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Transportation Committee
Wednesday, May 3, 2007
Commissioners in attendance: Chairperson Hans Walther, Jeremy Slowinski, Bob Woehr, Elbert Rackow, Joe Kanter, Amy Heart
Commissioners excused: Fred Hopfensperger
Others present: Susan Lemke
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Hans Walther.
Index of these Minutes:
1. Welcome Amy Heart and introduction of Commissioners.
2. Approval of the minutes from the April 4, 2007 Transportation Commission meeting.
3. Request for bus shelter/bus
shelter funding.
4. Trolley Bus discussion and possible action.
5. Paid advertising on front
advertising frames on buses.
6. Manager's Report: Freedom Pass update; New bus update; STRAP update; Community
transportation coordination training
7. Next meeting date.
8. Adjourn.
1. Welcome Amy Heart and introduction of Commissioners.
Amy Heart, the 5th district Alderperson, was recently
appointed by Mayor Halverson to the Transportation Commission. A warm welcome by all Commissioners was extended
to Amy and introductions made.
2. Approval of the minutes
from the April 4, 2007 Transportation Commission meeting.
Elbert Rackow moved to approve the minutes from
the April 4,
2007 Transportation Commission meeting.
Seconded by Jeremy Slowinski. Ayes all; Nays none; Motion carried.
3. Request for bus shelter/bus
shelter funding.
Manager Lemke presented a letter from Kathi Noah,
Evergreen Apartments Manager, in which Ms. Noah requests consideration of placement of a bus shelter at their location.
Manager Lemke stated this is the second request for a bus shelter from Evergreen apartments. She personally feels
a shelter is needed at this location. She has witnessed large numbers of students standing at this bus stop location
in inclement weather waiting for the bus on a number of occasions.
In 2005 Manager Lemke applied for, and was awarded, a federal grant in the amount of $130,000 for shelter placement
through out the SPT service area. The grant is an 80% federal-20% local match grant. Federal funds are secured
for (3) years, therefore Manager Lemke is suggesting a decision be made on whether or not the shelter project should
move forward.
Bob Woerh moved to authorize the Transit Manager to develop a shelter plan. The plan should include the proposed
location of new shelters with a prioritization list, noted locations and removal plan for old shelters, and the
estimated cost of the project, all of which shall be reported back to the Commission at the next meeting. Chairperson
Walther seconded. Ayes all; Nays none; Motion carried.
4. *Trolley Bus discussion
and possible action.*
Manager Lemke has been notified of a trolley bus
available for purchase in the Wisconsin Rapids area. The seller has indicated that he would like to see the trolley
go to the City of Stevens Point's bus fleet and has therefore offered to reduce his asking price for the trolley
from $32,000 to $25,000.
Manager Lemke stated there has been interest expressed in the past regarding purchasing a trolley. The trolley
would be used as a public relations/promotional tool. Some of the events it might be part of would be parades,
crazy days, downtown business events, occasionally put on regular routes, city open house events, Christmas light
tours, etc.
Elbert Rackow questioned funding for the trolley. Manager Lemke has contacted the state and they are willing to
amend a capital grant to allow 80%-20% funding. Elbert expressed concern regarding requesting funding for two projects.
He suggested using some promotional funds from the operating budget to cover the local share.
Amy Heart expressed concern regarding the fact that the trolley is a gas fueled vehicle. She would like to see
an alternative fuel vehicle rather than a gas vehicle.
Chairperson Walther stated part of the downtown main street design project specifies that City departments should
commit to supporting the downtown. He feels adding a trolley to our fleet would present a perfect opportunity to
benefit both the downtown and the Transit Dept.
Amy Heart requested Manager Lemke speak with the DBA and get a consensus from that group on how they would like
to see a trolley used in respect to the downtown.
The Commission instructed Manger Lemke to explore this topic further and discuss recommendations at the next meeting.
Elbert Rackow stated he feels the shelter project should take priority over the trolley.
5. Paid advertising on front
advertising frames on buses.
Clarification of the Commission's position on front
advertising frames was discussed.
Elbert Rackow moved that the City allow paid advertising on bus front advertising frames but reserve at least 50%
for city use only. Bob Woehr seconded. Ayes all; Nays none; Motion carried.
6. Manager's Report
Elbert Rackow moved to accept the Manger's report
and place it on file. Chairperson Hans Walther seconded. Ayes all; Nays none; Motion carried.
7. Next meeting date.
May 30th at 6:00 p.m.
8. Adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
The meeting minutes reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables, maps, and other documents that are a part of the official minutes are not included in the files reproduced on this website. Please consult the printed minutes, available in the City Clerk's Office, for the official text. The decisions made by City of Stevens Point boards, committees, and commissions (other than the Police & Fire Commission) are advisory only and are not binding on the City until affirmed at a meeting of the Common Council. Some of the minutes on this web site might not be approved by the Common Council as of today.