Transit- Meeting Agenda (12/18/1997)

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the bylaws at this point, but that is anticipated. After the mission was ____- - - identified, the Committee began to identify stakeholders. Theyfound that ----~- transportation issues and efforts to solve transportation ~elated problems varied in the different areas of the two counties. Four subregions were identified: 1) Polk County, 2) Salem-Keizer, 3) North Marion County, and 4) the Canyon area. These were not divided into subregions to isolate them, but rather to recognize the subsystems that are developing in each one of these independent of each other. Difference and sameness were identified. All were having some d'ifficulties doing coordination. Six pertinent key issues were identified in all of the areas, and they settled on three to work on. The first issue was how the STF Advisory Committee promotes regional systems' effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination. The second issue identified was how the staff creates a customer based plan founded on present and future regional needs. Third, how can the region's existing funds be maintained and how can it and position itself to be the recipient of additional funds and resources. It is here that the Committee believes it is fitting into the State's direction in how they are redesigning their methods of delivering funding. After these strategies were developed, the Committee retreated for a day and a half and wor{ced on the issues and formulated a plan for how it would go about attacking these issues. At the retreat, the four public forums that were held were designed in subregional a~eas. Forums were held in Woodbum, Stayton, Dallas, and Salem/Keizer. Two or three common themes were apparent in all of the fon.ims: 1) all of the areas would like to see better service to Salem from the outlying rural areas, 2) all wanted to see a more regionalized system that worked for all areas, and 3) all wanted to be able to call one dependable place for ride assistance. This is part of the needs assessment for the whole area, and the Committee is working with the Council of Govemments on it as well. The COG is doing the inventory and putting together some written documents. The COG's mapping illustrates areas to ~ target where there is the highest concentration of populations needing service. ~ _..~ The Committee will meet on the evening of November 21 and will be reviewing feedback from the Public Forums in more depth. All of the pieces of the needs assessment will be brought together and the Committee will begin formulating strategies to aid them in the development of a regional plan. Action plans will be established and the public involvement process will be refined. One of the things the Committee wants to try to have in place within the next 2-3 weeks is a providers' forum to discuss how to best proceed. President Caraballo said he was overwhelmed and extremely pleased by the work and time put in on this issue so far. He noted that it is through the generosity of concemed citizens that the District is getting such an exceptional product. He commended Ms. Clark and the Committee for an outstanding job, and said that this will facilitate the DistricYs ability to deal not only with existing STF programs but will build for the future of a very significant need for this region. Director Newton asked what is the source of the Committee's facts and data. Ms. Clark said the most recent population census data was used, and she said she believed it was done by Portland State University (PSU). President Caraballo noted that the State of Oregon has recently issued a 50 year projection and population profile by county which is very useful for a number of purposes and is additional data that can be integrated for the Board's deliberations and considerations. Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting Salem Area Mass Transit District November 20, 1997 - Page 8