SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 

                                                                            MINUTES                  May 2, 2018

Present              Voting Attendees:

                                Ted Ceasar – Chair                    Consumer

                                Michael Hack – Vice Chair        Consumer

                                Sonia Silva                               Access to Independence 

                                Mitzi Perez                               ARC – Imperial Valley

                                Lorena Arambula                      San Diego Regional Center 

                                Raul Cordova                            Work Training Center 

                                Rosie Blankenship                     Area Agency on Aging

                                Kathi Williams                          CTSA – ICTC 

                                David Aguirre                           CTSA – ICTC

                                Guillermo Gonzalez                  MMP – ICTC

                                Debora Garcia                           Imperial County Public Authority / IHSS

                                Victor Torres                            Imperial Valley College

                        Non-Voting Attendees:

                        Cristi Lerma                              CTSA– ICTC 

                                Maricela Galarza                       MMP– ICTC

                                Annie Gottwig                          Caltrans

                                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

1.       Mr. Ceasar called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.  A quorum was present. Introductions were  made.

-          New employee for ICTC, Maricela Galarza, introduced herself as the Office Technician for the MMP. She stated that she will be working closely with Guillermo Gonzalez on the MMP.

2.       Minutes adopted for April 4, 2018 (Blankenship/Hack), Motion Carried. 

3.       CTSA Reports:                          

Mr. Aguirre had the following updates:

-          We are looking to potentially move forward with the expanded frequency of transit services,

if funding is available in accordance with the priorities in the FY 2018-19 Unmet Needs List, which are identified as the following:

o   Increase frequency on Imperial Valley Transit (IVT) routes 2N and 2S.  This action includes the addition of service hours on the corresponding ADA paratransit service, IVT Access.   

o   Implement two additional trips on Imperial Valley Transit route 41S (Brawley to El Centro FAST) to reduce overcrowding on route 2S in the primary corridor.   

o   Implement IVT Express schedule modifications and an additional late round trip from IVC to Calexico after 5:30 PM, after IVC adjusts it “college hour” scheduling.  

-          As requested by Area Agency on Aging staff, ICTC staff will also be looking to provide IVT Ride services to seniors in Heber to attend nutrition during the summer months.  Staff will be moving forward with this request which will require coordination with the City of El Centro. o Ms. Williams stated that Ms. Galarza will be coordinating a meeting between the City of El Centro, the Area Agency on Aging and Catholic Charities.

-          The Bus Stop Improvement Project is now complete. Mr. Aguirre reported that there were over 30 new bus stops improved in Brawley and the project was completed a month earlier than planned. 

-          The Niland bus stop project is now complete. Staff will continue to work with Caltrans.

-          The Calexico ITC Request for Proposals is moving forward and proposals are due on May 4, 2018.

Mr. Gonzalez had the following announcements:

-          Mr. Gonzalez stated that his absence for last month’s SSTAC meeting was due to attending the CalACT conference.  

-          Mr. Gonzalez reported that the 5310 grant was approved for funding, which included the Office Technician position and the hiring of the new employee Ms. Galarza.

-          Mr. Gonzalez reviewed the status of the Short-Range Transit Plan. Public Workshops were conducted in Niland, Brawley, Calexico and El Centro. The consultant gathered information and will provide a report for ICTC.

-          Outreach will be conducted at the Imperial Valley Food bank event on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 4:30pm. A booth will be set up to share information on transit services to the public. Transportation will be provided in the North and South end to those clients that may need it.

-          Staff will be preparing for next year’s Children’s Fair. Staff was not ready for this year’s event due to the criteria required. Mr. Gonzalez asked for suggestions or ideas members might have in preparation of next year.  Ms. Blankenship suggested allowing the children to board a transit bus and/or creating IVT coloring books.

-          Staff is in the process of ADA re-certifications. Mr. Gonzalez stated that Ms. Galarza will be assisting with this process.

4.       Transit Operator Reports                                                            

-          Imperial Valley Transit:  Updates were given by Mr. Sanchez:

o Mr. Sanchez stated that there are new bus stops in Brawley with shaded area. Nothing else to report at this time.

-          IVT Access:  Updates were given by Ms. Pacheco:  o Months of January thru March have been consistent, nothing else to report at this time.  

-          IVT Ride – Updates were given by Ms. Aguilar: o IVT Ride: West Shores, started service to Brawley on February 27, 2018. A total of 16 passengers have used the service. 

o   The Area Agency on Aging provided funds to ICTC for IVT Ride seniors to give free rides  (except Day Out). As of April 17, 2018 a total of about $1034.00 has been expensed, with a remainder of less than a $1000 left.

o   Ms. Blankenship mentioned to make sure all riders are over the age of 60+, this is how the Area Agency on Aging can cover the cost. 

o   Ms. Aguilar stated that she will confirm only 60 and up are getting rides at no cost to them.

- IVT MedTrans – Updates were given by Mr. Sanchez: o MedTrans had the highest numbers in January for the 3rd quarter. February was slow, and in March there were more cancellations.

o IVT MedTrans had a blowout (rear door side) in Ocotillo. For situations like these, back up has been set up with San Diego Transit Services. In this certain situation a bus was sent from El Centro, since it was short distance from El Centro. There was only a small to no delay because of the fast response time. 

5.       General Discussion

- Ms. Blankenship had the following announcements: o On May 31. 2018, at the Crest Event Center, a workshop for caregivers in Spanish will be held. It will be provided by the Southern Caregivers Resource Center.  Assessments were conducted and concluded that more education was needed. Area Agency on Aging will be receiving grant funding from the San Diego State Research Foundation. 

o   An Elder Abuse Conference will be held on June 6, 2018 at the Crest Event Center. This conference is held every other year with about 125 attendees. First Transit drivers are encouraged to participate. 

o   Ms. Blankenship stated that she will forward flyers and information to Ms. Lerma for distribution.

-                       Mr. Torres had the following announcements: o There will be an event on May 19, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the First Step Program. The program is for first time enrolling high school seniors. Mr. Torres encouraged ICTC/First Transit to attend. 

o   Ms. Williams stated that if there is staff availability on that calendar day we will contact him to make any necessary arrangements.

o   Mr. Torres stated that the results of their survey will be sent to staff. 

6.       Adjournment

- Meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m. (Torres/Hack), Motion Carried.  - Next meeting will be on June 6, 2018.