09-25-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2017 students in to potentially work for us. There's a lot of opportunities for workforce development, not only with our current employees but bringing new folks into the workforce at TRANSPO. Mr. Cangany continued, And then the fleet modernization project. That's probably one (1) of the most important things when it comes to just making sure that service is on the street. As we start receiving money from our north side property—the development on our old property that money will go towards paying off some of the loans we have for bus payment. As of today, we've received about $170,000 from Century Builders. So, as that money continues to come in, that will go to be used for local match on our federal grants. That is the TRANSPO budget for 2018. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that Route 14 had been extended, as well. Mr. Cangany responded, I forgot about that one (1), thank you. We are able to serve the new Martin's. Councilmember Randy Kelly stated, I just want to thank you for continuing to reach out to South Bend Schools. I know we talked about that last year. So, I appreciate you continuing that, because I think it could be mutually beneficial. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated that she concurred with Councilmember Kelly's statements, adding that she appreciated the proposal of a Sunday service pilot program. Councilmember Broden asked, You had mentioned a matching grant that is maybe not being fully utilized, with regard to shelters, or did I misunderstand something? Mr. Cangany responded, So, we do have a grant for bus shelters and real-time bus information— just over$1,000,000. So,there are twenty-three (23) locations/twenty-five (25) locations. We will be deploying shelters in addition to the shelters that the City has already put out into the community. Those were predetermined locations. It will be more of a phased approach,just when it comes to the local match on that. Over the next two (2) or three (3) years, we're actually doing surveys right now on actual ridership at the proposed stops and locations, and they are predetermined so there is not any flexibility in moving those. I think they're all still good and viable locations, so we should see those start coming out starting in the spring to complement the shelters that are already out in the community. Councilmember Dr. David Varner thanked Mr. Cangany for his diligent work in trying to help the School Corporation with their transportation needs and also thanked him for the contract work and further negotiations with universities. Councilmember Tim Scott thanked Mr. Cangany for his presentation and commended the exploration of a Sunday service pilot program. Mr. Cangany stated, We will be signing a contract to have a couple of stops moved. Councilmember Tim Scott responded, Oh, thank you. I knew you'd bring that up, but thank you. Councilmember John Voorde stated, Good job. Councilmember Karen White stated, Thank you for your presentation. I'm very excited about the new initiatives and looking forward to the Sunday pilot program. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he is excited about the bus route to the new casino. Councilmember Davis asked, We're not only looking at Sunday service, but will that also extend to later service because of the fact that they are a twenty-four(24) hour operation, every single holiday, three-hundred and sixty-five (365) days a year? Mr. Cangany responded, In a conversation that I had with the City Administration a couple weeks ago, I said that I don't see the TRANSPO today being TRANSPO in five (5) years, if you will, so I think looking potentially at a holiday micro-transit project—so, deploying smaller vehicles out would be a little more efficient, especially on Sunday and late at night. I would think that's the answer. So, as we continue to see what transit goals—you know, with my recent appointment to the American Public Transportation Association Board of Directors—I think we're going to have a front seat on some of this new technology, and it would be great to bring it to South Bend. I do see the opportunity to make an impact and connect folks to jobs. 15