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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 08/02/2006 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SEP 2006 ,�� BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING " RECEIVED WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2006 CITYSECRETARY'S „:.�, OFFICE n '/ SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 1. Held Roll Call 2. Held Personnel Recognition 3. Administered the Oath of Office to City of Corpus Christi Appointees 4. Confirmed Board Chair's Appointment of Mannti Cummins and Dr. Maurice Portis to Administration Committee 5. Confirmed Board Chair's Appointment of John Longoria as Chair of Administration Committee and John Valls as Chair of the Planning Ad Hoc Committee 6. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 7. Heard Update on RTAC Committee Activities 8. Confirmed RTAC Appointment of Barbara Greses and Re-Appointments of Fernando Acosta and Michael St. Julien 9. Approved Consent Agenda Items: a) Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of July 5, 2006 b) Accepted Committee Reports c) Awarded a Contract for Engine Oil Supply and Analysis Contract .Services to Oil Patch Petroleum, Inc. d) Awarded a Contract for Concrete Construction Services to A. Ortiz Construction and Paving, Inc. e) Approved RTA's DBE Fiscal Year 2007 Goal Submittal to the Federal Transit Administration f) Authorized the General Manager to Enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Region 4 Education Service Center, Sponsor of The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) for the Purchase of Commodities and Services 10. Authorized Awarding a Contract to Sharon Greene & Associates for Independent Financial Consultant Services (Board Goal #1) 11. Approved the June 2006 Financial Report 12. Heard B-Line Report 13. Heard General Manager's Report 14. Held CLOSED SESSION Regarding Opus Buses and Possible Action in • Open Session Related Thereto 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 Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 2 Board Members Present: Rolando Barrera (Board Chair), David Martinez(Board Vice- Chair), Carmen Arias (Board Secretary), Mannti Cummins, Anna M. Flores, John Longoria, Crystal Lyons, Maurice Portis, Sara Salvide, John Valls Board Members Absent: Glenn Martin Staff Present: Ricardo Sanchez (General Manager), David Seiler, Eduardo Carrion, Vangie Chapa, Beth Vidaurri, Tom Paolillo, Sylvia Castillo, Sharon Montez, Elias Sissarnis, Lamont Taylor, Sharlene Sexton, Minerva Vera, Sylvia Castro, Dianne Garcia, Jose Davila Legal Counsel: John Bell Public Present: Georgina Ybarra, Eloy Soza, Clarissa Gomez, Rosie Aguiar; Deb Hovda Call to Order and Roll Call The Board of Directors'meeting was called to order by Mr. Barrera at 8:34 a.m. Personnel Recognition Mr. Sanchez announced that periodically he would be recognizing employees with 20 or more years of service with the RTA. Mr. Sanchez recognized Minerva Vera, Journeyman Mechanic; Ester Guzman, Training Instructor; Cesar Garza, Journeyman Mechanic; Sylvia Castro, Payroll Coordinator; Dianne Garcia, Communications Assistant; Jose Davila, Bus Operator. He spoke briefly about each person who was being recognized for hisor her 20-year tenure with the RTA. Next Mr. Sanchez called Lamont Taylor, Director of Business Development,and recognized him for his 30-year tenure with the RTA. Mr. Barrera called Ricardo Sanchez, General Manager, and recognized him for his 20- year tenure with the RTA. Each person in attendance was presented with a certificate commemorating his or her years of service with the agency. • Action to Administer the Oath of Office to City of Corpus Christi Appointees Mr. Barrera administered the oaths of office to City of Corpus Christi appointees to the RTA Board of Directors. Reappointed to serve on the Board were Mr. John Longoria, Mr. John Valls, and Ms. Crystal Lyons. New appointees were Mr. Mannti Cummins and Dr. Maurice Portis. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 3 Action to Confirm Board Chair's Appointment of Mannti Cummins and Dr. Maurice Portis to Administration Committee and Any Other Committees Mr. Barrera asked for the Boards' confirmation of his appointment of newly appointed Board Members Cummins and Portis to the Administration Committee. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE BOARD CHAIR'S APPOINTMENT OF MANNTI CUMMINS AND DR. MAURICE PORTIS TO THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Barrera stated that he would notify the Board prior to the next Board meeting on any changes to the membership configuration of the Ad Hoc Committees. Action to Confirm Board Chair's Appointment of John Longoria as Chair of Administration Committee and John Valls as Chair of the Planning Ad Hoc Committee Mr. Barrera asked for the Board's confirmation of his appointment of Mr. Longoria as Chair of the Administration Committee and Mr. Valls as Chair of the Planning Ad Hoc Committee. MR. MARTINEZ MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE BOARD CHAIR'S APPOINTMENT OF JOHN LONGORIA AS CHAIR OF THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AND JOHN VALLS AS CHAIR OF THE PLANNING AD HOC COMMITTEE. MS. ARIAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Soza commented on the need to provide bus service in the vicinity of local businesses such as call centers and the need to provide service to accommodate persons who work shift work. He stated that he had invited a fellow bus rider to attend the Rider Focus Group meeting to address riders' needs. Mr. Barrera informed Mr. Soza that an employer subsidized vanpool could possibly be used to meet these types of transportation needs. He also recommended that this topic be included as a discussion item for the Rider Focus Group. Mr. Barrera stated that the feasibility of using Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) funds for providing transportation to employment centers was being researched. Mr. Soza also requested additional service for the Flour Bluff area. Ms. Clarissa Gomez expressed her appreciation for being allowed to use the RTA drivers' ready room for the RTAEA's new member recruitment drive. She cited the following areas that RTA employees had complained about: high deductibles for health Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 4 and dental insurance; and the high cost of prescriptions which was resulting in financial hardships for RTA employees. She stated that high hospital admissions could be the end result if employees cannot afford to purchase needed medications. Mr. Barrera replied that the maximum out of pocket family expense was the second lowest in the area. The cost of maintenance medications was $60 for 90 days. He stated that each case could be reviewed on an individual basis. He encouraged employees to ask their doctors to prescribe generic prescriptions. Ms. Sexton stated that five meetings had been held regarding the prescription program. Mr. Valls recommended that attendance to an insurance education meeting be mandatory. Ms. Aguiar cited the preferred medication list provided under the RTA health program and recommended that all employees take it with them when they have a doctor's visit. Mr. Sanchez asked Ms. Gomez to provide specific details to Ms. Sexton on employee concerns regarding insurance programs. Mr. Longoria expressed the opinion that most health plans were designed to share the financial responsibility between the company and employees. • Mr. Barrera noted that if an employee goes to the Doctors' Center, their visits are covered for up to a maximum of$300. Ms. Rosie Aguiar requested that RTA pursue recovery of.expenses related to the Opus buses. She stated that they were defective buses. She said that she had to help her husband with his back due to his driving the Opus buses. Update on RTAC Committee Activities Ms. Deb Hovda reported on the July 20, 2006 meeting. The No Show Appeals Committee had heard one appeal and recommendations were made for appointments of RTAC Committee members. Reports were heard on the eligibility process; B-Line performance indicators; and monthly CAF report. Ms. Cindy Counts had also reported on a new design tool that could assist during evacuations. Action to Confirm RTAC Appointment of Barbara Greses and Re-Appointments of • Fernando Acosta and Michael St. Julien • Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 5 MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM RTAC APPOINTMENT OF BARBARA GRESES AND RE-APPOINTMENTS OF FERNANDO ACOSTA AND MICHAEL ST. JULIEN. MS. LYONS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Consent Agenda Mr. Barrera called for consideration of Consent Agenda items 9a through 9f Which were 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 July 5, 2006 b) Action to Accept Committee Reports c) Action to Award a Contract for Engine Oil Supply and Analysis Contract Services to Oil Patch Petroleum, Inc. d) Action to Award a Contract for Concrete Construction Services to A. Ortiz Construction and Paving, Inc. e) Action to Approve RTA's DBE Fiscal Year 2007 Goal Submittal to the Federal Transit Administration f) Action to Authorize the General Manager to Enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Region 4 Education Service Center, Sponsor of The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) for the Purchase of Commodities and Services • MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 9a THROUGH 9f. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. Action to Authorize Awarding a Contract to Sharon Greene & Associates for Independent Financial Consultant Services (Board Goal #1) Mr. Sissamis stated that this item was being presented in response to Board Goal#1. It was established by the Board in 2005 and then approved in March 2006. He cited the deliverables due within 60 days from the consultant which were to review staffs financial projections; to provide an independent report on the financial health of the Authority; to assess where the Authority was financially; to assess the underlying assumptions made in the long-range forecast projections; to provide a trend analysis; to provide peer comparison and analysis with like transit agencies; and to report on "hot" issues and possible strategic solutions. MS. LYONS MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE AWARDING A CONTRACT TO SHARON GREENE &ASSOCIATES FOR INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL CONSULTANT SERVICES. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. y Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 6 Action to Approve the June 2006 Financial Report Mr. Sissamis reported that sales tax was ahead of budget by approximately$808,000 as of May 2006. He proposed using the increased sales tax revenue to fund some operational expenses normally funded with grant monies in order to ensure availability of sufficient grant monies for future bus purchases. He stated that the additional revenue could also be used to fund health insurance costs. Referencing the expense line items, Mr. Sissamis stated that there was a pension cost savings of$35,000 and that purchased transportation was over budget but he felt it was manageable. In response to Mr. Valls, Mr. Sanchez replied that the Harbor Ferry service was not meeting projected ridership expectations, which has resulted in reduced revenues for this service. He noted that Ms. Chapa was addressing ways to.increase ridership. Mr. Sanchez stated that reports would be presented to the Board on the Lunch Express and Harbor Ferry services. There was a brief discussion on ways to improve the Harbor Ferry service. Mr. Sanchez stated that this topic would be addressed with the Marketing Ad-Hoc Committee. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JUNE 2006 FINANCIAL REPORT. MS. SALVIDE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. B-Line Report Ms. Fernandez welcomed the newly appointed as well as reappointed Board Members. Reporting on performance statistics for June 2006, she stated that they were meeting contract standards. Ridership had increased 4.4% compared to June 2005 and compared to the previous month ridership had increase by 3.9%; wheelchair boardings, ambulatory passengers and personal care attendants riding the service had also increased; there were 0 trip denials; passengers per hour was 2.67; on time performance was 98% which was important for customer satisfaction. She detailed the number and types of Customer Assistance Forms (CAF's) received in June. In response to a concern expressed at an RTAC meeting, Ms. Fernandez stated that a wheelchair securement campaign had been conducted which included road observations to ensure that their operators were securing wheelchairs properly. • Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 7 Ms. Fernandez commented on recognition awards presented by the Accessibility Coalition of the Coastal Bend at the 2006 Spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act Awards Luncheon to MV drivers for their work during Hurricane Rita and to Ms. Fallwell- Stover for promoting independence. General Manager's Report Mr. Sanchez reportedthat on Monday, August 14, 2006 the approved new fare structure would be implemented. He provided a brief history of the events preceding adoption of the new fare structure. Mr. Valls requested that talking points be developed for the new Board Members to assist them in answering questions regarding the new fare structure. Continuing with his report, Mr. Sanchez invited all Board Members to attend a Technical Assistance Forum for DBEs and small businesses which would be co-hosted by RTA on August 3, 2006. He also reported that a Rider Focus Group would be meeting on August 10, 2006; RTA would be providing the Community Bus for a Texas Municipal League of Cities and a Foundation of Life event; RTA would be hosting the Southwest Texas Association marketing conference; several RTA ad-hoc committees would be meeting in August; and the 2007 departmental budget kickoff had been initiated; the RTA had partnered with MV Transportation,to conduct the 2006 United Way Campaign; the RTA day at a Hooks baseball game had been well received by employees; new route schedules had been developed with no major service impact; and employee quarterly meetings would be held in August. Mr. Sanchez reported that a meeting had been held with Mayor Claude Brown and City Manager Michael Kovacs of Port Aransas to discuss providing a service that would connect ferry riders with the hotels and businesses. • Commenting on the 2006 Spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act awards luncheon, Mr. Sanchez stated that Ms. Lyons had been presented with the Karen Gay Moody Award, which was the top honor at the event. Ms. Fallwell-Stover had been recognized for promoting independence and MV Transportation had received an honorable mention award. Mr. Sanchez introduced Mr. Tom Paolillo as the new Maintenance Director formerly with the Denver Transit agency. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes August 2,2006 Page 8 CLOSED SESSION Regarding Opus Buses and Possible Action in Open Session Related Thereto Mr. Barrera announced at 9:37 a.m. that the Board would be going into closed session in order to discuss Item No. 14 on the agenda concerning the Opus Buses under Section 551.071 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Mr. Barrera reconvened the meeting at 10:25 a.m. and there being no further business the meeting was adjourned. 4�� VeG6alV1- ��,Carmen Arias Date