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: The public outreach process for the FY2024-25 Unmet Transit Needs has started.  It consists of an online survey, six in-person events, two virtual events, and a public hearing.

Public outreach is an essential component of the Unmet Transit Needs Assessment. This year, the public outreach component will consist of an online survey, six in-person events, a single virtual event, and a public hearing.  The online survey is available in English and Spanish until Friday, March 29, 2024, at:

English – https://publicinput.com/2024utn

Spanish – https://publicinput.com/2024spanishutn

The dates, times, and locations of each public outreach meeting are as follows:

Meeting #1: Rural Westside Fresno County

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February. 27
Granada Commons Apartments
14570 West California Ave.,
Kerman, CA 93630

Meeting #2: City of Fresno

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February, 28
Mosqueda Community Center
4670 E. Butler Ave.,
Fresno, CA 93702

Meeting #3: City of Fresno

10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2
Maxie L. Parks Community Center
1802 E. California Ave.,
Fresno CA 93706

Meeting #4 – Online

1:30 p.m. Monday, March 4
Register in advance at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EkE-RiT7QlOdJRyomUOfEg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Meeting #5: City of Fresno

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5
Pinedale Community Center
7170 N. San Pablo Ave.,
Pinedale, CA 93650

Meeting #6: City of Clovis

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6
Armstrong Transit Center-at Landmark Square Transit Training Room
785 Third Street
Clovis, CA 93612

Meeting # 7: Rural Eastside Fresno County

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12
Paseo 55
1764 12^th Street,
Reedley, CA 93654

Public outreach events for the FY 2024-25 Unmet Transit Needs Assessment concludes with a public hearing at the Fresno COG Policy Board meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024. 

Transit riders and stakeholders can submit comments via email that are aggregated with the survey, in English or Spanish, at 2024utn@publicinput.com. They can also submit comments via voicemail (855) 925-2801, entering project code: “1470”, when prompted or text "unmet needs" to 73224. See the attached flyers for all details.

Marketing activities for the FY 2024-25 Unmet Transit Needs assessment include flyers to the FAX unmet transit needs mailing list, articles published in the Fresno COG and FAX newsletters, flyers and postcards distributed to Fresno County Department of Social Services offices and social media posts through Fresno COG and FAX social media channels. A community hub is also available at https://publicinput.com/unmet.transit.needs

More information about the FY 2024-25 unmet transit needs process -- including outreach activities, meeting times, addresses, and call-in information for the virtual events -- can be found at www.fresnocog.org/unmet-transit-needs-assessment/ and the Public Input Community Hub at https://publicinput.com/unmet.transit.needs.

Action: Information. The Committee may provide additional direction at its discretion.

Summary: A productivity evaluation is conducted annually to assess transit operators that receive 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 2023 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 request the SSTAC to recommend that the TTC/PAC accept the FY 2023 Transit Productivity Evaluation Report and forward it to the COG Policy Board for approval.

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.