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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRANSIT BD JUNE 15, 2011 MINUTESTRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES JUNE 15, 2011 4:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Hoffman, Diane Lowe, Mary Louise Lewis, Troy Monday, Mike Norton, Jeffrey Olmstead and Bob Poeschl OTHERS PRESENT: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary Jason Kakatsch, East Central WI Regional Planning Commission Chairman Lewis called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. NEW BUSINESS 1. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN (TDP). The public hearing opened at 4:30 p.m. No public comments were received. The public hearing closed at 4:31 p.m. Mr. Kakatsch presented the Board with a summary of comments received at the two informational meetings held on June 13, 2011. Ms. Lewis received comments from riders that they are opposed to the bus not going into the Pick ‘N Save parking lot. She was opposed to not going into St. Vincent de Paul’s parking lot. It’s a busy stop. She noted that the Board developed a way to provide improved bus service there when it opened two years ago, and now it appears it is being taken away. Mr. Poeschl said he had received comments regarding the change to Route 10 Mrs. Hoffman did not think there was much to be gained by the formalization of bus stops. She felt it would be an inconvenience to the riders, especially those with accessibility and mobility issues. She would like to see it kept as flexible as possible. Mr. Norton said we could make an exception for those with mobility concerns. Mr. Poeschl like the idea of formalization of bus stops and agreed with an exception for those with mobility concerns. This would make our system more efficient and easier to maintain stops. Mrs. Lewis, speaking as a regular bus rider, doesn’t want to walk four blocks to catch a bus in the winter, especially when people don’t shovel their sidewalks. Mr. Olmstead said previous studies showed how far people were willing to walk to a bus stop, which was a maximum of three blocks or less. Four blocks would be pushing the limit. He felt this would result in a loss of ridership. Mrs. Lewis said there are certain areas of the city populated more by elderly residents. Mr. Kakatsch pointed out that formalization does not have to be done immediately but possibly in the future. Mrs. Hoffman noted that it could be done in the event that fiscal challenges force the routes to be more efficient on the number of stops per route. TAB MINUTES 2 JUNE 15, 2011 Mr. Norton would like to see parking removed at all bus stops, so buses are able to get next to the curb to board and alight passengers. Mr. Poeschl asked why we don’t want to go into parking lots. Mr. Kakatsch replied we should avoid parking lots whenever possible because of pedestrians and vehicles. However, some are not avoidable. Mr. Poeschl felt it was in the interest of our riders to get as close as possible to these points of interest. He suggested counting the riders and where they are shopping to get a clearer picture. Mr. Olmstead said it is a safety issue for riders to have to walk through a parking lot to get to the store. Mr. Norton said he supports about 90 percent of the plan. Mr. Kakatsch pointed out that according to the ride surveys conducted our current alighting stops are more formalized than the boarding stops, which are more liberal. In other words, drivers tend to board passengers where they are waiting, but will typically let passengers off only at designated stops. Mr. Norton commended the staff on how well the informational meetings were publicized. He would like to hold informational meetings one to two times throughout the year to hear public comments. Mr. Poeschl asked about the next steps for the plan in moving forward. Mr. Strong explained that a vote to support the plan would be a vote to support the framework presented by the plan, but that enacting specific recommendations will likely require additional public hearings and/or Board input, especially given the concerns that were raised. Mr. Strong noted that the Council is expected to take action on the plan at its July 13 meeting, where there will be a one-hour workshop before the meeting and an action item on that meeting’s agenda. Mr. Poeschl would like to have the TDP in the form of a public hearing at the beginning of the Common Council meeting, which might get more interaction from the public. He suggested a brief historical summary be included in Mr. Strong’s explanation to the Council. Mrs. Hoffman moved to support the TDP’s overall direction with Board comments and recommendations being forwarded by department staff to the Council for their consideration. Mr. Norton seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). STAFF STATEMENTS • None AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING • Mr. Poeschl would like an update on what is happening when the collective bargaining law goes into effective. • Mr. Poeschl said he was in interested in pursuing a wheel tax to help fund transit operations. There being no more business to come before the Transit Advisory Board and upon duly being made and seconded (Hoffman, Norton), the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.