HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBMinutes_2011_04_19C:\Documents and Settings\lcarruthers\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.Outlook\5ZLTOVMI\04 tb.docx 1
Transportation Board
Brookings, South Dakota
April 19, 2011
OFFICIAL MINUTES
The Brookings Transportation Board was called to order by Vice-
chairperson Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 2:00 PM in
the City Hall Meeting Room. Members present were, Roger DeGroot, Rob Jones,
Teresa McKnight, Jerry Raabe, Terrell Spence, Jeff Weldon, and Hartenhoff-
Crooks. Art Conners, Jared Ellefson, Michael Forgy, Dean Kattelmann, Robb
Rasmussen, and Deanna Santema were absent. Also present was Brenda
Schweitzer – BATA.
Item #2– (Raabe/Spence) Motion to approve the minutes from the March 15,
2011, meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – Transportation Provider Updates – Brenda Schweitzer said that high fuel
prices are a continuing concern for BATA. She added that Senator Tim Johnson
would be in Brookings tomorrow, April 20, discussing local transportation issues. A
roundtable discussion will be held at the BATA building at 1:30. She said there
would also be a tour of Volga, Arlington, and the Lake Poinsett area. Schweitzer
said that Senator Johnson has long been a public transit proponent.
Item #5 – McKnight and Schweitzer reported for the subcommittee. Their notes
are attached to these minutes. Comments made during the discussion include:
• Could a “transit” fee be implemented at the time of SDSU registration to
go to transportation issues only?
• Students should meet with regents on transit concerns as students have
more pull with regents than other contacts do.
• Ask the Student Senate President to talk with students and get a meeting
set with the regents regarding fees.
• It was thought by some that there is now an appropriation for transit in the
student fees. If so, there is a concern as to where those funds are presently
being used.
• Riding a bus is cost effective for students.
• Besides the SDSU campus, the Brookings school system with its various
buildings could use the bus service for teachers and employees if bus
times coincided with the work schedule.
C:\Documents and Settings\lcarruthers\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.Outlook\5ZLTOVMI\04 tb.docx 2
• People need to support the bus system by using it. People in Brookings
need a “mind change”. Maybe the rising fuel costs will make people
become more aware of public transit.
• At what point does it become more cost effective to put dollars in parking
lots or public transit?
• Schweitzer said it costs $45.58 per hour to run a bus. That calculates to
almost $73,000 a year. That is based on a 10 hour day and 160 day school
year.
• There is a responsibility to get college students off the campus and
integrated in the community or the community will lose them.
• There is a need to just take off with the busing idea and get it started. It
could take years of financial hemorrhaging before it catches on. The
concerns of the disabled need to be included.
It was suggested that the subcommittee meet again and pursue some of the
ideas discussed today. Hartenhoff-Crooks suggested exploring the student
association at SDSU for additional input. Raabe suggested trying to find a group
of interested students (possibly foreign students or a “green’ organization) that
would take this concern as a challenge and work on it.
The subcommittee was thanked for their work.
The meeting was adjourned.
____________________________ __________________________________________
Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Vice-chairperson