Meeting Notes from the Transportation Committee – November 15, 2006

Present: Lesley Curry, Benn Davenport, Beverly Gentry, Flynn Hoffman, Glennda Morse, Eric Reichel, Billie Kanter, Onnah Sisk, Adam Demello, Jillian Buckholz.

Guest: Ruth Guzley

The meeting started at 10:15am due to late arrivals.

Guest Ruth Guzley came to state her thoughts and concerns stemming from a recent incident with her vehicle in the parking structure. Ruth stated she lost her bumper in the parking structure because of how its parking spaces are structured or set up. The spaces she feels, are too close to allow exit ease. She suggested diagonal lines next time lines are painted. Speeding is also a concern for Ruth and suggested speed bumps be installed, which could possibly decrease the number of people driving in the wrong direction. The main focus is on safety.

Glennda noted that diagonal parking spaces may affect the number of spaces and that the layout can be looked at. She stated that the stadium lot was adjusted with little or unnoticeable affects in number of spaces.

Ruth thanked the committee for allowing her to voice her concerns and suggestions and left the meeting.

Parking Fines and Forfeitures

Beverly Gentry explained how the Parking Fines & Forfeitures are attained and expended. As noted during the previous meeting, the Parking Fines and Forfeitures provide a substantial contribution to alternative transportation. The largest contribution from the fund is payment of a portion of the students’ Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) bus ridership, and full coverage of faculty/staff BCAG bus ridership. The funds pay for other alternative transportation projects (i.e., installing bicycle racks) and costs associated with administering the parking fines and forfeitures process. The current budget is still a draft and has not yet been forwarded for approval of the Vice President. The budget document notates line items that impact the budget:

• PMB is contracted to process parking fines.
• County settlement – the Chancellor’s Office and County have agreed that we will pay a $5 per citation fee to the county. (The Chancellor’s Office had directed the campus not to pay the fee for an interim period.) The settlement line item identifies back pay forwarded to the county. The settlement payment is now complete.
• “Late fees” identifies late fees paid by those given parking fines.
• Interest is accrued on the account balance.
• “Roll-over” identifies unexpended funds from the previous year. Last year, roll-over funds were used to cover increased expenditures – especially from BCAG bus ridership. Though we continue to have increase expenditures this year, it is anticipated there will not be roll-over available to cover them.
• Grant funds are obtained as available to supplement the budget and help fund alternative transportation expenditures.
• The fund covers the cost of the fines process, including ticket machines, supplies, etc.

The parking budget committee (an informal ad hoc committee) will continue to examine ways to balance the current budget while following mandates that guide how the funds can be expended.

Project Funding

$2,000/year allotted for maintenance to increase number of racks for bike parking. Expenses can be up to $15,000, based on suggestions for new racks, relocating, etc. this is a big project. Campus Connection funds will cover the leased vehicle for this purpose.

Ben asked where the funds for the campus transportation survey were coming from and stated that this was a concern of the students.

Glennda stated there was a possible misunderstanding as to who would be conducting the survey, and that the survey would not include bicycle counts. Glennda also stated that Joel was working on that and that he needed to be contacted to inquire the status to date.

Bev stated it might not hit this budget and that it may be covered by the Wildcat Activity Center project, but again, to check with Joel.

Ben will talk to Glennda later regarding the survey. [Followup: Funding is not yet identified for the survey.]

Successful BCAG (Butte County Association of Governments) Bus Ridership

The BCAG bus program has been very successful and ridership has been increasing. This program is an important contribution to campus sustainability efforts as well as encouraging alternative transportation. Understandably, a resulting outcome of the growth of this program is increased costs. Currently, A.S. funds 48.7% of student ridership on local routes, but 0% of student ridership on regional routes. The campus, through Fines and Forfeitures funds 100% of all faculty and staff ridership and the balance of the student ridership costs. Because costs, especially related to increased student ridership on regional routes, are rising – it may be necessary to request increased funding from A.S.

Glennda stated BCAG cannot differentiate between staff or student on card swipe. We need an accurate count to be sure students are using it to keep it going. Flynn is working on calculating ridership.

Stephanie stated they’ve installed new card readers on buses, but there is no way to tell if the ID cards are valid (not currently a student).

Ben asked if charges are based on ridership, to which Glennda confirmed that it was.

Stephanie asked about budget dollar amount, to which Adam stated we get money then expenditures are shown on next year’s budget. In other words, 2005/06 Fines and Forfeitures revenue is actually paid fines from 2004/05.

Glennda commended (Adam and Bev) on the budget format and how it was easy to read.

Bev wants to encourage (BCAG) program but may exceed funds in current budget.

Ben suggested increasing parking permit costs and providing free bus fare to solve the parking (shortage) issue. He stated that providing free bus passes as an incentive to not drive might be helpful.

Bev explained that if we expand, fees need to increase to cover all aspects. She shared that the average cost to bus in is $2/day and $5/day to park in a parking structure. Encouraging alternative transportation is the solution. Bev also shared that the ratio for CSUC in meeting the parking need is on the lower end compared to other campuses. We may look at enforcement beyond hours we have now. A few proposals need to be put on the table to help. She didn’t support increasing permit costs, at this time, to influence/encourage bus or alternative transportation. The university is already wishing to increase permit costs to cover a tentatively planned parking structure. Having the two increases together could hinder support for either or both programs. For that reason, and for the present, she encourages the separation of the programs – at least until a firm parking plan is in place and supported by appropriate (and increased) permit fees.

Ben stated that schedules aren’t posted at the bus stop locations, which may have something to do with students not utilizing the buses, not knowing when the next bus is scheduled to stop at that location, etc.

Glennda asked if printed schedules were available at the info center in the BMU. (They are) Onnah stated it needs to be brought up at orientation.

Jim stated that during orientation, students are indeed discouraged from bringing their cars. He suggested contacting Spence Bolic.

Onnah asked if there could be an adjustment on routes, for example, rearranging routes so that those routes that aren’t used (empty bus) can cover the overfill (full bus) routes.

Billie asked how student affairs could help. She stated that other campuses don’t allow cars on campus if you live within one mile or les of campus.

Glennda feels the reasoning needs to come from their peers. Students were to meet to brainstorm how it could be encouraged.

Stanford and UC Davis’ campus were discussed. Glennda stated that CSUC needs to take baby steps, such as asking BCAG for a way to look up a bus stop on line (and posted at the actual stop) to see when your bus is coming.

Jillian felt it was impossible to discourage students from bringing their cars and asked who to talk to regarding parking permits. Glennda stated that Drew Calendrella, V.P. of Student Affairs or David Stevens.

Jim stated that the Chancellor’s Office tells us how much growth (number of students to enroll) we have to have. Parking issues are a factor in students deciding where to attend. We can’t lose students because we lose funding.

Glennda stated that “Voluntary is best” (to encourage students)

Billie stated that “Leading by example” system-wide, could encourage local students to attend (take it up with CSSA).

Stephanie asked which campuses were commuter campuses, and a few mentioned were Humboldt, Chico, and Stanislaus.

Ben requested by-laws for this committee, and how it works.

Glennda will look for mission statement; Bev stated she was looking into the same thing.

Bev stated that the parking budget committee will continue to meet in an effort to draft a balanced Fines and Forfeitures budget. Please consider budgetary and project impacts (i.e., future parking projects) as recommendations and solutions are suggested.

Jim stated we needed to be careful of cost factors when we ask for surveys, etc…

Glennda stated if the students want a survey, they need to head that and incur the costs. It’s clear cut as to what the funds can be used for. Survey counted how many cars are here, a new survey needs to be done to show where they are coming from and what streets are impacted/affected.

Billie stated that the survey representative mentioned we (Chico) have aggressive drivers.

Other Business

Jim asked Eric Reichel about cars parking illegally, and who to contact. Eric stated that it was a city or county issue based on the location given.

Lesley Curry of UPD shared the intervention tag for illegally parked bikes.

Lt. Reichel emphasized intervention.

Onnah stated a concern with current bike rack locations. Lesley stated all that would be addressed with the committee.

Billie added cars drive too fast on campus and the rear entrance to University Center, at DSS/Student Employment location had parking blocked by illegally parked vehicles.

Jillian asked if students could suggest where to put racks, to which Glennda shared that this was indeed accomplished/discussed on the Walk-a-Bout with students. Jillian was unaware that it had taken place.

Onnah asked how the money from bike registration was utilized. Eric Reichel stated that the funds barely covered the cost of supplies (actual license renewal stickers purchased from DMV), staff payroll for CSO issuing the registrations, and that the cost is significantly reduced for students by $3 to make it affordable (Cost of registration is $6 and $3 for renewal).

Jillian inquired as to the Master Plan results, to which Glennda shared that the narrative of results would be posted on the web.

Glennda shared that Greg Francis had submitted for a CalTrans grant with the City of Chico for a traffic study. Unfortunately the grant was not approved and another source of funding will need to be identified in order to move forward to hire a consultant to do a traffic study that would include the campus and adjacent City streets.

Meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM