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Home My WebLink About11-09-2016 MTC minutes FINALMinutes - FINAL MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee was called to order on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 2:30 pm in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Thyne. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Louise Justice, James Thompson, Justin Frentzel, Vice-Chair John Osumi, and Chair Elizabeth Thyne Absent: Committee Members Cheryl Andrus, Denise Martinez, Diego-Christopher Lopez Staff: Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Assistant Megan Cutler PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA There was no public comment. ANNOUNCEMENTS Deputy City Clerk Heather Goodwin led Mr. Frentzel in New Member Oath. Chair Thyne acknowledged her personal appreciation for every committee member and the importance of their time and contribution to the committee. MINUTES ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THOMPSON, CARRIED 5-0 to approve the Minutes of the Mass Transportation Meeting on September 7, 2016. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of November 9, 2016 Page 2 ACTION ITEMS 1.City Council Goals (Interim Finance Director, Xenia Bradford) Ms. Bradford presented on 2017-19 Financial Plan. See presentation slides in Attachment 2. Financial Plan development begins with community outreach to determine the City’s highest priorities for next two years. Budget is adopted in June. Ms. Bradford requested advisory body feedback and provided the following guidelines: simply state proposal for community, why proposal is important, and any creative ideas for how to achieve the proposal. Mr. Thompson requested clarification for description of goals. Ms. Bradford responded goals are regarding how the City should allocate and utilize its resources to achieve what is desired from a transportation perspective. Chair Thyne requested implementation of the five-year Short Range Transit Plan. Mr. Anguiano clarified City Transit Fund is an enterprise fund so it is not directly competing with City General Fund, presenting both advantages and challenges. The implementation of the SRTP is still dependent on limited City resources and staff time. Committee members drafted the following Major City Goals: 1.Renewed support of Multi-Modal Transportation, specifically in the use of Public Transit and in line with City adopted mode split goals, by means of acquiring advancements in technological transit equipment such as, but not limited to: electric transit vehicles, smart bus stops, operational management software and public amenities. 2.Renewed support of Multi-Modal Transportation, specifically in the use of Public Transit and in line with the City adopted mode split goals, by means of dedicating funds for a dedicated Multi-Modal Transportation (Transit) Center for both local and regional transit services. 3.Further financial support of Multi-Modal Transportation, specifically in the use of Public Transit and in line with City adopted mode split goals, by financially supporting public transit by introducing a Transit Impact fee for all new developments. 4.Further financial support of Multi-Modal Transportation, specifically in the use of Public Transit and in line with City adopted mode split goals, by locally solving first mile and last mile travel in conjunction with other local transportation service providers. 5.Support of Multi-Modal Transportation programs, specifically in the use of Public Transit and in line with City adopted mode split goals, by supplying at least one additional full-time staffing position in order to administer transit related programs. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of November 9, 2016 Page 3 DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Downtown Transit Center Funding (SLOCOG Rep) San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Transportation Planner, Eliane Guillot, presented on study for combined parking garage and transit center in the location of Higuera between Toro and Santa Rosa. The SLOCOG Board set aside State Prop 1B revenue in order to match Federal funding for project. The developer did not have sufficient concept designs, so pulled out of project. There will be an agency meeting, including many City departments, RTA, and SLOCOG. 2. BoltAbout – E-bicycle rental program In an effort to inform the committee regarding electric bikes (e-bikes) and growing prevalence within San Luis Obispo, BoltAbout CEO Matt Maxwell presented on his local e-bike rental company. The City is currently refining its electric bike (e-bike) policy for the allowance of e-bikes on public transit bike racks. The transit bike rack manufacture suggests bikes should not weigh more than 55 pounds and many e-bikes weigh more than 55 pounds. Bikes weigh significantly less when batteries are removed. Mr. Osumi acknowledged it may be safer to keep the batteries on the exterior of the bus rather than the interior. The removal of the battery also adds additional dwell time. Mr. Maxwell stated there may be risk of the battery catching fire if punctured during an exterior collision. However, the e-bike manufacture has no known instances of the batteries catching fire. Mr. Thompson shared his personal research regarding e-bike policies on buses. He found some cities allow e-bikes on buses if they are less than 50 pounds, have the appropriate type of battery, and are certified. The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is also conducting further research regarding e-bikes. The SLO Transit e-bike policy is under revision. 3. Transit Manager’s Report Mr. Anguiano shared ridership is down this year (FY 2016-17) in comparison to last year (FY 2015-16). Record ridership last year was due largely in part to the closure of the Grand Avenue parking lot, resulting in overcrowding on buses. Cal Poly student ridership was increasing, whereas general ridership was declining. Mr. Frentzel questioned whether the housing development on Cal Poly’s campus is expected to influence ridership. Mr. Anguiano acknowledged Cal Poly is planning to admit more students and freshmen may no longer be allowed to bring cars. We are expecting an increase in the transit dependent population within our community. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of November 9, 2016 Page 4 Public member questioned whether data is available regarding ridership data by route. Mr. Anguiano affirmed data is collected via fareboxes and automatic passenger counters on every vehicle. He will share more data with committee at future meeting. Ms. Cutler shared upcoming ridership events including: Veterans Day (November 11) free rides for veterans, Downtown Holiday Trolley (November 25 – December 24) free rides for up to four people with a parking garage ticket, and Small Business Saturday (November 26) free rides systemwide. Three new buses are arriving in 2017 and these buses will be introduced with an unveiling event (March 9). 4. SRTP Service Expansion – Concept Schedule Ms. Justice requested discussion regarding senior/disabled one-day pass. Mr. Anguiano responded there will be more discussion regarding fare increase and available pass types in conjunction with the implementation of the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). Fares and operational costs are tied closely with schedules. Mr. Anguiano shared preliminary schedules with committee for discussion. Factors taken into consideration include routes with frequencies that would sync together and interline with 15, 30, 45, and 60 minute headways. Per the recommendation of the SRTP, routes will have bi-directional service, clockwise service identified with A and counterclockwise identified with B. There will be a separate academic, summer, and weekend schedule. Chair Thyne questioned whether the stops listed in the schedules are the only stops. Mr. Anguiano clarified only the time points are listed, so there are additional stops between these time points. Mr. Anguiano clarified the academic schedule is derived from the San Luis Coastal Unified School District academic school year. Mr. Anguiano noted there will be more revenue hours with very little cost associated. Measure J would have potentially provided system with more operating and capital costs, potentially mitigating fare increases, but measure did not pass. Chair Thyne questioned timeline associated with fare increase. Mr. Anguiano plans to bring recommended fare increase discussion to January MTC meeting. Mr. Frentzel highlighted the Route 4A schedule. He requested an alignment of the schedule with an arrival to Kennedy Library just prior to the :10 class start time. Mr. Anguiano affirmed schedules are still being refined. Start times for Cal Poly are all being considered, in addition to K-12 schools and major employment areas. ACTION: MOTION BY VICE CHAIR OSUMI, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, CARRIED 5-0 to hold a special meeting on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 2:30 PM. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of November 9, 2016 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER FRENTZEL, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER OSUMI, CARRIED 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 4:01 p.m. to the next Special meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee, December 1, 2016 at 2:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 12/08/2016