Minutes 06 13 02
MINUTES OF THE WILMINGTON TRANSIT AUTHORITY June 13, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Dick Scott, Chairman Mr. Howard Capps Ms. Laura Padgett Mr. William Boyd Mr. Harry Forden MEMBERS ABSENT
Mr. Steve Stein, Alternate Ms. Rosa Webb Mr. Mike Saylor STAFF PRESENT Mr. Albert Eby Mr. Corey Johnson Ms. Lawless Bean, TDM Coordinator Mr. Mark Tinkler, Senior Transportation Planner
CALL TO ORDER Chairman Scott called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Boyd made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 09, 2002 meeting. Mr. Forden
seconded and the motion was approved. 2. REPORT FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Mr. Eby welcomed Mark Tinkler, Sr. Transportation Planner for the City of Wilmington. Mr. Tinkler briefly outlined
his experience in public transportation. Multimodal Center Update Mr. Eby went over the history of the Multi-Modal Transportation study and the findings of that report. The consultant’s
findings were that the most feasible site for a multimodal center would be the police station site at 2nd and Redcross Streets. Mr. Eby Reported that the WTA’s position on the selection
of the Red Cross site was made evident on April 12th of 2000, when a motion was made and approved to accept the recommendations of the steering committee (to accept the findings of the
consultant). Mr. Eby continued his report with recent events on the multimodal center. On June 4th 2002 Mayor Peterson introduced a resolution before the
Wilmington City Council to enter in to discussions with Cape Fear Community College to discuss alternate sites for the multimodal center. Council approved the resolution with an amendment
that all discussions must be attended by a representative from NCDOT. Alternate sites proposed by the College include New Hanover Regional Airport and the Schwartz Center Parking lot
on the CFCC campus. Mr. Forden moved that the WTA Board invite the Mayor and the City Council to a meeting in the WTA Board Room in order to clearly state the position of the WTA concerning
the location of the multimodal center. Mr. Capps seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Taxi Voucher Program Update Mr. Eby reviewed recent changes to the taxi voucher program
as a result of a questionnaire to those enrolled in the voucher program. The majority was in favor of additional taxi companies being allowed to participate in the program. Mr. Eby
informed the Board that he was scheduled to meet with Port City Taxi Company to discuss their interest in participating in the voucher program. Disposition of Surplus State Maintenance
Assistance Program Funds Mr. Eby reported that there would be an estimated $400,000.00 dollars in surplus SMAP funds at the end of the 2002 fiscal year. He informed the Board that
the interim city manager had written a letter to NCDOT requesting the state to allow the WTA to roll the money over with the hope that we will be able to lease a bus or maybe two to
replace two buses that were recently damaged in a fire and a traffic accident. Other Items Mr. Eby report that the state had requested that we move funds from our fiscal year 2003
budget to fiscal year 2002 to allow the state to maximize federal funds for public transportation. The changes will allow the WTA to move forward with the new bus purchase later this
summer and not wait until October to order the buses. Mr. Eby continued to speak about the new bus purchase and reported that the city of Durham had agreed to act as lead agency for
the purchase and that he would be attending the pre-bid conference on June 24 to represent our interests. Mr. Eby brought forward for the Board’s consideration the idea that they should
think about how they would like the new buses to look. Mr. Scott asked if staff might be able to find some pictures for the board to look at to aid them in the decision, to which Mr.
Eby replied he would work on some mock-ups. 3. REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN Mr. Scott reported that his term as with the WTA was due to expire on June 30, 2002 and would like to continue
as Chairman if he were reappointed to the board.
4. OTHER BUSINESS, SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 08 August, 2002. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. Respectfully
submitted, Albert Eby General Manager