SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

                        MINUTES                 September 2, 2020

Present              Voting Attendees:

Ted Ceasar                               Consumer

Dr. Kathleen Lang                    California Health & Wellness (CH&W)

Rosalina Blankenship               Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

Mitzi Perez                               ARC-IV

Sonia Silva                               Access to Independence

Michelle Soto                           California Children Services-CCS

David Aguirre                         CTSA–ICTC

Maricela Galarza                      CTSA–ICTC

Gustavo Gomez                        CTSA–ICTC

                        Non-Voting Attendees:            

Cesar Sanchez                          IVT/IVTAccess/IVTRide/IVTMedtrans

Helio Sanchez                          IVT

                        Jose Guillen                             IVT MedTrans

                        Karla Pacheco                          IVT Access

                        Karla Aguilar                           IVT Ride

                        Patrick                                     Caltrans

1.       Dr. Lang called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.  A quorum was present. Introductions were made.

-          Zoom attendance.

-          Chairperson and Vice-Chair were not present at the meeting, thus Dr. Lang volunteered to run the meeting.

2.       Minutes adopted for June 3, 2020. (Blankenship, Ceasar), Motion Carried.

3.       Review of SSTAC’s Roles and Responsibilities:

-          A presentation was given by Ms. Galarza, reviewing what Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee (SSTAC) is, why it's necessary, and what it consists of. It also reviews ICTC’s possible projects, activities, etc.., for the upcoming FY 2020-21.

4.       Reappointment of Voting Positions:

Ms. Galarza explained to SSTAC members that 3 voting positions are set to expire, which includes;

-          1 position for Category 1, Potential Transit User, age 60+.

-          1 position for Category 2, Potential Transit User, with a disability or his/her parent or guardian.

-          1 position for Category 6, Consolidated Transportation Service Agency (CTSA).

Dr. Lang asked if the agencies that are currently in the voting position would like to continue serving as a voting member.

-          Mr. Ceasar accepted to continue serving as an SSTAC voting member under Category 1, for another 3 years.

-          Although Mr. Hack was not present to accept to continue serving as an SSTAC voting member under Category 2, for another 3 years. SSTAC members nominated Mr. Hack to continue serving on this position. Further contact will be made to confirm if Mr. Hack would like to continue.

-          Mr. Aguirre accepted to continue serving as an SSTAC voting member under Category 6, for another 3 years, a representative for Imperial County Transportation Commission.

Dr. Lang called for a motion to approve all appointed voting positions as accepted.

(Ceasar, Blankenship), Motion Carried.

5.       Installation of Officers:

-          Dr. Lang asked if there is any volunteers or nominations for SSTAC Chairperson/Vice-Chair.

·         Dr. Lang, a representative from California Health & Wellness, was nominated.

Ø  Dr. Lang accepted to be the new SSTAC Chairperson.

·         Ms. Blankenship, a representative from Area Agency on Aging, was nominated.

Ø  Ms. Blankenship accepted to be the new Vice SSTAC Chairperson.

(Ceasar, Silva), Motion Carried.

6.       CTSA Reports:

Mr. Aguirre had the following updates:

-          Ridership is low because of the pandemic, but it is expected to uptake as more businesses start to open up in the Imperial County.

-          Staff is assuring that precautions continue to be implemented such as;

·         Installation of hand sanitizer in vehicles

·         Installation of the plastic screens in vehicles

·         Attempting to sanitize during routes, vehicles still get cleaned daily

·         Reduced capacity still in place

·         New technology to disinfect all vehicles

-          There are no issues on reaching capacity, overflow buses are still on standby.

-          Mr. Aguirre thanked Ms. Blankenship, AAA, for providing free fares for passengers on the IVT Ride service.

-          ICTC was able to secure a grant to provide free fares to assist the public using our services. Free fares will be implemented on the following services;

·         IVT

·         IVT Access

·         IVT Ride

-          Mr. Aguirre stated the ICTC offices are still open regular hours, although offices are not open to the public. ICTC staff is available to help remotely; phone call, email, zoom, etc.

-          ICTC is working on several projects.

Mr. Gomez had the following announcements:

-          Service sign-ups have been low due to the pandemic.

-          It seems easier to complete sign-ups remotely, making it more accessible.

-          Staff is keeping track of any sign-ups for services which will allow us to later finish the process for passengers.

-          ICTC installed a new drop off box outside the office to allow any applicants who prefer to drop off paperwork.

7. Transit Operator Reports:

Imperial Valley Transit;

Mr. H. Sanchez had the following updates:

-          IVT service has a daily count of 500-600 passengers.

-          Cleaning procedures are still in place.

-          There have been few issues with passengers.

-          An increase is anticipated as the business in Imperial County start to open up again.

·         Dr. Lang asked if passengers do not have a mask, are they prevented from using the service?

Ø  Mr. Aguirre responded, yes, notices are posted on buses that it is required to wear a mask when boarding any service. Upon mask availabilities, the staff has been distributing masks on the transfer centers.

·         Dr. Lang asked if any services were cut?

Ø  Mr. H. Sanchez responded, no, service is just running on a Saturday Schedule.

Ø  Mr. Aguirre added that as soon as businesses start opening up and there is an increase of riders seen then measures will be taken to implement a regular schedule.

·         Dr. Lang asked if there is a plan?

Ø  Mr. Aguirre responded, yes, a plan is in place. There is consistency observation on services to see if numbers are increasing and if observe overflows on each trip. The decision to whether the service will go back to a regular schedule is based on this information.

IVT Access;

Ms. Pacheco had the following updates:

-          The service has about 10-15 passengers a day.

-          There is a limited amount of buses available, but buses can be added if needed.

-          Passenger count is even lower than in previous summers. Passengers are low as is during the summertime, but passenger count is at its lowest.

-          With the reduced capacity measures, 2 wheelchairs are allowed on a trip but they are distant from each other.

IVT Ride;

Ms. Aguilar had the following updates:

-          Imperial service runs on 3 days, Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

-          Heber service runs on 2 days, Tuesday and Wednesday.

-          The Calexico service is slow.

-          Heber service vehicles assist El Centro service if needed.

·         Mr. Aguirre clarified that IVT Ride El Centro, Imperial, and Heber services have not been cut. El Centro service vehicles assist Heber and Imperial during normal operational hours. Resources are just being used differently and adequately. IVT Ride continues to serve on its normal days and normal hours depending on the city it serves.

IVT MedTrans;

Mr. Guillen had the following updates:

-          IVT MedTrans continues to run on a regular schedule.

-          The pandemic has caused a low passenger count and also at times, only one bus goes to San Diego.

-          There is anticipation that passengers will pick up after the pandemic.

-          Due to the pandemic passengers have to wait outside of facilities, the service attempts to accommodate passengers as much as possible.

·         Mr. Aguirre added service is open to accommodate demand, service is operating on normal days and hours. If needed, two buses can be utilized.

8.       General Discussion

None.

9.       Adjournment

-          The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. (Lang), Motion Carried.

-          The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at the Imperial County Transportation Commission Office, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 92243.