| Members present Jose Loera Will Brown Judy Watford Capital Metro Staff Present Nancy Crowther Rafael Villarreal Betty Cravens Denise Guerrero Meredith Highsmith | Members Absent Mary Ward, Secretary Guests/Public Present Diane Bomar Malcolm Graham Jane Lansaw Amy Litzinger David Patterson Cathie Schumacher Scott Meyer Carlos Aleman |
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:05 by Access member Judy Watford. Welcome and introductions were made.
Approval of Minutes: William Brown motioned and Jose Loera seconded a motion to approve the Access Advisory Committee minutes of September 5, 2007. The motion passed.
Citizen's Communication: Speakers were Malcolm Graham concerning the Paratransit Taxicab Voucher program and the requirement for providing Capital Metro with a time that the voucher will be used. Carlos Aleman also spoke to the Paratransit Taxicab Voucher program time requirement concerns and the errors occurring on the IVR (not being able to make reservations). He also reported improvements with the announcements on FRS but the non-compliance is still happening.
Announcements: Meredith Highsmith with the Capital Metro Planning Department gave a brief overview of the service planning and the basic changes scheduled for January.
Mr. Scott Meyer announced the annual White Cane Day celebration will be held on Monday, October 15. Participants will meet at the Capitol at 8:30 and will then go to Republic Square Park. The event is free and everyone is welcome to celebrate. The web site for White Cane Day is http://www.whitecaneday.org.
Membership and Recruitment Ms. Crowther provided an update on the process for the new member recruitment for Access by reading the draft Board Agenda item to be presented at the October 22, Board of Director’s meeting. There are six committee membership positions to be filled, 4 ending terms, 2 vacancies. There were 7 applications in all, and the committee felt that all were equally qualified. However, the seventh application was received very late, and the committee decided to accept the first 6 and invite the 7th applicant to be involved but not appointed to the committee.
An Access By-Laws ad hoc committee has been formed to address possible changes in the area of members using proxies and other needed updates. This committee will begin work after October 26 and will consist of Mary Ward, Judy Watford, and Will Brown.
The following people volunteered to be involved on the Paratransit subcommittee: Diane Bomar, Cathie Schumacher, Amy Litzinger, Judy Watford and Malcolm Graham. The following people volunteered to work on the Fixed Route subcommittee: Jane Lansaw, William Brown, Jose Loera, and David Patterson. The subcommittees meet the Fourth (4th) Wednesday of the month at 323 Congress. Paratransit meets from 5-6pm and FRS meets from 6-7pm.
In the November meeting, the Committee will need to elect officers. The by-laws specify that there be a chair, vice chair and secretary.
Staff Updates, Travel Training, Nancy Crowther reported that the program is now with ARCIL. (Austin Resource Center for Independent Living).
Subcommittee Reports. Fixed Route: Scott Meyer reported. He complimented Planning staff Roberto Gonzalez and Meredith Highsmith for keeping the subcommittee up on service changes and feedback. Nancy Crowther provided monthly statistics on ridership and Disability Fare Cards issued.
Paratransit Subcommittee: Judy Watford reported. Two issues regarding the booking of a trip on IVR and the Taxicab Voucher program were discussed.
New Business:
Meeting times: It was requested that the committee review the by-laws and the scheduling of the current meetings. It was suggested that a time change to 5:30-7:30pm may suit member’s schedules. This item will be a future agenda item.
Adjournment: Will Brown motioned for adjournment and Jose Loera seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
The next Access Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Crowther
Capital Metro staff
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200 | (800) 474-1201