American Public Transportation Association

American Public Transportation Association

APTA Small Operations Committee Meeting

1300 I Street, 1100 East, Conference Rooms 3 & 4

Washington, DC

Thursday, December 3, 2015

DRAFT Minutes

Attendees:

Andrew Johnson, Connect Transit; Allan Pollock, Salem-Keizer Transit; Ronald Kilcoyne; Jeanne Krieg, Eastern Contra Costa Transit; Kristen Joyner, South West Transit Association; Leeann MacWilliams, Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association; David Cangany, South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (Transpo); Karl Gnadt, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District; Karen Walton, Chittenden County Transportation Authority; Len Engel, Antelope Valley Transit Authority; Jennifer Kalczuk, Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid); Jeffrey Nelson, Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District; Hugh Mose, Hugh A. Mose, P.E. – Transportation Consultant; J. Barry Barker, Transit Authority of River City; Richard DeRock, Link Transit (Chelan-Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area); Nick Covey, Link Transit (Chelan-Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area); Paul Dean, Dean & Dean Consulting, LLC; Ralph Garboushian, Capital Edge; and Christopher Giglio, Capital Edge.

Valarie J. McCall, APTA Chair; and Member, Board of Trustees, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority; and Michael P. Melaniphy, President & CEO, APTA.

Staff: Pamela Boswell; Robert Healy; Mark Hybner; and James LaRusch

1.  Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions

Ronald J. Kilcoyne, Chair, APTA Small Operations Committee, opened the meeting at a.m. with greetings and introductions. Mr. Kilcoyne noted that, given his change in employment, he was relinquishing his role as chair of the committee. He acknowledged the hard work of the committee and accomplishments over the past few years, specifically in advancing legislative proposals benefiting small transit systems. Mr. Kilcoyne expressed his appreciation to all of the members and wished Andrew Johnson, incoming committee chair, and General Manager, Connect Transit, great success. On behalf of the committee, Mr. Johnson presented a token of appreciation for his leadership as chair for the past two (2) years.

2.  Incoming Chair’s Report

In accordance with the APTA Small Operations Committee’s bylaws, Andrew Johnson, previously vice chair of the committee, now moves into the chair’s position and appoints a new vice chair. Mr. Johnson announced the appointment of Allan Pollock, General Manager/CEO, Salem-Keizer Transit, as vice chair. Mr. Johnson expressed his interest in working with APTA’s small operations members to continue to advance the committee’s work plan in support of the strategic plan. He noted that he would be sending a communication to the committee outlining his goals and objectives for the coming year.

3.  APTA Leadership Remarks

APTA Chair Valarie J. McCall expressed her appreciation for the strong leadership and support provided by APTA’s small operators in advancing the association’s agenda. She noted the hard work of the committee in helping to shape APTA’s authorization recommendations, specifically for the bus and bus facilities program.

Michael Melaniphy, APTA President & CEO, echoed Ms. McCall’s remarks, particularly as it related to the committee’s participation in the consensus process to address concerns and finalize the recommendations. He acknowledged the leadership of members on the various subcommittees/working groups which led to our success.

4.  Legislative Update

Mark Hybner, APTA Legislative Representative, provided an overview of the provisions of the Five-year authorization for surface transportation program – “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act,” outlined in APTA’s Legislative Alert, dated, December 2, 2015. The bill increases to $11.789 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 and rises to $12.592 billion by FY2020, or $61.113 billion over the life of the bill. He reported that the expectation was that President Obama would sign the bill over the next week or so. Of particular note and interest to the small operators:

·  Bus & Bus Facilities Program is authorized at t total funding level of $696 million in FY2016 and $809 million by FY2020. This represents a 62.5 increase over the current funding of the first year and 89 percent over the life of the bill. The bus and bus facilities competitive grant program would grow from $268 million in 2016 to $344 million by 2020, and includes a $55 million per year set-aside for low and no emission buses. Low and no emission buses also remain eligible for funds under the Sec. 5312 research program.

·  Urbanized Area Formula (Sec. 5307) program increases at a modest rate, starting at $4.539 billion in FY2016, and rising to $4.929 billion in FY2020. Urban formula grants increase by 1.8 percent in FY2016 and 10.56 percent by FY2020. The bill also increases the Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) formula take-down from the current 1.5 percent of Sec. 5307 formula funds to 2 percent in 2019.

·  The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is moved to the Sec. 5312 program and from programs funded by the General Fund to programs funded through the Mass Transit Account (MTA) as APTA recommended. The bill authorizes funding for TCRP at a level of $5 million for each year from 2016 to 2020. This is an increase of $2 million from FY2015 appropriated levels, although still significantly below the pre-2012 level of $10 million.

5.  Regulatory Update

James LaRusch, APTA Chief Counsel and Vice President-Corporate Affairs, updated the committee on current proposed regulations, including the “FTA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Transit Asset Management and Adjustments to the National Transit Database.” Mr. LaRusch acknowledged the leadership, support and representation of small transit members as a working group and on the conference calls: Andrew Johnson, Connect Transit; Mary Jo Morandini, Beaver County Transit Authority; Allan Pollock, Salem-Keizer Transit; Paula Faust, Gardena Municipal Bus Lines; and Richard DeRock, Link Transit. He encouraged committee members to continue to participate and weigh in on the operationalization and implementation of these regulations and others to come.

6.  Presentation: The FAST ACT of 2016: Impact on Small Transit Systems

As a follow-up to Mr. Hybner’s legislative update, Paul Dean, Director, Dean & Dean Consulting, LLC, offered a presentation on the FAST ACT, focusing on the provisions impacting small transit systems. Mr. Dean reiterated the key elements of the bill, and further addressed the provisions regarding ‘Procurement Pools” and “Buy America.”

Procurement Pools: Mr. Dean highlighted the following provisions on procurement, including three main areas:

·  State Cooperative Procurement – states or non-profit organization enters into agreement with vendor for agency purchase of rolling stock; grantee does not need to be located in same state to participate;

·  Pilot Program for Non-Profit Cooperative Procurements – eligible non-profit entity act as lead agency in a joint-procurement program; and

·  Joint Procurement Clearinghouse – GSA-style procurement schedule; DOT oversight of aggregation of similar procurements by multiple grantees.

Buy America: The following points were highlighted from the provisions on “Buy America:”

·  Rolling stock requirements increased from 60 percent to 70 percent by 2020;

(60 percent – 2016 and 2017); (65 percent – 2018 and 2019); and (70 percent – 2020 and beyond.

·  These requirements may result in price increases; however, the increases may be offset by other procurement incentives.

Mr. Dean ended his presentation by reiterating that Congress is really pushing hard for Electric and other Low Emission Vehicle Procurement; transit gaining on the pack, but slowly; while this is the first long-term bill in many years, there still is no permanent solution. His final point was that the bill attempts to reverse some of the problems associated with MAP-21 and as an industry, we should continue to focus on the successes.

7.  2016 Public Transportation & Universities Conference Update

Jennifer Kalczuk, Chair, 2016 Public Transportation & Universities Conference Planning Committee; and External Affairs Manager, The Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid), provided an update on the conference, to be held April 16 – 19, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ms. Kalczuk noted that the committee had its kick-off meeting in August, and has continued its work via conference calls. As an initial step in the process, a “Call for Presentations” was issued to generate ideas for the sessions. The deadline has been extended to December 15, 2015, with plans to provide notifications by mid-January 2016.

The committee is seeking volunteers (speakers, moderators, session coordinators) for the conference. Members were asked to contact Pamela Boswell, APTA’s Vice President-Workforce Development & Educational Services, and committee staff advisor, to volunteer and/or offer program/session recommendations.

8.  Discussion/Update – APTA Small Operations Committee 2015 – 2016 Work Plan

·  Research, Communications & Advocacy (RCA): Jeanne Krieg, Chair, RCA Advisory Council, provided an update on the members’ support and the role of the program in achieving a long-term, fully-funded surface transportation bill. She noted that the RCA Advisory Council was meeting immediately following the small operations committee meeting to plan the activities for the next year.

·  Value of APTA Membership: Jeffrey Nelson, member, APTA Member Services Committee, provided an update on the committee’s activities to identify strategies to encourage more small transit agencies to join APTA. The committee has discussed the cost of dues as an impediment; however, Mr. Nelson offered other areas in which APTA could begin to address recruitment challenges, i.e. bundling of member services, reduced conference registrations, among others. Hugh Mose, Chair, Member Services echoed Mr. Nelson’s on the committee’s efforts to address the value of APTA membership.

There was a discussion regarding the benefits of small urban and rural transit systems being part of APTA and the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA). There is a recognition among members (including those that hold memberships in both associations) that CTAA’s strength is its engagement of rural systems. Members also referenced CTAA’s small urban network established to address legislative and funding issues on behalf of its members, including its visibility on the Small Transit Incentive Cities (STIC) program.

Kristen Joyner, South West Transit Association, and Leeann MacWilliams, Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, suggested that more participation from state associations on the small operations committee, might address some of these coordination issues. Mr. Mose indicated that all of this feedback will be shared with the member services committee.

9.  Other Business

CDL Issues: Mr. Kilcoyne reported on the efforts of the working group established following the annual meeting to address a range of commercial driver licensing issues. The working group’s discussions have focused on training and education, as well as inconsistencies and clarification on requirements with the varied licensing divisions within states of transportation. He noted that the group is conducting research for various states to determine any best practices. As a next step, there will be a discussion with APTA’s State Affairs Committee during a future meeting/conference call.

10.  Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and Activities

Ms. Boswell provided an update on future meetings, conferences and activities for the committee:

·  APTA Transit CEOs Seminar – January 30 – February 2, 2016, Orlando, FL

·  Small Operations Committee Meeting (in conjunction with APTA’s 2016 Legislative Conference, March 13 – 15) – Sunday, March 13 (time to be confirmed)

·  2016 APTA Public Transportation & Universities Conference, April 16 – 19, Grand Rapids, MI

·  2016 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference – May 15 – 18, Charlotte, NC

Small Operations Session – Tuesday, May 17, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Next Steps

·  Distribute updated committee meeting/conference call schedule

·  Confirm time for the committee meeting (in conjunction with the Legislative Conference), March 13, 2016

·  Develop agenda for March 13, 2016 committee meeting

·  Finalize description, moderator and speakers for the small operations session,

May 17, 2016

In closing, Mr. Johnson thanked all in attendance for their support of APTA’s Small Operations Committee and its activities. He noted that committee members will receive an update, including conference call/meeting schedule, work plan and recommended priorities for 2016.

The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.

Attachment:

Powerpoint Presentations:

1.  The FAST ACT of 2016: Impacts of Small Transit Systems (presented by Paul Dean)

2.  2016 Public Transportation & Universities Conference Update (presented by Jennifer Kalczuk)

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