Okaloosa County BOCC — September 3, 2013 — September 3 Regular Meeting — reading text

interested in moving sooner than later. There was a brief discussion on the merits of the internal auditor being a county employee directed by the County September 3, 2013 -10- Minute Book 70, Page 109 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Administrator. It was consensus not to have a commissioner on the committee. Mr. Padgett stated 15 of the AG audit findings have been completed and/or corrected. He said the Board is working with the Clerk and significant issues have already been addressed not only with TDD but in every department. With regard to complaints from department heads about things slowing down, Mr. Padgett said that is the environment we are in. He advised that he is not concerned about the slowing down, noting there has been significant positive movement. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Padgett said he believes the committee needs at least 30 days. RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:50 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED FARE INCREASE OR REDUCTION OF WAVE ROUTES Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to receive comments regarding proposed reductions in fixed route service, particularly Routes 11, 12 and 33, and a proposed fare increase for the Okaloosa County Transit WAVE. Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, stated during the budget review, staff was directed to determine the amount of funding needed to continue routes and to compare fares with neighboring peer systems. Comparative figures were given for ECAT in Pensacola, Bay Town Trolley in Panama City, SunTran in Ocala, and the Treasure Coast Connector in Port St. Lucie. Mr. Kampert told the Board there is a potential for ridership to decline if fares are increased. Slides were shown of current route fares and, using staff projections, potential declines at the 10%, 15% and 20% mark. He advised that simply raising the fares will not solve the problems. Due to increased operating costs and decreased funds, it has been proposed Routes 11 and 12 in Crestview and Route 33 in Destin be eliminated. Mr. Kampert stated any change in rates or routes must have at least 60-day notification. He said if the Board approves a fare increase and/or eliminates routes, those changes cannot be implemented before November 3, 2013. When Mr. Amunds asked what has been heard from the cities on these proposed changes, Mr. Windes answered the City of Destin September 3, 2013 ~11- Minute Book 70, Page II Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has sent a letter requesting the Board delay elimination of Route 33 for one year. He said it was his understanding the City of Crestview has requested Routes 11 and 12 be continued. Mr. Amunds reported the Board sent letters to all the cities more than a year ago and, subsequently, a reminder letter was mailed but no responses were received until recently. Upon inguiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Kampert stated each Destin route costs about $100,000 and recovers approximately half that amount. Mr. Parisot asked for clarification about Route 33, saying he understands that bus goes to Silver Sands in Walton County. Mr. Kampert replied in the affirmative. Mr. Amunds stated the City of Destin is currently working on plans to assist with the costs for Route 33 and he told them if the City is able to contribute funding, the Board could amend any action it takes within the next 60 days. Mr. Windes said he attended a meeting with City of Destin staff and private citizens. The group wants to form a consortium to develop a funding source for the route. He was of the opinion the Board should not be too hasty and should give this group more than sixty days to work the issue. Mr. Amunds commented the new split for gas tax revenues is 64%/36% and the cities could use a portion of that funding source to help fund the public transportation system. Mr. Kampert concurred with Mr. Amunds, verifying gas taxes can be used for transit. Discussion ensued regarding the total amount needed _ to completely fund the system. Mrs. Lani Birchett, Transit Grant Coordinator, attempted to explain the complexities involved in grant funding, matching funds, etc. for the fixed routes (WAVE), the Express, and paratransit. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mrs. Birchett confirmed the obligation from the General Fund would be $297,075. Mr. Amunds opened the floor for public comment, requesting each speaker to limit his/her remarks to two minutes. Mr. Scott Williams, Crestview, spoke through a translator using sign language. He spoke of his dependence on the Crestview routes (which he uses twice per week) and encouraged the Board to make public transportation more affordable not Mmore expensive. September 3, 2013 -12- Minute Book 70, Page 12 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Ms. Martha Coleman, Crestview, stated she would like to speak for the many citizens who do not have cars and the elderly who can no longer drive. She sympathized with the commissioners about their budget but noted that everyone is not as lucky as they are to have their own transportation. Ms. Coleman stated we should remember we are in this together. Mrs. Sarah Prescott, Crestview, stated she has lived in Crestview most of her life and is now faced with a retina Gisease which causes blindness. She reported her four children live in Louisiana and Oklahoma and she must depend on herself and she does that by using public transportation. Mrs. Prescott said she understands an increase in fares is justified and does not mind it. She supported continuation of Routes 11 and 12 to allow her and others “to have some manner of dignity” to get around. Mr. Kenny Fuller, Baker, asked the commissioners if they understood the Sunshine Law. He told them they will be held accountable for their actions. When Mr. Amunds requested Mr. Fuller to address the OCT and the routes, Mr. Fuller told the Chairman not to interrupt him and used derogatory language. Mr. Amunds asked Mr. Fuller to make his point. Mr. Fuller again addressed the Sunshine Law and said the Board of County Commissioners must provide public transportation. Citizens in the audience asked Mr. Fuller to sit down and law enforcement asked him to make his point and refrain from ill treatment of others. Mr. Fuller announced that he had “got too hot” and was “ready to kick some butts” and left the podium. Mr. DeMark Evans, stated he lives on Fifth Avenue in Crestview behind Ace Hardware. He told the Board he is from New York City where public transportation is provided. Mr. Evans said his wife works at Wal-Mart and before they learned of the WAVE routes, she walked to and from work; a distance of about five miles. Mr. Evans pointed out that many people cannot afford cars or can no longer drive. He said public transit helps people who cannot help themselves. Ms. Cassandra Perkins, Fort Walton Beach, stated she uses Route 33 four or five times per week. She said many people depend on the transit to get to work. Ms. Perkins works in Destin. Ms. Ruth Owens stated she uses public transportation three or four days per week. She said her grandchildren live with her and that is how she gets to doctor’s appointments, Wal-Mart, and September 3, 2013 -13- Minute Book 70, Page 13 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Winn Dixie. Ms. Owens said she did own a car but cannot afford to have it repaired. Mr. Chester Williams, Crestview, stated he is retired military and recently retired from the Department of Corrections. He is employed by OCT and drives Routes 11 and 12. Mr. Williams stated there are many areas of the city which are not covered by the buses and redundancy in others. He recommended OCT talk with the drivers to get input on how to modify the routes. Mr. Wendell Batey, Laurel Hill, referred to the discussion on public transportation at last year’s budget hearings. Mr. Harris said his remarks were “use it or lose it.” Mr. Batey said it appears the. buses are running only at 40% capacity over the last seven months and ridership is down by 7%. He supported a system which runs in the black and asked the Board to be efficient with taxpayer money. Ms. Debbie Craner, Holt, stated she has been a bus driver for OCT for six year. She agreed with Mr. Williams about revamping the routes and suggested Routes 11 and 12 be combined. Ms. Craner asked the Board to step up and change the routes to make them viable. Mr. Parisot asked for clarification that Ms. Craner is saying Routes 11 and 12 don’t need to run as frequently. She replied that is correct. Ms. Nancy Jackson, Crestview, asked about the ADA law and providing transportation to the disabled. She said this is evidently not being considered. Ms. Jackson felt the routes should be re-evaluated and told the commissioners not to forget Crestview is part of the county. Mr. Amunds stated, “You know OCT is not a government function. It is a private contractor.” He said the county cannot tell OCT how to structure their routes. Ms. Jackson again said the routes should be evaluated and someone should talk with the drivers. She expressed concern for North County, remarking that she pays taxes and is part of the county too. Ms. Jackson stated there should be no division and it should function as a county, not specific cities. Ms. Shashana Richardson pointed out there are many parts of the city which do not have sidewalks to walk and if the routes are discontinued, she will have to move. She stated that before September 3, 2013 ~14- Minute Book 70, Page 14 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners learning of the buses, she walked two hours and fifty minutes to get to work. Ms. Jasmine Glover, Fifth Avenue in Crestview, stated the financial situation for the people in this room is not the same. She did not believe a lot of people know about the buses. Mr. Eric Davis, Planning Director for the City of Crestview, said there are a number of stories about dependency on public transportation. He stated he has met with Mrs. Birchett and Mr. Kampert to discuss changing routes and advertising. He agreed there are inefficiencies in the public transit routes. Mr. Davis stated a transit study was done and it showed the Crestview routes were losing money; he continued, saying that all routes are losing money. He questioned the action to defray costs by eliminating two Crestview routes and a Destin route. He pointed out the four Fort Walton Beach routes and three Destin routes don’t make money. Mr. Davis felt if bits and pieces are taken from the system, it will stop working. He said Fort Walton Beach has no incentive to come to the table because its routes are not in jeopardy. Mr. Amunds asked what the likelihood is of the City of Crestview dedicating some of its revenues from gas taxes to public transportation. Mr. Davis replied he cannot speak for the City Council. He questioned why Crestview should have to pay $110,000 and Fort Walton Beach pay nothing. Mr. Harris stated all the cities were asked to meet and provide input. He reiterated that last year he said “if you don’t use it, you will lose it.” Mr. Harris said that was not taken seriously last year, noting the ridership decreased, but the city is serious this year. Mr. Parisot asked what would happen if the Board was resolved to fund only 50% of the program and it became Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin’s responsibilities to fund the remaining 50% or it would all go away. He remarked he cannot see throwing good money after bad. Mr. Amunds called that approach a long shot and said the Board has a 60-day window from the date of this public hearing. He said the Board may choose not to fund the system anymore and wondered if the League of Cities would have enough time to meet with the municipalities and get a commitment to use a portion of their gas tax revenues to support public transportation. Mr. September 3, 2013 -15- Minute Book 70, Page 15 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Kampert