HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-22-Meeting Agenda
Public Service Committee Meeting Commission Chamber- 2/22/2010- 12:35 PM
PUBLIC SERVICES
1. Motion to approve acceptance of $3,500 in donations and approve a
budget amendment accordingly.
Attachments
2. Motion to adopt the five year Transit Development Plan (TDP) for
Augusta Public Transit.
Attachments
3. Discussion: A request by the RCSD for a hearing to consider the possible
probation, suspension or revocation of the Beer & Wine license of EZQ
Food Store located at 2160 Martin Luther King Blvd. The licensee is
Chong Suk Lee. The location was cited for the following violations: 6-2-
14 Hours of Sale and 6-2-17 inventory to be kept under lock and key.
District 2. Super District 9.
Attachments
4. New Ownership Application: A. N. 10 - 07: A request by Carl H. Jones
for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar located at 3117
Washington Rd. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7. Super District 10.
Attachments
5. New Ownership Application: A. N. 10 - 08: A request by Carl H. Jones
for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar located at 2125
Windsor Spring Road. There will be Sunday Sales. District 6. Super
District 10.
Attachments
6. New Application: A. N. 10 - 06: A request by Michael Anglin for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Tipsey McStumbles located at 214 7th St. There will Be
Dance. District 1. Super District 9.
Attachments
7. New Application: A. N. 10 - 04: a request by Sergio Sanchez for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant located at #2 Eighth St.
There will be Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9.
Attachments
8. New Application: A. N. 10 - 05: A request by Keenjee Alvarado for an on
premise consumption Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with
El Reventon Night Spot, LLC located at 2925 Peach Orchard Rd. There
will be Dance. District 6. Super District 10.
Attachments
www.augustaga.gov
9. Presentation by Mr. Donald D'Antignac regarding inspections, record
retention and respect.
Attachments
10. Motion to approve, in resolution form, support of the Georgia Transit
Association’s FY 2010 Legislative Agenda.
Attachments
Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Accept donations and approve a budget amendment
Department:Recreation and Parks
Caption:Motion to approve acceptance of $3,500 in donations and approve a budget
amendment accordingly.
Background:Augusta Recreation and Parks Dept. has received two donations in recent
weeks, one from the Buffalo Soldiers in the amount of $2,000.00 and the
other from Martin Marietta in the amount of $1,500.00.
Analysis:These funds are being requested to be used for training for staff during 2010,
due to a shortage of training funds currently in the budget.
Financial Impact:$3,500.00 in revenue $3,500.00 in expenses
Alternatives:none
Recommendation:To approve the request
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
101061110 3711110: $3,500.00 101061110 5237110: $3,500.00
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Adoption of the Transit Development Plan
Department:Augusta Public Transit
Caption:Motion to adopt the five year Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Augusta
Public Transit.
Background:In October of 2008Wilbur Smith and Associates was hired to update the
TDP for Augusta, Georgia’s Public Transit System. The Plan is now
complete with recommendations for changes to improve the transit system.
Analysis:The adoption of the TDP would allow Transit to move forward in
implementing the plan over the next five years.
Financial Impact:The cost to run each Transit route is listed in the TDP, but the financial
impact of cost and savings will be discussed as changes are to be
implemented.
Alternatives:Reject adoption of TDP.
Recommendation:Approve the adoption of the Transit Development Plan.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-1 December 2009
Executive Summary
Introduction
Our direction from the outset of the study has been
to provide a five-year road map for the future of
Augusta Public Transit. APT, similar to many other
transit agencies today, is at a tipping point where
either the system, faced with increasing costs and
lack of sustained community support, will literally
wither away, or, based on renewed interest and
expanded vision, will grow to meet new demands
and create new services. In the course of researching the Transit Development
Plan, the consultant team met with a number of long-time residents of Augusta
that remembered the days when bus service flourished with frequent service
intervals to numerous portions of the community. Today, that service has been
carefully reduced to address eras of constrained resources with former routes
strategically decreased to serve the neediest riders for the most critical trip
demands.
As a result, the system has a number of “out of direction” and “one way loop”
segments that contain circuitous routing that connects with public housing,
schools and medical facilities, etc. This routing, coupled with increasing time
between buses, is not surprisingly, only attracting the transit disadvantaged –
defined as those with reduced incomes, youth, seniors and people with
disabilities. Many riders spend hours each day, riding, transferring and waiting for
APT service.
At the same time, Augusta – Richmond County is expanding, with new housing
opportunities and growth to the south, with a renewed focus towards
reinvigoration of downtown as well as the potential for other types of economic
growth. In our view, there is no forward-thinking world class city that does not
include a vibrant public transportation system for access to employment,
housing, health care, schools, social activities, etc. Thus, we believe now is the
time to reverse the service diminution and gather more partners, more riders,
more vision and position APT to be a leading force within the community and the
region.
Understanding the System
Even before WSA began our data collection tasks, in our initial round of
stakeholder meetings there were several people that stressed that our study
should consider “blowing up” the existing service and starting over. When we
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 7
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-2 December 2009
inquired further the responses referenced a routing configuration that required
almost all riders to transfer, most at a location that offered no walking access to a
destination. Other opinions included the view that no one other than the most
transit dependent person would ride APT, that they were tired of hearing
complaints from APT about the effects of cutting routes, the hours of operation
and the frequency of buses, and that, frankly, spending any money on transit was
a disservice to the taxpayers.
Others, however, could not comprehend how an area as big as Augusta –
Richmond County had so little service or that more routes had not been
developed to attract workers and commuters and better directly connect with
downtown and other activity centers. They also
wondered how larger employers would be attracted to
the area if their employees could not use transit and
why there were no direct transit connections to Fort
Gordon and the major shopping areas near the Bobby
Jones Expressway.
As the data gathering progressed and the initial meetings were supplemented
with input from the community survey, that was made available in written and
electronic formats, we found that indeed the current riders were dependent, that
discretionary riders were few and that many people who currently did not ride
had ambitious ideas for more service to more places. Working with APT staff,
WSA also established a Stakeholder Committee, consisting of representatives of
many affected groups and agencies, which could provide feedback on various
ideas and approaches, especially those regarding existing and proposed
services. After completing extensive counting and surveying of existing riders,
supplemented with input from discussions with APT staff, the public meetings,
the community survey and the Stakeholder Committee, WSA was confident that
we had a thorough understanding of the past history and the current services, as
well as the riders, the affected agencies and other interest groups.
Considering the Alternatives
In our view, the TDP had extremely limited potential to add value to APT, the
riders, existing and future, and greater Augusta – Richmond County, if it did not
include both a review of significant service modifications and also minor
modifications to the current system. From a “blow it up” perspective, WSA
determined, based on analysis of data, field observations, other input and our
experience within the industry, that three of the existing corridors, which consist
of four of the ten routes, would serve as the main corridors in any system
configuration. Those were:
x Washington Road from downtown to Columbia County (Route 5)
x Wrightsboro Road from downtown to the Augusta Mall (Route 12)
x Martin Luther King Boulevard/Deans Bridge Road from downtown towards
South Augusta (Routes 4 and 6)
Attachment number 1Page 2 of 7
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-3 December 2009
We did believe, however, that the connection of these current routes, as well as
five others, at the Main Transfer Station on Broad Street, west of 15th, was
poorly serving many of those riders that were being transported out of direction
for the sole purpose of transferring. Further, potential direct connections to parts
of downtown were made more time consuming and complex. Also, there were
limited destinations of interest proximate to the Main Transfer Station, and it was
attracting virtually no pedestrian traffic, which often is a main feature of transfer
centers in other locales. Thus, our strong longer term recommendation would be
to relocate this facility to downtown, for example to the 12th and Greene location
currently being discussed.
Returning to the other existing services, we
determined that four of the route were providing
needed community connections and that
significant modifications to those routes would
negatively impact portions of the community
(public housing, schools, shopping, etc.). Thus,
WSA recommended their retention. Those
routes were:
x Route 16 Lumpkin Road
x Route 13 Barton Chapel
x Route 3 East Augusta
x Route 1 Walton Way
WSA notes the recommended modifications to all of the above routes would
improve connectivity and reinforce a more direct routing. Further, we believe
these two principles, connectivity and more direct routing, should be reinforced
as priorities for consistent application in future routing discussions.
The remaining services, Route 10 Sand Hills and Route 15 Medical Complex, are
the least productive in the system and we have recommended their elimination,
with some restructuring of other routes as part of the first component of a phased
or tiered restructuring plan.
Service Restructuring and Headway Improvements
The basic principles of the restructuring include shifting the foundation of the APT
service from maximizing service coverage to community facilities to establishing
direct corridor connections that are supplemented by community connections.
This type of service approach, which is often called “trunk and feeder” within the
transit industry, also has the potential to expand outwards to South Augusta, Fort
Gordon, Columbia County and North Augusta. Further, there would be
opportunities to connect into the corridor service at outlying transfer centers or
park and ride lots, as well as corridor connections from the community circulator
services.
Attachment number 1Page 3 of 7
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-4 December 2009
Phased restructuring, however, is only one of two major system recommendation
goals. The second is to establish minimum headways of 30 minutes on all routes.
The current system includes headways, or intervals between buses that vary up
to 60 minutes. Since all routes include the potential to transfer and many
passengers do use more than one route for a trip, there are instances where
persons may wait for an hour or more for the next bus. That level of service will
never attract new users into the system. However, although not optimal, a 30-
minute connection to community based services has worked effectively in other
locales.
Year One Service Recommendations
To initiate service restructuring concepts, several major and a
number of minor recommendations have been developed,
including the initial change in service to attract new riders from
the South Augusta area to downtown:
1. This restructuring proposal includes a number of components:
x A new direct route connection is proposed between the Wal-Mart on
Deans Bridge Road and downtown, which would only have one
additional stop at the Kmart transit center.
x A park and ride area would also be dedicated at Wal-Mart to facilitate a
connection with drivers.
x For other transit riders, the rural paratransit service in South Augusta
would connect to the Wal-Mart stop to coincide with the fixed-route
service schedule.
x This routing also includes combining resources from Route 13 (Barton
Chapel) and eliminating out of direction travel on that route.
2. Routes 10 (Sand Hill) and 15 (Medical Shuttle) have been proposed for
elimination, with Route 5 (Washington Road) extended to connect with the
existing western portion of Route 10 at the Augusta Exchange.
3. The resources for Routes 4 (Turpin Hill) and 6 K-Mart will be combined
into a revised community based connection.
4. Minor service modifications have been proposed to decrease one-way
loops and out of direction travel for Routes 3 (East Augusta) and 16
(Lumpkin Road) as well as Route 13 referenced above.
Attachment number 1Page 4 of 7
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-5 December 2009
Financial Planning and Alternatives
From a financial planning perspective, the year one service recommendations
are based on a combination of service elimination and modifications that provide
sufficient resources to accommodate the new service. The capital funds required
for the park and ride implementation and the modifications to the rural paratransit
are available from other sources that would not affect the operating budget.
Future year financial planning has been made based on the
inclusion of a dedicated one cent local tax, with one-quarter
of that tax targeted for public transportation improvements.
That revenue source would be anticipated to generate
approximately $8 million per year. It would then be
anticipated that the funding to decrease headways and
implement new services would be available. If these or other funding sources
cannot be developed, then the phased expansion implementation plans would
either be dependent on other local funding sources or the services would be
deferred.
Currently at the federal level, the Democratic leadership of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has proposed a new reauthorization
of the Surface Transportation Act for adoption prior to the September 2009
termination date of the current legislation. The Obama Administration, however,
has recommended an 18-month extension of that legislation prior to seeking a
new reauthorization.
APT has previously joined the 100 Bus Coalition which is a group of agencies
that operate less than one hundred buses in an urban area in excess of 200,000
people. The main goal of the Coalition is to allow up to 50 percent of federal
funds to be used for operating purposes. If that flexibility existed, it would lessen
the short-term operating fund constraints and allow for more local control of
resources. Consistent communication in support of the Coalition by local policy
makers would therefore be in the best interest of APT and Augusta – Richmond
County.
As indicated above, there are a number of uncertainties regarding shorter term
federal action regarding public transportation financing. At the state level,
attempts to approve a transit funding approach failed to develop consensus
during the past session. It is anticipated that additional state direction or action
may be forthcoming in the next session. In general, the ability to maximize
opportunities to effectively use federal funds, while developing a dedicated local
source, would be the best path forward to improving and expanding service to
meet the expectations of the community.
Attachment number 1Page 5 of 7
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-6 December 2009
Other Policy Issues
There are several projects, issues and situations, which are worthy of highlighting
from a policy perspective. These include:
x The proposed downtown streetcar. In our view, as planning continues for
this project it should continue to be incorporated into the APT planning
and operation process. There has been discussion regarding beginning
the routing with rubber tired “emulator” service. This type of service can be
an important supplement to the concepts contained in the TDP, but should
be supported by other resources, not APT.
x Opportunities to develop additional public transportation connections with
Columbia and Aiken counties, whether those services are operated by
APT or other providers, should be encouraged and explored. Riders do
not see the service area boundaries as the reasons for impacting their trip
needs. Service requests for operation in other counties, however, should
include logical and equitable cost sharing as part of service coordination.
x The current out of direction travel on Route 12 to the Augusta Mall adds
up to seven minutes per trip and reinforces the perception that those
accessing the mall on transit are not “front door” caliber clients. That route
was required, based on the prior intransigent
position of the Augusta Mall management that
precluded direct access by APT using private
access roads under the control of the Augusta
Mall. It would appear logical to develop public or
peer pressure for restructuring access to the Mall.
x The service plan also includes potential
reconnection with Fort Gordon. In the past,
representatives from Fort Gordon had requested APT to develop a service
plan, but had not effectively communicated with taxi providers regarding
defining roles/policies for service coordination. Any new service plan by
APT should include input from all affected parties and should be approved
by all affected policy boards or governing authorities.
x This TDP did not include an in-depth evaluation of ADA paratransit, rural
paratransit, and health and human service agency transportation. From an
ADA complementary paratransit perspective, demand has increased
significantly during the past several years with resource requirements
growing from three to seven vans. This increase appears to be based on a
combination of changes in demographics (more persons living longer and
requiring more services), the ongoing expansion of medical facilities in
Augusta (which attract more riders) and the reduction in other public and
private transportation providers (which then typically results in more riders
on APT). It would appear that a separate review of the supporting
Attachment number 1Page 6 of 7
Final Report Augusta Public Transit
Executive Summary Transit Development Plan
ES-7 December 2009
paratransit service network would be beneficial to address these issues as
well as others such as eligibility determination, inter-agency coordination,
mobility management, use of technology, etc.
Conclusion
In our view, prior evaluations of the APT system provided an excellent array of
data and analysis, but did not provide a future path for the system and the
community it serves. Our intent has been to accentuate the policy, planning,
service and financial opportunities to re-invigorate, re-create and re-establish the
service as an integral part of the community that can be used by more people for
more purposes. The proposal is to begin this transformation with one new
service, described above, and to build on that service with a series of additions
and modifications, that over the five-year time frame will achieve connections and
attributes that people of Augusta - Richmond County have communicated to us
during this study.
Attachment number 1Page 7 of 7
Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Alcohol License Hearing
Department:License and Inspections
Caption:Discussion: A request by the RCSD for a hearing to consider the possible
probation, suspension or revocation of the Beer & Wine license of EZQ
Food Store located at 2160 Martin Luther King Blvd. The licensee is Chong
Suk Lee. The location was cited for the following violations: 6-2-14 Hours
of Sale and 6-2-17 inventory to be kept under lock and key. District 2. Super
District 9.
Background:The location has been cited twice in the last 30 to 40 days.
Analysis:The applicant is in violation of the Augusta Alcohol Ordinance.
Financial Impact:
Alternatives:
Recommendation:License & Inspections recommends a 30-day suspension.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 1
Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Alcohol Application
Department:License & Inspections
Caption:New Ownership Application: A. N. 10 - 07: A request by Carl H. Jones for
an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar located at 3117
Washington Rd. There will be Sunday Sales. District 7. Super District 10.
Background:This is a new ownership application. Formerly in the name of Keith
Connelly.
Analysis:The applicant meets the Requirements of the Augusta Richmond County
Alcohol Ordinance.
Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $5445.00.
Alternatives:
Recommendation:License & Inspections recommends approval. The RCSD recommends
approval.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
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Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Alcohol Application
Department:License & Inspections
Caption:New Ownership Application: A. N. 10 - 08: A request by Carl H. Jones for
an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in
connection with Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar located at 2125
Windsor Spring Road. There will be Sunday Sales. District 6. Super District
10.
Background:This is a new ownership application. Formerly in the name of Keith
Connelly.
Analysis:The applicant meets the Requirements of the Augusta Richmond County
Alcohol Ordinance.
Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $5445.00
Alternatives:
Recommendation:License & Inspections recommends approval. The RCSD recommends
approval.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
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Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Alcohol Application
Department:License & Inspection
Caption:New Application: A. N. 10 - 06: A request by Michael Anglin for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection
with Tipsey McStumbles located at 214 7th St. There will Be Dance.
District 1. Super District 9.
Background:This location was approved for an alcohol license at the June 19, 2007
Commission Meeting, but it was never purchased.
Analysis:The applicant meets the requirements of the Augusta Richmond County
Alcohol Ordinance.
Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $4345.00.
Alternatives:
Recommendation:License & Inspections recommends approval. The RCSD recommends
approval.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 2
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Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Alcohol Application
Department:License & Inspections
Caption:New Application: A. N. 10 - 04: a request by Sergio Sanchez for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection
with Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant located at #2 Eighth St. There will be
Sunday Sales. District 1. Super District 9.
Background:This a new application. The location is the old King George Pub.
Analysis:The applicant meets the requirements of the Augusta Richmond County
Alcohol Ordinance.
Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $5445.00.
Alternatives:
Recommendation:License & Inspections recommends approval. The RCSD recommends
approval.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 2
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Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Alcohol Application
Department:License & Inspections
Caption:New Application: A. N. 10 - 05: A request by Keenjee Alvarado for an on
premise consumption Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with El
Reventon Night Spot, LLC located at 2925 Peach Orchard Rd. There will be
Dance. District 6. Super District 10.
Background:This is a new application.
Analysis:The applicant meets the requirements of the Augusta Richmond County
Alcohol Ordinance.
Financial Impact:The applicant will pay a fee of $4345.00.
Alternatives:
Recommendation:License & Inspections recommends approval. The RCSD recommends
approval.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 2
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Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
Donald D'Antignac
Department:Clerk of Commission
Caption:Presentation by Mr. Donald D'Antignac regarding inspections, record
retention and respect.
Background:
Analysis:
Financial Impact:
Alternatives:
Recommendation:
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 1
Public Service Committee Meeting
2/22/2010 12:35 PM
FY 2010 Georgia Transit Association Legislative Agenda
Department:Augusta Public Transit
Caption:Motion to approve, in resolution form, support of the Georgia Transit
Association’s FY 2010 Legislative Agenda.
Background:Annually, the GTA sponsors a legislative agenda for State and Federal
issues. The FY 2010 agenda was approved by the GTA and is now being
sponsored as a Resolution by local governing bodies in an attempt to get
transit friendly legislation passed.
Analysis:Support of the agenda will strengthen public transit and assist in bringing
vital transit issues to the attention of our state legislators.
Financial Impact:Support of the resolution will encourage the legislators to consider issues
related to Public Transit.
Alternatives:Non-approval.
Recommendation:Approve the Resolution. See attached resolution.
Funds are Available in
the Following
Accounts:
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Finance.
Law.
Administrator.
Clerk of Commission
Cover Memo
Attachment number 1Page 1 of 2
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