TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE & TRANSIT COORDINATING COUNCIL JOINT MEETING
Friday, May 9, 2008 Administrative Center – Room 3220
10:00 a.m.
COUNTY TCC MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Running, Sandy Sechrest, Keith Carlson, Audrey Kader, Steve Johnson, Don Bina, Tom Padesky.
COUNTY TCC MEMBERS EXCUSED: Chris Sander, Noreen Kuroski.
COUNTY TCC MEMBERS ABSENT: Nancy Schmidt, Marge Antoniewicz.
LAPC TCC MEMBERS PRESENT: Audrey Kader, Steve Johnson, Sandy Sechrest, Keith Carlson, Richard Running, Richard Hanley, Don Bina, Dennis Manthei, Thomas Padesky, Jean Meyer, Mark Johnsrud.
LAPC TCC MEMBERS EXCUSED: Noreen Kuroski.
LAPC TCC MEMBERS ABSENT: Peter Fletcher, Marge Antoniewicz, Chris Sander, Nancy Schmidt, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger.
STAFF & GUESTS: Julia Barth, Bridgette Karl, Amy Gabrielson, Wayne Olson, John Medinger, Jackie Eastwood, Tom Faella
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Audrey Kader called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Both committees had a quorum. Introductions were done.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Johnson/Carlson to approve the minutes of March 14, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Chris Sander and Noreen Kuroski excused; Marge Antoniewicz, Nancy Schmidt, Peter Fletcher, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT None requested.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED COMMUTER TRANSIT SERVICE BETWEEN LA CROSSE AND WEST SALEM Tom Faella reminded the Committee that the County Board had asked LAPC staff to propose a fixed-route alternative for transit service between La Crosse and West Salem. Staff presented that proposal at the last meeting.
At the request of Steve O’Malley, staff met with Keith Carlson and Richard Running on Tuesday, May 6 and discussed a short-term option as part of a phased approach to future fixed-route service. Mr. Faella summarized the first-phase proposal as a fixed-schedule, peak-time shuttle service operated by Onalaska/Holmen/West Salem Public Transit. The shuttle would operate between West Salem and the Valley View Mall, with a transfer to the existing MTU Route 5 that travels between the mall and downtown La Crosse.
Keith Carlson stated reasons for the new proposal. Because transit funds are finite and don’t increase because a new service is added, he wanted to see how to improve service with the existing systems without affecting existing services. The proposal for a fixed-route alternative seemed to be more politically motivated than demand-based.
Tom Faella added that cost estimates for the fixed-schedule shuttle service are not yet available. Staff will continue to work on that. Discussion turned to customer service. Mr. Faella stated thatone reason why staff proposed a phased approach was customer service. The original proposal would require a request for proposal process and applying for additional federal and state funds.
The soonest the service could be implemented would be 2010. The enhanced shared-ride service could be started sooner and could serve to build up demand in the interim.
Dennis Manthei requested confirmation from DOT regarding duplication of service. Mr. Faella responded that Dave Lowe from WisDOT would be at the Policy Board meeting on May 21 to address this issue. Mr. Manthei also suggested staff consider the start and stop times of the businesses in the business park. Jackie Eastwood responded that she had contacted many of the employers in the business park and the start time was a significant factor. Most of the businesses started at 6:00 a.m. Many started at 6:30 a.m., but needed their employees to be flexible enough to come in at 6:00 a.m. or stay later. Employees living in La Crosse would not be able to make a
6:00 a.m. start time because MTU would not have any passengers to transfer until it was too late. (MTU begins service on its core routes at 5:12 a.m. and 5:42 a.m.)
John Medinger stated that it was important to keep the ball rolling. The service shouldn’t be rushed—2010 would be O.K. He’s concerned that the City of La Crosse is becoming increasingly more isolated from the rest of the County.
Tom Faella said that considering the input and work put into the proposals he would like to see a final proposal illustrating a phased approach moved to the County Board and let them decide where to go from there.
Audrey Kader voiced concern that a cost analysis had not been done for the enhanced shared-ride service nor had any focus group surveys been conducted. Keith Carlson agreed that the proposal wasn’t demand driven, but the providers were looking to make something work within the existing framework. He wants to see the politicians on board to get a plan. Tom Faella stated that the directive from the County Board had been for a fixed-route proposal, not a cost-benefit analysis.
Dennis Manthei stated he was prepared to take the new proposal to his village board. Jackie Eastwood added that staff had been discussing the use of the commuter lot with the Jackson and Monroe County Aging Units, which have already voiced an interest in a central transfer location. Amy Gabrielson from CouleeCap suggested a survey similar to what is sent to county transportation coordinating committee agencies to survey their own clients.
MOTION by Padesky/Johnson to forward the proposal (including a recommendation for surveys to assess demand) to the County Board for further direction. Motion carried unanimously; Chris Sander and Noreen Kuroski excused; Marge Antoniewicz, Nancy Schmidt, Peter Fletcher, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger absent.
INFORMATION ITEMS/UPDATES
SPECIALIZED SERVICES CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.—Steve Johnson gave an overview of his trip to Washington D.C. where he attended a conference focused on mobility training and comprehensive planning for specialized services. Keith Carlson, Noreen Kuroski, Peter Fletcher, and Pat Peterson from Vernon County also attended. Discussion included how to encourage cooperation and planning with other entities. Easter Seals is willing to provide technical support with planning efforts.
COUNTY TRANSIT PASS PROGRAM—Tom Faella updated the committee on the progress of the County employee transit pass program. LAPC staff met with the County Planner and Facilities Manager and both are receptive to the proposal. The next step in the process is to submit the proposal to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and from there to the County Board.
NEXT MEETING Friday, July 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Audrey Kader nominated John Medinger as a member of the TCC.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Johnson/Carlson to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously; Chris Sander and Noreen Kuroski excused; Marge Antoniewicz, Nancy Schmidt, Peter Fletcher, Mark Seitz, Jim Gausman, Fred Buehler, and Mike Poellinger absent. The meeting adjourned at 11:06 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Jackie Eastwood, Recorder