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SamTrans > General Information > Board of Directors and Citizens Advisory Committee Meetings > Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - July 20, 2005
Committees and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - July 20, 2005
SAMTRANS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
2nd FL. AUDITORIUM
1250 SAN CARLOS AVENUE, SAN CARLOS, CALIFORNIA
Board
of Directors
Community
Relations
Finance
Legislative
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE
OF THE WHOLE
(Accessibility,
Senior Services, and Community Issues)
Committee Members Present:
Tissier (Committee Chair), John Barbour, Art Lloyd
Other Board Members Present, Constituting Committee of the Whole:
Michael Guingona Shirley Harris, Marc Hershman, Jerry Hill, Michael Nevin
Other Board Members Absent:
Jim Hartnett
Staff Present: George Cameron, Joan Cassman, Robert Doty, Gigi Harrington,
Rita Haskin, Jennifer Hardie, David Miller, Ian McAvoy, Martha Martinez, Michael
Scanlon, Mark Simon, Chester Patton, Bill Welch
Pledge of
Allegiance
Chair Hill called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m. and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes of Community Relations Committee Meeting of
June 8, 2005
The committee (Nevin/Lloyd) unanimously approved the minutes.
Paratransit Coordinating Council. AL-Com, and ATAC Reports
Bill Welch, Manager of Accessible Transit Services, said in June there were more
people eligible for travel training than in any other month. Travel training
encourages a Redi-Wheel rider to try fixed-route service.
Nancy Knific, Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC) Vice-chair, said at the last
PCC meeting:
- Dale Edwards was reappointed Chair and she was reappointed as Vice-chair.
- The PCC was pleased to learn that six older paratransit vehicles were sold
to MV Transportation at a reduced price rather than being discarded.
- The PCC will not meet in August.
- The PCC is recruiting new members. They have four vacancies.
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Liaison Report
In Ken Feldstein's absence, Chester Patton, Director of Bus Transportation, said
at the last CAC meeting:
- Tina Dubost, Accessibility Coordinator, gave a presentation on Paratransit
service.
- Merrill Cohen, member of the PCC, gave a presentation on the
interconnections of the PCC and SamTrans services.
- There was a discussion of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services, specifically
looking at the new Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Route 522 BRT.
- Updates were given by the CAC subcommittees.
- The CAC will have a bye month in August.
Caltrain Performance Report
Robert Doty, Director of Rail Transportation, gave a presentation on Caltrain
performance including on-time performance (OTP), ridership, revenue and
fatalities. Since June 2004 OTP has been 97.1 percent while ridership and revenue
have increased significantly. Under the 86-train schedule, there have been four
fatalities to date this year. Beginning August 1 there will be additional changes
to the Caltrain schedule including operating 96 trains with 22 Baby Bullets,
adding new Baby Bullet stops at Tamien, Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Redwood City and
San Mateo, reducing stops at most stations, reducing Gilroy service from four to
three weekday roundtrips and operating 32 trains on Saturday and 28 trains on
Sunday. Mr. Doty also said he will be working on developing Project 2025, a
strategic plan for Caltrain service. The plan will address ways of providing
better service, improving operations, modernizing the system, increasing revenues
and lowering operating and maintenance costs.
Director Tissier said she read that transit systems would be receiving more
funding from Homeland Security and asked what the impact would be for Caltrain.
Michael Scanlon, General Manager/CEO, responded that $7 million coming to the Bay
Area is a local contribution and will help Caltrain and other Bay Area transit
systems. However, the Senate just approved a bill that decreases allocations for
transit systems nationwide to $100 million, down from $150 million.
Director Hill asked if Caltrain was losing any fare revenue since instituting
Proof-of-Payment (POP).
Mr. Scanlon replied that Caltrain has actually increased revenue since its
implementation.
Mr. Doty said there are a quarter million random checks done every month.
Multimodal Ridership Report
Mr. Patton said for the month of May 2005 compared to May 2004:
- Ridership for all modes was 109,057, an increase of 1.3 percent.
- Bus ridership was 49,485, an increase of 2.3 percent.
- Paratransit ridership is 1,125, an increase of 2.9 percent.
- Caltrain ridership for San Mateo County is at 13,798, an increase of 15
percent.
- BART ridership was 41,416, an increase of 1.2 percent.
Adjourned: 1:08 p.m.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Committee Members Present:
Marc Hershman (Committee Chair), John Barbour, Michael Guingona, Shirley Harris
Other Board Members Present, Constituting Committee of the Whole:
Jerry Hill, Arthur Lloyd, Michael Nevin, Adrienne Tissier
Other Board Members Absent:
Jim Hartnett
Staff Present: George Cameron, Joan Cassman, Cheryl Cavitt, Monica
Colondres, Robert Doty, Rita Haskin, Jennifer Hardie, Gigi Harrington, Gary
Lambert, Martha Martinez, Ian McAvoy, David Miller, Michael Scanlon, Mark Simon
Director Hershman called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.
Approval of Finance Committee Minutes of June 8, 2005
The committee (Lloyd/Tissier) unanimously approved the minutes.
Acceptance of Statement of Revenues & Expenses for May 2005 and
Supplemental Information
Gigi Harrington, Chief Financial Officer, said preliminary year-end numbers show
that revenues are on target with the adjusted budget. Fuel prices continue to be
over budget for FY05 and projections for FY06. Staff will continue to watch fuel
prices closely.
The motion (Hill/Tissier) to accept the Statement of Revenues & Expenses was
unanimously approved by the Committee.
Ratification of the FY2006 Insurance Program
Gary Lambert, Manager of Risk Management, said staff proposes that the Committee
submit for ratification the District Insurance Program for FY2006. Coverage
remains unchanged from FY2005 with an overall premium decrease of 5 percent.
The motion (Lloyd/Tissier) to ratify the FY2006 insurance program was unanimously
approved by the Committee.
Authorization to Initiate 2005 Debt Refinancing
Ms. Harrington said staff proposes that the Committee recommend the Board
authorize staff to initiate the process of structuring a fixed rate 2005 debt
refinancing, ratify and approve issuance of a Request for Proposals for Investment
Banking Services and authorize the General Manager/CEO to execute a contract with
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, in an amount not to exceed $198,500 to serve
as bond counsel to the District. This debt refinancing would represent one of
several initiates the District is taking to better balance the operating budget.
Ms. Harrington said the District currently has $326 million in outstanding senior
lien, sales tax revenue bonds. The District's FY2006 project debt service expense
is approximately $34.6 million, of which $33.5 million is attributable to the
District's outstanding senior lien debt. Unless the District's debt is refinanced,
annual senior lien debt service will remain approximately $33.5 million through
FY2018. The final maturity of the District's outstanding senior lien debt is in
FY2020. In addition to seeking to lock in lower interest rates on the District's
debt, staff will evaluate the potential for extending certain existing bond
maturities.
Ms. Harrington said the Request for Proposals for Investment Banking Services was
advertised on July 13 with bids due on July 27. Recommendation for an award of
contract will be proposed at the August Board meeting.
Director Hill asked what the current interest rate for the debt is. Ms. Harrington
replied that it is between 5 and 6 percent and staff is looking to refinance
between 4 and 4.5 percent. The preliminary analysis shows that the District would
save approximately $10 million a year in debt service expenses.
The motion (Nevin/Harris) to initiate FY2005 debt refinancing was unanimously
approved by the Committee.
Authorization to Amend the FY2006 Operating Budget
Ms. Harrington said staff proposes that the Committee recommend that the Board
amend the FY2006 adopted operating budget to fund wages and benefits for
administrative and represented employees in the amount of $1,424,000 resulting
from adoption of a passenger fare increase effective September 1, 2005; recognize
a revenue increase due to information regarding the availability of additional
State Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds in the amount of $1,161,164;
recognize a projected increase in sales tax revenue of $1,800,000 based on actual
information through the end of the third quarter of FY2005 and early estimates
regarding the fourth quarter projected receipts; and to adjust the use of reserves
for operating purposes in FY2006 by $3,323,008 from $4,627,813 to $1,304,805.
The motion (Nevin/Harris) to amend the FY2006 operating budget was unanimously
approved by the Committee.
Approval of Salary Ordinance No. 86
Monica Colondres, Director of Human Resources, said staff proposes that the
Committee recommend Board approval of Salary Ordinance Number 86. The District's
Table of Position Classifications has five new positions, three of which are
funded by the District's capital budget. Additionally, the General Manager/CEO has
made certain changes to the Table of Position Classifications to ensure the
efficient and effective implementation of the District capital programs. Funds to
underwrite all proposed changes are included in the FY2006 amended operating and
capital budgets.
The motion (Nevin/Tissier) to approve Salary Ordinance No. 86 was unanimously
approved by the Committee.
Rejection of All Bids and Authorization to Research the
Marketplace, Negotiate, and Enter into an Acceptable Contract for the Provision of
Furnishing and Delivery of Ford Remanufactured Transmissions
Cheryl Cavitt, Director of Contracts and Procurement, said staff proposes that the
Committee reject bids submitted by Elk Grove Ford, Bob Wondries Ford and Spiteri's
Auto Service and Repair; authorize the District to solicit the open market to
identify qualified firms that can meet the needs of the District; and authorize
the General Manager/CEO or his designee to negotiate and enter into an acceptable
long-term contract with one or more qualified firms for the supply and delivery of
Ford remanufactured transmissions.
Ms. Cavitt said the bids submitted by Wondries and Elk Grove contained several
bidding irregularities. The Spiteri bid is administratively and technically
compliant, but Spiteri's bid pricing exceeds the District's independent cost
estimate by more than 100 percent and other bidder's pricing by more than 50
percent. Additionally, the Invitation for Bid stated that the contractor needed
to be located within 100 miles of the North Base facility and Wondries and Elk
Grove Ford are just outside that boundary.
Ms. Cavitt said funds to support the services are available under the approved and
projected capital budgets.
Director Nevin asked if staff was confident that the bid was understandable since
all three bids were irregular.
Ms. Cavitt responded that the bidding documents were standard. As was revealed in
the bidding process, the supplier in this market typically do not operate under
formal competitive bidding procedures and do not appear interested in complying
with standard bidding procedures in order to contract with the District.
The motion (Nevin/Lloyd) to approve the rejection of bids and authorization to
research the marketplace for the provision of furnishing and delivery of Ford
remanufactured transmissions was unanimously approved by the Committee.
Adjourned: 1:35 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Committee Members Present:
Art Lloyd (Committee Chair), Michael Guingona, Shirley Harris
Other Board Members Present, Constituting Committee of the Whole:
John Barbour, Marc Hershman, Jerry Hill, Michael Nevin, Adrienne Tissier
Other Board Members Absent:
Jim Hartnett
Staff Present: George Cameron, Joan Cassman, Robert Doty, Jennifer Hardie,
Gigi Harrington, Ian McAvoy, Martha Martinez, David Miller, Michael J. Scanlon,
Mark Simon, Ed Stewart
Director Lloyd called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.
Approval of Minutes of Legislative Committee Meeting of June 8,
2005
The motion (Hershman/Guingona) to approve the minutes was unanimously by the
Committee.
Verbal Update on State Legislative Program
Tony Rice, Shaw/Yoder, Inc, said the state budget was passed on July 7. Local
governments and transportation came out better than other policy areas.
Proposition 42 will be fully funded this year after being suspended for the last
few years. A special election has been called for November 8, which will be
expensive and has both sides of the Legislature split.
Verbal Update on Federal Legislative Program
Edward Stewart, Legislative Analyst, said the reauthorization of TEA 21 is close
to completion. Last night, July 19, Congress passed a two-day extension of TEA
21. All parties expect a final agreement on the reauthorization bill by the end of
the month. District staff is continuing to monitor the earmarks set forth in the
reauthorization bill for San Mateo County, including the Grand Boulevard and
Highway 101 Auxiliary Lanes. In the meantime, the Senate and the House of
Representatives have agreed to a $286 billion package over six years, which
includes 18.6 percent, approximately $53 billion, for transit.
The House hasn't finalized an appropriations authorization bill but they have
passed a one-year appropriations bill for next year's budget, which provides $8.5
billion for transit in FY2006, an 11 percent increase from the current fiscal
year. Amtrak will receive $1.2 billion under the House proposal despite the White
House's original proposal for a shut-down budget.
On the Homeland Security front, the Senate had a debate about increasing transit
security funding in the wake of the London attacks. Unfortunately, the effort to
approve an increase was not successful. There were a majority of senators in favor
of substantially increasing rail security funding but because of special budget
rules, they needed 60 votes to pass the funding increase and they only received
53. The Senate has approved $100 million, which is a reduction in funding. The
House has maintained $150 million for this year and there is hope to at least
maintain the same level of funding for rail security for the upcoming fiscal year.
Director Lloyd said he read the Senate approved $1.4 million for Amtrak. He asked
if there would be a conference committee to negotiate between House and Senate.
Mr. Stewart said it is still early in the appropriations process. He noted that in
recent years, Congress has been approving one omnibus spending bill, which will
make it difficult for the president to veto specific programs such as Amtrak. The
indications are that Amtrak will survive. It may not get enough money to thrive
but it will not be shut down.
Adjourned: 1:54 p.m.
SAN
MATEO COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Members Present:
Jerry Hill (Chair), John Barbour, Michael Guingona, Shirley Harris Marc Hershman,
Arthur Lloyd, Michael Nevin, Adrienne Tissier
Board Members Absent:
Jim Hartnett
Staff Present: Doug Barton, George Cameron, Joan Cassman, Jennifer Hardie,
Gigi Harrington, Ian McAvoy, Martha Martinez, David Miller, Michael J. Scanlon,
Mark Simon
Chair Jerry Hill called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion
The Board (Tissier/Lloyd) unanimously approved the following:
- Adoption of Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting of June 1, 2005
- Adoption of Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting of June 8, 2005
- Adoption of Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting of July 1, 2005
- Acceptance of Statement of Revenues & Expenses, May 2005
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
REPORT OF THE CHAIR
None.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO
Michael J. Scanlon:
- Presented a 20-Year Safe Worker award to Rodolfo Chavez
- Recognized the winners of the SamTrans JVC Memorial Bus Roadeo held June 26.
- Recognized the operators and maintenance crew for their services. For the
third consecutive month, there was over 20,000 miles driven between road calls.
REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO FARES AND
SERVICE ON BART SFO EXTENSION
Mr. Scanlon said it is important to stay within the budgeted amount of $10 million
for FY2006 and $5 million for FY2007 for BART subsidy. Mr. Scanlon said staying
within these guidelines is critical to partially remedy the structural problem
with the operating budget. A public hearing is being called for because the
proposal includes eliminating the $1 surcharge subsidy that the District has been
paying for the past two years and also the suspension of weekend service at South
San Francisco and San Bruno, which is a $1.1 million annual expense for a low
amount of riders. Additionally, the District has asked BART to substitute their
"yellow line" to Concord/Pittsburg with the "blue line" to Dublin. The net effect
will allow for shorter trains, which yields a substantial savings. The peak hour
services will no longer include the extension of the "red line" Richmond trains,
which means there will be 15-minute headways throughout the day. Mr. Scanlon said
discussions with BART will continue in an effort to reach an agreement for
services.
The motion (Lloyd/Guingona) to hold a public hearing on proposed changes on the
BART SFO extension for August 10 was unanimously approved by the Board.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Subjects Discussed
Director Tissier said the committee heard the following reports:
- PCC, AL-Com, and ATAC Reports
- Citizens Advisory Committee Liaison Report
- Caltrain Performance Report
- Multimodal Ridership Report, May 2005
FINANCE
COMMITTEE
The Board unanimously approved the following:
Motions
- Rejection of All Bids and Authorization to Research the Marketplace,
Negotiate, and Enter into an Acceptable Contract for the Provision of Furnishing
and Delivery of Ford Remanufactured Transmissions
Ordinance
- Approval of Ordinance No. 86
Resolutions
- Approval of FY2006 Insurance Program
- Authorization to Initiate 2005 Debt Refinancing
- Authorization to Amend the FY2006 Operating Budget
LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEE
Subjects Discussed
Director Lloyd reported that Tony Rice from Shaw/Yoder, Inc brought the Board up
to date on the state legislative program and Edward Stewart gave the federal
legislative update.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
No meeting.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Already distributed.
BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS
None.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Special meeting on August 10, 2005 at 2 p.m., SamTrans Administrative Office, 1250
San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, California 94070.
Adjourned: 2:10 p.m.
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