The Corporation of The Town of Cobourg

Transportation Advisory Committee

MINUTES

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Electronic Participation
Members Present:
  • Randy Curtis, Chair
  • Randall Ross
  • Bruce Bellaire
  • Harry Meester
  • William Glover
  • Councillor Brian Darling
Staff Present:
  • Terry Hoekstra, Manager of Engineering and Capital Projects
  • Renee Champagne, Engineering and Public Transit Administrator Committee Secretary
  • Jerry Ford, Accessibility Committee Liaison
Staff Absent:
  • Laurie Wills, Director of Public Works Staff

1.
CALL TO ORDER
 

Chair Randy Curtis called the Meeting to Order at 9:02 A.M.

2.
APPROVAL/ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
 

Randy Curtis, Chair noted that at the last regular meeting it was decided that item 7.3 would be removed and added to the work plan. 

Randy Curtis, Chair joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Randall Ross joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Bruce Bellaire joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Harry Meester joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
William Glover joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Councillor Brian Darling joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Terry Hoekstra, Manager of Engineering and Capital Projects joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Renee Champagne, Engineering and Public Transit Administrator Committee Secretary joined the meeting at 9:00 AM.
  • Moved byBruce Bellaire

    THAT the Agenda dated November 26, 2020 be approved as amended. 

    Carried

3.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS
 

There were no Declarations of Interest Declared by Committee Members. 

4.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
This item has attachments. 

  • Moved byRandall Ross

    THAT the minutes dated October 26, 2020 be adopted as presented.

    Carried

5.
DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
 

There are no delegations.  Chair Randy Curtis noted that Judy Smith-Torrie, Environmental Officer for Northumberland County has requested a delegation to the Committee with regards to an update on the Climate Action Plan 2020.

6.
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
 

There are no communications to report.

7.
REPORTS
 

7.1
Public Works Report - Terry Hoekstra
 

Terry shared a video of the 1.3 km extension of Kerr St from D'Arcy St to west of Division St as well as the retention pond.  Approximately 150 trees were planted in the area; the multi-use path extends from D'Acry St to the pond.  Committee members discussed the need to further develop the trail (gravel) from the existing end point at the cul-de-sac to Ontario St.  This item will be discussed under New Business and a motion will be formed by members to request a budget item for Council's consideration.

Terry also reported working on 2021 budgets.  Looking at tender pricing for 2021 projects like Albert St, Terry Fox storm water clean-out and sanitary sewer rehabilitation project.  Terry also noted a newly formed Team called the Road Safety Response Team, Renee provided an update on the role and responsibilities of the team.

7.2
Public Transit & Parking Reports - Renee Champagne
 

Ridership numbers for Conventional and Wheels for the month of October at 63% pre-COVID ridership.  Decline is 37% for both conventional and specialized services.Working on transit holiday hours, no new changes from last years service.  Re-located the transit stops at Division & Ewart St due to the traffic lights being re-directed to Kerr St, new drop off and pick-up locations will be at Kerr St; still looking at transit shelter options in this area.  Transit will be relocating the transit stop at the Northumberland Mall due safety concerns regarding the new configuration of the Mall parking lot.  The stop will be relocated east of the main entrance of the mall between the new Giant Tiger site and Gates College.  The shelter will be relocated by Public Works staff.  Renee reported that Council approved extending Wheels Service Hours, Wheels will run Monday to Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will be running on Sundays.  Renee noted that Wheels service hours are approximately 37 hours more service that currently provided for conventional riders.  Renee to report back to the Committee on November ridership numbers at the next meeting.

7.3
TAC Sub Committee - Bruce Bellaire
 

This item will be removed and added to the work plan.

8.
NEW BUSINESS
 

8.1
Kerr St - Multi-use Path Extension
 

The Committee discussed the proposed idea to extend the Kerr St multi-use path (in gravel) from the cul-de-sac to Ontario St. 

  • 003-2020
    Moved byHarry Meester

    THAT the Transportation Advisory Committee believes strongly, that it is in the best interest of the community to extend the multi-use trail from the existing Kerr Street cul-de-sac west of Division Street thru to Ontario Street. A project that could be completed during the 2021 budget year, this highly desirable addition to the active transportation network, estimated at a length of 400 meters can be completed for a total cost not exceeding $25,000.00.

    FURTHER, that the project would accelerate and improve active transportation in the community for the well being of the citizens of Cobourg.  This would represent a significant and impactful linkage which is essential to the completion of the active transportation network in the Town of Cobourg.

    Carried

9.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
 

9.1
Bike Racks - Public Engagement Project
 

Bill reported contacting Ashley Purdy, Communications Manager regarding further outcome of the public engagement project for installation of ten (10) new bike racks in Cobourg; no further recommendations were provided.  Renee pulled up the recommended locations Bill provided to the Committee at the October meeting.  The Committee noted that signage may be of use for some areas so that bike racks will be noticed by riders to park their bikes.

9.2
Work Plan 2020
 

Chair Randy Curtis noted that the work plan will be amended and forwarded to the Committee once completed.

9.3
Transit Feasibility Motion
 

Renee requested that members of the Transportation Advisory Committee set aside the motion made to Council regarding the recommendation of a Transit Feasibility Study. 

Renee reported that she and Laurie Wills, Director of Public Works have spent an an extensive amount of time researching alternative service delivery alternatives for transit.  Throughout the research process staff have learned about different service delivery alternatives such as Transportation Network Companies (TNC'S) and On-demand vendors such as Routematch, Pantonium, Sparelabs, VIA and RideCo, some companies of which are strictly limited to software services, others provide a turnkey service.  The operations piece is sub-contracted to a local service provider which for Cobourg would be Century Transportation who is currently our provider. The Town has also learned that our current operator is a subsidiary of Pacific Western Transportation (PWT) who provide on demand transit services for many municipalities across Canada, they utilize software companies such as RideCo and VIA.  PWT is typically the lead party for an on-demand service since they are the provider of vehicles and operations including dispatching services.  Renee noted that moving to an on-demand system requires a pilot project which will be a one (1) year term; during that one (1) term the contractor and municipality will work out the timeline for phasing (starting with evenings and weekends) then slowing scaling up services to eventually a fully on-demand system. During the pilot project the Town and the contractor will be working closely to measure KPI's and quantify the number and size of vehicles needed should a recommendation post pilot recommend that the Town of Cobourg eliminate fixed route and operate on-demand services moving forward. 

Riders will book their on-demand trips using a smart phone/web browser.  For those riders who do not have the capability of using a smart phone or web browser, riders can call the dispatching centre to book trips.  The Town is also looking into contactless fare payments as well, more information to follow.

Renee and Laurie are working on a memo to Council outlining our findings and recommendations.  This is a really exciting time for Cobourg Transit.

10.
ADJOURNMENT
 

Chair Randy Curtis noted that the next meeting date is scheduled for December 24, 2020.  Town offices will be closed, the Committee agreed that moving the next meeting date to December 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. would work for all members.

Renee to add Coordinators Report to the next agenda under Reports.

Meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.

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