Citizens Advisory Committee of the Regional Transit Authority Monday
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Citizens Advisory Committee of the Regional Transit Authority Monday, April 24, 2016 - 4:30pm to 6:30pm SEMCOG Office, 1001 Woodward Suite 1400 Detroit, MI 48226 Call in number: (267) 930-4000, Participant code: 734523 PROPOSED AGENDA Kathleen Alessandro Gerald Hasspacher Micki Solonika Lauren Baker Andrew Justus Lissa Spitz Cheryl Calimazzo Frank Kalinski, Adela Spulber Christopher Copacia, Parliamentarian Jeri Stroupe, Chair Outreach Committee Chair Cindy Mathys Ted Tansley Frank Cunningham Donovan McCarty Brian Urquhart David Dillingham Jelani McGadney JoAnn Wardell Stephanie Donaldson Charles Momon John Waterman, Universal Patricia Fedewa, Policy Renard Monczunski Access Chair Committee Chair Megan Owens, Secretary Patricia White Daniel Grey Robert Polk Pastor DeShawn Wilkins, Prashanth Gururaja Susan Pollay Vice Chair Roberta Habowski Carlo Santia Helaine Zack John Harris Meeting Objective: Understand the new mobility and technology landscape and share priorities from committee chairs. Agenda Item Leading 1 Welcome & Call to Order – 5 min Jeri Stroupe 2 Quorum – 1 min Frank Kalinski 3 Approval of the Agenda – 2 min Frank Kalinski 4 Public Comment – 5 min All 5 Approval of February 2017 CAC Meeting Minutes – 2 min Jeri Stroupe 6 RTA Update – 15 min Tiffany Gunter 7 New Mobility & Technology Presentation – 30 min Ben Stupka 8 Meeting Accessibility Guidelines Review – 20 min John Waterman 9 Committee Reports & Tentative 2017 Goals – 20 min Committee Chairs Final Comments – 10 min 10 All Other Announcements Did we accomplish our purpose for today’s meeting – 5 min 11 All Meeting Adjourned Next CAC Meeting: Monday, May 22, 2016 at 4:30pm UM Detroit Center, 3663 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 Call in number: (267) 930-4000, Participant code: 734523 Decisions/Action Items Assigned Due Date Status 1 2 3 4 5 Citizens Advisory Committee of the Regional Transit Authority Monday, March 27, 2016 - 4:30pm to 6:30pm SEMCOG Office, 1001 Woodward Suite 1400 Detroit, MI 48226 Call in number: (267) 930-4000, Participant code: 734523 DRAFT MINUTES Kathleen Alessandro Gerald Hasspacher Micki Solonika Lauren Baker (phone) Andrew Justus Lissa Spitz (phone) Cheryl Calimazzo Frank Kalinski Adela Spulber Christopher Copacia Cindy Mathys Jeri Stroupe Frank Cunningham Donovan McCarty Ted Tansley David Dillingham Jelani McGadney Brian Urquhart Stephanie Donaldson Charles Momon JoAnn Wardell Patricia Fedewa (part) Renard Monczunski John Waterman Daniel Grey Megan Owens Patricia White Prashanth Gururaja Robert Polk Pastor DeShawn Wilkins Roberta Habowski Susan Pollay Helaine Zack John Harris Carlo Santia (phone) Guests: Tiffany Gunter, RTA CEO Nicole Brown, M-1 Rail Meeting Objective: Determine 2017 goals and committees; learn about M-1 Rail launch in May. Agenda Item Leading 1 Welcome & Call to Order – at 4:33pm Jeri Stroupe Public Comment 2 None, as of 4:35 n/a Quorum Not at quorum as of 4:36 3 Frank Kalinski (20/35 quorum as of 4:45) Approval of the Agenda 4 Moved by J. Waterman, seconded D. Wilkins, approved unanimously Jeri Stroupe Approval of February 2017 CAC Meeting Minutes 5 Moved by D. Wilkins, seconded by K. Alessandro, approved unanimously Jeri Stroupe RTA Update 1. RTA Staff & Board Update From T. Gunter: - At last board meeting, decision made to terminate Michael Ford’s contract at CEO. Tiffany is Interim CEO. No timeline in place for next CEO. - Lots of work to do in interim. Tiffany’s been very busy meeting with regional leaders about concerns and interests. Generally positive. - Need to understand what happened in 2016 ballot initiative. Common concerns include funding mechanism (property tax), rural communities, outreach strategy, effective ways to counter misinformation, and innovation (how transit fits with new mobility technologies and services) 2. Q & A - S. Donaldson shared for the record that seniors weren’t effectively engaged; T. Gunter committed to better engage in future efforts. - K. Alessandro shared “crazy idea” – explore opportunity to concurrent transit millage votes with AAATA, SMART, and RTA. T. Gunter will consider. Discussions noted different ballot schedules, opt-out communities, etc. 6 Tiffany Gunter & - S. Pollay asked about Trump’s budget proposal impact and ways to Jeri Stroupe make people more aware of impact. T. Gunter said the staff is exploring potential impact and will consider was to explain/promote. - A. Spulber asked about opt-out communities. T. Gunter acknowledged it remains a problem. - C. Mathys asked about revisiting Transit Plan and need to address different needs in different communities. T. Gunter said that yes, they will revisit it and maybe looking through a very different lens. Will definitely look to better address “what’s in it for me” - R. Monczunski asked about public engagement. T. Gunter thinks it would be wise to improve toolkit before going out to public. In latter 2017, will be out in the community more. Time has been an enemy in the past. - J. Waterman reminded of just 1% loss, urged not to lose all the great things that were in the plan. T. Gunter said board retreat discussions will decide level of plan adjustment. - M. Owens offered the CAC to be ambassadors on behalf of the RTA, who can’t be everywhere. T. Gunter said more time will allow for more opportunities for partnership. - D. Dillingham wondered whether opt-out communities have to be included, without it would likely have won. T. Gunter said everything is on the table, but that she prefers to focus not on excluding communities instead on ensuring all communities understand how they’ll benefit. CAC Goals & Committees 1. Survey Results Top priorities: 1) Advise RTA on policy/projects 2) Equipping CAC members to be effective ambassadors 3) Shift social norms & promote transit as socially acceptable 4) Discussions between RTA Board & CAC by county Lower priorities: - Discussions btn PAC-CAC - CAC visits to local council meetings - Tour transit facilities - Advising RTA on staffing/communications - CAC business cards Other suggestions: - ADA services - Interesting presentations from places where transit has worked - Learn more about Uber and how it will intersect with transit 7 Jeri Stroupe 2. Recommend Committees Some interested in all recommendations Exec reviewed and recommended: 1) Seniors & ADA -> amend to Universal Accessibility & Design 2) Outreach (include ambassadorship, communications and PR) 3) Policy (include transit operations and new mobility) Comments: - Don’t lose focus on basic quality bus service and stops when thinking about new mobility. Should think more about blending and learning best of both. - Discussion about what “operations” means and how to best incorporate - Importance of CAC getting opportunity for input on RTA decisions before they are finalized 3. Vote on Committees & Chairs Maintaining the committees already in bylaws (no vote needed) Chairs to be decided by committees - Universal Design – 5 ppl interested o Chair - John Waterman, Frank C. - Outreach – 5 ppl interested (incl L. Spitz, K. Alessandro, T. Tansley) o Chair – C. Copacia, VC – M. Owens o First meeting Thurs April 13, 6pm, 500 Griswold, Suite 1650, focused on developing priorities, workplan, and assignments for the year o Regular meetings will be immediately following CAC mtgs - Policy – 8 ppl interested o Chair Patty Fedewa M – 1 Rail Presentation Clarifying names - M-1 Rail is nonprofit org who developed and own the streetcar - QLINE is project name (Quicken purchased naming rights) - TransDev North America is contracted to manage staff and daily operations All 6 streetcars now in here. Concluding testing in April. Launching May 12. Stay safe! Woodward has changed; everyone needs to remember to share the road to keep everyone safe. - Use crosswalks. Look up, look both ways! Streetcars are quiet. - Step over tracks, as tracks may be slippery - When crossing tracks with wheels, cross at right angle to not get stuck - Cyclists should walk across street and consider alternative routes - Drivers – remember to NOT block the tracks, park inside white lines - Remember that streetcar is shared traffic lane 8 - In 3 places, streetcar must cross traffic lanes. Watch for and honor Nicole Brown new “transit-only” traffic light. - Remember, streetcar is 87,000 pounds and takes 66 feet and 5 full seconds to stop!! Don’t try to beat the streetcar. Operation facts: - Fare will be $1.50 for 3-hour timeframe. $0.75 for seniors and anyone on Medicare or Medicaid. Will sell annual passes too. - “Trust but verify” fare policy (common across country) o Can buy ticket ahead of time with credit card or ap o Can purchase with cash on vehicle o Staff will periodically check everyone’s passes - Hours of operation M-Th 6a-10p, Fri 6a-12m, Sat 8am-12m, Sun 8a-8p - Working with Safety & Security Taskforce to develop passenger bill of rights M-1 worked to ensure workforce represents the community (52% Detroiters, 77% African-Americans) Looking for volunteers during Grand Opening May 12 – www.M1rail.com/volunteer Q&A - Will ppl with disabilities who don’t have medicare or Medicaid get a discounted fare – Nicole will check - Any Park&Ride? Nope, not for free. Will link to bestparkingoption.com from website - Annunciators? Yes, John Mason will be voice of streetcar announcing stops and other reminders. Kiosks will also have brail. - How long for full trip? Appx 25 minutes. Not faster, but additional option. Want to really integrate with existing transit - Will map show transit connections and parking? Yes, still developing. Final Comments (done between items