Minutes_Transit Board of Trustees 8 13 09
MINUTES
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board
Date: August 13, 2009
Time:
4:15 p.m.
Place:
Public Works Facility Conference Room
925 Kerper Court, Dubuque, Iowa
Members Present:
Joel Lightcap; George Enderson, Jr; John Curtis; Ruth Scharnau; new
member, Matt Esser
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Jon Rodocker-Joanne Kiefer / Keyline
Others Absent:
Dave Heiar / City of Dubuque
August
Lightcap called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.
Agenda Approval
Lightcap welcomed a new member to the Board, Matt Esser.
Lightcap
asked the Board to review the agenda for any changes or additions.
Rodocker would like to add the Oath of Office for the new Board
member, Matt Esser to the agenda.
Curtis moved to approve the agenda with the addition of the Oath of
.
Office. Enderson seconded. All ayes.Motion carried
May 14, 2009
The Board reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.
Minutes
moved to approve the minutes as presented.
Enderson
Scharnau seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.
Rodocker announced that Matt Esser will be replacing Don Steadman on the
Board. Steadman reluctantly stepped down due to health reasons.
Esser was sworn into Office and introduced himself to the Board members.
He has been riding the Mini-bus and looks forward to learning more about
transit and the contribution he can make to the Transit Board.
Managers
Rodocker reviewed the May, June and July 2009 Operational Reports
Report
the Board. As Rodocker discussed the end of the year financial
for
status, he reported that there was an $83,000 savings and that excess
money will be rolled into this year’s (FY10) operating funds. Enderson
Minutes - 2
asked how the savings had accrued. Rodocker explained that by
paying attention to the maintenance costs, the reduced fuel costs, and
more efficient scheduling on the Mini-bus helped the bottom line. The
number of riders on the Fixed Route has increased over the summer by
a considerable amount, averaging 2,600 more passengers per month
than in May. Some of those passenger numbers reflect students, but
the general population numbers are increasing as well. Lightcap asked
how many years the students have been riding free of charge; and
Rodocker responded this is the beginning of the third year.
Scharnau asked Rodocker to explain how student rides are subsidized
by the state. Rodocker explained that the Dubuque School District has
been paying for half the ride fare over the last two years. The impact
at the state level will be seen in the near future. As the number of
riders on KeyLine increase, the amount of state assistance will increase
based on the percent over a base number relative to the size of our
community and transit system. Rodocker explained that KeyLine will
gain more funding in the long run than would have been collected from
student fares; since the amount of fares would have to be subtracted
from any federal grant money received by the City of Dubuque for
KeyLine. In addition, offering free rides to the students is an invaluable
service to the community that helps young people, who may not
otherwise have access to reliable transportation, get to school.
Comprehensive Operational Analysis - The LSC Consultants spoke with
the City Council in August and discussed possible options to the current
transit service. The Consultants along with the City Council would like
input from the Board on the results of Technical Memorandum # 3.
The City Council would especially like recommendations from the Board
regarding phasing in some of the suggested changes and a cost
breakdown that would correspond to such a transition.
Rodocker noted that currently KeyLine does not have the number of
buses or operators needed to change to a thirty minute frequency, one
of the recommendations made by the Consultants. KeyLine would be
interested in combining resources with the RTA (Regional Transit
Authority) to help increase options.
Lightcap asked if the total cost referred to in the Study, six million
dollars, was all inclusive, or an amount on top of the current budget.
Rodocker responded that was a separate figure, not over and above
the current budget.
Scharnau asked how Demand Response would work. Rodocker
explained that Demand Response allows for same day service with a
one hour window to book a ride. He reminded the Board that Demand
Response is different from para-transit service, for example the Mini-
bus requires 24 hour advance notice to book a ride. KeyLine would
need new software to implement Demand Response service.
The Board discussed concerns about the timing of Fixed Route service
to connect to Demand Response, as well as whether adding additional
transfers for a customer’s trip will be considered enhanced service or a
drawback. The Board agreed that Taxi Vouchers could work well for
evening service or on Sunday. Enderson asked how the Taxi Vouchers
Minutes - 3
would be implemented, especially if there was not a vehicle equipped
to transport passengers in a mobility device; or if there was not a taxi
company that would agree to take on the service. Rodocker responded
that could be an obstacle, especially since the taxi company would be
responsible to meet all the federal standards for the vehicles, for the
operators involving drug and alcohol testing, and for collecting fares
and managing finances. Lightcap wondered about using a mini-bus for
after hours service. The Board discussed the Taxi Voucher option and
expressed concerns about affordability.
Rodocker suggested that KeyLine could run bigger buses during peak
times, and change to smaller vehicles during non-peak times. There
would be a considerable fuel savings, as well as a positive impact on
the green initiative.
The Board agreed that their first priorities would be: increasing service
hours to better meet the needs of the community; and to continue to
provide service to the transit dependent population. All the members
agreed that daily service needs to begin earlier and buses need to stay
on the road longer. Enderson mentioned that improving frequency
would be a third priority for consideration, but that the first priority of
the Board is to protect the current riders.
Esser suggested using smaller vehicles to provide a service similar to
Dial-A-Ride that would operate on a two hour window before and after
for scheduling rides and pick-ups.
Rodocker reminded the Board that in some areas of the city KeyLine is
already offering thirty minute frequency, for example to the local
hospitals.
Esser asked if teaching the general population how to use transit
service and marketing the bus service would also be a good priority.
The Board agreed.
Lightcap asked how many City Council members actually ride KeyLine
buses. He had asked that question several years ago of a different
Council, and learned that no member of the City Council at that time
had been riding a bus.
Curtis asked how KeyLine is accommodating IBM service needs.
Rodocker reviewed the current AM and PM shuttle service. In addition,
KeyLine is looking forward to providing service to other new businesses
coming to Dubuque, including Hormel and other industries in the West
Side Industrial Park.
Rodocker summarized the Board’s priorities for the Consultants at this
time, their recommendations include: 1) protect the riders that
currently use the system; 2) extend service hours to earlier in the
morning and later in the evening; and 3) improve service frequency.
The Board will examine the costs of options #2 and #3 at future
meetings.
Board Comments
The Board members agreed to return to a monthly meeting format
effective immediately. In addition, the Board would be interested in
adding a work session to their meeting agenda once the Consultants
submit their final recommendations.
Minutes - 4
Scharnau mentioned that the Blind Society was not awarded the grant they
applied for to purchase bike racks.
Esser wanted the members to know he is excited to be here and asked for
their patience as he learns more about the workings of the Transit Board.
Public Comments
None
Adjournment
Lightcap asked for a motion to adjourn. Enderson so moved. Curtis
seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at the
Public Works Facility Conference Room, 925 Kerper Court. The
Auditorium and Board Room at the Carnegie Stout Public Library will
not be available due to the construction and renovations
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Kiefer
Secretary
These minutes passed, approved and adopted on this _____ day of September, 2009.
___________________________________
Joel Lightcap, Chairperson
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board