HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-2011 MTC Minutes FINALAPPROVED MTC REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 11, 2012
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
CITY LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Elizabeth Thyne called the meeting to order at 2:50 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Elizabeth Thyne, Susan Rains, Art Apruzzese, Louise Justice, Jody Frey,
Jonathan Ellis, Jean Long, and Todd Katz
Absent: Stanley Yucikas
Staff: John Webster
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Spencer Reed, civil engineering student, discussed a class project that was investigating
intersections and preferential bus interaction and invited MTC members to attend the
review of the upcoming Circulation and Land Use Elements study.
Ms. Rains reiterated the need for buses to be able to get preferential treatment at
intersections to avoid buses slowing down traffic and other congestion issues.
Mr. Webster discussed intersection issues, e.g. Highland/Santa Rosa, Madonna/LOVR,
Foothill/Santa Rosa. He suggested coordination with SLORTA Safety/Security grant
funds regarding upgrading signals.
A. CONSENT ITEMS
A-1. Approval of September 14, 2011 Regular Meeting
No discussion
APPROVED MTC REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 11, 2012
A-2. SLO Transit Marketing Plan – Cal Poly Project
Ms. Rains reported that she was meeting with Professor Mary LaPorte in December to
discuss the project parameters and would report back.
After general discussion, Ms. Thyne appointed Mr. Apruzzese, Mr. Ellis, and Ms. Long
to an ad hoc subcommittee to represent MTC in the project scope. Ms. Rains agreed to
act as liaison between the subcommittee and class.
Mr. Katz moved to approve the September 14, 2011 meeting minutes and the staff
recommendations in item A-2 as submitted. Ms. Rains seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. DISCUSSION ITEMS
B-1. Review and Comment RFP-SLO Transit Operation & Maintenance
Mr. Webster discussed the Request for Proposal (RFP) and the tentative Council date of
12/6 to hear it. He noted that the RFP process was lengthy, discussed possible timelines.
If an RFP was issued it would be effective for FY 2012-13 starting on July 1, 2012. He
discussed a possible significant reduction in federal discretionary funding which would
impact service levels if enacted.
There was general MTC discussion on the RFP process and it was noted that the First
Transit agreement could be renewed as an extension to the current contract for up to an
additional four years. At that point an RFP would be needed to provide other contractors
the opportunity to bid on the service. There was general discussion regarding First Transit
performance and other operational and contractual issues.
Mr. Webster reported that the city had received a proposal from First Transit for a fourth
option year, and was currently under evaluation by city staff but he did not know whether
the final contract could be negotiated at a price that would be within the approved FY
2012-13 budget.
After a lengthy discussion the MTC member consensus was that the option of extending
First Transit contract, if fiscally feasible, was preferable.
C. ACTION ITEMS
C-1. SLO Transit Service Adjustments
Mr. Webster discussed the service adjustment to Routes A/B and the recommendation
eliminating Saturday service between June 14, 2012 until Labor Day, 2012. He said the
estimated cost savings would be approximately $3500.
APPROVED MTC REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 11, 2012
After a general discussion of the potential impacts to the Highland/Patricia and Foothill
corridors Mr. Apruzzese moved to approve the Routes A/B service adjustments as
proposed by staff. Ms. Frey seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
D. INFORMATION ITEMS
D-1. Transit Manager’s Report
D-2. Operating-Performance Reports
The Transit manager report covered various subjects including Capital projects (Radio
replacement, facility, and vehicle replacement) and Mr. Webster provided information
regarding the various performance reports.
He discussed extending the double-decker service extending later on Thursday evenings,
but did not note any specific route changes.
MEMBER COMMENTS
Ms. Frey asked staff what would be the function of the current Downtown Transit Center
when the new DTC is located on Higuera.
Mr. Webster noted it would become a regular bus stop.
Ms. Justice reported people had been requesting a shelter at the Target stop. Mr. Webster
discussed the need for re-routing through the Costco parking lot and the Irish Hills shelter
could be used.
Ms. Justice also felt the shelters that served evening service stops should have lights, e.g.
Scolari’s, Orcutt/Laurel Lane. Mr. Webster agreed to explore possibilities of retro-fitting,
possible solar options.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. to the regular meeting January 11, 2012 at 2:45 p.m.
in the Council Hearing Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Woske, Recording Secretary