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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 06/04/2003 46013 14 240 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 40"- 4 4� BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING JUL WEDNESDAY,JUNE 4,2003 Pt RECEIVED elk CITY SECRETARY'S T SUMMARY OF ACTIONS '' OFFICE 4' 1. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment (14'6"tszrze 2. Presented 2003 APTA Roadeo Representatives 3. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of May 7, 2003 4. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 5. Accepted Committee Reports 6. a) Awarded a Sole Source Supply Agreement to Protective Powder Coatings for the Fabrication and Supply of Bus Stop Trash Receptacles b) Awarded a Contract to Martinez, Guy & Maybik, Inc., for Architectural/Engineering Services for Port Ayers Station Stucco Repair (Phase II) c) Awarded a Dual Service Contract to Enviro-Clean of Texas and Tony A. Enterprises, Inc. for Trash Removal Services 7. Approved the Defined Benefit Plan First Quarter Investment Report Discussion and Accepted the 2003 Defined Benefit Actuarial Report and Approved Contribution of$225,000 to Defined Benefit Plan 8. Approved the Defined Contribution Plan First Quarter Report 9. Approved the Financial Report for April 2003 10.Heard B-Line Update 11.Heard Reinventing Transit Update 12.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),Abel Alonzo,Rolando Barrera,John Buckley, John Corder, Guadalupe Gomez, Mack Rodriguez, Stan Terry, Carole Wilkinson Board Members Absent: Staff Present: Linda Watson(General Manager), David Seiler, Beth Vidaurri, Fred Haley, Kevin Bunce, Stuart Sher, Ricardo Sanchez, Sylvia Mendez,Patricia Collins, Sylvia Martinez, Linda Falwell-Stover; Cesar Garza, Tony Garza,Rudy Lopez, Elias Sissimas, Chuck Trexler, Maida Russell,Ramiro Cedillo,Lamont Taylor,John Bell Public Present: Carol Flowers; Diane Staley, RTAC; David Garcia, ?? Salazar, Teamsters; Guadalupe Salazar,Ramona Sawyers,Roland Garza, RTAEA;Ellen Scott, Chuck Linn, Wells Fargo Bank SCANNED J r. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes June 4,2003 Page 2 Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:40 a.m. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Rendon called for public comment from the audience. Ms. Sawyers commented that Agenda Item 8,regarding the retirement fund, was a serious issue that would affect all employees. She stated that it was the job of the Board to assure that the money for retirement was available. She urged Board Members to follow the advice of the actuary in order to prevent any hardships for the employees. Referencing employee benefits, she commented that reducing employee benefits was an unethical practice and affected employees in an adverse way. Mr. Garza commented that RTA received Federal funds that require adherence to higher standards and compliance with 13c protection agreement. He suggested that if anyone was unclear about what the agreement was about,that they get a copy for their review. He stated that they were asking that the Board hold management to the same high standards. He also mentioned that workers at RTA suffer discrimination or disparity in treatment or unfair labor practices. Overall,he stated,the RTA was a good company to work for, but there were some individuals that made it a bad company. He also asked the Board to review the necessity of certain positions. There was a discussion regarding the procedure used to respond to allegationspresented at the Board meeting. Mr.Alonzo expressed the opinion that responses should be made publicly at the meeting. Mr. Rendon stated that historically RTA staff and Ms. Watson have researched and then addressed issues presented at the request of Board Members. Ms. Watson stated that a quicker response could be given if specific information were provided. She offered to respond in writing to the broad allegations presented earlier. Presentation of 2003 APTA Roadeo Representatives •Ms. Watson thanked Carol Flowers, Chairman of the Roadeo Committee, who coordinated the event for the excellent job that was done. She acknowledged Mr. Terry for donating, on behalf of the Board of Directors, $50 for the door prize drawing. The following RTA 2003 Bus Roadeo winners that would be participating at the APTA Annual Roadeo were introduced by Ms. Watson. In the maintenance division,the first place winner was Cesar Garza who has been employed with RTA for over sixteen years and has placed three times in the Roadeo competition. Second place winner was Rudy Lopez who has been employed with the RTA for seventeen years,has placed before in the competition and also runs in the Beach to Bay team. Third place winner was Tony Garza who has been employed with the RTA for five years and placed fifth in previous competition. The MV transportation group winners were: Ruben Morales who placed first in the bus category. This was his fourth consecutive year to `Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes June 4,2003 Page 3 attend the Roadeo. He has received several driving recognition awards and has been employed with the paratransit contractor for eight years. Placing first in the Van category was, Juan Harris who was unable to attend. He has been employed with the paratransit contractor for twelve years. In the Bus Operator category, first place winner was Julian Carranza who has been employed with RTA for fifteen years but was unable to attend. She reported that he has placed first in this competition eight times and second three times. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of May 7,2003 MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD MINUTES OF MAY 7,2003. MR. GARCIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Staley reported that prior to the May 15th meeting, an orientation workshop was held for new committee members which overviewed various areas of committee responsibility. Ms. Watson addressed the Committee on reinventing transit. Mr. Bell spoke on the rules and responsibilities of Committee members. She also summarized the May 15, 2003 RTA Advisory Committee meeting. Items noted were that two 30-day proposed service suspensions were dismissed and a 30-day service suspension was reduced to a 7-day suspension;the B-Line update report noted that ridership for April 2003 was up nearly 5% compared to April 2002;that Mr. Soza had presented information on a volunteer Transit Ambassador Program in which persons would assist transit customers who needed reminder service or a travel buddy; and at the next meeting they would be touring the B-Line facility. Mr. Alonzo stated that the grass around fixed route bus stops was not being cut adequately and RTA should consider extending the maintenance area beyond the % mile requirement to prevent injury to wheelchair riders. He commented that three months ago he had injured his back and was concerned that other riders not get injured. Another area of concern was the need to monitor air conditioning on the fixed route services because of ADA riders that cannot tolerate temperature extremes and also for the drivers. Mr. Terry asked if the committee addressed the rise in cancellations. Ms. Staley replied that the initiative was identified and scheduled for review in the future. Action to Accept Committee Reports Mr. Rendon called for additions or corrections to the RTAC Minutes of April 17, 2003,the Operations Committee Meeting Minutes of April 22,2003, and the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of April 23,2003. There being none the following motion was made: Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes June 4,2003 Page 4 MS. GARZA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE REPORTS. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Consent Agenda Items Mr. Rendon called for consideration of the Consent Agenda items 6a through 6c which are of a routine or administrative nature. He asked if there were any items that should be pulled from the Consent Agenda. a)Action to Award a Sole Source Supply Agreement to Protective Powder Coatings for the Fabrication and Supply of Bus Stop Trash Receptacles b)Action to Award a Contract to Martinez, Guy &-Maybik,Inc., for • Architectural/Engineering Services for Port Avers Station Stucco Repair(Phase In c) Action to Award a Dual Service Contract to Enviro-Clean of Texas and Tony A. Enterprises,Inc. for Trash Removal Services MS. WILKINSON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 6a THROUGH 6c. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Defined Benefit Plan First Quarter Investment Report Mr. Goodman,updating the portfolio's market value, stated that as of March 31 the value was approximately$9.366 million but that as of the close of business on May 30 the value was approximately$10,019,000. This reflected an increase of approximately $650,000 since the end of the quarter or an increase of 7 percent. Responding to Ms. Garza regarding the increase in the market value, Mr. Goodman explained that there were several variables that contributed to the increase. One variable was that the public has started to recognize that the equity side or stock side is undervalued and more money is going toward that side of the portfolio. Another variable was that the Gross National Product(GNP)was at about 3 or 3.5 percent compared to the last two years' rate of just over 1 percent. Mr. Buckley stated the opinion that the plan should be reviewed on a regular basis. Mr. Rodriguez asked if the account value information could be provided on a monthly basis with a brief analysis from Mr. Goodman on the current status of the plan. Mr. Goodman stated that this information could be provided to Ms. Watson for distribution to the Board. . Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes June 4,2003 Page 5 In response to Mr. Alonzo,Mr. Goodman stated that they were still interviewing for Government Bond fixed income managers and had not replaced the current manager. Mr. Barrera stressed that plan decisions needed to be made based on the long term and not on current market fluctuations. MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN FIRST QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Accept the 2003 Defined Benefit Actuarial Report and Approve a Contribution of$500,000 to Defined Benefit Plan Providing background information,Ms. Watson stated that$225,000 was budgeted in the 2003 budget for contribution into the Defined Benefit Plan. The actuary report received last month from John Carley with the firm Carley and McCaw had recommended a contribution of $745,000. At the May Administration Committee meeting,the members had discussed contributing$500,000 into the plan today so that it could start earning :.. interest and allowing for additional contributions at year end based on budget savings and portfolio earnings. Even though specific funding line items were not identified, she stated that historically savings have been realized towards the end of the year. She noted that the budget is based on full staffing and that generally that is not achieved. Mr. Terry expressed his reluctance to obligate unidentified monies. He recommended contributing the budgeted amount and reviewing the plan again towards the end of the year for possible contribution of additional funds based on budget savings. Mr. Barrera stated that a full understanding of the plan was difficult for most Board Members; therefore,he felt that the actuary's contribution recommendation should be followed. He proposed a friendly amendment to Ms. Garza's motion that the plan be reviewed at the July Administration Committee meeting for additional funding of at least $245,000. - Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Gomez expressed concern that funding for the contribution was not identified and recommended that budget amendments be presented to document all the changes that had been made to date and also where the additional$275,000 contribution would be funded. Mr. Buckley concurred with the need for budget amendments. Ms. Watson agreed to include budget amendments on the agenda for the next Committee meeting. Mr. Alonzo asked that all Board members be invited to attend the RTA Investment Committee meetings. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes June 4,2003 Page 6 MS. GARZA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 2003 DEFINED BENEFIT ACTUARIAL REPORT AND APPROVE A CONTRIBUTION OF$500,000 TO DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN. MR. GARCIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION FAILED BY A VOTE OF FOUR IN FAVOR AND SIX AGAINST. MR.RODRIGUEZ MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A CONTRIBUTION OF $225,000 TO THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN AND DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING BACK TO THE NEXT BOARD MEETING ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT BASED ON RESOURCES AVAILABLE. MR-CORDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Defined Contribution Plan First Quarter Report MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN FIRST QUARTER REPORT. MR. CORDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve.the Financial Report for April 2003 MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR APRIL 2003. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. B-Line Update Ms. Collins stated that ridership was up 5.5% compared to the same time last year;no- shows had a 6%reduction; and same day trip cancellations were 7.1%of reserved trips, which was higher than last year. She stated that measures were being undertaken to improve in this area. Also of interest was that passengers per hour was 2.5 which was lower than last year and that as of last week the average hold time was thirty seconds. Ms. Tacket reported that three new drivers were on the road and that a new dispatcher • was in training. She introduced Mr. Fritz, Regional Vice President. Reinventing Transit Update The Board agreed to delay the presentation on reinventing transit. r ' } rxegional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes June 4,2003 Page 7 General Manager's Report Mr. Watson stated that Congressman Young, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Congressman Ortiz would be visiting Corpus Christi on Friday, June 6,2003. A tour of the proposed Downtown Streetcar route would be given, and they would be briefed on RTA's bus and facility replacement needs and the ADART project. She invited everyone to attend a recognition ceremony that would be held at the Peoples Street T-Head Harbor Ferry stop at about 5:10 p.m. Continuing her report, she stated that Mr. Millar,president of APTA,visited the RTA facility and viewed a demonstration of the ADART project and was impressed with the project. -- Several-other items reported by Ms_Watson were that last week the-RTA facility and the transfer stations had experienced low water pressure and provisions were immediately taken to accommodate employees; RTA personnel helped at the EOC headquarters during the emergency; two interviews were held for the Environmental Assessment contract for the Streetcar project and recommendations would be presented at next month's meeting; a Project Advisory Committee (PAC)meeting would be held today at 1:30 p.m. at the Ortiz Center; and that Harbor Ferry ridership on the Memorial Day sponsored weekend was average. She reported that area attractions, except for the Aquarium,had also experienced reduced attendance. Also noted was that she would be attending the APTA Rail Conference next week which included her participation in the APTA Executive Committee meeting and the Human Resource Committee meeting of which she is Vice Chair. Mr. Bell reported that the legislative session was over and that several bills had been sent to the Governor and are pending his signature. He noted that no major changes affecting RTA had been enacted. There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 10:16 a.m. • Julio Garcia Jr., Secre . 17.-- 2. - o ff Date