Minutes_Transit Advisory Board 7 8 10Minutes
The Dubuque Transit Trustee Board Meeting
Thursday, July 8, 2010
4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Transit Trustee Board Members:
® Joel Lightcap
Chair
❑ Vacant ❑ Vacant
Others Present
Fl Barbara Morck
Keyline Transit Director
® Gail Kuhle
ECIA
Public Present
None
Federal Building
Second Floor, Room 223
RI Matt Esser RI George Enderson
® Dave Heiar ® Kelley Deutmeyer
City of Dubuque ECIA Executive Director
Call to Order
The Dubuque Transit Trustee Board meeting was call to order at 4:20 p.m. by the Chair, Joe
Lightcap. Introductions were made at this time.
Review /Approve the agenda for the Thursday, July 8, 2010 Dubuque Transit Trustee Board
meeting
Motion by Enderson, second by Esser to approve the agenda for the Thursday, July 8, 2010
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Review /Approve the minutes of the Thursday, May 13, 2010 Dubuque Transit Trustee
Board meeting
Motion by Enderson, second by Esser to approve the minutes of the Thursday, May 13, 2010
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Manager's Report
Deutmeyer introduced herself, Kuhle and the new Keyline Transit Director, Barbara Morck. She
said Morck previously worked for Iowa City Transit and comes with numerous years of
experience in the rural and urban transit field.
Deutmeyer continued with updating the Board on the hiring of an operations supervisor and the
part -time dispatcher. She indicated that interviews were being held and was hoping to have the
open positions filled quickly. Heiar indicated that the first round of interviews for the operations
manager position was unsuccessful thus a second round of interviews was being held.
Deutmeyer explained that due to the management transition the information for the statistical
reports that normally are presented at the Transit Trustee Board meeting were not available at this
time; therefore at the next meeting staff will present the year -end stats as well as the July stats.
Deutmeyer then presented to the Board an award to Keyline Transit from the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA), Region 7. The award was given to Keyline Transit honoring them in the
Large Urban provider category for the largest percentage decrease in cost per ride by 15% with
the largest passenger ridership increase per ride of 11% for FY 2008 -2009. Deutmeyer indicated
that the award will be presented to the City Council at the July 19 City Council meeting.
Heiar thanked Deutmeyer and her staff for their time, effort and commitment to Keyline before
and throughout the transition.
Discussion followed.
Review/Recommendation of the Westend Tripper Route
Deutmeyer stated that the City of Dubuque received a Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC)
grant which was to begin on January 1, 2010 and is schedule to end on December 21, 2010. The
grant will be use to provide service through the westend industrial area. Deutmeyer then
explained that Keyline would deliver clients to the westend businesses then partner with the RTA
to continue transporting students onto NICC. The Tripper route would make five trips daily
between the westend businesses and NICC.
Esser suggested that a park and ride be established at the old Econo Foods parking lot for people
who would like to park their cars and then commute to the westend business area or NICC.
Deutmeyer and Heiar stated that they would meet with the new owners, ARC to discuss this
option. Deutmeyer noted that using the RTA would be a cost savings to Keyline. She indicated
that the cost for the RTA service would be $43.00 per hour, whereas Keyline's fixed route
charges are $61.00 per hour.
Motion by Enderson, second by Esser to recommend approval of the Westend Tripper Route to
the City Council and for staff to move forward. The motion passed unanimously.
Review/Recommendation of the partnership with RTA to purchase two Sprinters (2)
Deutmeyer stated that the RTA received a grant to purchase two new buses. She indicated that
the grant would expire on June 30, 2010 and at that time the RTA did not have the capital funds
available to use as the 17% match to purchase the two buses. Deutmeyer stated that due to the
impending expiration date of the grant, staff contacted the DOT and asked for an extension.
Deutmeyer indicated that staff received a short extension from the DOT. Therefore, rather than
lose the funding it has been recommended that the RTA purchase the two new buses with the
17% match ($26,180) provided by the City of Dubuque. In return, the RTA will lease the new
buses to the City of Dubuque. Deutmeyer noted the two new buses will be cost approximately
$75,000 per vehicle and will used to provide transit service for the new Medical Loop route. She
indicated that the RTA is looking to purchase two new Dodge Sprinters and it will take
approximately 4 to 6 months to receive the new vehicles. She then went on to explain that the
new Medical Loop route has been funded through an ICAAP grant and will be implemented on
October 1, 2010.
Discussion followed regarding the attributes of the Dodge Sprinters.
Motion by Enderson, second by Esser to recommended approval of the partnership between the
RTA and City of Dubuque to purchase two new Dodge Sprinters for the ICAAP Medical Loop.
The motion passed unanimously.
Review/Recommendation regarding the use of the 5309 grant funds for one Sprinter vehicle
Deutmeyer stated that currently there was a 5309 grant open for the purchase of one Paratransit
vehicle. Deutmeyer recommended that the City of the Dubuque use the grant to purchase one
Dodge Sprinter. The cost of the Sprinter would be approximately $75,000; the City of Dubuque
would pay the 17% match ($13,000) with the remaining balance being funded through the grant.
Deutmeyer noted with using the 5309 grant funds and the partnering with the RTA, Keyline
would be able to add three new buses to their fleet.
Enderson and Lightcap questioned whether the Dodge Sprinters were front or rear wheel drive
and if they provided adequate ground clearance in the winter. Deutmeyer indicated that she did
not have that information on hand but would speak to Mark Munson and email everyone the
answers.
Discussion followed.
Motion by Enderson, second by Esser to recommended approval of using the 5309 grant to
purchase one Dodge Sprinter vehicle. The motion passed unanimously.
Review/Recommendation regarding the bus wrap proposal
Deutmeyer reviewed the bus wrap proposals submitted by two consultants, Houck Advertising
and MC Squared, in response to the City of Dubuque's RFP. She explained that a team of ECIA
staff meet with Houck Advertising to review and discuss their proposal for their selling and
advertising process.
Deutmeyer stated that Houck Adverting indicated the cost to the advertiser to wrap a large bus
would be approximately $7,000 to $8,000; this would include the design, printing, installation
and removal of the bus wrap. There would also be an additional monthly cost of approximately
$1,250 to the advertiser. She then noted the cost to advertise on a mini bus would be
approximately $4,000 to wrap the bus, with an average monthly fee of approximately $500 to
$600. Deutmeyer noted that with the Houck proposal the City of Dubuque would receive only
50% of the generated advertising revenue.
After reviewing both proposals and having a discussion with Houck, ECIA staff recommended
that neither proposal reflected the advertising market of Dubuque. As a result, it was
recommended that the design of the bus wrap and decal advertising be done in house, with ECIA
staff and a local company working together to create partial vinyl bus wraps as seen on the RTA
buses. She indicated that staff would develop a fee scale more reflective to the local market and
work with the existing advertising contracts. Deutmeyer noted that the City would receive 100%
of the generated revenue by the in -house advertising proposal.
Deutmeyer then reviewed the budget impact for FY 2011 and FY 2012. She stated that for FY
2011, $75,000 was budgeted for bus wrap advertising, which she felt was unrealistic for the
Dubuque market. Therefore a more realistic goal for FY 2011 would be to wrap four fixed routes
buses @ $549 per month and 4 mini buses @ $449 per month for a yearly total of $23,952. For
FY2012 and thereafter the goal would be to wrap 5 fixed route buses @ $549 per month and 5
mini buses @ $449 per month for a yearly total of $59,880. Deutmeyer then presented pictures of
the current bus wraps that are on the RTA buses.
Discussion followed.
Motion by Enderson, second by Esser to recommended to City Council to approve the proposal
for creating bus wraps and decal advertising by using in house staff and a local company. The
motion passed unanimously.
Other Business
Rebranding Committee
Deutmeyer explained that ECIA staff will be hosting a public forum to discuss Keyline
rebranding. Deutmeyer went on to say that at the public forum staff will be asking for
volunteers to be members of the Rebranding committee and she then asked if any of the
Transit Board members would like to be on the committee. Lightcap and Esser expressed
that they would both like to be part of the rebranding committee. Deutmeyer indicated that
notification of the first meeting will be sent to Lightcap and Esser when the date and location
have been confirmed.
Grants
Heiar asked Deutmeyer to explain the numerous applications for grants that staff has
submitted. Deutmeyer continued with explaining the following grants:
Clean Fuel Grant -The Clean Fuel grant is a federal grant that was written to replace the
entire Keyline fleet as well as to purchase "Green Ride" software. Deutmeyer explained
that Green Ride is software that connects transit to the community by providing direct
information to your cell or computer on the accessibility to the transit schedule as well as
other modes of transportation such as Duride, bike and pedestrian routes etc. She noted
that the Clean Fuel application was submitted mid June with an approximate notification
date of mid fall.
State of Good Repair Grant -The State of Good Repair grant is a federal grant which
allows a partnership. Deutmeyer indicated that the partnership was between the RTA,
Dubuque Community School District (DCSD) and Keyline. The grant was written to
replace the entire Keyline and RTA fleet and ten (10) DCSD buses. It also included
improvements to the Keyline bus facility and the Green Ride software. Deutmeyer
indicated the application was submitted at the end of June with an approximate
notification date of mid fall.
Livability Grant -The Livability grant was written last fall to replace the entire Keyline
fleet and at this time Deutmeyer indicated that she has not heard any news on the award
of the grant.
Heiar stated the Dubuque City Council has approved a commitment for the local match if any
of the grants were awarded to Keyline.
Lightcap questioned what the status was on the previous discussion regarding electric buses.
Deutmeyer stated that a comparison was done on the cost and if none of the applications
submitted for bus replacement are awarded that for FY12 it might be proposed to do a full
fleet replacement with a leasing contract. She explained that staff has received one proposal
for a 7 to 10 year closed lease option for a full fleet replacement. She stated the cost
comparison for a lease when you figured in fuel, maintenance and other expenses would
leave Keyline short about $150,000 per year. Morck also noted that the cost for one hybrid
fixed route bus would be approximately $150,000 per bus and it would take approximately
15 -20 years to make up the difference. Deutmeyer then went on to say that staff is working
on many different scenarios to replace the current fleet and will continue to apply for any
grants that come available.
Driver Training meetings
Heiar stated that ECIA has held numerous driver meetings to update Keyline staff on the
management transition, to boost employee morale, provide training and supplies and to give
the Keyline staff a feel of who ECIA is and what their philosophy and mission are all about.
Deutmeyer stated that Keyline employee meetings will be held approximately every other
month and some will be joint meetings with the RTA.
Next Meeting
The next Dubuque Transit Trustee Board meeting will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2010
at 4:15 pm. The meeting will be held at the Federal Building in Room #223.
It was noted that the Commissioner's picnic would be held on Monday, July 26, 2010 at
Eagle Point Park.
Board Comments
There were no Board comments.
Public Comments
There were no Public comments.
Adjournment
Motion by Esser, second by Enderson to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theses minutes passed, approved and adopted on this day of August, 2010.
Joel Lightcap, Chairperson
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board