HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 12/07/2005 •
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REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY tfi to
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING �c,' JAN
2008WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005 REC
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SUMMARY OF ACTIONS c OFFICE 0,
1. Roll Call
2. Adopted a Resolution for Mike Rendon
3. Provided an Opportunity for Public Comment
4. Approved Consent Agenda Items:
a) Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of November 2, 2005
b) Accepted Committee Reports
c) Action to Award the Second of Two One-Year Options for Unleaded
Fuel to Petroleum Traders Corporation
d) Awarded an Extension of the Current Contract with SSP Petroleum
for#2 Diesel Fuel and Including Approval for Contingency Purchase •
of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel for a Period Not to Exceed Ninety
Days
e) Awarded a One-Year Contract for Transmission Rebuilding Services
to Prevost Bus Parts, Inc.
f) Approved the Following Agreements for Bus Turn-outs Project
Funded Through the MPO:(a) Advance Funding Agreement with
TxDOT (b) Interlocal Agreement with City of Corpus Christi
g) Approved an Agreement with Del Mar College for Third Party
Assistance in the Revised Paratransit (B-Line) Eligibility Assessment
Process
h) Approved the First of Two One Year Contract Options and Proposed
Plan Design for Group Health Insurance Program
5. Approved Service Changes
6. Held Closed Session for Discussion of Personnel Compensation
7. Adopted Recommended Changes to the RTA Classification and
Compensation Plan and Operating Guidelines for Administering the Plan
and to Fund Recommended Changes to the Salary Structure for Classified
Employees
8. Held Public Hearing on Proposed RTA 2006 Operating and Capital Budgets
9. Adopted the 2006 Operating and Capital Budgets
10. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities
11. Authorized Issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) for Federal and State'
Grant Consulting
12.Established Ad-Hoc Committees:
(a) Adopted a Resolution Establishing a Marketing Committee, a Planning
Committee, and a Rural and Small Cities Committee
(b) Confirmed Appointments by the Board Chair to the Above Committees
13.Tabled Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt a Code of Ethics Policy to
the January Administration Committee Meeting
14.Approved the September and October 2005 Financial Reports
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Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 2
15.Heard B-Line Report
16.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: Rolando Barrera (Board Chair), Anna M. Flores (Board Vice-
Chair),John Buckley, Davie Cissna, John Longoria, Crystal Lyons, Glenn Martin, David
Martinez, Sara Salvide, John Valls
Board Members Absent: Carmen Arias (Board Secretary)
Staff Present: Ricardo Sanchez (General Manager), John Bell, Legal Counsel; David
Seiler, Beth Vidaurri, Ed Carrion, Vangie Chapa, Fred Haley, Sylvia Castillo, Sharon
Montez, Stuart Sher, Elias Sissamis, Sharlene Sexton, Lamont Taylor, Linda Fallwell-
Stover, Chuck Trexler
Public Present: Brenda Fernandez, Russ Tieskoetter, Dana Smith, Edna Arredondo,
MV Transportation; Abel Villarreal,Del Mar College; David Ramos, Consultant; Abel
Alonzo; David Garcia, Teamsters; Debby Hovda, RTAC; Susan Cissna, Roland Garza,
Lupe Salazar, RTAEA; Jaime Powell, Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Call to Order and Roll Call
A quorum being present, the Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr.
Barrera at 8:30 a.m.
Action to Adopt a Resolution for Mike Rendon
Mr. Barrera read the resolution and presented tokens of appreciation to Mr. Rendon for
his service on the RTA Board of Directors.
MS. LYONS MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR MIKE
RENDON. MR..LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Rendon acknowledged Ms. Fernandez, General Manager for MV Transportation,
and Ms. Vidaurri, Executive Assistant to the RTA General Manager, for their
contributions during his term office. He spoke in support of Mr. Barrera's term as
Chairman and encouraged the Board and RTA Senior Staff to provide him with the
same dedicated support he received during his tenure.
Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 3
Opportunity for Public Comment
Mr. Roland Garza, RTAEA representative, expressed concern that the proposed
compensation plan was based within five percent of themarket.and that some
administrative staff would be receiving large increases. He asked for consistency in
administering future salary adjustments. He reminded the Board that a compensation
plan did not have to be implemented within one year.
Mr. Able Alonzospoke in favor of the decision to solicit Requests for Proposals for
legislative consulting. He asked that televising the RTA Board of Directors meetings be
considered.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Barrera 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. Barrera called for a motion on the
following consent items: •
a) Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of November 2, 2005
b) Action to Accept Committee Reports
c) Action to Award the Second of Two One-Year Options for Unleaded Fuel to
Petroleum Traders Corporation
d) Action to Award an Extension of the Current Contract with SSP Petroleum for#2
Diesel Fuel and Including Approval for Contingency Purchase of Ultra-Low Sulfur
Diesel Fuel for a Period Not to Exceed Ninety Days
e) Action to Award a One-Year Contract for Transmission Rebuilding Services to
Prevost Bus Parts, Inc
f) Action to Approve the Following Agreements for Bus Turn-outs Project Funded
Through the MPO: (a)Advance Funding Agreement with TxDOT (b) Interlocal
Agreement with City of Corpus Christi
g) Action to Approve an Agreement with Del Mar College for Third Party Assistance
in the Revised Paratransit (B-Line)Eligibility Assessment Process
h) Action to Approve the First of Two One-Year Contract Options and Proposed
Plan Design for Group Health Insurance Program
MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 4a
THROUGH 4h. MS. LYONS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED.
Action to Approve Service Changes
Mr. Seiler, using a PowerPoint presentation, summarized the proposed ten (10) service
changes which were part of the 2006 operating budget. He noted that holiday service
would be maintained as well as running the#75, Bayfront Connector, on Saturdays. He
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 4
reviewed the extensive public outreach that had been conducted and noted that 540
surveys had been completed.
Referencing the concern about reduced accessibility and inconvenience expressed at
the November Administration Committee meeting about eliminating Manshiem Road
from a route, Mr. Seiler stated that staff had visited the area and found that some
sidewalks on Manshiem were not passable by persons in wheelchairs and ridership
data identified no persons in wheelchairs boarding or alighting on Manshiem Road.
Concluding his presentation, Mr. Seiler stated that the approved changes would be
implemented the last half of January 2006. The adjustments would result in a reduction
of fixed route service of approximately 10,000 hours per year resulting in a total savings
of approximately $260,000.
MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SERVICE CHANGES. MR.
LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
Closed Session for Discussion of Personnel Compensation
Mr. Barrera announced that the Board of Directors would be going into closed session
to discuss Item No. 6 on the agenda concerning personnel compensation under Section
551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Mr. Barrera called the regular Board meeting in session at 9:29 a.m.
Action to Adopt Recommended Changes to the RTA Classification and
Compensation Plan and Operating Guidelines for Administering the Plan and.to
Fund Recommended Changes to the Salary Structure for Classified Employees
Ms. Sexton presented an overview of the proposed Classification and Compensation
Plan that was developed with the assistance of the.Waters Consulting Group. The
recommended employee compensation was within +/- 5% of the national market and
was based on objective criteria. The recommended proposal would provide a simplified
and standardized classification and compensation plan as well as updated
administrative guidelines. The estimated base salary implementation cost would be
$139,923 and be effective January 1, 2006.
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Responding to Mr. Barrera, Mr. Sanchez explained that 80 percent of the salary
increases would affect hourly employees. The implementationcost did not include the
costs affiliated with pay adjustments.
MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDED
CHANGES TO THE RTA CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 5
AND OPERATING GUIDELINES FOR ADMINISTERING THE PLAN AND TO
FUND RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE SALARY STRUCTURE FOR
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES. MS. SALVIDE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Public Hearing on Proposed RTA 2006 Operating and Capital Budgets
Mr. Barrera opened the public hearing on proposed RTA 2006 Operating and Capital
budgets. He opened the floor for comments. There being none, Mr. Barrera closed the
public hearing.
Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt the 2006 Operating and Capital Budgets
Update on RTAC Committee Activities
Mr. Sissamis, using a PowerPoint presentation, reviewed the updated proposed fiscal
2006 Operating Budget that totaled $22,203,987 and the proposed Fiscal 2006 Capital
Budget consisting of projects totaling $18,967,554.
Based on feedback received at various budget discussions, Mr. Sissamis cited the
following issues which were addressed in the budgets being presented: 1) maintaining
holiday and Saturday Route 75/73; 2) discontinuing the tram service unless
sponsorships were received; 3) reviewing the pension plan design in conjunction with
the annual actuary review; 4) adding $60,000 for legislative consulting; 5) including
approximately $17,500 as revenue from bus advertising which would commence in the
last quarter of 2006; and 6) not factoring in operating reserve as a funding option.
Responding to Mr. Barrera's inquiry concerning the use of potential health insurance
surplus funds, Mr. Sissamis stated that revising the reserve policy would be brought for
the Board's consideration in 2006.
In response to Mr. Cissna regarding ADART grant funds, Mr. Sissamis stated that a
memorandum was included in the November Board packet. Mr. Sanchez offered to
meet with Mr. Cissna to discuss the topic.
MR. BUCKLEY MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2006 OPERATING AND
CAPITAL BUDGETS. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED..
Update on RTAC Committee Activities
Ms. Hovda presented the following highlights of the November 17, 2005 meeting: 1)the
proposed 2006 service changes were reviewed and implementation was recommended;
2) the proposed Securement Policy was reviewed and tabled; 3) entering into a
partnership with Del Mar College for ADA paratransit eligibility assessment was
reviewed and recommended; 4) the No Show Appeals subcommittee had upheld one
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 6
30-day suspension and dismissed the second appeal; and 5) reports were heard on the
RTA fare study, B-Line service, and October Customer Assistance Forms (CAF)
update.
Mr. Barrera encouraged all Board Members to attend RTAC meetings.
Mr. Sanchez stated that the process for selecting RTAC members was being reviewed.
Action to Authorize Issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) for Federal and State
Grant Consulting
Mr. Haley summarized the types of service that would be outlined in the.RFP. He
reported that the current contracts would terminate on February 1., 2006.
Mr. Longoria asked that the draft RFP be provided to all Board Members prior to public
release.
Responding to Ms. Salvide, Mr. Bell stated that state lobbying was not prohibited but
that the State had taken the view that transit agencies were adequately funded by sales
tax.
MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE ISSUING REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT CONSULTING. MR.
BUCKLEY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
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Discussion and Possible Action to Establish Ad-Hoc Committees:
a. Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a Marketing Committee, a Planning
Committee, and a Rural and Small Cities Committee•
b. Subject to Adoption of the Above Resolution, Confirmation of the
Appointments by the Board Chair to the Above Committees
Mr. Sanchez explained that forming the Committees had been recommended by
Chairman Barrera and that informal meetings would be held on an as needed basis.
Mr. Barrera spoke on the benefits that could be realized with the establishment of the
committees. He noted that these Committees would be in addition to the Investment
and Health Committees.
MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS ESTABLISHING
A MARKETING AD-HOC COMMITTEE, A PLANNING AD-HOC QOMMITTEE, A
RURAL AND SMALL CITIES AD-HOC COMMITTEE AND CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENTS BY THE BOARD CHAIR TO THE ABOVE COMMITTEES. MR.
LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 7
Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt a Code of Ethics Policy
MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE
ACTION ON A CODE OF ETHICS POLICY TO THE JANUARY ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE MEETING. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED.
Mr. Barrera noted that the Planning Ad-Hoc Committee would be meeting within the
next two weeks.
Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the September and October 2005
Financial Reports
Mr. Sissamis reported that sales tax revenue for September 2005 was ahead of budget
by$664,330 and $838,241 ahead of 2004; passenger revenues had increased by
11.6% or$103,766; and investment income was higher than budget by $140,083 for the
year. Mr. Barrera asked that the Investment Ad-Hoc Committee consider the feasibility
of hiring an advisor in an effort to maximize RTA's investment yields.
Reporting on expenses, Mr. Sissamis stated that due to several vacancies, salaries and
benefits were favorable by $270,498; and health insurance was also favorable by
$186,923. Citing areas that were unfavorable compared to budget, he highlighted fuel,
which was over budget by $98,517; parts which was over budget by $210,098; and B-
Line which was over budget by $16,983 for the year.
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There was a brief discussion on the upcoming Bowlers' Conference and estimated
sales tax revenue that would be realized. Staff was asked to confer with the City of
Corpus Christi on their revenue projections.
MR. BUCKLEY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER AND
OCTOBER 2005 FINANCIAL REPORTS. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
B-Line Report
Ms. Fernandez introduced Mr. Russ Tieskoetter, MV Transportation's Regional Vice
President for the East Coast.
Reporting on productivity for October 2005, Ms. Fernandez stated that compared to last
year ridership had increased 18.3%; for the month of October 2005 there were 3,195
wheelchair boardings; zero denials; there were 32 CAF's (Customer Assistance Forms);
Passengers Per Hour (PPH) was 2.8 which was above contract standard; on time
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 7,2005
Page 8
performance was 90% which was below the contract standard. In order to improve on-
time performance, Ms. Fernandez informed the Board that a.lower productivity rate
would be apparent in the upcoming months in order to achieve a more balanced mix of
productivity and higher on-time performance. She commented on employee activities
and the 2005 Holiday Party and Employee Recognition Program.
General Manager's Report: (Items Include Update on Projects and Events)
Mr. Sanchez reported that Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. had been selected as the
2006 retail electric service provider representing an average savings of more than 25
percent off of the Price to Beat rate; the RTA had been awarded a Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ended December -_
-- "31, 2-004fof its Compi-ehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).by the Government
Finance Officers Association; United Way. presented RTA with a 2005 Campaign
Building Block Award for its 2005-2006 United Way campaign which had a 16%
increase in campaign contributors; and on Thursday, December 8, 2005 an Employee
Benefit/Health Fair would be held. He also announced several holiday related activities
that RTA staff and the Community Bus would be participating during the month. SBC
would be advertising on four buses for fourmonths. A refund of$16,000 had been
issued to RTA from Texas Municipal League.
Mr. Sanchez recognized Mr. Stuart Sher, Manager of Transportation, who would be
retiring at the end of month after 28 years of service. Mr. Sher thanked everyone for the
opportunity to be a part of Corpus Christi RTA.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
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Carmen Arias
- - - - Board Secretary •
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