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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 04/07/2004 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (-' 400 a BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING RiE�R .14:7,;) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2004oF61 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 2��eosd 1. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of March 3, 2004 2. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 7. Awarded a Contract for Bank Depository Services to Wells Fargo 6. Action to Award the Fixed-Route and Demand Responsive (Paratransit) Transportation Services Contract 12. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 3. Accepted Committee Reports 4. a) Authorized Awarding a Contract to Oil Patch Petroleum for Engine Oil Supply and Analysis Services b) Approved Purchasing Nine Replacement Paratransit Vehicles from Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) c) Approved Exercising the Purchase Option for Eight (8) 35-ft OPUS Buses and Three (3) 30-ft OPUS Buses e) Exercise the Second Year Option Contract Extension to Barney's Place for Waterborne Transportation Services (Harbor Ferry) 5. Approved an Amendment to P B Consult's Contract for Additional Route Alignment Examination and Public Opinion Survey 4. d) Tabled Authorizing Payment to Cummins Southern Plains, Inc. in the Amount of$39,150 for Unwarrantable Inspections and Repair Services Related to Damaged Opus Bus Engines 8. Tabled Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt an Updated RTA Investment Policy and a List of Authorized Brokers/Dealers and Designate Investment Officer 9. Tabled Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the January and February 2004 Financial Reports 11. Heard General Manager's Report 10. Heard B-Line Update 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, David Martinez Board Members Absent: John Buckley, John Corder, Abel Herrero Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 2 Staff Present: Linda Watson (General Manager), David Seiler, Beth Vidaurri, Kevin Bunce, Ed Carrion, Vangie Chapa, Fred Haley, Sylvia Castillo, Sylvia Mendez, Ricardo Sanchez, Stuart Sher, Elias Sissamis, Lamont Taylor Public Present: Dane Smith, Peter Melve, Manuel Garcia, Debra Garcia, John Gaona, Laura Salas, RTA; Greg Salazar, David Garcia, Teamsters; Linda Patterson, Patterson &Associates; Rolando Garza, Ramona Sawyers, Lupe Salazar, RTAEA; Rose Lara; Tom Niskala, MPO; Rosie Aguiar; Ted Puckett, Bank of America; Steve Rodriguez, Alex Prado, First National Bank; Danny Duzich, Barney's Place; Eloy Soza; Yolanda Olivarez, Gary Melon, Wells Fargo; Pat Morgan; Brenda Fernandez, • Alex Lodde, Edna Arredondo, Dawn Rasmussen, Dana Smith Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:47 a.m. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of March 3, 2004 MR. ALONZO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2004. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Responding to Mr. Alonzo, Ms. Watson acknowledged that previously she had stated that Ms. Collins had been hired as Purchased Transportation Coordinator and • that she did not have prior paratransit experience. She noted that Ms. Collins had good management and people skills and for certain positions it was easier to train a person on technical skills when they meet the other qualifications. She pointed out that Ms. Collins was now managing one of the largest paratransit systems in the country. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Staley, reporting on the March 22, 2004 RTAC meeting, stated that on March 16, 2004, the No Show Appeal Committee heard three appeals; an Eligibility Appeal meeting was not held; all members were encouraged to publicize the RTAC Committee vacancy; they voted to support the award of the purchased transportation contract to MV Transportation; reports on B-Line, ADART, monthly CAF report; and the upcoming purchase of replacement paratransit vehicles were presented. Mr. Alonzo asked why a rider did not participate in the purchased transportation review. Ms. Staley stated that Billy Ray Sayles had a family member who used the B-Line service. Mr. Alonzo asked why a person from customer services had not been in the review committee. Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 3 Mr. Alonzo commented that the presentation on the purchased transportation contract was different from the one presented at the committee level. Ms. Watson replied that at the committee level, staff was asked by the Board to provide additional detail and the information had been incorporated into the Board presentation. Mr. Rendon stated that he would deviate from the agenda and called for consideration of Agenda Item 7 followed by Agenda Item 6. Discussion and Possible Action to Award a Contract for Bank Depository Services Mr. Rendon called for public comment. Mr. Ted Puckett, Regional Manager for Bank of America, stated that 30 percent of the bank's business was with communities and government entities. Their deposit products and services are designed to meet the needs of these organizations. Mr. Steve Rodriguez, Branch President of the First National Bank located at Port and Baldwin, provided background information on the bank's growth and noted that the Corpus Christi locations had grown to approximately $473 million in total-assets., He noted that approximately 90 public entities use the bank's services. Addressing the agenda item, Mr. Sissamis introduced, Ms. Linda Paterson with Patterson &Associates an Austin-based investment advisory firm who assisted in drafting the Request for Proposals and analyzing the responses provided by the four responding financial institutions. Ms. Patterson, using a PowerPoint presentation, detailed the following analysis criteria that were developed by the RTA and used to determine the best and most cost effective proposal. The proposals were evaluated on 1) responsiveness and service availability; 2) DBE participation; 3) experience, credit and continuity; and 4) banking services costs. She reported the individual ratings for each proposer in each category, the various levels of services provided, as well as the overall ranking which was: 1) Bank of America; 2)Wells Fargo Bank; 3) First National Bank; and 4) Frost Bank. Ther-e_was_a varieddexchange_of_information_initiated_by_questions-posed-b-y-various Board Members. Mr. Barrera noted that Wells Fargo Bank provided more local DBE participation, was very active in the community and reflected the community's diversity. MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR BANK DEPOSITORY SERVICES TO WELLS FARGO BANK. MS. A", i r, RegionalTransportation Authority • Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 4 FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Action to Award the Fixed-Route and Demand Response (Paratransit) Transportation Services Contract Mr. Seiler stated that seven firms had requested information but only.three firms had submitted.proposals. The review committee consisted of the Director of Operations, Director of Capital Projects, Acting Purchased Transportation Coordinator, DBE/EEO Officer, and RTAC Member Billy Ray Sayles. He stated that Gayle Knight has been working as RTA's Regional Transportation Coordinator and had worked in purchased transportation with the Fort Worth Transit Authority. . He reported that the. RFP Evaluation Committee had made a presentation to RTAC on March 22, 2004 and had received unanimous endorsement for the recommendation to award the contract to MV Transportation. The evaluation ratings for MV Transportation, Laidlaw and First Transit were highlighted by Mr. Seiler with the aide of a PowerPoint presentation. Commenting under public comment, Mr. David Garcia stated that one reason the turn over rate was low at B-Line was because even though a person quits, if they choose, they remain on an on-call basis. The time between road calls was less because since MV Transportation has taken over the contract, new vehicles have been added to the fleet which automatically reduces the time between road calls. He noted that the benefit package was not structured as Mr. Munson had proposed. He also reported that the average hours per driver was about 35 hours. He stated that he would continue to work with the company selected to manage the service. Mr. Alonzo initiated a discussion on the long hold times experienced by some B-Line riders when calling the B-Line office. He also raised the concern of increased customer service complaints. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO AWARD THE FIXED-ROUTE AND DEMAND RESPONSE (PARATRANSIT) TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CONTRACT TO MV TRANSPORTATION. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: ALONZO VOTING AGAINST; ARIAS, BARRERA, MARTINEZ, FLORES, RENDON AND GARZA_V_O_U.NG FOR. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Rendon called for public comment from the audience. 1,.. . • Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 5 Mr. Peter Melve, bus operator with RTA for six years, countered on several issues raised by a fellow employee in response to his letter to the editor printed in the Corpus Christi Caller Times. He stated that benefits had been reduced or removed;. longevity was eliminated for all new employees; carry over personal and sick leave days and the bonus structure was decreased; and pay increases were frozen. He noted that the MDT system was still inoperable; continual renovations at Six-Points and Port-Ayers.Stations, inadequate protection provided for customers at the South Side Transit station on rainy days and lack of public restrooms. He expressed his overall satisfaction with his employment (as a single person), which has funded two college degrees and enabled him to open his own business. He noted that he had submitted his letter to the editor on behalf of the struggling families who cannot sustain the reductions. Mr. Roland Garza asked that the Board put the General Manager's evaluation on the May Board agenda. He mentioned that they had an informational packet for the Board Members. He referenced legal fees paid by the RTA and asked that issues be resolved at the staff level. Mr. Lupe Salazar asked the Chairman to direct Ms. Watson to try and work with them at the joint RTAEA/RTA meetings and resolve the pending issues. Ms. Rosie Aguiar questioned the use of legal consultations and when the open door policy was initiated. She displayed a folder which she stated reflected her husband's struggles at RTA since August. Action to Accept Committee Reports Mr. Rendon called for additions or corrections to the Operations Committee Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2004, RTAC Committee Minutes of February 19, 2004. There being none the following motion was made: MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE REPORTS. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Consent Agenda ?. tcegional:Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 6 Under public comment, Mr. Roland Garza, referencing the payment to Cummins Southern Plains, Inc., presented a timeline of events concerning the engine damage. He commented on the engine warranty being voided, the horrible nightmare endured by several highly skilled mechanics when they were taken in for questioning by the Corpus Christi Police Department and questioned why the damage was not covered by the warranty on the new buses. He stated that a story was made up to try and get the insurance or the taxpayers to pay for the damages and that the expense should be garnished from the responsible employee's check. 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. Mr. Alonzo asked that 4d be pulled for discussion. Mr. Rendon called for a vote on the following consent items: a) Authorize Awarding a Contract to Oil Patch Petroleum for Engine Oil Supply and Analysis Services b) Approve Purchasing Nine Replacement Paratransit Vehicles from Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC c) Approve Exercising the Purchase Option for Eight(8) 35-ft OPUS Buses and Three (3) 30-ft OPUS Buses e) Exercise the Second Year Option Contract Extension to Barney's Place for Waterborne Transportation Services (Harbor Ferry) MS. GARZA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA • ITEMS 4a, b, c, AND e. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Rendon delayed discussion on Agenda Item 4d and called for discussion on Agenda Item 5. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve an Amendment to P B Consult's Contract for Additional Route Alignment Examination and Public Opinion Survey MsWatson-noted-that-Mr.-Niskala-MPO-Director,-waspresent to address any questions. She provided a brief background on the Downtown Transportation Study. She reported that in addition to a detailed examination of the two alternative alignments selected by the RTA board, a hybrid alternative route of Shoreline Boulevard and Water Street should be added along with additional public comment and input. This addition would require a contract amendment due to the additional cost. She stated that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) had agreed to Regional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 7 use salary savings and reprogrammed MPO funds earmarked for RTA studies, which have been performed in-house, to fund the additional tasks. She pointed out that if the funding were not used prior to September, it would be lost. MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT., TO P B CONSULT'S CONTRACT FOR ADDITIONAL ROUTE ALIGNMENT EXAMINATION AND PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY. MS. GARZA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Rendon stated that Agenda Items 8,9 and 4d would be tabled due to lack of a quorum. d) Authorize Payment to Cummins Southern Plains, Inc. in the Amount of $39,150 for Unwarrantable Inspections and Repair Services Related to Damaged Opus Bus Engines Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt an Updated RTA Investment Policy and a List of Authorized Brokers/Dealers and Designate Investment Officer Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the January and February 2004 Financial Reports General Manager's Report Ms. Watson reported that under the House Reauthorization bill the Senate had authorized $318 billion for transportation, the House bill was $275 billion and was above the requested Presidential limit but a veto was not probable. The authorization bill included preliminary engineering for the Downtown Streetcar and maintenance facility improvements of$640, 000 in FY 2005; $660,000 in FY 2006; and $700,000 in FY 2007. Also included in her report was that RTA would be implementing a pilot purchasing card program with Wells Fargo; Mr. Joel Volinski, Director of the National Center for Transit Research, with the University of South Florida would be in Corpus Christi at the end of the month to gather information on a study on transit stations; asked that the-April-Operations-and-Administration-Committees-be-combined-on--Wednesday, April 28, 2004 to allow Mr. Wulkan to give a presentation on the Streetcar Project; Mr. Wulkan would be making a presentation to the Corpus Christi City Council on Tuesday, April 27th, and that Mr. Ricardo Sanchez had been chosen to participate in a fifteen day study mission on vehicle design standards and procurement practices in Europe sponsored by the International Transit Studies Program. 3 + ,; .. . Regional'Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes April 7,2004 Page 8 B-Line Update Ms:.Fernandez, on behalf of MV Transportation, expressed appreciation for being awarded the purchased transportation contract. Reporting on March statistics, she. stated there were 0 denials; Passengers Per Hour was 2.64; and On-Time- Performance was 94.9. Reporting on management initiatives, she stated that managers are reporting to work at 4 a.m. to maintain open communication with the drivers and the target date for training all drivers on ADART was May 1. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. Anna M. Flores Board Secretary Date