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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2016 MTC Minutes FINAL Minutes - FINAL MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee was called to order on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Thyne. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Cheryl Andrus, Louise Justice, Diego-Christopher Lopez, Denise Martinez, James Thompson, Vice Chair John Osumi, and Chair Elizabeth Thyne. Absent: Committee Members Heidi Harmon and Michelle Wong Staff: Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano, Transportation Assistant Megan Cutler, Recording Secretary Monique Lomeli. ANNOUNCEMENTS Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano announced that all Committee meetings will be audio recorded. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Carol Wiser, San Luis Obispo, urged the Committee to consider implementing flagged bus stops, accessible transit after 5 p.m., revised route boundaries, and sheltered bus stops without benches. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES Minutes of the Mass Transportation Committee meetings of May 11 and June 8, 2016 Committee Member Justice proposed the following amendments to the Mass Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2016: 1) Revise to specify “Special Meeting” 2) Page 4, last paragraph, first sentence revised to read: “Ms. Justice clarified questioned Route 3A…” FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of July 13, 2016 Page 2 3) Page 5, first paragraph, first sentence revised to read: “Ms. Justice clarified questioned the clearance…” ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, SECOND BY VICE-CHAIR OSUMI to approve both sets of minutes, as amended, CARRIED 7:0:2 PRESENTATION 1. Self-Help Measure Presentation Stephanie Hicks, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, (SLOCOG) gave an informational presentation on the San Luis Obispo County Self Help Local Transportation Investment Plan, proposing a county-wide 0.5 percent sales tax for nine years to fund road- repairs and transportation improvement; responded to Committee inquiries. CONSENT AGENDA 2. Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) – Mass Transportation Committee Recommendation Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano introduced consultant Gordon Shaw to present progress in the development of the Draft Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). After a brief summary of the plan, consultant Shaw responded to Committee inquiries regarding year-round bus routes; received positive feedback from the Committee in reference to improvements since the former plan was introduced. The Committee inquired about the future closure of Grand Avenue and the potential effects on bus routes. Transit Manager Anguiano responded to Committee concerns, explaining that due to the lack of a definite timeframe of the closure, staff did not make an alternate route part of the initial plan but is prepared to address a modification to that particular route should the closure occur during the implementation of the Short Range Transit Plan. The Committee expressed concerns over the removal of the Augusta Street bus stop, noting the challenges the elderly riders would face climbing the steep incline to the new stop and the narrow area around the new stop presenting lack of space for shelter; suggested the plan be modified to preserve the Augusta Street bus stop. Consultant Shaw responded to Committee concerns over the Augusta Street bus stop, stating that it is a reasonable request. Chair Thyne opened the meeting to Public Comment. The following residents of San Luis Obispo expressed safety concerns on Laurel Lane; spoke in favor of the convenience and safety of the present bus stop on Augusta Street and urged Staff to reconsider the plan to move it up the hill; suggested the City consider adding cross lights and making sidewalk improvements if the Augusta stop needs to be moved: FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of July 13, 2016 Page 3 Mary Leizear Carol-Jean Treuffel Susan Bliss --End public comment-- ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR OSUMI, CARRIED 7-0-2 to approve the Draft Short Range Transit Plan, with the exception of the approval of Route 1B (Augusta Bus Stop) for further consideration. 3. Rescheduling the September Mass Transportation Committee Meeting Following a brief discussion the Committee rescheduled the September 14, 2016 MTC meeting to Wednesday, September 7, 2016. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ANDRUS, CARRIED 7-0-2 DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Committee Items a) Marketing, Social Media, Promotion Transit Manager Anguiano presented a brief summary of the item in lieu of absent Committee Member Harmon; stated Committee Member Harmon’s interest in being more involved in marketing and promotion through social media campaigns to encourage more use of public transportation. Committee directed staff to coordinate with the City Clerk’s Office to address Committee Member attendance. 5. Staff Items a) Revisit of Stroller & Electric Bicycle Policy Active Transportation Program Manager Adam Fukushima gave a brief overview of the Bicycle Advisory Committee’s concerns over the ban on electric bicycles; provided updated information on improvements to the electric bicycle and requested the Committee re-evaluate the policy on a future agenda. Fukushima stated he will do further research on electric bicycle batteries and report his findings to the committee. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of July 13, 2016 Page 4 b) New Service Reduction Policy Transit Manager Anguiano presented information to the Committee regarding the need for a transit specific policy for public notification of transit related service reduction. c) Transit Manager’s Report Transit Manager Anguiano reviewed the contents of the quarterly report on ridership. d) MTC Retreat on August 31st Transportation Assistant Megan Cutler presented information about the MTC Retreat and requested feedback from the Committee to determine interests and educational needs to be addressed at the retreat. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 2:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 09/07/2016