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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Select a date from the list below to review minutes.

Select a Date Aug. 12, 2008 Jul. 8, 2008 Jun. 10, 2008 May 13, 2008 Apr. 8, 2008 Feb. 12, 2008 Jan. 8, 2008 Nov. 13, 2007 Sep. 11, 2007 Jul. 10, 2007 Jun. 12, 2007 Apr. 10, 2007 Feb. 13, 2007

November 13, 2007 | Download PDF Version >

Present

Members: Mark Pangborn (President), Heather Ornelas (Vice President), Lorna Adkins, Julie Brown, Mary Jo Carpenter, Matt Mumford, Doug Pilant, Allan Pollock, Julie Stephens and Elaine Wells.
Guests: Aaron Deas and Steve Dickey.
Staff: Roger Martin and Kelsey Wilson.
Meeting was called to order at 10:33 AM.

Announcements from the Chair

Approval of Agenda

Approved.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Staff gave a brief summary of the treasurer’s report. Staff noted that the OTA is over budget for dues income and right on track for expenses. Staff also mentioned that the conference budget detail is hard to assess until all expenses and income have been processed; but it looks to be on budget or below. Staff hopes to have the conference budget wrapped up by the end of the year; it is dependent on speaker invoices.

Executive Director’s Report/Roger Martin

• Roger spoke with Anne Gilbert, Executive Director of Arkansas about their conference. Anne was impressed when she heard how many we had at our conference. It seems that their association is very different from OTA and Roger hopes to go visit with Anne in the next year to see if OTA could benefit from any of their programs.
• Measure 50 failed. If nothing else, this puts the cigarette tax back on the table as an option for E&D funding.
• Roger attended the OHUA conference last week. Roger spoke with the Governor’s transportation advisor. He indicated that OTA will support a transportation package that the Governor will bring forward in 2009. Roger invited the Governor to speak at our conference in October 2008.
• Lake Oswego has been studying a street car line for years. Roger would like approval to attend Metro meetings and support the line. Roger will not give a position of OTA, but only use his title as OTA Executive Director. At some point in the future OTA may want to take a position.

Conference Debriefing

The conference was very successful and been hearing lots of great feedback. Staff indicated that due to a computer glitch with the server a survey has not been completed, but will be done shortly. The board went around the room and made comments and gave ideas:

• Conflict courses were packed.
• Golf tournament Sunday before conference starts.
• Karen Hoesch is very popular and should be booked for next year.
• HR (special districts) is a topic that should be looked into for next year.
• Cultural diversity/Communication are always hot button topics.
• Casino night was a blast and the best attended after hours event; do again next year.
• Mixer was fun.

Elderly & Disabled Interim Task Force

Staff mentioned that a working group has been put together led by Michael Ward, ODOT-PTD and Lee Girard, DHS-SPD. Staff and Aaron Deas, TriMet both are active members on the committee. The committee is putting together a steering committee and in the process of hiring a consultant.

Staff will also attend a forum of Senior and People with Disability Advocates to learn what other issues these advocates are working on for 2009. Staff will bring transportation to the group and encourage transportation to be on their priority list as well.

Marketing OTA/Website Update

Staff gave a brief update on the website and noted that shortly phase two will begin now that conference registration and the conference is complete. There will be a forum added, as well as legislator information and more.

There was discussion that on some computers, the full screen does not show up and members have to scroll to see all the text on one page. Staff will talk to the webmaster about this issue, but it may have to do with individuals resolution set-up.

Nomination of Board Member

Steve Dickey, formerly SMART Transit, is now with Salem-Keizer Transit and will no longer be eligible to serve on the OTA board. The vacant position is for a representative from a City, County, Municipal or Tribal Government. There was discussion and a motion to move Julie Stephens, City of Sandy into the City, County, Municipal or Tribal Government category and elect Jim Beard, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation to the Rural category. The motion was made by Elaine Wells and seconded by Lorna Adkins and Doug Pilant.

PTAC Representation

Steve Dickey was also OTA’s PTAC Representative and will need to be replaced. There was discussion that a rural representative would be well-suited for the position. There was a motion and a second to elect Mary Jo Carpenter as OTA’s PTAC representative. The motion was made by Matt Mumford and seconded by Doug Pilant.

Treasurer Nomination/Election

Steve Dickey was also the OTA Treasurer. Elaine Wells was nominated to serve as treasurer. The motion came from Lorna Adkins and a second from Doug Pilant.

Additional Business

Joint Meeting with WSTA

Staff got a call from Peter Thien, secretary of the WSTA. Peter was interested in an annual or biannual joint meeting between the associations. It was discussed and agreed that it would be beneficial to both organizations. Staff will get in touch with Peter and work out the details.

Prorated Membership

Staff received an e-mail wondering if OTA would consider a prorated membership for organizations wishing to join the association now. There was discussion and it was decided that anything to encourage membership would be beneficial.

Agency Updates

RVTD—Rolled out long-range plan. Lots of feedback from the community. Preparing to write business plan. Looking to go for a ballot measure in November ’08. Community Connection of Baker Co.—Working on transit hub. Trolley cars will provide fixed route in Baker Co.

Tillamook County—Ridership jumped 30% from last year. Working with Sunset to connect between the two systems. Made lots of service provider improvements. City of Sandy—Working away on operations center. Ridership has exploded.

RideConnection—Julie Wehling left to go into business with Cynthia Thompson, her sister. Scott Gates came onboard as operations manager. Looking for bus with oversized lift. Expanding service in Beaverton.

OHAS—In July implemented new CARTS service plan for rural areas in Marion County. About 25% increase in ridership. Implemented flex route in N. Marion County.

TriMet—Hearing at legislature about Max safety. Max construction is still going crazy in downtown Portland. Lane Transit District—Just passed 1 million passengers a month.

Conclusion

Meeting adjourned at 12:26 PM