Meeting Summary
Thursday May 10, 2007
Present: Paul Edmunds, Davidson
Linda Newton, Charlotte
Walter Horstman, Matthews
Barry Dodd, Charlotte
Don Carnahan, Cornelius
Rick Sanderson, Charlotte/Pineville
Jenifer Falls, Huntersville
Sherry Helms-Miller, Charlotte
Randy Wheeless, Charlotte
Staff: Ron Tober, Jim Zingale, Vida Covington, Ramon Robinson, Patrick Hoskins, Elizabeth Presutti, Larry Kopf, Pamela Seward, Thomas Stringer, Theron Barrino, Donald Ivey, Linda Burton, Megan Huff, Darryll Simpson
Meeting Time: 4:00-5:30 pm
I. Call to Order and Approval of January and February Meeting Summaries
Chairman Paul Edmunds called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The April 12, 2007 TSAC meeting summary was approved as written.
II. Public Comment
None
III. Action Item
None
IV. Information Items
A. Service Scenarios - Ron Tober
With the advent of a petition to repeal the half-cent transit sales tax, Mr. Tober presented TSAC with four scenarios on how the transit system would operate without revenue from the sales tax. Scenario #1 calls for a reduction in bus service and there would be no rapid transit services. Scenario #2 would reduce bus service as in Scenario #1 and provide reduced light rail service in the South Corridor. Scenario #3 will keep the current bus service level and the planned South Corridor light rail service level, but will not implement rapid transit in the remaining corridors or expand the bus system or South Corridor service. Scenario #4 would continue to implement the 2030 Transit Plan adopted by the MTC in November 2006. Mr. Tober noted that in FY2006, $65.6 million of CATS' Operating Revenue came from the half-cent sales tax and if it was repealed, there would be a significant reduction in service. Mr. Tober stated that on May 23rd at 5:15 p.m. in CMGC Room 267, there will be a public meeting with City Council and the MTC. He said the meeting will focus on future corridors and the capital budget.
Ms. Newton asked if the meeting will be televised. Mr. Tober stated no, adding that it may be taped for viewing on the Government Channel at a later date.
Mr. Tober also stated there is a proposal for a second meeting June 27 in Cornelius for all the local government officials to focus on the sales tax.
Ms. Newton stated there needs to be more public awareness about the sales tax.
Mr. Dodd asked what bus routes would be eliminated should the tax be recalled. Mr. Kopf stated that each route would be evaluated for productivity and other factors before a decision is made on which ones would be terminated.
Mr. Tober said the City Attorney advised all City employees that we cannot advocate for this issue. Specific guidelines have been given to City employees to remain within legal limits in this situation.
Mr. Edmunds stated that since TSAC is a voluntary committee that they did not fall under the City Attorney's guidelines for City employees. Mr. Tober stated that is correct.
Ms. Falls asked what is planned to educate voters. Mr. Tober stated there will be a campaign of folks from the community, not yet determined, that will support passage of the bonds for the school system and oppose repeal of the transit sales tax by the end of June.
Mr. Edmunds asked if this presentation has been presented to City Council. Mr. Tober said yes. He said it was presented to City Council on March 26 and to MTC on March 28.
Mr. Zingale stated that there are more facts and information about the two ballot issues on the City website.
Ms. Helms-Miller stated that having one group to advocate for both the school bond and transit sales tax appeal seemed impossible and unfair to reach positive results.
Mr. Sanderson stated the Chamber of Commerce has a website that gives voters the opportunity to sign up as an advocate for both the school bond and the transit sales tax.
Mr. Zingale assured the committee that this summer there will be more structure and other groups getting involved with this issue.
B. Rapid Transit Rules and Regulations - Jim Zingale
Mr. Zingale said in 2002, the MTC approved a Rider's Code of Conduct which outlined unacceptable behavior on the bus system.. He said the proposed rules and regulations for the rapid transit lines are much more comprehensive because we have a lot more infrastructure associated with it. MTC will vote on the proposed changes for rapid transit rules and regulations in June, staff will go to City Council in July and ask them to take action. Then eventually when rapid transit comes to Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius, and Matthews, we will be asking the town's to adopt these sets of ordinances to enforce the policies.
Mr. Horstman commented that smokers can be discourteous with the butts and it could be a problem should they be tossed to the tracks.
Ms. Falls suggested there be boundaries set-up for smokers. Mr. Zingale stated it was difficult to set boundaries with out offending anyone.
Ms. Helms-Miller asked if it was standard with other rail systems that certain areas are off limits to smoking. Mr. Zingale said every state has different standards, but we may have to put strict fines on littering of the area.
Ms. Falls suggested signs that explain the seriousness of littering the track area.
Mr. Edmunds asked it there would be some type of enforcement on the trains. Mr. Zingale stated there will be officers on and around the train system.
Franklin Green asked if officers would be on every train. Mr. Zingale stated there will be officers on the trains and around the system.
Mr. Green asked if police officers will ride the train every trip. Mr. Zingale answered there will always be some type of enforcement on or near the train system.
Mr. Green asked how long the "No Barrier" rule is in affect. Mr. Zingale stated that not having a fare barrier system is more cost-efficient and it is better in the long run to make the system work permanently.
Ms. Falls asked if passengers can walk from car to car. Mr. Kopf answered no; passengers would have to go out then board another car.
Mr. Green asked if there was any no barrier information available. Mr. Zingale stated that the American Public Transportation Association (www.apta.com) should have that information.
C. Lynx Blue Line Project Update - Jim Zingale
Mr. Zingale reported that construction of the LYNX Blue Line remains on schedule and on budget. He said seven of the 16 light rail vehicles have completed the testing phase and he is confident that all vehicles will complete testing in July. He noted that a portion of the line may open before November.
Mr. Edmunds asked what the capacity of the I-485 structure is. Mr. Kopf said a little less than 1,200 parking spaces.
Ms. Falls asked how many entrances and exits the facility has. Mr. Zingale stated there is one entrance, but was not sure of the number of exits.
Ms. Falls asked if the tracks run along the side of the facility. Mr. Zingale answered yes.
Mr. Edmunds asked what the completion date is for this facility. Mr. Zingale stated August.
Mr. Zingale reported that the first test under power of the integrated system took the light rail vehicle from the Vehicle Maintenance Facility to Ninth Street in Uptown. He said with the burn- in and other testing of the vehicles, CATS is running trains almost 24 hours a day.
Mr. Edmunds asked if there were any significant issues with the vehicle testing. Mr. Zingale stated that there were no issues with the vehicles.
V. Service All
Larry Kopf, Chief Operations Planning Officer, reported that Elizabeth Presutti will be the new Manager of Service Planning and Megan Huff is the new Manager of Research and Systems.
Mr. Kopf reported that CATS will offer the Lowes Motor Speedway Express service for the May 19 and 27 races. He said it will cost $20 per round trip. The buses will run from Carolina Place and Northlake Malls. The cost of running this service is fully funded by Lowes Motor Speedway.
Mr. Kopf said on May 14 the South End Shuttle will be cut back, running five days per week during the rush hours and some small shuttle service in the South End on Friday nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Also the very successful UNCC Shuttle will stop for the summer starting May 14. Mr. Kopf then reminded TSAC of the July 2 service changes.
Ms. Helms-Miller asked if the bus was running to the airport every hour. Mr. Kopf said it runs every thirty minutes during rush hour and every hour during other times.
Mr. Kopf stated that CDOT, CATS, Planning Commission and CPCC are working together regarding the shut down of Elizabeth Avenue for a month starting in June. The shut down involves Kings Drive and Independence Blvd. Also in the fall, Elizabeth Street will be shut down for about 15 months between Kings Drive and Hawthorne Street. This construction will stop service of a few major routes that will have to be re-routed to provide service in that area.
Ms. Falls reported a lot more trash and some graffiti at Exit 23 due to a new restaurant that has opened across the street from that stop. Mr. Zingale stated that Mr. Ganther would be notified to have that area cleaned up.
VI. Chairman's Report Paul Edmunds
Mr. Edmunds stated at the April 25th MTC meeting the proposed fare increase, consistent with the MTC adopted fare policy, was approved and will take effect July 2, 2007. This increase will affect all public transportation including Special Transportation Service.
VII. Chief Operating Officer's Report Jim Zingale
Mr. Zingale reported that our Operators did very well at the Bus and International Roadeo in Nashville.
NEXT TSAC MEETING: THURSDAY JUNE14, 2007 4:00 PM
