HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Coordination Committee - Minutes - 4/20/20211
BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE
MICROSOFT TEAMS MEETING
April 20th, 2021
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Committee Members Present: Carla Becker, Jeremy Oswald, Mary Dougherty, Sam Ray, Perri
Campbell-Shuga, Jeff Benton, Beth Probst
Committee Members Excused:
Committee Member Absent:
Staff Present: Carrie Linder,
Other Present: Shari Nutt, Pat Daoust, Jenise Swartley
1. Call to Order and Introductions
Mary Dougherty called the meeting to order at 3:03.
*Linder requested to move agenda item #5 up on the agenda
5. Rural Transportation Grant-Overview by Pat Daoust
BART is applying for a 15-month grant for up to 100,000 to create a van service for any type of trip
throughout Bayfield County. They are envisioning a share-a-ride taxi model for this program. The funds
would be distributed this summer if they receive the grant. They are partnering with Bayfield County and
Red Cliff Transportation Services. It is a competitive nation-wide grant, and many letters of support are
needed to strengthen the grant application. There needs to be a decision on transportation geographical
coverage hours of operation. Door2door in Door County and Rides to Wellness are good models to look to
for developing transportation services in rural areas. This committee can support this grant application by
providing information and input to shape the vision for the program.
P. Daoust left the meeting.
2. Discussion and Possible Action – Review of the March 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Sam, second by Jeremy to approve the minutes, motion carried.
3. Volunteer Driver Program-Status report by Carrie Linder
Tentatively planning to restart the program on June 1. Some volunteer drivers are willing to begin
transporting people again. All drivers will be required to be fully vaccinated and wear a KN95 mask. The
rider will also be required to wear a mask, and drivers will conduct a COVID screening for each rider.
Riders will not be required to disclose their vaccination status, but drivers can choose whether or not they
are willing to transport the rider based on what is disclosed. Riders previously did not have to sign-up for
the program. Moving forward, all riders will complete a registration to assess their needs and be formally
Approved at the 8/23/21
TCC meeting
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registered to use the program. The new name for this program is TAP: Transportation Assistance
Program. There will be a designated phone line that riders can call to request a ride as well as submit a
complaint or compliment. Outreach materials are being developed and will be distributed when
complete.
4. Discussion and Possible Action - Required Co-Payments – Aging Transportation Policy
Carrie is updating the transportation co-payment policy. The current policy includes a complicated chart of co-
payment fees that are determined by the type of trip and length of trip. Research was carried out and many
co-payment policies streamlined. Many charge the same fee regardless of transportation type, and have a few
different fee categories that are either determined by mileage or by county lines (i.e., $5 under 50 miles and
$10 over 50 miles or $5 within county limits and $10 out of county limits).
Linder asked the committee if the department should streamline the current policy to make it easier for both
staff and riders to understand and navigate. Discussion took place; streamlining the fee structure will make it
easier for the staff to process and will provide clarity for the riders. $5 is still a nominal fee, even if it is slightly
more than some current fees. Those in attendance also felt it makes sense to charge the same amount for all
rides regardless of what they are being transported for. Committee members noted the fee categories should
be based on mileage rather than county lines.
Beth motioned to streamline the co-payment structure, second by Sam, motion carried.
6. Review and refine TCC’s goals and activities
The TCC has primarily focused on the following goals:
● Identify gaps and opportunities in current transportation services
● Increase communication and collaboration between transportation providers
A shift is needed toward the following goals and become clearer on how the committee is working towards
them:
● Identify ways to expand transportation services
● Identify possible funding sources
The committee members determined this will occur by:
● Supporting BART’s grant application
● Researching more rural transportation models
● Recruiting more volunteers for TAP
Members determined work has not yet begun working on the following goals:
● Make information regarding transportation services more accessible and easier to navigate for
everyone
● Raise awareness about transportation needs
7. Discuss next action steps
Support Pat while applying for this grant. Carrie will schedule a planning meeting with Pat and invite
committee members to discuss the transportation model for the grant application.
Future Meeting Date
Next meeting TBD
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Adjournment
Motion by Jeremy, second by Carla to adjourn at 4:32, motion carried.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jenise Swartley