GUEST PANEL:
District 7: Kenny Yuko
District 8: Armond Budish
District 9: Barbara Boyd
District 10: Robin Belcher
District 11: Sandra Williams
District 12: Michael Debose (term expires in 2010; not eligible to run again)
District 13: Michael Skindell (term expires in 2010; not eligible to run again)
District 14: Mike Foley
District 15: Timothy DeGeeter
District 16: Nan Baker
District 17: Josh Mandel
District 18: Matt Patten

CAB Focus Areas 2010:

Systemwide Ease of Use

Systemwide Safety and Security

Partnerships and Advocacy

Minutes for Fri Aug  6 2010 -reviewed by Maribeth Feke & Joe Schaffer

Topic: RTA Sustainability Overview + capital projects planning

Guest Speaker: Maribeth Feke, Director of Programming and Planning, GCRTA

Attendees:

Brad Chase, CAB Chair

Marty Golob, CAB Member

John McGovern, CAB Member

Morgan Taggart, OSU Extension

Steve Albro, CAB Member

Joe Schaffer, GCRTA

8:35  Meeting begins

I. Joe Shaffer announces that all southbound busses connecting with the E. 55th Red Line Station (currently undergoing renovation) will pass through the bus turn-around. There will no longer be a need for GCRTA customers to cross E. 55^th at the I-490 intersection.

II. Joe Shaffer announces that bike parking in the head house idea is dead, at least for E. 55.  Operations Chief Allen Erenrich is opposed due to the potential for damage to entry doors and interior finishes.

III. Joe Shaffer exits the meeting.

8:45  Maribeth Feke begins her presentation

I. Maribeth states that a change-order can be used to install bike parking inside the head houses at E. 55 and W. 65 and that money to purchase the staple style racks can be found in the sustainability budget.

A. Maribeth requests that the TIAC assist RTA by providing a list of potential stations where excess room exists in the Head House

II. Brad Chase asks about the status of the long-awaited real time bus information system/plan.  Maribeth responds that it is in the works, but that due to the complex nature of such a system, it is imperative that the TIAC/CAB request frequent updates from RTA on this project.  Steve Bitto and Mike Cermak are the leads on this project. Further, Maribeth suggests that perhaps the TIAC/CAB could assist in the creation of a task force, that meets quarterly, to discuss status updates on the real-time bus information system.

A. John McGovern suggests that perhaps this task force could also provide status updates on the light timing issues on the ECTP.

III.  Maribeth announces that the RTA 5-year Strategic Plan will be revealed to the CAB at the Sept 2010 meeting.  Also, it is noted that RTA is following the FTA New Starts procedure for the extension of the Blue Line to either I-271 or I-480 following the right of way that will be established along Old Northfield Rd. as a result of the current Blue Line terminus being moved 1000′ southward.

10:00am meeting adjourns.

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MINUTES FOR Fri July  2 2010  8:30am
Topic: RTA Sustainability Overview + capital projects planning
Guest Speaker:  Daniellie Willis, Sustainability Manager, GCRTA and Maribeth Feke, Director of Programming & Planning, GCRTA

Attendees:
Brad Chase, CAB Chair
George Zeller, CAB Member
John McGovern, CAB Member
Johnny Brewington, CAB Member

8:45  After some technical difficulties due to an inability to access the RTA Transit Police LCD projector, the meeting began.

I. Brief discussion of function of CAB and the means by which we can be most effective in communicating our priorities to the Board of Trustees.
I.1 George Z. states that the sole function of the CAB is to advise the RTA Board of Trustees

II. Still attempting to determine who the correct point person is for the project to place ‘U’ bicycle racks INSIDE of RedLine Head-Houses.

III. On June 22, John McGovern  sent an email with a detailed graphic to Joe Shaffer and Joel Frelich to detail the TIAC’s view on improvements to the pedestrian environment for the the E.55 RedLine station.  The goal was to prevent jay walking and create a safer environment for pedestrians, especially those who must cross E. 55 to transfer from bus to train.

IV.

9:00 Danielle Willis led a presentation and discussion on RTA’s current and planned sustainability initiatives

I. Bike racks inside RedLine stations must use funding from rail assets.
I.1 Bike racks inside the RedLine Stations at E. 55 & Puritas can be installed through the use of a change-order (M. Feke)
II. By July 20, the long term bike racks made by Dero Co. “Pocket Shelters” will be installed at Triskett & W. 117 RedLine Stations.

III. Danielle Willis explained how 3 members of the TIAC will be able to serve as a review committee for all forthcoming TWE (Transit Waiting Environment).   project to ensure that the projects function as intended by the survey results of the TWE initiative.

http://www.walkinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id=2925

9:45 Maribeth Feke led a presentation on RTA’s planned capital investments (cut short due to time).

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Relevant updates from the July 8 Citizens Advisory Board Meeting
I. Joe Calabrese suggests that bike racks also be installed in the Head-House of the EcoVillage RedLine station.

CAB Focus Areas 2010:
•    System wide Ease of Use
•    System wide Safety and Security
•    Partnerships and Advocacy
MINUTES FOR Fri April 2 2010  8:30am
Topic: Station Engineering & Design for current capital projects (Puritas, E. 55, STJ Transit Center)
Guest Speaker: Joseph Shaffer,  Director of Engineering & Project Development, GCRTA

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Attendees:
Andrew Baston, CSU Grad Student
Brad Chase, CAB Chair
Emelio DiSabato, Slavic Village Development
George Zeller, CAB Member
Ian Andrews, Detroit Shoreway CDC
Jacob VanSickle, Slavic Village Development
John McGovern, TIAC Chair
Joseph Shaffer, Guest Presenter
Laura Miller, CSU Grad Student
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8:30AM  After some technical difficulties due to a missing LCD projector, the meeting commenced.

8:45 Joe Schaffer led a Powerpoint-assisted dialogue covering the following capital projects that are currently under construction.
Puritas Red Line Station
Presenter Statements
-RTA will remove underground tunnel and replace it with a high level bridge as a means of connecting the neighborhood head-house to the main station.
CAB Comments
-Is pervious pavement being considered as an option for paved areas (parking lot) of this station?
-Presenter Reply: RTA is piloting pervious pavement at several stations/transit centers, but not Puritas.

E. 55th Red Line Station

Presenter Statements
A. The size of the upper waiting area is approx. 1200 square feet
B. The bus stop serving E. 55th will stay at it’s current location even though the rail access point (stairs) will be removed
C. Station access for bus riders connecting with the RedLine by crossing the very busy intersection of E. 55 will be facilitated via the utilization of a signalized crosswalk
D. Bicycle parking will be included somewhere outside the station, likely with a ‘wave style’ bike rack

CAB Comments
A. Is the upper waiting area of sufficient size to include bike parking inside?
Does the lower waiting area  provide ample coverage from the elements, i.e. a rain/snow storm?
B. Can the bus stop on E. 55 be moved since rail access will no longer be possible?  Perhaps move it further south, past the 490 entrance, to deter jay walking?
C. Can pedestrian movements across E.55 be facilitated by building a concrete/planted median to slow drivers and re-enforce the notion that pedestrians can use the street?  Perhaps such infrastructure could be combined with moving the E.55th bus stop south?
D. Can more secure and covered bicycle parking be incorporated into the station plans?  A style of bicycle parking that would encourage a user to lock an expensive bicycle is encouraged and necessary if RTA intends to encourage transit users to travel to the station by bicycle.  To increase security, something like a bike locker would work well or indoor bike parking and/or bike parking monitored with a security camera that includes a sign ‘this facility under 24hr surveillance’.

Presenter Replies
A. The space in the upper station waiting areas is often underused. This may indeed be a good location for bicycle parking.
The lower waiting area does not provide adequate coverage from large rain/snow events.  This is an architectural design issue.
B. Moving the bus stop is a possibility, but it cannot be moved much further south or it will interfere with right turns onto I-490.
C. Building a concrete/planted median is a good idea to enforce a slower vehicle speed at intersections.  Rob Mavec, Commissioner of the Division of Traffic Engineering (City of Cleveland) will need to be notified as ultimately it is his responsibility.
D. More secure bicycle parking can be incorporates, perhaps inside the upper waiting area.  RTA does not intend to invest in bike lockers due to issues with people sleeping inside of them.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones Transit Center @ CSU

Presenter Statements
A. CSU will maintain this station as part of a 99 year lease.  The entry to the indoor waiting area will include a large garden and a sculpture of Stephanie Tubbs Jones.  The station will be well lit and serve as a starting/ending point for many of the busses that serve CSU, regardless of the direction of the route.
B. Bollards will be incorporated in a ‘dragon tooth’ design to engender a feeling of safety for pedestrians who are waiting for the bus.
C. The indoor waiting area will be modern and include ample seating, HD TV’s broadcasting news (a first for RTA), a small kiosk that may sell snacks/beverages at a future date, and automated ticket machines.
D. Bicycle parking will likely be placed near the garden and under the canopy in the form of a multi-bike  ‘wave-style’ rack.

CAB Comments
A. What is the cost of the station and how many bus lines will it serve?
B. Can the bollards incorporate green plantings  or a different design so that they do not serve as a collection point for wind strewn trash?
C. Does RTA have an operator for the snack/beverage kiosk?  Will tickets purchased from the automated ticket machines be able to be used anywhere on the RTA system?
D. CSU is currently replacing all bike parking on campus; can their bike rack design be incorporated into this station?

Presenter Replies

A. The cost of the station is $6M and will serve approx. 6 bus lines.  It is not yet known whether the station will serve the E-Line Trolley. CSU will be responsible for maintaining this facility.
B. The bollard formation is proven for creating a sense of protection for pedestrians and greenery would be difficult to maintain and further the trash attraction problem.
C. RTA has created a RFP for operators at the kiosk, but has not yet received any response.  The W. 65/EcoVillage RedLine station was built to include a snack/beverage kiosk, but no operator was ever found.  The only example of a successful food/beverage operation at an RTA facility is Michael’s Diner on the Blue/Green Line @ Shaker Square.
D. Yes, we would include the CSU Bicycle Rack design if it met our specs.  Please connect me with the appropriate contact.

At this point, only the April 2 Speaker is confirmed.
________________________________________

Fri April 2 2010:
TOPIC:  Station Engineering in regards to ‘Ease of Use’ & ‘Safety and Security’
GUEST SPEAKER: Joseph Shaffer:  Director, Engineering & Project Development, GCRTA

Fri May 7 2010
TOPIC:  Route Design & Scheduling in regards to ‘Ease of Use’ & ‘Safety and Security’
GUEST SPEAKER : Joel Freilich, _____ Scheduling, GCRTA

Fri June 4 2010
TOPIC: Planning Projects in regards to ‘Ease of Use’ & ‘Safety & Security’
GUEST SPEAKER  Maribeth Feke, Director of Programming and Planning and Beth Long, Planning Leader, GCRTA

Thur July 1 2010 (date change due to July Fourth)
TOPIC: RTA Security in regards to ‘Ease of Use’ & Safety and Security’ through the discussion of the report: ‘Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety’
GUEST SPEAKER:  Chief John Joyce:  Director, Transit Police, GCRTA

Fri August 6 2010
TOPIC: RTA Web and Mobile Platforms in regards to ‘Ease of Use’, “Safety & Security, & the Goals set forth in the Cleveland Sustainability Summit 2019
GUEST SPEAKER: Mike Cermak, Webmaster, GCRTA
GUEST PARTICIPANTS: 2019STAT

Thur Sept 2 2010 (date change due to Labor Day)
TOPIC: Dialogue with Candidates for Cuyahoga County Council
GUEST SPEAKER(s):

Fri Oct  1 2010
TOPIC: Station signage and wayfinding in regards to ‘Ease of Use’ & Safety and Security’
GUEST SPEAKER: Danielle Willis: Planning Team Leader TWE/Sustainability Coordinator, GCRTA
GUEST PARTICIPANTS: Community recipients of Transit Waiting Environment (TWE) funding

Fri Nov 5 2010
TOPIC: Marketing focus on fare boxes in regards to Ease of Use
GUEST SPEAKER: Steve Bitto, Director of Marketing, GCRTA

Fri Dec 3 2010
TOPIC: Dialogue with State of Ohio  Representatives from Cuyahoga County on the future of Transit Funding
GUEST PANEL:
District 7: Kenny Yuko
District 8: Armond Budish
District 9: Barbara Boyd
District 10: Robin Belcher
District 11: Sandra Williams
District 12: Michael Debose
District 13: Michael Skindell (term expires in 2010; cannot run again)
District 14: Mike Foley
District 15: Timothy DeGeeter
District 16: Nan Baker
District 17: Josh Mandel
District 18: Matt Patten
GUEST PARTICIPANTS:  Members of the Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward coalition