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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAC MEETING MINUTES 7_16_2014TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JULY 16, 2014 PRESENT: Diane Hoffman, Diane Lowe, Caroline Panske, Troy Monday and Mike Norton ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: David Vickman, Transit Manager Lynn Lorenson, Attorney Marlene Binder, Secretary Jim Collins, Transportation Director Just prior to the meeting, Mr. Charles Hodge, 202 Oxford Avenue, asked to have materials distributed to all Board members. These materials were distributed and copies were made after the meeting so each member had a copy. Jim Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Collins introduced staff members Attorney Lynn Lorenson and Dave Vickman. NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS OF NEW OFFICERS Ms. Panske nominated Mr. Norton for chairman. Mr. Norton declined. Mr. Norton moved to nominate Caroline Panske as chairperson. The motion was seconded by Mr. Monday. Motion carried (5-0). Ms. Panske opened nominations and then moved to nominate Mr. Monday as vice chairman. Ms. Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM MAY 21, 2014 MEETING Mr. Norton moved to accept the minutes of the May 21, 2014 meeting and Ms. Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0 with Ms. Hoffman abstaining because she did not attend that meeting). TABLED BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 16TH, 2014 MEETING. Ms. Lowe moved to accept the minutes of the April 16th, 2014 meeting and Ms. Hoffman seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 2. DISCUSSION OF FAIR ACRES ACCESS Mr. Collins said he met with the property manager of Fair Acres. They discussed the past and present property layout. He inquired about removing parking and was informed that removing parking spaces would not be feasible. Therefore going through the parking lot was not a viable option. They then discussed pouring concrete for a shelter on Jackson St. The manager stated the company would possibly cover the cost of the concrete but his company prefers to have an easement agreement. Mr. Collins stated an easement agreement has been drafted by the City’s attorneys and sent to Fair Acres. He stated he spoke with Ms. Donna Lohry about her concerns with this stop. The shelter will help resolve some of TAC MINUTES 2 JULY 2014 her concerns about people waiting out in the elements. He also offered to put up a sign at this bus stop with the times the bus arrives. Mr. Norton wondered if realistically the bus shelter would be installed by September or before the cold weather of December. Mr. Collins replied the department has the shelter and the shelter would be installed as soon possible after the easement agreement is returned. Mr. Norton suggested information that the shelter is complete be made public. Ms. Hoffman suggested putting this on GO Transit’s Facebook page. Mr. Hodge read two sentences regarding written communication from the Transit Advisory Board Public Participation Policy. “Comments received in this manner will be forwarded to Board members as a part of the staff memo for the next Board meeting. Comments must be received prior to a public hearing or board meeting in order to be incorporated into the record for that hearing or meeting.” He stated his letter was not incorporated into the record in its entirety on the TAB meeting May 21, 2014. Ms. Lorenson asked if this was in regards to Fair Acres. Mr. Hodge said it was not he thought that we were on to discussing item #3. 3. REVIEW OF A CITIZEN’S STATEMENT LETTER HANDED OUT AT THE MAY 21, 2014 BOARD MEETING BY MR. CHARLES HODGE. Mr. Hodge said he wanted the statement he made earlier regarding public participation to stand. 4. REVIEW OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICY ADOPTED NOV. 20, 2013. Mr. Norton would like to see formal citizen’s statements part of the agenda. Ms. Lorenson stated that if a citizen’s inquiry could be addressed quickly it should be done immediately, however if the item was more involved stop discussion and add as an agenda item that is formally noticed so others have input. Ms. Panske suggested allowing citizen’s statements related to each agenda item before the Board discussion of the item. It was mutually agreed by all to open to citizen’s statements on any topic at the beginning of each meeting and also permit citizen’s statements regarding agenda items before the Board’s discussion of the item. Mr. Norton was concerned about several meetings consecutively being cancelled. He wants to make sure the TAB meets every few months at a minimum. Attorney Lorenson agreed and said that she believed that new Transportation Director Mr. Collins would take that comment to heart and that if too many meetings were consecutively cancelled the train of progress may be lost but that at this time it was not necessary to rule. 5. DISCUSSION OF ROUTE 9. Dave Slate, of 3175 White Tail Lane, stated his concern is to maintain service on Waukau Ave. He believes there will be an increase in demand in this area because it services the industrial area and senior housing. Mr. Slate uses the bus here in conjunction with his bicycle to get to his job on N. Main TAC MINUTES 3 JULY 2014 St. While there are limitations with the hourly service, he is very happy and pleased to have service. He would like to see 30 minute service as with other routes. Charles Hodge, of 202 Oxford Ave., stated he is in agreement with everyone except where Route #5 comes in. He would like an option where a stop could be placed back where it used to be just adjacent to Festival Foods. Mary McCourt, of 533 School Ave., is not pleased with the proposed changes. She does not want to lose the stop at Witzel Ave. and Westhaven Dr. Mr. Vickman replied the stop at Witzel Ave. and Westhaven Dr. would be maintained with Options 1,2 & 3 but not 4. She inquired how changes were determined. Mr. Collins replied that staff received feedback on a notice posted on the buses from riders, postings on Facebook and our website but ultimately it will be up to the Board to decide. Ms. McCourt also inquired how the locations of the time point signs were determined. Ms. Hoffman answered signs were placed at select shelters as the new route system is stabilized and that it was not practical for them to be placed at each stop immediately. Mr. Norton asked Mr. Vickman to look into installing a sign at the Pick ’n Save shelter. Carol Lord, of 151 Eagle St. Simianna III, would like to have service continue to the YMCA on 20th Ave. She stated she utilizes this service to access the resistance pool there, which is not available at the downtown YMCA location. Mr. Collins stated Options 2 and 4 were the most favored by the majority of people we received comments from. He explained that upon further investigation into Option 4 there is not ample time for Route #5 to pull into the Aurora Clinic, however staff believes there may be enough time for Route #7 which interlines with Route #5 but more testing is needed. Mr. Collins continued to explain that there are plusses and minuses with each option. All options eliminate traveling through the town of Algoma on Oakwood Rd. past Witzel Ave. to Highway 21. With Option 4 the stop by Kwik Trip on Westhaven Dr. would need to be moved across the street on Witzel Ave. Option 4 does not have service on Westhaven Dr. from Witzel Ave. to the Festival Foods driveway. Mr. Collins said Option 2 deviates to Carl Traeger and the YMCA on 20th Ave. daily at the beginning of the school day in the morning and at the end of the school day in the afternoon. Mr. Norton stated he favored option 2. He understood that with option 2 the bus would not deviate even if someone requested the bus stop at the YMCA on 20th Ave. Mr. Vickman affirmed he was correct that the bus would not deviate. Ms. Panske wanted clarification that Option 4 is essentially the same option except it is now proposed to be serviced by Route #7 and not Route #5 since it was determined Route #5 did not have ample time for the addition. Mr. Collins confirmed this was correct. Mr. Vickman added that from the downtown Transit Center the travel time to the Aurora Clinic for Route #5 would have been only approximately 15 minutes, while Route #7 is about 45 minutes which is similar to the current travel time to Aurora from downtown. Mr. Vickman also pointed out that with this option, the trip back to the downtown Transit Center travel time would be only 15minutes. TAC MINUTES 4 JULY 2014 Ms. Hoffman asked if Route #7 connected with any other buses for people wanting to combine other errands with going to the Aurora Clinic. Mr. Vickman replied that Route #6 and Route #9 arrive at Wal- Mart about 4 to 5 minutes before Route #7. Mr. Norton added with Option 4 there is no service on Westhaven Dr. Mr. Vickman stated there was limited usage in this area. Carol Lord, of 151 N. Eagle St., Simianna III would like service maintained to the 20th Ave. YMCA for access to the resistance pool. Steve Miller, of 426 W 18th Ave., stated he utilizes the Route #9 bus to go to his doctor at Mercy Medical Center, and the Route #7 to Target. He said the Route #7 option to Aurora eliminates the dead spot on Oakwood Rd. and thought using it to serve Aurora would work well. Charles Hodge, of 202 Oxford St., stated the distance between the transfer point and Festival Foods, Theda Care, and Aurora Behavioral Health is an awful long way to go for someone in a wheel chair or walker or something like that. He implored the board to consider the hardship involved in traveling to those businesses. A lot of elderly and disabled people used to use this Festival Foods stop. Mary McCourt, of 533 School Ave., inquired what her most time efficient way to get to the Aurora Clinic from downtown and expressed concern about winter travel. Mr. Vickman replied with the first three options there would be no change from the way it is now, however with Option 4, she would take Route #5 from downtown which turns into Route #7 at the West Transfer Point. Route #7 travels down Washburn St. and back up Koeller St., turning onto Hwy. 21 and then Westhaven before arriving at the Aurora Clinic. Mr. Norton moved to adopt Option 4 utilizing Route #7 and Ms. Hoffman seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). Mr. Norton complimented staff for getting word out on the busses very early for public input on the Route #9 changes. Mr. Collins stated that Option 4 reduces the mileage of Route #9 by 20.7 %. Because this is over a 20% change in the mileage, it must be brought before the City Council for approval. The next agenda this item could be added to is for the August 13th Council meeting. Mr. Norton inquired if we were any closer to filling the two vacant positions on the Transit Advisory Board. Mr. Collins stated he is not aware of anyone applying. It was suggested that the openings be posted on the buses and Facebook. Mr. Vickman said he would do this. He also asked about how the changes for Route #3 were coming. Mr. Vickman replied he had preliminary data regarding the route but wanted to collect more data after college was in session. Mr. Norton moved to adjourn at 4:57 p.m. Ms. Lowe seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0).