Minutes of the Transit Alliance Board Meeting Held
April 27, 2006
NCTD, 810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside CA 92054
CALL TO ORDER
Ted Owen, President, called
the meeting to order at 10: 08 a.m. Executive Committee present: Ted Owen, President; Shirley Cole, Vice President; Gerry Seelman, Treasurer;
Pete Aadland, NCTD Representative.
Brad Wiscons, Secretary, was
absent.
Mr. Owen asked Anne
Steinberger to introduce her daughter who was present with her today because it
is "take your daughter or son to work day".
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY GERRY SEELMAN,
SECONDED BY SHIRLEY COLE, TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 26, 2005. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
A. Business Affairs: Gerry Seelman, Chair of the Business Affairs Committee, presented an update, which is attached to these minutes.
B. Membership: Shirley Cole, Chair of the Membership Committee,
presented an update, which is attached to these minutes.
C. Communications: Phyllis Hall, NCTD Community Outreach
Representative, showed a TV interview Ted Owen did with KUSI. She then presented an update on the
Communications committee in the absence of Annie Cochran, Chair of the
Communications Committee, which is attached to these minutes.
TRANSIT PROJECT
UPDATES
A. SANDAG – Anne Steinberger, Interim Director of Communications, gave an update for
Gary Bonelli, who is serving in the Navy on a special assignment. She brought copies of a new
brochure from SANDAG in both English and Spanish. She pointed out that one of the big efforts being fed into
the Regional Transportation Plan is the development of a smart growth concept
map. She described how the map is
being developed to identify locations that can benefit from smart growth and
transit connections. She stated
that 200 locations have been identified and of these, approximately 40% are
already planned for the kind of density that is needed for smart growth
development and the other 60% are potential for smart growth development and
transit improvements.
She
added that the smart growth concept map would go before the SANDAG Board in
June; and following their approval, it would serve as the foundation for the
Regional Transportation Plan. She clarified
that only the locations on the map would have the opportunity to receive
Transnet funding.
She
then reported that: The Regional
Transportation Plan is underway for adoption in the Fall of 2007 and they are
working closely with NCTD and MTS and the Transit Alliance on this; They are currently looking at key issues
that affect the transportation system, (such as home land security & goods
movement) and doing some analysis and review with the results feeding into the
Regional Transportation Plan; The independent transit planning review effort is
winding down, which was part of the Transnet extension for an independent group
of experts to take a look at their transit planning system, and their report
would be issued in June; they
would be conducting a comprehensive fare survey this summer; and an RFP for the CTSA is out and their
goal is to have this organization in place and working by July 1st.
She
concluded by suggesting that the Transit Alliance hear the Escondido BRT
presentation at their next meeting, and Board members agreed.
Ted
Owen asked if people can get on SANDAG's website to find out more about the
smart growth plan, and Ms. Steinberger stated absolutely, the site is www.SANDAG.com/rcp.
B. Tom
Kelleher, NCTD Manager of Marketing, updated the Alliance on the
following:
Caltrans
grant – They were given the grant to do land use studies at the Escondido
Transit Center, Oceanside Transit Center, and Carlsbad Village COASTER platform
in order to determine the best use for these transit centers in the next 50-100
years. They will be looking at how
to generate revenue and will be seeking community input as well. They also would be looking at the
Transit Alliance for input in the process of their extensive public outreach
effort; and as a follow-up to the land use studies, NCTD would be filling a vacant
real estate position. This person
would have the responsibility of working with the cities in furthering these
studies.
SPRINTER – Last week, the NCTD Board issued a contract for start-up operations
to Connex, who also operates the Metrolink rail service in Los Angeles. In addition to this, they
have reached the half way point in construction and are right on target for the
budget and date of service to begin in December 2007. The first delivery of vehicles is expected to arrive in
August, 2006.
Pete
Aadland pointed out that there would be a long testing period for the vehicles
in order to make sure that they are operating well before starting up
service.
Ted
Owen requested that the Transit Alliance be allowed to hold one of their
meetings on the SPRINTER.
Tom
Kelleher then described the two phases of testing the vehicles would have to go
through.
COASTER – They have instituted Padre service to Petco Park and this would be
running until late September.
Oceanside
Transit Center Parking Structure – They held a grand opening
celebration last week for the new parking structure, which was a joint project
between NCTD and the City of Oceanside. The parking structure is now open and available with 450 parking spaces.
Parking is free; however, no
overnight parking is allowed.
Gas
prices – NCTD placed an ad in the North County Times, "Dump the Pump," right next to an ad listing all of the places in North County where gasoline could
be purchased. This was done in
order to show people that there is another option, which is public
transportation.
Ted
Owen stated that Carlsbad has spent $100,000 for a needs assessment on what the
citizens want in the Carlsbad Village and requested NCTD staff
Senior
BREEZE Sprees Promotion – During the month of April they had a senior
promotion where staff went out to all of the senior communities and centers in
North County to show them how to easily ride the bus.
It was asked if the new rail contract with Connex was
available on the website. Tom
Kelleher stated that they do not post contracts on the website.
However, Pete Aadland clarified that it is a public
document and anyone can see it by contacting NCTD. He added that the SPRINTER crew would consist of an
operator and roving patrols and would not have a full-time conductor like the
COASTER.
It was asked if there was any plan to run a BREEZE
bus late at night from Horton Plaza or Balboa Park because there are a lot of
seniors who enjoy going to the theatres down there.
Tom Kelleher stated no, but that they do have late
night COASTER service. He
added that they do have bus service on the weekends to the Padre and Charger
games, but because this is MTS territory, they never considered a bus to Horton
Plaza or Balboa Park as the number of people actually using that would probably
not warrant it. Some discussion
followed regarding late night service.
It was brought up that when the COASTER first started
the plan was to have a platform at the Del Mar racetrack and also a platform at
the Convention Center. Studies
show that when people have to transfer from one mode of transportation to
another, you lose riders.
Pete Aadland described the history behind these
platforms and stated that they would probably eventually be put in when there
is political will and money.
Raphael Bernal, a
Preschool for All task force member of the San Diego Office of Education, and
Executive Director of North County Community Services, brought up the need to
have child care centers located at major public transit centers. He also pointed out that there is a
variety of funding sources to assist with this through the State.
Ted Owen pointed out that Carlsbad is in the process
of building a child-care center right next to the Poinsettia station.
It was also suggested by Elaine Bratton, NC League of
Women Voters that the Poinsettia station would be an excellent location for
some smart growth housing, as well.
C. Stefan
Marks, NCTD Manager of Service Development, updated the Alliance on the proposed
fare adjustments and August 2006 Service Changes. He stated that they are proposing to add a $.25 to the
COASTER for each zone and $10.00 for a monthly pass, and all other passes would
go up approximately 7%. BREEZE bus fares would go up $.25 and the senior & disabled pass
would go from $1.50 to $2.00. This
is because there has not been an increase for the senior & disabled pass
since 1998.
In terms of the service changes, they are looking at
discontinuing a couple of bus routes and eliminating the Del Mar fair shuttle. They also are proposing to eliminate Friday night COASTER
service during the winter months. He added that they would be adding service on some of the bus routes,
however.
He stated that there would be public workshops and a public
hearing regarding the fares and service changes and if anyone wants more
information on these to please contact him.
San Luis Rey Transit Center – Stefan Marks provided a fact sheet on
this and described the center in detail. He stated that the public hearing is scheduled for May
22nd in the evening and that he would put the information about it on the TABNC
website. He added that anyone
could contact him if they have any questions.
It was asked if an EIR would have to be done. Stefan clarified that this project is
being issued under an MND (Mitigated Negative Declaration) instead and
described the difference between an EIR and a MND. He also described the history of events behind this project
relating to environmental issues.
It was suggested that a child care center be put at
the San Luis Rey Transit Center.
Discussion followed regarding the increase in senior
fares. Stefan Marks pointed out
how the monthly pass is the best deal for seniors because it pays for itself in
7-8 days. Additional discussion
took place regarding other forms of transportation for seniors and how FACT
would serve this purpose.
LEGISLATIVE
REPORTS
Kim
Kiwanda, SANDAG, reported on federal legislation. She described
the lobbying process and stated that the three major projects in North County
that they are seeking funding for are the SPRINTER, the I-15 Managed Lanes and
BRT from Escondido to downtown San Diego, and regional bus replacement. She stated that FY2007 is going
to be a tough time for earmarks due to the hurricanes in New Orleans and Texas,
and they would be monitoring this. They should know more over the next couple of months and suggested
Transit Alliance members write to their local Congress members in support for
these transportation projects and that the information would be made available
on the SANDAG website.
She
then reported on the State side in terms of legislation and funding by pointing
out that there is a big infrastructure bond deal going on. There are talks among the Governor and
the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and State Senate, and the
latest word is that they are working on something for the November ballot – a $30 billion measure where $15 billion would be for
She
commented on the local side by pointing out that there would be some
opportunities for funding with the new freedom funding source and how this would
benefit seniors and the disabled through the new CTSA agency they are forming. She also pointed out that they
have a senior mini-grant program, as well, and described how groups can apply
for these funds.
PUBLIC
COMMENT
Raphael
Bernal, described FACT (Full Access and Coordinated Transportation). He stated that he is on the steering
committee for this, as well as Andre Teuben, and that they are one of the
groups interested in applying for funds through the New Freedom funding. He described what FACT has accomplished
thus far and the next steps they would be taking.
Andre
Teuben also commented on FACT.
Ted
Owen pointed out that this type of thing only happens because of volunteers,
and Pete Aadland stated that as long as he has been in public transit, he has
never seen an effort such as this with as much momentum. He added that, although FACT started in
North County, the vision is for the entire county to be coordinated and
seamless.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned 10:30 a.m.
The next meeting is
scheduled for 9:00 a.m., July 27,
2006 at NCTD, 810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA.
_______________________________________________
President
___________
Date