Region 9: 2023 Meeting Minutes (12/14)

 

HSTP Region 9

September 21, 2023

Quarterly Meeting Minutes 

Attendees:

Ron Gorst-guest	Shawnee Mass Transit-Vienna
Nathan Nichols	Central Il. Public Transit-Effingham
Cheri Davis	South Central Transit-Centralia
Jennifer Noel	Bond Co. Transit-Greenville
David Maziarz	Il. Dept. of Transportation-Springfield
Mike Egbert	Opportunities for Access Center for Independent Living-Mt. Vernon
Felica Voelkel	Glen Carbon Sr. Center-Glen Carbon
Pam Jones	Senior Services Plus-Alton
Emily Jackson	Senior Services Plus-Alton
Michelle Shrout	Senior Services Plus-Alton
Andrea Boda	Il. Valley Rehab Center-Gillespie
Paul Klosterman	Community Link-Breese
Eric Robke	Community Link-Breese
Todd Nickel	Challenge Unlimited\Residential Options-Alton
Susan Thomas	Madison Co. Transit\Agency for Community Transit-Granite City
Sherry Hicks	Fayco-Vandalia
Riley Anderson	Human Service Transportation Coordinator-Salem
Terri Finn	Human Service Transportation Coordinator-Salem

Call to Order- The Region 9 quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order at 11:07am by Chairperson Nathan Nichols at the Glen Carbon Sr. Center.

Introductions – All those in attendance introduced themselves and announced their agency, as well as naming their favorite season\holiday.

Approval of June 2023 meeting minutes – Motion by Eric Robke, second by Mike Egbert.  Minutes approved with no additions or corrections.

Guest Speakers- Emily Jackson, Michelle Shrout & Pam Jones of Senior Services Plus

Our guest speakers went thru the many services that SSP provides to their local communities. 

Meals on Wheels is provided in both Madison & St. Clair counties.  Congregate meals are provided in Alton & Granite City.

There is an Information & Assist program that helps folks with available resources, assists in completing applications for various benefits, questions that may arise, etc.

The Grandparents Program offers support and mentoring to kids by volunteer seniors.

The Ombudsman Program assists residents in the 7-county area that reside in long term care facilities needing advocacy.

Transportation is a service provided in Madison County.

Nutrition counseling is provided.

The Community Resources Program provides residents with various services that they may need such as help in their homes, repairs, technology issues, etc.

The Social Connections Program helps to prevent isolation and depression by providing support.

The Schoolhouse Grille is an onsite restaurant that is open to the public.

There is an onsite Wellness Center.

The Home Repair Program is available for qualifying residents.      

Regional Plan – Terri Finn presented the updated information from the June meeting. 

No shows for job interviews continue to be a big problem.

Susan Thomas reported that MCT will be reducing routes due to staff shortages.

Jennifer Noel reported that Bond Co. Transit has increased their social media and has called for community support to get the word out about hiring.  They are also providing special outings to various locations in & outside of their service area.  Schedules are being adjusted to accommodate drivers.

Transportation concerns – MCT has an increase in trip denials for non-ADA type trips due to driver shortages.

Terri Finn mentioned the 5310 program reviews are almost done for this year.

See above for other transportation concerns that were discussed.

General Discussion- IDOT updates – CVP contract bids for vehicles opened Sept. 15^th.  Award letters should go out to agencies when all bids are in and a determination is made on the number of vehicles that can be awarded. 

Operating funds are on hold until October.

Also, 5310 Annual Certification forms are due to Zoe Keller by Sept. 30^th.  

Handout\Resource materials were gone over by Riley Anderson.  Several handouts available for the group. Including the quarterly TransReport from RTAC.

Next meeting will be 12/14/2023 via conference call. 

Schedule meeting dates for 2024: March 14^th-hosted by Senior Services Plus in Alton

June 13^th-host needed

Sept. 12^th-hosted by Glen Carbon Sr. Center in Glen Carbon (tentative

Dec. 12^th-Zoom meeting

Adjourn -A motion was made by Felicia Voelkel and 2^nd by Todd Nickel to adjourn at 12:02pm.  Motion carried.