|
 Logan Mason Public Transportation plans to start running deviated
fixed routes on May 16. On this route, two busses running in
separate directions will have several stops, and they may deviate
within two blocks of stops on their route.
Board votes on who will make decisions on stops
The board first discussed whether stops should be determined by the
board or the operator (Community Action).
Board member Kevin Bateman motioned that stops on the deviated fixed
route be determined by the board. He said during the transportation
committee's monthly meetings, Community Action could bring forth
ideas for adding and reducing stops. The transportation committee
could then discuss those ideas and bring them to the full board.
Bateman said "since it is our grant" and the board had the "idea to
get it up and running, I do not want Community Action to have the
sole proprietorship on where to stop and where not to stop." He
said, "I want the board to have some control over it." Bateman said
turning decisions over to just the Transportation Committee or the
operator with approval of two or three board members could work,
too.
 Board member Chuck Ruben said letting the operator (Community
Action) decide whether to add a stop and then bring it forward seems
easier and quicker. He said maybe the board should let Community
Action set the sites with oversight from the board. If Community
Action changes a site, Ruben said they should bring the changes
forward to the board in 30 days. The board then could vote whether
to approve the change.
Board member Miles Craig said he felt the board should have complete
oversight or not at all. He asked how much of the decision making
process had been discussed.
Community Action's Alison Rumler-Gomez said the decisions are either
an operational or strategic.
Rumler-Gomez said, "If it's a strategic decision, that falls
squarely in the hands of the board however you choose to address it;
whether that's the full board or a committee. If it's an operational
decision, we make the choices and then provide an update. It's not
an approval situation." She said it did not matter which way the
board decided would work better, Community Action just wants clarity
on who will make decisions.
Bateman made a motion that Community Action come to the
Transportation Committee to discuss changes and then it would be
brought to the full board. Board Chairman David Hepler said that
would make decisions strategic.
Board member Scott Schaffenacker amended the motion to move
decisions to the Transportation Committee instead of the full board,
but that motion failed 10-2 with only Scott Schaffenacker and new
board member Adam Schmidt voting yes.
Bateman's original motion, that the board approve the
recommendations on changes coming from the Transportation Committee,
passed 11-1 with Schaffecker voting no. Board approves the
route
The board next discussed possible stops on the route. Bateman said
there has been some discussion about adding a stop at Family Medical
Center. Board members Emily Davenport and Gene Rohlfs both said they
liked the idea of a stop at Family Medical Center. Chairman David
Hepler said the Center's administrator asked that Family Medical
Center be a stop on the route.
Community Action's Diane Turner said "There will be a stop at Logan
Courts, and Family Medical Center would be in the two block
deviation." Bateman said it would not necessarily need to be a stop
if it could be a deviation.
[to top of second column] |
Board member Pat O'Neill said he is concerned too many deviations would put the
route behind schedule. He asked about eliminating the stop at Logan Court and
putting one between Family Medical Center and Walgreens.
Bateman said he thinks more people would be getting on at Logan Court than
Family Medical Center.
Ruben said the route should start with certain stops and then after a few
months, they could look at the main deviations. He said, "If we see there are
ten or twelve people a day wanting to deviate to Family Medical, then we could
come back and make it a stop."
Craig said the board needs to "get this [route] started," and then find out from
the data what other stops may be needed.
Rumler-Gomez said to make changes and add stops, they would have to talk to
businesses and get permission from the City Council. She wants to know whether
the board would suggest stops and have Community Action work to "make it
happen." She also asked if the Transportation Advisory Committee would still
have a role in setting up routes.
Bateman said he envisions the board making suggestions for stops and having
Community Action "do the leg work" to see if it is possible. He said the
Transportation Advisory Committee could have some input on changes.
Ruben said he feels the Transportation Advisory Committee should work with
Community Action to come up with what they want and then present it to the
board.
Program Compliance Oversight Manager Brenda Clark said the Transportation
Advisory Committee has representatives from the three colleges and several
businesses in the county. She said that committee has worked for several months
to decide the stops based on community needs, stops Community Action already
makes.
Clark said there will still be an on-demand route and those drivers can work
with the route set out. The on-demand drivers can pick someone up if they want
to be dropped off somewhere not on the route. Both programs will be running at
the same time, so there should not be an issue with stops.
Clark said, "stops will be logged" and "that gives us the data and the
information on where people are going." She suggested looking at the data after
three months and looking at where they are going.
Clark said when the board and Community Action have more data, it would then be
time to make decisions on whether to add or drop stops.
Adam Schmidt motioned to approve the route that has been set up. The motion was
approved 11 to 1, with Hepler voting no.
[Angela Reiners] |
