HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBMinutes_2010_01_19S:\Cityhall\Bonnie\Citizen Advisory Boards\Transportation\TBMinutes_2010_01_19.doc 1
Transportation Board
Brookings, South Dakota
January 19, 2010
OFFICIAL MINUTES
The Brookings Transportation Board was called to order by Chairperson Terrell
Spence on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the City Hall meeting room.
Members present were Art Conners, Jeff Weldon, Rob Jones, Deanna Santema,
Teresa McKnight, Dean Kattelmann, Robb Rasmussen, and Spence. Michael Forgy,
Roger DeGroot, Jerry Raabe, and Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks were absent. Also
present were Brenda Schweitzer and Mike Mullaney from Brookings Area Transit
Authority (BATA).
Item #2 – (McKnight/Kattelmann) Motion to approve the minutes from the
December 15, 2009 meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – (Weldon/Conners) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – Update on the Committee’s on-going projects
a. Way-finding Signage – Weldon stated that he and City Engineer Jackie Lanning
had discussed this. He said there are no funds in the budget for 2010 to cover this
project, and he does not see it becoming a reality in 2010. Weldon added that
this may very possibly be a project for the Engineering Intern. He can find the
locations around town that need the signage and also create a list of names
that should appear on the signs. Weldon said the Visitor’s Promotions Board is
working on a new logo for marketing purposes for the City. He felt that to be
consistent, the same logo should be used on the way-finding signs. Weldon
suggested three cost levels of signage with each level being more detailed. The
basic level, where Brookings will start, will be community facilities. The work should
be coordinated with SDSU. Weldon said state requirements will need to be
followed on 6th Street. Main Avenue and 22nd Avenue will also contain way-
finding signage. Weldon said he felt it was important to have the plan in place as
grant dollars could become available at any time. McKnight said the intern
could also search the Internet for available grants.
Rasmussen felt there was presently money available under the Safe Routes to
School program for some of the signage as it would pertain to the schools and
transportation. If it makes things safer for children, it should qualify, Rasmussen
said. McKnight felt it very important to pressure the DC delegations. Rasmussen
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said he would help during his next trip to Washington, DC. McKnight added that
federal dollars are critical, and elections are coming up. Weldon said he would
prepare a resolution supporting the need for federal dollars in Brookings.
b. Safe Routes to School Program – Rasmussen said the deadline for the next grant
application in March 25, 2010. Weldon said the first year grant dollars are spent,
and the new application is in progress. The second year dollars are not all spent
yet. The school district has items they still need to purchase. Brian Lueders from
the school, is monitoring that process. Rasmussen said a high school class will be
building a shelter for the bikes at the Camelot School. He added that there will
be upcoming training for teachers and police officers.
c. BATA – Brenda Schweitzer said BATA’s business plan has been completed. She
said her ridership is down a small amount. The Safe Ride numbers are down also
from last year. She felt the economy may be making a difference in those areas.
Schweitzer said there is a new taxi service in town; however, it is not accessible.
BATA is not changing anything they are doing at this point. She said she cannot
compete with private enterprise. McKnight asked if anybody can start a taxi
service in Brookings. Weldon answered yes, but there are criteria that the owners
need to meet.
Schweitzer said she is in constant contact with the Department of Transportation.
She said more stimulus funds may be available in the future. BATA is continuing its
pursuits of land options for a transit center. She would like a new transit center to
house their offices, dispatch, garages, mechanic facilities, parking areas for job
shuttles, etc. Weldon asked what her office sees in walk-in traffic. Schweitzer said
they have people coming to their office all the time, and their walk-in traffic
continually increases. At the present time, she said she has 21 vehicles, and nine
to twelve can be comfortably parked in the garage. Weldon asked how much
land she would need for a transit center. Schweitzer said ideally, at least three
acres.
Item #5 – Summary Report for the City Council – Schweitzer said she did not see the
paragraph about BATA in the final report. Rasmussen said it inadvertently was
deleted. It will be added to the report clarifying that Brookings will not have fixed
routes as federal funding regulations state the population must be over 50,000.
(Rasmussen/Santema) Motion that the final summary report to the City Council
will include the paragraph on BATA along with an attached report written by
Schweitzer. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Weldon said he will check with the City Clerk on the status of the SDSU student
representative to the Transportation Board.
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The meeting was adjourned.
____________________________ __________________________
Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Terrell Spence, Chairperson