HomeMy WebLinkAbout220714 PTAC Minutes PH and Reg MeetingPublic Transportation Advisory Commission Public Hearing
Transit Conference Room, Galesburg City Hall, 1025 Monmouth Blvd. Galesburg, IL
Thursday, July 14, 2022
1:00 p.m.
Members Present:Genny Gibson,Stephanie Grimes,John Hanlon,Shannon McVey,Linda Miller,
and Rose Morris,6.Also present:Kraig Boynton,Kelli Bennewitz,Mary Foutch,Dedra Mannon,
and John Peterson.
John Hanlon called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
Public Comment:
None
A motion was made by Linda Miller,seconded by Rose Morris,to approve the minutes of the
April 14,2022,meeting.A correction will be noted that Rose Morris was absent from the
meeting. The motion carried as amended.
Public Hearing:
Agenda Item PT-22-0701
Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Round 3 Application
The Public Hearing was called to order at 1:05 p.m.
Kraig Boynton,Transit Manager,reported that the City of Galesburg will be applying to the
Rebuild Illinois Capital Program.Proposals are now being accepted for a third round of grants to
public downstate transit providers as part of the Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Program.
This grant is intended to help expand and improve service,provide more transportation options,
and promote an enhanced quality of life in communities throughout the state.
The Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Program provides 100%funding for all approved
proposals which means the City of Galesburg would not have to provide any type of match. The
City of Galesburg is proposing the following nine projects:
1.Staff will request to supplement the cost of an existing grant for two buses.The City was
originally in line to receive a grant for the replacement of two buses in 2018.Due to
staffing changes with IDOT,City staff,and the pandemic,the grant was never released by
IDOT.IDOT is now in the process of issuing the original grant for the purchase of two
buses.However,the funding remains at the 2018 level of $900,000.Staff have spoken at
length with Gillig representatives regarding estimates for new buses and they are
estimating $575,000 per bus.GPT plans to request $250,000 in grant funds from this
round of grant funding in order to fully cover the costs of the buses.
Boynton noted that Gillig no longer has an option for hybrid buses and only offers straight
diesel.He and other staff have been discouraged by Gillig ’s supply chain and lack of
communication.Staff visited Quincy where they use Super Duty Ford buses,which could be an
option for Galesburg.He noted some differences could include that wheelchair loading could
be slower with these vehicles and that the buses we currently have are 29 feet and the Ford’s
would be 33 feet. Ford will also be looking at electric options in the future.
2.Staff will request the purchase of three additional buses to replace additional units that
will be at their life expectancy by the time the grant is awarded and the buses are built.
The estimated cost for these three buses would be $1,725,000.GPT plans to request this
amount for the three buses.
3.Staff have been researching the possibility of adding solar to the facility to offset electric
charges.Recently,an analysis was completed on the building and determined that a
solar array could be placed on the building to offset the building's electricity use,which
averages approximately $1,190 per month.The total cost of the project is approximately
$300,000.Galesburg Public Transportation could take advantage of approximately
$84,000 in Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC)cash incentives to offset this
cost,leaving a remaining cost of $216,000.GPT plans to request grant funds in the
amount of $225,000 for this project.
4.GPT has outgrown/is outgrowing the existing building.The original design for the
building anticipated the need for expansion.Staff have been working with the original
architect firm that designed the building to provide conceptual drawings as well as cost
estimates for a needed expansion. Highlights of the expansion would include:
a.Additional work bays to accommodate larger bus configurations for future
migration to battery buses;
b.Expansion of internal parking for buses to accommodate for adding charging
station technology in the future;
c.Additional storage;
d.A dedicated training room;
e.A cover for the above ground fuel tank to limit evaporation, and
f.Additional parking.
Staff recently met with Legat Architects,and they have completed a conceptual drawing of the
expansion with an estimated cost of $5,895,938.The intent will be to request $6.5 million for
the expansion.The difference provides for contingency,incidentals,and inflation for anticipated
lag of project start.
Linda Miller inquired about the trips to Peoria and the QCA.Dendra Mannon noted that GPT
has a contract with WIAAA (Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging)for a minimal fee.Ridership
is down, still likely due to COVID, but that the trips can sometimes be a challenge.
5.GPT is in need of additional technology for monitoring buses.The original design of the
building called for the fixed route bus staff to be on one end of the building and for the
handivan staff on the other end.With the merging of GPT under the City,there are some
technology issues that are lacking and need to be addressed.GPT would like to add
additional cameras to the property as well as computers with monitors that can
broadcast these cameras in various locations of the building where staff are located.The
intent will be to request $30,000 in funding for this project and build out the system as
much as possible.
6.GPT currently maintains a total of twenty-five bus shelters in the community.GPT staff
would like to add solar lighting and solar USB charging stations to the shelters to provide
safety and an additional amenity to patrons.The estimated cost to add the charging
stations and solar lighting is $2,000 per shelter.GPT would like to request $50,000 on
this grant to complete this project.
7.Since being built in 2015,the Transit building has been struck by lightning on a number
of occasions,most recently on June 25th,causing damage to numerous electronic
devices in the building.In an effort to help mitigate these strikes,GPT staff would like to
request $75,000 in funds for the installation of lightning rods to help minimize damage
in the event of future lightning strikes.
8.With the addition of two new mechanics at Galesburg GPT this year,we are finding that
we can now complete additional in-house repairs.One such repair is the alignment of
the buses.The Transit Shop Foreman has requested the purchase of heavy-duty
alignment stands.With the anticipation of expanding the shop area and increased traffic
for the buses,GPT wishes to request two sets.Each set with shipping is just under
$5,000. GPT staff will request $10,000 in grant funding for this purchase.
9.With the anticipation of switching over to battery operated buses in the future,GPT
would like to secure funding to have a formal study completed that would provide:
a.A needs assessment for retrofitting the building for a battery fleet;
b.Additional electricity needs required to meet this need;
c.Design of a dedicated transfer point (with charging capabilities), and
d.Request $100,000 to hire a firm and complete the assessment.He noted that
completing this study would allow for additional funding to be requested under
future grant opportunities.
Both Dedra Mannon and Kraig Boynton stated that the two new GPT mechanics have worked
out tremendously and have been able to provide many of the repairs and maintenance
internally.
A motion was made by Rose Morris,seconded by Stephanie Grimes,to recommend the
application for Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Round 3. The motion carried.
The Public Hearing adjourned at 1:44 p.m.
_____________________________________
Kelli R. Bennewitz, City Clerk
Public Transportation Advisory Commission Meeting
Transit Conference Room, Galesburg City Hall, 1025 Monmouth Blvd. Galesburg, IL
Thursday, July 14, 2022
1:00 p.m.
Members Present: Genny Gibson, Stephanie Grimes, John Hanlon, Shannon McVey, Linda Miller,
and Rose Morris, 6. Also present: Kraig Boynton, Kelli Bennewitz, Mary Foutch, Dedra Mannon, and
John Peterson.
John Hanlon called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
Public Comment:
None
A motion was made by Linda Miller, seconded by Rose Morris, to approve the minutes of the
April 14, 2022, meeting. A correction will be noted that Rose Morris was absent from the
meeting. The motion carried as amended.
Public Hearing:
Agenda Item PT-22-0701
Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Round 3 Application
The Public Hearing was called to order at 1:05 p.m.
Kraig Boynton, Transit Manager, reported that the City of Galesburg will be applying to the
Rebuild Illinois Capital Program. Proposals are now being accepted for a third round of grants to
public downstate transit providers as part of the Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Program.
This grant is intended to help expand and improve service, provide more transportation options,
and promote an enhanced quality of life in communities throughout the state.
The Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Program provides 100% funding for all approved
proposals which means the City of Galesburg would not have to provide any type of match. The
City of Galesburg is proposing nine projects.
A motion was made by Rose Morris, seconded by Stephanie Grimes, to recommend the
application for Rebuild Illinois Transit Capital Grant Round 3. The motion carried.
The Public Hearing adjourned at 1:44 p.m.
Agenda Item PT-22-0702
Service Contract with Carl Sandburg College
The service contract allows the payment from CSC to be counted as local match rather than
program revenue. As local match, the contract amount will allow the City to utilize more of the
Downstate Operation Assistance Program (DOAP) funds allocated by the State of Illinois. DOAP
funds cover 65% of all transit operating costs for the City.
The service contract would not change any routes or frequency thereof to the CSC campus. This
contract is good September 2022 and August 2023. The City of Galesburg Transit and Carl
Sandburg College Administration has agreed on a service contract of $2400 for the year.
A motion was made by Genny Gibson and seconded to recommend approval of the service
contract between the City of Galesburg Public Transportation and Carl Sandburg College. The
motion carried.
Agenda Item PT-22-0703
Placement and Donation of Bus Shelter by the Public Library at the new location.
The Library Board of Trustees has voted to install and gift a new bus shelter at the new site of the
Public Library. The shelter will be located on the north side of West Simmons Street between
Academy and West Streets.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of the placement and donation of a
new bus shelter by the Public Library at the new location. The motion carried.
Member Grimes made motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Gibson.
The regular meeting adjourned at 1:56 p.m.
__________________________________
Mary Foutch, Transit Assistant