Region 10: 2019 Meeting Minutes (10/15)

 

HSTP Region 10

Quarterly Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

 

Attendees:

Beth Marts	Central Il. Public Transit & Effingham Co. Public Transit-Effingham
Jeff Drake	Rides MTD-Harrisburg
Heather Baker	Charleston Transitional Facility-Olney
Chris Dickey	Clay County Rehabilitation Center-Flora
Mike Egbert	Opportunities for Access CIL-Mt. Vernon
John Gillmore	Central Il. Public Transit & Effingham Co. Public Transit-Effingham
Janice Zwilling	Lawrence-Crawford Association-Lawrenceville
Dave Patton	Rural Transit Assistance Center (RTAC)-Macomb
Mark Auten	TRADE Industries-McLeansboro
Phil Toops	Effingham County Board-Effingham
Gidget Simpson	CILA Corporation-Flora
Melissa Schilling	Central Il. Public Transit-Effingham
Cory Young	Marion Co. Horizon Center-Salem
Terri Finn	HSTP Coordinator-Salem

 

 

The quarterly HSTP Region 10 meeting was held on Tuesday, October 15^th, 11:00am, at the CEFS office in Effingham. The meeting was called to order at 11:03am by Committee Co-Chair Melissa Schilling and introductions of committee members were done.

 

The minutes from the May 2019 meeting were reviewed.  Heather Baker made the motion to approve the minutes, Mike Egbert seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

 

Regional Plan

Gaps\Needs\Strategies: Terri Finn had provided copies of the gaps & needs portion of the Regional Plan and asked everyone for input as to how they believe the goals of each gap\need are being met in the region. 

Coordination Gap: Melissa Schilling discussed the routes and transportation that CIPT provides.  CIPT does provide transportation for CCR and other area workshops and provide general public transportation in its service territory. 

Chris Dickey commented on CIPT providing transportation for their clients. Gidget Simpson also commented on CIPT’s efforts to provide transportation to her agencies clients.  Melissa Schilling has been helpful in coordinating those agencies medical trips also. 

Mark Auten commented on Rides efforts to provide transportation for many of TRADE’s clients that sometimes just work half days and need transportation at various times in the day. All committee members agreed that very rural areas still need more transportation routes available.

Cost Gap: Beth Marts commented on the repercussions of the minimum wage increase and how it might entice more potential employees but also could cause fares to increase to cover the costs. All committee members agreed they suffer from staff shortage.

Geographic Gap: Remote rural areas are still suffering from a shortage of routes, but all providers are attempting to add routes as needed and warranted.  Currently, in some areas, routes are available but riders have to go to a central pick up location.  This often depends on funding and vehicle availability.

Jeffrey Drake commented that RIDES is working with Greyhound to get riders from Mt. Vernon to Marion where the new transfer station is available to then move riders from that location to other hubs (medical, employment, etc.)  Terri Finn stated that costs can get lower when systems are able to work more efficiently by moving more people in the same vehicles and linking routes. 

Terri also told the committee about Rides new transfer station in Marion, at the VA Hospital grounds.    

Medical Gap: The committee did agree that medical transportation is lacking.  Medicaid doesn’t allow 2 different transportation providers to split the trip/cost.  Terri Finn discussed that additional coordination with healthcare providers could perhaps help cut down on this issue.   RIDES stated they have sent out surveys to seniors to help address any medical gaps in the areas they serve.

Terri Finn stated that she would take everyone’s comments and compile them.  They will be sent out before the January meeting for additions and to continue the discussion at that meeting.  This will move the committee forward in preparing the updated Regional Plan in 2021. 

 

New Business

Terri Finn discussed IDOT updates.  CVP grants will probably be available next Spring after Zoe Keller returns from maternity leave.    

 

Terri also reminded all new committee members that must take the Open Meeting Act test online and turn their certificates in to her.   

 

Next Meeting:

The January 2020 meeting will be a conference call. 

 

Adjourn:

Mark Auten made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:48am.  Chris Dickey seconded the motion.  Meeting adjourned.

 

Thank you to CIPT for hosting the meeting.