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CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was called to order at 4:33 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                                                             Members Present

Stephen C. Blaylock, Chairperson                                       Sally Probst

Donald Burnett                                                                     Connie Rogers

Chris Elias                                                                             Laura Stuchinsky

Ellen Fletcher, Vice Chairperson                                           Noel Tebo

Irene Hsu                                                                                Diane Tripousis         

Roberta Hughan                                                                                                                                                                                            

Gaye Morando         

Members Absent                                                      

Ray Hashimoto

Margaret Okuzumi

Patricia Saucedo

Martin Schulter

A quorum was present.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

There were no public presentations.

Minutes of December 8, 2004

Member Fletcher noted a correction to the December 8, 2004 CAC Meeting Minutes and referenced Page 4 of 5, Paragraph 3, noting the referenced location should be reported as the Homer Avenue Undercrossing.

Member Tripousis noted a correction to the Minutes referencing her attendance and

participation at the December 8, 2004 CAC Meeting.

M/S/C (Tripousis/Rogers) to approve the minutes of December 8, 2004 as amended.

Committee Staff Report   

John Ristow, Programming and Highway Administration Deputy Director, reported the Minutes from CAC Special Meeting of February 16, 2005, will be submitted with the April 13, 2005 CAC Agenda Packet

Mr. Ristow commented on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 2004 Report.  The report outlines the financial picture for VTA in 2004 and VTA’s 2005 Operating Budget and Countywide Capitol Projects Program.

Mr. Ristow directed attention to the Long Term Transit Capital Investment Program highlighting its components: 1) financial resources for future transit capital investments, federal, state, and local funding sources, 2) Transit Capital Revenue and Expenditure Plans, 3) Capital Investment Program for ongoing operations.   The report is out for public review at this time and will be presented to the Board at the April 22, 2005 VTA Board of Directors Workshop for review and comment.

Chairperson’s Report

Chairperson Blaylock thanked the CAC Members for their attendance at the CAC Special Meeting February 16, 2005.   He circulated the Altrans letter dated February 16, 2005, and an e-mail from Member Margaret Okuzumi dated February 15, 2005 to Committee Members who where not in attendance at the CAC Special Meeting February 16, 2005.

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

Nominating Committee Report for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for 2005

Member Stuchinsky noted the following candidate selections for CAC Chairperson 2005: Stephen Blaylock and the following candidate for CAC Vice Chairperson 2005:Martin Schulter.

Chairperson Blaylock opened the floor for additional nominations for CAC Chairperson 2005 and Vice Chairperson 2005 and noted there were no additional nominations for the positions.

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

Member Fletcher made a motion to accept the Nominating Committee Report.

M/S/C (Fletcher/Stuchinsky) to accept the Nominating Committee Report and close nominations.

Election of CAC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for 2005

Stephen Flynn, Senior Management Analyst, provided an overview of the term of office for the CAC Chairperson 2005 and Vice Chairperson 2005.   Mr. Flynn extended the opportunity for the candidates to address the Committee.   Mr. Flynn commented that the election requires a motion and vote regarding the CAC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson positions.

M/S/C (Fletcher/Stuchinsky) to elect Stephen Blaylock for CAC Chairperson for 2005.

M/S/C (Fletcher/Rogers) to elect Martin Schulter as the CAC Vice Chairperson for 2005

Subcommittee to Review Citizens Advisory Committee Bylaw Section

Mr. Flynn reported on the existing Bylaw section pertaining to attendance and noted staff’s recommendation that a subcommittee be formed to review the CAC Bylaws.   Members Tripousis, Stuchinsky, and Tebo volunteered for the subcommittee.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee appointed a subcommittee to review Citizens Advisory Committee Bylaw Section.

Implementation Plan for Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) 2030 Highway Projects

Mr. Ristow provided an overview of the Implementation Plan for
VTP 2030 Highway Projects.   An integral element of VTP 2030 is the need to study county gateways and key highway corridors within the county on the State Highway System.   The evaluation identifies, defines, and prioritizes improvements that reduce, congestion, enhance safety, and decrease traffic bottlenecks.

At the Board of Directors Workshop Meeting on August 15, 2003, staff reviewed the preliminary findings of the gateway and corridor studies and presented improvements from the study to be included in VTP 2030.   VTA Board of Directors adopted VTP 2030 on February 3, 2005.   Forty separate highway projects located throughout the County were dedicated to this plan.  A total of $765 million was allocated for the projects to be funded over the 25-year period.  Commencing implementation of the highway projects necessitated formulating a shorter list of projects.  The following projects are prepared to move into the next phase of project implementation: 1) SR 85 Northbound to
Eastbound 237 Connector Ramp Improvement, 2) US 101/Zanker Road/Skyport Drive/ Fourth Street Interchange Environmental and Preliminary Engineering, 3) US 101 Conversion to Four-Lane Freeway: SR 25 to Santa Clara County/San Benito County Line, 4) SR 237/US 101 Mathilda Avenue Interchange Improvements, 5) I-681/I-880 Cross-Connector Environmental and Conceptual Engineering, and 6) I-880/I-280 Stevens Creek Boulevard Interchange Improvements.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on the Implementation Plan for Highway Projects included in Valley Transportation Plan 2030 (VTP 2030).

I-880 Corridor Study

Mr. Ristow provided a summary on the use of Local Program Reserve funds (LPR) in the amount of $500,000 for the I-880 Corridor Study; and the General Manager executing a contract with Mark Thomas and Company for the study for a total value not to exceed $500,000.   In March 2000 VTA Board of Directors established the Local Program Reserve with the intention of utilizing project development resources such as planning, preliminary engineering and final design of VTP 2020 roadway projects.   A list of prime and subconsultant firms are approved to provide planning and engineering design assistance for the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program.  From the list a team led by Mark Thomas and Company has been selected to provide assistance to VTA staff with this study.  The I-880 Corridor Study will commence in the spring of 2005 and the study will be completed in the fall of 2006.  The study of I-880 between US101 and
I-280 will identify traffic operation deficiencies and evaluate traffic operation in the areas of I-280 and Stevens Creek Boulevard, and the I-880 and I-280 Interchange.  Lower cost operational solutions related to the traffic signal system and Intelligent Transportation Systems will be investigated.  An agreement exists between VTA and Caltrans to study traffic operations along I-880 near the Alameda Interchange as a follow-up to the I-880 Coleman Avenue Interchange Project. 

The Board of Directors established the Local Program Reserve in March 2000 with an intended use of project development activities such as preliminary engineering, planning and final design of VTP 2020 roadway projects, and other approved special projects.   The LPR was created through use of federal or state transportation funds exchanged with local Measure B funds creating a pool of available local funds for planning and project development.

Mr. Ristow noted staff recommended the engineering firm, Mark Thomas and Company, to provide assistance to VTA staff with the study.   Mr. Ristow noted Mark Thomas and Company has experience in this corridor and performed similar studies with a stable project management approach.   The contract is time and material based with a range of engineering and planning for wage rates consistent with industry standards.  The contract value is not to exceed $500,000.  The study will commence in 2005 and be completed by the fall of 2006.  The VTA Board of Directors could choose not to conduct this study.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and commented on the use of Local Program Reserve funds (LPR) in the amount of $500,000 for the I-880 Corridor Study; and the General Manager executing a contract with Mark Thomas and Company for the study for a total value not to exceed $500,000.

Proactive Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report October through December 2004

Samantha Swan, Transportation Planner, presented the Proactive Congestion Management Program (CMP) Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report October through December 2004.

Ms. Swan reported that VTA is involved in two project review processes: 1) review of environmental documents and development proposals as part of VTA’s Development Review Program and 2) review of Congestion Management Program’s (CMP) Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA).   The proactive CMP Process coordinates these two processes and establishes guidelines for VTA review prior to project development approval by Member Agencies.

VTA produces quarterly reports on land-use approvals.   The two elements implemented in the report are: 1) responses to selected projects reviewed by VTA and 2) conditions of approval monthly report.   Information in the report includes the project name and lead agency, with the project description and location, and a summary of VTA review comments.  The secondary element of the report includes a listing of the adopted conditions of approval relating to CMP facilities, promoting alternative transportation modes.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee received and filed the Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report October through December 2004.

CAC Quarterly Attendance Report

Mr. Flynn noted the CAC Quarterly Attendance Report documents the quarterly reporting of attendance for the Advisory Committees.   He commented that special meetings are not referenced on the Attendance Report.

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the Committee received and filed the CAC Quarterly Attendance Report.

CAC Workplan

Mr. Flynn noted the purpose of the CAC Workplan to the new Committee Members.

Member Fletcher requested information from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) regarding VTA policy on folding bicycles.

Member Rogers requested CAC to participate in the Paratransit Eligibility Certification discussions and Chairperson Blaylock queried if the issue could be added to a future CAC Workplan.

Chairperson Blaylock suggested inviting 2004 Board of Directors Chairperson Don Gage and Board of Directors 2005 Chairperson Joe Pirzynski to a future CAC Meeting to convey their interest in the Advisory Committee.

Chairperson Blaylock recommended inviting the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) Chairperson to a future CAC Meeting as well as other Advisory Committee Chairpersons with agenda items that are of concern to the CAC Committee.

Member Stuchinsky suggested more participation and communication with VTA Advisory Committees on issues that concern the CAC.

Member Elias inquired concerning CAC’s responsibilities regarding review and comment items on their agenda and the relationship between the CAC and the Board of Directors.

Chairperson Blaylock inquired if Committee Members were entitled to VTA business cards.   Mr. Flynn responded that VTA business cards are not available to Advisory Committee Members.

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

OTHER

Announcements

There were no announcements

Adjournment

On order of Chairperson Blaylock, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Jacqueline F.Golzio, Board Assistant

VTA Board of Directors