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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-1 MTSC Meeting Notes for 17Dec13MASS TRANSIT Subcommittee of the PCDP Meeting Notes Date: 12/17/13 Time: 4:30 Plar.P• HPP MTS Members and Attendee list Members absent are indicated by an W" Communication No. 2014 -1 Marty Mimmack - June Conant -- Action X Mark Hinshaw- -Pahoa Subcommittee Chair Committee Regional Town Center mimmackmotivational @ yahoo.com jumemcOyahoo.com bailevsdad(a hawaiiantel.net X Stephanie Bath Sharon Daun -- Action Rusty Jones stephbath@gmail.com Committee rustyinpunaO2mail.com Terry Daun terrydaun2006 a yahoo.com X Chris Cholas - -HDRC Hannah Hedrick Jon Olson -- Transit Commission cscholas@,hawaii.rr.com hedrickhneca(a aol.com jon63 1 Learthlink.net Honorary Members: Marlene Hapai and Jerry Reiss 1. Call to Order and Chair Report: Marty commented on his report to the PCDP AC and on the Tribune article evaluating Mayor Kenoi's performance, which quoted Marty's comments related to some of the "less successful" performance areas, including lack of public transportation to the Hilo airport (a major priority in the PCDP). 2. Additions to the Agenda: No additions were suggested for the agenda. 3. Announcements: Upcoming MTS meetings are at 4:30 p.m. in HPP on: January 21, February 18, and March 18. The PCDP AC meeting is January 14. 4. Approval of MTS Meeting Notes: No changes were made in the November 21 MTS Meeting Notes. 5. New Business: A) CIP Request for Island -wide Mass Transit Master Plan: Marty reported that via email, Larry Brown encouraged him to submit a CIP for about $200,000 and suggested that the MTS identify other funds, in case the CIP route is not successful. Marty and Rusty researched funding sources via "e- Civis." Jon Olson offered to help the MTS identify unused or unallocated funds that could be used to develop the Mass Transit Master Plan. Marty read Sections 10, 11, 12, and 16 of the CIP form he filled out, which will be discussed with June, Sharon, and Oshi. Jon suggested that the concept of "Population -Based Benchmarks" be added to keep planning efforts based on data. B) Hannah's emails and mass transit concerns: Hannah pointed out that no AC CIPS are related to PCDP MT priorities, such as bus service to the Hilo airport. She thanked Marty for pointing out in his report to the AC that subcommittee /AC communication protocols need to be developed and that subcommittee information needs to be more readily available to the public. C) Report from County Transit Commissioner, Jon Olson: Marty congratulated Jon on his appointment as Chair of the County Transit Commission. Jon reported that he will keep the "long - festering wound of bus service to the airport" on the agenda and invited MTS members to attend Commission meetings; he will provide dates for upcoming meetings. Jon will continue to explore relationships with public transportation "stakeholders," including new players, such as medical providers who face new responsibilities for serving residents. D) Pahoa Regional Town Center Mass Transit and Planning Issues: In Mark Hinshaw's absence, Jon reported that the Pahoa planning group is proposing a "Hub and Spoke" system (a high priority in the PCDP) and that large potential site parcels have been identified on Post Office Road. Conversations with Greggor Iligan are being planned, because the proposed Hub and Spoke Mass Transit Center cite is in his district. 6. Unfinished Business A) Attendees reviewed the 6 MTS Action Plan short-term objectives approved at the November meeting: 1. Research, draft, and publish a document that sets forth our specific needs, rationale and justification for requiring Hawaii County to complete an Island -wide Mass Transit Master Plan. 2. Work with the Mayor's Office to secure county funding for a Big Island Mass Transit Master Plan. 3. Attend County Transit Commission meetings and other meetings where Mass Transit developments are discussed. 4. Support and network personally with Puna District representatives and all "village center" groups. 5. Research and develop MAP -21 funding leads with key national, state and local elected representatives 6. Recommend actions and notify the PCDP Action Committee of important issues, policies, council bills and concerns. Based on these objectives, Marty's December report to the AC requested the AC to discuss the following specific activities at its January 2014 meeting: 1. Develop a specific protocol for communicating with the AC chair and members that subcommittee chairs can use for official PCDP business. 2. Update the PCDP website to more accurately reflect current subcommittees. 3. Ask the planning department to obtain and share the "official" administrative procedures for establishing new bus stops. 4. Reinsert a Mass Transit plank on the PCDP AC priority list. 5. Establish consistent communication with Puna /Ka'u State Senator Russell Ruderman and Rep. Faye Hanohano to develop a course of action for obtaining Federal Transit Administration grants that we are woefully missing out on because of lack of critical personnel at the state level. B: Subcommittee Operations: Marty described the process he will be using to guide MTS operations, including the Google site where relevant documents are now located. C: Tiffany Kai, Mass Transit Followup: June reported on the difficulties she has experienced when trying to address mass transit issues. D: MAP -21 report: Rusty and Marty provided information on their efforts to identify possible funding sources, and brought up e -Civis information on Marty's computer. Rusty was able to give Senator Russell Ruderman a copy of the information about MAP -21 funds. The Senator did not appear to be aware of the $150,000,000 that counties can apply for. Jon again emphasized that we will not see progress in this or other MT areas unless one employee is hired specifically to identify and allocate existing funds that could be redirected to mass transit, who can identify and apply for other relevant grants, etc. 7. Agenda for Next Meeting A. Report on and discussion of the actions of the AC in response to Marty's request (see 6A above) at the December 10 AC meeting, including any relevant CIPS B. MTS members report on their research, communications, etc, related to MAP -21 8. Adjournment