BCC Minutes 02/05/2019 W (Transit System) February 5, 2019
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MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Naples, Florida, February 5, 2019
LET IT BE REMEMBERED the Board of County
Commissioners in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 9:00 AM in a WORKSHOP
SESSION in Building “F” of the Government Complex, Naples,
Florida with the Following members present:
Chairman: William L. McDaniel, Jr.
Burt L. Saunders
Donna Fiala
Penny Taylor
Andy Solis
ALSO PRESENT:
Leo Ochs, County Manager
Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager
Jeff Klatzkow, County Attorney
Troy Miller, TV Operations Manager
Geoff Willig, Operations Analyst
Steve Carnell, Public Services Department Head
Mark Isackson, Corp. Fin. & Mgmt. Svc Director
Michelle Arnold, Public Transit & Neighborhood Enh. Director
Omar DeLeon, Transit Manager
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
BCC/TRANSIT SYSTEM
WORKSHOP AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples, FL 34112
February 05, 2019
9:00 AM
Commissioner William L. McDaniel, Jr., District 5 - Chair; CRAB Co-Chair
Commissioner Burt Saunders, District 3 – Vice-Chair
Commissioner Donna Fiala, District 1; CRAB Co-Chair
Commissioner Andy Solis, District 2
Commissioner Penny Taylor, District 4
Notice: All persons wishing to speak must turn in a speaker slip. Each speaker will receive no more than three (3) minutes.
Collier County Ordinance No. 2003-53 as amended by Ordinance 2004-05 and 2007-24, requires that all lobbyists shall,
before engaging in any lobbying activities (including but not limited to, addressing the Board of County Commissioners),
register with the Clerk to the Board at the Board Minutes and Records Department.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. WORKSHOP TOPICS
2.A. Collier Area Transit - Staff Presentation (Michelle Arnold)
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
4. ADJOURN
Inquiries concerning changes to the Board’s Agenda should be made to the County Manager’s Office at
252-8383.
February 5, 2019
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Any persons in need of the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the video recording
from the Collier County Communications and Customer Relations Department or view online.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Workshop Topics
A. Collier Area Transit – Staff Presentation
Ms. Arnold presented the PowerPoint “Collier Area Transit, The Purrrfect Ride” highlighting the
following:
During the program’s initial year 1,205 riders utilized the system the 1st week and ridership has
now reached 20,000 weekly.
In addition to the system providing transportation benefits to many users, it helps reduce traffic
on roads and pollution emissions.
The system offers fixed route (19 routes, 7 days a week) and paratransit service (7 days a week –
35 vehicles).
Operational services are privately administered (MV Transportation) with the County
responsible for maintenance and provision of fuel.
The system has seen declining ridership over past 4 years possibly due to the uprise of services
like Uber, Lyft and an improved economy.
Previous years, the program utilized reserves and carry forward funds to meet expenditures, but
in FY2019 they will need to start utilizing capital funds for operations.
Projections for FY 2020 indicate a $1.8M deficit and Staff is investigating options to address the
issue.
Funding sources include grants, state and federal contributions, fares and local government
funding at $19.07 per capita currently.
The options to increase revenue options include expanded advertising programs, deferring capital
expenditures, service enhancements to increase ridership, increases in local funding or reducing
service levels, awarding naming rights and developing sponsorships for bus shelters and public
private partnerships (Red Coach, Greyhound $24K).
Preliminary indications are the advertising program, naming rights, sponsorships and
partnerships could yield approximately $600,000.
During Board Member and Staff discussion the following was noted:
That smaller buses have been considered for various routes, but many buses are full during peak
times and in some instances patrons have to wait for another bus.
There is currently no service in the City of Naples due to the narrow streets and roadside parking
concerns. Consideration should be given to investigating a workforce bus, which may be at off
peak times to address concerns (i.e. shuttles like the Marco Island Express).
Kevin Jones, MV Transportation provided an overview of the company that operates campus
shuttles, paratransit and fixed route system and school bus services.
Scott Sosnowski, MV Transportation noted that a major effort is the increase use of technology
such as apps to provide convenience and enhance the riders overall experience with the system. One
example is a para transit on demand service where a rider may contact the driver in real time on
scheduling and cancellation.
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Mr. Isackson provided an update on the programs financial status noting the current funding level is
$17M with $10.5M in grant support. The General Fund revenues are used as a backstop for the
program and could be increased if the Board so desires. Historically, gas tax revenue was utilized
however, the County began using these funds to address transportation maintenance issues.
Ms. Arnold reported that staff will be bringing the following options forward at a later date for the
Board of County Commissioner’s consideration:
Expansion of the advertising program.
Use of lease space in certain areas.
Deferring new vehicle purchases in lieu of engine rebuilds.
Altering peak hour service and extending hours of service to certain areas.
Increasing use of technology.
Increasing local funding participation
Speakers
Bruce Kennedy expressed concern on safety and security at some bus stops as inadequate lighting
create issues where the bus driver cannot see you at night and consideration be given to expanding
the hours of the dispatcher given they leave at 6:00 p.m. and the bus service goes until 9:00 p.m.
Harold Weeks, PTAC requested that consideration be given to allowing some type of advertising
for the program to provide an additional revenue source for operations.
John Jenkins, PTAC noted the service is a lifeline for teenagers and employers and recommended
funding be increased to help provide extended hours of service and increased service on existing
routes and developing new routes.
John DiMarco, PTAC stated that the system can continue to grow and provide service to
residents if the right resources are deployed.
Jose Palamo, III recommended that the hours of service be extended to help the workforce serve the
businesses in the community.
Nancy Moore requested that the bus pass program be expanded to allow certain non profits to
purchase short term passes to distribute to those in need at critical times.
Neal Gelfand recommended that a comprehensive advertising program be implemented to increase
revenue sources which could include awarding naming rights, sponsorships of bus shelters, etc.
Mr. Ochs noted that proposals will be brought forward for BCC considerations during the budget
workshop in early June with an opportunity to provide Staff direction.
3. Public Comment
None
*****
February 5, 2019
There being no further business for the good of the County,the meeting was adjourned by order
of the chair at 10:41 A.M.
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