Transit- Meeting Agenda (12/18/1997)

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Director Towslee thanked Ms. Clark and said it is a wondertul report and - == she appreciates her time investment. She said she was interested in tFie ~ print-outs and charts with the demographics, and had been told that they would be presented in a report later. Director Kelley said the COG has very strong transportation planning and much data is resident in their transportafwn models. Mr. Whittingtoi i said the State is going in new directions on rural and elderly and disabled planning. The DistricYs Committee is keeping step with the State's emerging direction and are perhaps even out ahead of them a little. They are doing a very good job in staying so cuRent with what is going on in the urban areas. The Committee has done an excellent job, and he commended Doug Pilant, the DistricYs Senior Planner who is working with them. He is doing a really great job working with the Committee. ~ Director Newton said it looks as though the Committee ha:: idenfified the population in need in West Sal~m, and perhaps it will be one of the first in which to run a trial balloon. If statistics and testimony are confirmed it might be a prudent thing to do. Director Campbell asked what has caused the concentration of some of the need populations in places like the Canyon region. Ms. Clark said more work needs to be done on that since the distribution maps were just received. However, her guess would be that those concentrations of seniors already lived in those areas and grew old there, President Caraballo said he felt that what is seen in the profiles is the reality of the not too distant futur~the babyboomer tidal wave-and it is upon us. Director Kelley said to some extent, the loss of some of the jobs in some areas would cause a higher age range. People leave some of the smaller towns in the Canyon region due of lack of employment. Ms. Clark said the STF Advisory Committee is very excited about the process and are really hoping that something good comes out of it. They have appreciated the Board's support, and could not have done this worlc without it. Elderly and Disabled Bob Woodworker, Chair of the E/DCAC, thanked the Board o~ behalf of the Consumer Advisory Committee for the fare free Saturclays during December. However, the Committee (ED-CAC) Committee would like to request an additional free Saturday after Christmas on December 27. This would give the senior and disabled riders as well as the riders at large a little less stressful day when they make their Christmas retums. This request involves a fare loss of $1,700 for that day. Mr. Whittington said all of the DistricYs marketing materials are assembled and will be going out so it would not be possible to include December 27 in the marketing materials ~at are going out right now. However, an announcement of the additional free Saturday could be made through take- ones or a press release if the Board decides to do that. Director Newton said earlier the Board had other recommendations for extended free service in the evenings. He has also ~eceived suggestions that the entire months of December and January be fare free because of the dark and rainy weather. When this issue was discussed a few months ago the financial impacts were discussed, but these are new proposals. Mr. Whittington said the new financial impacts have not been discussed. The previous discussions did not lead to any additionat research for other Minutes of the Boa~d of Directors Meeting Salem Area Mass Transit District November 20, 1997 - Page 9