Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke, Christine M. Erickson (via telecom), Alex Jensen, Rick Kiley, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: None 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Accessible Housing Advisory Board: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 (Council Member Selberg) This update will be presented at the Informational Meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. B. Siouxland Heritage Museum Board: Thursday, February 3, 2022 (Council Member Starr) Council Member Pat Starr stated the Annual Report was reviewed. Bill Hoskins, the Director of the Siouxland Museums, will be presenting an update on the Annual Report to the City Council at a future meeting. Starr stated the Board is in a good financial position and the City may be receiving a rebate check in the future. Like most other business and government entities, the County is experiencing challenges with hiring employees and is increasing the base pay salaries of employees. 3. Councilor Remarks Council Member Janet Brekke provided an update on the Municipal Band movement to the Washington Pavilion. She thanked Council Member Alex Jensen for his involvement and insight in encouraging this change. Brekke stated this has been a good move for the Municipal Band and has provided them with an atmosphere that is supportive to artists. The band has saved money by financially integrating into an area where administrative costs are shared, resulting in enough savings where the band can now use existing funds to have new uniforms and conduct three new concerts this year. Council Member Curt Soehl reminded the Council that the 2022 Winter Olympics are now being aired on television and provided a brief update on the scheduled events. 4. Presentations A. Transit Update by Sam Trebilcock, Senior Planner Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Trebilcock opened his presentation by introducing the following team members: Robert Speeks, General Manager for Sioux Area Metro; Jeff Eckhoff, Director of City Planning and Development Services; and Bren Schweitzer, Transit Program Coordinator, City Planning and Development Services. Trebilcock provided an update regarding the remaking of the transit program in Sioux Falls. The presentation encompassed lessons learned from SAM on Demand and the future of transit services. The growth of the city was discussed and a map was provided illustrating the covered transit service areas in the City. Fixed route ridership has been decreasing since 2012, which is consistent with what is being seen on a national level. Nationwide, transit services are having the same problems trying to provide services and are trying to keep up with the demands. Ridership trends have a natural impact on revenue trends and those trends have been negative. Trebilcock explained that SAM on Demand is a data driven approach to remaking transit. He reviewed the following statistics: The fixed route vs. on demand statistics including the ride and wait times; the number of trip requests and how riders are able to schedule trips; and the SAM On Demand popular stops. Trebilcock noted the strengths and weaknesses of SAM Fixed-Route vs. SAM On-Demand. On Demand included: flexibility; efficiency; emerging technology; extensive data; no paratransit needed; and no shows. SAM Fixed Route included: reliability; ridership; no technology needed; limited data; paratransit is needed; and limited frequency. Trebilcock reviewed the 'wins' for SAM on Demand which included: expanded services to northSioux Fall; crosstown, east and west services, and a paratransit and SAM on Demand Pilot program. The future goals for transit include: mobile ticketing (Spring, 2022); new bus shelters (Fall, 2022); and transit route and operations analysis (Summer, 2022) which will include: expanding the use of automatic passenger counters; optimizing the number and size of buses; expanding coverage area through on-demand services; and focus fixed-routes on high ridership corridors and increase frequency. Discussion followed regarding: the statistical data on the recent trends graph; the impact of transit availability for younger riders who need rides for school and after school activity related needs; how federal funding will be impacted as the area population increases; the importance of using this data to forecast future needs; reviewing the statistics of how riders schedule trips by using applications vs. calling the dispatchers; the process for tracking On Demand when customers do not have access to technology; the options for booking a ride with SAM on Demand; reviewing the reasons for having employment shortages with drivers; and the goals for having transit coverage available throughout the city. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Executive Session A. Discussing information listed in subdivisions 1-27-1.5(8) and 1-27-1.5(17) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(6). A motion was made by Council Member Jensen and seconded by Council Member Kiley to enter Executive Session at 4:55 p.m. for the purpose of discussing information listed in subdivisions 1-27-1.5(8) and 1-27-1.5(17) pursuant to SDCL 1- 25-2(6). Voice vote to enter Executive Session. 8 Yes: Brekke, Erickson, Jensen, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Starr; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. A motion was made by Council Member Jensen and seconded by Council Member Selberg to exit Executive Session at 5:10 p.m. Voice vote to exit Executive Session. 8 Yes: Brekke, Erickson, Jensen, Kiley, Neitzert, Selberg, Soehl, Starr; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Tamara Jorgensen, MMC, Assistant City Clerk