Public Transit Stakeholders Advisory Board
Monthly Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2008
City Hall Commission Meeting Room
(4:05) Meeting called to order.
Members Present: Chairman Chris Budeski, Commissioner Eric Bryson, Gus Pfaehler, Carol Shannon, Commissioner Bill Murdock and Colleen Lindner.
Members Not Present: Suzanne Winchester and Patty Gunderson.
Others Present: Lisa Ballard, WTI; David Kack, WTI; Jarvis Brown, Transit Now!; Michel Tucker, Belgrade News; Dana Piper, First Group; Janet Kennedy (via conference phone) and Recording Secretary Crystal Turner.
Public Comment: There was no public comment.
Approval of Minutes from October 14, 2008: Chairman Budeski asked if there were any comments or corrections to the minutes. There were none. Minutes stand approved as submitted.
Election of Vice Chair
Chairman Budeski stated that this board has not had a vice chair and nominated City Commissioner Eric Bryson for the vice chairmanship. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Murdock moved to close further nominations. Gus Pfaehler seconded the motion. All agreed for Eric Bryson to be the vice chair.
Update on Bus System:
Lisa Ballard said that ridership continues to increase. Livingston issue is that there aren't enough seats. The Livingston bus holds 24 riders. We do not allow standing riders due to the dangers travelling the Bozeman Pass. They will approach the City Council and County Commission for money but have not set up any meetings yet. They will also attempt to get money from Printing for Less. MDT will donate another $25,000 towards the Livingston rough, but only if Livingston provides money too. The board questions and discussed with Lisa regarding bike racks on the Livingston bus, and also the common pick up and drop offs of the Livingston riders. Lisa answered that most get off at MSU and the hospital, but there are some riders that transfer to other routes within the city.
Carol Shannon added that the buses seem to running extremely well. She hears great reports regarding the drivers and the timeliness.
General discussion regarding Belgrade having standing riders and the route's general attendance level. Lisa responded that although Belgrade is consistently full, they have not had to turn anyone away yet.
Urban Transit District Discussion
David Kack, representing the Galavan/Streamline board, summarized the bylaws for a merged Galavan/Streamline/UTD/Public Transit board. Proposal is:
" 3 ASMSU reps,
" 2 HRDC,
" 1 Gallatin County,
" 1 Bozeman,
" 1 Belgrade,
" 4 Galavan/Streamline riders and
" 1 At-Large (would have to be a 60+ aged rider or have a disability).
MDT requires a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The thought in this merged board's creation is to have the members that are currently involved in the day-to-day operations, budgeting and labor contracts, as well as the members working on a UTD. That way when/if the UTD creation is approved, all members involved are ready to roll over to daily operations. Board discussion regarding having to have paratransit system contracting to HRDC and Galavan.
Board questioned if there is any overlap of riders from Galavan to Streamline. The also asked if Galavan's numbers have been dropping. Jeff Rupp answered that the numbers are actually up right now, as well as the deficits. He explained that Galavan must "follow" where Streamline serves. As Streamline grows Galavan must…and that costs; if Streamline operates 7 days a week, Galavan must also. Eric Bryson asked if merging the boards would have a monetary benefit. Jeff Rupp said yes, it would. The money would also shift to different governance than HRDC. Janet Kennedy asked if you apply for 5310 money, can you purchase more buses with that or is it only for operation. David said it is a pretty small difference in total amount, but they have bought vehicles in the past with that
money.
Lisa Ballard added that the proposed board would have subcommittees for operations, marketing, by-laws, nominations and budget, as well as a UTD committee if desired. Jeff Rupp was under the impression that this Board agreed to a merger at last month's meeting, and since has been to Bozeman and Belgrade on behalf of the Public Transit Stakeholder's Board "selling" that idea. Chris reminded Jeff, Lisa and David that this Board's by-laws state that its job is to create a UTD. He agrees that it is pointless to have two boards. "It's a good concept but feels it is premature," Chris said. After many questions, discussion and some hesitation by the Board regarding the merge, the Board agreed that they would merge and disband the Public Transit Stakeholder's Advisory Board if a UTD subcommittee is formed
under the Streamline / Galavan board. The PTSAB agreed it would still hold another meeting in December.
Other Discussion Items:
Someone questioned regarding a petition effort that was at the Bozeman polling places on November 4th to form a UTD that would have the boundaries the same as the Bozeman city limit. Jarvis Brown stated that he has still been collecting signatures. Whether the signatures will be acceptable for a different UTD boundary or this boundary moves forward the "Transit Now! group" has continued to collect them. There were opposing comments to this effort since that area isn't the only current service area, as well as it is not the direction this board has made motions to support.
Next Meeting
December 16th @ 4PM at the City of Bozeman Commission's conference room.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Update by UTD subcommittee.
(5:10) Meeting adjourned
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