PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing to receive citizen input on service recommendations contained in a draft Battle Creek Transit Planning Study (presentation by Transit consultant, The Corradino Group, prior to Public Hearing).
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Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any public comments.
Larry Strange, of the Corradino Group, made a presentation regarding the results of the Transportation Study.
Ebony Thorpe, Chair of the Transportation Equity Task Force, thanked the City for the study and the changes to the current system to better meet the needs of the community.
Dale Bennett, member of the Transportation Equity Task Force, shared her concern about second and third shift workers at Fort Custer. Ms. Bennett asked what innovative solutions has the City considered to accommodate the second and third shift workers to ensure they can keep their jobs.
Rev. Mark Woodford, 134 W. Fountain, member of Local Transit Advisory Council, stated if the Capital SW transit route is changed, a group of handicapped MRS employees who work along the southwest Capital corridor will not be able to retain their jobs. He asked the City to address bus service to the Brickyard Medical Facility as many people need to have transportation for medical appointments. Lastly, Rev. Woodford asked for late night transit service in Battle Creek and noted that CALTRAN is the only service that provides service until midnight.
Rev. William Stein, founder and President of CALTRAN and Chairman and CEO of God's Taxi, stated CALTRAN offers service from 6:00 A.M. to midnight. He stated that he has been fighting for alternative taxi service in Battle Creek for 21 years. Rev. William Stein thanked the Corradino Group for educating the community about transportation; however, he disagreed with the relocation of the transportation center as the current center is only two city blocks from Battle Creek Central High School and W. K. Kellogg School. If the transportation center is relocated, students will have to walk a greater distance creating a safety concern. He did not think it wise to relocate the transportation center near drug and alcohol activity on Main Street.
David Moore, 102 Taylor, was concerned about cutting the hourly routes and stated that it will be necessary for riders to take a cab to a bus top or the transportation center. To provide service to Fort Custer, Transit had to eliminate Avenue A and currently those riders have to take a cab downtown to the transportation center.
Ginny Baldwin, member of the Transportation Equity Task Force, stated the study suggests that many businesses were contacted to see if they could help with funding to get their customers and employees to and from work. Ms. Baldwin asked what was the result with the contacts and what was the income.
Bill Powaser, member of the Transportation Equity Task Force, was sad to see the optimal system is not anything the City can afford. From the Executive Summary, he believed the City has a lean system and a fixed one. Mr. Powaser did not see a lot of innovation as a result and asked what technologies were considered. He asked if there could be a relationship with agencies like "Wheels to Work" to provide coordinated services.
Molly Faison, member of JONAH, asked with the opening of the Ovonic Solar plant and with employees earning less than the prevailing wage, how they will get to and from work.
Mickey Harris, member of the Transportation Equity Task Force, asked what mechanisms were built into the plan to adapt to changes and the need for public transportation based on the current economy. She asked the Commission to consider future changes because of widespread layoffs, a spike in gas prices, or a surge in hiring.
Mack Powaga, Albion resident, asked what has been considered regarding a county-wide transportation system.
Renee Powaga, Albion resident, asked what plan or provisions have been made to evaluate changing transportation needs for outlying groups in the county, such as the Veteran's Administration.
Jay Weiss, member of the Transportation Equity Task Force, stated the study talks about long-range plans for transportation to the new casino. He stated he would like to see that a short-term plan and have Transit coordinate with the casino to provide bus transportation to and from Battle Creek.
Pamela Doves commented it would make more sense to move the transportation center near the Battle Creek Transit office on W. Michigan Avenue.
Malcolm McCaleb, of Rolling Hills, stated one of the reasons he moved to Rolling Hills was the availability of public transportation. He noted there are many veterans and seniors who live in his area that need transportation. Mr. McCaleb asked what alternatives have been considered, such as hybrid buses, and if the City has studied other similar communities.
Doyle Shaver, of Rolling Hills, stated he and his brother utilize the bus system, and it is their only source of transportation. He noted that a taxi cab ride to Urbandale is approximately $6.
Robert Beval advised he is a senior citizen on a fixed income and he rides the bus every day. He asked the Commission to consider bus service twice per day to Rolling Hills rather than completely eliminating it.
Bill Walkertori, resident of Rolling Hills, commented he has not been surveyed and he rides the bus four or five times per week. He felt providing bus service for the working middle class was more important than providing transportation to the casino.
Jackie Grant, resident of Rolling Hills, stated she and her son utilize the bus. She stated she can not leave work to take her son to school or take him to work. Ms. Grant said that eliminating the bus service to Rolling Hills would be a real hardship on people who can not afford two cars or purchase gas for their cars.
Desony McMillan, Property Manager of Rolling Hills, read a letter from Rebecca Grant who has four children and one vehicle. Her children have summer plans for participating in classes, driver's training, a part-time job, and working volunteer hours towards a scholarship. Because of Mr. and Mrs. Grant's work schedules, their children will be dependant on the bus service. She encouraged keeping the bus service in Rolling Hills.
Korena Corkins would like to see transit service to Rolling Hills stay the same.
Kevin Doolittle, 771 Wagner, challenged the Commission to give up their vehicles for a period of time and conduct normal activities using the bus system before any changes are made to the current system.
Mayor Behnke asked the Commission if they had any questions.
Comm. Simmons stated before he was provided a copy of the Executive Summary, he was disturbed about some of the proposed changes to the Urbandale bus route. He was glad to see the Bedford Road/Taylor loop was added back into the plan. Even though the transportation study shows limited ridership, it affects real people. Comm. Simmons hoped the City would consider extending the route out to Rolling Hills a few times per day.
Comm. Hersha stated he sits on the Public Transportation Committee and thanked those who spoke at the Public Hearing. He asked staff to speak about why the changes are being considered in Urbandale and Capital NE.
Larry Strange advised the West Michigan route has the lowest ridership in the system. Part of the plan is to accommodate the Rolling Hills residents through expansion of the teleride service. He noted that Capital Avenue NE has standing room only and could be more productive. Mr. Strange said they look at areas where resources could be used to make the system better elsewhere.
Comm. Hersha stated there will be budget challenges and asked how much of a transit system do we have compared to other cities.
Larry Strange remarked in terms of productivity, Battle Creek is very high. In terms of expenditures per capita, Battle Creek is not as high. The systems that spend more money have more service. He stated the comments heard tonight were very good. An optimal system would have routes operating in 30 minute or less frequencies serving the main destinations. The caller ride would feed into zones, and he indicated that caller rides have been successfully used in a number of communities that help deal with the low density issues. Mr. Strange noted that a public transportation system can not be perfect.
Comm. Yankama asked what are the long-term plans based on the economic outlook.
Larry Strange stated the plan outline includes short, near, and long-term changes. Even though there may be fluctuations in demand or change in funding, the plan provides room for expansion.
Comm. Yankama asked if any partnering with the Veterans Administration facility was considered.
Jerry Hutchison responded that there have been no discussions with the Veterans Administration; however, it is an option that could be explored. He added that the Corradino Group is putting together a coordination plan to apply for grant funding which will help in implementing some of the long-term recommendations.
Vice Mayor Walker appreciated hearing the comments of people in attendance who have actively participated on the transit routes. He asked how citizens can impact the decisions being made.
Jerry Hutchison advised the comments heard this evening will be considered to review further recommendations. Nothing has been set in stone.
Vice Mayor Walker felt it would be a good opportunity to involve the Public Transportation Committee and suggested that they be the conduit for comments.
Jerry Hutchison stated a resolution to formally adopt the study and implement the short range (0-6 months) category should come before the Commission in March; however, there are no deadlines.
Comm. Godfrey commented at the time the transit system was discussed with neighboring communities, one of the complexes that was heard the most from was Crowne Chase Apartments. He noticed that one of the recommendations is to have a pickup there on every route. He asked if the Corradino Group could reverify the data on Rolling Hills to ensure they have the correct data. Lastly, Comm. Godfrey appreciated the executive summary.
Comm. Baldwin asked what the optimal system would cost to operate.
Larry Strange estimated doubling the current budget to $7M. He remarked that Transit is applying for grant funds that could help share the burden. It is unknown if there will be stimulus funds at this time.
Comm. Baldwin added along with federal, state and city funding that bus fares only cover about 10%.
Mayor Behnke thanked everyone for their input this evening and declared the Public Hearing closed.
RECESS: 8:32 P.M.
RECONVENE: 8:37 P.M.
2. Public Hearing to provide an opportunity for liquor establishments who are not in compliance with City Ordinance 831 to speak on their behalf.
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Clerk Laser noted there are five liquor establishments that have outstanding violations, and they have received the required 10-day notice notifying them of the public hearing this evening.
Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any representatives of liquor establishments who would like to speak.
Richard Johnson, of the Ball Joint, commented that personal property taxes continue to rise, and he asked when personal property is devaluated each year, why are taxes continually higher.
Comm. Sofia stated she has not received a communication advising of the establishments in jeopardy.
Clerk Laser said the liquor establishments have until the March 17th meeting to take care of the violations. At that meeting, a resolution will be presented to deny renewal of those establishments still in violation.
Comm. Yankama asked how the establishments were informed of the public hearing.
Clerk Laser stated a letter was sent by first class mail to the establishments having outstanding violations advising them of the Public Hearing.
Mayor Behnke asked if there were any further comments. Hearing none, Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing closed.
3. Public hearing on approving revised costs for Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate Holder Advanced Special Tools, Inc., Certificate No. 2008-224.
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Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any public comments.
Hearing none, Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing closed.
4. Public Hearing to receive citizen input on applications developed by area agencies for FY 2010 State funding.
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Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any public comments.
Rev. William Stein believed the Public Hearing should be pulled from the agenda. He indicated that he had attended the Local Advisory Transportation meeting today, and the LAC could not vote on the application process because there was no quorum present and there were issues pertaining to the applications. Also, he stated that he was disappointed that the Transit Department and the Corradino Group did not share that there are nine human service agencies that are providing transportation in addition to Battle Creek Transit, which helps augment services. Seven of the organizations, excluding CALTRAN and God's Taxi, receive federal, state, and local funding. Burnham Brook Center provides services for seniors; Marian Birch Adult Day Care provides transportation for clients; Community Inclusive Recreation, Community Action offers services for seniors and people with disabilities; CALTRAN provides services for low-income, elderly and disabled; God's Taxi provides free services for the poor; Disabled American Veterans provides transportation for veterans to and from the Veterans Administration facility; Michigan Works provides transportation for people to get to and from work; and Goodwill's "Wheels to Work" program provides cars to individuals. Rev. Stein suggested that these agencies along with their phone numbers should be placed in the newspaper so that citizens can access the resources.
Jerry Hutchison commented that CALTRAN and God's Taxi are a part of the process which was put into place this year in response to concerns brought to the City Commission. He stated the LAC is working with 8 area agencies including Rev. Stein's organizations as part of the application process. Although a Local Advisory Council meeting was held today, there was no quorum present. However, not having a quorum does not mean that what the LAC accomplished was not valid or meaningful. He stated the LAC is preparing applications to be submitted to MDOT for its review and potential approval.
Mayor Behnke asked if there were any further comments. Hearing none, Mayor Behnke declared the Public Hearing closed. |