| Members present: Judy Watford, Chair Diane Bomar, Vice Chair, Member STS Subcommittee Mary Ward, Secretary, Chair STS Subcommittee Jane Lansaw, Chair Fixed Route Subcommittee Will Brown, Member STS Subcommittee Malcolm Graham, Member STS Subcommittee David Patterson, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee Members Absent: Josè Loera Amy Litsinger Cathie Schumacher Capital Metro Staff Present: Rafael Villarreal, Assistant Director, STS Betty Craven, STS Field Supervisor Nancy Crowther Olivia Jones, Cap Metro Operations and Assistant Director of Transportation | Bob Dunlop, Field Supervisor Kim Peterson, HR Lenora Givens, FRS Training Guest Present: Paul Hunt Sheryl Hunt Scott Meyer Pam Scott Carlos Aleman Kathy Jackson Limuel Hunter Joseph Brooks Hannah Riddering Mary Agnes Kunz Cheryl Fszol Mark Noble Mary Stiel Andy Moore Alta Moten Jody Barton, Civil Rights Project |
- Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chair Watford with seven members present. - Minutes
Diane Bomar moved to table the minutes which was seconded by Malcolm Graham. The motion passed unanimously. - Announcements and Community Events
The Mayor’s Committee on Disability will be held at City Hall on Monday, March 3 from noon to 1:00 p.m. Chair Watford also told members and guests that if they wanted to speak at the next Cap Metro Board meeting, they would need to contact Gina Estrada in writing ten business days before the March 31 Board Meeting. - Old Business
Chair Watford announced that she had cancelled the speakers previously scheduled for this meeting so that the Committee could concentrate on the changes to STS service that were announced at the February 27 STS Subcommittee meeting as well as the changes to the taxi voucher program that are already taking place and will be implemented on Friday, March 7. Rafael Villarreal handed out a document outlining these changes, which was read before the Committee and guests. Chair Watford gave a history and described how Ken Hoson had been contracted by Cap Metro and had made recommendations. She said that the Access Committee had discussed on voted on the 30-minute window and the policy authorizing Cap Metro to charge for excessive no-shows. She pointed out that Mr. Hoson had at one time been a Capital Metro employee.
The change that caused greatest concern was the change to the certification for STS service in which a Capital Metro contractor would make eligibility decisions and whose decisions would trump those of the person’s own doctor. Sharing medical information with this contractor could also cause HIPPA violations. She also expressed concern that Capital Metro could be held liable for any accidents occurring because of problems with their system thus embroiling Cap Metro in costly lawsuits. The change from eight to three day in advance reservations, together with the reduction in call center hours to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily would cause many working people with disabilities to have to call to make reservations during work hours, which could ultimately result in the loss of employment. If riders have to give return times for doctors’ appointments and grocery store trips, they will not have the flexibility they need in conducting their daily affairs. Although Capital Metro says it has a no-strand policy, there would be no guarantee that the person would not have to wait outside in the elements or in dangerous neighborhoods for hours.
Chair Watford went around the room for input from all the Committee members. An amendment written by the officers of the Access Committee was read to the group. This amendment recommends that the Committee oppose the changes the Committee has not voted on and that the Committee call upon Capital Metro to hold timely public hearings so that riders can make their views heard. The version of the amendment that was brought to the meeting did not list the proposed changes by Capital Metro within the text, and Diane Bomar requested that these changes be placed within the text. Malcolm Graham moved, and David Patterson seconded, a motion to pass this resolution. The motion passed with six aye’s and one nay.
The changes to the taxi voucher program for subscription riders have already begun, and these changes will be voted on by the Board this Friday, March 7. Chair Watford and Malcolm Graham met with members of the Board in January regarding this issue.
- Subcommittee Reports
Fixed Route The presentations previously scheduled for this meeting will be held at the April Fixed Route Subcommittee meeting. The ITS system will be online on March 31. The Committee will also need to discuss where to put Braille on the bus stops.
STS Subcommittee The meeting of the STS Subcommittee was mostly taken up with the proposed changes to STS service. No written documents were distributed during that meeting. Inez Evans announced that the new vans would be on display for several weeks starting on March 17.
- Citizens’ Communication
Three organizations of people with disabilities were allowed four minutes each. Speakers included Diane Bomar for American Council of the Blind, Mary Stiel for ADAPT, and Malcolm Graham for National Federation of the Blind. Other speakers included Paul Hunt, Pam Scott, Carlos Aleman, Kathy Jackson, Limuel Hunter, Joseph Brooks, Hannah Riddering, Mary Agnes Kunz, Cheryl Fszol, Mark Noble, Aundrea Moore, and Alta Moten. - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
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