City of Lawrence

Public Transit Advisory Committee

City Commission Room, First Floor of City Hall

May 8, 2017 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Alan Black, Heather Thies, Mark Hurt, Zachary Kelsay, John Augusto, Lance Fahy, Sarah Trumble

MEMBERS ABSENT:

James Pavision

STAFF PRESENT:

Robert Nugent, Mike Sweeten, Serena Pearson, Ashley Myers

PUBLIC PRESENT:

None

 

 

1. Call to Order

Alan Black, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:10. Quorum met.

 

2. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

Minutes from the March 13, 2017 PTAC meeting were presented to PTAC members for approval. There was a motion from Mark Hurt to approve the minutes, Heather Thies seconded, all in favor, no opposed.

 

3. K-10 Connector Funding Request (Discussion/Action Item) – Johnson County is requesting funding for the K-10 Connector for 2018 in the amount of $190,403. This money will come out of the transit fund for local transit service. A memo from the City Manager’s Office and an article from the Kansas City Star were handed out to the committee. There was a meeting on April 24 with Johnson County administrative officials and the City of Lawrence City Manager’s office regarding this funding.

 

PTAC committee members questioned the dollar amount requested. They also questioned why the Lawrence taxpayers would be asked to fund a service that is designed to serve JCCC, KU Edwards and KU campuses.

 

A request was made that the City Manager meet with PTAC to discuss this funding before any action is taken. PTAC expressed concern that transit funding is spent in an appropriate manner.

 

Zach Kelsay made a motion to delay action until PTAC meets with Tom Markus, City Manager. Sarah Trumble seconded.  All in favor, no opposed.

 

 

4. Review of PTAC Retreat – Bob Nugent explained that there were lots of things we talked about at the PTAC retreat, but a few things we did not talk about. Some of the items we could talk about in future are the role of public transit in other communities and future goals. We could discuss these items in other PTAC meetings. We could have a presentation such as bike share on items at other meetings.

 

 

 

5. Updates:

a. Transit Center – The Assistant to the City Manager made a presentation to the City Commission to get approval for an RFP for a Transit Center Study. The City Commission agreed to that.  Then the City Commission asked for a presentation on the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA). Bob Nugent did a presentation on the COA to the City Commission, then asked for approval to do the Transit Center Study. The City Manager asked for an extension on this approval so the City Commission can look at this further.  Bob Nugent will go back next week to ask the City Commission for approval to do the Transit Center Study. 
b. Tax Referendum Subcommittee – Will meet tomorrow at 4:00.

 

6. Public Comment– No public present. Ashley Myers suggested that the new members would benefit by getting a presentation on the functions of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).  

 

7. Next Meeting – June 12, 2017

 

11. Adjournment - 5:35 pm

 

 

-Submitted by Serena Pearson