Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority
Access Advisory Committee
January 7, 2009 Minutes
314 W. 11th Street, Ned Granger Building

Members Present:

1. Diane Bomar-Aleman, Chair Access Committee, Member STS Subcommittee
2. David Patterson, Vice Chair Access Committee, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee
3. Jane Lansaw, Chair Fixed Route Subcommittee
4. Will Brown, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee
5. Amy Litzinger, Member STS Subcommittee
6. Malcolm Graham, Member STS Subcommittee
7. Sandra Seekamp, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee

Members Absent

1. Mary Ward, Chair STS Subcommittee
2. Boone J. Blocker, Secretary Access Committee, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee

Capital Metro Staff Present

1. Inez Evans, Director Paratransit
2. Rafael Villarreal, Assistant Director of Paratransit
3. Nancy Crowther, Staff Liaison
4. Julie Martin, Business & Community Development Liaison
5. Dominic Mays, Staff Training & Safety
6. Bob Dunlap, MetroAccess Road Supervisor
7. Chad Ballentine, Superintendent Paratransit
8. Meredith Highsmith, Planning

Guests Present

1. Shelia Holbrook-White, Texas Citizen Fund
2. Carlos Aleman
3. Phyllis Mesghers
4. Linda Litzinger
5. Misty Dean
6. Michael Zitz-Evanich
7. John Meinkowsky, ARCIL

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm by Chair Aleman. Boone Blocker, Secretary, was absent so Nancy Crowther of Capital Metro volunteered to take minutes of the meeting in his place.

Citizen’s Communication
Michael Zitz-Evanich reported that he disapproved of the amount of email addresses that were made publicly available when the agenda for the Access meeting is sent out, via email, to the public.

John Meinkowsky with the Austin Resource Center for Independent Living (ARCIL) presented the agency’s concerns, shared with the CMTA Board of Directors, regarding ADA paratransit eligibility standards being used by Capital Metro for MetroAccess applicants.

Approval of Minutes for December 3, 2008
The minutes from the December 3, 2008 meeting were tabled. Not all Access members or Capital Metro staff received a copy to review.

Announcements
Announcements were made regarding various community meetings in the near future: AMCPD January 12 at noon, City Hall; NFB January 10 at the History Center; ACB at Threadgills; and the Metro Mobility Working Group (MMWG) at 4:30 pm January 8, 2009.

Texas Citizen Fund, Shelia Holbrook White AAAIM Report
Ms. Holbrook-White presented information on a Federal Transit Administration project to systematically assess 30 bus stops and the paths of travel to them for persons with disabilities. Some members of Access are a part of this assessment team.

Capital Metro Staff Reports
The Metro Mobility Working Group report was given by Vice Chair Chad Ballentine. The following items were approved by the Working Group: By-laws, a change from an 8 to 6 day period for advanced reservations and 7 am to 7 pm reservation hours, 7 days a week. The Group established a priority list to focus on:
1. Cancellations and no-shows
2. Open return policy
3. Further discussion on a 30 minute pickup window (with technology enabled)
4. Taxi vouchers and
5. Eligibility and certification. The next MMWG meeting is February 5, 2009 from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at 323 Congress.

Ms. Inez Evans provided an update on the new vans that are being tested, the drivers being trained in them and their expected entry into MetroAccess service.

Ms. Crowther provided an update on the Ticket Vending Machines (TVM) and the upcoming Open Houses for the rail stations. It was requested that the Access Committee members have their own dedicated time to review the station and the TVM.

Ms. Julie Martin provided an update on the status of the meeting space at 323 Congress with a month to month contract. She reported that the meeting space at 314 W. 11th is reserved for the future meetings in 2009.

Ms. Meredith Highsmith provided an overview of the January 18, 2009 service changes. Increases in service will take place for over-crowded routes and some unproductive routes are being eliminated. The new Oak Hill Park & Ride will be relocated to 290 and William Cannon. Also, changes will go into effect when the MetroRail goes into service March 30, 2009. For more details on the service changes citizens can review them on the web at capmetro.org.

Old Business
Mr. David Patterson of Access had raised some questions about what happens to complaints on the Go Line or on the Passenger Assistance line. Ms. Crowther provided him with a spreadsheet of information gathered from the complaints.

Various concerns were raised regarding perceived changes in the procedures within MetroAccess. Ms. Evans clarified that no changes were going to effect, but that the systems were being made more efficient with more enforcement. She provided a brief update on the software upgrades and system issues happening within MetroAccess.

New Business
Mr. Patterson reported that there will be an Access Committee by-laws meeting after the current meeting. Ms. Crowther reported that the Capital Metro Board of Directors is in the process of reviewing processes and procedures for the Board and the Advisory Committees including the by-laws.

Adjournment
Malcolm Graham moved and Amy Litzinger seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

The next Access Advisory Committee meeting will be held February 4, 2009, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at 314 W. 11th, Ned Granger Travis County Commissioner’s Courthouse Building.

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200