Sunset Empire Transportation District Monthly Commissioners Meeting Minutes Web Page

CALL TO ORDER:
Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Astoria Transit Center Meeting Room 900 Marine Drive, Astoria February 21, 2006 9:30 a.m.
Chair Jack Harris called the meeting to order 9:30 a.m.


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG


ROLL CALL:
		Chair Harris Vice-Chair Gannaway Commissioner Fenske - excused Commissioner Goforth Commissioner Shannon-excused Commissioner Kee Commissioner Mendenhall


COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None


EMPLOYEE COMMITTEE REPORT: Committee did not meet


CHANGES TO AGENDA:

Item from George Fraser added to old business: Parking


APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 20, 2005 MINUTES:

		Motion by Commissioner Goforth, Seconded by Vice Chair Gannaway to accept the December 20, 2005 minutes as submitted. Chair Harris, Vice-chair Gannaway, Commissioners Goforth and Mendenhall voted yes. Motion passed.


REPORT FROM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS

		Commissioner Shannon: Excused

		Commissioner Fenske: Excused

		Commissioner Kee: Excused

		Commissioner Goforth:
		Commissioner Goforth attended the Northwest Ride Center meeting. One of the concerns raised was that they do not have a private restroom for their office. Senior and Disability Services will be moving to Gearhart and Commissioner Goforth asked about the bus going into this facility. Ms. Howe said that the buses cannot go into the facility parking lot, however, 101 route does go right by the new facility several times a day and will stop on the highway. Commissioner Goforth talked a little about the gas voucher program and how it is working. Commissioner Goforth would like to be kept up to date on the voucher program.

		Commissioner Gannaway: None

		Commissioner Mendenhall: None

		Commissioner Harris: None


FINANCIAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2005 AND JANUARY 2006

		Vice-chair Gannaway had a question on the balance sheet from January 31st financials regarding the receivables. Commissioner Goforth had questions on the grants. Ms. Howe explained the process that goes along with how each grant works.

		Chair Harris had a question on the NWRC income statement, asking why it is under budget. Ms. Howe explained that revenues and expenditures are based on the number of rides dispatched and that rides are down a bit.

		Motion by Commissioner Gannaway, seconded by Commissioner Mendenhall to approve the December 2005 financials as submitted. Chair Harris, Vice-Chair Gannaway, Commissioners Goforth and Mendenhall voted yes. Motion passed.

		Motion by Commissioner Mendenhall, seconded by Commissioner Goforth to accept the January 2006 financial report as submitted. Chair Harris, Vice-Chair Gannaway, Commissioners Goforth and Mendenhall voted yes. Motion passed.


CORRESPONDENCE:

a.		Thank you from Bicentennial Director
		Ms. Howe enclosed in last months packet a copy of a letter of thanks from Bicentennial Director Cindy Mudge for the District's assistance with the Signature Event.

b.		Basic Budget Law Training
		This class will be held in Cannon Beach on March 14th. It is free and is very informative on the budget process.

c.		Proposed 5311 Allocations for 2007
		Ms. Howe explained where these funds come from. This is federal money through the SAFETEA legislation. Enclosed in the packet was a memo from Sharon Perenboom talking about the upcoming allocations for general public transportation. Ms. Howe talked about the reasons that our allocation is expected to increase so much.


PUBLIC HEARINGS: None


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: None


OLD BUSINESS: None


NEW BUSINESS:

a.		Discussion on hosting a Coordinated meeting with transportation providers-Columbia County
		As directed by the board in the MEAD document, staff is talking to Columbia County providers about the possibility of coordinated service to Portland. Ms. Howe talked to John Helm who is on the Governors Advocacy Committee for Seniors and is a member of the Columbia County transportation committee. Ms. Howe wanted the board’s opinion on how they feel about this meeting.

b.		Fort Clatsop Route for Summer 2006
		Operations manager Scott Smith attended the meeting and presented to the board with the New Fort Clatsop route. Ms. Howe and Mr. Smith met with Ft. Clatsop staff to come up with the new route. Mr. Smith talked to the board about how the route will work, indicating that we will once again be operating in the park this summer.

c.		Northwest Ride Center On-site Review and Provider Audit
		Ms. Howe wanted to let the board know that there will be an on sight review that OMAP will be doing at the ride center in May. In the packet is a provider audit worksheet that Ms. Howe developed for use in making sure the providers are in compliance with their contracts. Ms. Howe reported that she and the ride center supervisor will be visiting provider’s over the next couple of months to conduct the audits.

d.		Schedules
		Operations manager Scott Smith attended the meeting to discuss and explain the upcoming changes in the fixed route bus schedule. He noted that changes in the routes were unlikely this summer. He distributed copies of a schedule that he had developed on the computer that we can copy for use on the buses which will be a significant cost savings from the full color map schedules. He noted that we will still have the full color schedules but we will order a smaller number to be printed and distribute them in the transit center, city halls and chambers. We are going to be handing out the black/white copies to the passengers to save money. The Ft. Clatsop route will be an insert.

e.		Request to change March Meeting Date No changes.

f.		Item from George Fraser - parking
		Ms. Howe wanted to talk about the parking lot agreement with George Fraser. Mr. Fraser is asking for more parking spaces because he has the potential to sell the building. The board is leading toward not giving him more than the 15 spaces.


OTHER ITEMS

a.		Staff Reports
		Included for review.

b.		Comprehensive Plan Update
		Ms Howe discussed the status of the Comprehensive plan that was adopted in 2001. Ms Howe also enclosed a copy of the updated plan that she is working on.


There being no further business, Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at: 11:16am












Respectfully submitted,





Secretary/Treasurer


The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2006


THIS MEETING IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED, AN INTERPRETER FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED MAY BE REQUESTED UNDER THE TERMS OF OS 192.630 BY CONTACTING SUNSET EMPIRE TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT AT 861-7433