Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-11 Transportation Committee MeetingTRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OPEN SESSION MEETING MINUTES APRIL 11, 2017 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am in the Public Works Administration Conference Room. Present were Councilmember Dennis Dare, Council Member Tony DeLuca, Council President Lloyd Martin, Mayor Rick Meehan, City Manager Doug Miller, Hal Adkins, Mark Rickards, and Bethany Hooper 2. General Update and “Follow Up’s”  Review of ridership – Mark Rickards informed the Committee that we are currently running on Spring schedule. Councilmember DeLuca asked how year to date figures compare to last year for ridership. Mark responded that we are slightly down year to date by approximately 6%  Councilmember DeLuca asked what we can do to increase ridership, Mark said better/more marketing and increasing headway slightly in the winter months to 30 minutes intervals. Mayor Meehan asked if this increase would affect the budget, Mark stated that it would not; that we would move funds to cover the expense.  Update on driver recrui tment, Mark stated that we currently have 163 drivers and that are target goal was 165; currently only vacancies are supervisory and we are now hiring to backfill to maintain target number.  Mayor Meehan asked about Tram Driver recruitment – Mark stated that we need a few more Tram drivers with CDL’s. The Tram division has a lot of returning employees. Councilmember DeLuca asked what the target number is for Tram drivers, Mark responded that the target is 24 Tram drivers. 3. Update on Boardwalk Tram Replacements Discussions  Mayor Meehan stated that it is important to have a decision on the type of Tram (gas, electric, diesel, etc.) to be purchased due to the upcoming design of the storage facility at 2 nd Street.  Hal informed the Committee that at his request, Mark Rickard has formed a Committee to evaluate Tram replacement options. This Committee has had two meetings to date regarding this topic and has been evaluating the costs and feasibility of available options.  Hal stated that there are basically two fir ms that sell Trams. The Committee is leaving no stone unturned looking options to purchase new and replace inclusive of gas, diesel, electric, CNG, etc. The Committee is also going to evaluate the cost of refurbishing the existing Trams, as well as other options such as refurbishing coaches, obtain new power units, etc. There are three firms that have been found who in the United States that can refurbish the Trams one is in California, one is in Indiana and the other is in Florida.  Per Mark the Committe e is still evaluating options and is not ready to bring a suggestion to the Committee at this time. Should be ready to submit a viable option in 60 days.  The costs for electric units is $4.5 million and Hal informed the Committee that Wayne Pryor was looking into any types of grants that may be available to assist in purchase costs; have nothing in writing yet but verbally Wayne stated none were available at this time.  Hal stressed to the Committee that the timeline he has on the 2nd Street Building; which will hous e the Trams, is approximately 90 days to design. The RFP has been received, there were 5 submissions and a selection Committee has prepared their evaluation matrix. The RFP should be awarded, possibly tomorrow. Will nee d to know power source for Trams to design building; will need to know if a tank will need to be installed at site for fueling purposes or if we will need to incorporate charging stations into the site design. This specific decision will be needed by +/- June 15th.  Councilmember DeLuca feels the biggest question is the need to replace the Trams; has Catrice evaluated them and have they met her life expectancy criteria? Hal stated that he wasn’t sure of Catrice’s stance; but that Ron Eckman, the Fleet Manager has looked, inspected and evaluated the Trams. Mark stated that the Trams are 13 years old and that their life expectancy if 7 year. He stated that through inspection Ron had found a lot of rust on the chassis and underneath the bodies and that some of the electrical wiring needs replacement. Mark also e xpressed the concern for the availability of parts for the current units.  Hal stated that whether we start replacing the Trams now or do it a year from now; he does not want to see us wait too long and be affected by a major mechanical failure during the s eason that would affect the revenue from the units.  Councilmember DeLuca asked if we had looked into cost to refurbish. Hal stated that we are currently compiling costs associated with refurbishing; and also added that if we chose to refurbish we would have to send a couple units out at a time to be done; as Winterfest uses 6 of the 8 Trams during the winter.  Mayor Meehan asked about using Jeeps, like the one we currently have as power units. Mark stated that one concern with the use of the Jeep is the visibili ty when driving in the pedestrians on Boardwalk. Hal also pointed out that the Jeeps are not ADA compliant for passengers (the trailing coaches are not ADA accessible).  Mayor Meehan stated that all options available need to be looked at evaluated by Committee and brought forth to the Transportation Committee.  Councilmember DeLuca asked if we refurbish the existing units; what would their estimated life expectancy then be. Hal stated that if we refurbished the existing units; it would be basically a frame off restoration; and the units would be close to new again. Mark estimated that with the complete refurbish we could get approximately 6 years of use if used year round and approximately 12 years of use; utilizing them seasonally. Councilmember DeLuca requested the costs to refurbish be provided.  Mayor Meehan ask ed if we had considered raising the fare to ride the Tram? Mark stated that Jennie had brought up a fare increase in one of the Tram Committee meetings. The current fare is $3; an increase in fare could help subsidize costs or replacement or refurbishing Trams.  Mayor Meehan asked City Manager, Doug Miller to work with Jennie to provide projected revenue figures for a fare increase ($4 and $5). Hal stated to the Committee that he knew that Jennie had a spreadsheet created that had historical revenue information on it as well as effect/fare elasticity.  Mayor Meehan stated that with the credit card machines on the Trams making payment to ride easier; he did not feel a fare increase would affect ridership.  Hal asked Mark if a CNG model of Tram currently exists ; Mark said that it does; however it is just an engine no passenger capacity.  Councilmember Dare stated that the Tram is an amusement ride and that he felt evaluating all options for replacement including refurbishing should be evaluated. When evaluating also analyze payback. If the units are already rusted and have wiring issues maybe too late to refurbish.  Mayor Meehan requested that a report from the Tram Committee be brought back to the Transportation Committee with all of the available options for consideration; their cost factor inclusive of all costs associated with option; cost payback, life expectancy and any expected revenue increase due to option of raising fares.  Councilmember Martin stated that he is in favor of increasing the fares; he said that they increased the fare to ride the Tram at Winterfest and it did not hurt the ridership numbers.  Councilmember DeLuca requested that Jennie provide projected revenue figure for increasing revenue to $4 as well as an increase to $5.  Councilmember Martin said that we need to look at the costs and the payback. He suggested possibly sending one unit out to be refurbished and see if costs and payback warrant refurbishing remaining units; or other options should be considered.  Hal stated that most important was that in 60 days he needs to know a decision on fuel to power Trams for design of 2nd Street Building. If we want to have Trams for next season; we need to have a decision by September to order new one or send out to refurbish.  Mayor Meehan stated that the directive is to look at all options available for replacement and refurbishing all or portions of existing Trams . Bring back cost factors, payback, life expectancy and any expected revenue increases.  Mark stated that the Committee would get toge ther this month and would have options to present to Transportation Committee with all costs factors requested.  Hal asked that the Mayor and City Council please leave the $200,000 in the budget for Trams; whether we purchase new or refurbish; the funding w ill be needed. 4. Synopsis and Action Items  Bus ridership year to date is down approximately 6%. Mark feels that with additional advertising and marketing; and an increase in headway during the Winter months to 30 minutes, ridership will come up.  Recruitment efforts – we currently have 163 drivers on payroll, the goal is 165 drivers. We are now hiring to backfill to maintain target goal.  Tram Division has a lot of returning employees. Target goal for Tram drivers is 24.  Continued discussions on Boardwalk Trams; Hal stated that for the design efforts at 2nd Street; he will need to know in 60 days what type of fuel source the Trams will be utilizing; so that he will know whether he needs to place a fuel storage tank or electric charging stations.  Hal informed that Committee that at his request, Mark has formed a Tram Committee; this Committee is evaluating various options and costs.  The directive to the Tram Committee from this meeting is to come back with cost factors, payback, life expectancy and any revenue increases with each option to be considered for replacing the Trams. This is inclusive of purchasing new, refurbishing existing, etc.  Hal also requested that the $200,000 currently requested in the FY’18 budget for Trams be kept in the budget; whether we purchase new and it is a payment or we refurbish the existing Trams; the funding will be needed. 5. Adjourn – Council President Martin motioned to adjourn the open session at 9:38 am; Councilman DeLuca seconded the motion, vote was unanimous. Adjourned to closed session to discuss legal issues. The next Transportation Committee Meeting will be Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 9 am in the Public Works Administration Conference Room.