Minutes_Transit Advisory Board 2 9 12Minutes
The Dubuque Transit Advisory Board Meeting
Thursday, February 9, 2012
4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Federal Building
Second Floor, Room 223
Transit Advisory Board Members:
❑ Joel Lightcap
Chair
® Matt Esser ® George Enderson
® Rhonda Knight ❑ R.R.S. Stewart
Others Present
® Barbara Morek
The Jude Transit Director
® Gail Kuhle
ECI4
Public Present
Amy Eudaley
❑ Dave Heiar
Czti• of Dubuque
n Kelley Deutmeyer
ECI4 Executive Director
® Candace Eudaley ❑ Michelle Huseman
ECL4 Assistant Director Jule Mobility Coordinator
Call to Order
The Dubuque Transit Advisory Board meeting was called to order by the Chair. Joel Lightcap at 4:25
p.m.
Review /approve the agenda for the Thursday, February 9, 2012 Dubuque Transit Advisory Board
meeting
Morck requested that agenda Item #4, be changed to Review /approve bus stop signs.
Motion by Esser, second by Enderson to approve the revised agenda for the Thursday. February 9, 2012
Dubuque Transit Advisory Board meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Review /approve the minutes of the Thursday, December 8, 2011 Dubuque Transit Advisory Board
meeting
Motion by Enderson, second by Knight to approve the minutes of the Thursday. December 8, 2011
Dubuque Transit Advisory Board meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Manager's Report
Review and approve of statistical and financial data
Morck presented the FY2012 Ridership and the financial reports for review. She began first by pointing
out that the year -to -date revenue does not reflect the general fund monies. She explained that the general
fund monies are not placed into the transit budget until year -end. Morck then gave the following updates:
• Cameras have been install and are working in all of the buses.
• The inventory of all the old buses has been sold.
• The N1 -1 has been delivered and will replace the old East Dubuque Transit van.
• The City has signed a contract with IIR' to provide a final design for the ARC Transfer Center
and a lease agreement with ARC will be sent to City Council for approval. The design committee
will meet on February 17. 2012.
• ECIA staff is working on an RFP for the replacement of the bus facility roof and sprinkler
system.
She continued with reviewing the ridership reports noting that the report reflects an increase of
approximately 8 °o in ridership. She noted that an estimated 7 °0 of the increase is from the fix -route
service. Morck explained that she has received mixed reviews on the Shopping Route, some people liked
the new route, some disliked the route and others say the changes didn't affect them. She continued with
noting that the Jule received an ICCAP grant for the Mid -Town and College Routes. She explained that
the ICCAP grant was only funded for one year therefore staff will being applying for another year of
funding for the route.
Updates on Grant
Morck gave the following update on grants:
• ICCAP Grant -staff will be applying for the second year of funding for the Mid -Town and
College routes.
• State of Good Repair -The City has received 8 million dollars for the Intermodal Facility. She
indicated that there have been some discussions with the FTA on the location of the parking ramp
for the facility.
• TIGER IV -The City will be applying for a TIGER IA% grant for a bus maintenance and storage
facility.
Morck stated that the Jule received notice from the Iowa Communities Assurance Program that the Jule
was in violation of fire codes because they were fueling their buses inside the building without the proper
fire protection or ventilation. Therefore, as of January 28. 2012, the Jule can no longer fuel the fleet at the
bus facility and is now fueling at the Public Works facility. She indicated that the City Manager has
approved looking at the option of moving the fuel tanks outside the facility. She explained that staff will
review the cost for moving the tanks outside. Morck continued with the following updates:
• ITS Equipment -the RFP for the ITS equipment has been closed and ECIA and City staff are
currently interviewing potential providers. Morck stated that it looks as if the Jule has enough
funding to cover all of the equipment requested except the large electronic fare boxes.
• Budget Hearing -Morck stated that the Jule budget hearing will be held on February 23. 2012 at 6:30
p.m. She noted that all Board members are invited to attend.
• Consolidated Funding Public Hearing -Morck indicated that every year the Jule is required to hold a
Consolidated Funding Public Hearing regarding the fiscal year's budget request. The Board agreed to
hold the Consolidated Public Hearing on Thursday. April 12. 2012, before the regular scheduled
Transit Advisory Board meeting. The meeting would be at 3:00 p.m. and would be held in Room 223
of the Federal Building.
• DBE -Morck stated that a change has been made to the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE)
specifically requiring opportunities for small businesses to be included in the annual overall DBE
goal. Each transit system will need to show due diligence that it has been actively trying to recruit
small DBE —eligible businesses to be certified and to participate in federally funded contracts.
Review /approve bus stop signs
Morck presented the new bus stop signs for approval. The Board suggested that the print on the bottom
of the signs be larger and white lettering be used instead of black. Morck indicated that the signs will be
placed on 10 -12 ft. poles with no parking or limited parking signs placed below the bus signs. Morck
noted that several of the current bus sign poles will be required to be replaced.
Morck stated that staff is working with several businesses /schools on getting an easement to place bus
shelters on their property.
Motion by Knight. second by Enderson to receive and file the bus stop signs. The motion passed
unanimously.
Other Business
Civil Service Exam
Morck noted that one full -time and several part -time drivers have retired and the full -time dispatcher
is no longer working at the Jule. Therefore. Civil Service exams will be held for the replacement of
the full -time dispatcher and driver. The full -time driver Civil Service exam will be held in February.
She noted the dispatcher exam was held in December and the interviewing process will begin within a
few weeks.
March meetinn
Ruble indicated that the next meeting will be held on Thursday. March 8. 2012 at 4:15 p. m. in Room
223 of the Federal Building.
Board member comments
Esser said that he thought the bus wraps looked great. It was noted that wraps have been sold for the
majority of the buses.
Esser commented that it could be very difficult for passenger to get in and off of the medium duty buses
when two wheelchairs are place side -by -side. Morck indicated that she was aware of the possible
difficulties that may arise but at this time they have had not had any issues with wheelchairs. She
indicated that if a driver would have an issue with accommodating a wheelchair, staff would most likely
need to use the MV-1 to transport the additional passenger.
Public Comments
Amy Eudaley asked about the process for texting for route information. Morck explained that the texting
process won't be determine until an ITS provider has been selected.
Amy Eudaley asked if information could be published about the Trip Maker service. Morck indicated
that she would look at placing information about Trip Maker in the newspaper and the community access
channel as well as on the Jule bus schedules.
Adjournment
Motion by Enderson. second by Knight to adjourn the February 9. 2012 Dubuque Transit Advisory Board
meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
These minutes passed. approved and adopted on this day of March 2012.
Joel Lightcap. Chairperson
Dubuque Transit Advisory Board