TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE & TRANSIT COORDINATING COUNCIL JOINT MEETING

Friday, September 14, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
10:00 a.m.

COUNTY TCC MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Bina, Richard Running, Steve Johnson, Marge Antoniewicz.
COUNTY TCC MEMBERS EXCUSED: Audrey Kader, Keith Carlson.
COUNTY TCC MEMBERS ABSENT: Nancy Schmidt, Noreen Kuroski, Chris Sander, Thomas Padesky, Lyell Montgomery.

LAPC TCC MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Bina, Richard Running, Steve Johnson, Sandy Sechrest, Richard Hanley, Dennis Manthei, Marge Antoniewicz.

LAPC TCC MEMBERS EXCUSED: Audrey Kader, Keith Carlson.

LAPC TCC MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Johnsrud, Peter Fletcher, Chris Sander, Noreen Kuroski, Thomas Padesky, Jean Meyer, Nancy Schmidt, Lyell Montgomery, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger.

STAFF & GUESTS: Julia Barth, Jackie Eastwood, Tom Faella

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Don Bina, Committee Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Sechrest/Johnson to approve the joint committee meeting minutes of August 17, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Mark Johnsrud, Peter Fletcher, Chris Sander, Noreen Kuroski, Thomas Padesky, Jean Meyer, Nancy Schmidt, Lyell Montgomery, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger absent.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.

WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS WETAP GRANT APPLICATION
Julia Barth, the transportation coordinator for Workforce Connections (counties of Crawford, Monroe, Vernon, and Juneau) presented her proposal for a WETAP application that would expand their existing WETAP program into La Crosse County. The program offers:

§         Individual Services (assistance with vehicle repairs, vehicle down-payments, alternative transportation, miscellaneous expenses);

§         Mobility Manager; and

§         Revolving Loans.

The program is designed to assist income-eligible families and individuals obtain an affordable and dependable vehicle for employment. The program would work the same in La Crosse County; however, she would work with the transit systems to help riders get to work until they get their first paycheck.

Steve Johnson commented that the program would help bridge the gaps for some who are looking for work or newly employed and have no means to pay for transportation.

Julia Barth added that she receives a lot of calls from residents of La Crosse County that she can’t serve. If La Crosse County were added, the program would be administered by Workforce Connections out of the La Crosse office and a new mobility manager would be included in the application. The mobility manager would meet with an individual and determine the best transportation option (transit, vehicle repair, etc.) Workforce Connections would need a 25% local match, which could come from any source that is not using Federal funds. They have taken in-kind and cash matches in the other counties.

Don Bina stated the County Board would need a rough estimate of a local share requested from the County.

MOTION by Johnson/Sechrest to support the WETAP application by Workforce Connections to include La Crosse County. Motion carried unanimously; Mark Johnsrud, Peter Fletcher, Chris Sander, Noreen Kuroski, Thomas Padesky, Jean Meyer, Nancy Schmidt, Lyell Montgomery, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger absent.

TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT WORK ACTIVITIES  

Jackie Eastwood addressed the TDM work activities adopted by the TCC as well as a possible additional task regarding transit service to the Lakeview Business Park in West Salem. She stated that the West Salem Commuter Lot Inventory and Survey would best be completed in spring (2008) to allow time for writing and review of the survey instrument and nice weather for the survey event itself. She stated she had already begun work on the Employer Pass Program activities and would enlist the assistance of the TCC once she had all of the background information. The Lakeview Business Park Study may be an additional activity should the County request MPO staff do a feasibility study.

Dennis Manthei voiced concern over the possibility of degrading West Salem’s shared ride service if MTU provides service to the business park. Don Bina was concerned over the Ad Hoc committee bypassing the TCC. The resolution created by John Medinger does not mention a “plan” for MTU service, only a “route.”

INFORMATION ITEMS

The discussion turned to RTAs. Tom Faella voiced his belief that legislation will be considered within the next two years because of the political pressure from Green Bay and the Fox Cities, which are at risk of losing operating assistance if the population exceeds 200,000 in the next census [communities over 200,000 people may only apply for capital funds].

Steve Johnson offered assistance with the employer pass program activity by approaching their Business Services Committee, which does a lot of outreach to employers. He also enquired as to the status of the New Freedom application submitted by MTU. Jackie Eastwood will contact Jim Krueger and/or Chris Sander to find out status and will add this item to the November agenda if information is available.

NEXT MEETING
Friday, November 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Manthei/Sechrest to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Mark Johnsrud, Peter Fletcher, Chris Sander, Noreen Kuroski, Thomas Padesky, Jean Meyer, Nancy Schmidt, Lyell Montgomery, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger absent. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Jackie Eastwood, Recorder