HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 10/14/2009 - RECEIVED
-REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY-- NOV-0 6 2009
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
1. Held Roll Call
2. Administered the Oath of Office to Nueces County and Committee of
Mayors' Appointees to the RTA Board
3. Held Election and Swearing in of RTA Board Chair
4. Adopted Resolutions for Outgoing Board Members
5. Provided Opportunity for Public Comment
6. Adopted a Resolution Establishing a Community Events Committee
7. Confirmed Committee Appointments by the Board Chair and Tabled
Election of Board Vice Chair
8. Heard Update on RCAT Committee Activities
9. Approved the Board of Directors' Minutes of September 2, 2009, Budget
Workshop Minutes of August 26, 2009, and Budget Workshop Minutes
of September 23, 2009
10.Approved Consent Agenda Items.
a) Action to Accept Committee Reports, Operations Minutes as
amended
b) Action to Exercise the Final Option Year with Naismith Engineering
for Engineering Services
11.Held Discussion on 2010 Board Initiatives
12.Tabled Chairman's Report
a. APTA Annual Conference
13.Heard CEO's Report
a. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Update
b. APTA Annual Conference
c. Employee Budget Forums
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), Angie Flores Granado,
John Longoria, David Martinez, Gloria Perez, Ricardo Ramon, Mike Rendon, Connie
Scott, Judy Telge, John Valls
Board Members Absent: Vangie Chapa, Mary Saenz (Board Secretary)
Staff Present: Eduardo Carrion, CEO; Ponch Carrillo, Jorge Cruz-Aedo, Linda
Fallwell-Stover, Terry Klinger, Sharon Montez, Twila Mouttet, Karina Paris, Mike
SCANNED
Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
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Pefanis, Ramon Sanchez, Gloria Smith, Lamont Taylor, Martin Trevino, Oscar
Vargas, Susan Vinson, Ruth Willey, Beth Vidaurri, Aubrey Winston
Public Present: John Bell, Legal Counsel; Mike Rendon, Sara Salvide, Anna
Flores, Carlos Vargas, Edna Arredondo, Dana Smith, Brenda Fernandez, Nova
Shields; Rosie Aguiar, Robert Vela, RTAEA; Mike Scott, H&S Contractors; Dan
Garza, Reel Simple Productions; Fanny Chirinos, Corpus Christi Caller Times;
Chase Carlisle, Carlisle Insurance; Vicky Garza
Call to Order
The Board of Directors' meeting was called to order by Ms. Lyons at 8:33 a.m.
Roll Call
Ms. Judy Telge called the roll and declared that a quorum was present.
Action to Administer the Oath of Office to Nueces County and Committee of
Mayors' Appointees to the RTA Board
Ms. Lyons recognized Nueces County newly appointed Board Members Angie
Flores Granado, Gloria Perez, and Connie Scott, as well as, Committee of Mayors'
newly appointed Board Member David Martinez and reappointed Board Member
Ricardo Ramon.
Ms. Lyons administered the Oath of Office to all appointees and a brief picture taking
session followed.
Election and Swearing in of RTA Board Chair
-Ms. Lyons opened-the floor for nominations for the position of Board Chair.
Mr. Valls nominated Ms. Crystal Lyons.
There being no other nominations, the nominations were closed.
MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION THAT CRYSTAL LYONS BE
ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON,
GRANADO, VALLS, SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN
FAVOR. CHAPA AND SAENZ ABSENT.
Mr. John Bell administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Lyons followed by a brief
picture taking session.
Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
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Adoption of Resolutions for Outgoing Board Members
Ms. Paris read resolutions for Ms. Anna Flores, Mr. Mike Rendon, and Ms. Sara
Salvide.
MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTIONS
FOR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS FLORES, RENDON, AND
SALVIDE. MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS, GRANADO,
VALLS, SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN FAVOR.
CHAPA AND SAENZ ABSENT.
Ms. Lyons recessed the meeting at 8:30 a.m. She reconvened the meeting at
9:00 a.m.
Opportunity for Public Comment
Mr. Daniel Garza, Reel Simple Productions, stated that his company produced the
RTA show "Going Places Together" and that his company was a DBE certified
company. He asked that the Board consider continuing production of the show for
another season because it showed what services were provided by the RTA. He
noted that the show had won a Grand Award from the American Public
Transportation Association (APTA).
In response to Mr. Valls, Ms. Paris replied that about six shows were produced at a
cost of approximately $2,500 each.
Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt a Resolution Establishing a
Community Events Committee
Ms. Lyons informed that the proposed Committee would be an ad hoc committee
and would be dissolved after development and Board approval -of a policy
concerning support for community events. She recommended that Ms. Chapa chair
the committee with Mr. Longoria and Ms. Granado as members.
MS. SCOTT MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION
ESTABLISING A COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMITTEE AND
CONFIRM THE BOARD CHAIR'S COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS.
MR. RAMON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS, GRANADO, VALLS, SCOTT,
MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN FAVOR. • CHAPA AND
SAENZ ABSENT.
Regional Transportation Authority _
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
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Action to Confirm Committee Appointments by the Board Chair and Elect
Such Other Officers of the Board as May Be Required in the Event of Any
Vacancies
Ms. Lyons opened the floor for nominations for the position of Board Vice Chairman
vacated by Ms. Flores.
Mr. Martinez nominated Mr. Valls for the position of Board Vice Chairman.
Mr. Longoria nominated Ms. Scott for the position of Board Vice Chairman.
There being no other nominations, the nominations were closed.
Ms. Lyons called for the vote for Mr. Valls. Ramon, Granado, Valls, and Martinez
voted in favor.
Ms. Lyons called for the vote for Ms. Scott. Longoria, Lyons, Scott, Telge, and
Perez voted in favor.
Mr. Bell clarified that the Board Bylaws required that officers be elected by a majority
of the whole Board. He noted that neither candidate had received the required six
votes. He stated that if neither candidate withdrew their name, then the election
would be tabled to the next Board meeting.
Ms. Lyons noted that neither candidate had withdrawn their name; therefore, the
agenda item would be tabled to the November Board meeting.
Ms. Lyons asked that the Board confirm the following committee appointments:
1) Administration Committee: Chair — Vangie Chapa; Members — John Longoria,
Mary Saenz, Gloria Perez, David Martinez; and 2) Operations Committee: Chair —
Judy Telge; Members— Ricardo Ramon, Angie Flores Granado, Connie Scott, John
Valls.
Mr. Valls made a motion that the appointments be tabled to the next Board meeting.
Mr. Bell explained that tabling this item would result in Committee meetings not
being held during the month of October. The motion failed due to lack of a second.
MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE
BOARD CHAIR.. MS. PEREZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS, GRANADO,
SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN FAVOR. VALLS
OPPOSED. CHAPA AND SAENZ ABSENT.
Ms. Lyons asked that the Board confirm the following subcommittee appointments:
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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
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1) Small Cities: Chair— David Martinez; Members — Ricardo Ramon; 2) Marketing:
Chair = Judy Telge; Members — Ricardo Ramon, Angie Granado, Vangie Chapa; 3)
Governmental Relations: Chair— John Longoria; Members —Angie Granado, Gloria
Perez, Connie Scott, John Valls, Judy Telge; 4) Disadvantaged Business: Chair —
Gloria Perez; Members — Mary Saenz; 5) Development: Chair — Ricardo Ramon;
Members — Connie Scott, John Valls; 6) Audit, Finance, Health: Chair — Mary
Saenz; Members — Vangie Chapa, Gloria Perez; and 7) Pension Investment
Committee: Chair—Vangie Chapa; Members — John Longoria, John Valls;
MS. TELGE MADE A MOTION TO CONFIRM THE
SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AS RECOMMEND BY THE
BOARD CHAIR. MARTINEZ SECONDED THE MOTION.- THE
MOTION CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS, GRANADO,
VALLS, SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, PEREZ VOTED IN FAVOR.
CHAPA AND SAENZ ABSENT.
Update on RCAT Committee Activities
Mr. Abel Alonzo thanked the former board members for their service on the RTA
Board and welcomed the newly appointed board members.
Mr. Alonzo stated that he would be reporting on the September 17, 2009 RCAT
meeting on behalf of Mr. Jones. He detailed the eight appeals heard by the No
Show Appeals and Eligibility Appeals subcommittees. Mr. Alonzo reported that the
RCAT committee would be having a retreat; that there were two vacancies on the
Committee; and that the Committee should be a more active committee and make
recommendations to the Board. He reminded that the RCAT Committee met the
third Thursday of each month.
Ms. Telge noted that the public attendance listing was incorrect. She had been
present at the meeting but Ms. Chapa was not present.
Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Board of Directors' Minutes of
September 2, 2009, Budget Workshop Minutes of August 26, 2009, and Budget
Workshop Minutes of September 23, 2009
MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS' MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2009, BUDGET
WORKSHOP MINUTES OF AUGUST 26, 2009, AND BUDGET
WORKSHOP MINUTES OF SPETEMBER 23, 2009. MS. SCOTT
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED:
LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS, GRANADO, VALLS, SCOTT,
MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN FAVOR. CHAPA AND
SAENZ ABSENT.
,
Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
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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 10a and 10b and asked.if there were any
items that should be pulled for discussion. Ms. Telge requested that agenda item
10a be pulled for discussion. Ms. Lyons called for a motion to approve the following
item:
b) Action to Exercise the Final Option Year with Naismith Engineering for
Engineering Services -
MR. LONGORIA MADE A MOTION TO EXERCISE THE FINAL
OPTION YEAR WITH NAISMTIH ENGINEERING FOR
ENGINEERING SERVICES. MS. GRANADO SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON,
LYONS, GRANADO, VALLS, SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND
PEREZ IN FAVOR. CHAPA AND SAENZ ABSENT.
a) Action to Accept Committee Reports
Ms. Telge asked that on page 26 of the Operations Committee minutes that it be
reflected that the approval process for the marketing services contract was
discussed by the Marketing Subcommittee.
MS. TELGE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMMITTEE
REPORTS WITH THE AMENDMENT TO THE OPERATIONS
COMMITTEE MINUTES. MS. SCOTT SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS,
GRANADO, VALLS, SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN
FAVOR.-- CHAPA AND SAENZ ABSENT.
Discussion and Possible Action on 2010 Board Initiatives
Mr. Carrion stated that with an 18.4 percent sales tax deficit for the month of August,
discussion on 2010 initiatives and identification of funding for initiatives needed to be
addressed as part of the budget process.
Reporting on current financial conditions, Mr. Carrion stated that at the present time
the projected deficit in sales tax revenue for FY 2009 was approximately $2.8
million. The deficit would be offset by using preventative maintenance funding, fuel
savings, and other cost-saving initiatives, plus the savings from 2008 that was
carried forward. He stated that sales tax revenue projection for 2010 was being
recalculated monthly based on the revenue received.
-Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
Page 7 -
Referencing the Board's strategic planning session held in March 2009, Mr. Carrion
cited the vision the Board had developed on what transportation would look like in
Corpus Christi from 2009 through 2029. He referenced the document detailing the
three Board Goals and the associated initiatives. Mr. Carrion stated that Board
direction would be needed to identify which initiatives should be included for funding
in the 2010 budget.
Mr. Carrion highlighted the following initiatives for which funding was not included in
the proposed 2010 budget: 1) regional marketing plan which had a $230,000
identified budget; 2) repainting of vehicles with new color scheme by 2011 which
would require an additional $60,000; and 3) a comprehensive study on the feasibility
of purchasing alternative fuel vehicles which would require an additional $50,000.
Ms. Telge inquired if any of the funding for initiatives could be secured through grant
funding and if staff was pursuing this option. Mr. Carrion replied that staff was
pursuing grant funding but that it was competitively bid.
Mr. Longoria initiated a discussion on sales tax revenue. Ms. Vinson projected that
sales tax would be down by about 14% in 2009 and an estimated 2% increase over
2009 in 2010.
Discussing potential cost savings, Mr. Longoria suggested freezing non-essential
positions that were currently vacant such as the Manager of Communications
position. Ms. Lyons stated that priority should not be given to filling non-essential
positions but instead should be given to items that impacted the Agency's operations
and riders such as maintaining the 3/4 mile service area for the paratransit riders.
Referring to the near-term cost area of increasing paratransit costs, Ms. Telge
recommended rethinking the way this was being identified because there was an
increase in usage of the service not necessarily a cost increase.
Ms. Lyons requested that the costs associated with proposed cost-saving initiatives
be detailed to assist the Board in the decision making process.
MR. VALLS MADE A MOTION TO DISCUSS THE NEAR-TERM
AND LONG-TERM LIST AT A FUTURE BUDGET WORKSHOP.
MR. LONGORIA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED. LONGORIA, RAMON, LYONS, GRANADO, VALLS,
SCOTT, MARTINEZ, TELGE, AND PEREZ IN FAVOR. CHAPA
AND SAENZ ABSENT.
Regional Transportation Authority
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 14,2009
P
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Chairman's Report
a. APTA Annual Conference
Ms. Lyons. stated that she would not be reporting on this item but instead would
move to the next item.
CEO's Report
a. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Update
Mr. Carrion reported that the Federal Government, Congress and the Federal
Transit Administration were requiring expanded reporting from all agencies that
received funding under ARRA. Reports would be submitted monthly instead of
quarterly. RTA had filed their report due on October 10, 2009.
In response to Ms. Lyons, Mr. Taylor replied that the report would be posted on the
RTA web site within twenty days.
b. APTA Annual Conference
Mr. Carrion announced that RTA had won two first prize awards from the American
Public Transportation Association (APTA) in their Ad Wheel awards competition in
two categories. One of the first prize entries was selected as a Grand Prize winner.
It was a campaign conducted through the RTA's television program. Mr. Carrion
said that the next goal would be to be selected as outstanding agency of the year.
c. Employee Budget Forums
Mr. Carrion reported that he would be holding employee budget forums October 21
and October 23, 2009 as part of the budget process.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:54 a.m.
171-t-D
Mary Saenz, Bo rd Secretary
/1- q-09
Date
Submitted by: Beth Vidaurri