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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 02/05/2003 411*(./ REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 's 7114 %BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING �y WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 5,2003 Va RECEIVED Ul g SUMMARY OF ACTIONS "0:+ OTYSECREUIRY'S off # 1. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment ssb t � 2. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 8, 2003 3. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 4. Accepted Committee Reports 5. a) Awarded a Contract to Gignac and Associates for Architectural and Engineering Services for Bear Lane Maintenance Facility Improvements: Phases II and Ill b) Exercised the Option Year for Bus and Engine Parts c) Approved a Resolution to Endorse Certain Legislative Changes to S.B. 7 Supported by the South Texas Aggregation Project, Inc., an Electric Provider Co- Op 6. Approved Additional Funding Through an Interlocal Agreement with Nueces County for the Design and Construction of a Bus Terminal and Related Improvements at the Nueces County Regional Fairgrounds 7. Awarded a One-Year Contract to Public Private Strategy Consult(PPSC) and to CHG & Associates (CHG) for Grant Consulting 8. Heard B-Line Update 9. Referred Update on Customer Program Services to Administration Committee 10. Heard Update on Telephone Service and Computer Hardware 11. Heard General Manager's Report The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors met at 8:30 a.m. in the Regional Transportation Authority Facility located at 5658 Bear Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas. Board Members Present: Mike Rendon(Board Chair),Vicki Garza(Board Vice-Chair) Julio Garcia, Jr. (Board Secretary), Rolando Barrera;John Buckley, John Corder, Guadalupe Gomez, Mack Rodriguez, Stan Terry, Carole Wilkinson Board Members Absent: Abel Alonzo Staff Present: Linda Watson(General Manager),David Seiler, Fred Haley, Kevin Bunce, Stuart Sher,Ricardo Sanchez, Sylvia Mendez,Patricia Collins, Sylvia Martinez, Vangie Chapa, Diane Garcia, Elias Sissamis, Eduardo Carrion, Beth Vidaurri, Public Present: Cyndy Tackett, MV Transportation; David Garcia; Pablo Lara; Guadalupe Salazar; Leonard Covington; Roland Garza; Servando Dimas; Willy Rivera,Naismith Engineering SCANNED `s . Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes February 5,2003 Page 2 Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:32 a.m. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Rendon called for public comment from the audience. There was none. Mr. Rendon stated that due to a commitment he would have to leave the meeting early and that Ms. Garza would chair the meeting in his absence. He moved Agenda Items 6 and 7 for consideration at this time. Action to Approve Additional Funding Through an Interlocal Agreement with Nueces County for the Design and Construction of a Bus Terminal and Related improvements at the.Nueces County Regional Fairgrounds Ms. Watson advised the Committee that an extensive presentation was made at the Operations Committee meeting but that a representative from Naismith Engineering and staff were available to answer any questions. MR. CORDER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING THROUGH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH NUECES COUNTY FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINAL AND RELAED IMPROVEMENTS AT THE NUECES COUNTY REGIONAL FAIRGROUNDS. MR. TERRY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSSED UNANIMOUSLY. Action to Award a One-Year Contract to Public Private Strategy Consult(PPSC) and to CHG&Associates (CHG) for Grant Consulting Ms. Watson explained that three major events have made it necessary for RTA to obtain both discretionary federal funding and technical assistance with grants and projects. First,new legislation was being developed that would reauthorize transportation programs for the FY2004 to FY 2009 period. Second, due to the development of a new department, Department of Homeland Security, all the Committees have been reorganized. Third,the Appropriations committee was being restructured. .Ms. Watson announced that the President had released his budget proposal and it included a request for the New Freedoms Initiative Funding. The funding would be obtained through FTA and technical assistance would be helpful in securing federal funds through the departments rather than through Congress. Continuing with the report,Ms. Watson stated that both she and the Board Chair had met with representatives of both firms and that Mr. Barrera had attended the meeting with PPSC. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes February 5,2003 Page 3 Mr. Terry asked if Mr. Delay and Mr. Graves would be able to address the Board on some of the issues and give a presentation on their goals. Mr. Rendon and Ms. Watson stated that they felt that presentations to the Board could be arranged. MR. RODRIGUEZ MADE A MOTION TO AWARD A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT TO PUBLIC PRIVATE STRATEGY CONSULT (PPSC) AND TO CHG & ASSOCIATES (CHG) FOR GRANT CONSULTING. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Discussion and Possible Action to approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 81 2003 Ms. Garza called for approval of the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 8, 2003. MR.RODRIGUEZ MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD MINUTES OF JANUARY 8,2003. MR. GARCIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Staley reported that at the January 16,2003 meeting the No Show Appeal committee heard seven appeals. The Mobility Planning Services members gave a presentation on their education initiatives and community contacts. Reports were heard on the B-Line, proposed revised token program and on the 4th Quarter Customer Assistance Form (CAF). She asked for feedback on her RTAC liaison duties to the Board to ensure that she was doing a good job as a liaison. In response to Mr. Terry,Ms. Staley stated that currently there was one position vacancy on the Committee. They would like to appoint someone to represent persons receiving dialysis. Action to Accept Committee Reports Ms. Garza called for additions or corrections to the Operations Committee Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2002;the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2002 and the RTAC Committee Minutes of November 21,2002. There being none the following motion was made: MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE REPORTS. MR. CORDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Consent Agenda Items Ms. Garza called for consideration of the Consent Agenda items which are of a routine or administrative nature. She asked if there were any items that should be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes February 5,2003 Page 4 There being no further comments,Ms. Garza called for a vote on the following consent items: Action to Award a Contract to Gignac and Associates for Architectural and Engineering Services for Bear Lane Maintenance Facility Improvements: Phases II and III Action to Exercise the Option Year for Bus and Engine Parts Action to Approve a Resolution to Endorse Certain Legislative Changes to S.B. 7 Supported by the South Texas Aggregation Project,Inc., an Electric Provider Co- MR. CORDER.MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 5A THROUGH 5C. MR. BUCKLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. B-Line Update Ms. Collins reported that ridership for December was below average for the year which was part of the planned decrease;45%of the trips provided were for ADA eligible riders; 22%were for passengers in wheelchairs; and over 3% of the ridership had personal care attendants. She noted that the growing aging community should be taken into consideration when planning for the future. Referencing No Shows and Cancellations,Ms. Collins stated that the increase in December negatively affected productivity. These areas would be addressed during 2003 in an effort to reduce the numbers. Ms. Tackett reported that a computer monitor would be set up in the dispatch office to enable everyone to view in coming calls and track call history. Ms. Rasmussen had been hired as Operations Manager and would be on site by February 22,2003. - • --Update on Customer Program Services Ms. Garza reported that Ms. Chapa was ill and would be unable to present the update. There was a brief discussion on whether to refer the item to the next Board meeting or to the Administration Committee. MR. RODRIGUEZ MADE A MOTION TO REFER THE UPDATE ON CUSTOMER PROGRAM SERVICES TO THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE. MR. TERRY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. tr Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes • February 5,2003 Page 5 Update on Telephone Service and Computer Hardware Mr. Carrion presented an on-screen"live"report which showed calls coming into the call center at the B-Line facility and also showed a current summary of all calls for the day and hold time along with other data. There was extensive discussion on the features being demonstrated and the call center operational procedures. Ms. Tackett clarified that the call center starts taking reservations at 7 a.m. General Manager's Report Reporting on the status of the Southside Transfer Center project, Ms. Watson, stated that the bonding company representatives were overseeing the re-bidding of the project. Bid Invitations have been issued to Sal-Con, Inc., Winship Construction Inc., Barcom Commercial,Progressive Structures and Elite. She presented the following project timeline: a pre bid conference would be held this week; bids would be due by February 14; selection of a firm would take approximately one to two weeks; and then about three or four months to finish the project depending on weather conditions. She commented that the final agreement would be presented to the Board for approval. In response to Mr. Terry, Mr. Bell stated that under the performance bond the project would be completed for the contract amount. Continuing with her report, Ms. Watson informed the Board that as part of the 2002 Federal Transit Administration's grant application process,the Department of Labor (DOL)had asked all labor organizations to identify anything in the grant that would negatively impact employees. The RTA Employee Association(RTAEA), raised objections that they felt justified DOL not issuing the grants for replacement of buses, equipment and maintenance facilities. DOL did not find any basis for rejection of the application and awarded the grant funding to RTA. Other points of interest reported by Ms. Watson were: 1)United Way presented RTA with the Rising Star Award for creativity in fundraising and increasing donations; 2)the Coastal Bend Newsletter would be published on a quarterly basis and distributed throughout the community. Ms. Knight, at the request of the Workforce Development Board, would be publishing the newsletter which highlights projects funded with welfare to work funds; 3) Mr. Morales, formerly with Gowland Strealy Morales & Co. would be working for the Workforce Development Board and the auditor for 2003 would be Mr. Strealy; 4) RTA was working with the City in planning new bus stops along the seawall; 5)the Bromeliad would be moved on or about February 10th to the artist's workshop for repairs and then installed at the new airport; and 6) delivery of the thirteen 35ft. OPUS buses was scheduled for August and the seven 40 ft. Orion buses were scheduled for December; 7)received a complimentary letter from Minority Business Development Center on the How to Do Business with RTA workshop held last week; and 8) a GPS clock had been installed in the board room and various locations throughout the building. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes February 5,2003 Page 6 Continuing with her report,Ms. Watson announced that in an effort to reduce costs instead of using a temporary agency, additional help was hired"in-house"and in coordination with the local colleges. The new interns employed were Ms. Garza, a Senior at A&M TAMU, majoring in Management Information Systems; Ms. Presley, majoring in accounting;and Ms. Ramirez, a freshman at Del Mar majoring in Business Administration. Mr. Barrera mentioned that Del Mar also had free intern programs and Ms. Watson stated that Mr. Taylor was working on becoming a participant in that program. Ms. Watson invited all interested parties to attend any of the meetings that would be held next week regarding the Downtown Transportation Study. There would be a Partners - _ Advisory_Committee-(PPC)_meeting on-February 1-2"as-well as presentations-made on February 11th at the Port Commissioners and City Council Meetings. There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned. C',4z1 Julio Garcia Jr., Secre Date J