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PTAC Agenda 01/15/2019 Public Transit Advisory Committee Collier County Government Administration- Building F 3299 Tamiami Trail East – Suite 501 IT Training Room Naples, Florida January 15, 2019 3:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. December 18, 2018 Minutes 5. Committee Action a. Election of Chair 6. Reports and Presentations a. Discuss preparation of February 2019 Transit Workshop 7. Member Comments 8. Public Comments 9. Next Meeting Date – February 19, 2019 10. Adjournment Two or more members of the Board of County Commissioners may be present and may participate at the meeting. The subject matter of this meeting may be an item for discussion and action at a future BCC meeting. Collier Area Transit operates in compliance with Federal Transit Administration, (FTA) program requirements and ensures that transit services are made available and equitably distributed, and provides equal AGENDA access and mobility to any person without regard to race, color, or national origin, disability, gender or age. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; FTA Circular 4702.1A, "Title VI and Title VI Dependent Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients. Anyone who required an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or other reasonable accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, should contact the Collier County Facilities Management Department located at 3335 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida 34112 or 239-252-8380 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. Such reasonable accommodations will be provided at no cost to the individual. Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING December 18, 2018 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Public Transit Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 3:00 P.M. in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building “F”, Suite 501, Collier County Government Complex Naples, Florida with the following members present: ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman: Mr. John DiMarco Vice-Chairman: Mr. John Jenkins Mr. Arthur Dobberstein Ms. Sonja Lee Samek ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Michelle Arnold, Director, Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement Mr. Omar DeLeon, Senior Planner, Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement Mr. Braian Morales, General Manager, MV Transportation, Inc. Ms. Elena Ortiz Rosado, Events, Sales and Marketing Coordinator Page 2 of 5 I. Call to Order Chairman DiMarco called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. II. Roll Call Roll call was taken and a quorum was established. III. Approval of Agenda Mr. Jenkins entered a motion to approve the December 18, 2018 meeting agenda. Mr. DiMarco seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion was carried. IV. Approval of Minutes a. November 20, 2018 Minutes Mr. Jenkins entered a motion to approve the November 20, 2018 meeting minutes. Mr. DiMarco seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion was carried. V. Committee Action No committee action items were included on the meeting agenda. VI. Reports and Presentations a. Discuss preparation of February 5, 2019 Transit Workshop A Transit workshop will be held on February 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in the third floor Board of County Commissioners (BCC) chambers. The anticipated outcome of the workshop is for direction from the BCC in terms of plans for the future of Transit, as well as financial commitment from the County in support of the goals for growth of Public Transit. Capital dollars are presently being utilized to fund operations for the current fiscal year and a commitment of financial support is necessary in order to avoid cuts in service levels. Ms. Arnold referenced the recent RFP process undergone in order to choose a single vendor to oversee the entire Transit operation, with MV Transportation, Inc. having been recommended as the sole vendor. MV Transportation, Inc. has expressed a willingness to participate in the Transit workshop in support of the Collier County Public Transit system and has been working with Transit Staff to draft an outline of the workshop presentation. Ms. Arnold stated the draft document will provide a history of the beginning and subsequent evolution of the Transit program over the past 17 years, the benefits of transit, a discussion of comparable city models and their components, technology enhancements, and future mobility in the next five to ten years, offering three possible scenarios for consideration. The present Transit Development Plan details two plans; a needs-based plan and a status quo plan, with the workshop presentation also offering a third hybrid scenario of these two plans. A financial commitment, as well as a loosening of the present policies to allow expanded advertising, and partnership with private entities, such as Greyhound and Red Coach is being presented to the Commissioners for consideration. Page 3 of 5 Mr. Dobberstein suggested using a term other than “model” cities during the presentation, such as “similar” or “like-kind.” Further, Mr. Dobberstein suggested the presentation should include fare box information for Collier Transit, as well as for the “model” cities discussed. Ms. Arnold stated this would be included in the financial/investment portion of the discussion in terms of current investment and subsequent fare box recovery. Mr. Morales stated that “like-kind” model cities had been researched, cities which included a coastal environment and similar tourism dependent demographics; Tampa, Sarasota, Pensacola, Chatham, Georgia. Funding sources for Transit in these cities was studied, with several having approved a gas tax which is solely dedicated to funding of the transit system, previously having been funded through the General Fund. Bus wrap options identified during this research included smaller wraps on the lower half of both sides of the buses, between the wheels, which Mr. Morales suggested would allow for increased revenue, but also maintain the integrity of the Collier County brand. The cost to the advertiser for the bus wrap would include cleaning and maintenance of the appearance of the wraps. Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Dobberstein expressed caution with regard to the potential pitfalls of incorporation of funding for Transit via a gas tax. A comparison was also made of County financial contribution presently made to Public Transit in the studied cities to that being provided by Collier County. Mr. Morales stated that increased frequency is a repeated request made by the public, however increased frequency comes at a cost. Research had revealed that the Chatham, Georgia Transit Division had prioritized high ridership routes to receive greater frequency versus routes with lower ridership. Ms. Arnold stated that an analysis of the entire network would be required in order to determine needs for route frequency. Mr. Dobberstein suggested that the presentation should reflect that without increased revenue, Transit will not be “holding fast,” but will be in fact be service reduced over time. Mr. Jenkins inquired as to whether the entire Transit fleet is equipped with GPS technology. Ms. Arnold stated that all buses are currently equipped with GPS, which monitors location, speed, as well as cameras which monitor driving patterns. The buses are also equipped with “Mobileye,” an ignition-based program with spatial recognition, which for example, notifies drivers when the bus drifts out of the lane or is traveling too fast. Mr. Jenkins noted a Paratransit bus recently driving at a high rate of speed and inquired as to whether the dispatcher would be notified in this scenario. Mr. Morales stated the “Routematch” program presently in use would notify the dispatcher of a bus traveling at an inappropriate rate of speed, however verification would be needed as to whether this notification also occurs within the Mobileye program. Ms. Ortiz-Rosado shared a draft of an introductory video which would be shown at the beginning of the workshop discussion. Page 4 of 5 Mr. DiMarco offered the use of video clips from a YouTube video he had made last year, which captured what it was like to utilize the Paratransit bus as a disabled rider. Ms. Ortiz-Rosado stated an intention to include feedback from the Chamber of Commerce regarding their perspective on the impact of CAT on local residents and business owners. Mr. Dobberstein suggested that mention be made of the differences in service and associated costs between fixed route and Paratransit buses. Further, a suggestion was made to break down the benefits of Transit to commerce, separate from the benefits to riders, as well as to place an emphasis on increased public safety in using the Transit system. Ms. Arnold agreed it is important to have some discussion with regard to the Paratransit service, as it is operated at a higher cost than fixed route service. Further, that Paratransit is a required ADA complimentary service for those individuals who are unable to utilize the fixed route service within a ¾ mile proximity. Mr. DiMarco pointed out that fixed route buses are ADA compatible, with wheelchair lifts and ramps. Mr. Jenkins suggested clarification be made with regard to the current cost per rider, given the present financial contribution made to Transit by the County, and the advantages offered with a greater County contribution. Ms. Arnold stated that the cost per rider is dependent upon the number of riders; therefore, the goal is to increase ridership in order to reduce the cost per ride. Ms. Arnold further stated that the intent is to show this as part of the 5 to 10-year plan. Mr. Dobberstein suggested that mention be made of the national trend of reduced ridership, however Ms. Arnold pointed out that Public Transit has not been given the same attention as a value added program to the community as has been shown to other divisions within the county. Further, Ms. Arnold stated that the ways services are being provided need to be reviewed; new technologies are now available which could enhance Transit service, such as potential partnership with TNC organizations (Uber and Lyft). MV Transportation, Inc., presently has a working relationship with Lyft in other communities, which may make it easier to develop a similar working relationship in Collier County. It is hoped that the BCC will not continue to view Public Transit in the same manner in which it has in the past and will consider innovations which will enhance value added services to the community, ultimately increasing ridership. Mr. Jenkins suggested that emphasis also be placed on the many accomplishments of the Transit division, such as the enhanced bus pull-offs, updated bus shelters, the station at the Government Center, as well as the new Transfer Center on Radio Road, as to how County dollars have been spent. Ms. Samek added that the School District has recently implemented an internship program at Naples Community Hospital for disabled students who have graduated, which requires these individuals to utilize public transportation to get to their jobs at NCH, with two additional job sites potentially being added next year. Mr. Jenkins suggested a greater focus on benefits for business owners in assuring their employees have reliable transportation to work, as well as an emphasis on a reduction in traffic congestion in using the transit system, particularly during the “season.” Page 5 of 5 Mr. Jenkins further suggested highlighting special services offered, such as the beach bus program. Mr. Dobberstein inquired as to whether the Commissioners may expedite rezoning issues related to allowing entities such as Red Coach to utilize the Davis Road bus facility. Ms. Arnold stated that conditional use restrictions would also need to be changed. Mr. Dobberstein stated that ultimately the BCC should be made aware of the many creative measures taken by Transit Staff which have been necessary in order to maintain the Division, and without an increased financial contribution by the County. Ms. Samek stated that the presentation should also offer workable solutions from which the Commissioners may choose a direction to take. Ms. Arnold stated that a revised presentation draft is planned to be shared with the Advisory Committee at the January 2019 meeting. VII. Member Comments There were no additional member comments. VIII. Public Comments No members of the public were present at the meeting. IX. Next Meeting Date – January 15, 2019 X. Adjournment There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair. Public Transit Advisory Committee _________________________________ John DiMarco, Chairman These minutes approved by the Committee on _________________as presented________ or as amended ___________. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Board Action Item 5a Election of a Committee Chairperson Objective: To nominate and elect a committee Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Public Transit Advisory Committee. Considerations: Any regular (voting) member may nominate or be nominated as an officer. • Mr. Harold Weeks, Transit Rider • Mr. John DiMarco [Il, Transit Rider • Mr. John Jenkins, Small Business • Ms. Sonja Lee Samek, District School Board of Collier County • Mr. All Dobberstein, Transportation/Planning Professional Recommended Actions: A motion by a committee member nominating a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and election by the committee. Attachment(s): None. Prepared bya `��' binar De Leon, Transit Manager Approved by: Michelle Arnold, Director Date: Date: /"// Jr EXE, CUTIVE SUMMARY Reports/Presentations Item 6a Transit Workshop Objective: To prepare for Transit Workshop scheduled with the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in February 2019. Considerations: As previously discussed, the BCC had a workshop scheduled for November 6, 2018 to discuss Transit. However, the workshop has been rescheduled to February 5'h, 20t9 at 9;00 a.m. Staff will be preparing for the workshop and would like to receive input from the PTAC, Some of the financial challenges that have gotten us to where we are today include: • Fixed Route operating budget has been restricted to approximately $6,5 million over the past 3 to 5 years; • Carryforward fiords available from previous budget years were used to subsidize current budget obligations; • The General Fund contribution to the budget has been approximately $1.4 million annually; • Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget and the Transit Budget resulted in a $634,600 shortfall; • Temporary fixed to utilize Section 5307 grants to make up as much of the shortfall with the understanding that operating expenses require a 50% local match; • Utilization of 5307 results in deferred capital replacement. There are revenue options available to address the budgetary issues, including: • Annual local budgetary contribution consistent with budget guidance; • Explore expansion of advertising policy; • Provide for public/private partnerships such as leasing space with Commuter Transportation companies (Red Coach, Greyhound, etc,) The Fixed Route Transit system has an opportunity to grow into a system that would be desirable for more residents and visitors if improvements identified in the Transit Development Plan (TDP) are implemented but financial support is necessary. Recommendation: Discussion item. Staff would like to receive feedback from the cormnittee on the proposed presentation. No approval required. Attachment: Prepared by:Date: i Omar De Leon, Public Transit Manage Approved by: 14—�— (Date; I ' I/ • l ic e 9 MArnold, PTNE Division Director 1