SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

                         MINUTES                  June 5, 2019

Present              Voting Attendees:

Ted Ceasar – Chair                   Consumer

Michael Hack – Vice Chair       Consumer

Sonia Silva                               Access to Independence

Dr. Kathleen Lang                     California Health & Wellness

Monica De Leon                       Area Agency on Aging/Public Administrator

Rosalina Blankenship               Area Agency on Aging/Public Administrator

Erika Martinez                         ARC-Imperial Valley

Mitzi Perez                               ARC-Imperial Valley

Bianca  Bisi                              Imperial Valley College (IVC)

Lorena Arambula                     San Diego Regional Center (SDRC)

Raul Cordova                           Work Training Center (WTC)

Kathi Williams                         CTSA– ICTC

Maricela Galarza                      CTSA–ICTC

                        Non-Voting Attendees:            

                        David Salgado                          Southern California Association of Government (SCAG)

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

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

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

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

                        Jose Guillen                             IVT/IVT Access/IVT Ride/IVT MedTrans

1.       Mr. Ceasar called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.  A quorum was present. Introductions were

made.

2.       Minutes adopted for May 1, 2019 (Hack, Martinez), Motion Carried.

3.       A presentation was made by Ms. Bisi, from Imperial Valley College (attached for reference), regarding IVC-Housing Project.

4.       ARC 5310 Grant support letters:

ARC

-          Ms. Galarza presented (3) support letters for ARC-IV,

o   (1) Continuing of Operation Funds

o   (2) Expansion of Vehicles

o   (3) Replacement of a Vehicle

-          Ms. Galarza explained to SSTAC members that ARC-IV will be proceeding to apply for the following, under the FTA 5310 Grant;

o   Continuing of Operation Funds

o   Expansion of Vehicles

o   Replacement of a Vehicle

Therefore, 3 support letters were found to be necessary.

-          Ms. Galarza opened it up to any possible changes and comments.

-          No comments were made and no changes were requested, (Lang, Hack), Motion Carried.

-          Mr. Ceasar will sign the letters after SSTAC meeting and they will be given to ARC for their records.

ICTC-MMP 5310 Grant support letter:

-          Ms. Galarza presented (1) support letter for the MMP,

o   (1) Continuing of Operation Funds

-          Ms. Galarza stated that the MMP will be applying for an FTA 5310 Grant to continue with ICTC’s Mobility Management Program, therefore requesting for a support letter from SSTAC.

-          Ms. Galarza opened it up to any possible changes and comments.

-          No comments were made and no changes were requested. (Blankenship, Hack), Motion Carried.

-          Mr. Ceasar will sign the letter after SSTAC meeting and it will be given to ICTC for their records.

5.       CTSA Reports:            

Ms. Galarza had the following updates:

-          IVT Access services had 15 certifications for the month of May.

-     There was an average of 4-6 sign ups per week for the IVT Ride service in the month of May.

-          On the week of May 10th, Mr. Gomez and Ms.Galarza attended the Paratransit Management & Operations training. Several concepts were learned such as operational duties, management, budget, and we participated in activities pertaining to the concepts.

-          On the week of June 10th, Mr. Gomez and Ms. Galarza will be attending another training, Comprehensive ADA Paratransit Eligibility. They are looking forward to expanding their knowledge on what to look for while conducting interviews and possibly any updates that would benefit our current application forms.

-          In mid-July, ICTC is planning to participate in an arranged event by Access to Independence, Assistive Technology and Resource Fair.

-          During the month of May, Mr. Cortez (First Transit, Safety Manager), Mr. Gomez, and Ms. Galarza have conducted safety training on the Transfer Terminals in the cities of Brawley, El Centro, and Calexico (3rd & Paulin). This has also brought up an opportunity to do outreach for all services. Staff are looking forward to repeating this in the future.

-          ICTC conducted IVT Ride sign-ups at Alegria in Calexico, with a total of 21 participants who were successfully signed up.

-          Mr. Gomez and Mr. Guillen have concluded the IVT MedTrans brochure outreach for the time being. Once the new brochures are updated with the upcoming months (quarterly), they will initiate outreach once again.

-          Mr. Gomez could not be present today because he is currently attending a Transit Academy training. Mr. Aguirre could not be present today because he is also attending training.

Ms. Williams had the following updates:

-          ICTC is working on the extension of contracts for IVT services, and IVT Ride expansion to Heber area. If any agencies are interested in attending, it will be on the Commission agenda for June 26, 2019, at 6:00 pm. It will be located at County of Imperial Administration Center, Board of Supervisors Chambers, 940 W. Main Street, Second Floor El Centro, CA 92243.

-          The news regarding IV Transit employees protesting low wages has come to our attention. To clear the situation, ICTC is not involved in this matter, and First Transit is working with the Union to resolve it. This has happened in the past, but unfortunately, this happened at a bad time while the RFP/bid process is ongoing. Due to the confusion, ICTC staff wanted to address it during this meeting.

-          The Commission has awarded AECOM for the fare analysis study project. Staff will be meeting with AECOM consultants to review the project schedule. Overall, the fare analysis will address possible new technology, and determine if it will work here in the Imperial Valley. There will always be a cash option available in regards to fare collection. We are looking at about 9-10 month study process.

6.       Transit Operator Reports:

-          Imperial Valley Transit: Mr. H. Sanchez had the following updates:

o   IVC is out for 1 week then Summer classes will begin.

o   No questions were asked by SSTAC members.

-          IVT Access: Ms. Pacheco had no comments or updates on service.

o   No questions were asked by SSTAC members.

-          IVT Ride: Ms. Aguilar had no comments or updates on service:

o   No questions were asked by SSTAC members.

-          IVT MedTrans: Mr. Guillen the had no comments or updates on service:

o   No questions were asked by SSTAC members.

7.       General Discussion

-          Ms. De Leon announced that the registration for the Elder Abuse Awareness Conference 2019 is open. The flyer with information of time and date was distributed to SSTAC members, registration form attached (attached to minutes). Ms. De Leon encouraged members to attend and reported that there is limited space.

-          AAA staff announced that the next Seniors Appreciation Day will be on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. A new time is being considered depending if ICTC would be able to provide transportation to seniors one hour earlier than the past event. Proposed time is 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. During our last Senior Appreciation Day, seniors were showing up early and had to wait. Next year the event will take place in two different buildings, Pebble (resource tables) and Casa de Mañana (actual event, lunch, entertainment). The event outgrew Casa de Mañana alone. Next events theme will be mascarade. The event will be promoted through postings (senior apt. Etc), website and anywhere that seniors would possibly go.

o   Ms. Williams stated that she does not see a problem with the change of time, it all depends on how many buses are available.

Ø  Mr. C. Sanchez stated that there is no issue, arrangements for pick up times can be arranged closer to the date of the event.

-          Ms. De Leon announced that senior needs assessments are currently being conducted and are conducted every 4 years. They are expected to be conducted by June 30th. The assessments will be sent to Ms. Galarza.

-          Mr. Hack stated that Peoples First is currently planning for the next meeting and workshops.

-          Ms. Silva announced an upcoming event, Assistive Technology, and Resource Fair, on June 19th, at the Social Services CalWorks Building, 2895 S. 4th St., El Centro CA, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. She invited members to register (resource table, and vendors). A $25 fee is charged. Continental breakfast will be provided to agencies who participate. The information will be shared via email.

8.       Adjournment

-          Mr. Ceasar asked SSTAC members if they wanted to meet during the Summer months, July and August.

-          SSTAC members decided that there will be no meetings in July and August unless it’s found necessary. (Lang, Blankenship), Motion Carried.

-          Meeting adjourned at 10:56 a.m. (Ceasar, Hack), Motion Carried.

Next meeting will be held on September 4, 2019, at the Imperial County Transportation Commission Office, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 922