Minutes | Regular Meeting
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES June 3, 2020
Present Voting Attendees:
Victor Torres Imperial Valley College (IVC)
Ted Ceasar Consumer
Dr. Kathleen Lang California Health & Wellness (CH&W)
Rosalina Blankenship Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Mitzi Perez ARC-IV
Sonia Silva Access to Independence
Raul Cordova Work Training Center (WTC)
David Aguirre CTSA–ICTC
Maricela Galarza CTSA–ICTC
Gustavo Gomez CTSA–ICTC
Non-Voting Attendees:
Cesar Sanchez IVT/IVTAccess/IVTRide/IVTMedtrans
Helio Sanchez IVT
Jose Guillen IVT MedTrans
Karla Pacheco IVT Access
1. Mr. Torres called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. A quorum was present. Introductions were made.
- Zoom attendance
2. Minutes adopted for May 6, 2020
- Ms. Blankenship asked to amend the minutes on page 6, to change the temporary nutrition name from “Green Pleats” to “Great Plates”.
- Mr. Torres asked to amend the minutes on page 5, to change the "Unified School District” to “School Districts”.
- Minutes were motioned to be approved with all requested changes (Torres, Perez), Motion Carried.
3. CTSA Reports:
Mr. Gomez had the following announcements:
- The IVT Access, IVT Ride, and IVT MedTrans service continue to serve the people that need transportation. Sign-ups and certifications continue to be conducted on a remote basis.
- IVT MedTrans updated brochures, with a new calendar, are at ICTC ready to be distributed. If any agency needs the brochures, some can be taken to the agency. The Calendar runs from May through August. The service is still there to assist passengers for any San Diego doctor appointments, the days of services are running as usual.
Ø Ms. Blankenship asked if brochures can be delivered to the AAA office.
Ø Staff agreed to drop some off at the AAA office.
- The COVID 19 pandemic situation doesn’t allow mobility staff to attend any events, therefore there is nothing to report on that aspect.
Mr. Aguirre had the following updates:
- The Dial A Ride service demand response continues to be available in the usual schedule. Although the demographics that the service is provided to, the senior and disabled population, is recommended to stay home because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, the situation has dramatically impacted the service passenger count. The service continues to be available, but it is responding to the demand. The demand is very low.
- IVT Access, just like IVT, is running on a Saturday schedule. The services have about 2 in half to 2 buses readily available to respond to the demand of passengers. The service averages 20-25 passengers a day.
SSTAC Summer Meetings:
- Mr. Aguirre stated that in the past SSTAC members decided to go dark during the summer months, which include July and August. SSTAC usually reconvenes in September. It is up to SSTAC to discuss their decision if they see the need to meet during the summer months. If SSTAC members decide not to meet, ICTC will send updates on the transportation side. ICTC is always available to any of the SSTAC members that have questions or concerns.
- Ms. Blankenship was encouraged to go dark during the summer months and requested SSTAC members to receive updates, changes, and statistical data monthly. Ms. Blankenship stated that if an emergency does merge during the summer months which SSTAC is required to meet that the option to schedule a meeting continues to be available.
Ø Mr. Aguirre stated that SSTAC members will be provided with any updates and/or changes in the transit operations. ICTC is available if any emergency impromptu meeting is required during the summer.
- SSTAC decided to go dark during July and August (Blankenship, Silva), Motion Carried.
Transit Operator Reports:
- All services: Mr. H. Sanchez reported the following:
o All services continue to run in a limited schedule, circulators are running with about 20-25 passengers a day. Social distancing continues to be implemented which results in limited seating. Therefore, it is causing small wait times for some passengers that don’t fit. A stand by bus then picks them up to continue the route.
o The YAP club contacted First Transit to assist with the distribution of kits. Their goal is to provide the whole community with masks. First Transit will assist YAP in distributing these kits to the community.
· Mr. Torres asked if the pandemic situation has resulted in the reduction of staff.
· Mr. H. Sanchez stated that some employees were let go because of some service not running a full schedule, therefore leads to a reduction of hours for employees.
6. General Discussion
- Ms. Blankenship asked for a clarification on the protocol to ensure safety in public transit.
Ø Mr. C. Sanchez stated that 60ft Gillic buses full capacity is on average of 60-75 passengers and now buses capacity has reduced to only 21 passengers. If the situation comes that there is a passenger overflow, the stand by buses will assist to pick the remaining passengers. The cutaway bus full capacity is on average on 20 passengers and now capacity has reduced to only 8 passengers. The passenger is usually only seen on the big buses, not the small buses. Since not all buses are being used because of the reduction of service, it allows us to wash all buses every day. The bus yard continues to be open for the public to purchase tickets or pay for MedTrans service. The protocol has changed, staff will now approach vehicles with any business to take care of.
Ø Ms. Blankenship asked if the seats and rails are being wiped down when unoccupied.
Ø Mr. C. Sanchez stated that wiping down the seats and rails usually occurs at the end of the route because it is difficult while on a scheduled route.
- Ms. Blankenship extended a heartfelt thank you ICTC, First Transit staff, IVT Ride service, and IVT Access service for assisting AAA with the afternoon meal distribution.
7. Adjournment
- The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. (Torres), Motion Carried.
- The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at the Imperial County Transportation Commission Office, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 92243.