Kankakee Times

River Valley Metro Mass Transit District Board of Trustees met April 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Chairman Allen called the regularly scheduled River Valley Metro Board of Directors meeting to order at 3:00 pm.

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

Staff Members Present: Managing Director Robert Hoffmann and COO Ken Munjoy

Others Present: Siron Sims (First Transit), Geoff Olson (Kankakee County Planning), David Douglass (Transit Officer), Joe Cankar (Attorney), Lois Bentley (RVM)

Pledge of Allegiance: Norman Grimsley 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. Kelly St. Aubin 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)

Triennial Review is next Thursday and Friday. A summary report will be ready for the next board meeting.

A GATA compliant contract for buses to be purchased with last year’s 5339 grant money has not yet been written. RVMMTD has been notified that we will receive 9 buses through this grant. However, since there is no contract, the bid process for manufacturers has not yet begun. Rob Hoffmann has contacted IDOT and suggested that they allow the grant money to be used to purchase already built 2016 or 2017 buses. No decision yet.

All-employee meetings will be held tomorrow (4/28) to announce proposed route/schedule changes.

Rob Hoffmann will be meeting with all mayors to discuss the proposed changes.

Operations Report: (Siron Sims)

March ridership = 66,993

We have 37 operators. A hiring event is scheduled for May 10 and 11.

Complaint Customer Service Report:

There were 9 complaints/comments in the last month.

Customer Care Supervisors transported 117 passengers last month.

Board Report:

Mark Argyelan reported that a friend recently used the Midway Airport service and raved about its convenience and positive experience.

New Business:

We received only one bid for our operating contract. We are in the process of contacting companies that requested a bid packet but did not submit a bid to determine their reasons for not doing so.

A motion was made by Norman Grimsley and seconded by Jerry Pearce to authorize Joe Cankar and Rob Hoffmann to continue negotiating a contract with First Transit at a rate less than or equal to $36.83 per revenue hour. A roll call vote was taken, and all were in favor.

A motion was made by Norman Grimsley and seconded by Kelly St, Aubin to accept the new local share determination. A roll call vote was taken, and all were in favor.

We recently learned that our policy regarding the time frame for ADA appeals must match the time frame for suspensions. A motion was made by Carole Franke and seconded by Norman Grimsley to make this policy change. A roll call vote was taken, and all were in favor.

Old Business:

None

Questions from the news media:

None

Other Business to come Before the Board:

None

Executive Session

Motion to go into executive session was made by Jerry Pearce and seconded by Kelly St. Aubin at 3:17 p.m.. Roll call vote passed unanimously.

Returned from executive session and resumed open session at 3:30 p.m..

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Jerry Pearce, seconded by Kelly St. Aubin, and a unanimous yes vote of all members, meeting was adjourned at 3:31 p.m.