Related Links

The Regular Meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was called to order at 4:32 p.m. by Chairperson Blaylock in Conference Room B-104, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Member Okuzumi requested on Agenda Item # 6., Bay Area Alliance should read as BayRail Alliance.

M/S/C (Fletcher/Stuchinsky) to approve the Minutes of November 10, 2004 as amended.

Member Elias took his seat at 4:36 p.m.

Chairperson Blaylock thanked the CAC Members for their diligence and hard work on the Committee.   He commended staff for their perseverance is filling the vacancies on the Committee.

Chairperson Blaylock requested the Committee limit side-bar conversations during meetings and be recognized by the Chairperson before addressing the Committee.

Chairperson Blaylock extended an open invitation to the General Manager or Board Memebers to visit the Committee.

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

Stephen Flynn, Senior Management Analyst, provided a brief overview of the Citizens Advisory Committee nominating process.   The process contains three components: appointing a Nominating Committee, recommendations of that Committee for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, and the elections for both seats.   Mr. Flynn added that the terms for the Chair and Vice Chair is one year, but there are no term limits for the seats.  Three Committee members volunteered for the Nominating Committee: Laura Stuchinsky, Gaye Morando, and Ray Hashimoto.  The Nominating Committee will report out at the Committee at the January 13, 2005 CAC Meeting.

Member Tripousis took her seat at 4:50 p.m.

Chris Augenstein, Principal Transportation Planner, provided a brief summary and background information of the recommendation to program $450,000 in Community Design & Transportation (CDT) Program Planning Grants to projects.   In June 2004 VTA Board of Directors adopted policies and procedures and criteria for a CDT Planning Grants Program to assist Member Agencies with implementing principles, concepts, actions and practices as outlined in VTA CDT Manual of Best Practices for Integrating Transportation and Land Use.

The CDT Grants are intended to help the cities, towns, and the County of Santa Clara develop, refine, and build on ideas, prepare plans, projects, and policies for implementation.  The CDT Grants are also intended to help Member Agencies incorporate transit and pedestrian friendly design into all aspects of the planning and development process.

A two step Evaluation Process will be utilized to evaluate, approve, and rank funding for the CDT Planning Grants: Initial Screening Criteria and Project Evaluation Criteria.  The project must support the key concepts and principles outlined in Chapters 1 and 2 of VTA CDT Manual, and provides a list of Key Concepts relating to the fulfillment of those objectives and principles the project addresses.  The project must pertain to a major transportation corridor, core area, or station area as detailed in VTA CDT.

The Evaluation Committee comprised of VTA Staff, Capital Improvement (CIP), Subcommittee Members, and a member of the VTA Policy Advisory Committee (PAC).   The Committee recommends funding Midtown Transit Sub Area Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan Update, Tasman/Fair Oaks Bike & Pedestrian Circulation Plan, Caltrain Station North Pedestrian Access improvements, and Mayfield/Central Bike & Pedestrian Improvement Plan.

Mr. Flynn noted that after the publishing of the CAC Workplan a change may occur.   He also reported that after checking with VTA staff the Committee could suggest changes to CAC Bylaws. The changes would be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval and then to amendment to the VTA Administrative Code. 

Chairperson Blaylock requested the development of a subcommittee to review and revise CAC Bylaws.

Mr. Flynn informed the Committee that Sarah Zimmerman has resigned from the CAC.    Mr. Luis Mendez was recognized in the audience.   He was introduced and Mr. Flynn informed the Committee Mr. Mendez nomination is to go before the Administration and Finance Committee next week then it is scheduled for ratification by the Board of Directors at the January 2005 meeting.

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

Mr. Flynn noted that after the publishing of the CAC Workplan a change may occur.   He also reported that after checking with VTA staff the Committee could suggest changes to CAC Bylaws. The changes would be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval and then to amendment to the VTA Administrative Code. 

Chairperson Blaylock requested the development of a subcommittee to review and revise CAC Bylaws.

Mr. Flynn informed the Committee that Sarah Zimmerman has resigned from the CAC.    Mr. Luis Mendez was recognized in the audience.   He was introduced and Mr. Flynn informed the Committee Mr. Mendez nomination is to go before the Administration and Finance Committee next week then it is scheduled for ratification by the Board of Directors at the January 2005 meeting.

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

OTHER

There were no announcements.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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