Minutes 02 14 02
MINUTES OF THE WILMINGTON TRANSIT AUTHORITY February 14, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Dick Scott, Chairman Mr. Howard Capps Ms. Laura Padgett Mr. William Boyd Mr. Mike Saylor Mr. Harry Forden
MEMBERS ABSENT Mr. Steve Stein, Alternate Ms. Rosa Webb STAFF PRESENT Mr. Gary Miller Mr. Albert Eby Mr. Corey Johnson GUESTS PRESENT Ms. Lawless Bean, TDM Coordinator, City of Wilmington
Mr. Bill Hart CALL TO ORDER Chairman Scott called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes Mr. Saylor made a motion to approve the minutes from the Dec 13, 2001 meeting.
Ms. Padgett seconded and the motion was unanimously approved. 2. Presentation from Howard Capps – Shelter subcommittee Mr. Capps presented a handout of information on shelters and
benches to the board and went over the various types that might be appropriate. He also presented information on current passenger amenities. Mr. Saylor asked that an inventory of
benches and shelters and their condition be presented to the board at the next meeting. 3. Report from the General Manager TDM Update Mr. Eby showed a tape of the trolley video currently
airing on GVTV Channel 8 at 55 min past the hour. Mr. Eby handed out informational cards that have been distributed to downtown merchants to hand out to customers to help publicize
the trolley. Bus Purchase Mr. Eby showed a power point presentation outlining the current fleet, and buses that are available to the WTA for fleet replacement. The presentation also
outlined the funding process of the purchase.
Bus Stop Signage Mr. Eby reported that the addition of time points on each sign is approximately 50 percent complete and the goal is to have the entire project complete by the 15th
of March. Azalea Festival Mr. Eby reported that in 2001 the WTA used only the Longleaf Mall as a shuttle location for the Azalea Festival Parade. The WTA transported 1,178 passengers
in 2001 and transported 1,303 passengers from Longleaf Mall and Independence Mall combined in 2000. Mr. Eby suggested that with a coordinated advertising campaign, one shuttle location
is easier to manage than two and can accommodate the service needs. He suggested the WTA continue the Azalea Festival shuttle only from Longleaf Mall in 2002 and advertise on GVTV and
in the Star and Journal newspapers. 4. Report from the Chairman TDM Coordinator Mr. Scott introduced Ms. Lawless Bean the new Travel Demand Management Coordinator. Ms. Bean announced
that Bill Austin the Senior Transportation Planner for the City had accepted a position in in Florida and that the City was actively recruiting a new Senior Transportation Planner. She
also outlined her role to the Board. Merger Study Mr. Scott suggested that the Board be keenly aware of its goals and priorities as the merger study progresses. He wants to assure
that the WTA and county transit system only merge if it is going to improve the systems, and that what ever comes of the study, the WTA should remain focused on providing the best possible
service to the citizens of Wilmington. He suggested that the WTA be providing service at the highest level possible before undertaking a merger. Update of Mission Statement Mr. Scott
handed out the Board’s current mission statement, and asked that each member review it and think about possible updates to the mission statement. 5. Other Business, Scheduling of next
meeting Presentation from Bill Hart Mr. Hart introduced himself as a member of the Unified Development Ordnance Oversight Committee and wanted to speak to the Board. He informed
the Board that in the draft of the mixed-use ordinance there were mandatory provisions for transit. He also asked that staff get together with any developer of a mixed-use project to
ensure that the transit needs were included in the planning. He also would like to ensure that staff looked at the draft sub-division ordnance for the same reason. Mr. Hart spoke in
favor a merger if the study recommended it. The next meeting is scheduled for March 14th 2002 Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6.45 p.m. Respectfully submitted,
Albert Eby General Manager