AC TRANSIT DISTRICT Board of Directors Executive Summary
GM Memo No. 09-063 Meeting Date: February 25, 2009
Committees: Planning Committee External Affairs Committee Rider Complaint Committee Board of Directors
Finance and Audit Committee Operations Committee Paratransit Committee Financing Corporation
SUBJECT: Receive Minutes for the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting held January 13, 2009. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information Only
Briefing Item
Recommended Motion
Fiscal Impact:
Background/Discussion: The Minutes for January 13, 2009 were approved by the AAC on February 10, 2009. Attachments: Attachment 1:
AAC Minutes for January 13, 2009
Approved by:
Rick Fernandez, General Manager Nancy Skowbo, Deputy GM, Service Development
Prepared by:
Mallory Nestor-Brush, Accessible Service Manager Kim Huffman, Senior Administrative Assistant
Date Prepared:
February 11, 2009
BOARD ACTION:
Approved as Recommended [ ] Approved with Modification(s) [ ]
Other
[ ]
The above order was passed on: . Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary By
GM Memo 09-063 Attachment 1 AAC Minutes
January 13, 2009 REGULAR MEETING OF THE AC TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AAC) JANUARY 13, 2009
Meeting came to order at 1:14 pm. 1. Roll Call and Introduction of Guests AAC members present: Janet Abelson, Chair Joe Bischofberger Joseph Chianese, Vice Chair Jim Gonsalves Pam Fadem Burrill Hansen Carolyn Montgomery Christopher Pangilinan Alan Reade Don Queen Hale Zukas AAC members absent: John Partridge (excused)
Dolores Dyer
Staff:
Mallory Nestor-Brush, Accessible Services Manager Kim Huffman, Senior Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Peter Crockwell Mary Fowler
2. Order of Agenda The order of the agenda was approved. 3. Approval of Minutes MOTION: Bischofberger / Chianese approved the AAC minutes of the December 9, 2008 meeting. 9 Yeas. 2 Abstentions. 4. Public Comment Peter Crockwell reported that he has heard positive comments about the new buses AC Transit has in its fleet, such as more seats and fewer steps upon boarding. 5. Chair’s Report Chair Abelson reported that John Partridge has decided to resign from the AAC. Members were asked to share some things about John, which could be included in a resolution by the Board of Directors. Members of the committee responded, “John has been a longtime member of the committee and Vice Chair for a number of years. John was always positive in his contributions to
discussions, very faithful in his attendance and very sensitive to everyone’s disabilities. John always talked to the point, was steadfast in his decisions, and had a great sense of humor. John was the main representative from the San Lorenzo area and was helpful in his perspective of bus riding in that area. The AAC wishes John a speedy recovery and asks him to hurry back.” 6. Board Liaison Report Due to the Board Members’ attendance at the Transit Research Board (TRB), there is no Board Liaison Report this month. 7. Service Review Advisory Committee (SRAC) Report Chair Abelson reported that the SRAC received an update from AC Transit staff on the budget and financial considerations. The SRAC also discussed Paratransit service for people who are currently outside of the service area, which is within ¾ miles of fixed route. This topic will be discussed further at future SRAC meetings. Chair Abelson also reported that the in-person eligibility certification process for Paratransit has been implemented in Albany, Emeryville, Alameda and San Leandro. Berkeley and Oakland are the next two cities in which the program will be implemented. Finally Chair Abelson reported that members of the SRAC will participate in Paratransit Driver Training. 8. ACTIA PAPCO Report None. 9. Review of Lift/Ramp Road Call Report Joseph reported that during the holidays, while riding an MCI (bus #6012), the operator explained that the seats that shift to reveal the wheelchair securement area were unable to lock in place, which prevented him from transporting passengers in wheelchairs. The driver also stated that the person who would fix that type of issue is on vacation. Joseph’s concern will be posed to Abel Perreira, Jr., and will be addressed at the February meeting. Pam commented that she would like to see on the report, some indication as to whether or not the person in a wheelchair received a ride when a lift/ramp road call was made. 10. Transit Access Report Chair Abelson commented that the report should be limited to only those items that refer to fixed route. Alan responded that in censoring out articles that do not deal with fixed route, the committee may miss out on issues that would help in the future.
The committee agreed that the Transit Access Report would be added to the agenda as Transit Correspondence and any items in the correspondence committee members wish to discuss would be added to the next month’s agenda. 11. Review of Legal Questions Regarding EPAMD Policy This verbal update will be postponed to the February 2009 AAC meeting. 12. Review of Modifications to Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) Mallory began the discussion by referring to the letter the AAC sent to the Docket Clerk in June 2007, in response to the initial Notice of Proposed Rule Making. The AAC’s initial letter to the Docket Clerk addressed the proposal to increase the design load of lift/ramps to 660 lbs and increase the clear wheelchair securement surface area to 30” x 60”. Mallory asked the AAC if they would like to resubmit the letter or wait until the NPRM is released for public comment. Hale commented that another issue is the height of the stop request button in the wheelchair securement area. The draft NPRM states the stop request button may be between 15” and 48” from the floor. Hale suggested modifying the letter to address that proposal and submitting a recommendation of 24” to 36” from the floor. Mallory stated that if the AAC offers to renew the original letter, the letter would not go to the Board in time to submit before the deadline. However, the committee could submit the letter to Board President Rocky Fernandez who could authorize the AAC to submit to the Docket Clerk. MOTION: Bischofberger/Hansen move that the original letter to the Docket Clerk be resubmitted but enhance the letter by stating the extensive efforts the AAC has made in recommendations to the interior, boarding and alighting of vehicles. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Reade moves that the AAC recommend the stop request buttons in the wheelchair securement be mounted no lower than 24” and no higher than 36”. 10 Yeas. 0 Abstentions. Motion carried unanimously. 13. Member Communications and Announcements Alan asked that “Discussion of Internet Based User Training Video” be added to the agenda for February 2009. Pam asked that an item be placed on the agenda in which AAC members who have served on the committee for a number of years could reflect on the purpose of the AAC and talk about issues he/she has been faced with. Pam also asked any member who serves on a committee other than the AAC offer information about the committee and provide the meaning of the acronym for that committee. Mallory stated that she and Kim Huffman would prepare a Welcome Packet when new members are appointed, which would include documentation regarding the AAC, a glossary of transit terms, the Brown Act, and other relevant information.
Jim commented that while recently waiting at a bus stop in the cold, a bus arrived and the driver explained to him that he could not board because there was a baby stroller in the wheelchair securement area and the driver would not ask the other passenger to move. The woman in the stroller offered to move, however the bus operator stated that it was not necessary for her to do so, then departed the bus stop. Jim stated that he filed a complaint and a hearing has been scheduled. Jim asked if we could agendize “Full Load Policy” and “Boarding Policies & Public Education” for the next AAC Meeting. 14. Staff Communications and Announcements Mallory reported that the projections on the Measure B allocations have been revised and the EBP allocation will fall $280,000 short of initial FY 08-09 projections. AC Transit will look for cost savings over the next 6 months through the end of the fiscal year. The Board is considering scenarios for the upcoming budget deficit. There is currently $35 million in reserves, which means AC Transit is unable to declare a fiscal emergency. There is a possibility that service reductions could take place in December 2009. The Board will consider different scenarios of fare increases and service cuts and also consider Paratransit when making its decision. Revenues from Measure VV funds are expected in July 2009. Mallory also reported that AC Transit was awarded $144,000 from MTC and $36,000 from ACTIA for the 1st Cycle of the New Freedom Funds for a detailed Paratransit inventory. The contract has not yet been received, so AC Transit is working toward obtaining a Notice to Proceed in advance of the funds. Mallory also reported that Q’Straint is scheduled to give an overview and training to AC Transit Trainers and Road Supervisors on Thursday, February 5th at 9:00 am at AC Transit’s Training and Education Center in Hayward, CA. Any members interested in attending are asked to contact Kim Huffman should assistance with transportation be required. Mallory asked each member of the committee to indicate if they would like to continue his/her appointment on AAC. Each member present expressed the desire to continue with the AAC. Kim Huffman will contact those members who were not present regarding their AAC Appointment. 15. Set Next Agenda and Meeting Date The next AAC Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 1:00 pm on the 10th Floor of 1600 Franklin Street. Agenda items will include Discussion of Proposed Fare Change, Discussion of Internet Based User Training Video and Discussion of Full Load Policy. 16. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
