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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 07/02/2003 • REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ill:62:3CE1;4418;:alta UBOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING WEDNESDAY,JULY 2,2003 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS c4`` OFFICE /1) 1. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment �0£� ���L 2. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of June 4, 2003 3. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 4. Accepted Committee Reports 5. a) Authorized Issuing a Request for Proposals for the Purchase of One Replacement Bus Wash System b) Authorized Awarding a Contract to A.M.P. Services, Inc. for Concrete Construction Services 6. Adopted a Resolution with the State of Texas and Authorized Entering into an Advanced Funding Agreement with the State of Texas for Funding and Administration of the Downtown Transportation Environmental Assessment/Preliminary Engineering Study 7. Authorized the General Manager or Director of Operations to Negotiate and Enter into a Contract with PB Consult, Inc. to Perform a Downtown Transportation Environmental Assessment/Preliminary Study 8. Approved Amendments to the 2003 Operating and Capital Budgets 9. Approved an Additional Contribution of$275,000 in 2003 to the Defined Benefit Plan 10.Approved the May 2003 Financial Report 11.Heard B-Line 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, Guadalupe Gomez, Mack Rodriguez Board Members Absent: John Corder, Stan Terry, Carole Wilkinson Staff Present: Linda Watson(General Manager), David Seiler, Beth Vidaurri,Kevin Bunce, Stuart Sher,Ricardo Sanchez, Sylvia Mendez,Patricia Collins, Sylvia Martinez, Lamont Taylor Public Present: Cyndy Tackett,MV Transportation; Lupe Salazar, Ramona Sawyers,Debra Garcia,Manuel Garcia, RTAEA; Alan Wulkan, Parsons Brinckerhoff; David Garcia, Greg Salazar, Local 1110 SCANNED Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 2 of 8 Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:36 a.m. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Rendon called for public comment from the audience. No one addressed the Board. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of June 4,2003 MR. GARCIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD MINUTES OF JUNE 4,2003. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Staley reported that the Committee met on June 19, 2003. At the meeting Ms. Garza invited the members to attend a symposium on Alzheimers on June 26, 2003. The No Show Appeal Committee heard three appeals, one was enforced, one was dismissed and one was reduced. As a follow-up to the RTAC workshop, she stated that they would be meeting to discuss possible changes to the By Laws,various initiatives for the year have been identified for review by the committee,which included modifying the scheduling window and the eligibility process. • Also reported was that Mr. Soza had provided an update on his program to assit riders who need extra help to access public transportation. The committee was given a tour of the B-Line facility and that the committee's.next meeting would be in September. Responding to Mr. Alonzo, Ms. Staley said that the no show policy would be added to the Committee's initiatives for.review. Action to Accept Committee Reports Mr. Rendon called for additions or corrections to the RTAC Committee Minutes of May 15, 2003,the Operations Committee Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2003 and the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2003. There being none the following motion was made: MR. GARCIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE REPORTS. MR. GOMEZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 3 of 8 Consent Agenda Items Mr. Rendon called for consideration of the Consent Agenda items which are of a routine or administrative nature. He asked if there were any items that should be pulled from the Consent Agenda. There being none,Mr. Rendon called for a vote on the followi3ng consent items: a) Action to Authorize Issuing a Request for Proposals for the Purchase of One Replacement Bus Wash System b) Action to Authorize Awarding a Contract to A.M.P. Services,Inc. for Concrete Construction Services MR. GOMEZ MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 5a AND 5b. MR. GARCIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Action to Adopt a Resolution with the State of Texas and Authorize Entering into an Advanced Funding Agreement with the State of Texas for Funding and Administration of the Downtown Transportation Environmental Assessment/Preliminary Engineering Study Providing background information,Ms. Watson stated that in March 2003,the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee had approved$400,000 in MPO Metro-mobility planning funds for the Environmental Assessment beginning in FY 2003. The funding would be at 80%federal funding equaling$320,000 and the local match of 20% equaling$80,000. Texas Department of Transportation was a party in the agreement and that the Environmental Assessment project would comply with Federal Transit Administration(FTA)requirements. She further explained that approval of this agenda item would appropriate the funding for the project. In response to Mr. Alonzo,Ms. Watson stated that this was the first time that the Metropolitan Planning Organization(MPO)had funded an RTA project from these funds and she commented that this indicated support for the project. MS. GARZA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS AND AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO AN ADVANCED FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT/ PRELIMINARY ENGINERING STUDY. MR. GOMEZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Action to Authorize the General Manager or Director of Operations to Negotiate and Enter into a Contract with PB Consult,Inc. to Perform a Downtown Transportation Environmental Assessment/Preliminary Study Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 4 of 8 Ms. Watson informed the Board that the recently completed Downtown Transportation Feasibility Study had determined that it would be feasible to build a streetcar system in downtown Corpus Christi. The locally preferred alternative was a vintage streetcar vehicle operating on a fixed guideway alignment. She noted that the study was funded by the MPO,the City of Corpus Christi,the Port and the Downtown Management District. The next step in the process,required by the Federal Transit Administration(FTA), was the Environmental Assessment, which included the preliminary design and preparing documents to submit to FTA for federal"New Starts"capital funding. Continuing with the report, Ms. Watson stated that Requests for Qualifications (RFQ's) were issued to a total of twenty firms and four firms submitted qualifications statements. A five member selection team reviewed the submittals and interviewed PB Consult, Inc. and Wilbur Smith Associates. The team unanimously recommended PB Consult,Inc. In response to Mr. Gomez,Ms. Watson stated that this project was not included in the 2003 budget because the original timeline for the project was extended over a period of time. The timeline was shortened after the enthusiastic support received from members of the local community after they heard presentations on the project. She noted that funding had been identified and was listed on page 47 of the support material. Mr. Rodriguez asked if a different type of vehicle was chosen,would RTA have to conduct another assessment. Mr. Wulkan explained that the assessment was committing RTA to the vintage trolley. The Environmental Study could be amended to look at a different mode of transportation but essentially it would be a new study. He further explained that by doing this study, RTA was verifying whether the streetcar system would have adverse environmental impacts, and if so, could they be mitigated and identifying a financial plan to implement the project. Ms. Watson stated that one of the strengths of PB Consult's proposal was extensive public outreach. She also noted that the project would not only alleviate congestion in the area and resolve parking concerns, but also enhance our economic development and provide support for new development. Responding to Mr. Barrera, Mr. Wulkan explained that TEA 21 was being reauthorized and RTA had already identified the project and has been able to make funding requests. The remaining project timeline also paralleled the federal funding process. He informed the Board that the Environmental Assessment was a federal document and required three months, once the technical work was done, for public review and comment. There was a brief discussion regarding Congressman Young's visit to Corpus Christi. Ms. Watson commented that due to the efforts of Mr. Rendon, RTA has been able to meet with various representatives to discuss RTA's funding requests. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 5 of 8 MR. GARCIA MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER OR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO.A CONTRACT WITH PB CONSULT INC. TO PERFORM A DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT/PRELIMINARY STUDY. MR. BUCKLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Action to Approve Amendments to the 2003 Operating and Capital Budgets Action to Approve an Additional Contribution of$275,000 in 2003 to the Defined Benefit Plan Ms. Watson reported that the Actuarial Report had recommended a minimum - contribution of$745,000 to the plan. The 2003 budget was finalized prior to receiving the report and$225,000 was budgeted. She stated that based on the Board's request, funding for an additional $275,000 contribution was identified. She pointed out that after the agenda item was prepared,RTA was made aware of a significant reduction in sales tax revenue because of a$171,000 tax refund to a local company. Providing an overall budget review,Ms. Watson stated that year-to-date sales tax revenue is approximately 1% less than last year;the 2003 budget is based on a 1% increase in sales tax and that both of these factors will result in an estimated$184,000 decrease in income for the year. Bus wrap revenue will be less than budgeted by$36,000 due to lack of participation in the program. At the present time,the fuel budget was over budget by $30,000 but it was anticipated to meet budget by year-end. The B-Line budget, as of May, was over budget by$70,000 primarily based on increased ridership. She noted that meeting budget for the year would be challenging. In conclusion,Ms. Watson outlined three options for the Board. The first option would be to approve and fund the contribution and possibly have to do another budget - amendment before the end of the year because state legislation does not allow for expenditures to exceed revenues by year end. The second option would be to approve the contribution but delay funding it for two months. The third option would be to fund the contribution using unreserved funds. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he had reservations about delaying the contribution. The funding had been identified and he felt comfortable in funding the contribution. He also felt that the Actuarial recommendation should be followed. Mr. Barrera stated that budget problems should not affect the contribution to the retirement plan. Mr. Buckley commented on the fluctuations experienced when dealing with finances. He pointed out that at the time the Actuarial Study was performed,the plan was over funded. Since that time a$250,000 contribution has been made and now an additional $275,000 contribution is being considered,plus the market value had risen to $650,000. He felt Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 6 of 8 that based on the budget variables, it would be in the best interest of the Board to delay the contribution. Mr. Barrera made a motion to approve the amendments to the 2003 Operating and Capital budgets. Mr. Rodriguez seconded the motion. Mr. Barrera and Mr. Rodriguez expressed the opinion that their approval of the contribution would indicate to the employees their support and commitment to their pension plan. Mr. Garcia and Ms. Garza noted that the issue was not that the Board did not support the employees or their pension plan, but the overall fiscal responsibilities to the organization. After a brief discussion, Mr. Barrera amended his motion. MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO • THE 2003 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS AND TO APPROVE • AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF$275,000 TO THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN. MR. RODRIGUEZ SECONDED THE MOTION. BARRERA,RODRIGUEZ, GARZA, GARCIA,ALONZO AND GOMEZ VOTING FOR; BUCKLEY VOTING AGAINST. THE MOTION PASSED. Action to Approve the May 2003 Financial Report In response to Mr. Alonzo,Mr. Sissimas stated that reserved assets had a balance of$2.9 million. There was a brief discussion on interpreting the financial statements. Mr. Rodriguez requested a budget workshop. Ms. Watson stated that the workshop would be included in the budget process that would start in August. MR. BUCKLEY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MAY 2003 FINANCIAL REPORT. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. B-Line Update Ms.Collins provided the following statistics: 1)ridership was consistent with last year but was down by 1.6% for the month of May; 2) the majority of the ridership was during the week,Monday through Friday; 3)no-shows and cancellations were consistent with last year's average,but same day cancellations were up by 43%; 4)passenger per hour was 2.46; 5) on time performance was 94.6% compared to contract requirement of 95%; and 6) average call center hold time was 54 seconds. She stated that there was a higher percentage of wheel chair riders using B-Line over the weekends and that this ridership trend would need to be addressed. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 7 of 8 Mr. Rodriguez asked if there were any plans to address reducing overall B-Line ridership. Ms. Collins replied that a Try Fixed Route campaign would be held in conjunction with the Try Transit Week and that ridership eligibility would be reviewed. Mr. Rodriguez questioned whether persons calling B-Line could be informed about fixed route services also. There was a discussion on the increasing number of riders and the type of passengers using the service. Mr. Barrera requested that a report showing liquidated damages be provided as it had been in the past. Ms. Collins agreed to provide the report. Ms. Tackett stated that a tour of the B-Line facility would be available at the July Operations meeting and that a six-month operational report would also be presented. General Manager's Report Providing the General Manager's report, Ms. Watson stated that at the request of Chairman Young, she and Mr. Rendon traveled to Washington D. C. and met with the Transportation and Infrastructure reauthorization staff to discuss ADART and other reauthorization requests. The meetings included both the majority and minority staffs. They also met with Senator Hutchison's staff as well as the Senate minority staff with the appropriations subcommittee. She also reported that a meeting was held with Mr. Jamison,FTA Deputy Administrator, and included Ms. Barbara Sisson,FTA Associate Administrator. The benefits of ADART were explained and one example was a simulation of the current trips handled by B-Line processed using ADART and the result was the reduction of one vehicle to provide the same level of service. Ms. Watson acknowledged Mr. Rendon's assistance in securing meetings with Washington representatives. Several informational items were presented: 1) With the arrival of new buses,retired vehicles were being disposed of using the Surplus Vehicle Policy; 2)the bid opening was held in Austin for the LCI Bridge project and three bids were received with the lowest bid coming in 37%over the estimated project cost; 3) specifications and demolition plans for the old administration building have been started; 4) a new bus wrap would be unveiled,the Drive Clean Across Texas group was sponsoring the wrap; 5)Mr. Robert Patrick, FTA Regional Administrator for Region VI,would be in Corpus Christi on August 5 to hear about ADART and other projects that have been funded with federal funds. Mr. Alonzo encouraged Ms Watson to meet with city representatives to promote employee ridership. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 2,2003 Page 8 of 8 Mr. Alonzo initiated a discussion regarding the discontinuation of the youth summer program. Ms. Chapa explained that several services are offered to the youth and the summer program was discontinued partially due to reduced use of the program by the target group. Mr. Alonzo stated that the program was initiated to motivate students who did not use public transportation to start using the service. He also stated that prior to discontinuing a program, staff should present the proposal to the Board for their discussion. Mr. Garcia mentioned the various youth activities that RTA supports in Robstown. Mr. Rendon complimented staff for their efforts in coordinating Congressman Young's visit and the Harbor Ferry ribbon cutting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. SI e 40,...,4_24 Julio Garcia Jr. Secretary Date