Members Present: Shelly Brisbin, Jerry Doran, R.L. Glock via proxy (Shawn Connelly), Julie Maloukis, Scott Meyer, Juan Munoz, Judy Watford.
Members Absent: Ron Burseze, Linda French
Capital Metro Staff Present: Nancy Crowther, Dwight Ferrell, Roberto Gonzales, Denise Guerrero, Cindy Hernandez, Meredith Highsmith, Scott Phebus, Rafael Villarreal
Guests Present: Carlos Aleman, Dianne Bomar, Richard Garrett, Christine Guerva, Kevin Jackson, Albert Metz, Yolanda Puente, Nancy Schugart, Michael Zitz-Evancih
Call to Order: Chair Brisbin called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Minutes:
- The committee considered approval of the May 2006 meeting minutes. Scott Meyer made the motion to approve and Judy Watford seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.
- The committee considered approval of the July 2006 meeting minutes. Juan Munoz made the motion to approve and Scott Meyer seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0.
All Systems Go!
- Meredith Highsmith presented a Power Point update on All Systems Go. Written documentation was provided in regular print and large print. In addition, the text was read verbatim. The presentation included a brief update on Rapid Bus, Rail Cars and Rail Station design. Members were encouraged to provide comments regarding proposed Rail Station design via comment cards, telephone calls, and/or online comments.
- Access members requested regular updates on All Systems Go. Members expressed a desire to be included in the process of Rail Station design every step of the way. Members expressed concerns about the use of glass, with or without patterns, and the use of hybrid rapid buses as both could cause potential problems for travelers with low vision or no vision.
- Chair Brisbin advised Ms. Highsmith of the newly created special subcommittee appointed to work on the rail car and station design. Judy Watford will chair the subcommittee. Members include Linda French and Julie Maloukis.
Service Changes
- Roberto Gonzales presented an oral presentation on proposed service changes for January 2007. Few changes are anticipated. Services will be added to the #7, #135, #300, #410 and the Oak Hill Flyer.
- The previously proposed skip stop plan for Congress Avenue has been place on indefinite hold.
- CARTS is working to expand the Manor Express, potentially to the Elgin area.
- Service to South Austin is in the process of expanding, via the construction of the South Austin Transfer Center (Ben White @ South Congress) and eventually the Far South Austin Transfer Center (South Congress near Slaughter).
- Ms. Maloukis asked the planning department to review service along #201 due to the recent opening of an enormous shopping complex south of the Super Wal-Mart. She noted specific concerns about stop placement. Ms. Highsmith agreed that a review was warranted.
Budget
- Cynthia Hernandez, CFO, gave a presentation on budget. She emphasized that the process is still very much in the planning stage and that changes are occurring hourly. The Board of Directors will review the budget in an August 31 work session. Public Hearings will be held on September 18 and the budget will be put before the Board for approval on September 25.
- The budget is $0 based. A slight increase is expected in funding for fixed route services and Paratransit services. No policy changes are planned at this time. Ms. Hernandez presented a number of details orally. She will return in September or October with final details. Members requested materials in regular print, large print in Braille when she returns for the final presentation.
Citizens Communication.
- Kevin Jackson expressed concern about the change to ADA service area. He stated that he made certain that his residence was in Capital Metro's ADA service area when he purchased the property in 2000 and states that it is now a considerable hardship since Capital Metro has changed the working definition of the service area.
- Yolanda Puente expressed concerns about the change to the ADA service area, stating that she has difficulty getting to work and supporting her community. She made her home in an area that was in the ADA service area, and considers it a real hardship now that Capital Metro has changed the rules.
- Michel Zitz-Evancih addressed the committee, commenting on the recent open houses to discuss Rail and the recent National Night Out.
Announcements
- Subcommittee Meetings will be on August 23, 2006 from 5-6 and from 6-7.
- Additional Paratransit service will be provided along the Night Owl route. STS customers living along the route or those who have transportation to the route will soon be able to ride the Night Owl on STS vehicles. More details are expected next month.
- Ralph Villarreal announced that STS customers with subscription services would be asked to update demographic info. Letters will be sent to customers and a reply will be required within 30 days to avoid disruption in subscription service. Ms. Watford expressed the need to give customers at least 30 days to reply because many low visions/no vision customers employ readers to read mail on a monthly basis. Ms. Maloukis suggested that Nancy Crowther be permitted to review and/or edit all mail sent to STS customers.
Adjournment. Mr. Meyer made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Munoz seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Julie Maloukis, Acting Secretary for the Interim
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200 | (800) 474-1201