This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the SSTAC on the items within its jurisdiction but not on this agenda.  Note: Prior to action by SSTAC on any item on this agenda, the public may comment on that item

SUMMARY:  

We would like to welcome Thomas Dulin to SSTAC.  He is the Interim Transit Director, replacing Monty Cox, who, as a social services transit provider, was a member of the SSTAC.  Mr. Dullin steps into the role representing FEOC that was previously held by Monty.

Let us also welcome Stacy Francis of the Central Valley Resource Center.  She is stepping into the position vacated by Mr. Bill Hyatt, the long-time former chair of the SSTAC.

An appointment to the SSTAC has lapsed and needs to be re-appointed. This individual is:

ACTION:  Staff requests that SSTAC recommend the Fresno COG TTC and PAC approve the new appointments and re-appointment of interested SSTAC members for a 2-year term.

SUMMARY:

It is January and with the New Year comes another cycle of the Unmet Transit Needs (UTN) Assessment. 

Public outreach is an essential and required component of the Unmet Transit Needs Assessment.  This year, the public outreach component of the UTN will consist of virtual and in-person events, and an online public survey. 

Public outreach activities are tentatively scheduled (as of this writing) for the second and third week of February and will consist of three virtual events: five in-person events, one combination event, and a public hearing.  The virtual events will be held in the morning, afternoon, and evening, weekdays, while in-person events will be held in the evening, with a single event on a Saturday. 

For the first time, a public outreach meeting will be held on the weekend, Saturday to be specific.  This event will be both in-person and virtual, to be broadcast on Facebook.  Along with public outreach activities, a survey will be available online in both English and Spanish to collect feedback from event participants and members of the public.   The survey in English is available as an attachment.

To generate interest and awareness in the UTN and the survey, staff will rely on the mailing list and will conduct an advertising campaign on Facebook.  The mailing list was sent to the group before the Holidays for review and the feedback received has been incorporated into the list. 

To promote the UTN and encourage the completion of the survey, an advertising campaign will be run on Facebook up until the final public outreach event in late February.  Advertising will be limited to devices accessing Facebook within Fresno County.

ACTION: This is an informational item and subject to the discretion of the SSTAC.

SUMMARY: 

Transit operators annually conduct a productivity evaluation to assess progress with State Transportation Development Act funds and to recommend potential productivity improvements.  The California Public Utilities Code 99244 requires that “Each transportation planning agency shall annually identify, analyze, and recommend potential productivity improvements which could lower the operational costs of transit operators who operate at least 50 percent of their vehicle service miles within the area under its jurisdiction.”  If the responsible entity determines that the operator has not made a reasonable effort to implement the recommended improvements, then local transportation funds allocated to that operator cannot exceed the appropriation from the prior year.

The FY 2021 productivity evaluation assesses the following transit agencies:

1. Fresno Area Express and Handy Ride

2.  Clovis Stageline and Roundup

3. Fresno County Rural Transit Agency

4.  Consolidated Transportation Services Agencies for the Metropolitan and Rural Areas.

ACTION: Staff requests that the SSTAC recommend the Policy Board accept the FY 2021 Transit Productivity Evaluation Report.

The Fresno COG offices and restrooms are ADA accessible. Representatives or individuals with disabilities should contact Fresno COG, at least 3 days in advance, to request auxiliary aids and/or translation services necessary to participate in the public meeting.