Minutes 03 09 06
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority MINUTES OF THE CAPE FEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY March 9, 2006 Mr. Jeff Bellows, Vice-Chair, Presiding MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Jeff Bellows,
Vice-Chair Ms. Maureen McCarthy Ms. Fannie Freeman Mr. Robert Ronne Mr. Howard Loving Mr. John Stukes Ms. Nancy Pritchett STAFF PRESENT Mr. Albert Eby, Director Mr. Arlanda Rouse, Assistant
Director Mr. Mike Kincaid, Finance Director Ms. Raquel Wilson, Administrative Assistant Ms. Melissa Watson, Apprentice CONTRACT MANAGEMENT STAFF PRESENT Mr. Corey Johnson, General Manager,
First Transit Mr. Lamont Jackson, General Manager, Paratransit, First Transit Mr. Andrew Olsen, Attorney at Law GUESTS PRESENT Ms. Lawless Bean, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator,
City of Wilmington Ms. Hillary Brady, TalkPR Mr. Joshua Mellow, City of Wilmington, MPO Staff CALL TO ORDER Vice –Chair Bellows called the meeting to order at 12:09 pm. APPROVAL OF
MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes from the February 9, 2006 regular meeting of the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority was made by Mr. Ronne. The motion was seconded by
Ms. Freeman and carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice-Chairman Bellows asked if anyone in attendance had public comment. Hearing no public comment, Vice-Chairman Bellows closed
the public comment period.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Vice-Chairman Bellows stated that the committee did not meet the past month and had no report. ROUTE COMMITTEE Vice-Chairman Bellows recognized Ms. Freeman to
present the report. Ms. Freeman stated that the committee met and discussed a route change for the Monkey Junction Shuttle. She stated that the Monkey Junction Shuttle would leave
Wal-Mart going to Carolina Beach Road, making a right turn onto St. Andrew’s Drive. She stated that the shuttle would then travel to 17th Street onto Shipyard Boulevard and Independence
Boulevard. Ms. Freeman stated that the Monkey Junction Shuttle would then connect with Westfield Independence Mall and Long Leaf Mall. Mr. Rouse stated that the route would continue
to operate with a 45 minute headway. Approval of the change was made by the committee carried unanimously. Mr. Eby stated that he met last month with the Navassa Mayor, Ulysses Willis
and two Navassa councilmen to discuss route changes for the Brunswick Connector. He stated that the route would continue to operate with a 60 minute headway with additional stops on
Mount Misery Road and Cedar Hill Road. Changes to the route to allow for the additional service would be provided by eliminating entering parking lots by the shuttle as well as eliminating
front door service to the Battleship, which had minimal ridership. A motion was made by the committee to accept the route change for the Brunswick Connector. The motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Freeman stated that the Authority would provide transportation for the Azalea Festival Parade on April 8th. She stated that seven buses would run from Westfield Mall, two buses
would run from legion stadium and a Paratransit van would be available to assist with wheelchair passengers. Buses would drop off passengers at Second and Dock. Ms. Freeman also stated
that the transportation would be available from 7:30 am until 1:00 pm. A motion was made by the committee to adopt the Azalea Festival Shuttle for special service on Saturday, April
8, 2006 as proposed. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Freeman recognized Wave Transit Assistant Director, Mr. Arlanda Rouse to present an update to the policy on route design,
amenities and reduction in service. Mr. Rouse stated that the proposed policy states how the Authority designs bus stops, conditions of the shelters and the conditions for requesting
new service. A motion was made by the Route Committee to adopt the Route Design, Amenities and Reduction in Service Policy. The motion carried unanimously. MARKETING COMMITTEE
Vice Chairman Bellows recognized Ms. McCarthy to present the report. Ms. McCarthy stated that Ms. Pritchett has recently resigned her position on the Marketing Committee due to her
demanding schedule. She stated that Ms. Pritchett was a positive asset to the committee and thanked her for her service to the committee.
Ms. McCarthy recognized Ms. Hillary Brady from TalkPR to present the report. She stated that the committee and TalkPR were working on a WAAV radio “Panel of Experts”. She stated
that they would select 4 or 5 transportation experts from the community to ride the bus and answer questions from listeners as they call into the radio on April 20th. She suggested
offering a free round trip ticket with each paid ticket for anyone riding the bus the day of the Azalea Festival. Dunkin’ Donuts has agreed to provide a free iced latte coupon to all
passengers of the Azalea Shuttle. Chick-Fil-A has agreed to provide a coupon for a free breakfast biscuit with purchase to all passengers of the Azalea Shuttle. Ms. Brady stated
that there may be a possibility for additional sponsors. She stated that these promotions were to encourage people to continue riding the bus after the Azalea Festival. Ms. Brady
stated that the committee was investigating promotions on earth day. Ms. McCarthy stated that Mr. Loving would be helping to get a list of clubs and organizations interested in presentations
about Wave Transit. Mr. Loving stated that the committee was trying to come up with ideas on how to increase the effectiveness of the Columbus Connector. He stated that the Columbus
Connector seems to have some deficiencies and the committee recommended writing a letter to the Council of Governments (COG) addressing the matter. Ms. McCarthy stated that the Wave
Transit Trolley and Seamore would be participating in the Azalea Parade. FINANCE COMMITTEE In the absence of Committee Chair, Mr. Bryden, Vice Chairman Bellows recognized Mr. Ronne
to present the report. Mr. Ronne stated that the Finance Committee met and came up with a proposed capital and operating budgets for fiscal year 2007-2007. He recognized Wave Transit
Finance Director Mr. Kincaid to present the proposed budget to the board. Mr. Kincaid stated that the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2006 – 2007 would be $5,650,253.00.
He stated that the total proposed capital project budgeted for FY 2006 -2007 was $1,567,521. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 capital and operating budget would be sought after
a public hearing on the budget scheduled for April 13, 2006. FACILITIES COMMITTEE Vice Chairman Bellows presented the report. He stated that Ms. Padgett and Mr. Eby were scheduled
to meet with representatives of the property owner on March 10, 2006 to present the Authority’s need for the property for the Wave Transit operations and Transfer facility. STAFF REPORT
Vice Chairman Bellows recognized Mr. Eby to give the staff report. Mr. Eby stated that the first item on the staff report was the agreement for funding for three Light Transit Vehicles.
He stated that the vehicles have been ordered and were expected to be delivered within the next 60 days. Mr. Eby stated that the vehicles would be used to increase service at UNCW.
A motion to enter into a funding agreement with NCDOT for ten percent funding for three light transit vehicles and authorization for the Vice Chair to sign the agreement on behalf
of the Authority was made by Ms. McCarthy. The motion was seconded by Ms. Freeman and carried unanimously. Mr. Eby introduced changes to the personnel policy. The policy change
defined the difference between tuition reimbursement and required job training. A motion to accept the personnel policy changes was made by Mr. Ronne. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Stukes and carried unanimously. SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING Hearing no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Stukes to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ronne and carried
unanimously. The next meeting of the Authority was scheduled for April 13, 2006 at 12:00 pm in the Wave Transit Conference Room. Respectfully Submitted, Albert Eby Director /rw