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CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Member Fletcher in Conference Room B-104, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.   In the absence of Chairperson Blaylock and Vice Chairperson Schulter, Member Fletcher was appointed Chairperson Pro Tempore.

ROLL CALL

Members Present           Members Present
Don Burnett                       Margaret Okuzumi
Chris Elias                         Sally Probst
Ellen Fletcher                    Connie Rogers 
Ray Hashimoto                  Martin Schulter, Vice Chairperson     
Irene Hsu                           Laura Stuchinsky
Luis Mendez                      Noel Tebo
Gaye Morando                  Diane Tripousis

Members Absent                                                      
Stephen C. Blaylock, Chairperson
Patricia Hughan                                    
Patricia Sausedo

A quorum was present.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Sandra Weymouth, VTA Board Secretary, stated that Chairperson Blaylock is ill and that Vice Chairperson Schulter is expected to come in later in the meeting.   Ms. Weymouth noted that in absence of both chairperson and vice chairperson, the Committee could elect a Chairperson Pro Tempore to preside the meeting.

Comments from VTA Board Chairperson Joe Pirzynski

Joe Pirzynski, Town of Los Gatos Council Member and VTA Board of Directors’ Chairperson, thanked the Committee for their input regarding the characteristics for the recruitment of the new General Manager.  He added that all the Advisory Committees’ comments helped frame the picture for the recruitment and selection of a new General Manager. 

Mr. Pirzynski stated the importance of utilizing CAC for the benefit of VTA more than in the past.   He noted that staff is planning to provide the Committee with a more robust agenda, revisit how CAC agendas are framed, and determine areas that could be improved. 

Member Hsu took her seat at 4:45 p.m.

Mr. Pirzynski urged Members to continue bringing to the table their constituents’ concerns on various transportation issues.            

Vice Chairperson Schulter took his seat at 4:47 p.m. and Member Fletcher relinquished her seat as Chairperson Pro Tempore.  Vice Chairperson Schulter presided for the remainder of the meeting.

Upon query of Member Okuzumi, Mr. Pirzynski stated that the sales tax scenarios are components of the workshop discussion.  However, the Board of Directors will not take action on the ½ cent sales tax since this meeting is a study session.

Member Burnett referenced the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Survey and expressed concern on the ¼ cent sales tax that was polled; he asked if the ¼ cent sales tax would be adequate.   Mr. Pirzynski noted that survey results could not be ignored.  He stressed that the more important issue is for VTA to be credible so that voters would approve a new tax for transportation in the future.  Member Stuchinsky clarified that the ½ cent sales tax was polled but the results were poor.

Member Elias took his seat at 4:57 p.m.

As a response to Member Tebo’s inquiry, Ms. Weymouth stated that the Board of Directors April 22, 2005 Workshop Meeting will focus on Service Plan for FY 06-07, Biennial Budget, and the Draft Transit Capital Improvement Program (TCIP).

Member Tripousis thanked Mr. Pirzynski for accepting CAC’s invitation to this meeting. She also thanked Mr. Pirzynski for encouraging CAC to participate in the process of addressing VTA issues.

Member Probst inquired about the state legislation for the $5 vehicle fee for Santa Clara County.  Mr. Pirzynski responded that the legislation is still being worked through.

Member Tebo inquired about the target date for the selection of the new General Manager.   Mr. Pirzynski noted that there is a possibility of recruiting the new General Manager by early Fall 2005. 

Mr. Pirzynski thanked the Committee for all their efforts and urged the Committee to continue advocating for a multimodal component of transportation. 

Minutes of March 9, 2005

M/S/C (Tripousis/Stuchinsky) on a vote of 12 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 abstention to approve the Minutes of March 9, 2005 as amended to reflect the following:   Agenda Item #9., Page 4 of 6, first paragraph, #5., to I-680/I-880; Agenda Item #13., Page 6 of 6, third paragraph,  to reflect that other Advisory Committees’ Chairs should be invited as well;  Agenda Item #9., Page 6 of 6, fourth paragraph, to add “Board expectation of” after the word concerning.   Members Hashimoto and Okuzumi abstained.

Committee Staff Report

Bernice Alaniz, Marketing and Public Affairs Deputy Director, stated that the items for discussion at the April 22, 2005 Board of Directors Workshop Meeting are: Service Management Plan, Biennial Budget, and TCIP.   The three sales tax scenarios (no new tax, ¼ cent tax, and ½ cent tax) will also be discussed.

Chairperson’s Report

There was no Chairperson’s report.

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

FY 2005-06 Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA 40%) Program Manager Fund Program

Ms. Alaniz read to the Committee Chairperson Blaylock’s e-mail regarding            Agenda Item #7.  Chairperson Blaylock noted the following in his e-mail:  1.  He is opposed to staff recommendation.  2.  It is inappropriate and unethical to use the process of exchanging funds between entities and projects just to keep the funding cycle intact.  3.  There is not enough descriptive scope of work and purpose for the listed projects.      4.   If possible, defer the item to a future meeting. 

Jane Shinn, Management Analyst, noted that a revised Attachment A (Santa Clara County FY 2005 TFCA 40% Program) is provided at the table.   Ms. Shinn added that an item not included in the memorandum is a request from the City of Milpitas to cancel a project and shift the funds to an existing project.  She noted that this request was received after the call for projects.

Ms. Shinn stated that there is approximately $890,000 available to fund for competitive projects this year.  The three eligible projects are: VTA Light Rail Shuttle Program, City of Sunnyvale Traffic Calming Project at Blair Avenue, and City of Sunnyvale’s Adaptive Traffic Signal.

Ms. Shinn explained that staff is recommending a swapping of funds because of a new TFCA policy and program criteria changes adopted by Bay Area Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in February 2005.   The Program Manager Cost Effectiveness is eliminated and each project is required to meet a $90,000 per ton of reduced emission cap.  Furthermore, the pedestrian and bicycle projects will be eliminated from being eligible for TFCA funding in the future, but this is deferred until 2006.

These changes greatly affect VTA’s ability to fund the Bicycle Expenditure Program (BEP) directed by the VTA Board of Directors.   The exchange of TFCA funds for BEP with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) allows for BEP projects to be funded by CMAQ and MTC’s Vehicle Buy Back (VBB) Program will be funded by TFCA funds.

Upon query of Member Okuzumi, Ms. Shinn explained that TFCA funds are generated through the statewide $4 vehicle registration surcharge.   The BAAQMD administers the 60 percent of these funds in the nine-county Bay Area and 40 percent is returned to the county in which the funds were collected from.  As the Program Manager for Santa Clara County, VTA allocates these funds on a competitive basis.

Member Mendez added that the state has statutory guidelines in allocating funds but each air district also has their own criteria such as cost effectiveness with regard to air quality.  Member Mendez referred to the elimination of bicycle and pedestrian projects’ eligibility for TFCA funds.  He stated that these projects could possibly be eligible if they are structured in way that meet the cost effectiveness requirement.  He inquired about the difficulty of coming up with a mix of funding.

Ms. Shinn responded that it is hard to find matching funds as well as to find projects that meet the criteria. 

Member Mendez expressed his support for the swapping of funds as it does not change goals but rather aids in realizing VTA’s goals. 

Member Roger suggested adding the word “exchange” after “Commit to” on Page 3 of 3, Summary of Board Actions, #2.

M/S/C (Mendez/Stuchinsky) on a vote of 13 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 abstention to review and recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the programming of FY 2005-06 TFCA 40% funds to projects shown in the revised attachment A, and further approve a fund exchange with the MTC whereby VTA would exchange TFCA 40% funds for CMAQ funds to be used to fund BEP projects.  Vice Chairperson Schulter abstained.

South County Circulation Study

Amin Surani, Senior Transportation Planner, explained that the South County Circulation Study will aim to evaluate the regional and local automotive and transit service circulation in the southern part of Santa Clara County, including Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Jose.   It will also include the community of San Martin and other incorporated areas.  The study will look at issues such as east-west traffic accessing US 101 or going over  US 101, alternative north-south along US 101, expressway issues, determine traffic needs in the area for the next 25 years, and identify regional and local improvements.  The results of the study will be included in the next Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) 2030 update. 

Member Hashimoto inquired about the coordination of different agencies and cities.     Mr. Surani responded that the study has a phase approach.  The first phase is to meet with the cities, the County, and Caltrans to discuss expectations from the study.  The scope of the study will be developed based on these meetings and a workshop will be scheduled to obtain approval or refinement of the scope of study.  The next phase will be to conduct the study.  

Upon query of Member Rogers, Mr. Surani stated that URS Corporation will conduct the study and VTA staff will manage the study.  It is estimated that the study will be a year of effort.

Members Okuzumi and Mendez expressed concern that the consultant should be attentive to bike network and facilitate access to those areas. 

Mr. Surani stated that staff will ensure that those elements are included.  He added that URS Corporation has experience with these elements as they have completed other local streets improvements. 

Member Fletcher stated that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) should be involved in the study.  Mr. Surani stated that the study milestones would come back to the Committee to report the study progress.

Member Elias inquired about the procedure to ensure that the study is a living document or can see things farther in the future.  Mr. Surani stated that the study outcome would be included in VTP 2030.

Member Burnett expressed concern about the safety of bicyclist on road rumble strips.           

On order of Vice Chairperson Schulter, there being no objection, the South County Circulation Study was received and filed.

Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report from January through March 2005

John Sighamony, Transportation Planner II, directed attention to the first page of the attachment, and noted that the three projects are categorized as yellow (projects that may need extra attention or will risk running into difficulties) because these projects will begin the federal aid process. 

Service Management Plan, Fiscal Years 2006/07

Bill Capps, Service Planning Manager, explained that the original Service Management Plan in 2003 established the methodology for evaluating and categorizing services, performance standards, and modification of VTA services.  The Service Management Plan for Fiscal Years 2006/07 is an update of the original plan, includes real data and reviews service and performance measures.

Mr. Capps stated that a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) will be conducted to determine the most effective and cost-efficient approach that will improve and expand public transportation service. This is an effort that will last about a year to two years.   The Service Management plan also includes recommendations for bus service, bus and rail integration plan associated with the Vasona Light Rail Opening, Community Buses, and Rapid lines. 

Member Hashimoto left his seat at 5:55 p.m.

Upon query of Member Probst, Mr. Capps stated that the community buses are oriented toward residential communities while the shuttle service is toward industrial parks.

Member Hashimoto took his seat at 5:58 p.m.

Member Okuzumi inquired how the success of changes will be measured.  Mr. Capps responded that the vehicles are installed with Automatic Passenger Counters and Advanced Communication System.             

On order of Vice chairperson Schulter, there being no objection, the Service Management Plan for FY 2006/07 was received and filed.

CAC Work Plan

On order of Vice chairperson Schulter, the CAC work plan was reviewed.

Announcements

There were no announcements.

Adjournment

On order of Vice chairperson Schulter, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 6:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine F. Baltao, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

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