HomeMy WebLinkAboutOUTBoard minutes 021716APPROVED 3/16/2016
3 MINUTES
4 ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD
5 FEBRUARY 17, 2016
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8 MEMBERS PRESENT: Alex Castro, Bingham Township Representative; Heidi Perry, At -Large Representative; Gary
9 Saunders, At -Large Representative; David Laudicina, At -Large Representative; Amy Cole, At -Large
10 Representative, Tom Magnuson, At -Large Representative; Ted Triebel, Little River Township Representative;
11 Representative; Jeff Charles, At -Large Representative; Erle Smith, Chapel Hill Township Representative
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13 MEMBERS ABSENT: Art Menius, At Large Representative; Eno Township Representative - Vacant; Ed Vaughn,
14 Cedar Grove Township Representative; John Rubin, At -Large Representative; Brantley Wells, Hillsborough
15 Township
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17 STAFF PRESENT: Ablgalle Pittman, Transportation /Land Use Planner; Peter Murphy, OPT Transportation
18 Administrator; Meredith Pucci, Administrative Assistant II; Malcum Massenburg, OPT Transportation Asst.
19 Administrator; Janet Sparks, Child Support Director; Lisa Berley, Aging Dept.; Anna Kenion, Health Dept.; Janice
20 Tyler; Aging
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23 AGENDA ITEM 1: Call to Order and Roll Call
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25 AGENDA ITEM 2: Approval of Minutes for November 18, 2015
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27 Minutes were approved with corrections by consensus.
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29 AGENDA ITEM 3: Consideration of Additions of the Agenda
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31 No additions were considered.
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34 AGENDA ITEM 4: Transit Services, Orange Public Transportation (OPT) - This section of the agenda
35 is addressed jointly by the OUTBoard and supplemental staff from other County
36 departments (Aging; DSS; Housing, Human Rights and Community Development;
37 Health; Child Support Enforcement; and the Library) to address transit services.
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39 AGENDA ITEM 4A: OPT Quarterly Operational Statistics Report (Peter Murphy) — Update on
40 Quarterly Operational Statistics relative to performance goals.
41 OUTBoard /Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide
42 comments.
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44 Peter Murphy reviewed items.
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46 There was discussion regarding the decrease in Medicaid funded trips and it was concluded that it was
47 something to look into and discuss with DSS.
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49 Peter Murphy reviewed the Hill to Hill Shuttle and explained there's an interest in being a part of GO pass to gain
50 riders, which would have to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Heidi Perry suggested
51 advertising the bus route options because most people don't know about it. Peter Murphy estimates the cost for
52 GO pass to the County, based on places that pay for it, would be about $9,000 a year. He also explained that
53 GO Triangle would be willing to pay the difference of the fare to start the GO passes in order to get it started until
54 they can get it in front of the Board of Commissioners. Peter Murphy then explained that the idea of providing the
55 idea of the GO pass came up at the request of a County Commissioner, so there should be support for it.
APPROVED 3/16/2016
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58 MOTION made by Jeff Charles to recommend the OUTboard is in support of getting started on GO passes.
59 Seconded by Alex Castro.
60 VOTE: Unanimous
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64 AGENDA ITEM 4B: OPT Five -Year Plan for Bus Replacement (Peter Murphy) — Review of Five -Year
65 Bus Replacement Plan, including financial assumptions.
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67 OUTBoard /Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide
68 comments.
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70 Peter Murphy reviewed items.
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72 Jeff Charles inquired about going to electric vehicles or other technologies. Peter Murphy explained there
73 weren't but the new buses they just got in are gasoline and are in the process of being transitioned to propane,
74 which will then give them the option to run on gasoline or propane.
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76 AGENDA ITEM 4c: Review and Prioritization of OPT Bus Stop Improvements (Peter Murphy):
77 Review and prioritization of improvements proposed for new bus stops for OPT route
78 expansions; to be provided as funding is available.
79 OUTBoard /Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide
80 comments
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83 Peter Murphy reviewed items.
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85 Alex Castro requested having better location details on the dots on the bus route map. He also suggested
86 getting private funding or sponsorship to pay for the new bus shelters to be built.
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89 AGENDA ITEM 4D: OPT Transportation Barriers (Peter Murphy): Discussion of how information on
90 transportation barriers can best be collected, and development of strategies for
91 addressing.
92 OUTBoard /Transit Services Action: Discuss and provide comments.
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94 Peter Murphy reviewed items
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96 Janice Tyler recommended talking to James Davis in regards to anything to do with accessibility of the shelters.
97 Jeff Charles suggested being aware of the visually impaired, and not just physically impaired, as far as safety
98 issues and ways to make it easier for them to be able to read to the maps and bus schedules.
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101 AGENDA ITEM 4E: North Hillsborouqh Park - and -Ride Replacement (Peter Murphy): Review of
102 replacement proposal for the Maxway /North Hills Shopping Center Park - and -Ride in
103 north Hillsborough.
104 OUTBoard /Transit Services Action: Receive and review information, provide
105 comments.
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107 Peter Murphy reviewed items
108
109 Abigaile Pittman inquired about the walking distance. Peter Murphy informed that it's a few miles, with no
110 sidewalks and advised there's no expectation to walk from the park- and -ride to the transfer location, that the buses
111 would go to both locations. He informed it would add about 5 minutes of travel time but it's the best they have to
112 work with.
APPROVED 3/16/2016
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114 Ted Triebel mentioned a concern that the location is very high volume during school, with the high school. Peter
115 Murphy informed that the design will have that in mind so the park and ride users aren't exiting onto Orange
116 High School Road, but onto Route 70 instead.
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118 AGENDA ITEM 4F: TransitAdvisory Services (TAS) Comments /Questions (Peter Murphy):
119 Opportunity for TSB members to offer transit related comments and ask questions.
120 OUTBoard/Transit Services Action: Provide comments and questions, receive
121 feedback.
122
123 Peter Murphy reviewed items
124
125 Heidi Perry recommended advertising. She suggested options such as, signage at the places where the buses
126 go, possible television or radio spots available, through social media, or the Orange County government sending
127 out the information.
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129
130 5. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION ITEMS
131 Agenda Item 5a: Bicycle Safety
132 Bicycle Safety (Abigaile Pittman) —
133 Determination of Bicycle Task Force membership composition, charge and
134 initial term.
135
136 OUTBoard Action: Receive and review information, provide comments and
137 recommendations on Task Force membership, charge and initial term
138
139 Abigaile Pittman provided brief summary
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141 Heidi Perry explained that the Board of County Commissioners reviewed the last resolution and they
142 wanted to see some more intentional steps taken for bicycle safety and it seems they want this task
143 force to address it and then come back to them with the recommendation. She then presented her
144 outline to the OUTBoard.
145
146 The proposed charge, membership composition and term were reviewed by the OUTBoard.
147 Heidi Perry suggested the term be changed to one year.
148 Abigaile Pittman noted some concern about having an elected official (Commissioner) because the
149 recommendations of the proposed task force would be sent to the BOCC for approval.
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151 Jeff Charles suggested that there be a Commissioner as a liaison rather than as a member of the task
152 force per se.
153
154 There was general agreement with Jeff Charles' suggestion and revised language for the membership
155 composition was discussed. `Elected official' would be deleted from the membership list in Item A.2.,
156 and Item A.2. would be revised to say `Stakeholders from each of the groups below be included in the
157 membership, and a Board of County Commissioner liaison'.
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159 The OUTBoard also agreed the membership list in Item A.2. should revise `County businesses' to
160 `County business or Chamber of Commerce representative'.
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APPROVED 3/16/2016
Heidi Perry asked if there is a motion to recommend this to the Board of County Commissioners.
Motion: made by Alex Castro to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners. Seconded by Jeff
Charles.
Vote: Unanimous
Agenda Item 6: Staff Updates (Abigaile Pittman) — Handouts included in packet
a. Revision to OUTBoard Policies and Procedures
b. Complete Streets for Seniors (Heidi Perry, verbal update)
c. NCDOT Division 7 projects located in DCHC MPO
d. NCDOT FY 2016 -2017 and 2017 -1018 Orange County Maintenance Resurfacing
e. Feb. 9 BOCC Review of Boards /Commissions' Annual Work Plans /Reports
f. Mebane Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)
g. NC 54 Corridor Feasibility Study
h. Collins Ridge development, Hillsborough
OUTBoard Action: Receive information.
Abigaile Pittman gave a quick update on items.
Jeff Charles inquired about replacing the wooden bridge on Borland, that was scheduled to be replaced 18
months ago, which has a drastic impact on cyclists. Abigaile Pittman informed him that she just got a notice about
a bridge closing which she will send out to them.
Heidi Perry said the OUTBoard should look over the list of upcoming widening projects for opportunities of
adding two -foot shoulders for bicyclists.
Abigaile Pittman reminded the OUTBoard that the funding is no longer available for adding two -foot shoulders.
Heidi Perry mentioned there's going to be a meeting on March 3rd at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill about
aging and community and planning for our future, and read a brief description.
Alex Castro mentioned his concern about the safety of seniors walking in Hillsborough along Route 70 and
Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. He explained it's a problem with jurisdiction. Jeff Charles suggested that he
forward this issue to David Bonk.
Jeff Charles suggested to Alex Castro that he give a presentation about senior topics related to Chapel Hill
Transportation and Connectivity to raise this issue. Alex Castro accepted. Other suggestions to raise this issue
to formal awareness were discussed.
Jeff Charles requested an update as where the legislature is on those NCDOT recommendations. Heidi Perry
advised that House Bill 232 has been sent to the Legislature and they will take it up in April.
Agenda Item 7: Board Comments
No additional comments.
Agenda Item 8: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus.
Heidi Perry, Chair