CENTRE AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Regular Board Meeting
Minutes
(pdf version)
October 27, 2008
4:00 PM
Conference
Room 241,
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: John Spychalski, Chairman
Joseph L. Davidson, Vice Chairman
Richard Kipp, Treasurer
Gary Powers
Kathryn Bittner
STAFF PRESENT: Hugh Mose, General Manager
Joe Gilbert, Director of Transportation
Judi Minor, Director of Administration
Eric Bernier, Service Development Manager
Julie Hartley, Human Resource Manager
Deanne Brunner, Receptionist
Greg Kausch, Transportation Planner
OTHERS PRESENT:
Theresa Lafer,
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Spychalski called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
There
were no public comments.
III. OLD BUSINESS
A.
Approval of September 22, 2008 Regular Board
Meeting Minutes
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to approve the September 22, 2008 Regular Board Meeting minutes. Joe Davidson moved to approve the minutes as distributed and Richard Kipp seconded. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
B.
Receipt
of the August and September 2008 Finance Reports
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to receive the August and September 2008 financial reports. Richard Kipp moved to receive the reports and Kathryn Bittner seconded. Judi Minor went over the August and September Finance Reports noting several items of interest. Hugh Mose provided an update on ridership. OnePass sales are up 83% over last year’s numbers. Ride for Five pass sales and token sales have also increased over last year. Centre Ride ridership is comparable to the ridership numbers from a year ago, while Centre Line ridership numbers have increased by double digits. The Centre Commute ridership numbers continue to increase. With no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
C.
Rebranding Project Update
Due to the absence of Jackie Sheader, who is out on maternity leave, Eric Bernier provided the Board with a brief summary of the progress on the Rebranding project. Design consultant, Ken Karlic has updated the project with the Board’s previous suggestions. There was brief discussion regarding the new changes to the logo design, the renaming of CATA services and the paint scheme on the buses. Kathryn Bittner stated that she prefers the name “CentreCommute” rather than “CentreConnect”. Richard Kipp stated that CATA should be flexible in regards to the paint scheme of the buses. The logo may need to be altered to accommodate individual characteristics of each type of bus. Chairman Spychalski stated that he would like the logo on the buses to be italicized for a “speeding” look. The Board concurred with the staff’s recommendation to retain the CATA name and to accept the service names and final logo recommendations with the exception of “CentreConnect”. The Board asked the Project Committee to further consider the renaming of this service. No formal Board action was taken.
D.
Policy Review – Personnel Manual
Julie Hartley went over the proposed changes to the Personnel Manual for the Board’s review and consideration. Judi Minor stated that staff intends to make non-material changes to the manual that will be purely grammatical. The Board concurred for the proposed changes and “clean-up”. No formal Board action was taken; The proposed changes will be brought back to the Board for approval at the November meeting.
E.
Bus Acquisition
Joe Gilbert explained information that was recently received pertaining to the upcoming procurement of buses that are to be powered by CNG-electric hybrid propulsion systems. Joe stated that CNG-electric hybrid propulsion systems cannot be engineered to fit in the current generation of 40’ buses. There was brief discussion regarding current trends and the options that are available. The Board concurred with staff’s recommendation to proceed with the bus procurement while exploring the various options. Staff will have a more sufficient recommendation for the Board after further investigation. No formal Board action was taken.
F.
COG Transportation Committee-CATA participation
Hugh Mose explained that Jim Steff has asked for CATA to send a follow-up letter to COG stating our interest to participate in a non-voting capacity on the proposedTransportation and Land Use Committee. The Board concurred and advised staff to proceed with the letter.
IV.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Receipt
of FY 2007/2008 Audited Financial Statements
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to receive and distribute the year
end single audit and financial reports. Kathryn
Bittner moved and Joe Davidson seconded. Judi Minor gave a brief summary of new changes
to the audit and also the minor findings. After brief discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
B.
Resolution
Authorizing Filing of FY 2008/2009 Federal Formula Assistance Grant
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to approve the resolution as presented.
Richard Kipp moved and Joe Davidson seconded.
With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
C.
Resolution
for State Capital Bond Application
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to approve the resolution as presented.
Joe Davidson moved and Richard Kipp seconded.
With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
Note:
Gary Powers joined the meeting.
D.
Board Member Training
Hugh Mose gave a brief summation of the Board Member Training that is being offered by PennTRAIN. Hugh indicated that he would inquire for additional details regarding the training and would report back to the Board with specifics.
E.
Compensation Plan for Non-Represented
Employees
Julie Hartley stated that as indicated in the agenda memo, the overall compensation plan has not been updated in 12 years. With the Board’s concurrence, the compensation plan will be reviewed by in-house staff and brought back to the Board periodically, for their review over the next six months. No formal Board action was taken.
V.
OTHER BUSINESS
A.
General Manager’s Report
Hugh Mose informed the Board that the CNG dispenser contract is nearing the award stage. Hugh also stated that CATA recently met with the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute staff regarding Bus #85. The funding for the Hydrogen bus project will end at the end of the year and there has been discussion of running the bus with the current engine until spring, at which time the bus will be returned to its original condition. Hugh also noted that the process has begun to dispose of two paratransit vans that were removed from service. Hugh shared with the Board the award that CATA received in San Diego. Judi Minor inquired if CATA should extend the CNG purchase contract with Gas Mark for another contract year beginning October 1, 2009 and the Board concurred.
B.
Service Development Report
The
Service Development report was included in the Board packet for review.
Gary Powers inquired about the completion of the bus stop sign project
and Hugh indicated that the project is still in process, however only 3 signs
remain.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Spychalski called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Kathryn Bittner moved and Gary Powers seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 5:41 PM.