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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03 08 07 Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority MINUTES OF THE CAPE FEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY March 8, 2007 Mr. Jeff Bellows, Chair, Presiding MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Jeff Bellows, Chair Mr. Robert Ronne, Vice-Chairman Ms. Fannie Freeman, Secretary Mr. Andrew Koeppel Ms. Aileen Mair Ms. Christine McNamee Mr. John Stukes Ms. Laura Padgett Ms. Nancy Pritchett STAFF PRESENT Mr. Albert Eby, Director Mr. Arlanda Rouse, Assistant Director Mrs. Kathy Williams, Administrative Assistant Mr. Matthew Kunic, Planner CONTRACT MANAGEMENT STAFF PRESENT Mr. Corey Johnson, General Manager, First Transit Mr. Lamont Jackson, Assistant General Manager, First Transit Mr. Andrew Olsen, Attorney GUESTS PRESENT Mr. Joshuah Mello, Associate Transportation Planner, Wilmington Urban Area MPO Ms. Pat Melvin, Assistant County Manager, New Hanover County Mr. Ricky Meeks, Citizen Mr. Chris Hawkins, Citizen Mr. Anthony Pursley, Citizen CALL TO ORDER  Chairman Bellows called the meeting to order at 12:06 pm  Mr. Bellows opened the meeting with a moment of silence APPROVAL OF MINUTES  A motion to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2007 regular meeting of the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority was made by Ms. Freeman  The motion was seconded by Ms. McNamee and carried unanimously PUBLIC COMMENT  Chairman Bellows opened the public comment period  Mr. Meeks asked the board to review the weekend bus transfer policy  He suggested that Wave increase the length time transfers are valid on the weekends  Hearing no further public comment, the Chairman closed the public comment period EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE  Mr. Bellows stated that the committee had no report ROUTE COMMITTEE  Mr. Bellows recognized Mr. Koeppel to give the report for the Route committee  Mr. Koeppel stated that the committee was continuing to work on the route restructure and will be ready to present a final report soon  Mr. Koeppel warned that because of the limited number of available buses, not all areas of county will be served after the route restructure  Mr. Eby stated that multiple requests had been made for the Porter’s Neck area  The area is home to multiple nursing and assisted living centers and service for employees is needed  Mr. Koeppel stated that committee would try restructure the routes to serve the greatest number of citizens with available resources  Mr. Koeppel then stated the next route committee meeting will be on March 27, 2007 MARKETING COMMITTEE  Mr. Bellows recognized Mr. Ronne to give the Marketing Committee report  The Marketing Committee moved that the Authority enter into agreement with Talk PR to complete the marketing plan as adopted at the February 2007 Authority meeting  The motion failed  Mr. Eby suggested that the Authority approve a purchase order in the amount of $10,000 split into two categories; professional services and direct advertising services  Mr. Koeppel then made a motion to contact Talk PR and Colonial Marketing in order to determine what services are available for $10,000  He then stated that the staff would report during the next board meeting, and the board would decide which of the two would be in the best interest of the Authority  The motion died for lack of a second  Ms. Padgett made a motion to approve a $10,000 purchase order to Talk PR, of which professional fees would not exceed $6,000 to be managed by the marketing committee and follow the guidelines of the 2007 Marketing Plan  The motion was seconded by Ms. Pritchett, and approved by a vote of 7 to 1 FINANCE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE  Mr. Bellows recognized Mr. Kincaid to present the finance report  Mr. Kincaid presented a response to the auditor’s comments regarding financial software  He stated that the cost of new software, which would be capable of doing financial comparisons, would cost between $10,000 -$15,000  He then stated that he spends about three hours per month doing comparisons, and that it would take the Authority approximately six to seven years to recapture the cost of the software  Mr. Kincaid recommended that the Authority continue to do its financial comparisons manually  Ms. Pritchett asked if the Authority could acquire a site license to use accounting software from either the City or the County  Mr. Kincaid stated that he had spoken with city officials, and that it would cost approximately $40,000 in order to acquire a seat on the City’s software system FACILITIES COMMITTEE  Chairman Bellows recognized Ms. McNamee to present the facilities report  Ms. McNamee stated that there had been no closing on the property  Ms. McNamee then stated that the property appraisal was approved by the state for the Corning site  Ms. McNamee made a motion on behalf of the committee to authorize the Authority to enter into an agreement with NCDOT to purchase the property located at 124 Division Drive for the Wave Transit Operation & Maintenance Center for $1,750,000  The motion would authorize the Chairman to sign the closing documents on behalf of the Authority  The motion carried unanimously STAFF REPORT  Chairman Bellows recognized Mr. Eby to present the staff report  Mr. Eby presented for approval the Azalea Festival Shuttle special route on April 14, 2007  Mr. Eby stated that 5 buses and 1 Paratransit vehicle will travel from Independence Mall to the corner of 2nd and Dock Street between the hours of 7:30am and 3:00 pm  Mr. Bellows made a motion to approve the proposed Azalea Festival Shuttle route  The motion was seconded by Mr. Koeppel and carried unanimously  Mr. Eby’s next item for approval was a recommendation to sell 100 each 2 ride bus passes to the Community Boys and Girls Club at one half of the regular bus fare  Mr. Stukes made a motion to approve the recommendation to sell 100 each 2 ride bus passes in the amount of $50 to the Community Boys and Girls Club  The motion was seconded by Ms. Freeman and carried unanimously  Mr. Eby stated that he will be traveling to Washington DC on March 12, 2007 with a delegation from NCPTA to speak to several US representatives regarding transit needs and issues in the state  Mr. Eby stated that NCDOT has released $84,000 requested by the Authority from last year’s budget  Mr. Eby shared his appreciation for NCDOT Public Transportation Division Director, Ms. Miriam Perry for her efforts in working with Wave Transit on this financial issue OTHER AGENCIES  No report OTHER BUSINESS  Mr. Kunic presented a brief presentation of the I-Stop bus stop system  Mr. Bellows suggested that due to the absence of several board members, Mr. Kunic should present the I-Stop during the April 12, 2007 meeting or at a later date  Mr. Kunic then asked all board members to please be prepared to retake the Authority’s group photo during the April 12, 2007 meeting SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING  Hearing no further business, Mr. Ronne made a motion to adjourn the meeting  Ms. Pritchett seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting  The motion carried unanimously  The Wave Transit Authority’s next board meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2007 at 12:00 pm in the Castle Street Board Room Respectfully Submitted, Albert Eby Director /kw