CENTRE AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
REGULAR BOARD MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
May 23, 2005
4:00 PM
STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH BUILDING
Room 241, 243 S. Allen Street
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Spychalski, Chairman
Joe Davidson, Vice-Chairman
Gary Powers
Kathryn Bittner

BOARD MEMBER ABSENT:
Richard Kipp, Treasurer

STAFF PRESENT:
Hugh Mose, General Manager
Judith Minor, Director of Administration
Eric Bernier, Service Development Manager
Jacqueline Sheader, Marketing Manager
Terri Quici, Executive Assistant
Joe Gilbert, Director of Transportation
Bill Wolf, Operations Supervisor

OTHERS PRESENT:
Tim Geibel, CRPA, Transportation Planner

I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Spychalski called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM and began the meeting with the introduction of Bill Wolf, Operations Supervisor. Mr. Wolf was recently promoted to this position after serving as a Driver for CATA for the past five years.

II. PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Spychalski opened the public hearing. When no members of the public indicated an interest in making comments on the proposed service standards, Chairman Spychalski closed the hearing.

III PUBLIC COMMENT
None

IV. OLD BUSINESS

A. Approval of Minutes of April 28, 2005 Board Meeting
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to approve the minutes. Joe Davidson moved to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2005 Board Meeting as presented. Gary Powers seconded. Chairman Spychalski noted a minor change on page 2, item D, 2nd paragraph in which “sercurities” should be “securities”. The motion carried unanimously.

B. Approval of April 2005 Finance Reports
Chairman Spychalski entertained a motion to accept the April 2005 Finance Report. Gary Powers moved to accept the April 2005 Finance Report as presented. Kathryn Bittner seconded.

There was discussion regarding vehicle repair costs, utilities, and wages & benefits. Ms. Minor also noted a possible cash flow problem because due to delays in Reauthorization, FY 2004/2005 5/12 of the FY 2004/2005 federal appropriation has not been received. Mr. Minor also noted that our insurance company reimbursed the cost of employing a security guard after the arson. With no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.

C. FY 2005/2006 Budget Update
Hugh Mose stated that there is ongoing dialogue between the State College Borough and Ferguson Township regarding the use of the Miller Formula versus the COG Formula for allocating local shares. He also said that the COG Finance Committee had two concerns: financial commitment from the County for the X Route and exterior bus advertising. However, Mr. Mose stated that at the COG General Forum the Budget is expected to be referred to individual municipalities for the adoption of their local shares. Kathryn Bittner asked whether it is possible for the State College Borough to force us to use the COG formula. Mr. Mose stated he didn’t think they alone could demand a change in the formula.

D. FY 2005/2006 Service Plan Adoption
Eric Bernier provided an update to the Board. He noted that there will be no changes this fiscal year on the A, W, or C routes, as previously discussed. Mr. Bernier stated that staff still feels that these are good changes but that the timing is not right. Mr. Bernier noted the major change is the X Route in which three weekday trips and all Saturday service will be cut unless additional funding becomes available.

After considerable discussion regarding route changes and corresponding Centre Ride service, Joe Davidson moved to approve the planned service changes and direct staff to finalize the details necessary to implement them effective Monday, August 29, 2005. Kathryn Bittner seconded the motion. Chairman Spychalski stated that the motion should include a reference that the Saturday and Centre Ride services on the X Route are subject to change if additional funding becomes available. Motion carried unanimously.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Service Standards for FY 2005/2006
Eric Bernier reviewed the standards, already included in the Board packets. Mr. Bernier noted that this is an annual requirement by PENNDOT in which PENNDOT establishes the standards and CATA sets their goals based on the standards.

Gary Powers moved that the Board adopt the FY 2005/2006 Service Standards. Kathryn Bittner seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Resolution Approving Request for Dedicated and Supplemental Public Transportation Assistance Funds Under Act 26 of 1991 and Act 3 of 1997
In the Board agenda packet, Judi Minor provided a memo explaining the resolution. Joe Davidson moved that the Board adopt the resolution for FY 2005/2006 Act 26 and Act 3 dedicated funds and direct that the grant application be submitted to PENNDOT. Kathryn Bittner seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

C. Interior Bus Advertising
Eric Bernier stated that the current five-year interior bus advertising agreement with Morgan Signs expires on June 30. After a Request For Proposals was advertised on 4/3 and 4/6, two qualified and competitive proposals were received. Joe Davidson asked if this is for another five year contract. Mr. Bernier stated it was for one year, with an option to extend the contract each year for four additional years. Mr. Bernier discussed briefly the pros and cons of both proposals and concluded by stating that the staff recommends the contract be awarded to Morgan Signs.

Joe Davidson moved to accept the staff recommendation and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Morgan Signs Inc. for the exclusive right to continue selling and servicing the interior advertising space in our full-sized bus fleet. Gary Powers seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

A. General Manager’s Report
Hugh Mose reported that in arranging Bill Wolf’s introduction to the Board, he was reminded that Jim Ewing, Operations Supervisor, did not have the opportunity yet to meet the Board. Jim will be Joe Gilbert’s guest next month.

Mr. Mose stated that CATA provided some additional service to the Modified Madness event on campus. Mr. Mose reported that ridership was light but that the bus served its purpose of being available as a hotel shuttle.

Mr. Mose also reported that CATA hosted three events recently: the Employee Appreciation Breakfast, our Annual Open House, and the CNG Celebration. Mr. Mose thanked the Board members for their participation and noted that all three events were very successful.

Lastly, Mr. Mose reported that the U.S. Senate recently enacted its version of the Transportation Reauthorization Bill. Mr. Mose stated that he would be writing letters tomorrow to ask support of the House version of the High Intensity Transit Tier.

B. Service Development Report
Eric Bernier reminded the Board that CATA has a policy that requires a Public Hearing if 25% or more of a route is proposed to be changed. Mr. Bernier stated that the X Route revisions that the Board adopted with the Service Plan come close, and it would be a good idea to hold a Hearing with the June meeting.

C. Other
Chairman Spychalski thanked staff for three very successful events and stated that all the hard work is much appreciated.

Chairman Spychalski again noted his interest in a marketing survey of the Ride For Five Program, based on statistics from the Ridership Report. Jackie Sheader indicated that she has plans to do this in the next Fiscal Year.

VII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, Chairman Spychalski adjourned the meeting at 5:20 PM.

VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board recessed to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.