Region 11: 2024 Meeting Minutes (8/21)

 

HSTP Region 11

Meeting Minutes

May 15^th

Ron Gorst	Shawnee Mass Transit District - Vienna
Mike Pietrowski	Shawnee Mass Transit District - Vienna
Tony Jackson	Shawnee Mass Transit District – Vienna
Mike “Spud” Egbert	Opportunities for Access Center for Independent Living in Mt. Vernon
Chase Hileman	Rural Health, Inc. – Anna (Guest Speaker)
Sherri Bassen	South Central Transit – Centralia
Jamie Downer	South Central Transit – Centralia
Jimmy Leadingham	Jackson County Mass Transit District – Carbondale
Darla Harris	Jackson County Mass Transit District – Carbondale
Robert Wilson	Alternative Transportation Services – East St. Louis
Howard Penrod	Arrowleaf – Vienna
Ian Pierce	Fire Star Industries – Du Quoin
Mark Bollman	ComWell – RedBud
Jesica Gentry-Schlimme	Monroe Randolph Transit District – Sparta
Mark Beare	Monroe Randolph Transit District – Sparta
Randy Goldsmith	Human Support Services – Waterloo
Tunezia Badger	Spero Family Services – Mt. Vernon
Elizabeth Daniels	Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois – Belleville
Riley Anderson	Assistant Human Service Transportation Coordinator – Salem
Terri Finn	Human Service Transportation Coordinator – Salem

 

Call to Order: The quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Jimmy Leadingham, at 11:01 a.m.

Introductions: All attendees introduced themselves and their agencies.

Approval of August 2024 Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed. No additions or corrections. Motion to approve by Mike Egbert, seconded by Robert Wilson.

Guest Speaker: Chase Hileman from Rural Health, Inc. in Anna was the guest speaker. He shared information about Rural Health and the services they offer. Rural Health has a location in Anna, Goreville, Metropolis, Dongola, and Vienna. Rural Health is a private, non-profit business and turns no one away because of income. The clinics offer a wide array of general services including Family Medical, OB/GYN, Behavioral health, and general dentistry. Rural Health also offers their clients travel vouchers to travel to and from their appointments. Rural Health’s Anna and Metropolis locations are the clinics with the most transportation issues. Ranging from complaints of patients who can’t afford public fares, long wait times for pick up after appointments, no evening service for medical appointments, etc. Chase Hileman was able to engage in discussion about transportation with the group including the providers in their service area. The discussion included routes, scheduling, and Medicaid transportation providers.

Regional Plan: Riley Anderson presented the Regional Plan updates to the group. Terri mentioned that this will be the last update to the plan as the quarter is ending. The process to start the new Regional Plan will be starting soon. It was noted that there is a long turnaround of IDOT vehicles and there is a need of vehicles. The cost of maintaining old vehicles and keeping them running has become a strain on the public transit/human service agencies.

Transportation Concerns: Shawnee MTD has transfer chairs on vehicles. This has led to concerns of falling and riders not wanting their scooters secured as to cause damage. There was a discussion on other agencies rules/guidance/policy/procedure. JCMTD & Shawnee MTD talked about power chair/scooter transfer issues along with seatbelt and restraint refusals.

General Discussion:

IDOT Updates – No IDOT personnel present. Terri mentioned CVP applications. There will be no new applications this year. Terri also mentioned that if your agencies information changes i.e. email, contact info, to email Zoe Keller, at IDOT and let her know so that Blackcat can be updated. Riley reminded the public transit agencies to complete the survey that Zoe Keller from IDOT shared in the 5311-email group. The survey is to find what types of vehicles will best serve your community. The deadline is Monday, May 20^th.

Handouts/Resource Materials – Riley went through the handouts.

Next Meeting – The next meeting is August 21^st at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois in Belleville at 11:00 a.m.

Adjourn: Ian Pierce motioned to adjourn at 11:53 a.m. and Robert Wilson seconded the motion.