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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 02/11/2004 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 60897077 BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2004 T YaR 2004 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS M RECEIVED 21, -61 CITY SECRETARY'S v 1. Held Closed Session to Consider Evaluation of a Board ember OFF►CE 2. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 7, 2004'ard Special Board Meeting of January 14, 2004 3. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 4. Accepted Committee Reports 5. Approved Award of Actuarial Services to Pension Benefits, Inc. 6. Awarded a Contract to the Doctors' Center for Occupational Medical • Services 7. Authorized Awarding a Contract to Progressive Structures for Port/Ayers Transfer Station Renovations Phase II 16.Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 8. Heard Update on Northwest Project 9. Tabled Presentation on Fare Review and Fare Restructuring Study 10.Tabled Report on Cost Overruns in B-Line Service 11.Heard B-Line Update 12.Tabled Presentation on 2004 Action Plan 13.Tabled Update on Purchased Transportation RFP 14.Tabled ADART UPDATE 15.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), Anna M. Flores (Board Secretary), Abel Alonzo, Carmen Arias, Rolando Barrera, John Buckley, John Corder, Stan Terry Board Members Absent: Abel Herrero, David Martinez, Staff Present: Linda Watson (General Manager), David Seiler, Beth Vidaurri, Vangie Chapa, Kevin Bunce, Linda Falwell-Stover, Stuart Sher, Eduardo Carrion, Fred Haley, Ricardo Sanchez, Gayle Knight, Ramiro Cedillo, Lamont Taylor, Sylvia Castillo, Sylvia Mendez, John Bell Public Present: Brenda Fernandez, Dawn Rasmussen, Edna Arredondo, MV Transportation; Jesse Alonzo; Mario Dominguez, Leadership Corpus Christi; David Gonzalez Jr.; Angie Gonzalez; Guadalupe Salazar, Ramona Sawyers, Roland Garza, Manuel Garcia, Pete Becerrra, RTAEA; Dave Smith; Alan Wulkan, PB Consult; Judy SCANNED ,... ......,,. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Special Meeting Minutes February 11,2004 Page 2 Telge, Vida Monrren, Diana Garza, ACI/CBCIL; Crystal Lyons; Oralia Martinez; Julio Garcia; David Garcia, Teamsters; Rene Rodriguez; Vicente Carranza; Christopher Jones; Manuel Sanchez; Eloy Soza; Diane Staley Call to Order The Board.of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:36 a.m. Closed Session to Consider Evaluation of a Board Member Mr. Rendon stated that the Board would be going into closed session in order to discuss Item Number 1 on the agenda concerning evaluation of a Board Member under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Mr. Barrera'questioned the need to meet in executive session. Mr. Rendon explained that as Chairman he had placed the item on the agenda with the concurrence of a fellow Board Member: Mr. Rendon reconvened the meeting at 9:30 a.m. He explained that general public comment would beheld at the end of the meeting or at 10:30 a.m. if the meeting was still in session. He noted that persons who signed up to speak on a specific action item would be given the opportunity to speak prior to the item. Ms. Garza.stated that she was serving on jury duty when the Board elected her Vice Chairman and she expressed her gratitude for the appointment., Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 7, 2004 and the Special Board Meeting of January 14, 2004 MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MINUTES OF JANUARY 7, 2004 AND THE SPECIAL BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2004. MR. BUCKLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Mr. Soza reported on the January 15, 2004 RTAC meeting. He stated that the No Show Appeal Committee had addressed five appeals and'at the February 19th RTAC meeting the Eligibility Appeal Committee would report on the January meeting and subcommittee appointments would be finalized. The fourth quarter 2003 Customer • Assistance Forms (CAF's) were reviewed. There were a total of 123 RTA and 63 B- Line CAF's. The most common complaint for B-Line was early/late arrivals and for RTA it was customer service and relations. He also reported that Mr. Seiler had provided-a timeline for the RFP process and that Mr. Rush had resigned due to a new job assignment. Page 2 • Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Special Meeting Minutes February 11,2004 Page 3 Action to Accept Committee Reports Mr. Rendon called for additions or corrections to the RTAC Committee Minutes of December 18, 2003. There being none the following motion was made: MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE REPORT. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Award of Actuarial Services to Pension Benefits, Inc_ MS. GARZA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AWARD OF ACTUARIAL SERVICES TO PENSION BENEFITS, INC. MR: BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Award a Contract to the Doctors' Center for Occupational Medical Services Ms. Mendez overviewed the services provided under this three-year contract which included two one-year options. Requests for Proposals had been issued to the Doctors' Center, Concentra and Pinnacle Medical Management. Pinnacle Medical Management had not submitted a proposal. Ms. Arias initiated a discussion on local qualified industrial medical clinics. Ms. Watson stated that staff would research why other companies had not participated and the findings would be reported to the Board: MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO THE DOCTORS' CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. MS. ARIAS ABSTAINED. THE MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Roland Garza questioned the RTA's practice of stating that in the future an item would be handled differently or they would return with a report. Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize Awarding a Contract to Progressive Structures for Port/Ayers Transfer Station Renovations Phase II Mr. Sanchez displayed photographs depicting the planned improvements to the remaining sections of the station. The planned improvements were to replace the Styrofoam exterior with hard stucco. He reported that six contractors had picked up plans and specifications and four contractors had submitted bids. Page 3 gional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Special Meeting Minutes February 11,2004 Page 4 There was a discussion about installation of the security cameras and security services currently provided. Ms. Watson stated that RTA was reviewing the level of security service being provided. MR. TERRY MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE AWARDING A CONTRACT TO PROGRESSIVE STRUCTURES FOR PORT/AYERS TRANSFER STATION RENOVATIONS PHASE II. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Rendon opened the floor for public comment. Ms. Ramona Sawyers stated that she had wanted to comment on Agenda Item 1 but it had been resolved. Mr. Roland Garza stated that he was commenting as an advocate and not as a representative. He commented on the terrible working conditions at the RTA and their liberal termination practices such as terminations for off the wall reasons. He asked that the new Board resolve the on-going issues. Ms. Watson responded that the RTA had a thorough progressive discipline policy which was followed prior to enforcing a termination. Mr. Eloy Soza reported that TxDOT had conducted a teleconference on public rural transportation and an RTA representative was not present. He encouraged RTA's participation in future meetings. Ms. Angie Gonzales addressed the Board in Spanish. Mr. Rendon translated Ms. Gonzales's comments. She voiced her concern about the public's safety while waiting at transfer stations; allowing school age students to ride the bus during school hours; allowing food and drink on the buses; the lack of respect and rude treatment given to persons with disabilities by some bus operators; and the delayed response time experienced by riders when there is a wheelchair lift malfunction. Mr. Terry requested that an interpreter be provided when a non-English speaking person addressed the Board. Responding to Ms. Flores, Ms. Watson stated that a report on the bus operator training program would be provided. Mr. Terry initiated a discussion regarding wheelchair lifts and Ms. Watson stated that a report was already planned for the next Operations Committee meeting. Mr. Manuel Garcia, twelve-year RTA bus operator, commented on his courteous treatment of passengers, acknowledged problems with wheelchair lifts, inability to deny Page 4 • - Regional Transportation Authority - Board Of Directors Special Meeting Minutes February 11,2004 Page 5 students riding the bus when they are supposed to be in school; allowing drinks with a lid on the bus;and bus drivers. having a lot of stress while on duty. Mr. Guadalupe Salazar, thirteen-year journeyman mechanic, stated that five years ago when the current maintenancedirector came on board he eliminated a wheelchair lift and air condition preventive maintenance campaign citing cost issues. He explained that the wheelchair lifts required only three,items: water, oil and air. The problems with the lifts were due to lack of attention, not age. Update on Northwest Project Mr. Sanchez reported that the final plans and specifications were scheduled to be completed by the end of 2004. Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Sanchez reviewed the original scope of work and outlined proposed changes. After deliberations with TxDOT, the decision was made to relocate the bus stop located close to the Hobby Lobby on 624 toward the Wells Fargo bank. This would place it closer to an existing traffic light. On the south side, a new stop would be installed close to the Medical Center. He described the new proposed bus shelter. He reported that TxDOT had agreed to fund sidewalk construction on this project. Continuing with the report, Mr. Sanchez stated that due to the change in scope of work, Goldston would be revising the cost estimate on their contract and it would be presented for the Board's approval. Ms. Flores commented that when the Cooper bus benches did not have any advertising on them, their appearance was unsightly. Mr. Sanchez stated that public service signs were being placed on benches without advertising and they were redesigning the benches similar to the park bench style used by VIA in San Antonio. Presentation on Fare Review.and Fare Restructuring Study Report on Cost Overruns in B-Line Service Presentation.on 2004 Action Plan Update on Purchased Transportation RFP ADART UPDATE Agenda Items 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14, listed-above were tabled to the March Board meeting. B-Line Update Ms. Fernandez reported that the dispatch office had been reorganized and two additional call takers had been hired. Highlighting activity for the month of December Page 5 •• gional TransportationAuthority Board Of Directors Special Meeting Minutes February 11,2004 Page 6 2003, she.stated that passengers per hour had been 2.47 due to the holidays and in January 2004 it was 2.54; on-time performance was 95.07%, slightly above contract standard; CAF's were down to 13 in December compared to 17 in November. She reported on various employee morale events, the formation of the Employee Relations Committee and the Manager Advisory Committee (MAC); as well as community outreach efforts. She announced that Edna Arredondo had been appointed to the Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) Board General Manager's Report Ms. Watson reported that there would be major construction on Staples street which would disrupt bus service in the area around Moore Plaza. RTA staff wouldbe doing extensive public outreach to keep the riders informed of the route detours. An invitation was extended by Ms. Watson to everyone to attend the Downtown Transportation Study Project Advisory Committee meeting this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the Solomon P. Ortiz Center. The consultant's preliminary findings and recommendations would be discussed. Ms. Watson recognized Ms. Gayle Knight, Regional Transit Coordinator and Interim Purchased Transportation Coordinator, for being selected to speak at a National Leadership Forum sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration. She noted that Project ACTION would support all expenses. She also recognized Mr. Stuart Sher for being selected by the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) to participate in developing the industry's first standardized "Train the Trainer' course for paratransit bus operators. Ms. Garza recognized Ms. Beth Vidaurri for being elected as Secretary to the APTA • Board Support Subcommittee. Responding to Mr. Terry, Mr. Seiler stated that RTAC had appointed a subcommittee, which has been meeting regularly to review their policies and procedures and a report would be provided to the Board. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:54 a.m. Let, 111 - Vdeto4) Anna M. Flores Board Secretary #3/9Y- Date Page 6