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Transportation Board
Brookings, South Dakota
November 17, 2009
OFFICIAL MINUTES
The Brookings Transportation Board was called to order by Chairperson
Robb Rasmussen on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM in the City Hall
meeting room. Members present were Terrell Spence, Michael Forgy, Art Conners,
Jeff Weldon, Roger DeGroot, Jerry Raabe, Rob Jones, Deanna Santema, and
Rasmussen. Teresa McKnight, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, and Dean Kattelmann
were absent. Also present were City Clerk Shari Thornes, City Engineer Jackie
Lanning, Brenda Schweitzer – BATA, and Anthony Sutton.
Item #2 – (Weldon/Spence) Motion to approve the minutes from the October 20,
2009 meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – (Raabe, Jones) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – Update on BATA progress and future plans – Brenda Schweitzer reported
that BATA finished their fiscal year at the end of September 2009. Their ridership
was up 2½% even after losing the Boys and Girls Club for the summer. She
explained that the Boys and Girls Club received a donated bus and were doing
their own transportation. She said there are no plans for the 24-7 service as some
match funding was lost. If there is service during those later hours for a special
event, the public must be notified as they can also use the service during those
hours. At this point, a decision has not been made on holiday service. Schweitzer
said she is seeing more requests for individual service where payment can not be
made. She added that staff and vehicle situation are good, but they have out
grown their building and therefore, are hoping for a light winter. She said she is
always pursuing options for a new site.
Jeff Weldon asked if there had been any forward movement on campus
transportation. Anthony Sutton, an SDSU student senate member, stated that the
student senate is looking at all ends of transportation, but decisions must go
through Dean Kattelmann. At this time, BATA needs more federal funds to make
their routes work on campus.
Don Raabe asked Schweitzer if the number of vehicles for BATA had
increased. Schweitzer said yes, three (3) vehicles were purchased with stimulus
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funds, and they have been a huge help. But insurance expenses need to be paid
on those vehicles.
Rasmussen asked Schweitzer how long BATA had been operating in
Brookings Schweitzer answered about 20 years, but their growth has tripled in the
last five (5) years. Terrell Spence said he hears ads for BATA on the radio daily.
Schweitzer said the ads on the buses also help with the funding match. But when
funds get tight, advertising is the first item that a company cuts.
Schweitzer said that one of BATA’s present goals is employment
transportation. She is presently working with Larson Manufacturing in this area.
Rasmussen distributed a hand out stating how transportation affects a
community and additional options for transportation. Schweitzer said she had
been working on prices for bike racks but needed a match for any funding she
would receive. Michael Forgy asked Schweitzer what the funding match would
be for 24-7 service. She said she would need a $20,000 local match for one year.
Item #5 – Update on the Bike Trail Project – City Engineer Jackie Lanning said she
received a call today stating that she can advertise for bids for the bike trail
project which will be east of Interstate 29. The project is expected to be
completed in 2010, and an extra $5,000 had been allocated for the project.
Weldon said advertising for bids will be this year with construction in 2010. There
needed to be a longer advertising period because federal funds were involved.
Rasmussen felt that was very good news for Brookings.
There will be many projects next summer also. Bike lanes will be painted in
the city. SDSU will be painting their routes also. Rasmussen said federal money is
presently available for “walking” signs for those that walk in the city around the
schools and on the bike trail. He has the information and contact name and will
get that information to Weldon.
Item #6 – Overview of the Transportation Board Report to the City Council –
Weldon stated that a full report did not need to be done each year but possibly
every two years. He added that it could be more of a progress report. Rasmussen
asked board members to email him any items to be included in the report, and
he would put the report together. City Clerk Shari Thornes said that a progress/
activity report is due to the City Council each February from every city board.
Rasmussen said the board will work on the report at the December meeting and
approve it in January 2010.
Weldon explained that the board seat designated to an SDSU student has
not been filled. Any application must go through the City Clerk and be approved
by the City Council. He said that seat cannot have rotating members. Sutton said
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that it is hard to have a student available for a three year term. Forgy asked if an
alternate could be appointed for that board seat. Then if the appointed member
was unavailable for the meeting, the alternate could attend the meeting and
vote on any items. Thornes said that the resolution would need to be changed to
that affect and could be done. Rasmussen felt it was important to have the
student voice.
The meeting was adjourned.
____________________________ _____________________________
Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Robb Rasmussen, Chairperson