Region 9: 2019 Meeting Minutes (5/16)

 

HSTP REGION 9

Quarterly Meeting Minutes

May 16, 2019

 

Attendees:

Joe Domer	Madison Co. Transit\Agency for Community Transit-Granite City
Gerald McDonald	Challenge Unlimited-Alton
Donna Schnell	SWAN-Olney
Sherri Bassen	South Central Transit-Centralia
Lacey Miller	Tri-County Rural Transit-Jerseyville
Sherry Hicks	Fayco-Vandalia
David Riegel	Fayco\Fayette Co. Board-Vandalia
John Gillmore	Central Il. Public Transit\CEFS-Effingham
Melissa Schilling	Central Il. Public Transit\CEFS-Effingham
Jill Ohnesorge	Bond Co. Transit-Greenville
Peggy Dunn	Macoupin Co. Public Transit-Gillespie
Becky Schulz	Sr. Services Plus-Alton
Tammy Updike	Sr. Services Plus-Alton
Christopher Brickeen	Community Link-Breese
Dave Patton	Western Il. University\Rural Transit Assistance Center-McComb
Terri Finn	HSTP Coordinator-Salem

 

The quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order at 11:05A.M., by Vice-Chairperson Lacey Miller, at the Fayette Co. Health Dept. office in Vandalia. Lacey called for all present to introduce themselves.   

 

The minutes from the March 2019 meeting were reviewed.  Joe Domer requested a correction to the minutes that addressed MCT’s days & hours of operation.  Sherry Hicks made a motion to approve the minutes with the stated corrections.  Jill Ohnesorge seconded the motion. Minutes approved and Terri Finn will make changes to the minutes.   

 

Guest Speaker: Donna Schnell from SWAN (Stopping Woman Abuse Now)

Donna shared that SWAN serves 16 Southern Illinois Counties by offering Senior Intervention Program (SIP), Adult Protective Services, Domestic Violence counseling, Traditional Housing Program, Permanent Housing Program for disabled, Homeless Intervention Program and Partner Intervention Program which is the only program they charge for.  Some of the resources provided to senior clients are assistance with Medicare Part D & Circuit Breaker, and referrals to the ombudsperson or Land of Lincoln legal services

SWAN does assist with transportation by providing bus passes and coordinating with RIDES Mass Transit.  They accept donations from the public of items such as clothing and furniture. They also offer life skills training such as cooking, budgeting/finances. Brochures and fliers were distributed outlining their service areas and contact information for each SWAN office.

 

General Discussion:

·         Agency Information\Updates

o   South Central Transit reported they have coordinated with SIUC and SCT Money Cards are now accepted by the Saluki Express to accommodate with rider transfers.

o   Tri-County Rural Transit shared that they and Macoupin Co. Public Transit have been working together getting student transportation to Lewis & Clark College.

·         New Business\Open Discussion

o   Jill Jones shared information with the group regarding State Health Insurance Programs (SHIP) and Medicare Advantage Programs for seniors. It is estimated that by the year 2020 at least 50% of the population will be on Medicare A plans.

o   Terri Finn reported; No CVP applications yet, Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) weather preparedness guides can be emailed to agencies that are interested, printed handouts regarding upcoming IDOT Road/Lane closures are available to pick up as well as a handout addressing difficult customer situations.

o   Terri again reminded all attendees to submit stories to her of any happenings in our agencies for acknowledgement.

o   Community Resource Center (CRC) was suggested as a guest speaker for a future meeting, as well as, incentives to get drivers to participate in Roadeo.

o   Dave Patton congratulated all agencies on coordination efforts.  IDOT will be glad to hear about this as it is a current focus.  Trip denials are always a sore subject as no agency likes to deny a ride.  Most problems still occur in the urbanized grey areas where service can be difficult to obtain while Uber & Lyft are picking up some of the slack & providing approximately 30 trips per day in the rural southern Il. areas.   

  

·         Next Meeting: September 12th, Jerseyville Senior Center.

 

Adjourn:

Motion to adjourn at 12:00 p.m. by Jill Jones, 2nd by Lacey Miller.