Minutes_Transit Board of Trustees 9 10 09
MINUTES
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board
Date: September 10, 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;
Matt Esser
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Jon Rodocker-Joanne Kiefer / Keyline; Dave Heiar / City of Dubuque
September
Lightcap called the meeting to order at 4:18 p.m.
Agenda Approval
Lightcap asked the Board to examine the agenda for any changes or
additions. Enderson moved to approve the agenda. Curtis seconded.
.
All ayes.Motion carried
August 13, 2009
The Board reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.
Minutes
Curtis moved to approve the minutes as presented. Esser seconded.
All ayes. Motion carried.
Managers
Rodocker reviewed the August 2009 Operational Report for the Board.
Report
He notedthat KeyLine has recently been notified that the money from
the federal grant, approximately $880,000, will be available to the City
of Dubuque. The money will help cover operating expenses from 2009.
Rodocker provided a quick overview of the financial aspects of the
report, the revenue from the fixed route has increased, and the mini-
bus remains consistent. Since students have only ridden a few days in
August, it is hard to assess rider numbers at this time. The trolley
remains strong, although fare free rides have not stimulated a dramatic
increase in the number of riders.
Due to the moderate temperatures this summer and a reduced demand
for air conditioning in the buses, fuel costs have decreased slightly.
Also, advertising revenue has increased by a small amount. Rodocker
Minutes - 2
would like to see KeyLine benefit from increased advertising revenue.
One area that could increase advertising revenue is bus wraps.
Rodocker has been researching the options in bus wraps, including
promoting the City of Dubuque, by visuals of the history and landmark
sites; possibly utilizing the buses to focus on the sustainability points
for the City of Dubuque; or provide a venue for area businesses to
advertise. Kiefer asked if anyone had seen the DOT trailers that have
scenes from Dubuque on the trailer. There are three or four vehicles
that deliver around the city with very memorable images celebrating
the history and the scenes of the City of Dubuque. Enderson asked if
Rodocker had any pictures of bus wraps. Rodocker responded he has
several, and would be happy to bring them to the next meeting. A
discussion of the benefits of bus wraps followed. The Board is
interested in drafting a memo recommending that KeyLine pursue the
bus wraps. The Board believes it is a good idea, and an excellent way
to market a new image for KeyLine buses. Rodocker mentioned that
marketing a new image for KeyLine was a predominant theme in the
Technical Memorandum #3 from the LSC Consultants.
Comprehensive Operational Analysis – Scharnau asked when the
consultants will be returning to Dubuque. Rodocker explained that the
LSC Consultants plan to submit their final memorandum outlining the
th
study’s conclusions and the final recommendations on November 16
th
and November 17, 2009. Once the final recommendations are
available, Rodocker would like to schedule one or two work sessions for
the Transit Board to scrutinize and discuss the plan in detail.
Scharnau presented a list of questions and concerns for the Transit
Board to examine. She was especially interested in the impact of the
Demand Response areas outlined in Memorandum #3 by the
consultants. The board discussed the questions and Rodocker thanked
Scharnau for bringing her concerns to the Board.
Rodocker also asked if other Board members had any feedback to
provide to the Consultants as they draft their final memorandum. He
would like any insights to be submitted within the next ten days, so that
the Consultants could review the suggestions.
One of the ideas discussed by the members as a priority was extending
service hours in the morning and evening. Rodocker noted that was
also a chief concern of KeyLine management. A plan to have all buses
pull-out at the same time every morning, instead of the current
staggered pull-out schedule, had been developed over a year ago, but
there is a considerable increase in costs with such a plan. A discussion
of increased costs that would correspond to increased service followed.
Some of the concerns included: revamping bus stops, providing better
signage at stops, and adding more shelters. Heiar reported that the
City of Dubuque is in the process of applying for several grants, and
that a portion of that money, if awarded, could assist with some of
these concerns. Heiar also recommended that the Transit Board
formalize their recommendations in a memo to the City Council.
Lightcap agreed that would be a good idea.
Minutes - 3
Board Comments
Lightcap asked for comments from the Board. Esser mentioned he
frequently has trouble at some of the corners in the winter when accessing
the buses with his mobility device. Lightcap agreed that keeping the
corners clear of snow can be difficult, and that the City Public Works staff
need to be notified. Lightcap felt the city staff usually responds very
quickly to such requests. Esser responded that when he has had
problems, Esser has called the City of Dubuque Public Works Department
and the problem was resolved.
Lightcap wanted to inform the Board members he will be traveling to Des
Moines, Iowa to attend a conference involving how public transit could
serve independent living centers in Dubuque in the near future.
Heiar announced Car Free Day coming on September 22, 2009. This is a
day recognized around the world to focus on public transportation where
individuals are encouraged to leave their cars and ride public transit, ride
bicycles, or walk to their destination. He suggested that perhaps KeyLine
could be fare free that day to promote people riding the buses. The Board
discussed the pros and cons of that idea.
Public Comments
None
Adjournment
Lightcap asked for a motion to adjourn. Curtis so moved. Esser
seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 8, 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