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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 08/26/2009 - Workshop { REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS' BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 1. Heard Presentation on FY 2009/FY 2010 Board Goals 2. Heard Presentation on FY 2010 Service Plan and Revenues The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors met at 9:30 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, Judy Telge, John Valls Board Members Absent: Anna Flores (Board Vice-Chair), John Longoria, David Martinez, Ricardo Ramon, Mike Rendon Staff Present: Eduardo Carrion, CEO; Jorge Cruz-Aedo; Ponch Carrillo, Sharon Montez, Twila Mouttet, Karina Paris, Gloria Smith, Oscar Vargas, Susan Vinson, Ruth Willey, Beth Vidaurri Public Present: Rosie Aguiar, RTAEA; Chuck Linn, Jean Tucker, Wells Fargo; Connie Scott, Angie Granado- Call to Order Ms. Telge stated the Ms. Lyons would be delayed. She called the meeting to order at9:35a.m. Ms. Telge recognized Ms. Angie Granado and Ms. Connie Scott who had been recently appointed by Nueces County to serve on the RTA Board of Directors. Both Ms. Granado and Ms. Scott made introductory remarks: Discussion on FY 2009/ FY 2010 Board Goals Mr. Carrion provided a brief historical review on the Board's goal setting process. He highlighted the need to identify the subsequent year's board goals prior to implementation of the budget to ensure funding for the goals' initiatives. Reporting on the March Board planning workshop, Mr. Carrion-stated that the Board had reviewed the 2008 Board goals and developed the 2009 Board goals which were: Goal A— Develop Board Policies that will Effectively Advance the Goal of ADA SCANNED Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes August 26, 2009 Page 2 Compliance in Facilities and Practices; Goal B — Increase Mobility Options; and Goal C -Achieve a "green" Orientation. Reviewing Board Goal A identified strategies, Mr. Carrion reported that the Board was working on developing a policy which addressed this goal; based on the availability of additional funding, the transition plan would be revised; an individual had been identified that would be helping the agency improve its ADA employment practices; and the feasibility of having eligibility assessment and customer service at one central location was being researched. He noted that the partnership with Del Mar College for the use of their facility to conduct eligibility assessments was being phased out. Mr. Valls inquired about purchasing the Kleberg bank building on Ayers. Mr. Carrion replied that currently the Agency leased the land adjacent to the bank. This land was the site of the Port/Ayers Transfer Station. The bank owners did not want to continue with the current lease and had approached the Agency about not only buying the land where the station was located but also theadjacent bank building. The agency was considering this option and possibly partnering with other social service agencies and creating a one-stop center. One consideration was the building's proximity to the transfer station. He noted that the bank had also expressed an interest in leasing back a portion of the offices from the future owner. Continuing with discussion related to the purchase of the Kleberg Bank building, Mr. Carrion stated that two appraisals were required and one had been received. In response to a request to submit this purchase under the TIGGER grant, Mr. Carrion explained that prior to submitting a request for project funding under a grant, the project needed to be approved by the Board of Directors and then included in the Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) Unified Work Program. Ms. Telge stated that she felt that on-the-street training was the best training option and a one-stop training center may not meet the anticipated goals. Mr. Valls initiated a discussion on the feasibility of creating a transit oriented development (TOD) at the bank site. Ms. Lyons noted the need for a master plan prior to moving forward with initiatives that would change the current operating direction and also for a Board policy that would set guidelines for bus shelter development prior to partnering with local businesses. Reviewing Board Goal B identified strategies., Mr. Carrion said that the feasibility of purchasing vans which could be used in a vanpool program was being explored in order to try and increase vanpool usage; securing grant funding to enable having accessible taxi service was being investigated; regional marketing plan was being developed to market all services; Transportation Coordination Network (TCN) had been established and was bringing all transportation providers together; addition and Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes --_ August 26,2009 Page 3 location for future park and ride locations, as well as, providing express route service was. being.considered as a viable. option for attracting choice riders and providing faster service; starting in January 2010 Sunday service would be expanded; fifty new bus shelters had been purchased and the older shelters were being refurbished -- equaling 250 bus shelters — and they would improve customer amenities and address one of the ADA issues at bus stops; and the travel training program was being developed. Ms. Telge noted that representatives from health and human services agencies as well as Workforce Solutions were part of TCN. A brief discussion ensued regarding the bus stop shelter program. Ms. Telge suggested partnering with local businesses or agencies in order to give them ownership. Ms. Montez stated that the new bus stop shelters would arrive by the end of September or first part of October. Mr. Valls asked for a list of the shelter locations and a picture of the new shelters. Reviewing Board Goal C identified strategies, Mr. Carrion reported that under alternative energy projects, he had submitted an application for funding for a solar power project; a discussion would be held on alternative fuels; and the Agency's informal recycling program would be expanded. Ms. Lyons recommended that the goal be revised to "Achieve Sustainability" with "going green" being one of the components. She noted that most of these projects would not require additional funding, but would require creativity and that she felt that these goals would move the organization forward. Mr. Carrion referenced a sample goal reporting format which included the goal statement, budget, key strategies, milestones and deliverables which he stated would be developed for each of the current goals. In summary, Mr. Carrion stated that this was a general overview which he hoped would help prepare for development of the 2010 Board goals. Referencing present and future initiatives, Mr. Carrion displayed a map depicting a proposed capital improvements master plan. He said that the goal was to improve connectivity within the city and service area. He identified current transfer station sites and potential sites for a regional intermodal facility, TAMUCC park and ride, Northside park and ride, Southside park and ride, and a Flour Bluff transfer station. Ms. Telge recommended contacting other cities about joining the RTA. A varied discussion ensued from the viability to the procedure for adding additional member cities. Ms. Lyons stated that a presentation to the Board by legal counsel John Bell on this topic could be beneficial. Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes August 26,2009 Page 4 A brief discussion ensued regarding the rural transportation service providers. Mr. Carrion stated that RTA would be conducting a seminar for them on the startup requirements for providing fixed-route service. Regarding the method used by college students to ride the bus, Ms. Lyons recommended implementing a program used by other transit agencies in which the college student would get a bus pass for each semester. She also suggested partnering with local businesses which provide staple items needed by college students such as H E B or Walmart. She stated that Capital Metro in Austin, Texas had a partnership with H E B. Ms. Telge noted that this idea identified a plan for partnering with viable sustainable partners within the community and providing mobility options. Referencing the token program, Mr. Carrion stated that the Agency was looking at modifying the program in order to improve fare recovery. Ms. Telge suggested • offering the tokens at a reduced price to non-profit agencies. Presentation on FY 2010 Service Plan and Revenues Ms. Vinson stated that for FY 2010 an overall three percent increase was being projected; paratransit service was expected to increase by four percent. Some budget assumptions were that a Southside Express service would be implemented; the Harbor Ferry service would run for the entire season; and Sunday service hours would be expanded. Regarding revenue trends, Ms. Vinson stated that total revenues were expected to increase by approximately ten percent in FY 2010; sales tax was expected to increase by six percent; passenger fees were expected to rise; and that using preventative maintenance funding was being considered. There was extensive discussion regarding passenger fares collected, ridership, and, the farebox recovery ratio. Mr. Carrion pointed out that formula funding was based on ridership miles traveled; therefore, express routes were being considered in order to increase ridership. Reporting on projected investment income, Ms. Vinson stated that there was no trend in this area. The income was dependent on yields and partially on reserves. The projection was that the size of the Authority's portfolio would be reduced due to lower revenues. Reviewing grant revenues, Ms. Vinson noted that in 2003, 2004, and 2005 more capital grant funding was used for preventive maintenance in order to conserve • K g onal Transportation Authority Board of Directors Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes August 26, 2009 Page 5 funds for capital projects and in subsequent years the usage had diminished. In FY 2010 it was being projected that $1,000,000 would be used. In summary, Ms. Vinson stated that expenses were anticipated to be higher than revenue in FY 2010. She noted that the agency was exploring viable options for controlling the growth of Agency expenses. Ms. Chapa expressed the opinion that spending on community fundraising events should be selective and questioned the benefit of participating in fundraising golf tournaments instead of selecting organizations that served the Agency's riders. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:23 a.m. lit ry Sae ►, Board -tary 10- IH - �? Date Submitted by: Beth Vidaurri