Minutes - March 6, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Church (Chair), Joe Galligan, Rich Gordon, Michael Guingona, John Lee, Lee Panza, Ira Ruskin

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Michael Scanlon, David Miller, Joan Cassman, Howard Goode, Joe Hurley, Liz Wiecha, Martha Martinez, Jennifer Buhr, Rita Haskin, Roger Contreras

Chair Church called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. and Larry Shaine led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

CONSENT CALENDAR

The Board unanimously approved the following items under the Consent Calendar:

1. Minutes of February 6, 2003
2. Adoption of Financial Statements, January 2003

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None at this time.

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT

Larry Shaine, CAC Vice Chair, reported:

• CAC met this past Tuesday, March 4. The Measure A Reauthorization was a general main topic. The CAC is a key resource in assisting in the areas that they can, such as public education and outreach identification of programs to be in the expenditure plan. The CAC will have 7 members participating with Bay Relations in an initial Focus Group on March 17.

• CAC is finalizing and populating sub committees. They have restructured sub committees to align with the TA Expenditure Plan. Also, they have reduced from 7 to 5 committees to provide focus and to provide a more manageable number. The sub committee will be the main basis for reporting to the TA Board.

• In regards to Measure A, most of the CAC will be on the sub committee. Members have already completed a survey as to their involvement in city politics, service groups, rotary clubs, etc. in order to have the opportunity to assist in the outreach program.

• CAC has some recommendations in regards to the TA Agenda.

  The first item is agenda item 10 (a), which is the 2 year lease to Colma Auto Sales. The CAC recommended approval however, there were some concerns raised regarding limiting the lease to two years, which is the way it is currently projected. Perhaps, depending on the economy, there may be an opportunity to extend the lease on a year to year basis.

CAC also supports item 10 (b), which is in regards to the $975,000 of Measure A funds to PCJPB for Grade Separation Conceptual Plans.

Item 10 (c), which is the allocation of $1.54 million of TA funds for the construction of Bayshore Station, raised some controversies in the group. CAC feels they can not fully comment on the item because they have not seen the plans on this project. CAC is specifically interested in facilities for disabled persons, lighting and shelter.

Additionally, there is interest in ensuring that the San Francisco Muni Third Street Extension will be a close link to provide easy access for all riders, including disabled. The CAC requested an opportunity to review, even if that means there will be a delay in the approval, so that they may comment appropriately.

• The CAC invited, on a rotating basis, each of the Board Members to join the CAC meetings, which meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Bacciocco Auditorium. Attendance would give the Board an opportunity to understand how the CAC works, handles challenges and the process of developing projects, particularly with Measure A. Respectively, the CAC would also be able to get to know the Board better.

John Lee raised the concern of obtaining a quorum at the CAC meetings. He commented that there were some issues with attendance over the past several months and questioned whether the issue has been taken care of.

Larry Shaine responded that attendance has been good. The previous issue was not a quorum per se, but rather in regards to voting. The attorney’s have advised the CAC that in order to take action there must be a majority of the members, not of the people, present. Overall, Mr. Shaine states that attendance has been good and there haven’t been reoccurring problems with it.

Chair Church reported that he would like to attend the CAC Meeting next month.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Chair Church reported that he had the pleasure of attending the opening ceremony for the Air Train at SFO this past Monday. The Air Train is the automated people-mover that is connecting the terminal, the rental car facility and the parking areas which, was a $470 million project that covers about 5 miles. The Air Train is the last segment of the $3 billion master plan for the airport. The reaction to the Air Train was very positive.

SAMTRANS LIAISON REPORT

Mike Guingona reported:

The San Mateo County Transit District Board met on February 12, 2003 and authorized the following:

• Continuation of its free bus pass program for Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter residents. The shelter’s director and one of its case managers spoke about the positive impact that transportation has on the lives of those using Safe Harbor.

• Execution of standard agreements with Caltrans pertaining to FTA Section 5311 funds

• Award of contract for elevator maintenance at district buildings

• Adoption of 2003 Federal Legislative Program

• Received a presentation on the 2020 Strategic Plan and 10-year Short-range Transit Plan

• Received a presentation on the status of its SamCoast service, which provides non-traditional transit service to the Pescadero area

There were no questions from the Board regarding the SamTrans Liaison Report.

JOINT POWERS BOARD REPORT

Mike Scanlon, Executive Director, reported:

• Commendations, presented by Chair McLemore and Vice Chair Ayerdi, were given to Keith McInerney, Manager of Caltrain Commuter Operations, Jim Smith, Caltrain Engineer, Officer Solomon, of Mountain View, and Tammy Smith and Teresa Strickland, Mountain View police dispatchers, because of their exceptional teamwork and efficiency to stop northbound Train #91, avoiding striking a stranded vehicle with a 16 year old driver stranded on the tracks.

• Sue Lempert, MTC Liaison, expressed her appreciation for publicity arranged by the Joint Powers Board and SamTrans in promoting ridership on public transit to attend the new downtown San Mateo Theater.

Additionally, Ms. Lempert reported that MTC met, last week in Sacramento, with legislators in regards to various transportation issues. Ms. Lempert reported that Senator Speier remains very supportive of the Baby Bullet which, she places as a high priority. Also there was considerable talk about supporting measures that would reduce the threshold for any of the sale tax measures, such as Measure A, to get the threshold down from the two-thirds threshold.

• Welcomed the new Chair, Gerald Graham of San Mateo, and Vice Chair, Bruce Balshone of San Francisco, to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Appreciation was expressed to the outgoing Chair, Mike Rodriquez.

• The CAC unanimously passed the resolution recommending the fare structural changes. There will be a public hearing on April 3, 2003, relative to changes of the fare structure on the Caltrain system.

• CAC has been reviewing and commenting on the Strategic Plan that has been drafted. Heading the subcommittee is, Dr. Brian Wilfley, recently appointed to the CAC from Santa Clara County, who made a presentation on behalf of the subcommittee which, was favorable towards the Vision and Guiding Principles. The Board continued the item until next month because staff is still going over further enhancements.

• Presented the coveted Hard Hat to the JPB’s newest member, Mary Janney, who rode the train on February 14, 2003.

• Ridership numbers are not good, yet they are better than they have been. January 2003 numbers are down 8% compared to January 2002, which is a considerable improvement from the comparison of numbers from December. Revenue is flat, with a -.1 percent change. On Time Performance remains very good at 95.4 percent and Caltrain Shuttle Ridership remains the same at about 3,900 riders.

• Rails to Reels, Testimonial, New Resident, Direct Mail and the University Pass are all marketing strategies targeted to aide Ridership increase.

• There was one fatality on February 26^th. Although not ruled officially, it is thought to be a suicide.

• We have partnered recently with San Mateo County, Health Services Department, Youth and Family Services along with San Mateo County Times and Daily News in conjunction with suicide prevention for outreach specifically in reference to those who are showing symptoms of suicide. Efforts are being made to partner with Santa Clara County and San Francisco as well.

• Two Zero Tolerance Abatement Programs during the month. One in Mountain View and one in San Bruno.

• Monthly Safety and Security Report was distributed

• New Timetables will become affective March 24, 2003. These are the timetables that will begin to get customers accustomed to the time changes once the Millbrae station opens.

• Weekend RRX Bus schedule will also change beginning on Saturday, March 29, 2003.  

• The new San Bruno Station will be re-opening at its original location on March 24, 2003.

• Offering supplemental service for the first ever soccer game to be held at Pac Bell Park on March 12^th.

• Baseball service starts back on March 28^th.

• Despite the high fuel prices over the past 5 weeks, our year to date budget is still okay, although, our weekly budgeted amounts were over. With the week ending on February 27th, we were over about 20 cents per gallon.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mike Scanlon, Executive Director reported:

• Some staff will be traveling to Washington D.C. to attend the annual Metropolitan Transportation Commission as well as the annual legislative conference given by the American Public Transportation Association legislative conference. This is the year when the re-authorization of the Federal Transportation Program is scheduled to be re-authorized but there are a couple of significant distractions.

FINANCE

1. Authorization to Execute a 2-year Lease with Abrahim Aboukhalil dba Colma Auto Sales and Brokers

Mike Scanlon requests the removal of item 10(a) in order to further explore the terms of the lease and recommends to come back to the Board at a later date.

2. Approving an Allocation of Allocation of $975,000 of Measure A Funds to PCJPB for Grade Separation Conceptual Plans and an Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2003 Capital Budget in the amount of $1,000,000

Howard Goode, Chief Development Officer, reported if the recommendation were approved, $1,000,000 would be included in the capital budget a for grade separation conceptual plans. Further, money would then be allocated to the Joint Powers Board for the purposes of studies. In reference to the overhead projector slides, there are three categories of grade separation projects. There are nine stations listed as complete, 13 listed under study and 17 listed for additional studies. In terms of the remaining funding, there will be enough to complete through the ninth project, which is 25^th avenue in San Mateo. However, funding will not be able to complete other grade crossings within the county. There are two reasons for doing conceptual engineering work. The first, is for re-authorization consideration. In order to obtain good estimates on projects there needs to be a certain amount of work performed for accuracy. The second reason has to do with high speed rail. If the project is approved by the voters in November of 2004, then Caltrain would need to share the right of way which, would need to be grade separated. Therefore, it is desirable to plan and define how Caltrain would want a combined rail corridor to be accommodated within the Peninsula. Both of these objectives would be well served by this expenditure and allocation to the Joint Powers Board.

The Board, by roll call, unanimously approved the allocation of funds and passed Resolution No. 2003-04.

3. Bayshore Station Construction Project, Authorize Allocation to the JPB and Amend the FY 2003 Capital Budget

Mr. Goode responded to the concern that the CAC expressed regarding not having an opportunity to review the design of the project. Mr. Goode stated that staff would be happy to give a presentation on the project at the next CAC meeting, however, in response to Mr. Shaine’s comments; the design was guided by the all requirements including access for the disabled. The area that has some discretion regarding the aesthetics of the project. Staff did work with the local communities, including Brisbane, which have been incorporated within the project.

Liz Wiecha, Director of Capital Project Management, requested an amendment to the 2003 fiscal year capital budget to add a line item entitled, the Bayshore Station Construction Project, in the amount of $1.54 million, which includes $40,000 for TA administration support costs. Also, Ms. Wiecha requested an adoption of a resolution to allocate $1.5 million from the Authority’s Caltrain category of Measure A funds to the Joint Powers Board in order to construct improvements at the new Bayshore Station. These funds will be utilized after all state funding, which has been made available for this project, has been completely exhausted. In terms of location, the current Bayshore Station is on the north side of the San Mateo/ San Francisco county line. As part of the project, to construct passing tracks and implement the Baby Bullet service, the station will be moved south, into San Mateo County, within the city limits of Brisbane. This will allow for accommodation for the new station location where four tracks will be constructed. This entire property, which used to be the old Bayshore yard, is currently in private ownership with a developer whom has plans for commercial development. Therefore, not only will the station accommodate Baby Bullet but will provide an opportunity to provide an intermodal facility at this station and serve the development proposal. Additionally, when the Third Street Light Rail Project (A San Francisco Muni Project) is completed, there will be the potential for a fully intermodal facility, at the new Bayshore Station, that will involve Caltrain service, Muni Light Rail, Muni Bus and SamTrans bus service. Therefore, the station is an important enhancement to the area as a transportation facility. The current station, in spite of recent improvements in regards to amenities, has short narrow platforms that do not meet the current design standards. There is no grade separated access for pedestrians and there is a general lack of amenities and facilities.

Ms. Wiecha presented an artist rendering of the new station concept. A fully separated pedestrian access; center track fencing, thereby removing a hold out rule station; new 700 foot platforms, which is the current standard; elevators on both platforms; new lighting; shelters; TVM’s as well as a closed circuit TV system were all incorporated in the station design to provide safety and security within the station. Additionally, the south side of the platform will have the Muni Intermodal facility. Glass enclosures for the elevators will be provided to ensure safety and security for passengers inside the elevators.

Over the past 10 months, staff has worked with the local communities to complete the design of the station and the project is nearing a successful completion.

Director Ruskin questioned the level of connection with the Intermodal station.

Ms. Wiecha reported that there would be a cross platform transfer, which are in close proximity of each other.

Director Lee questioned how Director Panza felt about the project, since he has been involved.

Director Panza reported that what started off as a rather straightforward and simple project turned into something that the public wanted involvement in, which required a lot of staff effort to resolve. Upon the initial presentation, Brisbane staff was not favorably impressed. To Caltrain’s credit, staff went back to the drawing board by working with Brisbane and were able to come up with a less expensive and more conventional design. The Brisbane City Council is now pleased to see the project move forward.

Director Panza also commented that the area of the station is isolated, which is one of the primary reasons for the glass enclosures.

Carol Nelson, Community Development Director of City of Brisbane, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to work with staff in the development of this project. The perspective of Brisbane is that this is a very crucial project. The station is in an area that will see a lot of development in the future and will become a very important station. There is an opportunity to plan for the station and to plan for transit oriented development at the same time.

At the direction of Chair Church, Mr. Goode will make a presentation to the CAC.

The Board, by roll call, unanimously approved the allocation of funds and passed Resolution No. 2003-05.

REQUESTS FROM THE AUTHORITY

Chair Church reported that the Audit Committee, comprised of Joe Galligan as Chair, Rich Gordon and John Lee, met earlier today.

Joe Galligan reported that the Committee reviewed an RFP that will go out to a number of CPA Firms and the Controller, probably within March. Anticipation of receiving RFP’s will be within the first week of April. Interviews will be held in the middle of April and the plan is to have a recommendation at the May Board meeting.

REPORT FROM LEGAL COUNSEL

None at this time

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION TO AUTHORITY

The communications packets were distributed to the Board members.

DATE/TIME OF NEXT MEETING:

Thursday, April 3, 2003, 5:00 p.m. at the SamTrans Administrative Building, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070

ADJOURNED: 6:05 p.m.