Access meetings Minutes
Members Present: Shelly Brisbin, Scott Meyer, Jerry Doran, Juan Munoz, and Robert Raines. Members absent: Randall L. Glock
Capital Metro Staff Present: Jan Johnson, Patty Guajardo, John Anciria and Toni Jackson
Guest(s): Julie Maloukis, Mark Thompson (Scott Meyer's Proxy)
All decisions are voted upon and all votes are unanimous unless stated otherwise.
Meeting was called to order at 5:06PM.
Minutes
The minutes of the July 7, 2004 ACCESS Advisory Committee Meeting were approved as written.
Special Introduction:
Jan Johnson introduced Ms. Toni Jackson, the newly hired STS Field Supervisor for Capital Metro. Ms. Jackson spoke briefly and the left the meeting to return to her job duties.
Citizen Communication:
- Scott Meyer. Scott announced that he will send a proxy to the August 25, 2004 STS Subcommittee Meeting and the September 1, 2004 ACCESS Advisory Committee Meeting. The proxy, Mark Thompson, is an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Instructor at DARS with the Division for Blind Services.
- Julie Maloukis. Julie commented on the August Service Changes listed on Capital Metro's website. She said they did an excellent job in adapting the format, making it more user friendly for individuals with cognitive and/or learning disabilities. She said the person(s) responsible should be commended for doing such a great job, and encouraged other Committee Members to check it out if they have not already.
All Systems Go: Patty Guajardo, a member of Capital Metro's Planning Department, used handouts to present information about All Systems Go!. The presentation was very thorough. She addressed questions posed by Committee Members.
- The proposed Red Line would be the initial section of the potential commuter rail, which would travel North and South between Leander and Lamar at Caesar Chavez, near the Seaholm Electric Plant (downtown area).
- Several questions were asked regarding the proposed frequency of service and the way in which "feeders" would be used to connect a potential commuter rail to existing fixed route and STS services.
- There were many unanswered questions and it was decided to presented them to Mr. Fred Gilliam at the September 1, 2004 ACCESS Advisory Committee Meeting.
Subcommittee Reports:
- STS Subcommittee. Juan Munoz and Jan Johnson gave the report. Julie Maloukis read the current STS cancellation policy and then read the Subcommittee's proposed changes.
Current Policy: "Cancellations received less than 1 hour before the reserved time will be billed to passengers as a "No Show " for the cost of the lost fare per trip ($1.20)."
Proposed Revised Policy: "Cancellations received less than 2 hours before the reserved time will be billed to passengers as a "No Show " for the cost of the lost fare per trip ($1.20)."
The proposal was seconded but following considerable discussion, the proposal was tabled and there was no vote. The Committee decided to resolve the issue at a future meeting. Juan Munoz, STS Subcommittee Chair, will review whether it would be best to "bundle" this proposal with other changes or to keep it separate. Some changes require Capital Metro Board Approval and public hearings, others don't. More thought will be needed to determine how best to proceed at the next Subcommittee Meeting.
- Fixed Route ADA Subcommittee: Shelly Brisban gave the report. Patty Guajardo addressed the Subcommittee on All Systems Go! and was invited to make the presentation today at the ACCESS Committee Meeting.
The Subcommittee also questions the plans for potential service to the new Super Wal-Mart and Open Air Mall being built in far South Austin. (Construction is underway along the western frontage of IH 35, between Slaughter Lane and FM 1626. South Congress, which currently dead ends at Slaughter, is being extended as an entrance to the shopping area.) Patty reported today that the tentative plan is to expand service on Route #252.
Currently, the 252 travels east on Slaughter Lane from Manchaca Road to South 1st Street. It turns south on South 1st Street and proceeds to Akins High School, located at South 1st and FM 1626. Then it turns around and heads back north along South 1st.
Tentatively, expanded service plans are for the #252 would travel east on Slaughter Lane from Manchaca Road, past South 1st Street, and proceed to the South IH 35 Frontage Road. It would turn South on the Frontage Road and proceed to FM 1626. It would turn west on FM 1626 and proceed to Akins High School and then had back north along South 1st.
Members expressed concern that this will not be enough service, but again this is tentative. Julie Maloukis pointed out that FM 1626 is incorrectly labeled in the Schedule Book and needs to be changed.
Discussion of Fred Gilliam Presentation on September 1: A number of questions were raised and recorded. Scott Meyer will forward them to Julie Maloukis in a separate document. Members were encouraged to send more questions to Julie Maloukis in the next 7 days. She will collect them and forward them to Shelly Brisban. Shelly asked that the questions be kept in a separate document and not included in the minutes to allow for more efficient review. Members will review the questions again at the August Subcommittee Meetings.
Chair Report:
Ms. Shelly Brisbin suggested that the August Subcommittee Meetings be held on TUESDAY, August 24, 2004, from 5-7PM, rather than the usual fourth Wednesday of the month due to scheduling conflicts. Jan Johnson will check to see if the room is available and notify Committee Members.
Ms. Brisbin reported that she will attend the Capital Metro Board Work Session on All Systems Go! on August 16, 2004. She will also attend the August Board Meeting on August 30, 2004. She recognized that Committee Members have different opinions about the feasibility of All Systems Go! but said she would like to present some type of feedback regarding the Committee's position to the Board in the near future. She said it might be prudent to follow the suggestion that the Committee's feedback should be directly related to its charge which is to provide Capital Metro with recommendations from citizens and passengers for enhancement of services to passengers with disabilities and senior citizens.
Ms. Brisbin also requested a copy of future Subcommittee Meeting notes to aid in preparation of the Agenda for ACCESS Advisory Committee Meetings.
Any future agenda items should be submitted to Shelly Brisbin. The August 4, 2004 Access meeting adjourned at 7pm.
Next Access Advisory Committee Meetings: September 1, 2004 October 6, 2004
Next subcommittee meetings: August 24, 2004, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Capital Metro and/or the chairperson will communicate any changes to upcoming meetings via e-mail.
Respectfully submitted by Scott Meyer Julie Maloukis
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
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