Kankakee Times

River Valley Metro Mass Transit District Board of Trustees met Jan. 8.

Here is the agenda 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, Secretary Kelly St. Aubin, Board Members: Norman Grimsley, Carole Franke, and David Hinderliter.

Staff Members Present: Managing Director Robert Hoffmann, Managing Director in Training Siron Sims, Director of Administration Lois Bentley, Director of Administration in Training Amanda Taylor, Facilities Manager Tim Goodman, Director of Operations Michelle Brutlag, COO Ken Munjoy, Transit Officer Rich Berns, Transit Officer Dan Fritcher

Others Present: Charles Posejpal, First Transit

Pledge of Allegiance: Tim Goodman led the Metro Board and others in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public with Business to Come Before the Board:

None

Consent Agenda: Nick Allen 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: Mark Argyelan

Mark Argyelan thanked all for the quick response to the request for a warming bus at the recent grain elevator accident.

Dr. Don Daake mentioned our Midway service in his recent column in the Daily Journal.

Mark Argyelan reported to the Bourbonnais village board during their monthly meeting. They were very pleasantly surprised at the number of people using our service in Bourbonnais.

Managing Director’s Report: Robert Hoffmann

Lisa Dugan brought Sen. Joyce here for a meeting that went very well for all. Rob Hoffmann and Siron Sims also met recently with IDOT staff in Chicago. Charles Posejpal, the new First Transit general manager assigned to River Valley Metro, was introduced.

Operations Report: Charles Posejpal

54,365 rides were provided in November this year, compared to 54,673 last year. 55,070 rides were provided in December this year, compared to 50,851 last year. All of the drivers on loan from First Transit have gone home. We currently have 47 operators, 1 in behind-the-wheel training, 2 cadets, and 3 in class.

First Transit has initiated a program that allows people to be nominated to receive ADA equipment. Details to come.

Complaints/Comments: Michelle Brutlag

15 complaints in the last 7 weeks.

189 passengers needed to be transported by CCS and MPD.

Board Report:

We need to send a Thank You letter to the First Transit managers who provided us with drivers.

Carole Franke mentioned appreciation for free rides when the wind chill is zero or below.

Mark Argyelan reported that the donation to Shop with A Cop from our Black Friday fare box collections was $906.

New Business:

Facility Security

Tim Goodman and Officer Fritcher were recognized for their involvement in our recent security incident, resulting in a positive outcome. Sherriff Downey was on hand to present recognition certificates and expressed his appreciation of the partnership between the Kankakee County Sherriff’s Department and River Valley Metro.

Rob Hoffmann contacted IDOT concerning possible funding for security enhancements to our lobby area. Our Bus Stop Improvement contract has been amended to allow up to $50,000 for these enhancements.

In addition, a building evacuation siren will be installed.

Drive Cams

First Transit installed drive cams on all buses. With First Transit’s assistance, we are getting 3 of these cameras to install on our facilities truck, our maintenance truck, and our CCS vehicle.

Capital Grants/IDOT

IDOT has $220 million available for downstate projects that are already included in the Capital Needs Assessment. Our projects, new vehicles, new shop, etc., are on that list.

February Meeting

Mark Argyelan requested that the February meeting be moved to February 18 instead of February 25. All agreed to that new date.

Old Business:

Kankakee Metro Centre

Rob Hoffmann and Siron Sims met with Mayor Wells-Armstrong last week and updated the board regarding progress on this project.

New Website

Is scheduled to launch on February 3rd. Thank you to the Kankakee Camera Club for providing local photos to be used on the site.

There will be no “next bus” technology on the new site as we have not been able to find an affordable option that works well.

Questions from the news media: None

Other Business to come Before the Board:

None.

Executive Session

None

Adjournment

Jerry Pearce made a motion to adjourn at 8:53 AM. Motion was seconded by Norman Grimsley and approved by all.

https://www.rivervalleymetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Board-Minutes-1-28-20.pdf