During a Dec. 14 meeting, the Salem Area Mass Transit District’s board, also known as Cherriots, approved a $500,000 upgrade to its security cameras and postponed their vote on new paratransit buses until next month.
New paratransit buses – vote postponed
The board postponed its discussion on buying seven paratransit buses for Cherriots LIFT routes until its next meeting, on Jan. 25, 2024.
“The item was pulled from the agenda due to a price increase that exceeded the amount of the initial request for funds. We are assessing our funding options and will present a new plan to the board in January,” said Cherriots spokeswoman Patricia Feeny in an email to Salem Reporter. She said the amount of the increase is still being determined.
Cherriots LIFT routes provide accessible transit for people with disabilities through scheduled rides. The new vehicles would use compressed natural gas, intended to meet the district’s goal of shifting to all low or no emissions vehicles.
Before the price increase, the buses were set to cost around $1.3 million mostly paid for by federal and state funds.
Replacing security cameras – Approved
The board unanimously approved a $508,043 contract with ADT Commercial to replace all Cherriots surveillance cameras.
The contract includes replacing 131 existing cameras, adding several new cameras and new video management software in all three district facilities.
“The current public safety surveillance camera system is extremely outdated and well beyond its useful life,” a report from security manager Karen Garcia said. “It is vital to the safety and security of our operation that we have an easily accessible, user-friendly, and reliable camera system for all of our facilities.”
The ADT contract lasts seven years. The project budget includes $268,800 in federal money with a $67,200 local match, which will cover installation and training. Any additional costs would be covered by future operating budgets, not to exceed the $508,043 total.
Updating the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan – Approved
The board unanimously approved an update to its annual safety plan, as required to receive federal transit funds.
The district’s safety committee reviewed the plan in November, which includes safety management policies, risk assessment and training.
It also approved the following items:
-Appointing David Levy and Ronald Rubel to the Community Advisory Committee, and reappointing Joe Tilman and Lucinda Edwards.
-Appointing Sue Coffin as chair of the Community Advisory Committee and Judy Richards as vice-chair for 2024.
-Appointing Kimberly Dwyer, Beth Schmidt, Dodie Laura Brockamp and Stephen Dobrinch to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Advisory Committee, and re-appointing Jim Row.
Original Story:
The board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District meets Thursday to consider spending $1.3 million on new paratransit vehicles, a security camera purchase, and will hear some year-end reports.
The board meets Thursday, Dec. 14. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be in person at the Senator Hearing Room at Courthouse Square, 555 Court St. N.E. and live streamed by Capital Community Media.
The public is invited to comment in person during the meeting, over Zoom, or in writing submitted via email or mail. Comments are limited to three minutes and can be about anything relating to the board.
Written public comments are accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday to [email protected], or by mail to Attn: Cherriots Board, 555 Court St. N.E., Suite 5230, Salem, OR 97301.
READ IT: Agenda
New paratransit buses
The board will consider buying seven paratransit buses for Cherriots LIFT routes for $1.3 million. The routes provide accessible transit for people with disabilities through scheduled rides. The vehicles would use compressed natural gas, intended to meet the district’s goal of shifting to all low or no emissions vehicles.
The board first approved the purchase in January of 2022, but due to a vehicle shortage and a price increase the district canceled the order. They sought the vehicles again this September.
The buses would be paid for by $717,842 in federal funds intended for transporting seniors and people with disabilities, and $459,983 from Oregon ‘s Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund and an $82,160 match for the federal grant from Cherriots.
Replacing security cameras
The board will consider a $508,043 contract with ADT Commercial to replace all Cherriots surveillance cameras.
The contract includes replacing 131 existing cameras, adding several new cameras and new video management software in all three district facilities.
“The current public safety surveillance camera system is extremely outdated and well beyond its useful life,” a report from security manager Karen Garcia said. “It is vital to the safety and security of our operation that we have an easily accessible, user-friendly, and reliable camera system for all of our facilities.”
The ADT contract lasts seven years. The project budget includes $268,800 in federal funds with a $67,200 local match, which will cover installation and training. Any additional costs would be covered by future operating budgets, not to exceed the $508,043 total.
Updating the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
The board will consider an update to its annual safety plan, as required to receive federal transit funds.
The district’s safety committee reviewed the plan in November, which includes safety management policies, risk assessment and training.
Strategic plan
The board will hear an updated strategic plan outlining goals and accomplishments for the year.
The presentation includes highlights from the year including the customer satisfaction survey and implementing e-fare on all buses, allowing riders to board using a phone or tap card.
Plans for the next quarter include adding a greenhouse gas emission metric to data it collects from routes.
Performance report
The board will hear a report of how many people rode buses or paratransit from July through September.
According to the report, the district saw a 21.5% increase in total ridership compared to last year, with over 835,000 rides using buses or paratransit services.
They’ll also be seeing a financial report for the year, which shows that general fund expenditures are under budget by 21%, totalling $45 million.
Other agenda items
-Appointing David Levy and Ronald Rubel to the Community Advisory Committee, and reappointing Joe Tilman and Lucinda Edwards.
-Appointing Sue Coffin as chair of the Community Advisory Committee and Judy Richards as vice-chair for 2024.
-Appointing Kimberly Dwyer, Beth Schmidt, Dodie Laura Brockamp and Stephen Dobrinch to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Advisory Committee, and re-appoint Jim Row.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
