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CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by Chairperson Blaylock in Conference Room B-104, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present
Stephen C. Blaylock, Chairperson
Donald Burnett
Chris Eljas
Connie Rogers
Martin Schulter
Laura Stuchinsky
Roberta Hughan
Gaye Mornado
Margaret Okuzumi
Ellen Fletcher, Vice Chairperson
Ray Hashimoto
Noel Tebo

Members Absent
Patricia Sausedo
Diane Triposis
Sarah Zimmerman

A quorum was present.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

There were no public presentations.

Minutes of September 8, 2004

M/S/C (Fletcher/Burnett) to approve the minutes of September 8, 2004.

NOTE:  M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Summary Minutes of October 13, 2004

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Summary Minutes of October 13, 2004 were received and filed.

Committee Staff Report

There was no Committee Staff Report.

Member Elias took his seat at 4:40 p.m.

Chairperson’s Report

Chairperson Blaylock welcomed the CAC Members and newly appointed Committee Member Margaret Okuzumi, Representing the North County Cities, and Noel Tebo, Representative from the City of San Jose.   Chairperson Blaylock requested             Member Okuzumi introduce herself and provide some background information.    Member Okuzumi stated that she has been involved with transit for a number of years and Bay Area Alliance for three years.  Noel Tebo, Representative for the City of San Jose, newly appointed CAC Member, was introduced by Stephen Flynn, Senior Management Analyst.  Member Tebo stated that he was a member of the Modern Transit Society for ten years and  served on San Jose Airport Commission.

Chairperson Blaylock queried how CAC Members could be better informed about upcoming Board of Director’s Meetings and Workshop Meetings in addition to the current methods of notification?   Joanne Benjamin, Policy & Program Manager-Congestion Management Program, commented that the question is best referred to the Board Secretary’s Office.

Chairperson Blaylock encouraged the membership to provide opinions and interface during the meeting, but expressed concern that time must be factored into the process to address all agenda items.

Chairperson Blaylock requested more information concerning the San Jose Mercury News Article entitled “VTA Cruel Regulation”.   Ms. Benjamin replied that the paratransit issue was returning to the Board in January 2005.   Revisions to the program will be available to Committees at that time.

BUSINESS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/ GENERAL MANAGER

Amendment of Citizens Advisory Committee Bylaws

Mr. Flynn provided a brief summary of the revisions of the Citizens Advisory Committee Bylaws and the Committees’ future role as the Oversight Committee for the 2000 Measure A Program.   Current bylaws were reviewed in relation to the ballot measure and adjustments were made to allow this Committee to execute the duties set forth in the 2000 Ballot Measure.

The Citizens Advisory Committee also serves as a Citizens Watchdog Committee for the 2000 Measure A.   The roles and responsibilities of the Committee are set forth in the revised bylaws.   He noted Citizens Advisory Committee has two vacant seats.

Staff stated in Section 5.8 “antiquated” language has been removed as it was not applicable.

Member Fletcher expressed concern regarding the length of the meetings if the Watchdog Committee will meet before or after the Regular CAC Meeting.   Mr. Flynn related, that the workload and agenda of the Watchdog Committee is uncertain at this time.

Chairperson Blaylock queried as to the procedure of including additional changes or revisions to the CAC Bylaws that were presented today.   The Committee requests automatically be removed from Section 5.7 of the CAC Bylaws and replaced with to fill the vacancy, and delete remainder of the members term. Member Hashimoto requested that on Page 4, the correct title should read, Homebuilders Association, South Bay Division.

M/S/C (Burnett/Rogers) to approve the revisions to the CAC bylaws.

Proposed Policy Changes for Bicycle Expenditure Program

Celia Chung, Senior Transportation Planner, gave a brief summary on the proposed policy changes for Bicycle Expenditure Program. The countywide bicycle plan was adopted by VTA in 2000.   Three tiers of prioritized projects were included.   Tier 1 was to be funded through a companion bicycle expenditure program.  Approximately $33 million of which $12 million was through Measure B Bicycle Program, the remaining from other grant sources that are administered through VTA.

Funding has now been identified for Tier 2.   Revisions have been adopted on the Tier 2 project list.   Ms. Chung stated that both tiers have been combined into one master list and the policies have been revised for consistency.

Ms. Chung noted with the updating of the complete VTP 2030 consideration was made as part of this agenda item to extend the set aside of grant programs for the Bicycle Expenditure Program to ensure sufficient funding for the longer time span.  Ms. Chung briefly commented on the flow chart submitted as an attachment.

On the order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on the proposed policy changes for Bicycle Expenditure Program.

Revised Tier 1 Bicycle Projects and Schedules

Ms. Chung gave a brief background and summary of the Tier 1 Bicycle Projects and Schedules noting that is a Biennial Review.   The project sponsors’ submitted updates in terms of progress, schedule, and budget. The information was reviewed at the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting in October 2004. The feedback received requested additional funding due to increases of construction costs. Financial projections have been made to accommodate these issues. The Hetch- Hetchy Bike Pathway Project has been dropped.

Ms. Chung stated the City of Campbell requested a major scope change. Instead of Hamilton Avenue improvements at Highway 17 where there is a very narrow bridge they wish to make the improvements along Campbell Avenue where it intersects with Highway 17 with a bridge improvement over Los Gatos Creek, where it is less costly.   These proposals were brought before the Bicycle Pedestrians Advisory Committee (BPAC) in October 2004 for approval.   Ms. Chung noted that grand openings will be held for several major projects in 2005.

Member Fletcher commented that the Palo Alto Home Under Crossing has been delayed and will be opened in December 2004.

Member Tebo queried regarding cost of the Milpitas project.   Ms. Chung noted when additional funding is requested very detailed engineering cost estimates must be submitted to justify the requests. 

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on the adoption of the revised Tier 1 Bicycle Projects and Schedules.

1996 Measure B and TEA-21 Pavement Management Program Final Report

Marcella Rensi, Principal Transportation Planner-Programming & Grants, provided a brief summary.   She reported the program has been completed and the $132 million funds have been dispersed and used for pavement repairs in this County.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee received and filed the 1996 Measure B and Transportation Equity Act-21 (TEA-21) Pavement Management Report.

Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report for July-December 2004

John Sighamony, Transportation Planner, presented the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report.   The report was adopted in August 2004.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee received and filed the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report for July through December 2004.

Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report

Samantha Swan,Transportation Planner, presented the Proactive Congestion Management Program (CMP) Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report.

Member Fletcher referring to Page 6, commended the staff on their position. Ms. Swan stated that the document will go before the City of San Jose Planning Commission at the end of November 2004 and the San Jose City Council Hearing for approval December 2004.   Ms. Swan will report back after those meetings.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee received and filed the Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report.

CAC Workplan

Mr. Flynn noted the one change to the CAC Workplan.   The change concerns the nominating committee and the election process for the chair and vice chair.   At the December 2004 meeting, the Nominating Committee will be appointed.   At the January 2005 meeting the nominating committees’ report will be presented and the election will take place at that time. 

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the CAC Workplan.

OTHER

There were no announcements.

Adjournment

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.