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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBMinutes_2008_02_19Transportation Board Brookings, South Dakota February 19, 2008 OFFICIAL MINUTES The newly formed Brookings Transportation Board was called to order by Mayor Scott Munsterman on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 in the first floor Meeting Room at City Hall. Members present were Teresa McKnight, Art Conners, Terrell Spence, Andrew Natzel, Dean Kattelmann, Michael Forgy, Roger DeGroot, Kurt Cogswell, Rob Jones, Dennis Falken, and Jeff Weldon. Jerry Raabe and Robb Rasmussen were absent. Ex-officio members present were Jackie Lanning, Shari Thornes, Brenda Schweitzer, Charlene Carothers, Don Boone, Brooks Behrend, and Ellie Trautman. Item #1 – Mayor Scott Munsterman called the meeting to order. Members present introduced themselves. Item #2a – Mayor Munsterman explained the Board’s role as advisory to the City Council. The Board’s responsibility is to develop a transportation policy for the City of Brookings. Item #2b – City Manager Jeff Weldon briefly reviewed three studies that have been done. The Transportation Gap Analysis identified some significant areas of concern but had no major gaps and no glaring problems. Some concerns were with same day transportation issues, Essential Air Service, youth and student transportation, fixed route issues regarding SDSU, large event transportation, emergency planning, and signage. The second study, SDSU Transit Study Report, was a campus study on a fixed route system phasing out to the community. The third study was the Brookings Area Housing Study-Executive Summary. This study looked at transportation in relation to housing at SDSU. Item #2c – Munsterman asked each transportation service representative in attendance to describe their service. 1) Brookings Area Transit Authority – Brenda Schweitzer explained that they are funded by federal, state, and local funds. They provide transportation to anyone needing it. She has 15 vehicles of which 13 are wheel chair accessible. Their service runs from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM weekdays and until 6:00 PM on Sundays. 2) Safe Ride – Ellie Trautman explained that they coordinate with the SDSU Student Association to provide drivers, monitors, and vehicles. They run a circular service route to Wal-Mart, Perkins, Hy-Vee, C:\Documents and Settings\LCarruthers\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK16F\2008-02 (3).doc 1 apartment complexes etc. She added that the city has helped with signage, and they also receive state and federal funds. They have provided transportation for 250 – 600 people depending on the weekend, the weather, and the events taking place. Their purpose is to keep the impaired driver off the road, and the program has been very positive for SDSU students. 3) Brookings Taxi – Brooks Behrend said they are open on Friday and Saturday nights. They give transportation service from door to door on demand. 4) Easy Cab – Charlene Carothers said her service is available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the downtown area. They give approximately 1,000 rides per month. For special events, hours are expanded. They will also travel to outlying communities from the downtown area. 5) Volunteer Service Bank– Don Boone explained that his service is affiliated with the United Way. He has 80 volunteer drivers that provide transportation to those needing medical services. They will pay .40/per mile when going to Sioux Falls for radiation or chemotherapy for example. They receive transportation grants and donations. Other services include GP Auto that provides airport shuttles. Spence stated that ADVANCE does their own internal transportation services for their clients. They have 22 vehicles of which 6 are accessible. Spence added that ADVANCE is funded by Title 19 with state and federal matched funds. They are also a United Way agency. He explained that they also have an internal agreement with BATA to purchase services that help get their clients to work. Item #2d – Munsterman asked if the Board could provide a couple of reports before August 2008 with a final report by that date as that is when the budget process begins for the City of Brookings. Item #3 – Munsterman opened up the floor for nominations for chair and vice- chair. (Falken/McKnight) Motion to unanimously nominate Jeff Weldon for chairperson. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. (Weldon/Spence) Motion to unanimously nominate Dennis Falken for vice-chairperson. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. Item #4 – After some discussion, it was decided that the third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 will be the meeting date and time. Because of a conflict in March, the next meeting date will be March 25, 2008, at 2:00 in the City Hall Meeting Room. Item #5 – Weldon appointed the following committees to report at the next meeting: C:\Documents and Settings\LCarruthers\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK16F\2008-02 (3).doc 2 C:\Documents and Settings\LCarruthers\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK16F\2008-02 (3).doc 3 • SDSU Issues - Natzel, Kattelmann, and McKnight • Depots - McKnight • Marketing and Public Education - Schweitzer, Connors, and Forgy • Specialized Services/Disability Issues - Cogswell, Spence, and Jones • City/County Funding Issues - Falken and Weldon Shari Thornes will compile a document of all services available from the various providers. Therefore, all members can see what is available from each entity. The meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ ____________________________ Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Jeffrey Weldon, Chairperson