Minutes 10 10 02
MINUTES OF THE WILMINGTON TRANSIT AUTHORITY October 10, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Dick Scott, Chairman Mr. Howard Capps Mr. Harry Forden Mr. Mike Saylor Ms. Laura Padgett MEMBERS ABSENT
Mr. John Stukes, Sr. Ms. Rosa Webb Mr. Steve Stein, Alternate STAFF PRESENT Mr. Gary Miller, President, CCL Management Mr. Albert Eby, General Manager Mr. Corey Johnson, Assistant General
Manager Ms. Lawless Bean, TDM Coordinator Mr. Mark Tinkler, Senior Transportation Planner GUEST PRESENT Mr. Roy Purnell, Sales Manager, Eastern Region, GFI Genfare CALL TO ORDER Chairman
Scott called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Forden made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 12, 2002 meeting. Mr. Capps seconded and the
motion was approved. 2. DEMONSTRATION OF GFI ODYSSEY VALIDATING ELECTRONIC FAREBOX Mr. Roy Purnell demonstrated for the Board an electronic validating farebox. Staff informed the Board
that this type of farebox was becoming common in the industry because it utilized technology and offered electronic fare media such as passes and electronic transfers. Mr. Scott asked
Mr. Purnell for a list of similar sized transit systems that utilize the Odyssey, which he agreed to do. Mr. Scott directed staff to undertake a peer review and present the findings
to the Board if staff made the recommendation to purchase this farebox.
WTA Minutes 10 October 2002 Page 2 of 3 3. REPORT FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Mr. Eby recognized Operations Supervisor Mr. Lamont Jackson for his efforts in coordinating the shuttle service
for the September 11 remembrance. In his short time as Operations Supervisor, Mr. Jackson has greatly increased on time performance, and customer service. Mr. Eby reported that the
WTA had been contacted by Mayor Peterson’s office requesting free bus transportation for the Mercy Ship. Although details were not forthcoming form the Mayor’s assistant, the ship was
described as a humanitarian vessel that performed various missionary work in foreign countries. The trip to Wilmington would be for rest and relaxation for the crew. The ship had requested
free rides for all the people on the ship by showing their identification. Mr. Saylor had some familiarity with the ship and provided a more detailed overview of the operation. Mr.
Eby, while not at all opposed to the request, did express concern that the WTA should be sensitive to the taxpayers and passengers of the WTA and not overextend a gesture to an outside
group at the expense of our constituency. Mr. Forden requested that the General Manager work out an equitable solution to allow the ships crew limited use of the WTA without charge.
This use should factor in staff’s concerns while offering a goodwill gesture on behalf of the City and the Authority. Mr. Forden suggested that after a solution was reached between
all involved parties, staff consult with the Board Chairman for final approval. The Board and staff were in agreement with this solution. Ms. Bean reported that the Merger and Master
Plan Consultant had presented the committees with some additional information at the request of the WTA Board of Directors and NHTS Advisory Board. The information requested was in relation
to the long term benefits of a merged system, if proposed, and other ideas of how to deal with labor issues, specifically 13(c) labor issues. After the additional information was received
the committees still felt unable to make a decision about merging the two systems. Mr. Tinkler reported that additional studies were being undertaken by the consultant so the WTA Board
of Directors and the NHTS Advisory Board could make an informed decision concerning the merger. Mr. Eby spoke to Mr. Tinkler’s dedication to the project and credited him with rescuing
a project that was directionless before his arrival. Mr. Eby presented the Board a price summary and bus procurement worksheet detailing the new bus purchase. Staff requested a motion
to recommend the City enter into an agreement with Gillig Corporation of Hayward, California in the amount $4,430,222.00 for the purchase of sixteen low-floor, heavy-duty, thirty-five
foot transit buses. Mr. Forden made the motion and Mr. Capps seconded. The resolution passed unanimously. Mr. Eby spoke about reinventing the WTA and the marketing opportunities that
the new buses will present. Staff presented the nickname “the Wave” and some conceptual logo and graphic renderings.
WTA Minutes 10 October 2002 Page 3 of 3 Due to time constraints with the new bus order, Chairman Scott requested that alternative ideas be brought to staff before the November 14,
2002 meeting at which time the Board would consider a new name and color scheme. Staff was directed to secure paint samples for the exterior of the bus as well as seat an flooring color
choices for the November 14, 2002 meeting. Mr. Eby asked that the Board think about the contract with Princeton Media for bus wrap advertising. Lower than expected revenues, as well
as questionable color schemes on the wrapped buses led staff to recommend that the Board consider abandoning the program. Board members concurred that ideally the new buses should be
designed to be aesthetically pleasing and advertisements would undermine this effort. Staff was to follow-up with the City/Authority Attorney’s office and bring a final resolution to
the Board concerning the program at the appropriate time. 4. REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN Mr. Scott asked for some direction from the Board on using the Trolley for the North 4th Street.
Mr. Eby stated that in order to expand the Trolley program, the WTA would have to fully commit to the service long term. This would require the purchase of replica trolley vehicle(s).
Mr. Eby stated that he would bring to the Board in the coming months detailed statistics concerning the Trolley program to date as well as a recommendation from staff on whether to continue
the program or utilize the dollars currently spent on the program for another initiative. Staff will also recommend options for purchasing these vehicle(s) and outline funding sources.
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. 5. OTHER BUSSINESS The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday November 14th 2002, at 12:00pm. Respectfully submitted,
Albert Eby General Manager