Feb 2009 Director's Report

Greetings.

This is a corrected version of the February E-News.

CORRECTIONS: In the article on Transit Technology, Judy Tymick's name was left out. Judy is with the MOA People Mover. In the article on the Governor's Task Force, Pat Branson's name was left out. Pat is with the Senior Citizens of Kodiak and an AMC member. We apologize for these omissions.

The focus of our E-News is to update our membership on statewide transit activities and workplace transportation information.

Please give us your feedback with your comments about this new "E-News" communication.

AMC Membership
New and renewing members - February 2009 Gretchen Wieman * new member for 2008/2009. Members now have the option of paying their membership through PayPal. Membership form Back to TOC

AMC NEWS

Capital Building ALASKA TRANSIT BENEFITS FROM FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE.

As many of you many know, President Obama signed the Economic Stimulus Package on February 17, 2009. Included in the proposal was $40 million dollars for capital transit needs in Alaska (bus and other capital transit equipment). This includes $32 million for urban transit needs (in Anchorage and Fairbanks) as well as $8 million in rural transit needs.

The link to the breakdown of the Alaska transit funding project is Alaska Senate Bill 123 (from the Office of Management and Budget).

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FY 2009 TRANSIT FUNDING FOR ALASKA Capital Building

I am pleased to announce that Alaska has received over $2 million in federal funding to meet the transit projects in Fairbanks and the Mat-Su Valley. The Alaska Mobility Coalition received $570,000 in federal funds to purchase transit vehicles and other capital transit related items.
I have attached a link to Senator Murkowski's website for a listing of FY 2009 federal funded projects. Please email or call and thank Senators Begich and Murkowski and Congressman Young for their support of public and community transportation in Alaska.

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SELECTION OF GOVERNOR'S COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE

Coordinated Transportation Task Force Logo

   On February 13th, Governor Palin announced her appointments to her Coordinated Transportation Task Force. In her announcement, the Governor said that:
   "In a state as large as ours, it is critical that citizens with special challenges can get around their communities to access their schools, jobs, friends, stores, doctors or any place they need or want to go...I appreciate the members of this task force for stepping forward to help Alaskans meet and overcome their mobility challenges."
   Congratulations to AMC Board members Jennifer Beckmann and Camille Ferguson and AMC members Andi Nation and Pat Branson for their selection to the task force. Linked is a copy of the Governor's announcement for your review.
   The first face-to-face meeting of the task force is scheduled for March 18 and 19 in Juneau. Linked is the website of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force website.
   For more information, please contact Eric Taylor (AKDOT)
and Marsha Bracke (CTTF facilitator).

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GOVERNOR PALIN'S FY 2010 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION

On behalf of the board of directors and general membership of the Alaska Mobility Coalition, I would like to thank Governor Palin, the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority for the support of capital funding for transit in the state budget. The proposed FY 2010 capital budget includes $1.1 million for coordinated transportation and vehicles. A copy of the capital request is linked for your review.

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ALASKA TRANSIT TECHNOLOGY PROJECT

The Alaska Department of Transportation has hired Dean Deeter to help with the Alaska Transit Technologies Project. Mr. Deeter will be gaining information from across the state on the technology needs of transit systems around the state.
The kick off meeting was held on February 27 in Juneau. David Leone from FNSB Mac Transit and Judy Tymick with the MOA People Mover, along with Debbi Howard of AKDOT, Jill Sullivan with ITS Alaska and I met with Dean to talk about transit needs around the state as well as to assist him in developing a statewide survey of transit technology needs. I have attached a link to the project's website for your review.

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AMC'S LEGISLATIVE FLY-IN

The Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC) organized legislative visits to Juneau on February 9 and 10.

Thanks to AMC members Doug Bridges and Joan O'Keefe, Mike Branco, Tina Russell, David Leone, Connie Sipe, Lou Friend and Gary Stevig and Jody Karcz and Tim Sullivan for their participating in meeting with legislators and discussing with them the public transportation issues in their legislative districts and around the state. See photos below of legislative meetings.

Left to Right

Doug Bridges - Southeast Senior Services and AMC board member
David Levy, AMC Exec. Director
Rep Cathy Munoz - State House Representative from Juneau
Joan O'Keefe - Southeast Independent Living Center in Juneau and AMC member

Connie Sipe - Executive Director, Center for Community and AMC board member
Weston Eller - Legislative Aide to State Senator Bert Stedman (R- Sitka)

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Thank you for your support and interest in AMC. If you have any questions about this report or any AMC projects or activities, please contact me.

David M. Levy

Executive Director

Alaska Mobility Coalition