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Transportation Advisory Committee - Dec. 9, 2025

Transportation Advisory Committee - Dec. 9, 2025

Meeting materials

Attend the meeting

Free language assistance services are available for this meeting. Contact Kristina Babcock at kbabcock@clackamas.us (48-hour notice needed).

Minutes

  1. Attendees
    • Anthony De Simone (DTD Planner)    x
    • Debbie Taplin (Pioneer Community Center Transportation Specialist)    -
    • Jeanie Butler (ADRC Program Manager)    -
    • Jim Obrien (ASAC Member)    x
    • Mel Greenberg (prior CC Volunteer – Money Mgt)    x
    • Sara Ford Oades (CCC Transportation Assessment Coordinator)
    • Arv Hille (Community Volunteer at Large)    x
    • Eileen Collins (TriMet)    -
    • Jeff Kohne (TRP Volunteer Driver)    x
    • Kitty Oreskovich (TRP Program Aid)    x
    • Paul Edgar (Community Action Board)    x
    • Scott Davis (TRP Volunteer Driver)    -
    • Cecily Rose (Pioneer Community Ctr Director)    -
    • Heidi Muller (CAT Operations Manager)    -
    • Jenny Gomez (TRP Rider)    -
    • Kristina Babcock (Transit Services Program Manager)    x
    • Sara Carstairs (TRP Supervisor)     x
    • Scott Stahl (ASAC Member)    x
  2. Introductions and Membership Update:
    1. Ellen Morgan (SCP Volunteer): withdrew from TAC as client commitments made it difficult to attend meetings.
    2. Recruiting for new TAC member, possibly another rider; no limit to number of members.
      1. UPDATE post meeting: New member Melissa Long will be joining TAC
    3. If you know of anyone interested, reach out to Kristina.
  3. TSP Update (Anthony)
    1. Refer to Anthony’s PPT presentation, slides 1-7, for more detail
    2. TSP’s 20-year plan includes a prioritized, 3-tiered, projects list.
      1. Tier 1: projects we think will be funded in the next 20 years.
      2. Tier 2: we might get funding and would like to prioritize.
      3. Tier 3: we want to do these but aren’t sure there will be funding for them.
    3. Each city has its own TSP and we work closely with them to coordinate plans.
    4. No combined TSP document is created, but interfaces need to align.
    5. Plan is presented to ODOT and Board of County Commissioners.  The Board doesn’t typically see the city TSP’s but we include how those city plans interface with ours.
    6. Public engagement, PPT slides 3-7
      1. The current 2013 plan included robust public involvement and is more robust now.
      2. New State regulations require changes to how we do outreach and to do it more broadly.
      3. The Clackamas Regional Center was previously one sub-area and we split it into two.
        1. The most populous part of the county and growing, especially Happy Valley and surrounding areas.
  4. (slide 4) January and February 2026 focus will be County limits and gaps
  5. (slide 5) GSA meetings for sub areas (vs. county wide)
    1. Promoting widely - community newsletters, community groups, some social media, etc.
    2. Zoom meetings being scheduled
  6. (slide 6) Virtual Open House
    1. App displays like slides - read and respond
    2. Can respond re anywhere in the county vs. just where you live.
    3. Not collecting data re where responders live but they can enter their zip code
    4. Since it's county-wide we can't dive into specific sub-area needs, but you can do so via the interactive map (slide 7).
  7. Miscellaneious:
    1. Outcomes will be shared with the cities as well
    2. Some cities are doing them but on own rolling timelines. Portland is updating theirs, Tualatin just did theirs, etc.
    3. State requires updates approximately every 10-15 years.
    4. UPDATE (post meeting) Anthony emailed TAC with links to TSP outreach meetings

    5. Q&A:

      Q: (slide 4) Did the Stafford Road work come out of the plan? 

      A: Yes

      Q: How are you recruiting participants for GSA & Virtual meetings? Does it include people outside the city? Recommendation: focus further afield. 

      A: People outside the city can participate and feedback will be shared with the city. 

      Q: Re I-205 congestion, what are we doing to understand bypass routes that drivers take?

      A: Diversion is top of mind when it comes to planning.

  8. Bus on Shoulder Lanes (Kristina)
    1. Are designated shoulder lanes to ensure buses can stay on time
    2. Can only be used if traffic is going under 35 mph
    3. Cutaways (usually 24’) are used vs. large Gilles (40’) and go 25-35 miles an hour
    4. Lanes are currently in parts of I-5 and being added to I-205 (near completion)
    5. I-205 Bus on Shoulder
      1. There was no transit service connecting CC to WA County without multiple transfers.
      2. Goal is to make a quick connection, and the best way was a Bus on Shoulder lane to compete with I-205 traffic.
      3. Kristina obtained a $1m discretionary grant and managed the project until the grant ran out, working with SMART, Ride Connection, Tualatin, WA County and ODOT.
        • Purchased a vehicle, established the route, prepared the shoulder, purchased a vehicle for Ride Connection, etc.
      4. Kristina: talk with Dwight at Smart re how it’s going with ODOT.
      5. SMART will start in Wilsonville, make various stops, travel I-205 and stop at the OR City Shopping Mall.
        • There they’ll meet up with our shuttles and a few TriMet routes.
        • Once offloaded, will return to I-205 and stop at Clackamas Town Center
        • SMART worked with ODOT on I-5 and will apply STIF funds to operate this service
        • Canby may also start stopping at the OR City Shopping Mall instead of the Transit Center (which is difficult to get in and out of)
        • TriMet may also eventually serve I-205 for a quicker east to west connection.
          • It won’t be in competition with SMART as they’re different ridership bases. Also, SMART is free while TriMet is not.
    6. Kristina explained funding details (shared at previous TAC meetings).  Key points:
      1. HB 2017 is a 1% payroll tax on everybody employed in the state
      2. Based on where they work not where they live.
  9. Kristina: ask Dwight at SMART to find out how Bus on the Shoulder access is being communicated to the public. 

  10. Q&A / comments:

    Comment: lots of negative comments on social media

    Response: likely due to numerous requests to expand I-205 that didn’t happen.  Not the best solution as you can carry a lot more people with fewer vehicles if using transit. But it’s hard to convince people without efficient routes.

  11. TriMet Service Cuts (Kristina)
    1. TriMet is gathering public input re reducing costs to close a $300M annual budget gap.  
      1. Comprehensive plans, including service cuts are expected by end of January
      2. Service cuts would include eliminating lines, reducing frequency, etc.  
    2. Two cuts high on their list include:
      1. Cutting the Green line off at Gateway, because it, the Blue and Red lines all go to Gateway and then downtown (duplicative), crossing the Steel Bridge along with the Yellow and Orange lines
        • Saves significant dollars
        • Reduces constraints on the Steel Bridge
        • Saves money without cutting more bus lines.
      2. Stop funding to transit providers that connect to TriMet (e.g., CC, Canby, Sandy, Wilsonville, Molalla).
        • Would impact 9-10 shuttle routes that provide service where no other service exists. The following would potentially be cut
          1. Sandy’s route going to Clackamas Town Center through Goring and Damascus, which have no other service since they withdrew from the TriMet Service District in 2011
          2. Wilsonville's newly launched service along I-205.
          3. Wilsonville's service to Tualatin
          4. All 4 of my shuttles
          5. WA County may have 4-5 shuttles in areas that aren't well served (e.g., Forest Grove)
          6. Multnomah County has 2 shuttles (Troutdale and Airport Way industrial areas) that take people from Park Rose down through those areas.
      3. It’s critical we participate in TriMet’s outreach
      4. Riders don't have all of the context so share with others
        • TriMet provides $14M to us every 2 years and $7M a year goes toward our services that may be cut, eliminating about 11 services.
        • $7M isn’t much of a dent in their $300M budget
        • Our shuttles serve approximately 2,500-3,500 passengers monthly
        • Most other shuttles do the same or better.
        • We’re more cost effective than TriMet.
        • For all services, WA County, ours, SMART, Sandy, we average about $35 per ride
          • TriMet says they average hundreds of dollars.
      5. Can also write TriMet’s board at any time
    3. Other cuts being considered: cutting lines that run closely together
    4. A petition will be on the November ballot re funding for transportation once the Secretary of State confirms they have 75,000 signatures.
      1. It would prevent the last funding package from passing.
      2. Won’t be additional money toward TriMet’s shortfalls so will need significant cuts.

    5. Q&A / comments:

      Q: Do you think TriMet will actually cut funding to providers that connect to them?

      A: Yes

      Q: Do we know how TriMet compares to other similar-sized cities?

      A: No

  12. Out of Service Area Updates (Kristina)
    1. See Kristina’s presentations for more detail
      1. “In District vs Out of District”
      2. “PD in PD Out Number”
    2. To serve more people outside of TriMet’s Service District who do not have access to transit services, we began:
      1. Paying for LIFT passes
      2. Coordinating LIFT rides with TriMet
      3. Changed our ride prioritization approach as noted below:
        • First: riders without public transit options (out of district)
        • Next: riders with limited access (in district)
        • Last: riders qualified for TriMet Lift
    3. Advantages / positive outcomes:
      1. Increases the number of rides we’re able to fulfill
      2. Our limited funds are better used to provide services to people without other transportation services available
      3. Able to provide more transportation services to residents outside TriMet’s service area
      4. Seamless process for riders.
        • When they call TRP, we coordinate LIFT rides with TriMet
        • They can still contact TriMet directly if preferred
      5. LIFT ride requests are guaranteed
      6. LIFT operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day vs. TRP Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
      7. LIFT riders have access to more services
    4. Approximate quarterly cost paid by CC is $4K
      1. No funding concerns even if we increase enrollees
    5. Enrollment in LIFT
      1. TriMet assesses applicant eligibility based on specific criteria, e.g., must live within ½ miles of a stop, dialysis patients (atomically eligible), etc.
      2. Process takes about 2 weeks
      3. Once deemed qualified, TriMet notifies them by mail and provides them with a HOP card.
        • The HOP card is open indefinitely (like a credit card).
      4. Riders contact TRP and we enter the HOP number in their profile
      5. We add funds to their card and reload it as needed
    6. LIFT eligible riders requesting a ride through TRP that we can’t fulfill, processes:
      1. We email a ride request form to TriMet
      2. TriMet enters it in their system and emails us back confirming the ride
      3. TriMet calls the rider with confirmation, pickup and arrival times, etc.
      4. Using our Institutional Account, we purchase a $74 monthly HOP pass for the rider
      5. Rider uses LIFT by scanning their HOP card (no fare) and are transported.
    7. Getting the word out
      1. Setting up “TriMet LIFT” days at Community Centers
        • TriMet brings their mobile eligibility center
        • We will arrange a special route to drive people to the center for the event
        • Interested individuals complete a pre-enrollment form
        • A TriMet specialist shares LIFT information and assesses their eligibility
        • At the Milwaukie event, 15-20 people attended and about half were qualified
      2. Creating flyers
      3. May share with other Social Services teams so they can share with their clients
      4. Riders driven by either volunteer or paid drivers are aware of the program as part of TRP enrollment.
    8. Last year we denied approximately 680 rides and fulfilled about 13K.
      1. Many people have stopped calling us because we couldn’t provide rides in the past. We know there’s an unmet need we’re not capturing
  13. STIF Update (Kristina)
    1. Refer to Kristina’s Excel spreadsheet for more detail
    2. The 2-year, temporary, emergency transportation package passed and it doubled the STIF payroll tax from .1% to .2%
    3. Will likely go to the ballot in November and fail
    4. The .1% stays in effect but no collections will be made on the .2% until it goes to a ballot & a vote is done
    5. We’re in the middle of our STIF planning cycle and are allowed to amend our plan
      1. But we need to do so now because if the package passes in November, we won’t be able to use any of those funds until the next cycle.
    6. Focus today will be on where to apply additional funds with the assumption it will pass
    7. We can’t add new projects, remove items, reduce funding from existing projects or change the wording
    8. We had more rollover funds than expected.
    9. Excel spreadsheet, top gray fields (transit operations):
      1. Mt Hood Express and Village Shuttle services from Sandy run 8 x day
      2. Local Service Connections description is intentionally broad. If specific we can only fund one thing vs. broadly funding anything in TDP. Includes:
        • Expanding Sandy’s Dial-a-Ride service to service Estacada
        • Expanding Canby’s Dial-a-Ride to go beyond the urban growth boundary, into Marion County and Aurora
    10. Excel spreadsheet, yellow fields:
      1. Technology upgrades for real-time vehicle arrivals, apps, websites, passenger counts, etc. providing more accurate data
      2. Infrastructure Updates Mt Hood Express include
        • Gondola from Government Camp to the summit
        • Relocate the Government Camp restrooms and use that space for a transit hub connecting Ski Bowl, Timberline, Meadows, Warm Springs, (CET) Bend, etc.
    11. Excel spreadsheet, green fields: demand response projects where we pay Senior Centers to provide transportation
    12. Excel spreadsheet, bottom gray fields:
      1. Program reserve - intentionally vague and used to cover anything else, e.g., project cost overruns, annual audits, etc.
        Discussion re allocating funds:
    13. SFIT discretionary grant, $150K rollover allocation ideas
      1. TDP, update will be $300K-$350K
      2. Paid driver program is expensive (also includes Kitty, Sara, etc.)
      3. Volunteer program
        • Bring in more volunteers
        • Need a bit more for mileage and stipends
      4. Technology –
        • More updating of the Mt Hood Express Village’s shuttle
        • Automated announcements of stops as required by Federal law
    14. TAC member input needed - is there anything else on the list that should be a priority
      1. Kristina emailed both her and Anthony’s allocation recommendations with reasons behind them to the team.
        • TAC Members: Respond by email to Kristina with prioritization recommendations by January 16th
      2. Team ideas
        • Community outreach and LIFT fare programs. These are in the Paid Driver bucket to pay for staff to do so, etc.
        • Reimburse Molalla for the $1 fare requirement under the Local Service Connections bucket
        • TDP bucket so Canby and Wilsonville can increase service frequency
        • Take on more services that TriMet provides. Unfortunately, we can’t. Falls under regional coordination projects, which has a fixed, dedicated amount that TriMet isn’t willing to adjust.
  14. 2026 Meetings: will notify conference room information once scheduled
    1. March 10, 2026, 10am-12pm, conference room DSB 119
    2. June 9, 2026, 10am-12pm
    3. September 8, 2026, 10am-12pm
    4. December 8, 2026, 10am-12pm
  15. Attachments / Meeting Presentations:
    1. 2045 Transportation System Plan (TSP) Update (Anthony)
    2. PD In PD Out Numbers (Kristina)
    3. Out of Service Area Updates (Kristina)
    4. 26-27 CC Project List (Kristina)
  16. Acronyms & Terminology Used During Today’s Meeting: (see the master Acronyms, Abbreviations & Terminology document for a full list)
    • CC: Clackamas County
    • CET: Cascade East Transit
    • E&D: Elderly and Disabled
    • GSA: Geographic Sub-Area
    • MPH: Miles Per Hour
    • ODOT: Oregon Department of Transportation
    • OR: Oregon
    • PD: Paid Driver
    • SAM: Sandy Area Metro
    • PPT: Microsoft Power Point
    • Re: regarding
    • STIF: Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund
    • TSP: Transportation System Plan
    • WA: Washington