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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 10/05/2005 23466) REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETINGNoll 29O5 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2005 c ECE6VED w r5 0111 SECS`-;ETA Y'S J SUMMARY OF ACTIONS OFFIC � b�ti • 1. Administered the Oath of Office to Nueces County and Small City May_tirs"6L$�ti Committee Appointees to the RTA Board 2. Held Election and Swearing in of RTA Board Chair 3. Adopted Resolutions for Outgoing Board Members 4. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 5. Board Chair Appointed Interim Committee Members and Operations Committee Chairman 6. Adopted Resolution Recognizing Contributions by VIA 7. Adopted Resolution Recognizing Contributions by MV Transportation 8. Heard Update on RTAC:Committee Activities 9. Approved Consent Agenda Items: a) Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of September 7, 2005 b) Accepted Committee Reports c) Implemented a Trial Program Application of the "Freedom Pass Initiative" 10.Tabled Discussion and Possible Action to Execute the Second of Two One- Year Options for Portfolio Management Services to Wells Fargo 11.Tabled Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Contribution Level of the Defined Benefit Plan 12.Approved the August 2005 Financial Report , 13.Presentation on 2006 Budget 14.Heard B-Line Report 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, Anna M. Flores, Carmen Arias, Rolando Barrera, John Buckley, Davie Cissna, John Longoria, Crystal Lyons, Glenn Martin, David Martinez, Sara Salvide . Board Members Absent: None - Staff Present: Ricardo Sanchez (General Manager), David Seiler, Beth Vidaurri, Eduardo Carrion, Sylvia Castillo, Vangie Chapa, Fred Haley, Sharon Montez, Sharlene Sexton, Stuart Sher, Elias Sissamis, Lamont Taylor,. Linda Fallwell-Stover, John Bell Public Present: Brenda Fernandez, Gayle Knight, Dana Smith, MV Transportation; Abel Alonzo; Susan Cissna; Eloy Soza; Angelica Hernandez, Paul Kratzig &Associates; Ellen Scott, Wells Fargo; Joe Benavides;.Jaime Powell, Corpus Christi Caller Times; SCANNED ,_egional Transportation Authority ` • Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 2 Julio Garcia; Lupe Salazar, Roland Garza, RTAEA; Lupe Gomez, DLP; David Garcia, Teamsters; Carolyn Moon; Ken Hawkins, Sylvia Samaniego, Corpus Christi Barrio Association; Mary Saenz, RTAC Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Rendon at 8:35 a.m. Action to Administer the Oath of Office to Nueces County and Small City Mayors' Committee Appointees to the RTA Board Chairman Rendon administered the Oath of Office to Small City Mayors' Committee appointees, Glenn Martin and Sara Salvide and Nueces County Appointees-Carmen - - - Arias, David Martinez, and Anna Flores. Election and Swearing in of RTA Board Chair Chairman Rendon opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board Chairman. Mr. Longoria nominated Roland Barrera. Ms. Salvide nominated Mike Rendon. Chairman Rendon called for further nominations. There being none, he declared the nominations closed. - Chairman Rendon called for the vote for Roland Barrera for Chairman. Longoria, Buckley, Barrera, Lyons, Arias and Cissna voted in favor. Chairman Rendon declared Mr. Barrera as the new Board Chairman. Mr. Rendon expressed appreciation to RTA staff for their support during his term on the Board. He addressed each Board Member noting their contributions to the Board. Mr. Barrera.thanked Mr. Rendonfor his commitment and dedication to the RTA. Mr. Bell administered the oath of office to Mr. Barrera. Chairman Barrera thanked everyone for their support over the years. He stated that the Chairman's position did not belong to one individual but to the people and the riders. Adoption of Resolutions for Outgoing Board Members Ms. Arias read the resolution for former Board Member Joe Benavides. Mr. Benavides expressed his continuing support for Corpus Christi RTA. He commended Mr. Sanchez and Ms. Fernandez for a job well done. • Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 3 MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JOE BENAVIDES. MS. LYONS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Ms. Arias read the resolution for former Board Member Wayland Simmons. MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING WAYLAND SIMMONS. MS. ARIAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Barrera recessed the meeting at 8:57 a.m. Chairman-Barrera recorivened the meeting at 9:20 am Opportunity for Public Comment • Chairman Barrera called for public comment. Ms. Sylvia Samaniego, Vice President of the'Corpus Christi Barrio Association, remarked that Mr. Ken Hawkins had been a member of the Association for a long time and was concerned about the lack of service on the Southside. She stated that Mr. Hawkins had asked her to attend the meeting as an indication that the Association supported his proposal. She presented a letter outlining Mr. Hawkins' concerns. Mr. Barrera asked that representatives of RTA's Service Development Department as well as Customer Programs attend the Barrio Association's next meeting and work with them in determining their transportation needs. Mr. Ken Hawkins expressed his appreciation to the RTA for providing transportation assistance during Hurricane Rita. He handed out a letter outlining twelve areas that he felt would help riders. He raised the concern about discourteous bus drivers. He expressed appreciation for RTA.increasingservice to the community. Mr. Julio Garcia recognized Mr. Rendon for his outstanding service on the board for the past six years. He also spoke on Mr. Barrera's dedicated service as a member of the RTA's Board of Directors. He congratulated the new appointees as well as those members who were reappointed. He remarked on the operation of the agency and encouraged all Board Members to make the right choices to continue providing the best transit service. Ms. Flores thanked Ms. Fernandez, Ms: Lyons, and Mr. Sanchez for their superb assistance extended to persons with disabilities during Hurricane Rita evacuation. She stated that the cooperation between various public entities was,commendable. Action to Confirm Committee Appointments by the Board Chair and Elect Such Other Officers of the Board as May Be Required in the Event of Any Vacancies _ egional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 4 Chairman Barrera appointed Ms. Lyons as interim Operations Committee Chairperson and Mr. Martin and Ms. Salvide as interim members of the Administration Committee. Adoption of Resolution Recognizing Contributions by VIA Mr. Sanchez stated that San Antonio VIA had provided twenty buses and support staff to aid in evacuating Corpus Christi residents during Hurricane Rita preparations. He announced that the VIA buses were refueled at the RTA facility and dispatcher, Carol Flowers, had made sure that taquitos were provided to the visiting drivers. Ms. Arias read the resolution. MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS BY VIA. MS. ARIAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Adoption of Resolution Recognizing Contributions by MV Transportation Mr. Sanchez acknowledged the tireless efforts undertaken by MV Transportation during Hurricane Rita mandatory evacuation and their willingness to work in partnership with RTA. He also recognized Board Members and RTA staff who assisted during the preparations. Ms. Arias read the resolution. Ms. Lyons also commended Ms. Fernandez and Ms. Knight for their contributions in coordinating emergency transportation for evacuees. Ms. Fernandez acknowledged the team effort. MS. LYONS MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS BY My TRANSPORTATION. MS. ARIAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Saenz, representing RTAC chairperson Deb Hovda, congratulated the new and reappointed Board Members. She expressed concern that the RTA Board had not confirmed the candidates recommended by the RTAC Committee for appointment. She expressed the opinion that the Board should provide clear guidance on the rules and policies on committee appointments. Reporting on the September 15, 2005 RTAC Committee meeting, Ms. Saenz stated that the No Show Appeals Committee had dismissed two proposed suspensions; reports were received from Chairperson Hovda; Mr. David Seiler on assistance provided to Regional Transportation-Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 5 Katrina evacuees, the Freedom Pass Initiative, and the Fare Study and Fare Structure; Ms. Stover on the eligibility process and monthly CAF report; Ms. Knight on the B-Line service; and Mr. Soza and Ms. Rodriguez Finch on the 2006 state conference for Councils for the Blind. Consent Agenda a) Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of September 7, 2005 b) Action to Accept Committee Reports c) Action to Implement a Trial Program Application of the "Freedom Pass Initiative" MS. LYONS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 9a THROUGH 9c. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. - Discussion and Possible Action to Execute the Second of Two One-Year Options for Portfolio Management Services to Wells Fargo Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Contribution Level of the Defined ` Benefit Plan Mr. Buckley noted that Agenda Items 10 and 11 had not been discussed at the Committee level and made the following motion: MR. BUCKLEY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND ON APPROVING THE CONTRIBUTION LEVEL OF THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the August 2005 Financial Report Mr. Sissamis reported that sales tax revenues were higher than budget by $148,000 and higher than the previous year by $350,000. Regarding expense items, fuel was over budget by $39,500 for the year; parts and B-Line service also remained over budget. He stated that the assumption was that fuel and B-Line service costs would be under budget for the year. He noted that overall system ridership was up by 7%, which also equated to a rise in operational costs. In response to Mr. Barrera, Mr. Sissamis stated that the sales tax revenue was 3.5% higher than last year. MS. LYONS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 2005 FINANCIAL REPORT. MS. ARIAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. egional Transportation Authority 4 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 6 Presentation on 2006 Budget Mr. Sanchez noted that he had been involved in budget preparations for over twenty years with the RTA. He stated that drafting the 2006 budget was challenging. The major items were increased fuel costs along with increased health care and insurance costs. Mr. Sanchez stated that considering the projected one and one half percent increasein revenue, program service cuts and possibly the RTA reserve fund may be impacted in order to provide a balanced budget. Mr. Sissamis, using a PowerPoint presentation, overviewed the 2006 fiscal budget process and schedule. He used a line graph to show how expenses were outpacing revenues with sales tax growth averaging 2.6% and expense growth averaging 4.5% per year. Fiscal 2006 challenges were outlined by Mr. Sissamis as follows: 1) rising fuel and other energy prices; 2) less consumer income for taxable sales; 3) rising health and other insurance costs; 4) increasing maintenance costs; 5) growing demand for paratransit service; 6) maintaining existing fixed route levels; 7) compensation plan realignment; 8) containing overtime; 9) inflationary growth otherwise; 10) positioning for long-term; and 11) pension funding. Mr. Sanchez advised that in October the Administration Committee wouldbe reviewing . recommendations based on the compensation study. Mr. Longoria requested that budget presentations be made at both the October Operations and Administration Committee meetings. Mr. Sanchez concurred. Mr. Barrera inquired if the feasibility of offering a high deductible health plan option had been researched. Mr. Sissamis stated that Ms. Sexton was researching that option. Continuing with his report, Mr. Sissamis summarized positive factors affecting the budget; major trends and assumptions in areas that directly will affect the 2006 budget; and Board and staff identified special projects. Mr. Buckley asked that the proposed fare increase rates not be included as part of the 2006 budget assumptions. Mr. Sanchez informed the Board that public meetings were being held to solicit input from the public on the proposed fare increase and a report would be provided to the Board in November and then forwarded to the Fare Review Committee for its approval. Referencing the Board initiatives, Mr. Sissamis asked if they could be funded from the operating reserve. Mr. Buckley asked that the initiatives and their implementation cost be presented to the Board, then the Board could decide which initiatives would be implemented in 2006. Mr. Barrera expressed the opinion that the wellness program could be funded by savings in the health insurance line item. . F. v e • _ Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 7 Mr. Sissamis stated that a draft 2006 budget would be presented at the October Administration Committee meeting. Mr. Sanchez stated that a budget workshop might be necessitated. B-Line.Reporf Ms. Fernandez expressed her appreciation for the support given to the B-Line service by Mr. Rendon, Mr. Benavides and Mr. Simmons. She congratulated Mr. Barrera on the chairmanship and invited the new Board Members to visit their facility. Reporting on paratransit operations for August 2005, Ms. Fernandez stated that ridership was 16,481 representing an increase of 11.1%; denials were maintained at zero; passengers-per hour was 2.8, which was above the contract standard-of 2.5; and CAF's (customer assistance forms) had increased to 17. She noted that On Time Performance was not being reported due to the loss of data caused by computer malfunction. On behalf of MV Transportation employees, Ms. Fernandez expressed appreciation for the Bar B Q luncheon provided by RTA to recognize their efforts during .Hurricane Rita operations. General Manager's Report Mr. Sanchez reported that thenumber of riders transported during Bayfest had fallen to 4,940; Director of Maintenance positionwas still unfilled and would be re-advertised; a Bar B Q to honor both RTA and MV Transportation employees for their efforts during Hurricane Rita had been held; new Board Member orientation sessions would be scheduled; he and Mr. Haley appeared on 1440 KEYS morning radio show; he had been appointed to the United Way Board; and he would be out of the office until the following Tuesday. Providing updates on current projects, Mr. Sanchez stated that the Highway 44 bus turn in was progressing; a pre-construction conference on the Northwest project was scheduled; and ADA improvements on Staples Street were 70% complete. Mr. Longoria asked that the Operations Committee review the RTAC committee member appointment process in order to provide clarification on the process. He stated that his understanding was that after recommendations were received from the RTAC Committee, the Board of Directors was a part of the appointment process also and could either acceptor modify the recommendation. Referencing the employee newsletter, Mr. Longoria commented that addressing the agency's attendance problem in the newsletter was not appropriate. He asked that the Committee be briefed on the agency's attendance policy. He recommended addressing attendance problems on an individual basis and following progressive discipline measures. egional Transportation Authority r • Board of Directors Meeting Minutes October 5,2005 Page 8 Mr. Sanchez stated that addressing the individual and following the outlined progressive discipline measures were practiced. He expressed that the article was to let employees know that attendance was being examined. Inquiring about the status of the policy issues such as ethics, travel, etc. that were identified at the May Board retreat, Mr. Longoria stated that he had expected them to be presented for review within two months after the retreat. Mr. Sanchez replied that the draft policies would be placed on the agenda. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m. _ _ Carmen Arias Board Secretary Date