Springfield Mass Transit District

The board meeting included several key discussions and actions. Initial proceedings involved the approval of the minutes from the December 15th regular meeting. Communications focused on acknowledging staff effort, particularly in handling an accident and fire response, and updates on ongoing workforce training, including leadership essentials and planned mental health training for frontline employees. Finance and administration reports covered updates on ridership reporting functions and required corrections for November and December totals. A significant agenda item involved the approval of financial statements and cash disbursements for November. Discussions also covered proposed financial policy changes, specifically increasing the threshold to capitalize assets from $5,000 to $10,000, effective July 1st. The board also approved the selection of a new authorized agent. Furthermore, the board reviewed and discussed proposed updates to the Paratransit Service Rules aimed at addressing current service demands, high failure rates for on-time performance (below the required 97%), and limitations caused by scheduling rides late into the evening; the proposed change involves establishing a reservation schedule window between administrative hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for next-day ride scheduling. Finally, the board reviewed the previous year's annual report highlights, which included 1.4 million passenger rides, projected achievement of six-figure fair transit ridership, deployment of ticket vending machines, and IT infrastructure upgrades, and looked ahead to planned projects such as a secondary hub acquisition and website redesign.

The Managing Director reported the delivery of two new buses and the posting of "No Firearms Allowed" stickers. Operations noted that all routes are now wheelchair accessible and contract negotiations with ATU were scheduled. Administration reported staff changes and shared positive feedback regarding holiday service. The Board approved the November and December Financial Statements and Cash Disbursements. Finance Committee discussions included the planned transfer of restricted OPEB liability cash to the OPEB trust fund. Operations reported on new bus purchases lacking fare boxes, radios, and bike racks, and recognized exceptional employee mechanics. The Planning Commission reported on revising maps to include lift-equipped buses and public involvement for SATS planning. The Disabled Persons Advisory Committee reported on member illness and accessibility for Routes 2 and 15. Unfinished Business included the approval of the contract price increase for Hanson Professional Services for the multimodal facility schematic design, a motion to appoint a Board member to the OPEB Trust Fund Board, and the adoption of Resolution 1-2014 for the Creation of the OPEB Trust. New Business involved approval to increase the budget for Professional Services, the award of a Land Surveyor Contract to Coombe-Bloxdorf, approval to seek a TIP Amendment Request, and the award of a contract to Robertson Air for the supply and installation of a bus vacuum.

The meeting addressed the closing of the Bunn Property purchase for the multimodal project. Key discussions included a request for a Special Board Meeting to address a State Operating Grant, an explanation of health insurance plan increases due to 16% rate hikes and upcoming ACA changes, and a review of April's financial statements and cash disbursements. The Board also reviewed committee reports showing a 9.4% year-over-year ridership increase and 99% On Time Performance for April. New business involved the approval of the annual Planning Commission Agreement and the Agreement for Materials and Support, the unanimous approval to increase the Managing Director's emergency purchasing authority to $50,000, approval for a change order to the bus vacuum system replacement for efficiency modifications, and authority granted to enter into negotiations with Downtown Parking, Inc. regarding parking lot management.

Key discussions included the establishment of rules for the trust fund and a tentative RFP for an investment manager. Operations reported that four new Access buses were received, and May ridership increased by 9.3% year-over-year. Access is now fully staffed. Planning covered participation in the Curb Your Car event and updates on citizen survey results. Unfinished business involved tabling the Downtown Parking Inc. agreement pending evaluation of revenue split figures, approving additional costs for the East Adams Street land acquisition, and adopting the amended FY15 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance, which reflected changes in insurance rates and projected overtime reductions. New business featured approving new Authorizing Resolutions for the IDOT Technical Studies Grant and the FTA Ladders of Opportunity Grant, approving the commitment of local funds as a match for the latter grant, authorizing promotions for State Fair ridership, approving the annual Prevailing Wage Ordinance update, renewing the Q5 Contract, placing the Tax Levy Ordinance on file, and approving an IMRF Authorizing Resolution related to past reporting of income for certain allowances. The board later entered and exited executive session, where they approved closed meeting minutes and a 2% wage increase for all District Administration personnel.

The Managing Director welcomed new Board members and presented awards from the Holiday Parade. A significant discussion covered the implementation stage of the disaster recovery plan for the file server and data, with full testing scheduled to commence on January 6th. In Finance-Operations-Administration reports, updates included the departure date for an employee, the start of winter bid runs, increased ridership for Access services with 99% on-time performance, and the arrival of new buses. The Planning Commission reported on updates to transportation plans and the improvement project. New business included the unanimous approval of a motion to authorize a voluntary employer contribution to decrease the unfunded IMRF liability, and approval to begin the establishment of a trust fund for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) for retiree health insurance. Public comments noted appreciation for the decorated bus used in the holiday parade and plans for volunteers to distribute toys.