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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 03/04/2009 RECEIVED) REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY APR 2 9 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2009 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 1. Held Roll Call 2. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment 3. Presentation made by RTA Roadeo Committee and Employee Committee for Excellence (ECE) on 2009 Roadeo and Employee Picnic 4. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of February 4, 2009 and Board Workshop Minutes of January 27, 2009 5. Heard Update on RCAT Committee Activities _6. Confirmed Appointments by the Board Chair of John Lee and Will Hinojosa to RTA's Committee on Accessible Transportation (RCAT) -^ 7. Approved Consent Agenda a) Action to Accept Committee Reports b) Action to Authorize Purchasing Four (4) Replacement Paratransit Vehicles from Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) c) Action to Approve Exercising Second Option Year with Del Mar College for Third Party Assistance with RTA's ADA Eligibility Program 8. Approved Amending the Bus Advertising Contract with Gateway Outdoor Advertising 9. Adopted a Bank Resolution Designating Persons to Sign Checks 10. Authorized Application for Federal Funding for Projects Approved in the 2009 Capital Budget 11. Approved American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus Projects 12. Heard Chairman's Report a. TTA Conference b. Coastal Bend Legislative Day c. SWTA Conference 13. Heard CEO's Report a. Personnel Recognition 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), Mary Saenz (Board Secretary), Vangie Chapa, Mike Rendon, Judy Telge, John Valls Board Members Absent: Ricardo Ramon, David Martinez, John Longoria, Sara Salvide SCANNED Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 2 Staff Present: Eduardo Carrion, CEO; Beth Vidaurri; Ponch Carrillo; Sylvia Castillo; Linda Fallwell-Stover; Sharon Montez; Kristi Pena; Lamont Taylor; Susan Vinson; Martin Trevino; Ruth Willey; Carol Flowers; Diana Jones Public Present: Debby Hovda, Eloy Soza, RCAT; David Ramos; Carlos Vargas, Edna Arredondo, Nova Shields, MV Transportation; Robert Vela, Rosie Aguiar, RTAEA; Abel Alonzo Call to Order and Roll Call The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Ms. Lyons at 8:35 a.m. Opportunity for Public Comment Ms. Lyons noted that persons had signed up to speak under public comment but they had requested to speak under the specific agenda item. Presentation by RTA Roadeo Committee and Employee Committee for Excellence (ECE) Ms. Carol Flowers informed and invited everyone to attend the RTA/MV 2009 Roadeo that would be held on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at the RTA facility on Bear Lane starting at 9:30 a.m. She provided details regarding the purpose of the event and other general information. Each Board Member was given a token gift from,the Roadeo Committee in honor of the event. Ms. Diana Jones informed and invited everyone to attend the Employee Committee for Excellence (ECE) picnic that would be held at West Guth Park following the Roadeo Competition. She stated that lunch would be served starting at 11 a.m.; there would be activities for the kids; and the winners of the Roadeo competition would be announced at the picnic. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of February 4, 2009 and Board Workshop Minutes of January 27, 2009 MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2009 AND BOARD WORKSHOP MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2009. MS. CHAPA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. iegional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 3 Update on RCAT Committee Activities Ms. Deb Hovda referenced the RCAT summary minutes of,the February 19, 2009 meeting. She summarized that a rider had expressed a concern about inaccessible bus stops that did not provide adequate boarding area and the measures that would be taken to address this concern; Ms. Ruby Rieder had been recognized for her years of service on RCAT; two persons had been recommended as Committee members; and various reports were presented. Ms. Saenz initiated a discussion on travel training needs for transportation disadvantaged individuals. Ms. Hovda stated that the need for travel training can be realized when you attend an Eligibility Appeals Subcommittee meeting and hear the concerns of the appellants. Then you realize the need to help them -feel-comfortable, safe, and confident about riding public transportation. Ms. Fallwell-Stover stated that the COTA program students also assisted with travel training. She recommended that various groups/persons should be recruited to help provide this type of training. Ms. Chapa suggested that possibly. CCISD could be contacted and a coordinated program be developed to provide traveltraining to middle and high school students in the special education classes. Mr. Carrion stated that a formalized coordinated travel training program would be developed and presented to the Board for their consideration. Ms. Lyons noted that public outreach should include feedback from the identified. riders and also general consumer education on what services RTA can provide should be enhanced. She also commented that sometimes a person becomes a person with a disability late in life. Action to Confirm Appointment by the Board Chair of John Lee and Will Hinojosa to RTA's Committee on Accessible Transportation (RCAT) Ms. Lyons stated that the appointment of Mr. John Lee and Mr. Will Hinojosa had been recommended at the February 19, 2009 RCAT meeting. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. JOHN LEE AND MR. WILL HINOJOSA TO THE RCAT COMMITTEE FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM COMMENCING IN MARCH 2009. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 4 Consent Agenda 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 7a through 7c and asked if there were any items that should be 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 Authorize Purchasing Four (4) Replacement Paratransit Vehicles from Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) c) Action to Approve Exercising Second Option Year with Del Mar College for Third Party Assistance with RTA's ADA Eligibility Program MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 7a THROUGH 7c. MS. FLORES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Action to Approve Amending the Bus Advertising Contract with Gateway Outdoor Advertising Mr. Carrion explained that the request was for approval to amend the contract with Gateway Outdoor Advertising from a $75,000 annual guarantee to a $40,000 annual guarantee. Referencing discussion held at the February Operations Committee meeting regarding expired advertisements still on the buses, which was not in compliance with the contract, Mr. Carrion stated that the owner of the company, Mr. Heard, had been — contacted—Mr: Heard-had-agreed-to-comply-with=the-timeline for removing-all expired- bus advertisements by March 15, 2009 and to repair damages, if any, resulting from the removal of the advertisements. He noted that approximately fifty percent of the expired advertisements had already been removed. Ms. Telge inquired why Gateway Outdoor Advertising had lapsed on their monthly payments. Mr. Carrion stated that they had withheld payment pending resolution of their request for the contract amendment. A general discussion ensued regarding the types, sizes, removal procedure, and number of bus wraps and general advertisements on the buses. Ms. Lyons reminded staff and Board that a 3M product had been selected for creating the advertisements because at a Southwest Transit Association conference information —"Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 5 had been provided that showed minimal damage would occur to the paint job on the bus if it was used. Ms. Pena noted a correction to the document. She stated that there were twenty-nine advertisements but only six advertisers. Discussed was whether Gateway Advertising would reduce their advertisement rates if their annual guarantee was lowered. Ms. Pena stated that Gateway had requested permission to include religions advertisements. She stated that the monthly cost for bus advertisements was approximately $1,500. In response to Mr. Valls, -Mr. -Carrion stated that weekly briefings would be held regarding this contract and also that a new position was being created in the Contracts/Grants department to oversee contract compliance. MS. TELGE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDING THE BUS ADVERTISING CONTRACT WITH GATEWAY OUTDOOR ADVERTISING FROM $75,000 ANNUAL GUARANTEE TO $40,000 ANNUAL GUARANTEE. MR. VALLS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt a Bank Resolution Designating Persons to Sign Checks Mr. Carrion explained that this item was brought to the Board on an annual basis. The resolution included the updated list of persons authorized to sign checks. MS. FLORES MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE BANK RESOLUTION DESIGNATING PERSONS TO SIGN CHECKS. MS. CHAPA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize Application for Federal Funding for Projects Approved in the 2009 Capital Budget Mr. Carrion explained that every year RTA was apportioned formula funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under section 5307 — the urbanized Area Formula Funding Program. RTA has also received discretionary funding, which requires Board approval in order to apply for these grants. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 6 Continuing with his explanation, Mr. Carrion stated that the request was for $4.9 million and that the grant request breakdown was for funding categories and not for specific projects. He noted that staff would seek Board approval for all projects over $25,000. He reminded the Board that they had approved the major projects contained within the categories when the annual capital budget and twenty-year capital forecast was presented. A.varied discussion ensued on the grant application process and the reauthorization process. MS. TELGE MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROJECTS APPROVED IN THE 2009 CAPITAL BUDGET. MS. CHAPA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve American Recovery and. Reinvestment Act Stimulus Projects Mr. Carrion explained that the President had enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on February 17, 2009. He summarized the intent and purpose of the ARRA and also the key provisions given under the Federal Transit Administration regulations if funding is received under this program. The estimated amount of funding that the Corpus Christi RTA was expected to receive under the ARRA, according to Mr. Carrion, was $6 million. Explaining the funding obligation timeline under the ARRA, he said that after notification of receipt of funding, the recipient would have to obligate 50 percent of the funds within 180 days and the remaining funds within one year. The redistribution provisions stated that the withdrawn funds would be reallocated to those entities that had not had funds withdrawn. Summarizing the types of projects that would be undertaken utilizing the ARRA funds, Mr. Carrion identified ADA bus stop improvement projects, electronic fare boxes, and bus procurements. Ms. Lyons raised the issue of utilizing some of the funds for the multimodal project and the feasibility of including the project under the new starts program. She pointed out that the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) would be having a four- hour session on the new starts program after the Legislative Conference. Ms. Telge initiated a discussion on the ADA bus stop improvements. Mr. Carrion explained that the RTA was working with the City of Corpus Christi (City), using the transition plan, to implement the recommendations. He noted that RTA would designate which bus stops the City would modify to comply with ADA requirements. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 7 Ms. Lyons opened the floor to those who had signed up for public comment under this agenda item. Ms. Deb Hovda expressed her appreciation for the fact that the bulk of the allocated funding was being targeted to make the bus stops ADA accessible. Mr. Eloy Soza inquired if there was a release that wheelchair riders could sign that would allow them to be transported even if the bus did not have four-place securement. Ms. Lyons stated that Mr. Carrion or Mr. Vargas would be able to address this concern with him after the meeting. Mr. Abel Alonzo expressed his approval for the amount of funding that was being directed tolivatd making the bus'etops ADA compliant.— He stated that the City—cif Corpus Christi has not been as proactive in this area. Mr. Alonzo said that he felt this would assist in helping Paratransit riders to transition to fixed route. Mr. Carrion noted that a project manager would be engaged to oversee the ADA bus stop improvements project and that requests for Board approval would be submitted at the March Operations Committee for engineering and construction services. Mr. Valls recommended issuing a news release, coordinated with the Authority's legislative representatives' offices, on this project and the funding received. Ms. Telge commended Mr. Carrion and Ms. Lyons for promoting ADA improvements as a priority when this funding option became available. MS. TELGE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE IDENTIFIED PROJECTS (BUS PROCUREMENT, ADA BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS, AND TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT) BE FUNDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 (ARRA). MS. CHAPA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. SAENZ, CHAPA, FLORES, VALLS, LYONS, RENDON, AND TELGE VOTING IN FAVOR. LONGORIA, RAMON, MARTINEZ, AND SALVIDE ABSENT. Chairman's Report a. TTA Conference Ms. Lyons noted that when attending a conference having a staff member to explain the operations segment was an asset. She reported on several sessions at the TTA conference which were with FTA representatives and that the major theme was that the Agency would not be as lenient as other entities in distributing stimulus funds. She spoke about developing an understanding of the region's needs such as in Brownsville and also the needs of the rural providers. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 4,2009 Page 8 b. Coastal Bend Legislative Day Ms. Lyons noted that Mr. Valls had also attended Coastal Bend Legislative Day and that this event provided networking opportunities as well as helped improve the visibility and credibility of the Authority. c. SWTA Conference Ms. Lyons reported that the conference theme was "Safe and Secure". She stated that several goodsessions were held which provided educational information on emergency procedures and recommended best practices. She encouraged staff attendance at these types of conferences. CEO's Report: a. Personnel Recognition Mr. Carrion reported that Ms. Sylvia Castillo had been selected to participate in the Eno Center for Transportation Leadership's Transit Executive Seminar that would be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 19 - 24, 2009. In response to Ms. Lyons, Ms. Castillo stated that she hoped to gain networking opportunities and mentoring skills which would enable her to help other women get involved in the transit industry. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 a.m. Mary Saenz', Board Secre`fary Date