210 N. Church Street, Suite B Visalia, California 93291 (559) 623-0450 FAX (559) 733-6720 www.tularecog.org Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, November 18, 2014 Tulare County Association of Governments 210 N. Church Street, Suite B, Visalia, CA 93291 Sequoia Room 10:30 11:30 AM In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Ralph M. Brown Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids, translation requests, or other accommodations, or to be able to access this agenda and documents in the agenda packet, please contact the TCAG office at 559-623-0450 at least 3 days prior to the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS: This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Council on items within its jurisdiction but not on this agenda. Unscheduled comments are limited to 3 minutes. Note: Prior to action by the Council on any item on this agenda, the public may comment on that item. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. Welcome & Introductions a. Newly appointed members B. Action: Approval of Minutes August 26, 2014 C. Information: Transit Provider Updates a. Visalia Transit b. Porterville Transit c. Tulare InterModal Express (TIME) d. Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART) e. Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT) D. Information: Update on Transit Related Projects in Tulare County a. College of the Sequoias Student Transit Pass Program b. Tulare County Regional Long Range Transit Plan c. Southeast Tulare County Mobility Study d. College of the Sequoia s Student Transit Pass Program Dinuba Exeter Farmersville Lindsay Porterville Tulare Visalia Woodlake County of Tulare
E. Other Business & Discussion F. Adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sequoia Room at the Tulare County Association of Governments Office, 210 N. Church St., Suite B, Visalia, CA, 93291. Dinuba Exeter Farmersville Lindsay Porterville Tulare Visalia Woodlake County of Tulare
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) Members for the Tulare County Regional Transportation Planning Agency (TCAG) Ronald Allan 2 Cheryl Smith 3 Nalor See 3 2 Steve Ramsey 1 David Horsman 1 Ed Jones 1 Teresa Ortega 3 Michael Miller 2 Mary Wheeler 3 Joshua Avila 2 Representative of Potential Transit User 60 Years of Age or Older Representative of Potential Transit User who is Disabled Representative of Local Social Service Provider for Seniors/Representative of a Social Service Transit Provider Representative of Local Social Service Provider for Seniors/Representative of a Social Service Transit Provider Representative of Local Social Service Provider for the Disabled/Representative of a Social Service Transit Provider Representative of a Local Service Provider for the Disabled/Representative of a Social Service Transit Provider Representative of a Local Social Service Provider for Persons of Limited Means Transit Operator Representative Transit Operator Representative Resources for Independent Central Valley Representative Representative of Potential Transit Users from Local Youth 1 indicates term ending June 2015 2 indicates term ending June 2016 3 indicates term ending June 2017 ====================================================================== TCAG Transit Staff Elizabeth Wright, Senior Regional Planner Andrea Apolinario, Transportation Planning Technician Alyssa Blythe, Secretary I ====================================================================== OFFICE ADDRESS Tulare County Association of Governments 210 N. Church St., Suite B Visalia, CA 93291 Phone: (559) 623-0450 Fax: (559) 733-6720 Website: www.tularecog.org Dinuba Exeter Farmersville Lindsay Porterville Tulare Visalia Woodlake County of Tulare
Tulare County Association of Governments Social Services Transportation Advisory Council August 26, 2014 ATTENDANCE LIST One representative of potential transit user who is 60 years of age and over One representative of potential transit users that are Handicapped Two representatives of the Local Social Service Providers for Seniors & one representative of a social service transportation provider Two representatives of local social service providers for the Disabled, including one representative of a social service transportation provider, if one exists. One representative of a local social service provider for persons of limited means. Two representatives from the local consolidated transportation service agency, designated pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 15975 of the Government Code including one representative from an operator, if one exists. One representative of the resources for Independence Central Valley Representative One representative of potential transit users from Local Youth Ronald Allan Nalor See David Horsman Steve Ramsey - Absent Teresa Ortega Michael Miller Mary Wheeler Others Present: Richard Tree (City of Porterville), Monty Cox (City of Visalia), Dan Fox (TCaT), Darlene Thompson (City of Tulare), Elizabeth Miller, Jennie Miller, Andrea Apolinaro, Maria Garza, and Alyssa Blythe (TCAG) SUMMARY MEETING MINUTES A. Welcome & Introductions The Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) was called to order by Ms. Wright at 9:35 a.m. on August 26, 2014. Ms. Wright opened/closed the Public Comment Period at 9:35 a.m. Ms. Wright asked council to introduce themselves as there were new members. B. Action: Approval of June 24, 2014 Meeting Minutes The June 24, 2014 meeting minutes were reviewed with no comments/questions. Upon a motion by Member Allen and seconded by Member Wheeler, the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) unanimously approved the June 24, 2014 Meeting Minutes. C. Information: TCAG & Transit Provider Updates Ms. Wright welcomed any questions regarding updates or general transit questions. Ms. Wright stated the new transit guide came out on August 9 and council was encouraged to take and distribute them. The next updated transit guide is scheduled for January 2015. Ms. Wright informed council that TCAG is looking into doing Google Transit and researching how to get agencies online to map how to take a bus trip from point A to B.
Ms. Wright also stated there has also been an interest in creating a mobile friendly Transit Guide. Tulare County: Mr. Fox stated Tulare County s operations contract is up in August and they are working on a Request for Proposals to continue it. Mr. Fox reported that Grand Jury members are planning a Transit Ride Tour all day September 8 and reporting their experiences. The participants will be going out to all agencies throughout Tulare County. Reports are not anticipated until Spring 2015. The county is working on new buses and their main project is a transit maintenance and operations facilities which is currently out on central road yard moving out of the Visalia facility. There is 8 million dollars budgeted to carry out the project and the completion date is set for 2017/2018. City of Tulare: Ms. Thompson reported the City of Tulare began longer hours starting on August 2 for Saturday and it is going well. There have been changes to minor routes, such as moving a few stops across the street from current locations. This is designed to create a smoother flow for the transit. Ms. Thompson is also working with Mr. Fox on the Transit Ride Tour scheduled for September 8. Ms. Thompson informed council there are four new buses scheduled for November 2015. Ms. Thompson explained the process to order a new bus takes approximately 18 months. City of Porterville: Mr. Tree stated he is currently exploring opportunities to extend weekend service to 10 p.m., beginning in October. The trial schedule will start with extending hours on Saturdays and then looking into extended hours for Sunday. The trial is partially funded through the Indian Tribal Gaming grant from a local casino to help mitigate impact on what is happening around area. Mr. Tree stated he is also working on an online fare media management system for transit riders to have the ability to upload money on their smart cards allowing them to just tap and ride. The City of Porterville is issuing a RFP in next couple of months to see how it will work and it may serve as a trial for other agencies. The goal is not to go completely contactless but to provide options for riders to transfer funds to their bus cards. Mr. Tree stated the City of Porterville is looking into expanding their compressed natural gas fueling facility. This will not affect the public fueling island but will give more bases for fleet to fuel overnight. Mr. Tree stated the City of Porterville is building a first maintenance operations facility. They currently have the funds to complete the design and then will look for money to fund the building of the project over the next few years. Mr. Tree stated applications for the Porterville Transit Advisory committee are out right now and only four applications have been submitted. There needs to be at least seven members according to the SSTAC. The committee will be designed to help pass route or service changes and feedback before taking to the council. City of Visalia: Mr. Cox reported seven additional fixed route buses are being ordered for the City of Visalia and will arrive in a year and a half. The long range transit plan is half way completed. There has been a bus increase which went into effect in August. There were a few problems in the beginning of implementing the new shuttle system as the key staff person no longer works for the City. The new
shuttle system maintained a steady ridership with the result of providing over 8,000 trips from Visalia to the Sequoia Park. Mr. Cox reported the City of Visalia is upgrading their CNG facility. This will result in adding capacity and changing out dispensaries so more than one vehicle can fuel at same time. The goal is to increase flow rate and not impact the public when buses are refueling. Ms. Wright reported that SSTAC is recruiting for three positions. Ms. Apollinaro reported that for the SSTAC available positions, only one application has been received for the disabled position and there is an opening for a representative of social service provider and a potential transit youth. Ms. Wright stated they are currently recruiting at College of Sequoias for the youth position and the students have been invited to attend the SSTAC meetings. Mr. Cox stated it might be worth setting up on regular basis to rotate the students so the student position is always filled. The potential transit youth position is not limited to College of the Sequoias as long as they are a resident between the ages of 18-25 years old. D. Information: Update on Transit Related Projects in Tulare County Ms. Wright reported on the Tulare County Regional Long Range Plan. TCAG is putting together an overall comprehensive plan for the County to discuss the bigger picture issues such as transfers or starting to reserve the right away or space for bus rapid transit in the future. Ms. Wright stated the Long Range Plan will help to keep everything running smoothly and accommodating future transit goals. TCAG has hired a consultant to implement the Long Range Plan and staff will be meeting with them to discuss ideas. Once a draft of the plans has been compiled, it will be presented to the Advisory Council. Ms. Wright reported staff is currently working on the Southeast Tulare County Transportation Study. The primary focus is looking at Porterville, Strathmore, and Lindsay to evaluate the area and transportation needs of the region due to the transit needs. Ms. Wright reported a study is being done specifically on that and proposals will be in September 2014. Ms. Wright reported students have begun the Fall semester and received stickers and are riding the systems. The Program started in Spring 2012 and since then TCAG has had over 1 million rides. Ms. Miller reported the Dinuba Transit Development Plan draft has been completed and will be going to the City Council on August 26, 2014 for public hearing and approval. Ms. Miller invited the council to attend the council meeting. Ms. Miller reported the City of Dinuba s community survey results were collected and overall they are happy with service. The biggest issue the City of Dinuba is having is trouble meeting their mandated Transportation Development Act fare box ratio. There has been considerable expansion over years without increase. There will be an increase from $.25 to $1.00 on fixed routes. A Trolley fare was also considered, but the Dinuba Council decided to continue offering it for free to the public.
0 E. SSTAC Meeting Schedule 2014/15 Ms. Wright presented the proposed dates for November, March and May. The status quo for meeting times has been 9:30 a.m. and Ms. Wright asked if Council agreed with moving the meeting time to 10:30 a.m. This would allow the transit providers to meet at 9:30 a.m. and then meet with SSTAC immediately following. Upon a motion by Member Allen and seconded by Member Wheeler, the SSTAC Meeting Schedule for 2014/15 was unanimously approved. Ms. Wright will send out notices for the approved dates. F. Other Business & Discussion Ms. Wright reported the TCAG Board approved the unmet needs as the council recommended at the last meeting. Six of them the transit providers are working on and a majority have already been completed. The issues included requests for a few stops, request for a shelter, Porterville requested wheelchair accessibility, and the City of Tulare and TCaT are working on transfer issues. Ms. Wright stated she does not see any further issues as overall the providers are doing a great job. G. Meeting Adjourned at 10:04 a.m.