5.0 DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE

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1 1.0 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 9:41 a.m. 2.0 ROLL CALL PRESENT: REGRETS: OTHERS PRESENT: Councillor Brian Thornton; Councillor Danny Whalen; Christopher Oslund, City Manager; Tina Sartoretto Mayor, Town of Cobalt; Councillor Gino Chitaroni Town of Cobalt; Dave Treen, Technical & Environmental Compliance Coordinator; Doug Walsh; Director of Public Works; Gary Wadge, Public Works Clerk Suzanne Weiss, Deputy Clerk; Kaireen MacKinnon, Accessibility Coordinator; and Logan Belanger; Executive Assistant. 3.0 REVIEW OF REVISIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA Add: o 9.7) Flag Stop Miner s Hotel, Cobalt 4.0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Recommendation No Moved by: Councillor Danny Whalen 1. The Transit Committee agenda for the December 19, 2013 meeting be approved as amended. 5.0 DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE None 6.0 REVIEW AND ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES Recommendation No The Transit Committee minutes of the October 3, 2013 meeting be adopted as presented. 7.0 DELEGATIONS / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS None 1

2 8.0 COMMUNICATIONS a) Association of Municipalities of Ontario - AMO Breaking News re: Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel s Report The Committee reviewed the article regarding a new dedicated revenue stream for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area transit projects from a combination of sources, such as Gas Tax, Corporate Income Tax, and HST revenues. These tax increases are recommended to apply province wide. The article will be included in the January 7, 2014, Council package for discussion. b) Ontario Good Roads Association OGRA Alert Ontario s Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel s Report The Committee discussed the article regarding OGRA s review of the Government of Ontario s Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panels final report, for the financing of the renewal and expansion of civic infrastructure and transit systems. c) Jeff Manners, Canadian Mental Health Association Request for special price on transit passes for people on fixed income The Committee reviewed and discussed a letter received from the Canadian Mental Health Association, regarding a request for special prices on transit passes for people on fixed income. The Committee denied the request, as the transit system is subsidized by the Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt ratepayers at an amount of approximately $150,000/year; therefore, providing reduced priced tickets would result in a higher burden on the taxpayers. The Committee is cognisant of those on limited or fixed income and for this reason has not increased the transit fares since The Committee acquired four new accessible buses this year, and provided an extended service with buses operating 7 days per week. The new buses were purchased using the Provincial Gas Tax Fund and the enhanced transit services is presently also being subsidized by this fund. The Committee will communicate reduced rate options when purchasing tickets, such as in booklets and monthly passes offered at varying rates for students, adults and seniors. d) David Bremner, Chairperson of the Cobalt, Coleman, Latchford & Area Food Bank Request for transit tickets for use by clients The Committee reviewed and discussed a letter received from the Cobalt, Coleman, Latchford and Area Food Bank, regarding a request for transit tickets for use by clients. The Committee denied the request, as the transit system is subsidized by the municipalities of Temiskaming Shores and Cobalt; therefore, providing free tickets would result in a higher burden on the taxpayers. A recommendation will be proposed to purchase tickets in books of 10 at the following discounted price: Seniors/Students $18 for 10 tickets (=$1.80 each vs $2.00); and for Adults $22 for 10 tickets (= $2.20 each vs $2.50). 2

3 9.0 NEW BUSINESS 9.1 Update on Bus Stops, Monthly Passes, Photo ID Cards, Transit Tickets, Map & Schedule Bus Features Brochures and Large Map Sue Weiss, Deputy Clerk, updated the committee stating that the bus stop signs have been installed, the brochures have been sent to print, the bus passes have arrived and will be implemented January 2 nd, 2014, requests for quotes for new bus tickets have been circulated, and the finalized transit bus route was printed for installation in bus shelters. Kaireen MacKinnon commented that in order for the existing transit buses to be compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODOA) standards, two wheelchair accessible spaces would be required. The City is offering three days where riders can obtain free Photo ID cards to go with their bus passes. It was recommended to advertise this information on the City s website and Facebook page. The Committee discussed purchasing another printer to create a portable station for the printing of Photo ID cards. 9.2 Approval of Rates for Monthly Bus Passes Recommendation Moved by: Councillor Danny Whalen 1. The Whereas at the October 3, 2013 Temiskaming Transit meeting, the Committee passed Recommendation No approving the rates for monthly passes at $80/month for Adult, $70/month for Senior and $50/month for Student; and Whereas the same Recommendation also approved a fee for Photo ID cards at $10.00 each; and Whereas during the process of developing a Request for Quotes for Monthly passes, it was determined that combining Senior and Student monthly passes would be more feasible; and Whereas once the Photo ID equipment was received it was determined that the cards for senior/adult and the cards for students should have a different lifespan; Now therefore be it resolved that the Temiskaming Transit Committee approves the following revised monthly bus pass rates: Senior/Student - $60 /month; and 3

4 Adult - $80/month And further be it resolved that the fee for Photo ID cards be revised to $5 for a yearly student card and $10 for a 5-year senior or adult card. Recommendation Whereas the following fare breakdown was approved in 2008: Children (under 6) - FREE; Children (6-11) - $2.00; Senior (55+) -$2.00; and Adults (12-54) -$2.50. Now therefore be it resolved that the Temiskaming Transit Committee approves the following fare breakdown: Children (Pre-school) - FREE Student/Senior (55+) - $2.00 Adult - $2.50 And further approves the following discounted price for the purchase of books of 10 tickets: Student/Senior(55+) - 10 tickets $18.00 Adult - 10 tickets $ Update from Kaireen MacKinnon, Accessibility Coordinator Kaireen MacKinnon, Accessibility Coordinator, updated the Committee on the progress to create a Driver s Handbook and a policy document for Stock Transportation to adopt. She also recommended providing training for the bus drivers in The Committee discussed the use of wheelchair tie-down straps on the bus, as not all riders wish to use the straps. Kaireen MacKinnon and Sue Weiss will research the subject. It was recommended that a Staff or Committee member ride the bus occasionally to obtain feedback from riders. 9.4 Passenger Count for September, October, November 2013 (2013 vs. 2012) and Transit Summary of Revenues & Expenses for January to November 2013 The Committee reviewed 2012 and 2013 passenger counts for September, October and November, as well as the transit summary of revenues and expenses from January through 4

5 November After the reconciliation, Cobalt has an excess payment as additional expenses from the enhanced service were covered by the Gas Tax and increased ridership. Cobalt will provide a Council resolution to the City to administer the excess payment on their behalf from Samantha Airdrie, President of Northern College Student Association in response to the Transit Proposal to their College Students The Committee reviewed an received from the President of the Northern College Student Association. The Student Council did not approve the mandatory bus pass proposal; however, offered the sale of bus passes on campus. 9.6 Comments Received since Transit Bus Stops were installed The Committee reviewed the comments received from riders regarding the transit bus route, such as the clearing of snow banks around bus stops. 9.7 Proposed Flag Stop Miner s Hotel in Cobalt Tina Sartoretto, Mayor for the Town of Cobalt, suggested moving one of the bus stops in Cobalt to the Miner s Hotel to better meet the needs of riders CLOSED SESSION None 11.0 SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS To be determined 12.0 ADJOURNMENT Recommendation The Transit Committee meeting be adjourned at 11:05 a.m. Committee Chair Recorder 5