Minutes Transit Board 5 14 07MINUTES
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board
Date: May 14, 2007
Time; 3:45 p.m.
Place: Orpheum Conference Room, Five Flags Center
Fourth & Locust Streets, Dubuque, Iowa
Members Present: George Enderson, Jr, Sarah Davidson, Don Stedman
Members Absent: Joel Ltghtcap, Peter Kies
Others Present: Jon Rodocker-Joanne Kiefer/Keytine; David Heiar/City of
Dubuque
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Public Hearing A public hearing was held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2007
to review the details of the consolidated grant.. Rodocker
opened the public hearing at 3:00 p.m., and noted that the
Keytine office did not receive any written response or phone
opinion on the grant application. Rodocker reviewed the
Public Hearing Announcement. He explained that the grant
was a request for Federal Capital Assistance through a
statewide capital grant application of approximately
$10,257,486 to make such improvements as: an intermodal
center feasibility study; construct a downtown transportation
intermodal center; purchase a light duty bus; purchase a
replacement copier, purchase a replacement server and
printers; and request a 5310 allocation for ADA related
expenses. The improvements ident~ed compose ~ wish /ist
for items needed, as well as areas of designated growth in the
future. Rodocker stated that the current federal budget will
most likely not have dollars to award toward most of those
improvements; but the City of Dubuque and Keytine will want
to continue to request the improvements as a reference point
for future monies. In addition, Keytine is requesting state
transit assistance in the amount of $177,415 and federal
operating assistance in the amount of $789,462 for FY2008 to
support day-today transit operating expenses.
Rodocker asked for questions or discussion regarding the
details of the grant.
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Davidson asked questions regarding the purpose of the
intermodal study and benefits of the intermodal center for the
riders of KeyLine. A discussion of the pros and cons of the
proposed intermodal center followed.
Also, Davidson asked about replacing some of the KeyLine
buses. Rodocker explained that bus replacement is based on
regulations mandated by the State of Iowa for mileage and
years of use. Under current guidelines, KeyLine would be
eligible for money in 2009 and could consider beginning the
procurement process to purchase a bus. Rodocker stated that
other transit managers throughout the state of Iowa also have
concerns about the restrictions of the replacement policy. The
PTMS meeting in June wilt be considering recommendations
for change in this area.
He'rar mentioned there may be other sources of money that
the City of Dubuque and KeyLlne wit! want to explore to assist
capital and operating expenses. Rodocker agreed.
Since the only members of the community present for the
Public Hearing were Transit Board members, the hearing was
closed at 3:45 p.m.
May Agenda Vice Chairperson Enderson called the Board meeting to
Approval order at 3:45 p.m. The monthly agenda was not considered at
this time. The purpose of this meeting was to review and vote
on the Consolidated Grant items, the Monthly Pass proposal,
and the proposed Free KeyLlne Ride for School Students.
This meeting was scheduled due to the lack of a quorum on
the original date of the Board Meeting, Thursday, May 10,
2007. Heiar made the recommendation to follow the past
practice that if a Public Hearing is announced, the monthly
Transit Board meeting is rescheduled to follow the Public
Hearing. Rodocker agreed.
Consolidated Enderson called for a vote to approve the Consolidated
Grant Grant Application since the Board had previously discussed
the details during the Aublic Hearing. Stedman so moved.
Davidson seconded. All ayes Motion carried.
Monthly Rodocker explained the development of the free pass, the
Pass choice of paper stock, and the use of various punch symbols
to deter fraud from one month to the next. In Rodocker's
experience this had been a successful option for churches
and other social service agencies offering to assist their
participants with transportation needs. For example, a
church could purchase a pass for the month and provide it
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to various members in need of a ride. KeyLine would receive
the revenue for the pass whether it was used daily or only a
few times that month.
Heiar inquired about the fee for the monthly pass.
Rodocker explained that the average cost per month for two
trips per day, based on the days that KeyLine operates, had
been calculated at S40.00. Consequently, the proposed fee
for the pass would be 535.00, offering a 55.00 saving.
Davidson expressed a concern for individuals who would
have a problem getting to the KeyLine office once per
month, and wondered if the pass could be mailed after
KeyLine received a check from the customer. Rodocker
responded that would be possible.
Heiar mentioned the option of electronic payment since the
Finance Department is currently developing that process for
the City of Dubuque.
Rodocker discussed the electronic fare process used by other
bus systems, like the Smart Pass, and how that could be
programmed into all electronic fare boxes on buses. He
commented that it can be a very expensive process to install
and maintain.
At this point, Heiar had to leave to attend another meeting.
Stedman commented that he felt the current pink tickets
(Half Fare Ticket - 10 rides for $ 5.00) would bring in more
revenue and save more money than the monthly pass
program.
Rodocker responded that the revenue gained or lost is still
the big question, and probably could not be answered
without trying the program for at least a few months.
Davidson suggested a survey be offered to KeyLine customers
to determine if they would be interested in purchasing a
monthly pass, and if they would use it. Rodocker agreed that
could be a good idea.
Enderson asked for a motion to approve the Monthly Pass as
proposed. Davidson moved to approve with the 535.00 rate,
and Stedman seconded. All ayes Motion carried.
Free KeyLine Rodocker explained the Free KeyLine Rides for School Students
Rides for proposal. The free ride program would be for students age S-
School Students 17, and would be offered year round. He explained the
Dubuque Community School District in Cooperation with the
City of Dubuque and the KeyLine office are working together to
develop safety and security guidelines. The schoo! district has
agreed to pay half the expense of the student free ride program
for the next school year. Rodocker reviewed the rules for
behavior and violation consequences. He stated the school
district's primary concern was appropriate consequences for
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violations of the safety and security guidelines. In addition, the
school district wanted to insure that each student would be
informed of the guidelines by providing that information in their
registration packets for the coming school year. The school
district, as well as the City of Dubuque and KeyLine want to set
and maintain a standard for students riding the buses in our
community.
Rodocker sited the example of the recently installed camera
equipment on a KeyLine bus used for school transportation.
The driver reported the students noticed the camera and were
very quiet and appropriate for the. entire ride. The driver's
opinion was that the camera made a big difference in the
student's behavior.
Enderson asked for questions or comments regarding the Free
Ride for Students.
Davidson asked if the purpose of the free ride was to lower the
truancy rate. Rodocker responded the free ride program would
encourage students to ride and attend school. He noted that
other systems had tried this approach for student rides and it
has helped lower truancy.
Stedman mentioned his daughter is a teacher and she shared
with him that current reports state 75% of truancy is based on
no ride to school. Stedman felt a free ride program might be a
good thing,
Rodocker explained the free ride for students is a one year trial
program, and wilt be reexamined at the end of the school year.
Davidson expressed a concern about the student free ride
program being offered year round.
At a previous discussion during the end of the Public Hering,
Heiar andRodocker had noted that the school district does offer
summer school programs at various locations.
A discussion of the Free Way to Fun City Program (free rides for
children age 5-17 who have a pool pass, recreation activity, or a
library card) followed. The Board Members discussed the
advantages and disadvantages to offering free rides for students
throughout the year.
Enderson asked for a motion to approve the Free KeyLine Ride
for School Students proposal.
Stedman moved to approve the Free Ride for School Students as
proposed. Davidson would like the free ride program but only
to be offered during the school year, expressing concerns for
loss of revenue and fairness to other passengers.
Rodocker explained the Free Ride for School Students would
need to be offered for at least one year to gather sufficient
statistics. After one year KeyLine would be able to examine the
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effectiveness of the program, as well as the impact on revenues.
He further stated that the goal of the Free Ride program was to
encourage future riders for the KeyLine bus system, to increase
attendance throughout the school year, and assist the needs of
riders in the summer school programs.
After an ongoing discussion among board members, Davidson
did second the motion to approve the Free KeyLtne Rides for
School Students as proposed. AN board members voted ayes
Motion carried.
Board Comments Davidson made a suggestion to expand KeyLine routes for
the summer, and offer free rides for anyone over 65 years of
age.
Rodocker stated that KeyLlne is in the process of studying
current routes and ways the routes could be improved,
possibly working with local industry to schedule trips
according to shift times. Rodocker explained a system used
in Clinton, Iowa that offers elderly passengers a free ride
during specific hours of the mid-day that are considered non-
peak ride times. A discussion of various options followed.
Public Comments None
Adjournment Hearing no further comments, Enderson called for a motion
to adjourn. Stedman so moved. Enderson seconded. All
ayes Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. The
next meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
nne Kiefer
retary
These minutes passed, approved and adopted on this `'° ~ day of May, 2007.
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1
rge Enderson, Jr.,Vice Chairperson
Dubuque Transit Trustee Board