Capital Area Metropolitan Transit Authority Access Advisory Committee March 3, 2010 Draft Minutes 314 W. 11th Street, Ned Granger Building
Members Present
- Diane Bomar-Aleman, Chair Access Committee, Member MetroAccess Subcommittee
- Dave Patterson, Vice Chair Access Committee, Chair Fixed Route Subcommittee
- Malcolm Graham, Chair MetroAccess Subcommittee
- Jane Lansaw, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee
- Charles Shavers, Member MetroAccess Subcommittee
- Sandra Seekamp, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee
- Ann Nelson, Member MetroAccess Subcommittee
- Mary Ellen Sanchez, Member MetroAccess Subcommittee
- Queen Walker, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee
- Michael Zitz-Evancih, Reserve Member, Access Associate
Members Absent
- Boone J. Blocker, Secretary Access Committee, Member Fixed Route Subcommittee
Capital Metro Staff Present
- Inez Evans, Director Paratransit
- Rafael Villarreal, Assistant Director of Paratransit
- Dianne Mendoza, Director Business and Community Relations
- Chad Ballentine, Superintendent Paratransit
- Jeff Denning, Transportation/Field Supervisor
Guests Present
- Carlos Aleman
- Patty Timmerman
- Mark Anderson
- Larry Graunard
- John Meinkowski
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:32 pm by Chair Diane Bomar-Aleman.
Citizen’s Communication
Carlos Aleman stated that call notifications are working well except today, when he got a call at 4:19 pm for ride at 4:42 pm. He said that normally calls are received 7 minutes before arrival and he believes if this were initiated, calls would work better. He has been trying to get verified to ride VIA. He left 3 messages with Capital Metro and has not received a call back with an answer, so hopefully someone can assist him. About 2 years ago, there was a customer service training campaign and he feels that this type of training is merited again. Employees used to look more at how to assist the customers instead of worrying about having too many rules.
John Meinkowski said that ARCIL has been paying attention to eligibility and he has spoken to the Capital Metro Board of Directors and exchanged email with them. He stated that after meeting with some Board Members he thinks they are paying attention to eligibility and customer service. He was asked to review a draft of the MetroAccess Application and suggested quite a bit, especially on medical portion of the form. His basic point is that less bureaucracy is better and that the process to weed people from using MetroAccess will only result in a very minor change. He said that if anyone is interested, a complaint form to the FTA is available.
Patty Timmerman stated that she agrees with what Carlos Aleman said about the call notification system working better and that she has been getting calls. She wants to know how to receive an accessible format of contact with Capital Metro. She had to leave a phone message at the general Capital Metro Complaint phone number. She left two types of home address and no more than five minutes later got another automated call. Her second point of frustration is that Capital Metro wants us to pay attention but MetroAccess clients cannot respond to the automated call. At the end of the call out message it said “If you sent your money, disregard this message.” She received receipt, but forgot to bring it in to get it faxed. The automated voice mail just gave 7480 phone number and does not even have name of person to call.
Mark Anderson said the he works with Lighthouse and 3PO and he went through the same thing as Patty Timmerman and has not received a call yet. He has had problem with MetroAccess since December. He is fearful of riding fixed route buses and his old service dog getting stuck under bus seats. He got kicked off the MetroAccess system because he was told blindness was not a disability. He was asked the name of the MetroAccess staff person who said this.
Approval of Minutes for February 3, 2010
Jane Lansaw moved and Vice Chair David Patterson seconded a motion to approve the Minutes from the February 3, 2010 Access Advisory Committee Meeting. The motion passed.
Announcements
Chair Aleman stated that in the National Transit Institute class she is currently attending, she read that legal blindness is to be given at least conditional eligibility for paratransit services. She also stated that employees of the Federal Transit Administration are also in her class.
The next Capital Metro Board of Directors Meeting is March 22, 2010 at 3:00 pm at 2910 East Fifth Street.
Access Committee Reports
Malcolm Graham gave update on the Access Subcommittee and during their last meeting, certification and eligibility for MetroAccess was discussed. He said that people were being denied MetroAccess service for things that were ok in the past and suspended for no shows without due process.
Chair Aleman asked for Malcolm to make a motion for a resolution concerning the denial of MetroAccess service during the current meeting.
Vice Chair Patterson mentioned that the Fixed Route Subcomittee did not have a quorum for their last meeting and did not meet.
Chair Aleman gave a description of the last Capital Metro Board of Directors Meeting.
Chair Aleman also gave a description of the last Metro Mobility Working Group (MMWG) Meeting.
Capital Metro Staff Reports
There were no Capital Metro staff reports given.
Old Business
The Access Committee talked again about functional assessments and while some on the MMWG were in favor, the MMWG or Access did not vote on whether to determine MetroAccess eligibility in house or contract it out. It was noted that this would only be for in person interviews.
Chair Aleman stated that combining the Access and Customer Service Advisory Committee (CSAC) might have some merit, but that an independent Access Committee is better. Malcolm said that historically the Access Committee was always a separate committee and that MetroAccess is a specialized service and he does not approve of combining the committees.
New Business
The following resolution was introduced by Chair Aleman:
Whereas, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was established to increase inclusion in all aspects of American life, including, but not limited to, employment, recreational, educational and cultural opportunities for persons with disabilities through a mandate for equal access; and
Whereas, Austin citizens with disabilities depend upon Capital Metro to provide more than 4.25 million trips annually through a mix of fixed route, paratransit and taxi voucher services; and,
Whereas, the Capital Metro Access Advisory Committee was created to advise the transportation agency regarding the needs of Austin citizens with disabilities for whom transportation is critical to the health, safety, and welfare of people with disabilities, As they cannot fully contribute to society without transportation; and
Whereas, Capital Metro is operating under a court order which prohibits ANY changes to policies, practices, and/or procedures, until proposed changes are reviewed and voted on by a designated Workgroup, known as the Metro Mobility Work Group (MMWG); and
Whereas, MetroAccess management is changing requirements for eligibility certification/recertification; failing to publish the changes in a way which allows the community to evaluate and/or comply with the changes during application; Denying certification to previously certified individuals without demonstrating a change in disability; And,
Whereas, (MMWG), was not given a chance to review, advise, has yet to finalize its recommendations for policies and operations, nor have such changes been subject to public review or approved by the Board of Directors of Capital Metro; Now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT,
The Capital Metro Access Advisory Committee claims that These changes to procedure are in violation to the court order, contrary to existing Capital Metro policy, and
This advisory committee requests the Board of Directors of Capital Metro direct Capital Metro staff to CEASE AND DESIST in the implementation of this, or any, new practice or procedure that has not been reviewed and voted on by the MMWG, and the Capital Metro Access Advisory Committee; and
This advisory committee requests that full and unconditional eligibility be granted to all applicants for certification or re-certification, who were evaluated using the new determination criteria, but, meet eligibility requirements as implemented prior to 2002.
The motion was approved unanimously.
The following resolution was also introduced by Chair Aleman:
The Access Advisory Committee requests the Capital Metro Board of Directors to Stop All no-show suspensions until a process is developed and implemented which would notify passengers in a timely manner, and in an accessible format.
The motion was also approved unanimously.
The following resolution was also introduced by Chair Aleman:
The Access Advisory Committee requests the Board of Directors to "grandfather" any MetroAccess passengers who currently live within the MetroAccess service area, to continue receiving MetroAccess service to/from that location, even if the nearest bus route changes.
This motion also passed unanimously.
Lastly, the following resolution was also introduced by Chair Aleman:
The Capital Metro Access Committee requests the Board of Directors to NOT consolidate the CSAC and Access Advisory Committees. We believe that this will result in a disservice to both those with and those without disabilities.
This motion also passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Malcolm Graham moved and Jane Lansaw seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 pm.
The next Access Advisory Committee Meeting will be held April 7, 2010 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at 314 W. 11th, the Ned Granger Building- Travis County Commissioner’s Courtroom, 1st Floor.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
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