City of Lawrence

Public Transit Advisory Committee

November 11, 2008 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair David Dunfield, Marc Epard, Howard Hill, Mark Hurt, Lyle Hettinger, Jim Canaday, Martin Miller

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Ian Cahir, Derek Meier

STAFF PRESENT:

Casey Toomay, Wendy Koerner, Emily Lubliner, Mike Sweeten, David Corliss

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Alan Black, Margaret Neff, Saunny Scott, Richard Heckler

 

1. Call to Order

Chair David Dunfield called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. Introductions were made around the table, and Jim Canaday was announced as a new PTAC member.

 

2. Public Comment

Jim Canaday mentioned that he was surprised there is not a radio on in the public transit administrative office, listening to activity on the buses.

 

3. Agenda Review

Marc Epard asked if we should discuss the snow removal issue. It was added after Item 7 (and later moved to Item 9).

 

4. Approval of October Meeting Minutes

Mark Hurt moved to approve the minutes as submitted; Lyle Hettinger seconded. Minutes were approved.

 

5. Interim Public Transit Administrator Update

a. Ridership and Other Performance Statistics

Casey Toomay said we should take a moment to celebrate the passing of both sales tax initiatives. She reported that monthly ridership for October was up 13 percent compared to October last year. The projected ridership for the year might be slightly lower than last year, but probably no more than a 2 percent decrease, assuming November and December are consistent with last year. Ridership numbers are picking up and probably will continue to do so, considering the reciprocal pass agreement with KU. Howard Hill asked about the fare increase. It was reported that the fare increase happened in two phases, in July 2007 and January 2008. Hill wondered whether that would have an effect on the ridership numbers.

 

Lawrence Transit System recently won two awards. Emily reported that she entered the 2007 transit annual report in a national contest by the American Public Transportation Association, and it received first place in its category (based on population size of the area served). Toomay announced the second award, presented by the NAACP, which was the business impact award. It recognizes the impact transit has on the community in helping people get to work. Toomay acknowledged that we could not do this effectively without cooperation from MV.

 

 

 

6. Sales Tax Wrap Up – Comments from City Manager

City Manager David Corliss started by thanking David Dunfield and other PTAC members for their leadership in helping with sales tax proposals. Corliss said every once in a while, you get to do something that will leave an imprint for a number of years, and this is an example. Now we’re back to being busy implementing it. He said tonight the City Commission will receive the draft ordinances implementing the sales tax initiatives. Those must be certified and given to the Department of Revenue by the end of the year. The other ordinance is regarding the sales tax audit committee, which essentially will be a “rear view mirror committee.” Corliss said they will take a look at the receipts that we get and the expenditures that we make. He has seen this tool used in other communities, and it’s a very effective way to show integrity and accountability in spending public funds. The committee probably will not be active until the summer of 2009, when transit begins spending the sales tax funds.

 

Corliss continued, saying there are a number of things underway to be worked on. City representatives will be meeting with KU later this week on a number of items, including hiring the new public transit administrator, finalizing contracts with MV, bus acquisition, route redesign, and hiring an implementation specialist to assist with the process. He said, where I’m going to be asking PTAC is to say how can we redesign routes, how can we follow through on the mandate of the public to continue to have a transit system, but continue to make it better. That’s where PTAC members will be leaders and advisors.

 

David Dunfield asked to clarify what the role of PTAC is in this effort and what the process will be for redesigning routes and schedules. Corliss responded that after talking with KU, we will have a better idea of a timeline for getting the implementation specialist on board. What we want then is public participation, meetings, and surveys. The way Corliss sees making progress in cooperating with KU is through the routes. As that is achieved, other areas of coordination can be addressed. Jim Canaday asked whether PTAC would be involved in the purchase of new vehicles. He also asked whether before hiring an implementation specialist, PTAC and city management should further discuss priorities and what we want to achieve. He feels that perhaps we should have public meetings to ask what we want the bus system to achieve and what’s most important. Toomay said this touches on the next point about working with KU, and she would go into further detail about what plans are underway.

 

7. Update on Work with KU

a. Contract for Service

Toomay reminded the group that she and Wendy are members of the KU/City planning team that has been assembled to work on coordination of the two transit systems. They want to capitalize on the momentum and positive energy for transit and envision a public forum where interested people could come and share their ideas. There would be one meeting on campus and one off-campus. Satellite stations would be set up around the room to focus on various issues. PTAC members would be invited to assist with staffing the meetings. It would be a good brainstorming activity to gather ideas from the community.

 

Marc Epard said he recalled a previous proposal from a consultant that involved a planning game. It was a public event where groups had to plan a transit system. It would provide a way for the public to learn about the trade-offs involved in making these decisions and to generate enthusiasm for the changes. Howard Hill said that such an open event would be encouraging to the community. He also commented that an important group to involve in the process would be the bus drivers. They will have good insight into the daily operations of the buses, from the smaller details to the big picture.

 

Casey added that there was a meeting earlier in the day about the contract with MV. Details will be wrapped up soon, and the buses will continue to run on schedule starting in 2009.

 

b. Coordination, Consolidation, Merger

There was discussion on how much involvement the City Commission and the Mayor might like to have in the next steps. Then, Corliss made a clarification on the direction of coordination efforts. He said the goal is not a merger with KU. The goal is better service. The merger with KU is a tool in that effort, but it is not the goal in itself.

 

Mike Sweeten said it is important to define the objective to be achieved. From a provider’s perspective or the perspective of the implementation specialist, there are numerous models to work from. Without having a well defined objective, it is more difficult to proceed. In the beginning of the transit system, the objective was to connect 85 percent of the community with the community for shopping, employment and medical facilities. If that still is the objective, it will be difficult to do so in a way that is defined as “better” without additional resources. Sweeten suggested instead of starting with “How can we tweak the routes?” start by asking “What do we want the system to do?”

 

Toomay said that goal-setting will be important in working with KU. Looking back at the Dan Boyle studies, which led the way toward coordination, KU set their main goals as getting newer buses and moving to a fare free system. They have accomplished both goals, and they are not sure what they need to address with their system now.

 

David Dunfield said to summarize: 1. we are concerned not to lose the momentum established with the election, 2. we want to make sure public involvement is strong and clear, and 3. we make sure that we’re working toward a realistic goal about what we are trying to accomplish.

 

8. Public Comment

Richard Heckler said that by drawing on the Dan Boyle studies and MV’s experience in the community, perhaps it is not necessary to hire another consultant. Marc Epard said his preference would be to hire a consultant who has a lot of experience working with the public. Alan Black asked whether the city is going to hire a new transit administrator. Corliss responded that yes, we are. The city is going to ask KU how they want to be involved in the selection process. Corliss expects to see a lot of interested applicants, considering that Lawrence is a community with a dedicated revenue source and the opportunity to expand and work with the university. Saunny Scott said she keeps hearing that transit sales taxes passed by 70%. She said that does not mean 70% of the community voted for it, and she wanted a clarification. Corliss said the number of people who voted in Douglas County was over 60% of registered voters. Transit ballot measures passed in every precinct.

 

9. Added Item: Snow Removal

Marc Epard said he raised the issue because when the sidewalks are coated with snow and ice, it’s hard to get to the bus stop. He said what the City Commission decides will be pertinent to transit. Epard feels that a “carrot rather than a stick” approach might be best, encouraging people to clear sidewalks, rather than using fines. Jim Canaday pointed out that a cleared sidewalk often becomes icy, so he is not such a strong proponent of clearing sidewalks.

 

David Corliss clarified that the current ordinance allows issuing of a citation, resulting in an appearance at Municipal Court. The City Commission will consider an “abate and assess measure,” where the city would clear the street and issue a fine for doing so. Corliss said he did not feel the city could realistically keep up with the requests for clearing. No resolutions or recommendations were reached.

 

10. Tentative Next Meeting Date:

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

 

11. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

 

—Submitted by Emily Lubliner

 

Approved at 2/10/09 PTAC meeting