Kankakee Times

Kankakee Public Library Board of Trustees met Aug. 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Chairman Argyelan called the regularly scheduled River Valley Metro Board of Directors meeting to order at 8:00 AM.

Attending Board Members: Chairman Mark Argyelan, Vice-Chairman Jerry Pearce, Treasurer Nick Allen, Board Members: Norman Grimsley, Carole Franke, Kelly St. Aubin (phone), and David Hinderliter

Staff Members Present: Managing Director Robert Hoffmann, Director of operations Michelle Brutlag, COO Ken Munjoy, Transit Officer Richard Berns, Transit Officer Mike Raymond, Director of Administration Lois Bentley

Others Present: Siron Sims, First Transit, Janis Borchardt, ATU, Kevin Holliday, First Transit, Theodore Barr, First Transit

Pledge of Allegiance: Kelly St. Aubin 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. Nick Allen seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken of those in attendance, with all in favor. Consent agenda approved.

Communications:

Chairman’s Report: Mark Argyelan

During a conversation at a restaurant recently, Mark Argyelen’s neighbors were complementing our Midway service. Other people in the restaurant overheard the conversation and joined in, expressing their satisfaction with the service also.

Managing Director’s Report: Robert Hoffmann

Our Bus Stop at Midway has been relocated to the Regional Bus area due to construction at our previous location.

New recording equipment was installed in the board room at a cost of less than $7000. Old equipment was unreliable and was using the microphone in the camera instead of the microphone on the table.

Operations Report: Siron Sims

56,154 rides were provided in June and 60,311 in July.

We have 43 Operators and 2 people testing for CDL. An orientation is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday.

Complaints/Comments

28 complaints in the last 7 weeks. 8 were not valid. 13 are under review. Cameras on the buses help with the investigations.

214 passengers needed to be transported by CCS and MPD from 6/1 – 8/10.

Board Report:

Mark Argyelen asked that any ideas to increase ridership be sent to him.

New Business:

Metro Plus

Our denial rate is too high and we are looking at adding another bus during peak times. Additional service on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm would significantly reduce denials. Industry standard is to average 2.5 passengers per hour. In FY 19, we were at 2.8. In July, we were at 2.9.

Architect RFQ

We received 4 responses. One was eliminated due to no transit experience. Responses have been scored and we are talking to architects.

Old Business:

Excess Fleet

Running buses are being sold on an online auction site. Others are being sold for scrap. The freed up space in our lot will be used for a training course for new drivers and possibly for the Bourbonnais Fire Department.

Accessibility Improvements

Moving along quickly. Most IDOT Bus Stops have now been permitted. Riverside on East Court St. paid for a pad on their property. We appreciate their partnership.

Website Design

ADA scheduling software options are being considered. The current software does not provide reports that we need.

Some new options for the website could include “next bus” technology.

Questions from the news media: None

Other Business to come Before the Board:

None

Executive Session

Norm Grimsley made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:23 AM. Motion was seconded by David Hinderliter and was approved unanimously by a roll call vote.

Return to Open Session at 847 AM

Ms. Franke made the motion to accept the Managing Directors notice of retirement. Second by Mr. Pearce. Roll call vote all in favor.

Mr. Pearce made the motion to create the temporary position of Managing Director Designee and to place Siron Sims in this position no later than January 1, 2020. Second by Ms. St. Aubin. Roll call vote all in favor.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Pearce second by Ms. St. Aubin at 8:51 A.M. All were in favor.

http://www.rivervalleymetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/August-2019-Minutes.pdf