Minutes 08 27 09
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority MINUTES OF THE CAPE FEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY August 27, 2009 Mr. Don Betz, Chair, Presiding MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Don Betz, Chairman
Mr. George Dolan, Vice Chairman Mr. Andrew Koeppel, Secretary Mr. Henry Adams Mr. William Bryden Ms. Christine McNamee Ms. Laura Padgett Mr. David Scheu MEMBERS NOT PRESENT Mr. Jonathan
Barfield Mr. Euran Daniels STAFF PRESENT Mr. Albert Eby, Director Ms. Cathy Beasley, Finance Director Mr. Matthew Kunic, Planner Ms. Kathy Williams, Administrative Assistant CONTRACT
MANAGEMENT STAFF PRESENT Mr. Andrew Olsen, Attorney Mr. Irvin Cure, General Manager, PTM GUESTS PRESENT Mr. Ricky Meeks, Citizen Mr. Chris Hawkins, Citizen Mr. Denise Freund, W.K Dickson
CALL TO ORDER Chairman Betz called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm Mr. Betz opened the meeting with a moment of silence CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Betz presented the August 27, 2009 consent
agenda Mr. Dolan stated that there were some minor typographical errors in the policy manual revision Mr. Eby stated that staff would correct the errors Mr. Bryden made a motion
to accept the August 27, 2009 consent agenda as amended Mr. Scheu seconded and carried unanimously PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Betz opened the public comment period Mr. Hawkins stated that
the cleanliness on the buses has improved although the wheelchair tie downs are still collecting dirt, causing the drivers to have a hard time buckling in wheelchairs
Mr. Hawkins also stated that the wheelchair ramps are difficult to open and at times the operators have to operate them manually Mr. Hawkins also inquired about the cause of the
bus fire on unit 704 Mr. Eby stated that after the investigation, the cause was not determined Staff was working with NCACC to see the investigator’s full report Engine compartment
fire suppression systems have been installed in the light transit vehicles to minimize the risk of a vehicle becoming fully destroyed by fire Mr. Meeks suggested that in designing
the new facility a designated smoking area be identified Mr. Meeks also stated that drivers and passengers smoke too close to the bus entrance and the air conditioners do not work
on all the buses EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mr. Betz stated that the committee did not meet and had no report ROUTE COMMITTEE Mr. Betz recognized Mr. Koeppel to give the report for the
route committee Mr. Koeppel stated that the authority is beginning to renovate some of the old bus shelters and is currently making adjustments to route 205 FINANCE COMMITTEE Mr.
Betz recognized Mr. Dolan to give the committee report Mr. Dolan stated that the authority was exposed to increased expenses for maintenance due to poor maintenance by PTM in FY 2008-09
Mr. Eby stated that the major issues were expected to be resolved by the end of the quarter Mr. Dolan stated that PTM failed to bill the correct amount of worker compensation insurance
in FY 2008 resulting in an additional charge of an estimated $177,000 Mr. Dolan stated that PTM was not billed the properly and the error was found during the audit Mr. Dolan stated
that because of the error, the authority has withheld the PTM monthly management fee until the amount of overages can be determined by staff and the auditors Mr. Dolan stated that
legal counsel was working with PTM to resolve the issue Mr. Eby stated that PTM also failed to properly withhold benefit payments from their employees Staff is requiring PTM to be
responsible for retrieving the funds Mr. Eby said that Mr. Olsen is working with staff and PTM to resolve the issue Mr. Eby stated that the FY 2009-2010 budget will need to be adjusted
to properly reflect the new worker compensation premium Mr. Eby stated that at the request of the authority, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Liability Insurance
will take over the Workman’s Comp insurance on 09/01/09 Mr. Dolan said that fares are 8% higher from last year and passengers are buying more passes vs. paying cash FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Chairman Betz recognized Ms. Padgett to give the committee report Ms. Padgett stated that the committee did not meet Mr. Eby updated the authority on the Cando Street extension
project, and the transfer center design STAFF REPORT Chairman Bryden recognized Mr. Eby to present the staff report Mr. Eby presented the PTM quarterly report Mr. Eby stated that
the report was very critical of the service provided by PTM
Mr. Eby said that since Mr. Cure’s arrival many issues have improved Mr. Eby stated that as mentioned in the finance committee report, several vehicles have been found to be in need
of repair Mr. Eby stated that he was working with Mr. Cure to address all major vehicle issues and staff would reevaluate the maintenance budget once the fleet was returned to a state
of good repair as required by FTA Staff is continuing to work with within the confines of the management agreement with PTM to ensure that the authority receives value for management
services Mr. Eby recognized Mr. Kunic to give the Beach Blast update Mr. Kunic stated that the 2009 annual UNCW Beach Blast went very well and there were no complaints Mr. Kunic
said that an estimated 2,000 students were taken to Wrightsville Beach Mr. Eby stated that the Governor has signed the Congestion Relief Intermodal Transport Fund Bill into law Mr.
Eby said the law allows all counties to call a referendum for a ¼ cent sales tax with the proceeds directed to public transportation The bill also allows county commissioners to levy
an annual vehicle registration fee for transit up to $7.00 per vehicle Mr. Eby said staff is working on a financial plan to build support for the authority to take to the county commissioners
Mr. Eby stated that this could create a fund balance, a capital fund and provide additional or improved service offerings Mr. Koeppel suggested speaking with each County Commissioners
to notify them about the bill and what it could do for public transportation Ms. McNamee stated that the planning committee could assist with the project Mr. Eby stated that the
financial plan would go through the finance committee and once finalized, a plan could be developed by the planning committee to build support for the initiative Mr. Eby said that
the award for Daimler Bus had been rejected and that Daimler had filed an official protest Mr. Eby said the protest committee of the authority (director, finance director and legal
counsel) had denied the protest OLD/NEW BUSINESS Ms. Padgett stated that there are issues involving the bus not going to McMillan Ave and Kmart anymore Mr. Kunic stated that the
UNCW shuttles now serve the McMillan area and anyone can use them Mr. Kunic stated that the housing developments around the McMillan Ave and all the buses have notices stating that
anyone can ride the UNCW shuttles SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING Hearing no further business, Mr. Dolan made a motion to adjourn the meeting Ms. Padgett seconded and carried unanimously
The Authority’s next meeting is scheduled for September 24, 2009 at 12:00 pm in the Castle Street Board Room Respectfully Submitted, Albert Eby Director /kw