East Central Iowa Transit
Transit Operator Group Meeting
Linn County LIFTS
June 5thth, 2014
The following individuals were present:
Contract providers:
- Tom Brase; Johnson County SEATS
- Kathy Koerperich; Jones County JETS
- Tom Hardecopf; Linn County LIFTS
- Tracy Laws; Washington County Mini Bus
- Dana Burmeister; Benton County Transportation
- Rick Zimmerman; Iowa County Transportation
ECICOG Staff:
- Brock Grenis; ECICOG
Others
Mike Barnhart; NTS
Brenda McFarlin; NTS
Mark Schmidt; DialogsTechnology
1.0Routine Matters
.1Call to Order Hardecopf called the meeting to order at 10:30 am.
.2Approval of Minutes After review, Brase moved to approve the minutes from the March 6thmeeting and was seconded by Laws. Motion carried unanimously.
2.0New Business
.1 NTS Scheduling Software Demonstration:Mcfarlin and Barnhart gave a presentation on the scheduling software that was specially developed and customized by NTS. Mark gave an overview of the support costs and capabilities to customize the software. The TOG group had several specific questions regarding capabilities, and customization of the program. The group discussed the product in detail as to how it would work with each individualized system, and how it compared to Routematch technology. The group agreed that they would like to explore the technology further, and perhaps include it as a reoccurring agenda item in the future.
.2Requests for Additional Services: Copies of each providers requests for additional services were distributed, and Grenis explained that no requests submitted were different from previous years. Brase clarified that all requests he reviewed were very similar to previous years, and the total costs for the services were slightly different. Brase moved to approve the Request for Additional Services as presented and was seconded by Laws. Motion carried unanimously.
.3Purchase of Service Contracts:The group reviewed the status of each of their own purchase of service contracts and all either had them signed, or on the agenda for their board of supervisors to sign. Burmeister indicated that she hadn’t received her copy yet, and Grenis said he would send her copy immediately after the meeting.
.4Drivers Wage Discussion: Hardecopf discussed how wages for his drivers are mostly negotiated by the union, and Brase agreed. Zimmerman discussed rates for his drivers, and the merit system in place encouraging longevity. Laws discussed her drivers’ rates and asked others for information on creating a specific job description for drivers. The discussion was the result of a topic from a previous TOG meeting.
.5FY15 FTA/STA Estimates: Grenis passed out a sheet summarizing the estimated amount of STA and FTA operating assistance that each provider should expect in FY15. These amounts are only estimates because 4th quarter statistics have not been compiled yet, and these are necessary to determine the full amount of assistance. It was also noted that the DOT announced the amount of STA funding will be higher than originally expected.
.6TMS/Routematch Updates: Hardecopf announced that the upcoming TMS/Access2Care advisory group meeting has been cancelled. The group discussed how Home and Community Based Waivers will likely be administered through a similar brokerage system as Access2Care in the future, and how this is disappointing. Brase described the Access2Care ridership as very fluctuating and no reasoning as to why it does fluctuate. Laws agreed that the ridership fluctuates greatly, and that typically two days a week are very busy for minibus taking passengers to Iowa City Hospitals. Grenis explained how Iowa County Transportation’s portion of the Routematch support payment would not be made available until after July 1st, and that a request to use funds from the regional transit account would be necessary. Hardecopf moved to approve using $3,358.25 from the Regional Transit Account to cover Iowa County’s portion of the Routematch support payment, providing that Iowa County repay that amount after July 1st, and was seconded by Brase. Motion carried unanimously.
3.0Old Business:
None
4.0Other Discussion Items:
Grenis announced that ECITransit’s 40th anniversary would occur next year and ideas for a celebration were welcome. Grenis also announced that EICOG is updating its website, and any pictures that providers would like to include were welcome. The group also discussed plans for a tour of the Winnebago bus manufacturing facility in Forest City that is scheduled for July 16th.
5.0 Set next Meeting date:
September 4thth 2014 at Benton County Transportation. Meeting adjourned at 12:01 pm.