Region 9: 2021 Meeting Minutes (6/10)

 

HSTP Region 9

June 10, 2021

Quarterly Meeting Minutes

 

Attendees:

Joe Domer	Madison Co. Transit\ACT-Granite City
David Reigel	Fayette Co. Board\FAYCO-Vandalia
Michele Suwe	Glen Carbon Sr. Center-Glen Carbon
Sara Berkbigler	Main St. Community Center-Edwardsville
Sherri Hicks	FAYCO-Vandalia
Mike Egbert	Opportunities for Access CIL-Mt. Vernon
Lacey Miller	Tri-Co. Rural Public Transit-Jerseyville
Nathan Nichols	Central Il. Public Transit-Effingham
Wendy Settles	IMPACT CIL-Alton
Peggy Dunn	Macoupin Co. Public Transit-Gillespie
Susan Thomas	Madison Co. Transit\ACT-Granite City
Jennifer Noel	Macoupin Co. Public Transit-Gillespie
Gerald McDonald	Challenge Unlimited\Residential Options-Alton
Sherri Bassen	South Central Transit-Centralia
Melissa Marti	Bond Co. Transit-Greenville
Eric Robke	Community Link-Breese
Terri Finn	HSTP Coordinator-Salem

 

Call to Order – The Region 9 quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order at 11:03 a.m. by Chairperson, Sherry Hicks, via conference call.  Agency representatives were announced upon joining the call.

Approval of March 2021 Meeting Minutes – Motion by Sara Berkbigler, second by David Riegel. Minutes approved.

Transportation Concerns – Agencies shared that lack of available vehicles and staff shortages are at the top of their lists. Some agencies are now offering a sign on bonus and pay increase for new employees and FAYCO and Community Link reported they are even offering a referral bonus to current employees.

TCRT, MCPT & MCT are offering incentives to new hires and for staff referrals.

Terri Finn asked the committee if any of their agencies had started to increase rider/seating capacity on buses. Several shared that their agency has increased bus capacity but, that masks are still required. Lacy Miller reported that she had just read that with IL Phase 5, all public transit riders must continue to wear masks even if they have been vaccinated.

Regional Plan- The committee reviewed the Gaps & Needs section of the regional plan as we resume working on a new, updated plan.  Some new issues were brought up: 1. No staff to schedule trips 2. No staff to drive. 3. Calls from riders in other transit provider’s territory\counties attempting to get rides that couldn’t be provided. 4. Huge coordination gaps.    

General Discussion – Terri Finn reported that the CVP applications are not yet available and that she will email anything she learns from next week’s meeting with IDOT.

Immediately following today’s meeting Terri Finn will send an email everyone an attachment with the IDOT spending information for the IDOT Regions 6 and 8, which cover HSTP Region 9.

Terri Finn asked if the committee wanted to try to hold the September 9^th meeting in person.  It was decided that the next meeting will be in person and Sara Berkbigler will host at the Main Street Community Center, Edwardsville.

Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn at 11:25 a.m. by Gerald McDonald, 2^nd by David Riegel.