GRAND-JACKSON COUNTIES - TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Agenda: January 15, 2002

1. History: The current TAC was formed in mid-1999. In October 1999 an RFP (Request for Proposals) was issued to expert transit consultants in order to update the existing Grand County transit study (and to prepare an initial Jackson County transit study). In February 2000, LSC Transportation Consultants LLC was hired. Their transit study was completed in late 2000.. The study determined existing and projected future transit needs in Grand and Jackson Counties and made a number of recommendations, including the hiring of a transit coordinator to administer the ongoing process and to keep grant funds flowing into the counties in order to meet the identified needs.

At the February 15, 2001 TAC meting, it was decided to issue an RFP for a Transit Coordinator. That RFP was issued and publicized on March 6, 2001 with a response deadline of April 6, 2001. Only one proposal was received, from ENTRA Consultants. At a TAC meeting on April 4, 2001, Nancy Smith (then of ENTRA) presented the ENTRA proposal. Although the proposal was tentatively accepted, further negotiations to firm up a contract with ENTRA were unsuccessful and the initial RFP was withdrawn. The TAC decided to issue another RFP, this time splitting the transit coordinator position into technical and non-technical (administrative) positions. This latter RFP was issued and publicized on July 27, 2001 with proposals due on August 17, 2001. No proposals were received. No TAC meetings have been held since.

2. Financial Matters: As of April 12, 2001, the funds existing in the TAC budget were approximately $14,600. Several budget items remain unpaid but previously approved: $250 for 2001 CASTA dues, $35 for 2001 state transit coalition and state rail coalition dues. The chair recommends that these membership dues be paid immediately, along with dues of similar amounts for 2002. Requests for payment authorization will be provided.

As the chair understands e-mails received from CASTA, Grand Countyís application for $40,000 in FY2002 ß5309 funds has finally been approved and awarded as part of recently signed federal legislation. $10,000 in required matching funds should still be available in TAC accounts. The purpose for this grant is to build and site several bus shelters in eastern Grand County. In the absence of a transit coordinator, no decision(s) have been made about architectural style or locations of such shelters. These decision(s) must be made immediately.

3. Business matters: WPRAís participation in the TAC is in limbo ~ pending the as-yet undetermined choice of an operating partner. Although Gary McGraw was initially expected to attend the January 15, 2002 meeting, another commitment has arisen and he will is not able to be present.

4. Personal Notes: Congratulations to Kent Meyer, Managing Director of YMCA/Snow Mountain Ranch. If I understand the announcement correctly, Kent has been promoted to managing director of the YMCA of the Rockies, which includes the Estes Park facility.

And our condolences to Barbara ìHoppyî Douglas, one of the most constant TAC members, who tragically lost her Naval son in automobile accident on New Yearís eve.

5. January 15, 2002 meeting: At 6pm at the Granby Community Center (3rd and Jasper) in the smaller meeting room (to the left as you enter the building). Please attend, the matters above and the future of the TAC will be discussed. Additionally, the Chair will be resigning and another Chairperson may be selected.

Sue Ann Fitch, Chair
Transit Advisory Committee
P. O. Box 1808
Grand Lake, CO 80447
(970) 627-9210 (no voicemail, be persistent)
e-mail: esmerelda1@hotmail.com