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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 03/01/2006 • REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING I RECEIVED , WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS ,eft) 1. Held Roll Call 2. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 3. Heard Presentation by Leadership Corpus Christi Class 34 4. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 5. Approved Consent Agenda Items: a) Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of February 1, 2006 b) Action to Accept Committee Reports c) Action to Approve Issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the Hilltop Community Center Bus Stop Improvements d) Action to Award a Contract to Bridgestone/Firestone for Tire Leasing Services e) Action to Award a Contract to Ferrellgas for Propane Fuel f) Action to Approve Issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the Replacement of Fluid Distribution Pipelines in the Vehicle Maintenance „.. Shop and Fuel Island g) Action to Approve the 2006 Performance Goals (except B-Line) h) Action to Approve the 2005 Fourth Quarter Defined Contribution Plan Report i) Action to Approve the 2005 Fourth Quarter Defined Benefit Plan Report j) Action to Approve a Bank Resolution Designating Persons to Sign Checks k) Action to Adopt the RTA Investment Policy, Investment Strategies, and List of Approved Broker/Dealers I) Action to Approve the December 2005 Financial Report 6. Approved Authorizing: a) Exercising the First of Two One-Year Options with Wood, Boykin &Wolter; and b) Issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Labor and Employment Services 7. Awarded a Contract to CHG &Associates,for Grant Consulting Expiring_on May 31, 2006 and Authorized Presentations by Top Three Ranked Firms 8.• Approved Issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Operational and Financial Assessment 9. Heard.Presentations on Van Pool Program and JARC 10.Heard B-Line Report 11.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. SCANNED Regional Transportation Autho'r'ity'`, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 1,2006 Page 2 Board Members Present: Rolando Barrera (Board Chair), Carmen Arias (Board Secretary), John Buckley, Davie Cissna, Anna M. Flores, John Longoria, Glenn Martin, Sara Salvide, John Valls Board Members Absent: Crystal Lyons, David Martinez (Board Vice-Chair) Staff Present: Ricardo Sanchez (General Manager), John Bell, Legal Counsel; David Seiler, Beth Vidaurri, Diana Jones, Fred Haley, Sylvia Castillo, Sharon Montez, Sharlene Sexton Public Present: Brenda Fernandez, Dana Smith, MV Transportation; Eliza Large; Sharon Kollaja, John Henderson, Chad Magill, M. J. Garza, Angie Flores, Anna Coerver, Connie Cadena, Tiffany Hull, Leadership CC; Debby Hovda, Eloy Soza, RTAC;-Susan Cissna; Jamie Powell, Corpus Ch,isti Caller Times; Lupe Salazar, RTAEA Call to Order and Roll Call The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Mr. Barrera at 8:35 a.m. Opportunity for Public Comment ..,.,. Mr. Eloy Soza expressed his concern about route connectivity. Mr. Sanchez stated that Mr. Haley would meet with Mr. Soza regarding his concerns. Ms. Eliza Large recommended that RTA consider adding a second trolley route in Port Aransas, connecting to the ferry landing in order to provide more convenient service to tourists and residents. Mr. Sanchez commented that a meeting would be held with Port Aransas officials in the near future. Presentation by Leadership Corpus Christi Class 34 Ms. Angie Flores introduced members of Leadership Corpus Christi 34 present in the audience. Ms. Flores, Ms. Tiffany Hull and Ms. Anna Coerver, using a PowerPoint presentation, commented on the history of the Leadership program and their project goals. They emphasized the need for various stakeholders to work together in creating a cohesive, positive identity and-to build a stronger sense of civic pride within the Corpus Christi community. To help achieve this goal, they asked RTA to assist them with their"I Love My CC" marketing campaign. The Leadership representatives envisioned utilizing the RTA's buses to promote this campaign. Mr. Sanchez agreed to work with this group to accomplish their goals. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes • March 1,2006 Page 3 Ms. Hovda reported on the RTA Advisory Committee meeting of February 16, 2006. She highlighted that the No Show Appeals and Eligibility Appeals Subcommittees did not meet in February; reports were heard on the RTAC appointment process, fare . . review; accessible website; ADA Paratransit eligibility process; B-Line; and CAF's. Consent Agenda a) Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of February 1, 2006 b) Action to Accept Committee Reports c) Action to Approve Issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the Hilltop Community Center Bus Stop Improvements d) Action to Award a Contract to Bridgestone/Firestone for Tire Leasing Services e) - -Action to Award a-Contract to Ferrrellgas for Propane Fuel _ - f) Action to Approve Issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the Replacement of Fluid Distribution Pipelines in the Vehicle Maintenance Shop and Fuel Island g) Action to Approve the 2006 Performance Goals (Except B-Line) h) Action to Approve the 2005 Fourth Quarter Defined Contribution Plan Report i) Action to Approve the 2005 Fourth Quarter Defined Benefit Plan Report j) Action to Approve a Bank Resolution Designating Persons to Sign Checks k) Action to Adopt the RTA Investment Policy, Investment Strategies, and List of Approved Broker/Dealers I) Action to Approve the.December 2005 Financial Report Mr. Barrera stated that the following items were of routine or administrative nature. The Board had been furnished with support documentation on these items. He asked if any items needed to be pulled from the agenda. There being none, the following motion was made: MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 5a THROUGH 51.-'MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION ( CARRIED. • Action to Authorize: a) Exercising the First of Two One Year Options with Wood, Boykin & Wolter; and b) Issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Labor.and Employment Services Mr. Sanchez commented that the Administration Committee recommended that the first option year for the representation of legalservices, less labor and employment, be awarded to Wood, Boykin, &Wolter. Further, the Committee concurred with Staffs recommendation to issue a Request for Proposals for labor and employment services. . •<'Regional-Transportation Authority • Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 1,2006 Page 4 MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE EXERCISING THE FIRST OF TWO ONE-YEAR OPTIONS WITH WOOD, BOYKIN & WOLTER AND ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. MR. VALLS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Action to Award a Contract to CHG &Associates for Grant Consulting Mr. Barrera expressed the opinion that CHG &Associates had excellent technical skills, but RTA needed a firm with more direct contacts with the congressional delegation, including key members of Congress to assist with appropriations. He proposed that the top three ranked firms be allowed to make presentations to the Board of Directors. Discussed at length was the process which had been followed to select the current . proposed-firm. .Several opinions were expressed-concerning Board Members being --- - contacted by firms who have submitted proposals to the RTA. Board Members expressed their support of the work performed by the Ad Hoc Planning Committee. MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO CHG & ASSOCIATES FOR GRANT CONSULTING EXPIRING ON DECEMBER 31, 2006. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. CISSNA, VALLS, LONGORIA, AND MARTIN VOTED IN FAVOR. SALVIDE, BUCKLEY, FLORES, ARIAS, AND BARRERA VOTED AGAINST. THE MOTION FAILED. The Board discussed various procedural options. MR. BUCKLEY MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT WITH CHG & ASSOCIATES FOR GRANT CONSULTING EXPIRING ON MAY 31, 2006 AND THAT VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES, C2 GROUP AND CHG & ASSOCIATES, THE TOP THREE RATED FIRMS, MAKE PRESENTATIONS AT THE APRIL 2006 BOARD MEETING. MS. SALVIDE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Valls stated that if a firm was unable to present at the April Board meeting, then they should not be considered for award of contract. He asked that the presentations be limited to ten slides. - - - In response to Mr. Valls, Mr. Bell clarified that contract price was always negotiable. Mr. Longoria recommended that the firms provide written responses to RTA funding objectives outlining their strategy for attaining these funding goals. Mr. Buckley stated that the firms should be told that their reports needed to be detailed and their expenses stay within budget. Mr. Sanchez agreed to include these provisions as a separate questionnaire and asked Board Members to submit any additional questions to him for inclusion in the questionnaire. • Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes • March 1,2006 • Page 5 After a brief discussion, Mr. Bell clarified that the Board would select the consulting firm at the April Board Meeting; then RTA staff would enter into negotiations with the firm and present the contract for final approval at the May Board meeting. Action to Issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Operational and Financial Assessment MR. BUCKLEY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR AN OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Presentation on Van Pool Program and JARC Ms. Dianne Garcia provided an historical background on the RTA's Vanpooling program —� with VPSI. She explained that throughout the program's existence it had experienced difficulties generating partnerships. She explained that vanpools consisted of groups of 9-15 people who share their monthly ride to work or school. The benefits of establishing a vanpool were also explained. The cost for a vanpool within the RTA service area received a 50% subsidy and for a 15-passenger vanpool traveling 1,750 miles, the individual cost:would be $56 per month. She noted thatvanpools originating or ending outside the RTA service area were responsible for 100% of their cost. Revising the subsidy policy to benefit the residents of Nueces County outside of the RTA service area could potentially generate additional interest in the program. In response to Mr. Barrera, Ms. Garcia stated that employers do not want to subsidize the cost of a vanpool because they feel that RTA should absorb that cost. She also stated that liability is a major concern for most employers. Regarding outreach efforts, Ms. Garcia reported that the Omni Hotel was considering splitting the cost of a vanpool with RTA; Nueces County and Corpus Christi Airport would be surveying their employees to see if there was any interest in vanpooling; Citgo stated that they were not interested; and Spohn Hospital would be contacted. Ms. Flores recommended contacting the United States Postal Service. Mr. Valls recommended contacting the Amy Depot. A PowerPoint presentation on RTA's Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program was provided by Mr. Haley. He explained that the program's goal was to provide transportation services for low-income individuals to jobs and job training. He reviewed • the requirements and eligible expenses. He stated that the RTA has received funding to implement transportation services to serve this segment of the community. He stated that routes #67 Bishop/Driscoll, #84 Lighthouse for the Blind Shuttle; and #65 Padre Island Connector were operated as JARC services. He identified new services to the Northwest areas, Southside area, an expanded Route#27 service to the Northwest, and improved service to Padre Island as potential JARC projects. Other potential Regional Transportation Authority. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 1,2006 Page 6 projects could include additional vanpools, later evening, night and Sunday services, new services to unincorporated areas, and programs with other service agencies. B-Line Report • Ms. Fernandez provided operating statistics for the month of January 2006. She stated that compared to January 2005, ridership was 14,670 which represented an increase of 7.5% and wheelchair boardings were 2,808. Regarding service performance, denials were at zero; passengers per hour was 2.77 and. on time performance was 95.9%, which was above the contract standard; and there was a reduction of CAF's (Customer Assistance Forms). General Manager's Report Mr. Sanchez reported that Ms. Sexton and Ms. Montez had been selected to attend • transit educational classes sponsored through the Eno Foundation; the six-month rolling agenda was included in the March Board packet and would be included in subsequent Board packets; Ms.Vidaurri had been elected President of the Volunteer Center; B-Line certification process would begin on March 2 and an update on the program would be provided in April; and that RTA was partnering with the Small Business Administration and Del Mar College toprovide a business seminar in the near future. Mr. Bell introduced Daniel Gonzalez, a new attorney with the firm. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m. • Carmen Arias — _-- - _ __ _ Board Secretary_ Date