Minutes 10 13 05
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority MINUTES OF THE CAPE FEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY October 13, 2005 Ms. Christine B. McNamee, Chair, Presiding MEMBERS PRESENT Ms. Christine
McNamee, Chair Mr. Jeff Bellows, Vice-Chair Ms. Laura Padgett Ms. Nancy Pritchett Mr. William Bryden Ms. Maureen McCarthy Mr. Andrew Koeppel Mr. John Stukes, Sr. STAFF PRESENT Mr. Albert
Eby, Director Mr. Arlanda Rouse, Assistant Director Ms. Raquel Wilson, Administrative Assistant Mr. Michael Kincaid, Finance Director Ms. Melissa Watson, Apprentice CONTRACT STAFF PRESENT
Mr. Corey Johnson, General Manager, First Transit Mr. Lamont Jackson, General Manager Paratransit, First Transit Mr. Bill Williamson, Regional Vice President, First Transit Mr. Andrew
Olsen, Attorney at Law GUESTS PRESENT Mr. Ricky Meeks, Citizen Ms. Dolores Williams, Assistant City Attorney, City of Wilmington Ms. Lawless Bean, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator,
City of Wilmington Ms. Patricia Melvin, Assistant County Manager, New Hanover County Mr. Mike Kozlosky, Senior Transportation Planner, City of Wilmington Mr. John Wolfe, Citizen Mr.
Francis Swain, Citizen Ms. Janice Loatman, Citizen Ms. Elizabeth Strong, ADDP Coordinator, Coastal Enterprises Ms. Pauline Mountainbird, Rehab Director, Coastal Enterprises Mr. Kemp
Burpeau, Deputy County Attorney, New Hanover County CALL TO ORDER Chairman McNamee called the meeting to order at 12:10 pm.
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority Official Meeting Minutes October 13, 2005 APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes from the September 8, 2005 regular meeting of
the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority was made by Ms. Pritchett. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryden and carried unanimously. CONTRACT FOR ATTORNEY SERVICES Mr. Eby stated
that the Interlocal Agreement between the City, County and Authority stated that the Authority would assume the responsibility for legal services. Staff had issued a Request for Proposals
for legal services and recommended the Authority enter into a contract for legal services with Mr. Andrew Olsen. Mr. Eby recognized Ms. Dolores Williams to introduce contract for legal
services. A motion to enter into a contract for legal services was made by Mr. Bellows. The motion was seconded by Mr. Koeppel and carried with one abstention. Mr. Eby introduced
Mr. Olsen and asked him to give the Authority a brief summary of his experience. Mr. Bellows stated that he would like for the Board to recognize the outstanding contributions made
by Ms. Williams and Mr. Burpeau. Mr. Bellows stated that they should express their appreciation to the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County for providing these. Chairman McNamee
directed staff to prepare a letter of appreciation to send to the city and county. PUBLIC HEARING Chairman McNamee opened the public hearing on the proposed fare increases. She stated
that speakers would be limited to 3 minutes or less. Mr. Eby stated that the last adult fare increase was on January 1, 1997 when the fare was increased from 60 cents to 75 cents.
Chairman McNamee asked was there anyone present that wanted to speak on the proposed fare increase. Ms. Janice Loatman stated that if the fare increased so much that she could not
afford it, then her son would be misplaced. She stated that she was on a fixed income, she doesn’t work and she doesn’t have a car. Ms. Loatman stated that she doesn’t want her son
misplaced because of the increase. Chairman McNamee asked for additional comment concerning the proposed fare increase. Hearing no further comment, the Chair closed the public hearing
period. PUBLIC COMMENT The Chair asked if anyone in attendance had public comment. Mr. Meeks stated that he hopes the Authority can get the new facility in place next year. EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE Chairman McNamee stated that the committee did not meet last month. She stated that the next public hearing concerning the fare increase was on October 25, 2005 at 5:30
pm in the Wave Transit conference room. Chairman McNamee stated that the Authority was scheduled to give their annual report to the County Commissioners on Monday October 17, 2005
at 11:00 am in the County Courthouse.
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority Official Meeting Minutes October 13, 2005 She further stated that the Commissioners had been invited to have lunch on the trolley following
the meeting. ROUTE COMMITTEE Chairman McNamee stated that Ms. Freeman was unable to come to the meeting. She recognized Mr. Rouse to give the report. The committee had implemented
a slight change to the Monkey Junction Shuttle to allow service to UCP. Mr. Bryden asked if they discussed the proposed changes to the trolley route. Mr. Rouse stated that they did
not discuss the trolley route. Chairman McNamee stated that the committee would need to discuss the change in order to implement the changes prior to the Children’s Museum opening.
MARKETING COMMITTEE The Chair recognized Committee Chair Ms. McCarthy to present the report. She stated that the Wilmington Star News would run advertisements until October 23rd
on Sunday and Wednesday. She stated that Talk PR submitted the PowerPoint presentation to Mr. Eby. Ms. McCarthy stated that he would present the PowerPoint presentation to the
Authority at the November meeting. Ms. McCarthy stated that the website was complete. She stated that the tradeshow booth was at the Retirement Living Showcase and was very successful.
Mr. Eby stated that he wanted to thank the Authority members who came out and helped them work the booth. He stated that they have really been pleased with the mascot. He reported
a 30% in fixed route ridership for August. Ms. McCarthy stated that the maps were on hold because of all the changes. Ms. Pritchett stated that the committee discussed putting the
maps at the bus stops. Chairman McNamee stated that the Authority appreciated the good work from the Marketing Committee. FINANCE COMMITTEE The Chair recognized Committee Chair Mr.
Bryden to present the report. Mr. Bryden stated that at their October meeting, the committee discussed the fare increases in detail. The committee introduced a motion to allow all
local college students to ride for half fare. The Chair asked for discussion. Chairman McNamee stated that the UNCW students already ride for free. The change would allow the Authority
to leverage additional funding. The motion to allow anyone with a local student I.D. ride for a reduced fare to be effective January 1, 2006 was made by Ms. Pritchett. The motion
did not require a second and carried unanimously. FACILITIES COMMITTEE The Chair recognized Committee Chair Mr. Bellows to present the report. Mr. Bellows stated that he would like
to present the report in closed session.
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority Official Meeting Minutes October 13, 2005 STAFF REPORT Chairman McNamee recognized Mr. Eby to give the staff report. Mr. Eby stated that
the first item on the agenda was the New Hanover County Lease Extension Agreement. He stated that the document was prepared by the New Hanover County Attorney’s office in coordination
with NCDOT. A motion was made by Ms. Padgett to accept the New Hanover County Lease Extension Agreement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryden and carried unanimously. Mr. Eby
stated that the next item was the NCDOT Transit Development Grant. He stated that the grant covers 90% of the apprentice’s salary, fringe benefits and travel expenses for one year.
Mr. Eby stated that the total agreement was for $32,951 and the Authority’s share was $3,295. A motion to approve the NCDOT Transit Development Grant was made by Mr. Bellows. The
motion was seconded by Ms. Padgett and carried unanimously. Mr. Eby recognized Mr. Rouse to introduce introduce about the NCDOT Rural Capital Grant. Mr. Rouse stated that the 5311
program included funding to purchase one Paratransit vehicle. He stated that the total amount funded was $33,391. Funding for the local 10% match was from New Hanover County and
included in the budget. A motion was made by Ms. Pritchett to accept the NCDOT Rural Capital Grant. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryden and carried unanimously. Mr. Eby stated
that the next item was the Paratransit mileage rate change. Mr. Eby recognized Mr. Rouse to discuss the item. Mr. Rouse stated that staff was proposing a mileage increase from $1.19
to $1.26 per mile. He stated that the seven cent mileage rate increase would allow the Authority to offset the increased cost of fuel and give the drivers an increase in pay. Mr.
Eby stated that the Authority sent notice to the agencies informing them of the proposed increase in September. At the present time, no comments concerning the increase were received
by staff. A motion was made by Ms. Padgett to accept the Paratransit mileage rate change. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stukes and carried unanimously. Mr. Eby stated that the
final item was an update on the request from the September meeting concerning televising Authority meetings. He stated that the city and county public information offices stated that
the costs for the televising Authority meetings could be substantial due to security and use of the Council and Commissioners chambers. Chairman McNamee requested that the item be
tabled until the Authority is in the new facility. CLOSED SESSION Chairwoman McNamee asked for a motion to go into closed session. A motion to go into closed session pursuant to
NC GS § 143-318.11(5) to discuss terms of the contract being negotiated for acquiring property for the new transit center was made by Mr. Bellows. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryden
and carried unanimously. The Authority entered into closed session at 1:45 pm. A motion to go back into regular meeting was made by Ms. Pritchett.
Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority Official Meeting Minutes October 13, 2005 The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryden and carried unanimously. The regular meeting of the Authority
resumed at 2:00 pm following fifteen minutes of closed session. OTHER BUSINESS, SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING Ms. Pritchett stated that there was a position available on the Authority,
to be appointed by the Commissioners. Ms. Pritchett stated that applications would be taken until November 9, 2005. She stated that if anyone knew someone that would be interested
to encourage them to apply. Hearing no further business, a motion was made by Ms. Pritchett to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Padgett and carried unanimously. The next
meeting of the Authority was scheduled for November 10, 2005 at 12:00 pm in the Wave Transit Conference Room. Respectfully Submitted, Albert Eby Director /rw