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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 02/04/2009 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING ����'��® WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009 MAR 31 Z009 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE 1. Held Roll Call 2. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 3. Held Public Hearing on Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis (COA) and RTA's Response 4. Accepted Findings of the Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis (COA)/Performance Review and RTA's Response and Approved Distribution of the Report as Per the State Transportation Code 5. Heard Update on Vehicle Maintenance Renovation Project 6. Heard Update on RCAT Committee Activities 7. Confirmed Subcommittee Appointments by the Board Chair 8. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 7, 2009 9. Approved Consent Agenda Items: a. Action to Accept Committee Reports b. Action to Approve Exercising the First Option Year with Bridgestone/Firestone for Tire Leasing Services c. Action to Approve Exercising the First Option Year with Multiple Vendors for Transmission Rebuilding Services d. Action to Approve Exercising the Final Option Year with Secureco, Inc. for Security Guard Services at the Bear Lane Facility 10. Adopted the 2009 Service Plan 11. Approved the Revised RTA Compensation Plan Format and the Consolidation of Policies into a Single Employee Handbook 12. General Manager's Report: a. 2008 Auto Liability Claims Update b. Vehicle Disposal Update c. Grant Application for Bus Stop Improvements d. ADA Training Sessions - January 14 and January 22, 2009 13. Held Closed Session for Discussion of Employment Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Approved a Contract with Eduardo Carrion 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), Anna Flores (Board Vice- Chair), Sara Salvide (Board Secretary), Vangie Chapa, John Longoria, David Martinez, Mike Rendon, Mary Saenz, John Valls SCANNED 1 Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4,2009 Page 2 Board Members Absent: Ricardo Ramon, Judy Telge Staff Present: Eduardo Carrion, CEO; Beth Vidaurri, Ponch Carrillo, Linda Fallwell- Stover, Sharon Montez, Kristi Pena, Ramon Sanchez, Lamont Taylor, Martin Trevino, Oscar-Vargas, Ruth Willey, Mike Pefanis Public Present: Ed LaBay, Marcus Garcia, AG/CM; Fanny Chirinos, Corpus Christi Caller Times; Robert Vela, Rosie Aguiar, Ramona Sawyers, RTAEA Call to Order and Roll Call The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Ms. Lyons at 8:40 a.m. Opportunity for Public Comment Ms. Lyons noted that only one person had signed up to speak under public comment but had asked to speak prior to Agenda Item 11. Public Hearing on Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis (COA) and RTA's Response Ms. Lyons opened the public hearing on the Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis (COA) and RTA's response at 8:41 a.m. Mr. Carrion reported that on March 5, 2008 the RTA Board of Directors' had authorized submission of the Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis (COA) as a performance audit report for FY 2008. The performance audit had been conducted to comply with the requirements outlined in the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 451.456. All public notification requirements had.been met and extensive public outreach had been conducted. Concerning the Agency's responses detailing the plan to mitigate the nine areas cited in the report, Mr. Carrion stated that the responses were included as part of,the Board packet and would need to be approved by the Board. He stated that a comprehensive regional marketing plan would be developed and presented for the Board's review. Ms. Lyons noted that no one had signed up for public comment and closed the public hearing at 8:44 a.m. Discussion and Possible Action to Accept Findings of the Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis (COA)/Performance Review and RTA's Response and Approve Distribution of the Report as Per the State Transportation Code - tegional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4, 2009 Page 3 MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE FINDINGS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE ASSESSMENT AND OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS (COM/PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND RTA'S RESPONSE AND APPROVE DISTRIBUTION OF THE REPORT AS PER THE STATE TRANSPORTATION CODE. MR. RENDON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, LONGORIA, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. Update on Vehicle Maintenance Renovation Project Mr. Ed LaBay, Vice President of Projects for AG/CM, referenced a booklet which he distributed to the Board Members entitled "Regional Transportation Authority Phase III." He explained that the project had been divided into five steps. Mr. LaBay outlined the progress as follows: Step 1 was basically complete and had been accepted with only "punch list" items being addressed; currently the project was in Step 2, which was primarily demolition and should be competed within one week; and he pointed out that certain items identified in Steps 3 and 4 had been started ahead of schedule. Referencing the project completion date, Mr. LaBay stated that the project would be completed byDecember 2009. Commenting on Tab 4, RFI log, Mr. LaBay explained that the table listed all requests for information from the contractor asking for interpretation on a job site item. To date there were 70 items listed on the log. Mr. Valls inquired why item 38 had not been addressed in six months. Mr. LaBay stated that he would research that item. Under Tab 5, Potential Betterment Fund Change Orders, Mr. LaBaystated that the table listed all the change orders to date. He explained that the Fund was money budgeted as a contingency fund within the contractor's contract but was under the Agency's control. He explained that this meant that the Agency had to authorize release of the funds. The original budget was $250,000 and to date the fund had a _, balance-of-$244;000. - - Mr. Longoria inquired about the need to install chicken wire to protect the insulation in the maintenance facility. Mr. LaBay replied that the basic design called for strapping material and the decision was made not to install chicken wire, due in part to the cost involved. Also, he stated that quotes had been solicited from various contractors to install the chicken wire after the project was complete and the quotes were lower than if it were installed under this contract. Update on RCAT Committee Activities Ms. Deb Hovda reported on the January 15, 2009 RCAT meeting and noted that she had been unable to attend. She stated that the No Show Appeals and Eligibility Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4,2009 Page 4 Appeals subcommittees had reported on their activities during the month; Mr. Lee Jones had been elected as Vice Chair of RCAT;'subcommittee assignments had been set for 2009; and reports on the B-Line service, video cameras on buses, and on CAFs in December had been heard. The members had been invited to participate in a training opportunity which was a webinar on policies and practices to meet ADA Paratransit demand. Action to Confirm Subcommittee Appointments by the Board Chair Ms. Lyons noted that she was recommending some membership changes to the subcommittees. She thanked everyone for serving on the subcommittees. She asked for comments from the Board on the subcommittee structure presented. On the Governmental Relations Subcommittee, Mr. Valls asked to be added and Ms. Saenz asked to be deleted. On the Marketing Subcommittee, Mr. Rendon asked to be added and Ms. Lyons asked that Mr. Ramon be contacted to see if he wished to remain on the subcommittee. Ms. Lyons concurred with the requested changes to the 2009 subcommittee structure. MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS BY THE BOARD CHAIR AS REVISED. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, LONGORIA, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. Ms. Lyons noted that the Small Cities Subcommittee had not met in 2008. She recommended that a meeting be held in 2009. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of January 7, 2009 MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MINUTES OF JANUARY 7, 2009. MR. MARTINEZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, LONGORIA, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Lyons stated that the following items were of routine or administrative nature and had been discussed previously by the Board or Committees and that the Board had been furnished with support documentation on the items. She called for consideration of Consent Agenda items 9a through 9d and asked if there were any items that should be Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4,2009 Page 5 pulled for discussion. There being none, Ms. Lyons called for a motion on the following agenda items: a. Action to Accept Committee Reports b. Action to Approve Exercising the First Option Year.with Bridgestone/Firestone for Tire Leasing Services c. Action to Approve Exercising the First Option Year with Multiple Vendors for Transmission Rebuilding Services d. Action to Approve Exercising the Final Option Year with Secureco, Inc. for Security Guard Services at the Bear Lane Facility MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 9a THROUGH 9d. MS. CHAPA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. -SAENZ, CHAPA,-LONGORIA,-FLORES, LYONS,,-VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt the 2009 Service Plan Mr. Vargas explained that the proposed_Plan was based on the final recommendations outlined by the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) consultant team. He stated that extensive public outreach had been conducted which included a presentation to RCAT in October and internal operator focus group meetings. Ms. Chapa initiated a discussion on outreach to riders. Ms. Pena stated that bus cards had been placed on the buses, the Six Points Information Center had been responding to customer questions, and attendance at the public meetings had been higher than in previous years. Mr. Vargas stated that public education meetings would be held from April until May 2009. In response to Ms. Flores, Mr. Vargas stated that a total of approximately fifty people had attended the eight public meetings and inquiries were also received through the Customer Assistance Form-(CAF) system:-He-noted-that comments received were listed in Appendix A in the Board packet. Mr. Rendon recommended placing a person on-the bus routes to communicate the changes to the riders. He also mentioned a problem with a bus stop sign on Port Avenue. Mr. Vargas agreed to look into the problem. Mr. Valls inquired about the suggestion to extend service along Yorktown. Mr. Vargas replied that the option was not being looked into at this time but was identified in the short-range plan, which was within the next two or three years. He also mentioned a concern about the sustainability of ADA compliant bus stops along this route. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4,2009 Page 6 Ms. Lyons inquired if the CAFs that were called in to the Six Points Center were reflected in Appendix A. Ms. Pena replied that they had not been included. In response to Ms. Lyons, Mr. Vargas stated that due to limited resources the questions/comments listed in Appendix A had not been formally addressed. He could not provide any comments which may have been provided verbally at the.meetings. Ms. Lyons recommended that future comments received at public meetings include how the concern/comment was addressed or resolved. Ms. Lyons inquired if any changes had been made to the routes based on the feedback received. Mr. Vargas replied that based on the feedback, proposed changes in Flour Bluff and Hillcrest had been modified. Referencing Appendix A, Board Members inquired if any changes were being planned for Routes 29 and 16. Mr. Vargas replied that those were being looked into. Ms. Hovda commented that providing Sunday service has been a request for several years and an item of interest for the riders. Ms. Lyons requested that the Board be updated on how the items listed in Appendix A were being addressed and that they be prioritized. She also asked that the request for Sunday service be considered. MR. RENDON MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2009 SERVICE PLAN. MS. SALVIDE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, LONGORIA, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. Action to Approve the Revised RTA Compensation Plan Format and the Consolidation of Policies into a Single Employee Handbook Ms. Willey stated that this item had been discussed at the March Administration Committee meeting. The objective was to combine various company policy handbooks into one singe handbook to make referencing and updating company policies easier. She pointed out that legal counsel had been conferred with during the process. Speaking under public comment, Ms. Rosie Aguiar stated that the RTA Employee Association was discussing some of the policies with Mr. Carrion and that a one-month delay in approving this item would give them enough time to fully address the concerns with Mr. Carrion. There was a brief discussion initiated by Mr. Longoria regarding Ms. Aguiar's authority to speak on behalf of the Association. He requested that Ms. Aguiar get a letter from the Association identifying her as their representative. r f Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4,2009 Page 7 Mr. Carrion stated that the RTAEA had submitted a letter identifying Mr. Robert Vela as their representative. Regarding the agenda item, Mr. Carrion explained that the Board was being asked to approve the format and not the policies. He stated that he would continue to work with the RTAEA and make any policy modifications if needed. MR. RENDON MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REVISED RTA COMPENSATION PLAN FORMAT AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF POLICIES INTO A SINGLE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, LONGORIA, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. General Manager's Report a. 2008 Auto Liability Claims Update Mr. Carrion reported that in 2007 the Agency had $339,264 processed auto liability claims and in 2008 only $37,640 claims had been processed. This was a reduction of nearly 90 percent. He thanked the staff and operators for this success. b. Vehicle Disposal Update In January four Chance trolleys had been sold for $18,818 as reported by Mr. Carrion. c. Grant Application for Bus Stop Improvements Mr. Carrion reported that the City of Corpus Christi, on behalf of the RTA, had submitted three preliminary grant applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for the improvement of bus stops and the surrounding areas. d. ADA Training Sessions - January 14 and January 22, 2009 Mr. Carrion informed the Board that Mr. David Walker, a local architect and retired Registered Accessibility Specialist had provided training to the facilities, maintenance, DBE, and service development departments and the safety coordinator on what makes bus stops accessible and how to make them comply with ADA regulations. Both classroom and field work were included. Closed Session for Discussion of Employment Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with Possible Action in Open Session Ms. Lyons announced at 9:51 a.m. that the Board was going into closed session in order to discuss Item No. 13 on the agenda concerning Personnel Matters, the Regional Transportation-Authority - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 4, 2009 Page 8 employment agreement for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with possible action in open session under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Ms. Lyons reconvened the regular Board meeting at 10:26 a.m. MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), EDUARDO CARRION, AS PRESENTED. MR. VALLS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, LONGORIA, FLORES, LYONS, VALLS, RENDON, MARTINEZ, SALVIDE VOTING IN FAVOR. RAMON AND TELGE ABSENT. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:27 a.m. M ry Saenz, Board S retary Date