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Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Astoria Transit Center Meeting Room 900 Marine Drive, Astoria September 20, 2004
CALL TO ORDER; PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Chair Harris called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM.

ROLL CALL
		Bob Gannaway Charolotte Mendenhall Vic Kee Jack Harris David Shannon - Absent Marcia Fenske - Absent Rae Goforth - Absent .

COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Judy Richmond: Ms. Richmond lives in Astoria and uses SETD for her transportation. While taking the bus she noticed the no smoking signs placed inside the bus shelters and is very pleased with this. Ms. Richmond is a member of a Tobacco Free Coalition Group that speaks out about the hazards of smoking. Ms. Richmond would like permission to place some information at the Transit Center and/or on the bus regarding smoking and the health hazards it causes. Ms. Richmond also wanted to bring up the fact that there is no pay phone at the Transit Center for people to use when they get off the bus. Ms. Howe wanted to respond to Ms. Richmond regarding placing information on the smoking hazard. Because this is a public service announcement we can laminate information and post it on the buses and place it in the Transit Center. Ms. Howe also responded to the concern Ms. Richmond had about the pay phone. Ms. Howe has looked into the option of getting a pay phone placed at the Transit Center and said that because of the cost this will have to be placed on the budget for next year if in fact we do want to do this.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None

APPROVAL JULY 20, 2004 AND AUGUST 17, 2004 MINUTES:
Motion by Commissioner Mendenhall, second by Commissioner Kee to accept the minutes as submitted. Chair Harris, Vice Chair Gannaway, Commissioners Mendenhall and Kee voted yes. Motion passed.

REPORT FROM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Harris: None

Commissioner Kee: Commissioner Kee has been riding the bus and talking to people that use the bus and has had a few people comment on the drivers and how nice they are. Mr. Kee also noticed that the bus was usually very full. One of the riders asked about a route going across Irving from the College down to Safeway. A couple of people have asked about Cannon Beach/Astoria express route.

Commissioner Gannaway: None

Commissioner Mendenhall: None

FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Motion by Commissioner Gannaway, second by Commissioner Mendenhall to approve the financial report as submitted. Chair Harris, Vice-chair Gannaway, Commissioners Kee and Mendenhall voted yes. Motion passed.

Ms. Howe has been working with the accounts person, which gives her an opportunity to look at all the bills before they are paid and a better understanding of how the financial reports are prepared. Ms. Howe is also training on how to do the payroll. Ms. Howe commented on how her training with the different departments is going to help her answer questions that pertain to the financial and payroll departments more effectively.

Motion by Commissioner Gannaway, seconded by Commissioner Mendenhall to approve the financial report as submitted. Commissioner's Fenske, Mendenhall, Goforth, Kee, Gannaway, Shannon and Chair Harris all voted yes. Motion passed.

CORRESPONDENCE:
a.		Letter from Heather Reynolds to Clark Signs - Billboard
		This letter was put in packet for information only. We have not heard from Clark Sign regarding this matter. When Clark signs responds to this letter Ms. Howe will make sure to e-mail all board members with his response.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:None

RESOLUTIONS: None

OLD BUSINESS
a.		A. Resolution of Rejection of Western Bus Sales Low Floor Bid
		An agreement for a satisfactory resolution was included in the packet. Ms. Howe went over the process of purchasing buses.

b.		Resolution and Findings of Cowlitz Coach Complaint
		Ms. Howe reported that SETD was found to have not violated any federal laws regarding services related to the Crab Festival, Cruise ships and Fort Clatsop shuttle transportation. She commented that Mr. Obtinario would have an opportunity to appeal the findings with FTA, but she was confident that this matter was closed.

NEW BUSINESS
a.		Request for Extension of Insurance Premiums for driver Lynne Kesterson
		Ms. Howe requested that the board allow extending insurance coverage for a driver who has been on medical leave because of tumor removed from around her ear. She stated that this is an exemplary employee who, she hopes, will be able to return to work in the near future. She asked that premiums be paid until January, 2005, at which time the employee would have final word from her physician on whether she would be able to return to work.

		Motion by Commissioner Kee second by Commissioner Mendenhall to extend insurance premiums until the end of the year for Lynne Kesterson as Director Howe proposed. Chair Harris, Vice-chair Gannaway, Commissioners Kee and Mendenhall voted yes. Motion passed.
OTHER ITEMS

a.		Staff Reports
		Included in Packet

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.


Respectfully submitted,





Chair Jack Harris