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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 01-11 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESOURCES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 11, 1989 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Stoderl at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Stoderl, Eckman, Larsen, Seburg, and Sullivan. Also present were Councilmember Lhotka and Recording Secretary Tom Bublitz. Commissioner McCumber was absent from the meeting. Councilmember Lhotka explained to the commission that Todd Paulson would be the new Council liaison to the human rights and resources commission. He further explained he had been appointed as Council liaison to the housing commission. He then expressed his appreciation to commission members for their service on the commission and stated he was proud to serve as Council liaison to the commission. He noted the commission's achievements over the past years and stated he was proud of his affiliation with the human rights and resources commission and would miss his involvement with commission members. Councilmember Lhotka explained that commission Chair Jayne Kuhar had requested not to be reappointed to the commission, and Donna Stoderl had agreed to Chair the commission and would be appointed chairperson of the commission at the next City Council meeting. commission members expressed their thanks to Councilmember Lhotka for his guidance and leadership as Council liaison to the commission and that his involvement with the commission would be missed very much. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 9, 1988 There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Larsen to approve the minutes of the November 9, 1988, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. REGIONAL TRANSIT BOARD PRESENTATION Cindy Mayer, project administrator for the Regional Transit Board, was introduced to the commission and said she was here this evening to explain the function of the Regional Transit Board and to gain information from the commission regarding its plans and program needs in the area of transportation. She explained the Regional Transit Board (RTB) is a planning body which assesses local needs and determines what programs might be 0 1-11-89 -1- best suited to those needs. The RTB reviews local needs with regard to RTB plans and programs and attempts to match the needs to available programs. Programs are funded at 65 to 100 percent. Commissioner Stoderl pointed out the City of Brooklyn Center has a shared transit system program with the cities of Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale, and Golden Valley. Ms. Mayer commented this area has fairly adequate north/south service but not much east/west service. Ms. Mayer explained much transit service in Hennepin County is funded by Title III of the Older American's Act and explained a new service will be starting in March sponsored by PRISM using Title III funds. The program is being funded through the West Metro Coordinated Transportation Board which allocates Title III funds. The program starting in March will be a dial-a-ride program for senior citizens. Ms. Mayer commented with regard to the commission's current considerations, she believes a program for transportation for single parent households is a legitimate program and planners will likely see more of these types of programs in the future. Ms. Mayer proceeded to review the background of the RTB and explained it was formed in 1984 to perform mid- and long-range planning in the seven county metropolitan area. She explained the RTB does planning for all modes of transportation in the seven county area. The funding for RTB programs is from several sources including the state legislature, transit tax, and exurban funding in rural areas. She explained program funding is awarded to local governments through proposals submitted in June of each calendar year. The proposals are reviewed in July and August and are presented to the RTB in October. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM REPORTS Commissioner Stoderl explained this portion of the meeting would be devoted to commissioners reporting on various transit programs in other parts of the metropolitan area. Commissioner Stoderl's report focused on the Hopkin's Hop-A-Ride service which provides a paratransit service in the city of Hopkins. She explained the City of Hopkins coordinates the program and has a transit coordinator staff position to manage the program. She explained the service is a shared ride taxi service which requires advance reservations and is available to all people within the city limits of Hopkins. The service provides trips within the city of Hopkins and also to Methodist Hospital, Opportunity Workshop, and Shady Oak Beach. The Hopkin's Hap-A-Ride program advertises in the City newsletter and through mailings, advertising, photographs, magnetic signs, and other means of advertising. The program requires one day advance reservation and it does not compete with any existing 1-11-89 -2- 0 private taxi service. The drivers are provided through a contract with Town Taxi and two drivers are designated for the Hop -A-Ride program. Tickets for the Hop-A-Ride program can be purchased in books of ten, and a one-way trip for an individual costs $1; for persons meeting the Section 8 guidelines for low income, a trip costs 40 cents. The cost to the City of the program is approximately $12,000 annually with $48,000 from the RTB along with approximately $20,000 annually in ticket revenues for a total program cost of $80,000. Approximately 28,000 one-way trips are provided each year through the Hopkin's program. A subscription service is available for the Hop-A-Ride service for daily recurring trips. The Hop-A-Ride service operates 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and for service the riders call the cab company. Commissioner Eckman reported on Shakopee's transit program. She explained the City of Shakopee no longer uses the MTC service, and the cost of its program is approximately $150,000 annually. The program is a dial-a-ride service using a minivan with lifts for handicapped persons. The transit program serves Shakopee Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A 24-hour notice is required for the service, and the charges are $1.25 for adults, $1 for students, and 75 cents for senior citizens and children. The City does not provide a service for single parent or low income persons; these individuals would pay the same rates as others using the Shakopee service. Commissioner Seburg reported on Columbia Heights' Shared Ride program. The program began in 1978 and is funded 60% by the Regional Transit Board. The program services Hilltop and Columbia Heights. The City of Columbia Heights contracts for service with a private vendor, and the program provides rides to specific destinations in the area including Apache Plaza and various medical offices. The program runs 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and it also has Saturday and Sunday service. The fares are $1 per ride and 50 cents per ride for persons 65 and over and 12 and under. Commissioner Seburg reported on the City of Plymouth's program. She explained she spoke with Mr. Frank Boyles, Assistant City Manager, regarding Plymouth's program. She explained the program provides service to Plymouth residents and anyone else wishing to use the service whether they are resident or nonresident. The cost to the City of Plymouth for the Plymouth Metrolink is approximately $500,000 annually. The Plymouth Metrolink is a fixed route system running between the hours 8 and 9 a. m. and 4 and 6 p.m. There is also an internal circulator operating seven days a week, six times per day, at approximately hourly intervals. . 1-11-89 -3- Commissioner Sullivan reported on the Medicine Lake Lines program and explained the rive Cities Senior Transportation Program provides transportation for senior citizens to city-sponsored activities and social service programs, congregate dining, and major shopping excursions. The cost to the City is approximately $9,500 annually. He explained the program is working very well and uses paid drivers and is administered out of the offices in the City of Robbinsdale. The program is coordinated between Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope. The program only serves senior citizens. Commissioner Seburg recommended making a proposal for a transit program to the City and also to submit a proposal to the RTB for funding. Commissioner Larsen inquired whether the City was obligated to the Five Cities Senior Transportation Program and how would a new program impact the existing transit program. She also questioned where the single parent destination needs would be, and she did not think limiting the program to Brooklyn Center would adequately service single parent households in terms of their needs. Commissioner Stoderl stated she believes the commission needs to focus on what kind of program the city needs and this means the commission must decide on specific goals for the program. She set the February agenda to include a work session on which the commission members would list the types of programs they would like to see for the City. The plan would be to present the program to the City Council by May 1989. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Sullivan and seconded by Commissioner Stoderl to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Chairperson • • • 1-11-89 -4-