Public Transportation/Flood Mitigation Advisory Board

Annual Report to City Commission

March 19, 2008

Committee Members

Lawrence Grimson, Chairman

Joe Sher, Vice Chairman

Patricia Brennan

Bonnie Gusky

Aileen Hochwert

Mark Sadolf

The Public Transportation/Flood Mitigation Advisory Board meets quarterly on the 4^th Thursday of the month at 9:30 AM.  Meetings are very well-attended.  The last meeting was held January 24, 2008

This board is unique because we have a dual responsibility:

1. Advising the Commission concerning public transportation issues
2. Advising the City concerning methods of disseminating information concerning flood damage protection

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• The City’s minibus service is contracted to Limousines of South Florida.
• Each meeting Mark Levitt, President of Limousines of South Florida, reports to the board on news pertaining to the minibus program.
• In September 2007, the hours of service were expanded by two hours each day.  Now service is offered 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday.
• Since these changes were made, ridership has increased dramatically. (See chart.)
• Ridership in the Fiscal Year 2007 increase by 29% from 2006.  The 2008 figures demonstrate continued increase.
• One indication of the success of these changes is the fact that ridership has risen dramatically.  Notice the increase in February of the past 3 years:

February 2005       3822 riders

February 2006       8180 riders

February 2007       9146 riders

February 2008       14347 riders 

• Though there are occasional complaints (which are addressed), the riders are typically very pleased with the service.
• Last year the board recommended an expansion of the minibus system and a goal to reduce headways to 30 minutes or less.  A fourth route is being proposed to reduce the headway on Route no. 2.
• The third route started April 30, 2007 and the ridership for this route has been steadily increasing.  The ridership went from 465 in May 2007 (first month of operation) to 2898 in February 2008.
• In light of the extensive redevelopment and the expansion of gaming in Hallandale Beach, last year, the board highlighted the fact that traffic will be a major concern for the City and public transportation will be increasingly important as a solution.  The City is currently looking into establishing a Transportation Management Initiative (TMI).
• We appreciate the support of the Commission for continued expansion of public transportation.

FLOOD MITIGATION

• The primary responsibility of this board as it pertains to flood mitigation is producing and pursuing a strategy to inform the community of the importance of flood protection, flood insurance and flood safety.
• The board adopted a strategy for accomplishing this.  Each year the progress is evaluated and the strategy is revised.
• In addition to helping to inform the community, there is another important benefit that our community is receiving as a result of the work of this board:  The very fact that we have a strategy helps improve the City’s CRS (Community Rating System) score. 
• Currently the City has earned a 15% reduction in flood insurance for all residents and businesses in the special flood hazard areas of the City.  However, members from this committee worked closely in developing the floodplain management plan.
• This effort is anticipated to result in a further reduction of 5% for a total reduction of 20% for all residents in the special flood hazard areas of the City and 10% for   those outside of those areas, effective October 1, 2008.

The Public Transportation/Flood Mitigation Board is pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to our community, and looks forward to continuing to do so in the coming year.