Committee:

Glen Veal

Dyvon Havens

Steve Orsini

Carl Cady

Staff:

Jim Voetberg

Ryan Walters

Leslie Lang

Other Attendees:

Win Anderson

There was no public comment.

Ryan Walters made comment regarding the presence of buffers on streams.

Handouts were distributed. A question arose regarding the anticipated presence of the auditor and the treasurer, both of whom are not in attendance.

Ridership information was discussed, including the fact that levels fall within normal limits for average yearly numbers.

Financial information handout was discussed, including revenues for current county calendar year and projected budget.

Expenditures handout was discussed, including expenditures to date for calendar year and, as noted, planned capital improvements that will not be done in current year. Items over budget were discussed. There was a brief discussion on the time period covered by the report.

System operations information handout was discussed, including projects and maintenance concerns. Discussion took place for current projects underway and planned projects, and the question of space for a turnaround at the Anacortes dock and a future connection with SKAT service. The Guemes side transfer ramp project was discussed, including the current state of repair of the concrete bridge, as was the five-year capital transportation plan for county projects, with the bridge as a component of that plan. The Guemes side holding lane projected construction and mooring capabilities on the Anacortes side were discussed, as was the idea of enhanced moorage for times when the wind and tide combinations present a threat to the boat’s physical structure.

Issues regarding having a fourth crew member were discussed, particularly busy times versus numbers of crew on duty and issues surrounding ticket sales and cash management. A question arose regarding the determining factors that would dictate the necessity of having a fourth crew member present, with discussion following, including the aspect of technology-based alternatives for ticketing versus union requirements for membership. The issue of ticket sales and pickup with one versus two persons was discussed. A question arose as to who would be responsible for exploring all options for handling ticket sales. Office organization and support staff involvement were discussed, and the fact that there may be some experimentation with changes in the ticketing system as early as October.

Mr. Voetberg gave a brief review of his experience with ferry systems.

The ferry schedule was discussed, including that all changes are done by resolution and the difficulties this process causes. The possibility was brought up for any change requests to be submitted to the Ferry Committee first, so that Ron is not besieged by requests.

Mr. Voetberg stated he will be presenting to the Board of Commissioners a cost/benefit report without a recommendation. Discussion followed of costs versus benefits associated with maintenance and operating hours, with the emphasis on a common sense approach. Mr. Orsini gave a brief history of the evolution of crew member benefits versus hours worked by different crews, the 176-hour clause contained in the old contract, and the presence of a fourth crew member. Mr. Veal gave a brief history of ferry operations in terms of crew members’ union contract specifications and how they have affected scheduling and other aspects of how the ferries have been run. Lunchtime and end-of-day operations were discussed, with emphasis on solutions to the problem of backups during the busiest times of the day.

A question was asked regarding the annual report, and Mr. Voetberg stated that the annual report was presented in July to the Board of Commissioners. He then gave the proposed budget for the upcoming year, and stated that the budget had been given to Gary Rowe and the Board of Commissioners for consideration, and discussion followed. A question was asked regarding Mr. Panzero’s status as management personnel or operator, and it was established that he is a salaried employee who also does participate in operations.

Numbers submitted to the State for deficit reimbursement and an explanation of those numbers were given, and how they affect the setting of fares, particularly regarding rate increases for the upcoming year. Mr. Voetberg stated that any needed changes will be made as a package rather than piecemeal, so any rate changes will be made as part of a larger process, and none are upcoming in the near future.

A question was raised as to whether changes would be made through the round table, with an answer given that ideally, the round table would generate and work through their ideas, the Public Works office would generate and work through their ideas, and the groups would then meet and compare ideas and work out solutions.

Noticeable inequities in fare rates were discussed. An observation was offered that the Committee would be willing to work on restructuring a more equitable fare schedule. Mr. Voetberg encouraged them to do so, with the qualifying caution that it did not mean it would be implemented. Committee members indicated they understood this.

The Committee’s work plan was introduced and discussed. An explanation was given as to what the work plan consists of and its purpose, and that the Ferry Committee is elected by the islanders and represents them, and that the work plan is similar to a business plan.

A question was raised as to how the Committee can approve minutes of round table meetings when they only receive the minutes on the day of the next meeting. Mr. Voetberg stated that we do not approve minutes. An arrangement was made for the minutes of the current meeting to be sent out in draft form to those meeting attendees who have submitted an e-mail address.

Mr. Voetberg defined the main four issues of today’s discussions as scheduling, fares, development plan, and operational efficiency. Some topics for future discussion were proposed, including emergency operations, in particular the Fire Department’s ability to get to the island in a timely manner.

Passengers by Month 2007

Vehicles by Month 2007

Passengers by Month 2001-2007

Total Vehicles to and from Guemes 2001-2007

Total Vehicles to and from Guemes 2001-2007 Jan thru Aug

Total Passengers to and from Guemes 2001-2007

Total Passengers to and from Guemes 2001-2007 Jan thru Aug

Financial handouts (I do not remember all of them):

Fiscal Year Fare Revenue Analysis (July ’06 thru Jun ’07). Par 2: Delete from “including” through” numbers.” and substitute: Jim noted there has been no significant change in ridership during the time period 2001 through 2007.