Region 10: 2017 Meeting Minutes (5/16)

 

HTSP Region 10

Quarterly Meeting Minutes

May 16, 2017

Attendees:

Debra King	Rides MTD
Susan Love	Central Il. Public Transp. & Effingham Co. Public Transit
Beth Marts	Central Il. Public Transp.
Natalie Backstrom	Opportunities for Access CIL
Taja Wheeler	Charleston Transitional Facility
Janice Zwilling	Lawrence-Crawford Association
Gidget Simpson	CILA Corporation
David Armbrust	Marion Co. Horizon Center
Betty Cox	Clay Co. Rehab Center
Terri Finn	HSTP Coordinator

 

The quarterly HSTP Region 10 meeting was held on May 16, 2017, hosted by Rides Mass Transit in Robinson, Illinois. The meeting began with Terri Finn calling the meeting to order at 11:04 am. Introductions of committee members were done.

Betty Cox, Vice President, arrived and then took over the remainder of the meeting.

The January 18^th meeting minutes were reviewed. David Armburst made the motion to approve the minutes, Janice Zwilling motioned to second. Minutes approved.

Presentation of the CVP Requests:

The first request came from CTF in Olney. Taja Wheeler explained the agencies need to replace a 2009 Ford light duty that has 141,000 miles. This vehicle needs to be phased out due to extreme water damage (roof sagging, the floor damage, etc). This vehicle is needing completely retired. The average mileage of each vehicle in the fleet runs approximately 16,000 miles a year. There are 9 vehicles in their current fleet. CTF does have a letter of support from Rides. CTF have also used the RIDES garage in Olney and in Robinson for repairs for the vehicles. CTF also coordinates with RIDES for transportation options & client needs. Terri Finn will send Taja F-1 Disposition forms for IDOT to consider releasing the vehicle due to unsafe & unaffordable conditions.

Next, Marion County Horizon Center in Salem. David Armbrust explained that this agency is applying for 2 minivans. His current fleet is minivans, all having over 100,000 miles each. The agency provides client/resident services 24/7. David gave the example of having to transport a resident to the E.R. in the middle of the night. Having vehicles available allows them to do these types of trips for non-emergency’s and is a cost savings to the state, as well, at approximately $900 per ambulance trip. David stated that his agency runs 10,000 miles per vehicle, per year. If awarded the two new minivans, those will be expected the run 25,000 miles per year, as those will be their primary means for transportation; including longer medical trips, etc. The agency currently has 13 vehicles in their fleet. Their budget last year for transportation was $70,900 . . .  which was exceeded. The application will have a letter of support from Rides Mass Transit.

Debra King with Rides Mass Transit stated that they are applying for 34 replacement vehicles (17 super duty and 17 medium duty). Many of the current fleet have almost 300-500,000 miles.

Susan Love with CIPT & ECPT, told the committee that they have applied for 14 replacement vehicles. Many of their vehicles have high mileage and mechanical issues that need to be replaced.

There were no additional questions from the committee on any of the CVP applications. Terri Finn had provided information & comment forms on each applicant and asked members to fill them out & turn them in to her. She will use the information when scoring each application for IDOT.

Debra King discussed the RIDES + CALL CENTER. A video was presented to committee members, explaining the call centers services. Cherry with the Call Center explained how they coordinate trips with Amtrak, Greyhound and even recently setup transportation with Angel Flights. The call center can coordinate the Northern part of Illinois to the Southern part to assist in whatever someone would need for medical transportation, they try their best to accommodate! The RIDES TO WELLNESS grants focus is on transportation for treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health. Rides has partnered with SIU-C School of Medicine (Dennis Presley). They have met with hospitals, counseling centers and other medical providers with the goal of helping to lower the re-admission rate.

Next the committee had general discussion. There were not really any state or federal updates, except Tiger funding (Federal $$) has been re-funded. This funding is for bus shelters, transit facilities, accessible path of travel to bus stops, etc.

New Business: No new business . . . the next meeting will be held July 18^th hosted by CILA Corporation in Flora. (Location will be given closer to time).

Vice President, Betty Cox asked for motions to adjourn the meeting. Susan Love made the motion and Janice Zwilling motioned to second. The Region 10 meeting was adjourned at 11:44 am.

Lunch was provided by Rides Mass Transit—Thank you!!

Cherry and Debra with RIDES gave the committee a tour of the call center.