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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-10-13 Galavan / Streamline Advisory Board MinutesStreamline/Galavan Advisory Board Minutes December 10 , 2013 ; HRDC Board Room 8:30 to 10:00 Board Members Present: Merle Phipps, Suzanne Winchester, Cyndy Andrus, Bill Hoch, Taylor Lonsdale, David Kack, Steve Rowe, Seth Ward, Vicky York, Chris Budeski, Colleen Lindner Board Members with excused absence: Board Members not present: Others Present: Lee Hazelbaker, Sunshine Ross, Jeff Rupp, Dan Martin, Public Comment: Call to order 0830. No public comment Approval of Previous Minutes: Postponed until January meeting. Presentation(s): None Discussion Items: Determine if we have sufficient funds to request the purchase of a second bus. Jeff R.: indicated we finished last year with $15,000 in reserve, $63,000 projected for this year for projected balance about $80,000 The current vehicle we have on order is about $46 to 50,000 in match leaving around 30,000 at the end of this year. In addition we would potentially have money left over at the end of this year and the bus would not be purchased until next year. Chris B. MDT Likes Bozeman, and there is a concern when they call and say “would we like another bus?” we should probably take the opportunity. David K. Looking at the Fleet. We have 5 of the original 6 running. We have received an additional 5 buses from MDT over the years. Not counting the Yellowstone Park buses we currently have 10. At peak we will have 8 of our current 10 on the road. That is not a high spare ratio. If Yellowstone Park requests their busses back, we would be in tight shape. We don’t know what will happen with the Federal budget in the future I also feel that if we can get additional buses we need to do this. In addition there is an argument for having two of the same kind of bus. Chris B. Question: These are true transit vehicles? We don’t know for sure at this point. Cyndy A. Question: Jeff mentioned we will have approx. $80,000 in reserve at the end of this year, is there a certain amount we like to see remain in reserve? Chris B. Answer: As much as we can. And then what do you use the reserves for? Two things; additional buses, and operations. How much do we normally spend out of reserve? Around 50,000/year. Are you concerned we would be committing too much of our reserves? Jeff R. We are always concerned. Maintenance cost is a lot more under control as we have learned the business. Are we increasing any routes? David K.: With fiscal year 2015 being the last year in the current Federal bill there is a fair amount of uncertainty. This makes it hard to expand a lot of service at this point. MDT requires a spend down to reach matching funds. Therefore if we want to increase local service we would need to see an increase in local match. Jeff R. The way I see it, buying buses at the rate of 1/year has really been a vehicle maintenance program. Dan M. Based on all the information I take in I arrive at the conclusion that you probably ought to get this bus, largely because you don’t know what you will get in the future. The state is currently very motivated to try these larger buses. MDT props Bozeman up as the Gold standard for transit in the state. The state likes our current model. It took us a long time to get the current Fleet up to Karst standards. There is an argument for two of the same type of bus. We have not addressed comfort level on the Livingston/Belgrade routes. Suzanne W. Mt State is giving us an opportunity; I think it would make sense to utilize this. I have more confidence in the current maintenance program based on the physical state of the inside and outside of buses. Merle P. Moving forward is our anticipation with two new buses increasing buses on the road or replacement. Answer: Increasing service The second bus match is higher than the first bus? Answer: Yes Steve R. How much do we save annually using spare parts salvaged off of old bus? Answer: About $15,000. Does that actually save us a lot on our maintenance? Answer: Yes. When you are parting out a bus in can save us anywhere from $8-20,000 If the funds directed towards a Gillig but were allocated somewhere else besides the bus what would that be? Increased ridership or something else? Answer: That was the discussion with Operations C., Saturday to look more like Friday, Saturday service for Belgrade etc. There are a number of thing from an operational standpoint. Those operational increases are a little harder to plan for at this point not know what Fed monies will be yet moving forward. In addition if we do not spend the money in reserves this becomes problematic in terms of working with the State when they see that high reserve not being spent. (risk of our budget being cut to give the money to another program). Colleen L. Why would we not buy two yellow buses instead of one Gillig? Answer: The State is specifically directing that money towards a Gillig. Steve R. Are we changing our operational model with these Gillig buses? Answer: We need to get these two and get them on the street and get some history with them. If we get the opportunity then to buy more buses, we would have to assess then. Cyndy A. Is it reasonable to expect that some of the challenges we face now would be easier to address with this new transit bus? Answer: Theoretically yes. There is one manufacturer to go to if you have a problem with a Gillig, this has not been the case with our current buses. Is there a difference in terms of emissions? Answer: Emission standards have increased in the time we have bought the last bus so the assumption is emissions would be less. David Kack made a motion that we approve the application for a second Transit bus, Second by Vicky York. Motion passes unanimously. Meeting Ajourned.