Kankakee Times

The River Valley Metro Mass Transit District board of directors called a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 22.

The board of directors is tasked with considering and approving all sorts of matters related to metro mass transit in the River Valley area.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the River Valley Metro Mass Transit District board of directors:

March 22, 2016

Metro Centre 1137 E 5000 North Road Bourbonnais IL 60914

Board of Director Minutes

Chairman Allen called the regularly scheduled River Valley Metro Board of Directors

meeting to order at 3:02 pm.

Attending Board Members: Chairman Nick Allen, Vice Chairman Norman Grimsley,

Treasurer Susan Legris, Board Members: Mark Argyelan, Carole Franke via phone

conference Secretary Kelly St. Aubin, absent: Jerry Pearce

Staff Members Present: Managing Director; Robert Hoffmann, Director of

Operations and Recording Secretary; Michelle Brutlag, Director of Administration;

Lois Bentley, General Manager; Ken Munjoy

Others Present: Siron Sims (First Transit), Geoff Olson (Kankakee County Planning)

Pledge of Allegiance: Nick Allen led the Metro Board and others in attendance in

the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public with Business to Come Before the Board: NONE

Consent Agenda: Carole Franke made a motion to approve the consent agenda.

Norman Grimsley seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken of those in

attendance, with all in favor. Consent agenda approved.

Communications:

Chairman’s Report: (Nick Allen)

NONE

Managing Director’s Report: (Robert Hoffmann)

 Reminded everyone that the Employee Banquet is Saturday, 4/2 at 5pm at the

Manteno Golf Course

 Economic Interest Report was forwarded to the Board yesterday

 The Comprehensive Operational Analysis was released on the first of March,

with 14 companies requesting it. Questions were due last Friday. We have

received a few.

 At the next Board meeting we will be bringing you the First Transit contract

extension. Right now we are looking at pay scales and trying to determine

why we have such a large turnover during the first year of employment.

Operations Report: (Siron Sims)

February ridership = 71508; Year to date ridership = 618001

We have 47 operators with 3 in training behind the wheel, 2 will be done Thursday,

1 on Saturday. We have a new class starting on April 11th.

Board Report:

Mark Argyelan was approached by 6 people who appreciate the Midway service.

Carole and Nick agreed. They get approached as well.

New Business:

Legislative Update

Tomorrow there is a meeting with the State Association to address some items,

including conceal and carry being allowed on transit. There was much discuss on

conceal and carry and how it affects transit.

Motion was made by Mark Argyelan to direct Mr. Hoffmann to back conceal and

carry action in Senate Bill 2361 and House Bill 6047 on Metro buses and property.

There was no second to the motion. Motion did not pass.

Motion was made by Susan Legris to not oppose the conceal carry action. There was

no second to the motion. Motion did not pass.

Old Business:

Bus Wash System

Bids were received by two companies. Our staff went out and tried out the systems.

They liked the Bitimec system the best. There were drawings with the bids and this

is an American company. Bid was $20,500.

Motion was made by Norman Grimsley to proceed with the purchase of the bus

washing system recommended by the staff. Carole Franke seconded the motion. Roll

call vote was taken with all in attendance in favor, motion passes.

Radios

We have begun installation of the new radio system. We will be phasing them all in

within the next two weeks. Grimsley stated if we have any issues with receptions on

the radios, to please contact him.

Complaint Report

Legris asked why they have not been receiving the monthly complaints. Hoffmann

stated he was concerned with confidentiality of the report. A recap will be sent to

the Board.

Audit

Legris asked if the audit has been completed. Hoffmann stated the audit is at the

FTA, Lois will follow-up. There were no findings this year. The audits do not fall at

the same time every year. There have been no other audits to review.

Questions from the news media:

NONE

Other Business to come Before the Board:

NONE

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Norman Grimsley, seconded by Mark Argyelan, and a

unanimous yes vote of all members, meeting was adjourned at 3:37 p.m.