Kankakee Times

The River Valley Metro Mass Transit District Board met Tuesday, April 26.

The board meets once each month at 3 p.m. in the Board Room of Metro Centre at 1137 E. 5000 N. Road, Bourbonnais. Days vary.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the River Valley Metro Mass Transit District Board:

River Valley Metro Mass Transit District

April 26, 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 3:01 pm.

Attending Board Members: Chairman Nick Allen, Vice Chairman Norman Grimsley, Treasurer Susan Legris, Board Members: Mark Argyelan, Carole Franke, Kelly St. Aubin, Jerry Pearce

Staff Members Present: Managing Director; Robert Hoffmann, Director of Operations and Recording Secretary; Michelle Brutlag, Director of Administration; Lois Bentley, Chief Operating Officer; Ken Munjoy

Others Present: Siron Sims (First Transit), Geoff Olson (Kankakee County Planning), Derek Ryan (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department), David Douglas (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department)

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 as presented. Norman Grimsley seconded the motion. A role call vote was taken of those in attendance, with all in favor. Consent agenda approved.

Discussion: Mark Argyelan inquired about the balance sheet. He states that it says local governments between last year and this year have a year-to-date difference of $114,000. Robert Hoffmann states that we have not received this year’s yet because we just sent out the bills at the end of last month. The fiscal year-to-date is unknown at this time.

Communications:

Chairman’s Report: (Nick Allen)

Nick Allen thanked everyone who was able to make it to the employee recognition dinner and to all that helped organize and orchestrate the event.

Managing Director’s Report: (Robert Hoffmann) – None

Operations Report: (Siron Sims)

March ridership = 75,553; Year to date ridership = 693,554

We have 48 operators with 3 in training behind the wheel and will be finishing at the end of this week. We currently have 1 out cadetting and she will be into revenue by the end of the week. We have a new class starting on May 9.

Complaint Customer Service Report: (Michelle Brutlag) In the last month we received a total of 11 complaints; 9 of which are considered valid. The other 2 were unsupported and unable to be proven. It is important that these complaints are passed on to the appropriate person so that they can be retrained about the mistakes that were made. Michelle needs to receive all complaints so that they can be properly addressed and dealt with accordingly. There were also 86 customer transports made by our CCS Supervisors this month.

Board Member Comments/Questions: What would be considered a training issue? Not calling in to dispatch for a 10-7 (bathroom break) is a perfect example.

What is the difference between driving complaints and safety security? Michelle Brutlag: Driving complaints usually consist of speeding, taking turns too quickly, or slamming on the brakes. As far as safety security goes, a passenger came into the Metro Centre and notified our staff that someone on the bus was flicking a knife. We immediately called 911 to have that passenger removed from the bus.

How do you verify the complaints such as drivers driving too fast?

Robert Hoffman: Black boxes (Fleet Complete); we also have 4 vehicles with active cameras that can capture anything out of order at any time point stops. Some complaints also come from our staff. Michelle, for instance, has seen a driver running a yellow light.

Board Report: None

New Business:

CVP Application – These busses are $110,000 each and we have 5339 federal money that is not being used that is specifically set aside for smaller urban systems. We can still use the toll revenue credit for the match, making it 100% federal money. We have applied for 13 vehicles. The bid is being modified to add luggage racks. This will take approximately 1 1?2 years at the least. Gas engines buses are available which will eliminate the DEF and regen systems problems. We submitted the application on May 12.

First Transit Operating Contract – We are coming up on our last year of contract with First Transit. Agreed to 2% increase for final option year. Intend to go out with an RFP for that contract by January 2017. This is our 5th and last option to contract. A part of the COA is to look at our driver pay. What are the driver’s being paid here, is it adequate, and are there things that we can do to slow the turnover? We need to readdress a minimum pay scale, but we have not done this in the past.

Motion was made by Jerry Pearce to increase the final option year contract for First Transit by 2%. Motion was seconded by Mark Argyelan. A role call vote was taken of those in attendance, with all in favor.

Old Business: COA Award – Robert Hoffmann did not do any scoring. We did a phone interview with Aecom; the lead consultant was just finishing up a long term plan for Topeka, Kansas’ (very similar to us).

Board Member Comments/Questions: What is the range of cost? The lowest bid was $124,700. (Not to exceed $137,000.) The lowest bidder had the highest hourly rate.

A motion was made by Carole Franke to award the COA contract to AECOM not to exceed $137,000. Motion was seconded by Kelly St. Aubin. A role call vote was taken of those in attendance, with all in favor.

Questions from the news media: None

Other Business to come Before the Board: None

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Jerry Pearce, seconded by Norman Grimsley, and a unanimous yes vote of all members, meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.