SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

                        MINUTES                   January 3, 2018

Present              Voting Attendees:

Ted Ceasar – Chair                   Consumer

Michael L. Hack – Vice-Chair   Consumer

Sonia Silva                               Access to Independence

Mitzi Perez                               ARC – Imperial Valley

Raul Cordova                           Work Training Center

Raul Martinez                          Imperial County Public Health

Kathi Williams                         CTSA – ICTC

David Aguirre                          CTSA – ICTC

Kathleen Lang                          California Health and Wellness

Victor Torres                            Imperial Valley College

Deborah Garcia                        Imperial County Public Authority/IHSS

                        Non-Voting Attendees:

                        Peter Pacheco                           Pioneers Memorial Healthcare

Eric Estell                                 IVT/IVT Access/IVT Ride/IVT MedTrans

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

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

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

                        Helio Sanchez                          IVT/IVT Access/IVT Ride/IVT MedTrans

                        David Salgado                          Southern California Association of Governments

                        Orlando Johnson                      211 Imperial

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

2.       Mr. Ceasar reviewed Robert’s Rules of Order. Mr. Ceasar discussed meeting criteria and etiquette, criteria for motions and seconds and the process for approving minutes.

3.       Minutes adopted for October 4, 2017.

4.       CTSA Reports:

Ms. Williams and Mr. Aguirre had the following announcement(s):

-          ICTC completed its office move and was in the process of completing minor items pertaining to the move. Ms. Williams noted that public Wi-Fi was available and provided the password to the group. Ms. Williams reviewed the parking at the facility. Ms. Williams reviewed the potential use of the conference room by attendees upon advance noticing.  

-          The voting member list and renewed member information was reviewed.

-          The award of contract, process and goals for the upcoming Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) were discussed.

-          Mr. Aguirre informed the group of the upcoming Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing scheduled to take place on February 22, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the El Centro Council Chambers.

-          Due to the recent Triennial Review that was conducted, changes to the IVT Ride services were discussed. The general changes discussed were as follows:

o   Allow for limited hand carried bags on board

o   Reduce eligibility age for seniors from 60 to 55 years

Location specific reviews and changes were discussed:

o   Brawley:

1.       Maintain one bus with service hours on M – F 7AM to 6PM and the second bus reduce the service hours to 7 AM to 3PM.

2.       Reduce the service hours on Saturdays from 7AM to 6PM, to 8AM to 2PM.

o   El Centro:

1.       No changes recommended at this time.

o   Imperial:

1.       Reduce the four Saturdays a month to two Saturdays a month due to very low ridership

-          Mr. Aguirre announced that staff was reviewing the possibility of obtaining two smaller wheelchair accessible vans for smaller parking lot locations like the cancer center on La Brucherie in El Centro.

-          Mr. Aguirre requested that any participating agencies should inform ICTC staff of any upcoming events. ICTC will attempt to participate in the events.

-          Mr. Aguirre noted that ICTC continues to offer complementary transportation for individuals completing the IVT Ride signup process or are participating in an interview for the IVT Access application process.

-          Mr. Aguirre noted that the Commission elected to cease the pursuit of the Caltrans Adams Avenue Maintenance Facility. The Commission authorized staff to pursue a different location to possibly house not only IVT operations and maintenance but also a potential ICTC office.

-          Mr. Aguirre reviewed the status of the Bus Stop Inventory Project. He stated that the project is ongoing and will be completed soon. The project touches on the countywide bus stop system and amenities, potential technology upgrades and installation of new bus stop signage.

-          Mr. Gonzalez is continuing to work with social service agencies and Pioneers Memorial Hospital to assist clients with their transit needs including paratransit training and orientation of transit services in the Cities of Brawley, Imperial and Calexico. There was a specific example Mr. Gonzalez explained about a patient being transported for wound care. 

5.       FY 2018-19 Master Needs List

The group reviewed all items noted on the Unmet Needs List and made a motion to leave all items on the list but allow the group until the next meeting to potentially add additional items (Hack/Lang), Motion Carried. Imperial Valley College (IVC) Ridership data was requested by the IVC Representative. The demonstration routes were reviewed. Mr. Sanchez noted that he would provide ridership data for review to the group regarding the demonstration routes. Possible reallocation of funds to Unmet Transit Needs List Items was reviewed.

6.       FY 2018-19 UTN Letter to the Hearing Panel

The group reviewed the importance of preparing the UTN Letter and presenting the findings at the Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing.

7.       Transit Operator Reports

Operator Reports printout were prepared noting the reporting data.

The group reviewed ridership and bus overcrowding issues for the routes servicing IVC. It was suggested that marketing material be prepared and placed on IVC service routes noting route times and seating capacity.

8.       General Discussion

Mr. Hack noted that Peoples First will be having their annual conference at the bowling alley on March 10, 2018

9.       Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:36 a.m.  The next meeting will be on February 7, 2018.