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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAC MEETING MINUTES 5_21_2014TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 21, 2014 PRESENT: Diane Lowe, Troy Monday, Mike Norton, Jeffrey Olmstead, Caroline Panske ABSENT: Diane Hoffman, Mary Louise Lewis STAFF PRESENT: Jim Collins, Transportation Director David Vickman, Transit Coordinator Marlene Binder, Secretary Just prior to the meeting, a letter faxed to the Transit Department on Monday, May 19, 2014 from Mr. Charles Hodge, 202 Oxford Avenue, was distributed to all Board members regarding the April 16th Board minutes. Acting Chairman Olmstead called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. Mr. Olmstead moved to accept the April 16, 2014 minutes. Mr. Charles Hodge, of 202 Oxford Street, said he had corrections to the minutes that he faxed and mailed to the Transportation Department. Mr. Olmstead said he wanted to handle this appropriately but he didn’t understand how someone could make additions and corrections to the minutes as it was his understanding additions and corrections would have to come from a Board member. Mr. Olmstead moved to table accepting the minutes of the April 16, 2014 meeting until the next meeting. Ms. Panske seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1. SERVICE TO FAIR ACRES SHOPPING CENTER Mr. Collins said he has concerns as to whether or not the Fair Acre parking lot can hold up under the weight of the bus. The Wal-Mart parking lot has not been able to sustain the weight of bus traffic over time. Mr. Collins summarized the three service options available: A. Keep status quo (maintain the current route) B. Rt. 2 enter from Murdock Avenue C. Rt. 4 enter from Jackson Street Mr. Collins said staff had contacted Associated Bank and received approval to use their driveway. Staff has been in contact with Pick’N Save management, but unable to make contact TAC MINUTES 5 MAY 21, 2014 with the landlord of Fair Acres. Mr. Collins explained that the shelter that had been in the Pick’N Save parking lot has been removed but the concrete pad is intact. Mr. Collins articulated the need to have discussion with all businesses about the removal of parking spaces if the bus pulls into their parking lot. Ms. Panske inquired if there was any other location to place a shelter to keep people out of the elements. Mr. Collins said someone needs to pay for the concrete pad and grant permission before a shelter can be placed on their property. Mr. Vickman explained that in the past the private party paid for the concrete. Mr. Olmstead asked if the City would pay for the concrete if the property owner granted permission to place the shelter on the property but refused to bear the cost. Mr. Vickman stated this was uncharted territory; staff would look into this if so directed by the Board. Mr. Olmstead reasoned that before we can consider where to put a shelter we have to determine where the bus will stop. He questioned how difficult it would be to carry packages to the Jackson Street stop versus how difficult it would be for a person in a wheel chair to board in the parking lot without tipping over because the ramp is not resting on a curb. Mr. Norton wondered if staff explored what the cost would be to remove the parking spaces. Mr. Collin replied he did not know the price and was looking for direction from the Board. He continued to say the extension of Rt. 2 into the Algoma Park area was approved at the last meeting. Mr. Collins clarified that with Option C the bus would enter off Jackson Street and exit by Associated Bank, omitting this stop one time daily directly after North High School dismissal time. He said the shelter would be placed where it was previously for this option. Mr. Olmstead inquired if ridership on either Rt. 2 or Rt. 4 would be affected if either Option B or C were implemented. Mr. Collins answered he did not believe it would be. Ms. Melinda Rothe, Go Transit operator, expressed her opinion as a driver. She was concerned that the extra time it would take for Rt. 4 to pull into the Fair Acre parking lot and wait for passengers with packages to board would cause the bus to be late at the Mallard Avenue and Grove Street transfer point, where passengers wait out in the elements. She continued her scenario explaining that buses wait only three minutes at transfer points for passengers from buses running late. She expounded on this describing how in snowy, freezing temperatures the passengers would have to wait outside for the next bus (approximately 20 minutes). Ms. Rothe understands about serving the customer, but customer service also involves being on time. Mr. Olmstead explained that if a stop is added in one place, a stop somewhere else has to be eliminated. Mr. Vickman agreed and stated it is a struggle and the system has to evolve. TAC MINUTES 5 MAY 21, 2014 Ms. Rothe pleaded with the Board to think about the driver when making route changes. She declared there would be no times for the driver to have a restroom stop if these changes are made. Mr. Vickman interjected that it is a balancing act. Ms. Lowe said the Board does take drivers into consideration when making decisions. Previously when the bus was in the Pick ‘N Save parking lot, she has seen close calls with the bus traveling so close to entrance. It was an accident waiting to happen. She expressed relief the bus no longer pulled into the parking lot; however, she understands customers not wanting to be out on Jackson Street. Mr. Norton expressed interest in pursuing a shelter on Jackson Street or Option B, but not Option C. He stressed that a shelter needs to be placed by the fall. Ms. Panske stated she needs more information to make an educated decision. Mr. Collins recapped that the Board wants staff to pursue the shelter, price the cost of the cement pad, investigate if the City will pick up this cost, inquire about the thickness of the Fair Acre (Associated Bank) parking lot, and check with the City Attorney about a written agreement from the owners that the City would not be responsible for any damage or repairs needed to the lot as a result of the buses entering and exiting. Mr. Olmstead wondered how many persons may be using the shelter at one time. Ms. Lowe replied from her experience, there could be none to five or six. Mr. Olmstead expressed concern about the safety of loading a wheel chair in the parking lot. Mr. Vickman stated the extra angle can cause a problem. Ms. Rothe said the slope of the ramp, without a curb, is too steep and if the wheelchair goes too fast (climbing the incline) it can tip over. Mr. Olmstead agreed that speed can flip the wheelchair. Mr. Vickman inquired whether or not the June route extension is tabled in lieu of pending changes. Mr. Norton expressed interest in keeping the extension to see how many people will use it. Mr. Vickman reiterated the route has time for the extension but it will be difficult to also add pulling into Pick’N Save lot. Mr. Olmstead moved accept option A (to keep service status quo. Ms. Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). STAFF STATEMENTS 2. MINOR SERVICE CHANGES There was discussion about favoritism for certain businesses and areas and not others within the city with these changes. Mr. Norton didn’t see the logic to making these changes. Ms. Rothe noted that before the route changes, more riders frequented Piggly Wiggly than presently. TAC MINUTES 5 MAY 21, 2014 It was stated there had been no complaints received by the department in this regard. Mr. Collins stated that since the interlining of the routes was directly related to Option C in providing service to Fair Acres, further discussion was not necessary at this point. Ms. Rothe added that five minutes were added to each route so drivers did not have to speed and now that is gone. She says without picking up any passengers it is hard to get to Wal-Mart on time with the addition of pulling into the hospital parking lots on Route 9. She asked the Board to look at how decisions affect the drivers. She stated the drivers feel like outcasts, with no input on decisions made. According to Mr. Hodge, the perfect solution is return to a single hub route system as the multi- hub system does not work for a city this size. He added if routes were changed back to a single hub system, the drivers would have a chance to use the restroom every 30 minutes. Mr. Collins pointed out that over a year of planning, public input and extensive research went into the development of the routes. He stated we have come too far to go back to the old system. We will look at issues and ways of correcting them; however, we will not go back, but instead look for ways to make the system better for everyone. OTHER COMMENTS Mr. Olmstead said he has served on this board for 35 years since it began in 1978. During this time he has seen a multitude of changes. He declared the transit managers have done well and he is happy with the system and the way it is run. Mr. Olmstead professed it has been an honor to serve on this board and he wishes GO Transit well going forward. Ms. Rothe stated she brought pictures and wanted to discuss working conditions (comfort station and driver’s lunch hours) with the Board. Mr. Collins suggested this would best be handled with Ms. Rothe’s direct supervisor or himself within the department. Mr. Olmstead said he did not think this was appropriate discussion for the Board. Mr. Hodge requested the Board hear his citizen’s statement that would only take about 15 minutes to hear since it was only a page and a half long and he had copies if needed. Mr. Olmstead said he could distribute this to the Board and staff but it would not be discussed until the next meeting. Copies of his statement were distributed to the Board. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Lowe moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Norton seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). Meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m.