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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 01/03/2008 4 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2008 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 1. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 2. Heard General Manager's Report 3. Recognized Leadership RTA 2007 Program Participants 4. Held Personnel Recognition 5. Elected Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary to the Board 6. Approved 2008 Board of Directors' Meeting Calendar 7. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of December 5, 2007 8. Heard Presentation on Disparity Study Findings 9. Approved the November 2007 Financial Report 10.Heard B-Line Report 11.Heard RTA Operations Performance Report for November 2007 a. Key Performance Statistics b. Transportation and Maintenance Activities Report 12.Heard General Manager's Report 13:Held Discussion (in Closed Session) Regarding General Manager's Contract; Approved Contract Extension and Salary Increase * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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: Crystal Lyons (Board Chair), John Valls (Board Vice-Chair), Anna M. Flores, Dr. Maurice Portis, Ricardo Ramon, Judy Telge Board Members Absent: Mannti Cummins, John Longoria, David Martinez, Mike Rendon, Sara Salvide Staff Present: Ricardo Sanchez (General Manager), David Seiler, Sylvia Castillo, Vangie Chapa, Kristi Pena, Ramon Sanchez, Martin Trevino, Ruth Willey, Susan Vinson, Marcia Lindsey, Billy Laridis, Jose A. Tovar,:Fidel A. Salas, Julio Wilmot, Carol Flowers Public Present: Carlos Vargas, Nova Shields, Jim Leach, MV Transportation; Rosie Aguiar,.Ramona Sawyers, RTAEA; Deborah Hovda, RTAC; Dr. Jim Lee, TAMU-CC; Abel Alonzo Call to Order The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Ms. Lyons at 8:39 a.m. Ms. Telge held roll call and declared that a quorum was present. _1;ona1 Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 3,2008 Page 2 Opportunity for Public Comment Mr. Abel Alonzo spoke favorably about the leadership exhibited by Mr. Ricardo Sanchez. He stated that the majority of bus drivers were excellent drivers. Recognition of Leadership RTA 2007 Program Participants Mr. Sanchez acknowledged the seven participants in the first Leadership RTA 2007 Program. Five participants were present and recognized: William Landis, Materials Management; Marcia Lindsey, Fidel Salas, Bus Operators; Jose Tovar, Vehicle Systems Technician; Julio Wilmot, Communications Specialist. Two participants were unable to attend the Board meeting, Melanie Gomez, Sr. Administrative Assistant; and John Davis, Garage Service Person. He explained that the course was a nine-month program which included class instruction by a Del Mar College professor on Steven Covey's, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He recognized Ms. Ruth Willey, Manager of Human Resources, for her success with the program. Ms. Lyons congratulated the class participants. She recommended that the graduates serve as mentors for the next class participants. Personnel Recognition Mr. Sanchez congratulated Mr. Taylor and Mr. Abel Alonzo on their appointments to the MHMR Board of Directors. Recognizing RTA employees for their generosity during the holidays, Mr. Sanchez stated that the food drive which benefited the senior centers was successful as well as the Christmas toy drive which benefited the Navarro and Washington Head Start Centers. Approximately 220 toys were collected for the children along with ten bicycles. He thanked Ms. Carol Flowers for coordinating the toy drive. Ms. Carol Flowers thanked RTA employees and the Employee Committee for Excellence for helping to make about 125 children's holiday special. Mr. Valls expressed his appreciation that RTA staff adopted the Head Start centers since the Port of Corpus Christi had already selected their Christmas Appeal participant. He stated that the Port of Corpus Christi had donated $500 toward the event. Mr. Ramon Sanchez was introduced to the Board by Mr. Ricardo Sanchez as RTA's Maintenance Manager. He briefly spoke on Mr. Sanchez's work history. Mr. Abel Alonzo thanked Dr. Portis and Mr. Carlos Vargas for serving on the fundraising committee that successfully raised the needed funds to purchase him a van. He . r `ional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 3,2008 Page 3 announced that on January 15, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. Mayor Garrett would be recognizing the Committee members and officially presenting him with the van. Action to Elect Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary to the Board Mr. Valls nominated Ms. Flores to serve as Vice Chairman, Dr. Pontis to serve as Board Secretary, and Beth Vidaurri to serve as Assistant Board Secretary. MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION THAT THE SLATE OF OFFICERS BE ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION. MS. TELGE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. RAMON, PORTIS, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, CUMMINS, RENDON, MARTINEZ AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Action to Approve 2008 Board of Directors' Meeting Calendar Ms. Lyons noted that some Board and Committee meetings had been moved from the regularly scheduled meeting times because of anticipated conflicts with transit related conferences. She distributed a packet with 2008 conference information. She stressed the importance of planning early when attending a conference in order to secure hotel accommodations and cheaper flight rates. Ms. Telge noted that Texas Transit Institute also provided transit related seminars. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING CALENDAR. MR. RAMON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. RAMON, PORTIS, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, CUMMINS, RENDON, MARTINEZ AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of December 5, 2007 MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5, 2007. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. RAMON, PORTIS, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, CUMMINS, RENDON, MARTINEZ AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Presentation on Disparity Study Findings Dr. Jim Lee, stated that the Disparity Study was an impartial numerical-based study. It was a fact-finding study on disparity between availability and participation of minority- and women-owned businesses in the overall marketplace in Corpus Christi and, in particular, by the Regional Transportation Authority. He clarified that this study was an. update of the previous 1994 study performed by Ray Marshall. He pointed out that the Dna1 Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 3,2008 Page 4 RTA's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program goal had decreased from 20 percent to 15 percent. Referencing the measurement methodology, Dr. Lee explained that the disparity index for DBEs compared their utilization with their availability in the market. For the survey period which covered 2005-2006, the disparity index for DBEs was 0.56. This figure suggested that almost twice as many minority-and women-owned businesses were available in Corpus Christi than what their share in RTA expenditures would suggest. Reviewing the disparity index in Corpus Christi, Dr. Lee explained that DBEs made up 33 percent of the local businesses and accounted for 5 percent of business sales. The average disparity index was 0.15 percent. Providing a breakdown, Dr. Lee cited the following percentages -- Hispanics at 0.13; Women at 0.11; African-Americans at 0.31 and Asians at 0.24. He stated that the extent of underutilization was greatest for businesses owned by Hispanic men. He noted that based on RTA's DBE goal of 19 percent compared to the 33 percent business makeup of the area, there was some discrepancy. Dr. Lee briefly summarized the historical comparison of the disparity index for all industries and for RTA by DBE status, gender and ethnicity as detailed in his report. He stated that this was five to seven times than what the market share indicated. He stated that RTA's overall disparity index was .56 percent which was higher than the average index for Corpus Christi. In conclusion, Dr. Lee stated that business disparities in Corpus Christi and RTA had not improved in the past two decades. The share of RTA contracting and procurement dollars going to DBEs as a whole was about half of their respective share of the business population. DBEs, especially Hispanic and Asian, had grown faster in number but had not shown a comparative growth in the market share (sales). He recommended that RTA increase their efforts to certify minority- and women-owned businesses as DBEs. He stated that for every minority group, businesses are underutilized, meaning that minority owners receive less business than what their availability would suggest. Mr. Taylor commented that RTA's large purchases, buses and utilities, did not offer opportunities for DBE certification. The only areas available for utilizing DBEs were services and manufacturing. In response to Ms. Telge, Mr. Taylor explained that legislation was being submitted to include businesses owned and controlled by persons with disabilities under the social and economic disability category. Businesses certified as DBEs were eligible to receive technical assistance up to $3,000 when working on TxDOT projects. Ms. Lyons stated that creating a Board Subcommittee to work with staff to enhance the DBE program would be discussed at the January Board Planning Session. -, _,ona1 Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 3,2008 Page 5 Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the November 2007 Financial Report Ms. Vinson reported that sales tax revenues from January through October 2007 were $567,813 favorable to budget; investment income exceeded budget by $386,636; passenger revenues exceeded budget by $5,947; and grant funds had not been utilized for Preventive Maintenance. Reviewing operating expenses, Ms. Vinson clarified that the monthly negative variance for Salaries and Benefits was due to timing differences between the budget and early payment of buy back of unused personal leave which had been budgeted for the month of December. Year-to-date, this line item had a favorable balance due to several vacancies and other related expenditures. Line items of concern were fuel with a year- to-date unfavorable balance of$12,456; andbusparts with an unfavorable balance over the amended budget of$51,935. Mr. Sanchez reported that the 2007 yearly financial audit had started. Ms. Telge inquired about the hiring status of the Finance Director. Mr. Sanchez stated that interviews would commence next week. DR. PORTIS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 2007 FINANCIAL REPORT. MR. RAMON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. RAMON, PORTIS, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, CUMMINS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. B-Line Report Mr. Vargas, reporting on B-Line'performance compared to service standards for the month of November 2007, stated that Passengers Per hour were at 2.48 which was below contract standard. He stated that a plan to remedy this situation was being developed. Areas meeting or exceeding contract standards were: denials at zero; on time performance at 95 percent; threshold for passenger"in-vehicle time violations; and miles between road calls. There was a brief discussion on the factors contributing the decrease in Passengers Per Hour rate. Ms. Lyons recommended meeting with the Union Steward when a plan was developed to improve this service standard. RTA Operations Performance Report a. Key Performance Statistics. Mr. Carrion reported that overall system-wide ridership, compared to November 2006, had increased 5.1 percent; RTA fixed route ridership had increased 6.0 percent; overall 9 _ona1 Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 3,2008 Page 6 productivity had an increase of 4.2 percent; and RTA fixed route productivity had increased by.6.7 percent. The B-Line productivity reflected a 7.3 percent decrease over November 2006. Analyzing the system's performance, Mr. Carrion stated that an increase in transfers and one extra Saturday service day contributed to the increase in ridership. Mr. Carrion reported that route changes would be implemented on January 14, 2008. b. Transportation and Maintenance Activities Report Mr. Seiler reported that bus lift boardings had increased 12.3 percent; bus lift malfunctions, compared to the 12-month rolling average, had a 38 percent decrease; collisions for RTA and MV fixed route had increased; the pull-out record was at 100 percent; and the PMI record was at approximately 97 percent. Ms. Telge inquired if there could be a zero tolerance for collisions. Mr. Seiler explained that RTA had an incentive goal of 0.5 preventable collisions per 100,000 vehicle miles. General Manager's Report Mr. Sanchez reported that open enrollment for the employee health care plan would be held January 15-17, 2008; the employee absentee policy presented to the Board in November would go into effect on January 1, 2008; Request for Proposals for the new maintenance facility submission date was January 31, 2008; during the TEX-21 conference, attendee transportation would be provided using the Community Bus; on Monday, January 14, 2008 the new passenger schedule or"bump" would commence; community outreach would start this month on RTA's ADA Transition Plan; the findings from the FTA's audit of RTA's Drug and Alcohol Program would be presented to the Board in February; and the Board Planning Session would be held Thursday, January 24, 2008. Mr. Sanchez reported that RTA employee Rudy Lopez's daughter was in need of blood donations. He encouraged everyone to donate. Discussion (in Closed Session) Regarding General Manager's Contract with Possible Action thereafter in Open Session Ms. Lyons announced that it was 10:22 a.m. and the Board would be going into closed session in order to discuss Agenda Item No. 13 concerning Personnel Matters under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Ms. Lyons reconvened the meeting at 11:04 a.m. Dna1 Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 3,2008 Page 7 MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE GENERAL MANAGER'S CONTRACT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2009 WITH A SIX PERCENT SALARY INCREASE. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. RAMON, PORTIS, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, CUMMINS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. _ Dr. Maurice P its, Board Secretary — ?�D7 Date