SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

                        MINUTES                   January 2, 2019

Present              Voting Attendees:

Michael Hack – Vice Chair       Consumer

Raul Cordova                           Work Training Center WTC

Kathleen Lang                          California Health & Wellness

Debora Garcia                          Imperial County Public Authority/IHSS

Rosalina Blankenship               Area Agency on Aging/Public Administrator

Sarah M. Enz                            Area Agency on Aging/Public Administrator

Mitzi Perez                               ARC-Imperial Valley

David Aguirre                          CTSA– ICTC

Kathi Williams                         CTSA– ICTC

Gustavo Gomez                        CTSA– ICTC

                        Non-Voting Attendees:

                        Maricela Galarza                      CTSA– ICTC

                        David Salgado                          Southern California Association of Governments SCAG

                        Karla Aguilar                           IVT/IVT Access/IVT Ride/IVT MedTrans

                          Karla Pacheco                          IVT/IVT Access/IVT Ride/IVT MedTrans

                        Cesar Sanchez                          IVT/IVT Access/IVT Ride/IVT MedTrans

1.       Mr. Hack called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.  A quorum was present. Introductions were

made.

-          Ms. Williams re-introduced Mr. Sanchez as the new General Manager for First Transit for those that were not able to attend last meeting.

-          Ms. Blankenship introduced the new Assistant Public Administrator, Ms. Enz.

2.       Minutes adopted for December 5, 2018 (Lang, Blankenship), Motion Carried.

3.       CTSA Reports:            

Mr. Gomez had the following updates:

-          There is an average of 4-5 interviews per week for IVT Access service. The number of interviews has decrease, it is assumed that it may be because of cool weather and holidays.

-          There are about an average of 5 sign ups per week for IVT Ride service.

-          ICTC will be participating in Senior Appreciation Day, IVT Ride sign ups will be conducted. Mr. Gomez stated that he will be attending a training during that week, he will no be present on the day of the event. Ms. Galarza and Mr. Aguirre will be attending the event.

-          IVT MedTrans ride along was conducted, passengers gave compliments on the service.

-          Next target is to go on a ride along on either a blue, green or gold line.

-          Commission approved vendor policy program. If an agency wants more information, they can contact ICTC.

o   Ms. Williams stated that Area Agency on Aging was interested on selling tickets to clients. Ms. Williams requested a meeting to be coordinated so it can be discussed further and proceed to the next steps.

-          MedTrans prices went up starting January 2, 2019, passengers are continuously being informed of changes.

o   Ms. Williams stated that tickets purchased last year are going to be honored until June 30, 2019.

-          Happy Holiday happened last month, Mr. Sanchez will have more details on that event.

Mr. Aguirre had the following updates:

-          RFP for the AVL System is set to be implemented at the end of March. This RFP will provide an app that helps a passenger see real time information on bus location. It will only be applied on the Fixed Route service.

-          Changes have been made to the master list 2019-2020, pertaining from last meeting.

4.       FY 2019-20 Master Needs list:

-          Mr. Aguirre asked if there are any changes/deletions regarding the master list 2019-2020.

o   Mr. Hack asked on information for the IVT Ride Zone plan implementation.

o   Ms. Williams stated that IVT Ride Northern and Southern zone will be costly, the budget is not present to implement it sooner than year 10 as it is planned in the SRTP. This calendar year, IVT Ride to Heber is expected to be implemented.

o   Ms. Blankenship stated that since transportation will be requested for 3 days a week for Heber, other transportation will be coordinated for the 4th day of senior nutrition. Ms. Blankenship asked if the 4th day can be expanded at a later date.

5.       UTN Letter to the Hearing Panel (Sample):

-          Mr. Aguirre stated that the UTN hearing is scheduled for February 21, 2019 @ 3:00pm, at the El Centro City Hall. Comment period is open up until February 20, 2019 before 5:00pm. Mr. Aguirre stated that an amendment to the UTN letter can be done, for the 4th day.

-          SSTAC members are to decide what will be added/deleted/changed, with a motion, to finalize the UTN letter. 

o   Ms. Blankenship requested to change the UTN letter on page 2, under issues and concerns identified for consideration in order of priority for Fiscal Year 2019-20, #1, it will now state:

Allow IVT Ride to provide transportation services to seniors to congregate meals sites in Heber, 4 days a week.

                                         (Blankenship, Lang). Motion Carried.

-          Draft UTN letter will be presented to SSTAC members next meeting.

6.       Transit Operator Reports:

-          Imperial Valley Transit: Mr. Sanchez gave the following updates.

o   Happy Holiday event took place on December 18, 2018, there were about 2,000 passengers that were given a free ride. Passengers enjoyed event.

o   Construction on 111 is causing delays for the buses.

-          IVT Access: Ms. Pacheco gave the following updates.

o   Happy Holiday event allowed 124 trips for free.

o   Passengers have been making reservations for January.

o   Service have been slow for the month of December.

-          IVT Ride: Ms. Aguilar gave the following updates.

o   On Happy Holiday event, there were a total of 140 passengers.

o   Passenger counts are going up.

Ø  Mr. Aguirre stated that there has been a preliminary discussion with Sunline Transit Agency (STA), in regards linking IVT Ride with Sunline to provide passengers access to the Coachella area. Currently IVT Ride provides services in Westshore area on Tuesdays (Brawley), and Thursday (Inner-WSA). The idea is to have Tuesday’s alternate destinations. Looking into implementing soon. Westshore area is open to the general public, but its still in discussion if Coachella will be the same. 

-          IVT MedTrans: Mr. Sanchez gave the following updates.

o   December 24, 2018 there were no passengers, bus did not make trip to San Diego.

o   December 31, 2018 there was only 1 passenger, only one bus made a trip to San Diego.

o   It was very slow these particular days.

7.       General Discussion

-          Ms. Blankenship announced that the 14th Annual Seniors Appreciation Day will be on January 31, 2019. There are about 50 agencies and 800 anticipated seniors will attend the event. It is Mexican themed and will include: prize to the best folkloric, a band, free lunch, and health screenings.

-          Ms. Blankenship announced that on February 20, 2019 the Alzheimer’s Community Forum will take place at El Centro Community Center from 6:00pm-8:30pm. It is geared towards seniors and caregivers. There is funding available for the next 5 years that will help agencies provide trainings. Music & Memory is expanding and benefiting the senior population, it helps with a senior’s cognitive behavior.

-          Ms. Blankenship announced that Dementia Work Group will be meeting bi-monthly, an upcoming date is January 17, 2019 @ 12:00pm, in the Public Health Conference room. Anyone who is interested in participating can call for information.

-          Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Support Groups are every 1st Wednesday of the month @ 10:00am, location Dr. Sampat’s office, 1665 S. Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA 92243. Facilitator will be Jim Shinn (Eng.). Spanish facilitation will be located at Day Out, first Thursdays’ in the morning.

8.       Adjournment

-          Meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m. (Hack), Motion Carried.

-          Next meeting will be held on March 6, 2019, at the Imperial County Transportation Commission Office, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 92243.