HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 07/29/2009 - Workshop � I
RECEIVED
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SEP o 9 ?009
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING M UTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009 CI1ySECRE.
RYS OFFICE
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
1. Heard Presentation on Semi-Annual Agency Operational and
Administrative Assessment -
2. Heard Presentation on FY 2010 Budget Assumptions and Trends
The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors met at 9:00 a.m. in the
Regional Transportation Authority Facility located at 5658 Bear Lane, Corpus Christi,
Texas.
Board Members Present: Crystal Lyons (Board Chair), Vangie Chapa, Mary Saenz
Board Members Absent: Anna Flores (Board Vice-Chair), John Longoria, David
Martinez, Ricardo Ramon, Mike Rendon, Judy Telge, John Valls
Staff Present: Eduardo Carrion, CEO; Jorge Cruz-Aedo; Sharon Montez; Gloria
Smith; Susan Vinson; Leslie Robertson; Ramon Sanchez; Ponch Carrillo; Beth
Vidaurri
Public Present: Rosie Aguiar, RTAEA; Eloy Soza, RCAT
Call to Order
Ms. Lyons called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
Presentation on Semi-Annual Agency Operational and Administrative
Assessment
Mr. Carrion, using a - PowerPoint presentation, reviewed -the - Agency's
accomplishments and direction for the future.
Reviewing personnel initiatives, Mr. Carrion stated that since May 2009, 100 percent
of operator positions had been filled; a mentor program for operators had been
initiated; and the Senior Management training program had been expanded. Future
goals were to restructure the incentive program with input from the employee group;
review the health care plan; and revise employment policies.
Reviewing operational initiatives, Mr. Carrion cited accomplishments in the areas of
Agency safety and security; expansion of services; and vehicle maintenance
program enhancements. Future goals were to fully develop a travel training
program; formalize standard operating procedures; and identify attainable
SCANNED
keg onal Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Workshop Meeting Minutes
July 29, 2009
Page 2
performance measures. He noted that the standard operating procedures were
‘ ninety percent complete.
In response to Ms. Saenz, Mr. Carrion stated that both the travel trainers and the
information aides would get regional travel training instruction.
Reviewing capital improvements, Mr. Carrion stated that thirty-seven new and
improved accessible bus stops had been added with the assistance of ARRA and
CDBG funding; the Regional Intermodal Transit Center concept had been initiated;
and the Maintenance Facility would be completed in December or January. The
goal was to complete old projects and identify future capital improvements by
completing a long-range plan.
Ms. Chapa raised the issue of relocation of the Customer Center. Mr. Carrion
replied that various options have been explored. Constructing a building on the site
located next to the B-Line facility as an eligibility center and leasing the space at Six
Points which used to house Roosevelt Baker was considered and found to be cost
prohibitive. Another option would be to buy the bank building at Port Ayers which
would also include the land on which the Port Ayers station is located and to lease
out office space to social service agencies. He noted that the Bank had stated that
they possibly would lease-back a moderate amount of office space.
Reviewing marketing initiatives, Mr. Carrion reported that the branding campaign
has been received positively and the goal was to have it fully implemented by the
Agency's 25th anniversary which would be in May 2011 and that electronic and print
media outreach had been expanded. The goal was to complete the regional
marketing plan and to develop better overall communication guidelines.
Reviewing environmental initiatives, Mr. Carrion noted that the primary initiative was
to "go green". Two primary projects in this area were a solar energy feasibility study
that has been completed and the purchase of fifty new solar lighting bus shelters.
He stated that the feasibility of converting existing shelters to solar lighted shelters
was being researched. He said that a grant request had been submitted to fund the
solar energy project. The goal was to fully explore using alternative fuel.
Reviewing technology initiatives, Mr. Carrion reported that the Agency was
undergoing an organizational software conversion which would improve data
analysis; had purchased Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs); was installing e-fareboxes
and an IVR system. The IVR system would enhance recorded messages to
customers and include messages in Spanish. The goal was to upgrade the
Customer Assistance Form System; and develop performance measurement
software to provide agency-wide statistical reports.
•
�:;g.onal Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Workshop Meeting Minutes
July 29, 2009
Page 3
In conclusion, Mr.' Carrion identified potential ideas for changes to the current fixed-
route system. He noted that these ideas were to initiate board discussion in
developing RTA's twenty-year master plan. He identified future initiatives as
construction of the Intermodal Transit Center in Robstown; creating express routes;
promoting transit oriented development_(TOD) in the downtown area as well as at
the University; and potential land procurement or partnerships for promoting public
transportation on the Southside, Northside, and Flour Bluff. He stated that the
concept was to start these initiatives as park-n-ride sites and as ridership grew set
up the type of service that would meet that need. Potential partnerships with rural
transit providers which could lead to regional transit service were also discussed by
Mr. Carrion.
Presentation on FY 2010`Budget Assumptions and Trends —
Ms. Vinson stated that past accomplishments were detailed in the packet information
and not presented in the PowerPoint.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Vinson reviewed the sales tax history noting
that expenses have remained level but sales tax revenue has decreased. The
estimated growth in sales tax for 2008-2009 was -11.06 percent.
Other historical comparisons provided by Ms. Vinson were on the consumer price
index, interest rates, and services and passenger fares.
The key revenue budget assumptions for FY 2010 as cited by. Ms. Vinson were:
1) that operating revenue would be flat or reduced due to lower advertising fees and
lower ridership; 2) sales tax would increase by approximately 5 percent compared to
2009; 3) would need to consider using preventive maintenance grant funds to offset
the reduction in sales tax revenue; 4) investment income would continue to decrease
based on anticipated lower yields; and 5) total revenue sources would be reduced by
approximately five percent compared to FY 2009.
The key expense budget assumptions for FY 2010 as reported by Ms. Vinson were:
1) a 4 percent increase in salaries and wages and pension benefits; 2) fuel and
taxes would be budgeted at a 10 percent inflation rate over 2009 actual; 3) health
insurance benefits were expected to have a 20 percent reduction; and 4) all other
expenses were expected to increase between 3 and 5 percent. Overall, expenses
were expected to be reduced by 2 percent based on fuel cost decrease and
healthcare cost containment.
Ms. Vinson cited various methods for the Agency to increase revenue. She also
cited various considerations for long-term revenue enhancement and cost savings.
Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Workshop Meeting Minutes
July 29,2009
Page 4
Reviewing the next steps, Ms. Vinson stated that revenue projections and draft
budgets would be due from departments by August 3, 2009. They would then be
reviewed for presentation to the Board.
Mr. Cruz-Aedo reminded the Board that Budget Workshops would be held prior to
the Administration Committee meetings on August 26, September 23, and October
28 and also prior to the October 27 Operations Committee meeting.
A general discussion ensued regarding Mr. Carrion's proposed twenty-year master
plan.
Mr. Carrion pointed out that the 20-year plan would need to be approved by the
Board. Mr. Cruz-Aedo said that if the direction was to proceed with land acquisition,
he recommended that land purchases be prioritized by the Board.
In response to Ms. Chapa, Mr. Carrion explained that regional service with Kleberg
and San Patricio could be initiated with a Memorandum of Understanding and RTA
would be conducting a workshop with various rural providers to help them
understand fixed route service.
Ms. Lyons recommended having a Board Workshop with the assistance of a
facilitator to identify board goals and develop a twenty-year strategic plan. She
cited sustainability as a potential goal. She encouraged establishing a recycling
program and finding more avenues for going green; updating the Agency website;
establishing a beautification campaign at the bus stops; marketing the service to
senior riders; reducing or eliminating community sponsorships and rerouting the
funds toward employee training; reduce money spent on meals; and charging a
reasonable rate for services provided.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11 a.m.
77 ",4--/
Mary aen , Board Secretary
7 -0 ,
Date
Submitted by: Beth Vidaurri