Region 11: 2017 Meeting Minutes (11/8)

 

HSTP REGION 11

Quarterly Meeting Minutes

November 8, 2017

 

Attendees:

Todd Krebel	Human Support Services-Waterloo
Sheila Niederhofer	South Central Transit-Centralia
Vicki Clift	South Central Transit-Centralia
Sara Nollman	South Central Transit-Centralia
Adam Lach	Rides MTD-Harrisburg
Dave Patton	Rural Transit Assistance Center (RTAC)
Ben Simpson	Sr. Adult Services-Carbondale
Danuta Delrio	Union Co. Counseling-Anna
Mike Egbert	Opportunities for Access Center for Independent Living-Mt. Vernon
John Smith	Egyptian Area Agency on Aging-Carterville
Charlene Hogan	JTC Academy-Centreville
Staci Anderson	Spero Family Services-Mt. Vernon
James Lane	Touchette Regional Hospital-Centreville
Debbie Holsapple	Comprehensive Connections-Mt. Vernon
Kevin Dudek	5 Star Industries-DuQuoin
Jesica Gentry	Monroe-Randolph Transit-Sparta
Shawn Freeman	Shawnee MTD-Vienna
Jimmy Leadingham	Jackson Co. MTD
Jim Schnipper	SAVE-Belleville
Terri Finn	HSTP Coordinator

 

The meeting was called to order at 11:08 A.M., by Terri Finn, at Spero Family Services in Mt. Vernon.  Terri asked for all present to introduce themselves and give any updates of the agency they represent. 

 

The minutes from the August 2017 meeting were reviewed.  Sheila Niederhofer made a motion to approve those minutes.  Jim Schnipper seconded the motion.  Motion carried, minutes approved with no additions or corrections.

 

Guest Speaker-Dave Patton (RTAC):

Dave Patton introduced himself to the committee as the new Director of the Rural Transit Assistance Center (RTAC).  He shared that he was formerly an RTAC director, back in the day and has since worked as an IDOT Section Chief for southern downstate area, moved away and had various other jobs but realizes that the one constant is that people need to get places.  Tranist systems have matured and seem to be more in agreement with how to keep grants going, growing their coordination and collaboration efforts, and figuring out what works and what doesn’t as well as how they can improve.  He gave insight into the direction he would like to take RTAC. 

And, Dave did mention that Ed Heflin will be back on occasion on a consulting basis.

    

 

 

General Discussion:

HSTP Regional Plan Update

Terri Finn reported that the new\updated Regional Plan is almost complete except for a few agencies that have not provided their information for the Provider Inventory portion.  She is looking to have a completed version ready for committee approval at the February meeting.

 

Agency Information\Updates 

Shawn Freeman introduced himself as the new Director of Shawnee MTD.  He also announced that SMTD has new depots located in Metropolis, Anna & Pulaski Co.

 

James Lane announced that Touchette Hospital held their annual RTAC training.  There were 40 participants; 8 from Touchette and the rest from other invited agencies.

 

John Smith provided information about a new grant, National Corp. & Community Service,  that provides funds for volunteers and could coordinate with transit. 

Also, as far as the state budget, bills are still not being paid to senior agencies so times are getting tougher.

He also asked the committee how their transportation services were affected during the eclipse.  Problems occurred throughout the region due to the influx of people\vehicles the day of the eclipse rather than over the weekend, as had been planned for, causing traffic backups on main roads as well as small secondary roads.  More planning will occur before the next eclipse happens in 7 years.

 

New Business  

Terri Finn announced that with the retirement of Maureen Mann, the committee is without a secretary.  Terri asked for a volunteer or nominations for an interim secretary.  Sara Nollman volunteered for the position.

 

Terri Finn also announced that IDOT will be holding an online maintenance training webinar for HSTP Coordinators that is intended to prepare them to train 5310 providers and others of the importance of good maintenance policies and procedures.  

 

Next Meeting: Schedule & assign 2018 meetings

Terri Finn informed the committee that she was given approval to hold 1 quarterly meeting, per year, via conference call.  The one stipulation that was given by IDOT was that there would need to be good participation and involvement by members.  If this doesn’t occur, we will have to go back to 4 face to face meetings.  The committee agreed on this arrangement.

The agreed to hold HSTP meetings in 2018 on:

Feb. 14^th via conference call

May 9^th at South Central Transit Training Center in Centralia

August 8^th at Human Support Services in Waterloo &

Dec. 14^th at Caritas Family Services in Belleville

 

Adjourn:

Adam Lach made a motion to adjourn.  Shelia Niederhofer seconded the motion.  Meeting adjourned at 12:05pm.