The Corporation of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Special Meeting 2011/25 Minutes March 22. 2011 Meeting Location: Auditorium, Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre, 125 Simcoe Road, Bradford, ON Members Present: Doug White, Mayor Rob Keffer, Deputy Mayor Peter Dykie, Councillor Carl Hordyk, Councillor Gary Lamb, Councillor James Leduc, Councillor Raj Sandhu, Councillor Ron Simpson, Councillor Del Crake, Councillor Staff Present: Michelle Brandt, Deputy Clerk Joe Coleman, Engineering Technician Jay Currier, Town Manager Michael Disano, Manager of Economic Development Debbie Korolnek, Director of Engineering Yvette Kramer, Program Coordinator Geoff McKnight, Director of Planning & Development Services Jon Morton, Manager of Capital Projects Patricia Nash, Town Clerk Others: Miriam King Donna Baker Marilyn Baker Jan Blommdert George Blythe Hernan Burgos Maria Ceschiutti Anne Cordes Larry Curtis Connie Curtis Rita Dean Stephen Dykie George Flack Betty Gatrell Sheila Gillmore Don Goss Pat Goss Ed Gres Matthew Granger Christine Granger Andrew Hamilton Meade Helman Josephine Heimann Mavis Joy Jean Keffer Gordon Young Nancy Young Susan Kent Jo-Anne Kinzett Jon Kowles Helen Lathigee JoAnne Leroux Audrey line Peter Line Marek Lip Edgar Lloyd Leila Lloyd Trevor Luxton Sylvia Luxton Elena Mauro Sheila Sandham Dennis Sand ham Pat McDevitt Lois Mcintyre Mildred Menard Barry Moore Ruby Moswick Mikki Nanowski Bella Nesham Ruth Novosad Joyce Parke Helen Pearson Bob Pegg Liz Pegg Jennifer Pegg Norene Philp Arlene Powderly Joan Simpson Rose Simpson Serge Singh Gerda Slykhuis Jane Willimas Jo-Ann Yantzis Gerry Vanderlek Sharon Vanderlek Joe Hampson Bob Evans Nancy LacLinnen Pat Redmond And Others. (a) OPENING 2011/25-001 Moved by: Peter Dykie Seconded by: Ron Simpson "That this special meeting of Council being held to discuss the role that public transit should play in the Town's future come to order at 7:00 p.m." CARRIED. Special Meeting 2011/25 -2- March 22, 2011 2011/25-002 Moved by: Ron Simpson Seconded by: Peter Dykie "That Council suspend the rules of procedure under Section 29 of the Procedural By-law 2011- 027, as amended, Section 5 (Presiding Officer) to authorize and appoint Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer as the Chair for this special meeting." CARRIED. (b) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST Mayor White reminded the Members of Council of the Municipal Conflict of Interest legislation and requirements thereunder for disclosure. There were no declarations of interest at this time or throughout the meeting. (c) PRESENTATIONS 1. Introductions and Opening Comments Rob Keffer, Deputy Mayor 2. Municipal Transit Planning in BWG Geoff McKnight, Director of Planning & Development Services 3. Purpose & Scope of Municipal Transit Study Debbie Korolnek, Director of Engineering Services (d) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 4. Roundtable Q & A All 5. Presentation of Roundtable Discussions All 6. Thanks and closing Remarks Rob Keffer, Deputy Mayor Introduction On March 22, 2011, the Town hosted a public meeting to receive input from the public and stakeholders on their thoughts about establishing a public transit system in Bradford West Gwillimbury. This report summarizes that input. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer. Following his opening remarks, presentations were given by Geoff McKnight, Director of Planning and Development Services, and Debbie Korolnek, Director of Engineering Services. The presentations set the context for a potential transit system in BWG and outlined the Town's proposed approach to completing a transit feasibility study. A copy of the presentations can be found on the Town's website at: http://www.town.bradfordwestgwillimbury.on.ca/ws_par/groups/public/@pub/@bwg/documents/web_contentlwspar_ 029997.pdf Staff Presentation: On the path towards a municipal transit system 1. Provincial transportation planning 2. Why in BWG? 3.$$$ 4. Purpose & scope of transit study 5. Group discussions Recent survey results • A major public opinion survey released jointly by CUTA and FCM confirms that high gas prices are the top concern for Canadians and that transit is viewed as the best solution • People are seven times more concerned by the effect of rising gas prices than they are by taxes. • 60% of people say soaring gas prices are causing them to rethink their transportation choices. Special Meeting 2011/25 - 3 - March 22, 2011 • When asked what kind of changes Canadians have made in response to the gas price increases, almost a quarter (23%) said they are driving less and that public transit ranks number one as their preferred alternative, ahead of purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle. • Even if half of the people considering transit as an option were to switch, this would represent a doubling of transit ridership. Why in BWG? • BWG is planned to accommodate 50,500 people by 2031 • Municipal transit systems currently operate in: Barrie (128,500 people) Orillia (30,300 people) Collingwood (17,300 people) Midland (16,300 people) Why in BWG? Ontario municipalities with populations between 40,000 & 60,000 people: Norfolk Aurora Caledon Cornwall Halton Hills Haldimand North Bay Timmins Milton - Weiland Quinte West Georgina Belleville St. Thomas Why in BWG? • Focus of provincial policy and investment • Emerging county focus on transit and TOM • Promotes compact, land-efficient development • Reduced congestion and emissions • Greater mobility for those without vehicles • Opportunity exists to introduce transit service early in growth curve • Local demand is growing Planning for transit in BWG • Lack of nodes and circuitous road patterns would have thwarted earlier route planning • Town's new official plan and community plans have established a transit-supportive framework • Route planning has been considered in the approval of new neighbourhood developments What will it cost? City Weiland Belleville Population 50,300 48,800 No. of Routes 8 8 Adult Fare $2.50 $2.10 Operating Budget $3,500,000 $3,300,000 Revenue $1,470,000 $1,600,000 Net Cost $2,030,000 $1,700,000 BWG- $500,000 - $700,000 BWG's Proposed Transit Feasibility Study • Why do a Transit Feasibility Study? - Engage the expertise of a professional transit - planning firm - Obtain objective third party advice and examine all options - Do an accurate assessment of costs and benefits -the study costs are many times smaller than the potential operating costs of a poor decision - Engage the public with unbiased expert facilitation How will the study be done? • Budget approval of $25,000 pending • Competitive process - only expert consultants will be invited to submit; budget known • Public input will be part of the process Special Meeting 2011/25 -4- March 22, 2011 • Study to be completed within 2011 to permit incorporation into 2012 budget process What will the study look at? • Basic questions to be answered: o What are BWG's needs for transit? o What options are feasible for the provision of transit? o What are the costs and benefits of these options? o How will transit be funded (incl. grant options)? • Your input from this meeting will help shape the study Terms of Reference Options to be Examined in Transit Feasibility Study • Preliminary list of options includes: o BWG owned and operated o Contract out to York Region Transit o Contract out to GO Transit o Private or cooperative system o Others? Round Table Discussion • Each table to elect a scribe and a spokesperson • Please discuss the 8 questions on your table; please try to get to all 8 questions • At the end of the discussion, please summarize your 5 top points/ideas • 35 minutes for discussion plus 10 minutes to summarize - 45 minutes total • Each table to report top 5 points • BWG staff will prepare a "what we heard" report after this meeting Participants, working in tables of 8 to 10 people, were then given a series of 7 questions about public transit in BWG. The remainder of this report summarizes the group discussion. A full transcript of notes recorded at the tables is appended to this summary report. Question No. 1- How would the community benefit if a public transit system was operated in town? Answer No.1-Most tables cited accessibility for users, increased access to services and businesses, downtown revitalization and reduced environmental impact as they key benefits of public transit. Question No. 2- Who would be the key users of a public transit system in BWG? Answer No. 2- All tables said key users would be students, seniors, people without cars and the disabled. Other groups mentioned were single parents, Go commuters and environmentalists. Question No. 3- Where do you think the key destinations in BWG would be for public transit? Answer No.3-Key destinations identified at most tables included the Go Station, west end commercial area, sports and leisure facilities, seniors centres and employment areas. Question NO.4-Would you personally use it on a weekly basis? Do you currently utilize GO Transit? Do you currently utilize the bi-weekly shuttle service to Upper Canada Mall? Answer No. 4- Most participants indicated that they or someone in their family would use transit if it were available. Many indicated they are frequent users of GO Transit. A few tables expressed concern about the existing shuttle bus to Upper Canada Mall drawing shoppers away from Bradford. Question No. 5- Have you been impressed by services and practices of public transit systems elsewhere that should be duplicated in BWG? Answer No. 5 -YRT and Viva were frequently cited as good systems. Some participants indicated they are impressed by systems that have a strong accessible transit component (Orlando Florida and Durham Region). Web availability was also noted as a desirable feature. Special Meeting 2011/25 - 5 - March 22, 2011 Question No. 6- Would you support a minor tax increase to fund public transit in BWG (less than 5% increase)? Would you support a major tax increase to fund public transit in BWG (more than 5% increase)? Answer NO.6-All tables indicated they would support a minor tax increase to fund transit.