Access-A-Bus

Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee

Minutes of November 24, 2004 meeting

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

Meeting called to order at 2:10 PM

2. INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Present: Catherine Macintosh, Margo Sims, Todd Hacquoil (Chair), Joeanne Coffey (Sec), Dawn Eyland-Reiss, Jen Powley (MAL), Nancy Josey, Robert Von Schroder, Gwen McLaughlin, Councilor Gary Meade,
Gary Russell (Vice), Lynn DeMont (Sec), Carol Epstein

Regrets / Absents
None

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 27, 2004

Moved by Robert, seconded by Margo that the minutes of October 27 be approved. Motion passed.

4. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

Moved by Nancy, seconded by Gary Russell, that the order of the agenda as changed, and the added items for discussion be approved. Motion passed.

ADDED ITEMS
11.5 Christmas Busing Gary R.

5. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

5.1 Approval of Low Floor Bus Subcommittee Description: Questions were raised about disruption of service for persons with disabilities (PWD) using ALF buses during winter months. Excessive snow and snow blocking entry areas determine interruption of this service for wheelchair users. Metro Transit has agreed to pass complaints from PWD about ALF buses to the Low Floor Bus Subcommittee. It was suggested that the subcommittee view all complaints about ALF buses. Presently, this doesn't seem possible but could be considered in the future. Moved by Joeanne, seconded by Robert, that the description of the Low Floor Bus Subcommittee circulated at the October meeting be passed (this description includes the subcommittee's ability to monitor complaints related to PWD using ALF buses). Motion passed.

5.2 Brain Storming Items
A SUBCOMMITTEES:
Moved by Margo, seconded by Carol that the Public Relations (PR) Subcommittee be formed to deal with the 25th anniversary of AAB. Motion passed. Lynn, Margo, Carol, Jen, Catherine and Gwen volunteered for this subcommittee. Jen excused herself from working on the anniversary project but would like to be involved with other PR issues.

Moved by Margo, seconded by Gary Russell that the Policy & Procedure Manual Subcommittee be formed to compile policies and administrative procedures. Motion passed. This committee could also form an orientation package for new ATAC members. The policy and procedure manual will be shared and cross-referenced with Metro Transit's documentation on relevant issues. Jen, Margo, Nancy, Carol, Dawn and Gary Russell volunteered to work on this subcommittee.

B. ACTION ITEMS
Gary R. will work on the Lloyd Sampson Award. Gary will take suggestions from committee members and bring back recommendations to the committee on how to change the award.

5.3 Numbering of Buses: Larry reported this should be finished very soon (some numbers were inadvertently placed on Plexiglas dividers). There are 5 new buses. A new driver will not be hired for awhile.

6. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION
None

7. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS

7.1 Eligibility Criteria: Larry reported this is a huge item which will probably be worked on for the next 2 years. A consultant may be brought in to assess the transformation process. Presently, applications to use AAB are being carefully scrutinized. ATAC members want to be directly involved in forming criteria that determines who can use AAB. The Chair will speak with Brian Taylor and determine when meeting about eligibility to use AAB will start. The Chair will also see if a member from ATAC can be involved in these discussions.

7.2 Progress Report Rapid Transit: Larry presented a brief over view of the rapid transit system which is to start August 2005. ALF buses slated for rapid transit routes will be able to carry wheelchair users. Questions were asked about AAB using rapid transit lanes to save travel time. Metro Transit will evaluate this once the system is up and running.

7.3 Late Cancellation/48 Hour Notice Policy: Deferred

7.4 Marg Hiltz & Mel Hebb Memorial Plaques: Plaques have been found and fixed up. The Committee decided Marg's plaque should be given to her family. If her family don't want it, the plaque will go to DIAL (Disabled Individual Alliance). Mel's plaque should be offered to his widow; if she doesn't want the plaque, it should be placed in Metro Transit's museum. Plaques should be presented at the AGM if this is agreeable to Mel and Marg's families.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

8.1 IN; One new request for an appeal process received

8.2 OUT; none

8.3 No Petitions

8.4 No Presentations

9. REPORTS

9.1 No-Show/Cancellation Subcommittee: One new request for an appeal process has been received. Todd is stepping down as Chair of this subcommittee. Members of this subcommittee will select a new Chair to fill the Chair position of this subcommittee.

9.2 Accessible Low Floor Bus Subcommittee: Todd has stepped down as Chair of this subcommittee and Joeanne will take the Chair position. Report to Metro Transit recommending new ALF routes in the budget was circulated in the monthly package.

9.3 Executive Meeting: Minutes were circulated in the monthly package.

9.4 Transit Services Statistical Report: Report circulated but not discussed.

10. MOTIONS
No Motions

11. ADDED ITEMS

11.1 Election of Member At Large for the next six-month term: Margo and Nancy were both nominated for this executive position. Margo was elected.

11.2 Location of Meetings from January to April 2005: Monthly meetings will be the 4th Wednesday of each month, 3rd floor Duke Towers. The AGM will be held May 25, 2005 in the Dartmouth North Community Centre. The location of Executive meetings is not finalized yet (December's Executive meeting will be by phone). A list of all the meetings and their location will be sent to members.

The Committee feels additional meetings are needed to tackle Brain Storming items. Many items require input from Metro Transit. However, the committee feels it's important that ATAC be involved in discussions around these items (eligibility criteria for example). The mission statement of ATAC should also be developed in one of the special meetings. The committee agreed to have 3 extra meetings to work on Brain Storming items (a minimum of 2 items will be discussed at each special meeting). Direction from Metro Transit is needed to help ATAC decide which items can be worked on. Moved by Nancy, seconded by Gary Russell, that the Chair write a letter to Brian Taylor requesting input and direction on Brain Storming items that ATAC can work on without encroaching on Metro Transit's authority (this letter should be copied to Moss Mombourquette and Larry Hilton). Motion carried. It's hoped by January 2005 ATAC will know which items it can be explored in a work plan.

11.3 Budget: The Committee would like to have more information on how the budget for AAB is formed, which factors influence the budget, and how the budget proposal is "pitched" to City Council. Larry explained he's preparing a preliminary budget to be done by February 2005. Dawn will call members of the Committee to take questions from members about the budget. These questions will be given to Larry. At the January 2005 ATAC meeting, Larry will try to answer these questions on the AAB budget. Any other material he wishes to present will help inform the Committee about the budget.

11.4 Name Tags on Driver's Uniforms: In order to protect the identity and privacy of operators, Metro Transit doesn't use ID badges on uniforms (this includes all nametags or names sewn into fabric).

11.5 Extra Buses for Xmas Shopping: Larry may have extra hours in the budget that can be used to put more buses on the service prior to Christmas. He will check into this soon.

12. NOTICES OF MOTION
None

13. ADJOURNMENT 4 PM. Next meeting January 26, 2005 Metro Transit

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