CENTRE
AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
REGULAR
BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
June
1, 2009
4:00
PM
STATE
COLLEGE BOROUGH BUILDING
Room
241, 243 S. Allen Street, State College, PA
BOARD MEMEBERS PRESENT: John Spychalski, Chairman
Joseph L. Davidson, Vice Chairman
Richard Kipp, Treasurer
Gary Powers
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Kathryn Bittner
STAFF PRESENT: Hugh Mose,
General Manager
Judi Minor, Director of Administration
Eric Bernier, Service Planning Manager
Jackie Sheader, Marketing Manager
Julie Hartley, Human Resources
Manager
Marsha Kyper, Assistant to the General Manager
OTHERS PRESENT: Theresa
Lafer, State College Borough Liaison
Linda Marshall, Centre County
Planning and Community Development Office
Chairman Spychalski called the
meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.
There
were no public comments.
In
consideration of Linda Marshall’s time, Chairman Spychalski moved item D, under
New
Business, to the beginning of Old
Business. Minutes are recorded in the
appropriate section.
A.
Approval of April 27, 2009 Regular Board
Meeting Minutes
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion
to approve the April 27, 2009 Regular
Board Meeting Minutes. Richard Kipp moved to approve the minutes and
Gary Powers
seconded. With no further discussion, the motion
carried unanimously with one correction
noted; under Other Business, section A,
first sentence, that should be the.
B.
Receipt of the April 2009 Financial Report
Judi Minor noted that we have
started to use federal operating assistance, and that most line items are
running at budget. Gary Powers inquired
about the Transportation Expense- Safety and Training line item that shows only
31.71% used to date. Judi responded that
this item included professional training based on the prior year. Hugh Mose responded that with Joe and Sherry
out, not as much has been done regarding professional training. Gary inquired about where driver training appeared
in the budget. Judi responded that drivers are paid for training and it is
included in the driver’s wages portion of the budget. John commented that Fare Box Revenues look
healthy and that Vehicle Maintenance is substantial. Hugh responded that an older fleet requires
more maintenance.
Hugh Mose provided a brief
summary on ridership numbers for the month of April, indicating that fixed
route service on CENTRE LINE and LOOP and LINK showed smaller increases for
April due to the date of Easter this year.
Hugh mentioned that the P (Airport/Medical Center/Scenery Park) and the
UT (University Terrace) Routes were impacted by declining use of the Free Fare
Zone. Hugh noted that paratransit for
April was up and down, that the CENTRE COMMUTE vanpool program experienced a
slight loss, and we have taken delivery of the ten new vanpool vans, with two
being on the road beginning today. The vans will be used to take the oldest
vans out of service, and to start new vanpools.
Richard Kipp inquired about the
issue with the seats in the new vans.
Hugh Mose responded that the original full seat-cushion left no head
room. As of today, six of the ten vans
have had the seats corrected. Richard
inquired about the cost to CATA. Hugh
responded that it was something that the manufacturer should have caught, and
that the manufacturer covered the cost of correcting the issue with the seats.
Next time, we will have someone on site at the manufacturer to avoid such
issues.
Gary Powers inquired about why
the report showed that CENTRE COMMUTE miles and hours set a record but that
vanpool and carpool participants dropped precipitously.
Hugh responded that without Terri
Quici present, he could not answer but would find out and put it in his next
memo to the Board.
Hugh Mose provided a brief
summary of the Fare Media Report, indicating that individual One Pass sales
dropped, Ride-For-Five participation is still high, and Token sales are up
almost 40% compared to last year at the same time.
Chairman Spychalski entertained a
motion to accept the April 2009 Finance Report. Gary Powers moved to accept the Finance Report
and Richard Kipp seconded. With no further discussion, the motion carried
unanimously.
C.
Policy Adoption
Joe Davidson inquired about what
effect there would be if we did not have a Modified/ Alternative Work
Policy. Hugh Mose responded that one
effect would be that each time we had someone on a longer Workmen’s
Compensation claim, decisions would have to be made on an ad hoc basis. He further commented that both the Insurance
Pool and CATA Attorney Bob Martin would want us to have standards. Joe concluded that the policy, therefore,
helps us reduce our Workmen’s Compensation costs.
Joe Davidson inquired whether
there would be a case when we would not want to have someone return to
Alternative/Modified Duty. Julie Hartley
and Judi Minor both responded that this may occur. Joe inquired whether we have the option to
offer Modified Duty. Julie and Judi responded
that we do. Judi referred to paragraph
seven in the policy document, which states no employee has the right to be
assigned modified/alternative duty. Joe
inquired whether that statement covered us. Judi responded that the people we
would not want to come back on Modified Duty usually do not want it in the
first place.
Chairman Spychalski entertained a
motion to adopt the Polices that were reviewed at the April 27th
meeting as presented. Joe Davidson moved
to approve the polices with one correction noted; page 1, paragraph two, of the
Modified/Alternative Duty Policy, to add the words or illness after injury. Gary Powers seconded. With no further discussion, the motion
carried unanimously.
D. Adoption
of FY 2009/2010 FINAL Budget
Hugh Mose noted that Judi Minor
and her team deserve the credit for producing the Budget document. Chairman Spychalski offered his thanks on
behalf of the Board. Hugh reported that
the COG General Forum adopted the CATA local shares with no comment
what-so-ever, and that he took that as a vote of confidence that we are running
a good public transportation operation. Theresa Lafer commented that it was an
easy piece of business for State College Borough because it had been reviewed
and discussed at previous meetings.
Theresa also commented that CATA does an amazing job, which is not easy
in such a spread out area. Richard Kipp
inquired whether there was any discussion at the General Forum regarding the
Miller Formula. Hugh responded that there was not, but that he was hoping that
there will be an opportunity, next February, to reconsider the Miller Formula
when dealing with the issue that Halfmoon Township not being a CATA member
municipality. Joe Davidson inquired as
to whether there was any interest in using the COG Formula and Hugh responded
that there was not.
Chairman Spychalski entertained a
motion to adopt the FY 2009-2010 Final Budget.
Richard Kipp moved to approve the FY 2009-2010 Final Budget and Gary
Powers seconded. With no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A.
Marketing Plan for FY 2009/2010
Jackie Sheader gave a brief overview of the FY 2009/10 Marketing Plan, and
noted that it includes a new marketing survey, seven or more new streaming
videos, and completion of the Schlow Streetscape. Chairman Spychalski referred to page eight
of the Marketing Plan in regard to the CATA Staff Clothing Allowance, and
expressed his support of the project.
Jackie and Hugh both commented that it is official staff apparel. Joe Davidson inquired whether Land’s End
would have the official CATA logo, and Jackie responded that they would, with
use of the new logo beginning with the fall semester. Jackie went on to comment that non-
represented employees would be able to go to the Land’s End website, see what
is authorized, make a purchase and be reimbursed up to $100 per year.
Richard Kipp inquired about the
Fannie Mae Smart Commute program. Jackie
Sheader responded that it was disbanded in this area due to lack of
participation.
Hugh Mose asked Jackie Sheader to
talk about Dump the Pump Day for 2009.
Jackie reported that CATA is participating with four other transit
authorities, who as a consortium are purchasing television and radio
advertising to promote the event. On
June 18, CATA will be offering free rides on all fixed routes and holding an
Open House at the downtown office. Joe
Davidson inquired about additional promotions such as a coupon for another free
ride. Jackie responded that she would
look into doing that, and also educating drivers to watch for the coupons. Richard Kipp commented that occasionally CATA
buses are a little dirty. Hugh
responded that a crew of Drivers is cleaning the buses this summer, but that
buses do get pretty dirty during Full Service.
This
agenda item was informational and no formal Board action was requested.
B.
Proposal for DBE (Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise) Goals 2009/2010
Judi Minor gave a brief explanation of the proposed DBE goals for FY 2009/2010. Judi stated that the goals need to be
advertised by mid-June, that there is a sixty day comment period and that she
has a list of agencies from which she seeks comment. We only have only one significant DBE, which
is Handy Delivery. Gary Powers inquired
as to whether they could be losing their contract with CATA. Judi responded that it was possible, but
added that she had attended a meeting of CENTRE RIDE users for the purpose of
receiving their comments about the service, and that there was a strong
outpouring of support for Handy Delivery.
Chairman Spychalski entertained a
motion to adopt the DBE Goal of 5% for FY2009/2010. Joe Davidson moved and Richard Kipp seconded. With no further discussion, the motion carried
unanimously.
C.
Summer Board Meeting Schedule
There was brief discussion
regarding the summer Board meeting schedule.
Hugh commented that due to the number of agenda items the July meeting
would be necessary but the August meeting might not be, and asked the Board to
check their calendars. The decision on whether to cancel a summer meeting will
be made at the June 22 Board Meeting.
D. Affordable
Housing Presentation
Jackie Sheader introduced Linda
Marshall, of the Centre County Planning and Community Development Office, who
gave a verbal overview of the LUPTAP (Land Use Planning and Technical
Assistance Program) Grant which is being used to develop, in partnership with
the Centre Regional Planning Agency, model regulations and policies to promote
affordable housing development. Linda
commented that Hugh Mose has been involved in meetings regarding planning for
affordable housing, Eric Bernier has provided input regarding transit inclusion
and Jackie Sheader serves on the Affordable Housing Coalition. Linda shared a handout titled Model
Inclusionary Regulations and Policies and also showed a video developed by the
Affordable Housing Coalition.
Hugh Mose, Board members and
other in attendance made comments in response to Linda’s presentation and the
Affordable Housing issue in the region.
Linda concluded by stating that she would like to return to a future
meeting to report on the progress of the project, and to determine if it is on
target in regard to public transportation as it relates to the development of
affordable housing. Chairman Spychalski
responded that she would be welcome to return with a progress report.
This
agenda item was informational and no formal Board action was requested.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A.
General Manager’s Report
Hugh Mose thanked Judi Minor and her staff for a job well done on the budget
preparation. He also offered congratulations
to Julie Hartley on becoming a mother-in-law.
Hugh reported that a team from
GFI Genfare was on site at CATA to complete a security audit. The audit showed that we need to do a better
job of securing spare fareboxes, improve preventative maintenance including
providing newer mechanics with training, and upgrade our software. Gary Powers inquired whether GFI recommended
new equipment. Hugh and Judi Minor responded, yes, GFI recommended upgraded
software and equipment that would track the location of individual vaults. Hugh stated that he did not think we needed
to replace the existing fareboxes. Joe
Davidson inquired about the cost. Judi
responded, approximately $20,000, but that grant money might be available for
use. Hugh stated that a written report
would be forthcoming.
Hugh called attention to the fact
that the State Formula Capital Grant is $886,000 next year, compared to $1.1
million this year, due to falling sales tax revenues. He further commented that in Sherry Snyder
and Mark Kutzer’s absence, he wished to report that the bus detailing crew is
doing a particularly good job, and should be finished by the end of
summer. Joe Davidson asked if laid off
drivers were used for this task and Hugh responded, yes. He went on to say that several laid off
drivers will be called back to replace those drivers who will be training new
hires. Richard Kipp commented that
sometimes there is junk on the bus seats, but overall the buses are well
maintained, and that we should keep up the good work.
Theresa Lafer inquired about the
number of buses that do not run during Reduced Service. Hugh responded that approximately one-third
of the driver force is laid off. Joe
Davidson inquired about the refurbishment of the LYNX buses and Eric responded
that the APTS installation should be complete in another week. Hugh commented that Mark Kutzer wants to put
one of the LYNX buses out for trial while they are still all white, so the
Board should be aware. Mark is also
checking into exchanging two of our 35’ LYNX buses for two of IndiGo (Indiana,
PA) 40’ buses.
Chairman Spychalski inquired as
to whether we were close to finishing the Request for Proposal for the
refurbishment of the buses. Hugh
responded that we were approximately 30 days from completing and advertising
the RFP.
B.
Service Development Report
Eric Bernier commented that he is working on a project to provide a display at
Schlow Library that will match the Pattee signage. Joe Davidson inquired about whether we are
confident in Campus Advertising’s ability to deliver on their contract. Eric stated that “they are the best out
there,” and that he had no issue with the quality or quantity of their
work. Jackie Sheader responded that the
issues have been with payment of the quarterly, minimum guarantee. Joe Davidson commented about an LED screen he
had seen on the side of a bus that displays advertising for advertisers in the
bus’ current location, and asked if it was worth looking into. Jackie responded that she would research it
to stay up-to-date on the technology, in order to answer questions when they
are raised. Hugh commented that it was an innovative concept.
Chairman Spychalski commented on
funding for the Gatesburg Road extension.
Jackie Sheader noted that a bus pull off will be included. Eric Bernier commented that CATA will be
involved in the land development plan.
Hugh Mose commented that there may come a time when we will want to work
with Penn State University on a “Red Link” to Cato Park. Theresa Lafer inquired whether there was
anything more to report on the student proposed Greek Loop. Eric Bernier responded that there was nothing
more to report.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Spychalski called for a
motion to adjourn the meeting. Gary
Powers moved to adjourn the meeting and Joe Davidson seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
An Executive Session was held to discuss personnel matters.