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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 09/01/2004 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 01:42;1‘1:01111201273"\12, BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING " RECEIVED g WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 \ CITYSECRETARY'S v etr, . OFFICE ,a+ SUMMARY OF ACTIONS © creZz9ZSu���v' 1. Held Employee Recognition 2. Heard Presentation by CHG & Associates on Federal Funding for RTA Projects 3. Confirmed Appointment of Wayland Simmons to Administration Committee 4. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of August 4, 2004 5. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 6. Accepted Committee Reports 7. a) Approved Awarding a Contract for Vehicle Maintenance Audit and Performance Review b) Approved Awarding a Contract for Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal c) Approved an Inter-Local Agreement with Nueces County Hospital District on Molina Medical Clinic Transit Related Improvements d) Approved Amending the RTA's List of Authorized Brokers/Dealers e) Approved the July 2004 Financial Report 8. Approved the Second-Quarter Investment Return Report for the Defined Benefit Plan 9. Approved Amending the Defined Benefit Plan Statement of Investment Policy and Accepted the Investment Committee Report 10.Approved the Second Quarter Investment Return Report for the Defined Contribution Plan 11.Heard Presentation on 2005 Proposed Budget — Preliminary Information 12.Heard B-Line Report 13.Heard General Manager's Report 14.Held Closed Session and in Open Session Rejected Offer for the Surplus Land near the Southside Transfer Station and Approved the Genera! Manager's•Employment Agreement 15. Provided Opportunity for Public-Comment The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors met at 8:30 a.m. in the Regional Transportation Authority Offices located at 5658 Bear Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas. Board Members Present: Mike Rendon (Board Chair); Anna Flores (Board Vice- Chair), Roland Barrera, John Buckley; Abel Herrero,-David Martinez, John Longoria, Davie Cissna, Crystal Lyons, Wayland Simmons Board Members.Absent: Carmen Arias SCANNED v_ jional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes • September 1,2004 Page 2 Staff Present: Ricardo Sanchez, (General Manager); David Seiler; Gayle Knight; Fred Haley, Sylvia Castillo; Sylvia Mendez; Elias Sissamis; Lamont Taylor, Beth Vidaurri Public Present: Abel Alonzo; Molly Rodriguez; Rolando Garza, Ramona Sawyers, Guadalupe Salazar, RTAEA; Greg Salazar, David Garcia, Teamsters 1110; Edna Arredondo, Dawn Rasmuessen, Brenda Fernandez, MV Transportation; Patricia Coffia; Jack Fernandez; Ellen Scott Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:44 a.m. Employee Recognition Mr. Rendon recognized Jack Fernandez for 30 years of service with Corpus Christi RTA. Mr. Sanchez provided a chronological overview of Mr. Fernandez's employment with the RTA. He commended him for his dedicated service to the company. Ms. Flores presented Mr. Fernandez with a certificate of recognition. Presentation by CHG & Associates on Federal Funding for RTA Projects Mr. Sanchez explained that CHG & Associates has been assisting the RTA obtain federal funding for ten years. Ms. Anja Graves gave a general overview of the services provided by its firm and her background in legislative consulting. Referencing a handout, Mr. Graves reported on federal funding obtained for Corpus Christi RTA since 1994 through Sec. 5309, Sec. 5307, ITS, Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC), Livable Communities and Highway funding allocations. Reporting on the Reauthorization Bill, Ms. Graves stated that if action is not taken by October 1, 2004, then the projected consideration timeframe would be November 2004. If the Bill is not approved at that time it would occur in February or March 2005. Mr. Graves stated that within the next couple of months, the RTA Board of Directors and the General Manager should identify projects for federal funding consideration. He reviewed the FY2006 appropriations requests, which are bus replacement; maintenance facility renovations; ADA accessibility; safety Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes September 1,2004 Page 3 and security; downtown streetcar project; and ADART. Ms. Graves stated that they would keep the General Manager updated if funding is made available to transit for security projects. Referencing the allocation given to TXDOT for Preliminary Engineering on the Streetcar Project, Mr. Graves stressed the need to ensure that the money stays allocated to the Streetcar Project and not diverted to TXDOT projects as was experienced with the ADART allocation given to TXDOT. Confirmation of Committee Appointment Mr. Rendon asked for a motion to confirm his appointment of Mr. Wayland Simmons to the RTA Administration Committee. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. SIMMONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Closed Session for Discussion of the Possible Sale of Surplus Land near the Southside Transfer Station and Discussion of the Employment Agreement for the General Manager, with Possible Actions Concerning These Subjects in Open Session Mr. Rendon announced that Agenda Item 14_would be moved for consideration at this time. He announced that the time was 9:26 a.m. and the Board would be going into closed session to discuss Agenda Item 14 concerning real estate matters under Section 551.072 and Personnel matters under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The Board reconvened at 10:10 p.m. MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO REJECT THE BID THAT WAS OFFERED FOR THE SURPLUS LAND NEAR THE SOUTHSIDE TRANSFER STATION. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH BARRERA, BUCKLEY, CISSNA, MARTINEZ, FLORES, LONGORIA, LYONS; AND SIMMONS VOTING IN FAVOR. MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO MIRROR THE SAME CONTRACT AWARDED TO THE PRIOR GENERAL MANAGER, STARTING WITH A SALARY OF $115,000. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH BARRERA, BUCKLEY, CISSNA, MARTINEZ, FLORES, LONGORIA, LYONS, AND SIMMONS VOTING IN FAVOR. 12gional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes September 1,2004 Page 4 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of August 4, 2004 MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD MINUTES OF AUGUST 4, 2004. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Hovda, RTAC Chairperson, reported that at the August 19, 2004 Committee meeting two appeals were dismissed and one appeal was upheld; the Policy Subcommittee recommended a revised No Show policy based on a rolling 90-day period; they heard a report on the fare review and restructuring study; supported B-Line discontinuing taking reservations on Sunday; and supported the 45-day extension of the 3-day advance reservation policy. Action to Accept Committee Reports Mr. Rendon called for additions or corrections to the Operations Committee Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2004, the Administration Committee Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2004, and the RTAC Committee Minutes of July 15, 2.004. There being none, the following motion was made: MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE REPORTS. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.. Consent Agenda Mr. Rendon called on Mr. Alonzo who had signed up to speak on Agenda Item 7c. Mr. Alonzo commented on the bus drivers' improved attitude, better working air conditioners on the buses and overall vehicle appearance improvement under the current management. He expressed gratitude to those involved with the design of"the Molina Medical Clinic for taking steps to ensure that not only the clinic was ADA compliant but also the adjoining area. He complimented the efforts of Ms. Montoya and Ms. Lyons. Mr. Sanchez pointed out that on page 42 of the agenda packet material, it stated that Naismith.Engineering had submitted the necessary registration application and fee to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) on the Molina project. = -__anional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes September 1,2004 Page 5 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 motion on the following consent items: a) Action to Approve Awarding a Contract for Vehicle Maintenance Audit and Performance Review b) Action to Approve Awarding a Contract for Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal c) Action to Approve an Inter-Local Agreement with Nueces County Hospital District on Molina Medical Clinic Transit Related Improvements d) Action to Approve Amending the RTA's List of Authorized Brokers/Dealers e) Action to Approve the July 2004 Financial Report MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 7a THROUGH 7e. MS. LYONS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Action to Approve the Second Quarter Investment Return Report for the Defined Benefit Plan Ms. Ellen Scott, with Wells Fargo, explained that the Defined Benefit Plan was the RTA's pension plan and was fully funded by the RTA. She clarified that starting on January 1, 2005, RTA would be making monthly deposits into the plan. Mr. Cissna asked for a running total of what has been in the Defined Benefit Plan in order to calculate what the gains and losses have been over the years. Ms. Scott stated that for three years another firm managed the fund, but that she would compile the information. Mr. Sanchez stated that the information would be provided in the next Administration Committee packet. In response to Mr. Barrera's inquiry regarding Security Trust, Mr. Bell stated that his firm had exchanged correspondence with them and was waiting for a response. He had also asked Security Trust to refer him to its errors & omissions carrier. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SECOND QUARTER INVESTMENT RETURN REPORT FOR THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN. MR. BARRERA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. ._aional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes September 1,2004 Page 6 Action to Amend the Defined Benefit Plan Statement of Investment Policy and Accept Investment Committee Report Ms. Scott explained the major proposed changes as follows: 1).the Plan Trust Document would supersede other documents; 2) identifying the performance goal that is to be achieved over a market cycle which is typically 3-5 years; 3) changing the absolute return to.8.5%; 4) diversifying the assets into different styles in order to reduce the risk; 5) providing that if the asset allocations fall outside the specific parameters, the investment manager can rebalance quarterly; 6) allowing the managers to shift their strategies and tactics as needed based on the economic and securities environment; 7) providing for an annual meetings of the Investment Subcommittee and other meetings on an as needed basis; and 8) requiring that the manager provide a written quarterly report. MR. BARRERA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDING THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY AND ACCEPTING THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Action to Approve the Second Quarter Investment Return. Report for the Defined Contribution Plan Ms. Scott clarified that the Defined Contribution Plan was funded with employee money. Employees contribute 7.5% into the plan and have the option of contributing up to an additional 10% of their salary into the plan. There is an employee volunteer committee that meets periodically to review the plan and makes recommendations to the Board on behalf of the employees. MR. MARTINEZ MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SECOND QUARTER INVESTMENT RETURN REPORT FOR THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTiON PLAN. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Rendon noted the time and opened the floor for public comment. There was none. Presentation on 2005.Proposed Budget — Preliminary Information Mr. Sissamis , using a PowerPoint presentation, identified the 2004 goals as 1) improving Board & Staff relations; 2) creating a positive work environment that enhances communication, employee performance, and teamwork; 3) ,_:gional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes September 1,2004 Page 7 improving internal organizational processes; 4) implementing a comprehensive security plan for buses, stations and facilities; 5) streamlining organization structure and processes; 6) improving reporting and accountability; 7) using technology to improve productivity of internal customers and educate external customers; 8) improving customer satisfaction; and 9) providing quality transportation services and increase ridership. He reviewed the major budget assumptions, the budget processes and key target dates. There was a brief discussion on getting employee input on the proposed budget. Mr. Sanchez assured the Board that the proposed budget would be shared with employees and feedback would be encouraged. Employees would also be invited to attend the budget workshop in October. B-Line Report Ms. Fernandez reported that for the month of July 2004 there were no denials; passengers per hour (PPH) were 2.65; on time performance was 95.6%; there were 23 Customer Assistance Forms (CAF's); and out of 16,788 trips reserved, there were 404 no shows and 1,359 same day cancellations. Reporting on ADART, she stated that ten routes were on the ADART system. She asked for the Board's support during the ADART implementation phase due to driver concerns and the changing working environment. She reported that MV Transportation would be sending their IT VP, Mr. Rex Clark, to assist with software issues. She updated the Board on various employee outreach efforts. Mr. Rendon stated that since MV Transportation hired Ms. Fernandez as General Manager, he has noticed a positive change in the B-Line operations. General Manager's Report Mr. Sanchez reported that the Federal Transit Administration had conducted its Triennial Review and had identified the following major areas as being deficient: 1) the charter service agreement with the City of Corpus Christi was did not meet the Charter Bus requirement and must cease —the City will be notified; 2) the purchases from Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) were deemed invalid because HGAC did not have a buy America requirement and had geographic restrictions. Mr. Sanchez stated that the last purchase agreement with Texas Bus Sales would be nullified and Invitation for Bids would be reissued. ,3) Though not deficient, RTA was encouraged to complete and implement a system security program for all modes of operation. _ ional Transportation Authority Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes September 1,2004 Page 8 Continuing with his report, Mr. Sanchez stated that the 3-day advance reservation policy had been extended for 45 days and a final recommendation would be presented in October; the Harbor Ferry service would be ending on September 6th and the customers would be notified; RTA was meeting with City of Corpus Christi staff regarding a traffic plan for the arena area, the next meeting was scheduled for September 10th; RTA would make a presentation to the Corpus Christi City Council on September 28th; RTA would be providing shuttle service during Bayfest; and at the Veterans' Summit , RTA would have a booth and also assist with transportation efforts. Mr. Sanchez also reported that at the next Operations Committee meeting, the Port Authority would make a presentation on the federal funding received for the purchase of a ferry boat and on the status of its newly designed ferry terminal; a preview of the proposed September 28th City Council presentation would also be presented. A joint procurement project with STV Incorporated for the purchase of transit buses has been entered into, and on Labor Day, Sunday service level would be in effect. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. • /6-LiCarmen Arias Board Secretary Date