Finance Committee

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA FINANCE COMMITTEE Monday, July 31, 2017 (August Committee Meeting) Municipal Complex, Committee Meeting Room, 3rd Floor 100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Minutes PRESENT: Elton Carrier, Chair; Paul Gawrych, Gary Santos and Mark Smith STAFF PRESENT: Eric DeMoura, Town Administrator; Marcy Cotov, Chief Financial Officer Mr. Carrier called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. 1. Approval of Minutes from the April 3, 2017 meeting Mr. Santos moved for approval; seconded by Mr. Smith. All present voted in favor. 2. Public Comments [None] 3. Employee recognition Ms. Cotov stated that during hurricanes, we all see Fire, Police and Public Services on the front end; however, what is not seen is the paperwork involved in obtaining the reimbursements due to the Town. She stated that Stacy Willis does such a wonderful job that Larry Hazelwood, who is the Public Assistance Coordinator with FEMA, for the first time ever, sent a personal note to say what an outstanding job that Ms. Willis is doing. Mr. Hazelwood said that she is so responsive that the Town sets the example. Mr. Hazelwood stated that he would have been present to recognize Ms. Willis, but they are moving their offices to Columbia.  Finance Committee July 31, 2017 Page 2 of 7 Mr. Carrier and Committee thanked Ms. Willis for her hard work. Ms. Cotov said that Melody Dangerfield, who is the Assistant Business License Official, also does an exceptional job for the Town. She said that for the past three years, Ms. Dangerfield has been attending the Institute for Accreditation in Business Licensing. She added that Ms. Dangerfield passed this course, and goes under their ethics. She added that Ms. Dangerfield missed a perfect score by two points on the comprehensive test that is required. She wanted to recognize Ms. Dangerfield with her new ABL designation. Mr. Carrier and Committee members congratulated Ms. Dangerfield on her accomplishments. 4. Presentation of CARTA FY 2018 Budget Jeff Burns, CARTA executive director, stated that each year, the member governments must approve their budget; therefore, he is here to provide an overview and ask for Committee’s concurrence on their budget. He stated that for the 2017/2018 fiscal year, CARTA is proposing a $32,546,000 budget, which is a 34% increase over the current year’s budget. He stated that they are proud to accept a Bus and Bus Facilities grant from FTA (Federal Transit Administration), and will also be breaking ground on the Intermodal Center this year, which is the reason for the 34% budget increase. He stated that the groundbreaking for the Intermodal Center is scheduled for the 24th of August and asked Council to join them in North Charleston. He said that they are also proud of some accomplishments over the past year. He stated that CARTA replaced 34 of its fleet vehicles, which is approximately 29% of the fleet. He stated that they have also replaced all the cameras on the fleet and added support vehicles for the shift change and drivers. He stated that the fleet was fully outfitted so that every vehicle has free Wi-Fi for the passengers. He stated that coming up this year, they will have the intermodal center, 16 commuter busses from the $6.1 million dollar grant from FTA, will be rolling out a new website with a real time App for bus arrivals, a new fare box system that will incorporate some of the RF chips and technology in order to utilize employee ID’s as fare.  Finance Committee July 31, 2017 Page 3 of 7 Mr. Santos asked if this will also enable passengers to swipe their mobile devices using a barcode. Mr. Burns stated that this is a Bluetooth feature and he is unsure whether this feature was purchased. Mr. Santos stated that if CARTA is attempting to attract the younger demographic, this would be a plus. Mr. Burns stated that they will be installing the latest fare box system and said that the Bluetooth readers is an add-on, so he will check to see if this has been added. He said that this new system will allow for these additions. He stated that they have also added passenger counters and stated that you can see each on and off, by stop, time of day and each location, to analyze where their resources are being used and where they can redeploy those resources. He stated that lastly, there are shelters and benches and land acquisition. He stated that there is an approximately $600,000 shelter and bench project for this year and CARTA has also acquired some land for a formal Park and Ride in North Charleston. He stated that it will be CARTA controlled with security gates and the facilities you would expect at a Park and Ride. He stated that they are very proud of what CARTA has accomplished and appreciate the Town of Mount Pleasant’s support. Mr. Smith stated that Mayor Page was with him in Mount Pleasant for the Business Outreach meeting and added that East Cooper Regional Hospital (ECRH), asked for consideration to put a bus stop at the front door of the hospital. He stated that ECRH is one of the largest employers in the Town and would appreciate consideration, as they have elderly employees who walk from Arby’s, which is a challenge in inclement weather. He thanked Mr. Burns for what CARTA continues to do. Mr. Santos asked if the new bus shelters will be open to the environment. Mr. Burns stated that the proposed shelter has three walls, so it will have an open front. He stated that this shelter was presented to their Citizens Advisory Committee and this was the design they selected. He said that CARTA felt that it was appropriate to go with the passenger’s selection.  Finance Committee July 31, 2017 Page 4 of 7 Mr. Santos asked if there will be security cameras where the busses park at the garage. Mr. Burns stated that this facility was upgraded last year and the facility has multiple cameras and is also secured. Mr. Santos asked if the busses will have the capability to have adapters in order for riders to charge their mobile devices. Mr. Burns stated that the new 16 commuter busses have not been outfitted yet, so there is an opportunity to add this feature, as long as the manufacturer offers this. He stated that they must go through the RFP process and work with the successful vendor. Mr. Carrier asked what the vehicle capacity will be for the new Park and Ride in North Charleston. Mr. Burns stated that it is a five acre parcel and has not yet been designed; however, it will have ample parking. Mr. Carrier stated that this is a great addition and will be used. Mr. Burns stated that they currently have 250 vehicles a day using this lot already. Mr. Carrier asked how the demand has been on advertising on busses, as far as the outside skin. Mr. Burns stated that as he looks at the fleet, it is full and has someone on staff that handles the ads and advertising. He said that it was approximately $900,000 revenue item for last year. Mr. Carrier encouraged Mr. Burns to keep this going, as it appears to be a very good advertising tool. Mr. Burns stated that the new vehicles in downtown Charleston have been in high demand so they will continue a strong program. Mayor Page, 1458 Short Street, thanked Mr. Burns for being present today. She stated that she was very excited to hear about the efficiencies and changes, as well as the passenger counts which will make a significant difference when it comes to getting the busses where they are  Finance Committee July 31, 2017 Page 5 of 7 needed. She stated that 15% of the workers that work downtown live east of the Cooper and she would like to remind everyone that the Town did support transit in the referendum and looks forward to hearing about increase in services for the residents of Mount Pleasant. She stated that CARTA had to make some tough decisions previously and cut service dramatically in Mount Pleasant. She asked to try and fix some of the services in Mount Pleasant. She mentioned that passengers are still switching busses at the Town Center and the timing is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes for this route. Mr. Carrier asked what the breakdown in revenue will be for the new intermodal center, from what sources. Mr. Burns stated that there is a $6 million dollar grant from the federal government, CARTA will be putting forth approximately $2 million dollars and North Charleston will be putting forth approximately $1.2 million dollars. He stated that North Charleston has agreed to manage the construction, so they will also be adding their staff time into that value. He stated that Amtrak and Southeastern Stages will be paying for some of the usage of the facility, but no capital costs. Mr. Smith made a motion to approve the CARTA budget as submitted with a note thanking CARTA for all the hard work they are doing; seconded by Mr. Santos. All present voted in favor. 5. Request from property owner for Town to abandon right of way on Toler Drive Mr. DeMoura stated that James and Karina Shulze are present and are owners of the property next to the property in question. They have requested a petition of Town Council to abandon the piece of property next to theirs. He stated that past property #813 is Arms Way. The property in question is lot #816. He stated for years, the Town of Mount Pleasant had property that runs down Toler and over. He stated that it went through the property in question at one time and connected to Arms Way, which he believes were used by trash trucks a number of years ago. He stated that the Town no longer uses it for this purpose, it is  Finance Committee July 31, 2017 Page 6 of 7 not an improved road and there is no Town infrastructure under the property. He stated that in 1986, the owner of property behind the Shulze’s petitioned Town Council to abandon the right of way next to theirs, which Council did. He stated that it is reflected in the illustration as the property owner behind the Shulze’s now goes all the way to the next property line. He stated that this is essentially what Mr. Shulze is asking. He stated that staff sees no public value in property and is too small to be developed. He said that Mr. Shulze has been maintaining the property for some time, and the only thing he sees in this particular strip of land is liability for the Town. He stated that Mr. Shulze is requesting that the Town allow him to assume this property. Mr. Santos stated that he believes the bottom right property is Chris’ Drycleaners, which has a fence that goes along the back. Mr. Shulze stated that he spends a significant amount of time maintaining the property next to his.  Finance Committee July 31, 2017 Page 7 of 7 Mr. Santos made a motion to abandon the right of way on Toler Drive as discussed by staff; seconded by Mr. Smith. All present voted in favor. Mr. DeMoura stated that this will have to be done via an ordinance which will go to Town Council next week for first reading and then in September for second and final reading. 6. Information relating to a new service rights agreement between SCE&G and Berkeley Electric Ms. Cotov stated that this is an agreement between SCE&G and Berkeley Electric regarding the trading of service rights to create efficiencies. She stated that territorial assignment rights per lines drawn in the 1970’s do not always align with today’s growth. She stated that this agreement allows for the trading of mutually agreed upon service rights to create efficient servicing of these different subdivisions. Mr. Carrier asked why the Town is involved. Ms. Cotov stated that it is due to the franchise tax and the Town’s agreements with each of them. She said from a financial perspective, she did look at their franchise agreements, which are equal. She said for the Town, whether it is service by Berkeley Electric or SCE&G, it would not impact the Town financially. Mr. Smith made a motion to approve as submitted by staff for the rights agreement between SCE&G and Berkeley Electric; seconded by Mr. Santos. All present voted in favor. 7. Adjourn There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 9:34 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Ashe July 31, 2017