTC's Regional Commuter Rail program. This
item is requesting that the SRTPs be approved in concept only as requests for
financial allocations will be made at the July Commission meeting.
For FY 2006/07, the Commission adopted a Productivity Improvement Program (PIP)
as part of a comprehensive effort to work with the county's eight public transit
operators to provide better service and improve efficiency. Under state law, RCTC is
tasked with the responsibility to identify, analyze and recommend potential
productivity improvements for transit operators. The process requires the transit
operators to address recommendations that are made by regular performance audits.
RCTC oversees transit service in Riverside County primarily through the approval of
SRTPs which detail the operating and capital costs that are planned for transit
services. Each operator adopts such a plan and then provides quarterly data to the
Commission on performance.
The performance indicators that are evaluated through the PIP include operating costs
per revenue hour, fare box recovery ratio, subsidies, passengers per revenue hour and
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passengers per revenue mile. These factors are critical in ensuring that service can be
maximized in an efficient manner. More importantly, the. PIP will be a cooperative
process between the Commission and the transit providers to work together on
approaches in an environment fraught with rising costs for fuel, labor and insurance.
At the time of writing this staff report, Commission and: transit operator staff were
reviewing the PIP targets to determine compliance. An up -date on meeting the PIP
targets will be provided at the CAC/SSTAC meeting.
While reviewing and analyzing individual route productivity will remain with the transit
operators and their governing boards, the Commission has a fiduciary responsibility to
ensure that transit operators are utilizing Transportation Development Act (TDA)
funds efficiently and effectively. In addition to implementing the PIP, the Commission
recently purchased TransTrack, a transit performance manager software application
and training package which will assist staff in compiling, tabulating and reporting
transit operating information for use in the SRTP, monthly management reports,
quarterly transit operator reports as well as annual reports to external agencies (e.g.,
State Controller and National Transit Database reports). TransTrack will assist the
Commission's policy board in complying with the PIP requirements of the Public
Utilities Code (PUC) and state -mandated requirements to effectively use TDA funds.
Representatives from each transit agency will make a presentation at the May
CAC/SSTAC meeting. The following provides a summary of the SRTP service
highlights proposed in the FY 2006/07 through FY 2008/09 SRTPs:
City of Banning and City of Beaumont (Pass Transit System):
Previously, the Commission approved funds to evaluate the development of a
regionalized transit system in the Pass Area based on geographic rather than city
boundaries.. The concept was based on the idea that the Banning Municipal Transit
System and the Beaumont Municipal Transit Agency (two independent transit
systems) would be coordinated to present the appearance of a single transit system
to customers and the public.
The coordinated service area of Pass Transit includes the cities of Banning and
Beaumont, the unincorporated areas of Cabazon and Cherry Valley, and the
commercial area of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Reservation. Both fixed
route and dial -a -ride services are provided throughout the pass area.
A result of the Pass Area Transit Study is the closer coordination of service between
the Banning Municipal Transit System and the Beaumont Municipal• Transit Agency.
As the Pass Transit System continues to evolve, it is anticipated that adjustments
intended to improve service will continue and be reflected in future plans. While the
new Pass Transit System is a single seamless transit system to the public, it is two
independent transit systems operated by two different administrators and overseen by
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two different policy boards. When the Pass Area Transit Plan was adopted it was
anticipated that at some future date, the two systems would combine into a single
system (single administrator and single policy board). During FY 2006/07, transit
staff will continue researching and developing the proposal to combine the two transit
agencies into a single agency. Proposed changes will be presented to the
Commission for final review.
In addition to the potential merger, following are the highlights of the SRTP for the
Pass Transit System:
• Both dial -a -ride and fixed route services will continue to be provided
seven days a week. Service will be provided from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. which reflects an increase in service hours;
• Implementation of the Commercial Trunk Line in the Pass Area connects
the two fixed route systems together and provides services from
Beaumont/Cherry Valley to Banning/Cabazon;
• Implementation of new Pass Transit Guide;
• Completion of the implementation of the new Pass Transit Graphics on
buses in order to provide branding of the bus fleets for the cities of
Banning and Beaumont Transit System;
• An outreach to major employers in the Pass Area was initiated in March
2006 with the opening of Wal-Mart in Beaumont. This program offers
free passes to encourage employees to try taking the transit system to
work. The outreach to Wal-Mart employees was successful with roughly
20% of the free passes being used. This outreach program will continue
in FY 2006/07;
• The City of Beaumont has continued its outreach program to schools;
Banning will begin a similar outreach program in FY 2006/07; and
• In an attempt to make the transit system easier to use in FY 2006/07
the city of Banning will be posting route schedules and system maps at
bus stops throughout the city.
City of Corona:
The City of Corona (Corona) operates a general public dial -a -ride program as well as
fixed route services known as the "Corona Cruiser." Corona closely coordinates all
transfers with both RTA and RCTC's Commuter Rail services.
Following are highlights of Corona's services for FY 2006/07:
• Corona will continue to maintain current levels of service, but
considering route changes if necessary, to better serve the transportation
needs of riders; and
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