City of Lawrence

Public Transit Advisory Committee

February 10, 2009 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Chair David Dunfield, Derek Meier, Marc Epard, Howard Hill, Mark Hurt, Jim Canaday, Alan Black, Lyle Hettinger
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Ian Cahir
STAFF PRESENT:	Casey Toomay, Wendy Koerner, Emily Lubliner, Mike Sweeten, Todd Girdler
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Mark Swope, Bob Bourne, Tom Worker-Braddock, Gwen Klingenberg, Saunny Scott, Marian Hukle, Rob Tabor, Janice and Walt Olker, Bill Reynolds, Shannon Murphy

1. Call to Order

Chair David Dunfield called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. Roundtable introductions were made.

2. Public Comment

None provided.

3. Agenda Review

Jim Canaday requested an agenda item be added for discussion of recommending Rob Tabor to the sales tax audit committee. Item was added after #8. Howard Hill wanted to request that “No Smoking” signs be placed in bus shelters. Wendy Koerner said we have had signs in the shelters in the past, but they have been vandalized. She will follow up on getting replacements.

4. Approval of November Meeting Minutes

Mark Hurt moved to approve the minutes as submitted; David Dunfield seconded. Minutes were approved.

5. Interim Public Transit Administrator Update

a. Ridership and Other Performance Statistics

Casey Toomay reviewed monthly ridership reports and performance statistics. Ridership in December 2008 was up 13% for fixed route service over December 2007, and paratransit ridership for the same month was down 2%. In January 2009, ridership increased 11% for fixed route service, and paratransit ridership decreased 4.3%.

b. Annual Report

Casey shared the 2008 annual report, which has not officially been released yet. Copies were printed for PTAC to preview. She thanked Emily for her work producing the annual report.

c. New Administrator Search

Casey said the city had received 50 applications for Public Transit Administrator, which were narrowed down to 15 people who were asked to complete a written questionnaire. Based on those responses, six applicants were selected for phone interviews. Casey said they planned to conduct in-person interviews with three to four finalists. The City asked KU to provide a representative to serve on the interview panel for the final candidates. PTAC will also be asked to participate at that stage. In the meantime, if PTAC members have thoughts about qualifications, skills, or experience they would like to see in the next administrator, they are invited to share those with Casey.

6. Coordinated Route and Schedule Design Project - Presentation from Olsson Associates

Mark Swope from Olsson Associates introduced himself and began the presentation. Bob Bourne from Bourne Transit was introduced as part of the team of implementation specialists. Mark said the team was selected by the city and university to do a study. Their approach is to develop a strategy for better coordinating services. A common theme throughout the community is that there are a lot of resources being invested in public transit in Lawrence, and perhaps they could be put to better use with increased coordination.

The team is taking a three-phased approach. They are in the first phase now, collecting data, evaluating, soliciting input, learning what the issues are and understanding the transit systems. Some members of the team are familiar with the systems, so they are not starting from zero. Bob Bourne has been a consultant for the University of Kansas. Another team member, Tom Worker-Braddock, was a KU student and served on the Transit Commission. The team has been asked to provide recommendations for service changes that would be implemented in August 2009. These will not be sweeping changes, but rather minor adjustments aimed at better coordinating City and KU routes.

The second phase of the project, which will begin roughly April 1, will involve developing policies and standards for transit in the community. Mark said this may be the most important part of the study. There needs to be consensus on what the standards should be and what policies should govern decisions related to transit in the community. The summer months will be spent developing those policies and standards.

The third phase will involve developing recommendations on how the two systems can better coordinate, which may include changes in schedules, route alignments, merging routes, or jointly operating routes. Recommendations will aim to achieve better use of resources, eliminating duplication, and making the two systems function as one without combining them into a single agency. Mark said, “We’re not coming up with a consolidation plan that’s going to somehow wed these two agencies into one. There will still be two independent agencies, but services would be better coordinated. That’s what we’ve been asked to do.” Recommendations for the third phase are due January 15, 2010.

Mark said the team has extensive background with this type of work. He worked for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority for about 15 years and has experience with coordination efforts between multiple agencies. Bob Bourne has experience working in university communities, and has worked on coordination efforts between municipal and university transit systems. This concluded the overview of the team’s approach to the study. Mark opened it up for questions or comments. Prior to public comment, there were several questions from PTAC members clarifying the scope of the study.

7. Public Comment

Public comment period was moved up on the agenda. Marian Hukle said she understood there was a schedule for the consultants to meet with various groups during their information gathering phase. She asked when they would meet with riders and members of the general public. The consultants said they will be riding the bus and taking comments while on-board.

Gwen Klingenberg asked how to get on the schedule of meetings with the consultants.

Saunny Scott asked if the homeless would be included in the consultants’ meetings. Tom Worker-Braddock said he just came from a meeting where the Lawrence Community Shelter was represented.

Howard Hill asked whether the consultants would be meeting with developers. There is a meeting already scheduled.

Bill Reynolds asked about the projected budget for 2009. He inquired about stimulus funding, and Casey said there is funding that may be available for vehicle purchasing. Reynolds remarked that the farebox revenues are not very significant, and KU students no longer pay to ride the T. Perhaps the system could go fare-free altogether and attract more ridership?

8. Develop Recommendation Regarding Free Ridership Days for 2009

After some discussion, it was proposed that Emily devise a list of six free ridership days in 2009. She would then e-mail it to the group for their approval.

9. Added Item: Discussion on Sales Tax Audit Committee

Jim Canaday proposed that PTAC recommend Rob Tabor for the Sales Tax Audit Committee. He has experience that would make him a qualified candidate. Members felt that PTAC does not have the authority to appoint someone to the committee, and since it is meant to be a watchdog for the use of transit sales tax funds, a recommendation may not be welcome. David Dunfield suggested that any PTAC member who is so moved should write a letter of support to the mayor. Jim Canaday agreed with that approach.

10. Designation of Member to participate on City/ KU team

It was proposed that Jim Canaday be appointed as PTAC representative on the KU-City Planning Team. Howard moved, Lyle seconded, and it was approved.

11. Tentative Next Meeting Date:

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

12. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.

—Submitted by Emily Lubliner

Approved at 6/9/09 PTAC meeting