SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

            MINUTES       May 07, 2025

Present              Voting Attendees:  

Cristina Leal                             ARC- Imperial Valley

                        Raul Cordova                           IC Work Training Center

                        David Aguirre                          ICTC

                        Sarah Enz                                 Public Administrator

                        Mike Hack                               Senior Consumer

                        Andrew Sanchez                       Imperial Valley College

Non-Voting Attendees:

Jose Guillen                             IVT MedTrans/IVT Ride

Helio Sanchez                           IVT Transit

Cesar Sanchez                          IVT Transit

Karla Pacheo                            IVT ACCESS

                        Carolina García                        Public Authority Program

                        Jeanette Castillo                       Social Services

                        Yvette Valenzuela                    Department of Social Services

                        Dennis Brookes                        Kathrine & Associates

                        Andrea Breault                        Kathrine & Associates

                        Priscilla Baca                           ICTC

                        Espy Avila                               ICTC

1.       Mr. Hack called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.                                        A quorum was present.

2.        Introductions were made.

-          Hybrid meeting.

3.       Minutes were adopted for March 5, 2025, and April 2, 2025 (Enz, Cordova) Motion Carried.

4.       CTSA Reports:

Mr. Aguirre had the following information:

·         The SSTAC findings letter has been completed. The UTN public hearing took place on April 7, 2025, followed by the findings meeting on April 28, 202

We are finalizing designs for the Bus Stop Improvement Project, which includes shade and seating at the bus stop in front of the El Centro library, with construction procurement starting soon. Additionally, we will explore transportation needs in northern Imperial County and add an express route from Calexico to IVC and back in the evening.

·         These items include ongoing support for IVT Ride, IVT MedTrans, Imperial Valley Transit, IVT ACCESS, and Calexico on Demand Service, while complying with FTA provisions.

·         We completed the UTN process and are finalizing actions for board approval at the end of May. Afterward, we'll forward the item to CALTRANS to incorporate some aspects into our budget, then we can implement those items during our 25-26 fiscal year

·         We are 90% complete with the bus stop improvement projects and are waiting for comments from El Centro, Calipatria, and Westmoreland to finalize plans for next month. Once we do, we can proceed with procurement for construction this summer. These projects, which are linked to shelter improvements, will take 8-12 weeks once a contractor is on board, with shelter installation scheduled for this fall.

·         We are currently demolishing buildings at the Calexico Transit Center and have removed one so far. We are also working on the concrete infrastructure and removing the old parking lot. The project is expected to be completed by March next year.

·         We're moving forward with plans for the Calexico East Transit Center, with construction set to begin next year.

·         We're developing COA and have presented it to SSTAC. More outreach is planned in the coming months to evaluate our services and provide recommendations.

·         We will be installing electronic payments for all fixed-route services in the coming months

5.            

Ms. Baca presented the following information:

·         I delivered a presentation on IHSS and organized an event for the senior center.

·         Upcoming presentations for Social Services and NHHA will be scheduled as well.

6.       Transit Operator FY 2024-25 Reports:

           Imperial Valley Transit:

·         Service is operating normally, but there are delays due to construction in the surrounding cities

     IVT Access:

· Service experienced delays in the middle of the month due to spring break. Numbers should increase by mid-May. As summer approaches, a slowdown is expected. 

IVT Ride:

Mr. Guillen presented the report on all IVT Ride services:

· Ride is performing well with steady numbers. Applications are coming in gradually. Westmorland's numbers are also increasing slowly.

IVT MedTrans:

· Mr. Guillen presented the report on the service: The numbers have remained steady. Additionally, we have a new IVTMetrans commercial launch soon.

7.  General Discussion

- Dr. Sanchez confirmed that IVC will be on summer vacation. The annual transportation survey conducted by the office will yield valuable insights and information.   

8.  Adjournment

-  The meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.

-  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Imperial County Transportation Commission Office, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 92243.