Transportation

TAYLOR COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF December 28, 2022 Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Mike Bub called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM. Members Present: Mike Bub, Diane Albrecht, Lisa Carbaugh Members Absent: None Also Present: Amber Fallos, Black River Industries; Jenn Viergutz, Taylor County Commission on Aging; Michelle Grimm, UW Extension Approve Minutes of the November 22, 2021 Meeting MOTION by Albrecht to approve the September 28, 2022 meeting minutes as presented , second by Bub. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Approve Agenda MOTION by Albrecht to approve the agenda with 9 items for the December 28, 2022 meeting, second by Bub. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Public Input: None Reports • Black River Industries (BRI) Director Amber Fallos reported that BRI continues to grow in serving the community . Amber believes it is close to 30 years that BRI has been partnering with COA to provide transportation services in Taylor County. The goal is to continue to see the ridership gro w, with goals of still hoping to co nnect with new users and the younge r senior population. Director Fallos al so reported that BRI was notified the 5310 grant that was previously 80% grant with 20% match has been changed to 50% grant with 50% match. • Taylor County Commission on Aging Director Viergutz reported the changes implemented this fall with prior registration and rider code of conduct is going well after a few hiccups during the first month. We currently have one person who was banned from the bus due to the rider code of conduct. After six months that individual will have to reach out to us to appea l ridership. We are currently short on Volunteer Drivers, we have a few people who go south for the winter. Recruitment is ongoing. Public Hearing for 85.21 Specialized Grant Application 2023 Agendas announcing the Transportation Hearing were posted at the Taylor County Commission on Aging Office, and Taylor County Courthouse. Notification of the H earing was also published in the Medford Star News. Six people were in attendance including: • Mike Bub , Taylor County Board of Supervisors and Tay lor County Transportation Coordination Committee Chair • Diane Albrecht, Taylor Count y Boar d of Supervisors and Taylor County Transportation Coordination Committee • Lisa Carb augh, Taylor County Board of Supervisors and Taylor County Transportation Coordination Committee • Amber Fallos, representative of Black River Industries • Michelle Grimm, representative of UW Extension • Jenn Viergutz, Taylor County Commission on Aging Director No one from the public was in attendance. Director Viergutz reviewed the s.85.21 specialized transportation grant application for 2023. The grant application request is for $79,889 in transportation funds from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A match of $1 6,013 in local funds is budgeted and used as the local sha re required match. The total transportation budget amount is $163,002. Hearing ended at 11:20 am Director Viergutz stated the 85.21 carryov er trust fund currently has a balance of approximately $83,000. The maximum allowed is $80,000 . Scheduled expenditures incl ude $45,000 for a minivan in 2023 and $20,000 allotted in 2024 for 5310 Match. MOTION by Albrecht to approve the 2023 85.21 Transportati on Grant Application second by Carbaugh. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Set Next Meeting Date: The next meeting of the Taylor County Transpo rtation Coordi nation Committee will be scheduled as needed. Adjourn Meeting MOTION by Carbaugh to adjourn meeting, second by Albrecht. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 A.M. TAYLOR COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE Wednesday, September 28, 2022 – 11:00 A.M. Multi-Purpose Room, 845 E. Broadway Ave., Medford, WI 54451 Members Present: Mike Bub; Diane Albrecht; Lisa Carbaugh Members Absent: None Also Present: Amber Fallos, Black River Industries; Michelle Grimm, UW Extension office; Jenn Viergutz and Barbara Koch, Commission on Aging Meeting called to order: by Chairperson Bub at 11 A.M. Approve Minutes: Motion by Albrecht, 2nd by Carbaugh to approve the Minutes of the Taylor County Transportation Coordination meeting of May 9, 2022. Ayes – 3; Nays – 0. Motion carried. Approve Agenda: Motion by Carbaugh, 2nd by Albrecht to approve the agenda with 9 items. Ayes – 3; Nays – 0. Motion carried. Public Input: None Reports: Commission on Aging: • Director Viergutz provided an update on the 2nd quarter numbers from 2022 vs. 2021. Our ridership has increased, but some of that is due to Covid shutting everything down in 2021, and now everything is up and running. • Both Fallos and Viergutz provided input on the software update and the ease with which it is being used. One iPad is currently on one of the buses. Instruction was provided for the drivers on how to use the software package purchased. The other iPad is being used for delivery of meals for new personnel to routes. • The Rider Code of Conduct was also discussed with input both from Fallos and Viergutz. The goal is to increase the ridership by providing a safe travel avenue for seniors and disabled persons. • Also discussed were the Friday shopping trips out of town. Ideas were generated for optional social avenues. • Viergutz and Fallos also stated that $20,000 of the transportation grant was used to purchase a new bus with BRI on a 5310 Grant. Black River Industries: • Fallos provided input on the positive changes happening with the bus service. They currently have three drivers for the COA routes. BRI is looking for drivers. The bus was ordered with the 5310 grant the COA provided as matching funds. She states she has notice meal site ridership has increased also. Veterans Services: • Nikki was not present but provided a written report that was read by Viergutz. The DAV van was bought by the Tomah VA and donated to Taylor County. They have four volunteer drivers and provide 200-250 rides to veterans a year. This is funded through the VA and so there is no cost to the passengers of Taylor County Medford Taxi: • No one was present from the Medford Taxi service, however, Bub stated that ridership has also increased with the taxi service. The cost of rides has increased due to the increased cost of fuel. Others: • None Review and approve bus Fair and Services: Motion by Albrecht, 2nd by Carbaugh to approve alternate routes or options on the 5th Friday of the month. Ayes – 3; Nays – 0. Motion carried. Motion by Carbaugh, 2nd by Albrecht to approve an increase in bus fare effective November 1, 2022, due to the rise in transportation costs and fuel. Ayes – 3; Nay – 0. Motion carried. The last fare increase was 2009. Riders Aged 55 & Over And/or Disabled 2008 2009 Proposed Increase Minimum # of Riders In Medford to dining site $0.50 $1.00 n/a Round trips within Taylor County $4.00 $5.00 $7.00 n/a Round trips to Marshfield, Wausau, Eau Claire $6.00 $7.00 $10.00 3 Round trip to Appleton/Alternate Option $6.00 $10.00 $15.00 5 General Public Round trips within Taylor County $5.00 $6.00 $10.00 n/a Round trips to Marshfield, Wausau, Eau Claire $7.00 $8.00 $10.00 Round trips to Appleton/Alternate Option $7.00 $11.00 $25.00 Review and approve 85.21 proposed expenditures: Motion by Albrecht, 2nd by Carbaugh to approve a new van expenditure, not to exceed $45,000. Monies to be used from the 85.21 grant. The van will be given to BRI to be used for local shopping days when ridership is low. This will be a more cost-effective option than the bus when utilized. Ayes – 3; nays – 0. Motion carried. Set Next Meeting Date: December 1, 2022, at 11AM in the Multi-purpose room at the COA. The Public Hearing will begin at 11 AM with the Transportation Committee meeting to follow. Adjourn Meeting: Motion by Albrecht, 2nd by Carbaugh to adjourn at 11:40 AM. Barbara Koch Accounting Specialist Commission on Aging TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2022 Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Mike Bub called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. Members Present: Mike Bub, Diane Albrecht, Lisa Carbaugh Members Absent: None Also Present: Amber Fallos, Black River Industries; Jenn Viergu tz and Michelle Brehm , Taylor County Commission on Aging Approve Minutes of the November 22, 2021 Meeting: MOTION by Albrecht to approve the November 22, 2021 meeting minutes as presented , second by Bub. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Approve Agenda: MOTION by Albrecht to approve the agenda with 10 items for the May 11, 2022 meeting, second by Carbaugh. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Public Input: None Reports Black River Industries (BRI): Director Amber Fallos reported that BRI is thriving and continues to grow. Requests for s upportive hom e care continue to increase. Currently there are 87 employees and thirteen buses in service. Commission on Aging bus service is going well and ridership is good. A 5310-grant application will be submitted in August to purchase additional vehicles including a wheelchair option miniv an. Fallos stated she is prou d of her staff and their ongoing mission to help those they serve. Taylor County Comm ission on A ging: Director Viergutz reported b us and volunt eer driver ridership numbers for 202 2 are increasing. One-way trips for first quarter 2022 were over 4,500 compared to approximately 12,000 one-way trips for all of 2021. Review / A pprove Rider Code of Conduct : Director Viergutz reviewed the Ri der Code of Conduct for the volunteer driver and minibus progra ms. Viergutz adde d her goal is to have participants review and sign the code annually to confirm they have read and agree to abide by the rules stated. MOTION to accept the Rider Code of Conduct as printed to be reviewed and signed by participants annually or as able by Albrecht, second by Carbaugh. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Volunteer Driver Reimbursement Rate : Currently volunteer drivers receive $.50 per mile reimbursement. Director Viergutz stated she would like to increase the reimbursement to t he federal rate of $.58 per mile as an incentive to retain drivers . The additional funds would be covered by 85.21 grant money. In a survey conducted by GWAAR, thirty of the thirty-six counties responding reimburse drivers at the federal rate. Following discussion, MOTION by Albrecht to reimburse volunteer drivers at the federal mileage reimbursement rate effective May 1st, 2022, second by Carbaugh. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. 85.21 Trust Fund Expenditure Plan : Director Viergutz stated the 85.21 carryov er trust fund currently has a balance of approximately $108,000 . The maximum allowed is $80,000 . The last expenditure from the trust took pl ace in 2012. Expenditures need to be approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the transportation committee. The Expenditure Plan includes: - Bus Software for Volunteer Driver Program / Bus Service: Director Viergutz spoke about the Assisted R ides software program to help streamline bus routes and transportation services offered. The cost includes an initi al set-up fee of $10,000 dollars with an annual maintenance fee of approximately $9,000 - $10,000 for up to 5,000 one-way trips. The nationwide program is recommended both by GWAAR and the DOT. Director Viergutz also proposed the purchase of four iPads (2 for minibuses and two for volunteer driver use) to work with the Assisted Rides software and provide GPS service. In addition to the purch ase price each device would have a cost of $38 per month for internet service. Bub suggested contacting counties comparable to Taylor County using the software for input and checking with IT to make sure the current computers are sufficient for the software. Following discussion, MOTION by Albrecht to spend up to $20,000 (a detailed list of items and costs to be emailed to board members) from the 85.21 trust fund to purchase bus software and iPads, second by Carbaugh. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. - Match for BRI Bus Purchase: Director Viergutz also asked to allocate 85.21 trust funds to Black River Industries to provide the required 20% ma tch of the 5310-grant used to purchase a new bus. BRI Director Fallos explained the new bus purchas ed will be designated for Commission on Aging transportation. MOTION by Carbaugh to app rove allocating up to $20,000 from the 85.21 trust to Black River Industries to p rovide the 20% match to purchase a new bus for Commission on Aging transportation, second by Albrecht. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Set Next Meeting Date: The next meeting of the Taylor County Transportation Coordination Committee will be scheduled as needed. Adjourn Meeting: MOTION by Albrecht to adjourn meeting, second by Carbaugh. All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 10:55 A.M.