Minutes 04 14 05
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority MINUTES OF THE CAPE FEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY April 14, 2005 Ms. Christine B. McNamee, Chair, Presiding MEMBERS PRESENT Ms. Christine
McNamee, Chair Mr. Robert Ronne, Secretary Ms. Nancy Pritchett Ms. Laura Padgett Ms. Fannie Freeman Ms. Maureen McCarthy Mr. William Bryden STAFF PRESENT Mr. Albert Eby, Director Mr.
Arlanda Rouse, Assistant Director Ms. Raquel Wilson, Administrative Assistant CONTRACT MANAGEMENT STAFF PRESENT Mr. Corey Johnson, General Manager First Transit Mr. Lamont Jackson, General
Manager Paratransit, First Transit Mr. Peter Pecori, Operations Supervisor, Wave Transit GUESTS PRESENT Ms. Lawless Bean, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, City of Wilmington
Ms. Patricia Melvin, Assistant County Manager, New Hanover County Ms. Deborah Houston, Transportation Consultant, NCDOT Mr. Bill Williamson, Regional Vice President, First Transit Mr.
Tom Hock, President/CEO, PTM Ms. Amy Waldbillig, Region Manager, PTM Mr. Bob Edwards, VP-Business Development, PTM Mr. Rocky Burke, PTM CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman McNamee called the meeting
to order at 12:04 pm. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2005 regular meeting of the Wave Transit Board of Directors was made by Mr. Ronne. The motion
was seconded by Ms. McCarthy and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT Chairwoman McNamee presented Deborah Houston with a plaque from WAVE Transit for her service to NHTS. The Chair asked if anyone in attendance had public comment.
Hearing no comment, the Chair closed the public comment period. PUBLIC HEARING Chairwoman McNamee stated that one of the requirements for the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP)
grant application was to give the public an opportunity to give comments on the grant proposal. She recognized Mr. Eby to introduce the grant application. Mr. Eby recognized Assistant
Director, Mr. Rouse to present the application. Mr. Rouse stated that the ROAP Grant funds are used in three different categories: Work First transportation, Rural General Public (RGP)
transportation and Elderly and Disabled Transportation (EDTAP). Mr. Rouse stated that Work First Funds were used to assist in employment transportation. He stated that RGP funds
were used to subsidize the Castle Hayne and Monkey Junction routes. EDTAP funds were used to assist elderly and disabled transportation. All funds applied for were included in the
Wave Transit adopted budget. RGP formula funding was increased to from $40,000 in the adopted budget to $60,949.00. RGP discretionary funding was eliminated from the program. The
net effect to the adopted budget was a loss of $19,051.00. Mr. Eby stated that the decrease in funding for the routes could be offset with funding from the regular routes without a
significant impact on the adopted budget. Ms. McCarthy stated that she knew several people who utilize these funds and could not get to work without them. Chairwoman McNamee officially
opened the public hearing period for the ROAP Grant application. Hearing no comment, the Chair officially closed the public hearing period for the ROAP Grant application. Ms. Padgett
asked if there were any financial limits for people utilizing this transportation. Mr. Rouse responded that there weren’t any financial limitations, but it is taken into consideration.
He also stated that the Authority is allowed to charge a fee. MANAGEMENT CONTRACTORS PRESENTATIONS Chairwoman McNamee asked Mr. Eby to introduce the item. Mr. Eby stated that in
January 2005 the Authority submitted a RFP for management services. He stated that the Authority currently has a 12 month contract with First Transit that will expire on June 30, 2005.
Once a successful bidder has been selected by the Board, the contract period will run from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008. Mr. Eby stated that two bidders were responsive to
the bid request. They were First Transit and Professional Transit Management, Inc. PTM President and CEO Mr. Tom Hock introduced the presentation team. Ms. Amy Waldbillig, Region
Manager; Mr. Bob Edwards, VP Business Development; and Mr. Rocky Burke, proposed General Manager, gave a brief presentation. Mr. Hock asked the board if they had any questions.
Chairwoman McNamee asked what type of experience they had with Paratransit transportation in addition to fixed route transportation. Mr. Hock responded that they had several systems
that operate Paratransit services such as: Dutchess County, New York; Tucson, Arizona; South Bend, Indiana; and Knoxville, Tennessee. Ms. Waldbillig stated they had a variety of different
ways they operate Paratransit services such as direct provider and brokerage services. Mr. Ronne asked Mr. Burke to talk about his experience with labor unions. Mr. Burke stated
that when he worked at Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, he had the opportunity of negotiating two labor contracts. He also negotiated a labor contract in Jackson, Mississippi. Ms. Padgett
asked PTM if they could describe an incident were a modification improved services. Ms. Waldbillig stated that when PTM took over the Knoxville system there were many operational issues.
They hired a new maintenance manager, did extensive marketing research and developed new strategies for service. As a result, the public responded positively to the change and they received
a better return from the farebox. Mr. Eby asked if the quote of $17,400 annually for employee only major medical insurance was correct. Ms. Waldbillig replied that was accurate.
Chairwoman McNamee asked if there were any other questions. Mr. Eby introduced First Transit for the next presentation. The First Transit presentation team consisted of Mr. Bill
Williamson, Region Vice President; Mr. Corey Johnson, proposed General Manager; and Mr. Lamont Jackson, proposed Assistant General Manager. After a brief presentation, Mr. Williamson
asked if there were any questions. Chairwoman McNamee asked for an update to the labor contract. Mr. Williamson replied that they were changing the process for which employees make
their contributions. He stated that they were extremely close to reaching an agreement. Ms Padgett asked if the health insurance quotes were the total cost of the premium. Mr.
Williamson stated that it was the total premium before the employee payroll deductible. Ms. Padgett asked if they could give an example of a change they had made that improved the
service of a transportation system. Mr. Williamson stated that in Montgomery, Alabama they were only running three fixed routes for the city. He stated that after 4½ years, First Transit
had totally eliminated the demand response transportation and the number of fixed routes had increased from 3 to 13 routes. Chairwoman McNamee asked what changes they would see if
there was only one contract for both Wave Transit fixed route and Paratransit operations. . Mr. Johnson stated that they had discussed cross training their supervisors, migrating DART
passengers into the Paratransit system, and having one training session for both fixed route and Paratransit operators. Mr. Williamson stated that the county would be less involved
in maintaining the Paratransit fleet and the administrative functions would be consolidated. Chairwoman McNamee asked First Transit what type of resources they had in helping develop
a plan to present to the public concerning the security of funds. Mr. Williamson stated they had a corporate staff that would be available to assist in the preparation of the package.
Chairwoman McNamee asked if there were additional questions.
Chairwoman McNamee stated that all Board Members should review the information given in preparation for a vote at the May 12, 2005 Board meeting. Mr. Eby passed out a general comparison
of the cost of both contractors. Ms. Padgett asked what the managerial structure for the contract was. Mr. Eby stated if they decided to hire PTM, his understanding was that Mr.
Johnson and Mr. Jackson would be replaced since they are direct First Transit employees. He further stated that the remaining employees were 13(c) protected by an agreement with the
U.S. Department of Labor. Chairwoman McNamee asked Mr. Eby what Wave Transit pays for employee only coverage. Mr. Eby stated that CFPTA pays approximately $7200 annually for employee
only coverage. Ms. Padgett asked Mr. Eby if he had any concerns about continuing with First Transit. Mr. Eby stated that he had no concerns about continuing with First Transit.
Chairwoman McNamee asked how he would rate First Transit relationship with staff management and staff relations. Mr. Eby stated that he thought it was a good relationship. He stated
that Mr. Johnson was fair and he made sure things ran in an orderly fashion. Mr. Bryden stated that he would like to take some time to understand the comparison more clearly. Mr.
Bryden suggested that as the Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, he would like the opportunity to evaluate the proposals with Mr. Eby in order to make a recommendation to the
Board from a financial perspective. Ms. Padgett asked if the First Transit proposal included only Mr. Johnson’s salary or was Mr. Jackson’s salary included also. Mr. Eby replied
that only the General Manager’s salary was requested in the bid document. Chairwoman McNamee stated that if anyone had any questions about the executive summaries to please get them
to Mr. Bryden or Mr. Eby for clarification before the vote at the May 12, 2005 meting. She stated that the decision had to be made at the next board meeting. STAFF REPORT Chairwoman
McNamee recognized Mr. Eby to give the staff report. Mr. Eby presented route change recommendations for the #3 route (Oleander Shopping Centers), #4 route (Eastwood Rd./Cape Fear Hospital),
and #6 route (Independence & Long Leaf Malls/UNCW). The number three route would be slightly deviated to include Virgo Middle School, Johnston Middle School and the Brigade Boys and
Girls Club. Passenger counts indicated no passengers would be displaced by the change. The number four route would be modified to include the Mayfaire Shopping Center on Military
Cutoff. Passenger counts indicated no passengers would be displaced by the change The number six route would be changed to provide service to northeast Oleander Drive. This would
allow service to the Cooperative Extension Center and Jungle Rapids. Mr. Eby stated that this change had been sought by Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Pritchett. Ms. Padgett asked when these
changes would be effective. Mr. Eby stated that with board approval they would like to implement the in early June. Mr. Eby stated that staff needs time to make sure that the public
would be properly informed of the route changes. Mr. Bryden asked if the drivers would be able to inform the passengers that they would no longer be using that stop before the implementation.
Mr. Pecori replied yes, the drivers would be able to inform the passengers of this change.
Mr. Eby stated that he received concerns regarding the route change for the #4 route (Eastwood Rd./Cape Fear Hospital). He stated that the route change would cause passengers to
cross Military Cutoff in order to catch the bus on the Westside of the road. Ms. McCarthy stated that her concerns were that it would miss all of the stores (Landfall Center, Food
Lion, Fitness Center, etc…) and passengers would have to go across six lanes of traffic in order to catch the bus on the west side of Military Cutoff. Mr. Eby stated that this was
the only way staff could make the route change work time wise. Mr. Eby asked if the Board could approve and implement the route changes as proposed and then see if they could find
enough time in the route operate it in the preferred direction. Mr. Bryden stated that he doesn’t understand why one direction should have a time problem and the other direction would
not. Mr. Pecori stated that he drove a bus through this particular route and could not make the left turn on to Military Cutoff in time because of the light. Mr. Bryden asked were
there any other place in that route to pull out a minute. Mr. Pecori replied that there wasn’t. Mr. Johnson stated that they tried every way possible, but they can’t find a way to
save that minute. Mr. Bryden suggested putting a pedestrian crossing button at that location. Mr. Eby stated that he would make the request to the city. Chairwoman McNamee asked
for further discussion. Mr. Bryden stated that the name of Route #4 needs to be changed. Mr. Pecori stated that it has already been changed to Eastwood Rd. /Mayfair. Ms. Padgett
motioned to approve the route changes as recommended. The motion was seconded by Ms. McCarthy. The motion carried unanimously. Chairwoman McNamee moved on to discuss personnel
policy change. Mr. Eby stated that when the board approved the hiring of an apprentice/intern, staff reviewed the personnel policy and discovered that it was unreasonable to offer
an intern working only one year year two weeks paid vacation. He proposed that the annual vacation be changed from 12 days to 5 days for temporary workers. Apprentices and intern
would also be ineligible for tuition reimbursement. Mr. Eby stated that an apprentice/intern would be eligible for all other benefits that a fulltime employee would receive. Chairwoman
McNamee asked if there were any discussion. Ms. Padgett asked if they were familiar with a policy that an employee earns a number of hours of vacation per month of working. Mr. Eby
stated that vacation hours are on a monthly accrual basis. Ms. Padgett stated that staff should add the word prorated to the statement “five days vacation.” Mr. Eby agreed to make
the change as recommended. Chairwoman McNamee asked if there were any further discussion. Mr. Ronne motioned for the personnel policy change for temporary employees including apprentices
and interns as amended. Ms. Padgett seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Mr. Ronne distributed draft Director Evaluation forms for board member input. He asked that the
board members assist in the evaluation process.
He stated that the Executive Committee of the Board (Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary) would be responsible for the Director’s evaluation but the Committee wanted comment on the Director’s
performance by the full Board. He asked for comment on the evaluation form by the May 12, 2005 Board meeting. Chairwoman McNamee asked about the status of the finance director.
Mr. Ronne stated that they were waiting on the background check on the potential candidate and would hopefully have someone by the next meeting. Chairwoman McNamee recognized Mr. Rouse
to introduce the Service Animal Policy. Mr. Rouse stated that he had enclosed a copy of the Service Animal Policy in the agenda packet. He stated presently the Authority does not
have a policy allowing service animals on the vehicles. Federal guidelines require the Authority to have a written policy in place. A motion to approve the Service Animal Policy
was made by Ms. McCarthy and seconded by Mr. Ronne. Chairwoman McNamee asked if there were any any discussion. Hearing none, she asked for a vote on the motion to accept the Service
Animal Policy. The motion carried unanimously. Chairwoman McNamee asked if staff had received the current contract for the Job Access Reverse Commute Grant. Mr. Eby stated that
he had requested NCDOT–PTD Director, Ms. Miriam Perry to investigate the status of the contract. Chairwoman McNamee asked Ms. Houston if she would assist in getting this information.
Ms. Houston stated that she would look into the matter. Chairwoman McNamee asked was there any other business. Ms McCarthy congratulated WAVE Transit and First Transit on how smoothly
the Azalea Festival Shuttles ran. Hearing no further business a motion was made by Ms. McCarthy to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ronne and carried unanimously. Respectfully
Submitted, Albert Eby Director /rw