Notes of the Business Affairs Committee Meeting Held
February 17, 2006
NCTD, 810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside CA 92054
Those present: Gerry Seelman, Chairman, (DMJM & Harris); Pete Aadland (NCTD); Dick Bartlett, Mike McLaughlin.
I. Call to Order
The meeting began
at 10:00 a.m.
II. Approval of Minutes of January
13, 2006
The Minutes were
approved.
III. Old Business
Gerry asked everyone to take a look at the brochures
and pass it around to get some reactions to it and bring back any comments they
receive. He stated that he thinks
there are too many words and not enough pictures. Other committee members agreed with this. He clarified that the brochures are for
the general public.
Gerry asked how many city councils have been given the
presentations. Pete replied that
Oceanside, Carlsbad, Solana Beach are scheduled. Shirley Cole will be giving the presentation at Carlsbad and
Joe Charest will be giving the presentation at Solana Beach. They gave a presentation last
week to the Oceanside Senior Commission, which was very receptive.
Dick asked how many of the current brochures are
still in existence to be handed out. Pete replied that Phyllis Hall would know the answer
to that.
Dick commented on an article in the North County
Times about how they expect an increase in the number of people coming to the
beach in Oceanside once the SPRINTER is up and running. He stated that the Oceanside Main
Street Association should have these Transit Alliance brochures.
Gerry stated that it has been suggested that they
extend the Business Affairs Committee in getting help on some special tasks,
not necessarily by increasing the number of members, but if there is some
specific things they need to do, there are people in the business community who
can reach out to those that may be able to do certain tasks for them.
He also stated that they have talked about going
around and talking to the Chambers, as well, with the long range thought of the
Chamber Presidents rotating the responsibility of the of the Transit Alliance.
He informed the committee that the Transit Alliance
went before the NCTD Board a few weeks ago and gave their presentation, which
included the website, and it was very well received.
Pete pointed out that from this they got more
requests from NCTD Board members to make the presentations to their city
councils.
Gerry stated that he talked to Jerome Stocks and he
was very receptive. He then
asked if they have set up the date to go before the SANDAG Board.
Pete stated that Gary Bonnelli is working on setting
this up. He added that the thought
was going before the Transportation committee, but Gary suggested just going
directly to the full Board.
Mike McLaughlin cautioned them on this by stating he
was not so sure that bypassing the Transportation Committee was a good idea as
it could be a strategic under site, pointing out that maybe the approach could
be going to the Transportation Committee and have the Chairman of the
Transportation Committee play a more prominent role at the SANDAG Board meeting
to convey their message.
He then commented on whether there is value in having
an individual city council member become the "grandfather" of the
Alliance. He pointed out
that it has always been in his experience with SANDAG that it is always is
better when it comes from a peer than someone else.
Dick Bartlett asked what the desired result is from
making the presentation to the various city councils.
Gerry pointed out that they are trying to change the
perception of public transit, that is, that it is being used by respectable
business people and not just people who cannot afford any other means to get
around.
Dick asked what is it that they are asking the city
councils to do as a follow-up to the presentation.
Gerry replied, to prophesize the use of transit. He then commented on the city of Chula
Vista and their Smart Growth package.
Pete added that they are trying to raise the level of
awareness to consider transit as well as the fact that there is a credible
organization, the Transit Alliance, that is watching what they do in regard to
making future decisions on transportation.
Further discussion followed regarding how transit use
has increased in the last several years due to growth and population increases
and the need for people to get out of their cars, as population is only going
to increase along with congestion. Different philosophies and mindsets on transit were shared, such as the
difference between the US east coast and the west, as well as European cities. The fact that people do not want to give up their cars and
the need for more frequent "commuter" transit service was pointed out.
A. Identify follow up calls to make from the
TransNet mailing list
Gerry requested that the mailing list provided to him
be copied and sent to the Transit Alliance Board members and Dick Bartlett and
Mike McLaughlin. (Copies of
the list were given to Mr. Bartlett and Mr. McLaughlin at the meeting). He then asked Mr. Bartlett and Mr.
McLaughlin to take the list and identify those they wished to have follow-up
phone calls made to.
Pete reported on who has joined the Alliance with a
$100.00 contribution.
Dick commented on how he thought everyone on the NCTD
Board should have enough interest in it to become a member.
B. Review and edit power point presentation
Committee members
commented on how they felt it was too long and too wordy.
Gerry suggested that it be split into two separate
presentations, pointing out that it is too long for some groups, but not long
enough for others.
It was agreed that the committee members would go
through and mark it up for two different versions: An A & B version - A being the shorter
version (10 minutes) for city councils, SANDAG, etc., and a B version (20-30
minutes) being the longer version for Rotaries, and Chambers, etc.
The committee agreed to take out the Mission
Statement. Also, the importance of
heightening the interest and support for transit was stressed, not heightening
the interest for the TABNC.
Mike McLaughlin suggested having pictures in the
brochure of the typical younger white collar worker types, who are still in
their cars.
Gerry pointed out that the goals of the transit
alliance is to educate and generate interest and desire to use transit.
It was clarified that the mark up copies of the
presentation with committee members written recommendations be given back to
Phyllis Hall at NCTD.
Mike McLaughlin suggested that the Transit Alliance
be represented at various SANDAG advisory committees regarding transit. He stated that he would talk to Gary
Bonnelli about this.
Gerry asked Mike to let him know once this has been
done.
Discussion followed regarding the best ads everyone
has seen on TV with Gerry pointing out the importance of effective advertising
in promoting anything. He
then described different ads he has seen regarding transit and different things
he has seen that would be great for transit.
Pete pointed out that they would be focusing on
seniors this year in marketing and updated the committee on the different
promotions they would be doing, such as the Senior Breeze Sprees.
IV. New Business
A. TABNC "behind the scenes" team
Gerry described the thought process of getting more
people to help on certain issues, as described previously, such as reaching out
to some of the leaderships in the business community through the Chambers,
pointing out that maybe they can get someone to help make the follow-up phone
calls in fund raising.
Dick stated that it is important to have a specific
issue, and the other members agreed.
Pete stated that Phyllis has contacted a few people
with regard to this and was successful in talking to Colleen O'Harra and Bruce
Tait. He, as well, has talked
to Tom Missett, who came to the
Board meeting and saw the Transit Alliance presentation.
Dick suggested approaching well dressed people at the
transit centers getting off the train and buses and conduct a survey of some
sort by asking them why they ride transit and perhaps using these people in
advertising.
Pete agreed to get a group of NCTD employees to do
this, pointing out that they have done this before.
B. Flow Chart
Gerry stated that he would talk to Phyllis Hall about
this and bring it back for discussion at the next meeting.
V. Other Comments
None.
VI. Next Meeting – The committee changed the date to Thursday, April 13th at
10:00 a.m.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20
a.m.
Submitted by Cheryl D.
Plontus, NCTD Administrative Assistant
_______________________________________________
Chairman
of the Business Affairs Committee
___________
Date