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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2016 MTC Minutes FINAL FINAL Minutes MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, Wednesday, March 9th, 2016 – 2:30 pm CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson James Thompson called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: James Thompson (Chair – Technical), Elizabeth Thyne (Vice Chair – Senior), Cheryl Andrus (Cal Poly), Denise Martinez (Disabled), John Osumi (Business), Louise Justice (Member at Large), Diego-Christopher Lopez (Alternate), Heidi Harmon (Alternate) Absent: Michelle Wong (Student) Staff: Gamaliel Anguiano (Transit Manager), Dee Lawson (Transit Coordinator), Megan Cutler (Transit Assistant) PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Jason Portugal, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of SLO County Technology Coordinator, presented on the Mobility Services for All Americans (MSAA) grant pilot program for the SLO County region. This program will include a low-tech/web/phone app with all private and public transportation systems in SLO County. Mr. Portugal shared input is currently being collected from stakeholders. User feedback will be provided at a later date. Mr. Portugal offered to attend a future MTC meeting to provide an update d report. MINUTES Approval of January 13, 2016 Meeting Minutes Mr. Thompson requested an approval of the January 13 th draft minutes. Per the request of MTC members, the minutes were amended as follows: • Page numbers were added • Page 1 - Absent members added to the roll call • Page 3 - “He would address” changed to “He addressed” • Page 4 - “loss of service” inserted to clarify statement regarding Route 1 FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of March 9, 2016 Page 2 Mr. Thompson requested an approval of the minutes as corrected. Ms. Thyne moved to accept the amended January 13th draft minutes. Ms. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS Agenda Item #1: MTC Retreat Day, Time, Location Mr. Anguiano acknowledged he has a different approach to managing the MTC than his predecessor. He communicated his desire to hear from the entire body regarding committee expectations. He shared his vision for the MTC advisory body to have a retreat separate from regular business. The date and time of this retreat is for the MTC to determine. Mr. Anguiano questioned if there are any City staff members the MTC desires to meet at this retr eat. He also shared the group can expect open dialogue, team building, and food at this retreat. Mr. Thompson affirmed that having no specific agenda seemed like a good plan. Ms. Thyne stated she is not too in favor of this retreat because the committee members are typically open with one another. Mr. Anguiano acknowledged that attendance at this retreat is not mandatory. Ms. Andrus shared that team building is important for getting to know other committee members. Mr. Thompson requested a vote to approve the MTC retreat. Committee members in favor included: Ms. Andrus, Mr. Osumi, Ms. Martinez, Mr. Lopez, and Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson requested a motion to leave time and place of this retreat up to transit staff. Ms. Thyne moved this motion. Ms. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS Agenda Item #2: Committee Items a) Coordinated Downtown Transit Center Mr. Lee Johnson, City Economic Developer Manager, provided conceptual presentation of Coordinated Downtown Transit Center. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of March 9, 2016 Page 3 Mr. Anguiano shared that SLO Transit has been included in meetings with the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and the developer. SLO Transit will continue to have a role throughout the planning stages of this project. Mr. Anguiano elaborated on design of bus bays at this transit center, taking factors into consideration such as safety measures, crosswalks, ticket vendors, and a driver breakroom and restroom. Ms. Thyne mentioned City Council Meeting and questioned the cost of the project. Mr. Johnson acknowledged there are environmental mitigations and a process for obtaining a good deal for this project. He also acknowledged this is a complicated project for transit, parking, housing, and traffic. Ms. Eliane Wilson, SLOCOG Transportation Planner, questioned whether traffic engineering study had been completed. Mr. Johnson responded that computer program analyzes the fatal flaws in the design at this point. Mr. Anguiano acknowledged there is motivation to make this project work and the consideration of safety is important. Mr. Thompson questioned confidence in City’s project planning abilities. Ms. Thyne raised point that Planning Commission and Architectural Review Committee (ARC) opposes project. Mr. Thompson acknowledged importance of transit involvement at the committee meetings Ms. Thyne mentioned. In response, Mr. Anguiano questioned how the Mass Transportation Committee can help. Mr. Johnson acknowledged that the ARC is a well-educated group. He raised the important point of considering whether the new transit center would be better than what we have today. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of March 9, 2016 Page 4 b) Electric Bicycles Mr. Anguiano acknowledged the electric bike policies have not kept up with technology. The bike rack manufacturer does not accommodate the heavy weight of electric bikes. He mentioned challenges, such as various kinds of electric bikes, which leaves the discretion to the driver. He raised the concern regarding whether electric bikes meet the safety precautions of buses. Mr. Al Rusco, First Transit General Manager, voiced his opposition in leaving the discretion to the drivers. Ms. Justice requested to hear from Mr. Geoff Straw, SLO Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Manager, regarding the RTA electric bike policy. Mr. Straw acknowledged that RTA is not responsible for any damage to electric bikes. Mr. Thompson requested response for item and emphasized concern for safety on buses. He communicated that rules against electric bikes are good. Mr. Anguiano shared that current policy is a blanket policy, which will be regularly revisited, but not yet revamped. Mr. Thompson acknowledged that discussion warrants keeping policy. c) Tripper Bus(es) and Overcrowding Mr. Anguiano acknowledged, regarding new Kennedy Library Tripper (KLT) service, sweeper buses were already in use and the KLT title allowed staff to program routes in Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system, bus tracker, head sign, etc. The intention was to alter the habits of riders to utilize the KLT. Mrs. Lawson shared that sweeper buses would formerly only run for two weeks at the beginning of each quarter. Sweeper buses are not considered revenue miles, but KLT is considered revenue miles. Mr. Rusco shared that First Transit staff is not leaving passengers behind, affirming that the KLT has been beneficial. Ms. Thyne questioned if Route 2 and Route 3 can have a similar Tripper service during the mornings. Mr. Anguiano responded that staff will look into the overcrowding on Route 2 and Route 3. Ms. Justice shared that drivers are not enforcing the carts and lug gage policy. Mr. Rusco acknowledged the discretion regarding the carts and luggage policy is left to the drivers. Mr. Thompson emphasized that the carts and luggage policy needs to be enforced. Ms. Justice questioned if KLT is a Cal Poly bus. Mrs. Lawson clarified that the KLT is not a Cal Poly bus because the Kennedy Library is a public library. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of March 9, 2016 Page 5 Agenda Item #3: Staff Items a) Transit Manager’s Report Mr. Anguiano shared the following: • Seven proposals were submitted for the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the SLO Transit operation and maintenance of fixed-route, public transit services. RFP reviewers would include: Tim Bochum (City Public Works Deputy Director), Marlene Cramer (Assistant Director of Cal Poly Business Services), Eliane Wilson (SLOCOG Transportation Planner), Jim Thompson (MTC Chair), and Gamaliel Anguiano (City Transit Manager). • Proposition 1B funds would be used for the replacement of the Transit AVL system. • Cal Poly spring break construction would take place from March 19 (Saturday) through March 26 (Saturday), which will result in route detours. • The SRTP is waiting for the compiled working papers. • The Public SRTP Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, in order to discuss alternatives and gather public input regarding drafted plan. • Cal Poly subsidy is still reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. • New LOSSAN (Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency) agreement with Pacific Surfliner will close last mile gap by providing passengers with one ride on transit after riding Amtrak. • Ride-On is the lead of MSAA, not SLO Transit • The Advisory Body Recognition event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22. • Cal Poly faculty scheduled a strike for Friday, April 15, but, per our responsibility to transit riders, we are running a normal schedule. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of March 9, 2016 Page 6 • Driver Appreciation Day is Friday, March 18. b) Update on Bomb Threat and Double Decker Incident Mr. Anguiano provided details regarding the bomb threat incident that took place on Wednesday, January 6: • Passenger announced he had reason to believe there was a bomb on one of the buses. • Cal Poly University Police Department and City Police Department were notified. • Entire SLO Transit system was shut down. • Every bus was systematically checked. • Buildings nearby parked buses were evacuated. Mr. Anguiano provided details regarding the Double Decker (DD) incident that took place on Monday, January 25: • The DD typically provides exclusive service to Route 4 and Route 5 but, due to high ridership, Double Decker was sent on sweeper run. • DD was dead-heading with no passengers on board. • Video surveillance and driver comments were reviewed. • Contractor is responsible for repairs. To reassure public safety, Mr. Anguiano acknowledged that visual cues will now be included in DD vehicle i.e. bright orange steering wheel. Ms. Thyne moved to adjourn meeting at 4:27 p.m. to the next regular meeting of Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Ms. Justice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Megan Cutler APPROVED BY THE MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 05/11/2016