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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 05/13/2003 - JointI HEREBY CERTIFY that t e foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Corpus Christi Cit Council of May 13, 2003, which were approved by the City Council on May 20, 2003. WITNESSETH MY HAN SEAL AND SEAL, this 8th day of October 2003. Armando Chapa City Secretary OF THE CO THE REGIONAL TRANSF MINUTES JOINT MEETING ZPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND ORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS May 13, 2003 - 12:15 p.m. CITY COUNCIL Mayor Loyd Neal Mayor Pro Tem Henry Garrett Brent Chesney Javier D. Colmenero Melody Cooper Bill Kelly Rex A. Kinnison Jesse Noyola Mark Scott City Staff George K. Noe, City Mana Armando Chapa, City Secr Jay Reining, Acting City A Rebecca Huerta, Recordin€ Mayor Neal called the me City Secretary Chapa and RTA B of the Council and the RTA Boar. er tary torney Secretary RTA BOARD MEMBERS Mike Rendon, Chairman Vicki Garza, Vice -Chairman Mack Rodriguez Julio Garcia John Buckley Abel Alonzo Rolando Barrera ting to order in the Sixth Floor Conference Room of City Hall. and Chairman Mike Rendon verified that the necessary quorum of Directors were present to conduct the meeting. Chairman Rendon thanked the Council for meeting with them and introduced the board of directors who were present. He invited the Council to attend a ribbon -cutting ceremony at the Port/Ayers Station in August and r oted that the new Southside Transfer Station will be completed shortly. Chairman Rendon then introduced Ms. Linda Watson, General Manager of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to provide a report on the RTA's accomplishments to date. Ms. Watson reported that the RTA has entered into many partnerships to accomplish several capital improvement projects. She said that the Leopard Street improvements project, for example, was a joint project with the city in which the RTA would provide curb cuts and reinforced bus pads. Other capital project accomplishinents include the new Harbor Ferry Peoples Street stop, the Robstown Main Street improvements, the Six Points and Staples Stations repairs and the new RTA Bear Lane Operations building. She also said that 70% of the RTA fleet is EPA certified and 20 new buses are on order. Ms. Watson said that the RTA is providing new and outreach services to Texas A&M -Corpus Christi and DOI Mar College. Finally, she said that the "ADA Bus Stops Here" program, which was nationally recognized, was another accomplishment of note. Ms. Watson reviewed the IRA's expenses and revenues. Regarding expenses, Ms. Watson said that the bulk of the budget goOs toward providing services, including 39% for operations and maintenance and 23% for purcha$ing transportation (B-line). Regarding revenues, Ms. Watson emphasized that the majority of the revenues (91 %) for the RTA are acquired from sales tax receipts. Minutes - Joint Meeting with RTA May 13, 2003 - Page 2 Ms. Watson provided a co parison of expenses to sales tax receipts, and noted that for the first time, expenditures have excee u ed sales tax receipts. To respond to this situation, Ms. Watson said that the RTA is in the proces. of "reinventing transit". She listed several reasons for the shortfall, including the dramatic in 'reale in the cost of fuel, increases in shelter maintenance costs, and health insurance cost increases Ms. Watson discussed the r- inventing transit initiative in more detail. The purpose of the initiative was to improve efficien y and reduce costs, improve the quality of service, increase ridership and improve the RTA's i age. Ms. Watson also highlight d the successful bus stop program, a joint city/RTA project venture. She reported that the RT • contributes $50,000 a year for bus stops. The funds go towards providing bus pads, bus shelter pas., turnouts, ADA curb cuts, sidewalks, right turn lanes and new traffic signals. Ms. Watson comm nted that the partnership was successful because it reduces the RTA project cost. It also benefits he community as a whole because it keeps traffic flowing and reduces congestion. Ms. Watson s. i d that the RTA has received many positive comments about the bus turn -out that was recently cons ructed near Carroll High School. Council Member Scott asked for the total cost of the bus turn -out Ms. Watson responded that the approximate cost was $25,000, including the bus pad, bus turn -in, . ench/shelter pad and sidewalk and ADA improvements. Ms. Watson spoke about fu re joint project opportunities. She said the RTA was interested in partnering with other entities for joint bulk diesel fuel purchase. She said if CCISD and the city, for example, were to combine the fuel purchases, the cost would be much lower. Finally, Ms. Watson said that the RTA would e interested in adding RTA bus stop projects to the city's CIP budget inclusive of funding. She o served that the citizens were the main beneficiaries of bus stop projects like the bus turn -outs, not the RTA. Ms. Watson also provided a status report on the Downtown Transportation Study. She said that Phase 1 of the project is complete. The results of a study indicated that the respondents preferred a vintage streetcar as he vehicle for transportation. She reviewed the vision for transportation services downtown s determined by the study. The main items that came out in the study were that people wanted a 'ilk to the major attractions in a fun manner, provide multiple transportation options, minimize cuff -street parking, provide frequent service, serve residents and visitors and provide services that people will use. Phase 2 of the study will examine short-term transportation needs and regional Ponnection. She identified several critipal issues for the downtown area that must be addressed if the transportation plan is to be succel'ssful. Specifically, she said that parking control and supply, dedicated transit right-of-way, ev$nt ticket surcharges and the possible realignment of Shoreline Boulevard would have a great impact on the success of the system. In conclusion, Ms. Watson provided a list of community and business supported activities, saying that the RTA has given $65,000 in free services. In answer to Council Member Scott's question, Ms. Watson said that the Harbor Ferry is a seasonal operation running from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend. She said that a new Port stop under the Harbor Bridge has been added this year. Mr. Chesney remarked that Minutes - Joint Meeting with RTA May 13, 2003 - Page 3 he has heard citizens complain aboLt seeing empty buses. Ms. Watson replied that only 24% of the fleet is composed of large buses and that staff tries to schedule the buses as well as possible. Mr. Scott asked how soon the trolley sy$tem could be implemented. Ms. Watson replied that late 2005 would be the soonest time. Mr. Abel Alonzo, RTA board member, commented that the buses are not always empty; rather, they are at full capacity during peak travel times. He encouraged the city to offer employee incentives to ride the bus to work. There being no further business, Mayor Neal adjourned the joint meeting at 1:02 p.m on May 13, 2003. * * * * * * * * * * * * *