Public Transit Advisory Board

PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETING MONDAY, July 24, 2023 3:30 PM Staff Liaison: Sam Trebilcock, strebilcock@siouxfalls.org (605) 367-8890 Bren Schweitzer, bschweitzer@siouxfalls.org (605) 367-8689 Karla Resendiz, kresendiz@siouxfalls.org (605) 367-8895 MEETING ASSISTANCE: UPON REQUEST, ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MEETINGS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. PLEASE CONTACT THE HUMAN RELATIONS OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, CITY HALL, 224 WEST 9TH STREET, SIOUX FALLS, SD AT 367-8745 (VOICE) OR 367-7039 (TDD) 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING. Public Transit Advisory Board Member Participants: Erik Nelson, Jaime Johannesen, Joni Tschetter, Bailey Abbott, Manny Gutierrez Public Transit Advisory Board Members Absent: Allen Svennes, Sean Garney Staff Participants: Sam Trebilcock, Robert Speeks, Tierza Lanham Kevin Hansen, Pam Jump, Glenn Wright, Ryan Weisenbach, Bren Schweitzer Public Participants: Luke S., Melanie B., Phyllis A., Deb B., Denise K., Kayla N., Nikki W., Cathy B., Trevor M. (Both attending virtually and in-person) Minutes Facilitator: Erik Nelson, Chair Call to Order and Quorum Determination: Erik Nelson, Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 3:32 pm and welcomed all participants. Member participants represented a quorum. 1. Meeting Procedures: Sam Trebilcock read the meeting procedures for the PTAB meeting. 2. Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Manny Gutierrez and a second by Jaime Johannesen to approve the July 2023 PTAB Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 3. PTAB Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Manny Gutierrez and a second by Joni Tschetter to approve the June 2023 PTAB Minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Public input on non-agenda items: No comments Unfinished Business 5. June Bus Tour for Board Members (Informational) Attending PTAB members as well as community and press members rode Route #7, which was approximately 45-50 minutes long and included passenger activity that included boarding and disembarking of a passenger in a wheelchair, young children, families, employees, etc. The opportunity gave us the ability to have conversation with those riding. The impact on PTAB members was positive and it has been encouraged to do this no less than annually. Following the route tour, a tour of the SAM facility was also taken, noting challenges, new vehicles, and space limitations. During today’s PTAB meeting there were several comments made commending the entire SAM team on customer service, skills, and the exceptionally clean condition of the garage. 6. MPO Transportation / Human Services Coordination Plan (Informational) This plan update includes surveys that are being conducted currently on-board the bus, upcoming stakeholder meetings, and open houses. There are also surveys being deployed with a focus on the underserved including those with disabilities and elderly. This process includes a resident survey taken across the MPO area which will be statistically valid as a part of the Long-Range Transportation Plan and will benefit the Coordinated Plan. We are looking for a final draft of this plan to be completed in October, approved in November. Additional coordination conversation followed with participants of the Sioux Falls School District’s Special Education Department (Community Campus) expressing their interest and support in transportation for the young adults and access to employment. Board member Tschetter has been in contact with some of this team for Travel Training and system education for students and parents. By consensus of the board, setting up a coordination meeting with the area’s Special Education community would be of value. The set times for Stakeholder meetings was mentioned. This needs to collaborate with the end user’s ability to attend. Luke Senst, Transportation Specialist with the Helpline Center, shared their action plan of SAM Discovery Quest with the Community Health Workers of South Dakota (CHWSD), in learning more about the SAM system to assist the community calls and needs for transportation. Luke will present more information gained in an upcoming PTAB meeting. 7. Transit Management Agreement RFP (Informational) The release of this RFP by the city of Sioux Falls was made in July, with proposals due on August 3rd. Serving on the RFP Review Committee from PTAB are Joni Tschetter and Jaime Johannesen, along with City Council and city staff representation. It was explained that the City of Sioux Falls is looking for innovative transit system design ideas and proposals, a unique approach to this management contract RFP. The current management contract has been in effect for seven years and expires 12/31/2023. Council involvement with PTAB meetings and riding the bus was discussed. Several have been invited to ride. Rich Merkouris has taken route #3 with Joni and Bren. New Business None 8. Operations Report (Informational) Robert presented the ridership and operations data, noting the ridership continues to be up 26% YTD from the previous year. There was a request for a more detailed Ridership Report for August. Historical data is available via the Annual Reports that are posted on the SAM website. Community employer support in purchasing passes was discussed. There are several employers who do offer this; not all employees use them, however. Drivers Update was provided by Kevin Hansen. Currently there are 32 of 38 Full-Time Fixed Route positions filled; Paratransit is full at 21 drivers. It was asked what is being done for recruitment incentives. The following has been in place for almost nine months: Sign-on bonuses; Referral Bonuses and Retention Bonuses. All have proven to be successful. Board Member Joni Tschetter thanked the participants for being at the meeting and welcomed anyone to ride the bus with her. Adjourn: Motion by Manny G., second by Jaime J. to Adjourn. 4:43 PM Minutes prepared by Bren Schweitzer