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The Regular Meeting of the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Chairperson Tamez in Room B-104, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

Members Present
Cynthia Aleman
Jeannette Bruntz
Emma Eljas
Linda Gallo
David Grant
Michelle HammCiric
Katie Heatley (Ex-Officio)
David Julian
LeNae Liebetrau
Laura Michels
Aaron Morrow
Maryjane Naughten
Frederico S. Orillaneda
Barbara Rhodes
Thomas Slack
Randy Tamez

Members Absent
Sandra Gouveia
Marjorie Jensen
Marian Otis
Barbara Stahl

A quorum was present.

Received introductions from the audience including:  Scott Buhrer, Chief Financial Officer, Mike Aro, Deputy Director, Victor Chan, Budget Manager; Nancy Coss-Fitzwater, Policy and Administration Manager; Edna Pampy, Service & Operations Planning Department, David Ledwitz, Natalie Wells and Sheri Fisher, VTA Accessible Services; Carolyn Grattan-Aiello, Human Resources and Gary Hunnicut, OUTREACH.

There were no Public Presentations.

M/S/C (Morrow/Slack) on a vote of 17 ayes to 0 noes to 1 abstention to approve the Minutes of April 9, 2003.  Member Naughten abstained.

Scott Buhrer, Chief Financial Officer, reported that the Board of Directors requested that staff analyze the revenue and ridership impacts of reducing the senior and disabled riders day pass from the proposed $2.25 down to $1.75 and the monthly pass from $22.50 down to $17.50.  Staff found an adverse impact on revenue, though there was not as adverse an impact on ridership.

Mr. Buhrer further reported that the Board of Directors requested that staff look at other ways to make up the difference to achieve the budget goal of increasing fare revenue by $4 million.  Staff has created a revised proposal that would include senior and disabled riders day passes at $1.75 and monthly passes at $17.50.  The increase in fare revenue goal will be achieved through increases in the youth cash fares.  There will not be changes in monthly pass pricing for youth but staff proposes to increase the youth fare from the original proposal which was $1 to $1.25 and the youth day pass from $3 to $3.75.

Member Julian expressed concern that the $17.50 figure will pose a hardship on seniors and the disabled community.  Mr. Buhrer responded that comments received from many stakeholders have concluded that VTA needs to have a higher amount of its operating costs paid for from user fees or the fares.  Mr. Buhrer responded further that when VTAs fare structure is compared with other agencies, what is observed is that discounts afforded to the youth and senior and disabled riders at VTA are larger than those of comparable agencies.

Mr. Buhrer noted that the original staff proposal was to bring those discounts in line with discounts offered by other agencies.  The $17.50 for the monthly pass was not a staff recommendation but rather a motion made by  Board Member Tom Springer at the March 21, 2003 Board of Directors Workshop.  Mr. Buhrer stated that it bears noting that even with the large increase, the amount of VTAs discounts for senior and disabled riders will be at or above those offered by other agencies.

Member Rhodes stated that AC Transit offers free youth fares in order to teach the youth how to use fixed route public transit and encourage them to use it and further stated that San Francisco MUNI and AC Transit fares are not as high as what is being proposed by VTA.  Mr. Buhrer responded that Sacramento and  AC Transit are providing demonstration programs using grant funds.  VTAs grant funds are totally programmed into preventative maintenance in order to mitigate the number of service reductions in October 2003.

Member Naughten stated that homeless persons ride free of charge on  Lines 22 and 57.  Mr. Buhrer responded that staff would follow up on this issue.

MemberMorrow queried how much revenue VTA has to overcome in order to lower the senior disabled riders fare to $1.75.  Mr. Buhrer responded that the increase in the youth cash fares and the youth day passes generates approximately $600,000.  Mr. Buhrer reported that we were at $3.7 million with the March 21, 2003 modifications that the Board of Directors asked staff to review.  When staff used the same pricing and added in the increase in the youth to $1.25 for cash fare and $3.75 for a day pass, it came very close to the original staff proposal of $4.2 million.

Member Orillaneda suggested that VTA reduce one percent of employees pay in order to help overcome VTAs current financial situation.  Mr. Buhrer responded that over 90 percent of VTA employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and noted that all of their wages and benefits are subject to collective bargaining.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Proposed Transit and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Fare Modifications for Implementation August 1, 2003 were received and filed.

Mr. Buhrer reported that last year staff proposed a budget that included a five percent reduction in service and incorporated a number of one-time revenues.  Staff projected that VTA would virtually exhaust all of its budgetary reserves by June 30, 2003.  Aggressive steps have been taken leading up to this budget.

Mr. Buhrer reported that another nine percent reduction was implemented on April 14, 2003.  Staff has continued to review the capital budget and has eliminated or deferred or reduced the project scope saving $120 million of capital.  Staff has aggressively sought financial strategies to increase one-time revenues.  Staff has met with the Ad Hoc Financial Stability Committee since February 2003 in an attempt to try to get unanimous support for a new source of revenue.

Mr. Buhrer noted that all of these steps have merely enabled staff to buy time.  Staff is now projecting another 21 percent service reduction in October 2003.  The budget that is being proposed is a two-year budget covering July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005.  VTA will end June 30, 2005, if all projections are 100 percent accurate, with budgetary reserves of less than $17 million.  A structural deficit of over $63 million a year will continue and staff will have to continue reliance on one-time revenues.

Mr. Buhrer reported that the primary source of funds, the Sales Tax, is now nearly 40 percent below what it was at the height of collections.  New sources of funds are needed.  The system as it is currently financed is not sustainable for much longer.  VTA cannot continue to use all of its grants to underwrite operating deficits.

Member Slack queried the major sources of funding being considered.  Mr. Buhrer responded that unanimous support is needed for any new revenue.  The Chamber of Commerce and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group have stated in no uncertain terms that they oppose a payroll tax.  Mr. Buhrer stated that broadening the sales tax makes sense.  It would take the sales tax revenue stream and help it perform at a level that would be more in line with the growth in the types of expenses that it is meant to underwrite.  Mr. Buhrer noted, however, that broadening the sales tax base has hardly any political support.

Mr. Buhrer reported that increasing the sales tax rate, increasing the sales tax base or implementing a new broad-base tax, such as a payroll tax, are potential revenue sources that would generate sufficient funds to put a dent in VTAs financial problem.

Chairperson Tamez stated that everyone might have to pay a higher fee for services even though it may be difficult.

Member Michels queried the benefit of a transportation tax credit to stimulate ridership.  Mr. Buhrer responded that another potential revenue source under discussion is a proposal to double the amount of funding available from the Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding.

Member Morrow queried whether using the Measure A sales tax funds for 2006 would be a potential option.  Mr. Buhrer responded that he has prepared a memo to the Board of Directors that discusses two types of debt financing that would be secured by and payable from the new 2000 Measure A including reimbursing the operating fund the monies that it has advanced on behalf of the 2000 Measure A Program of Projects.  This is a repayment obligation.  Mr. Buhrer stated that he expects this proposal to be approved by the Board of Directors.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Recommended Budget for Fiscal Years 2003 2004 and 2004 - 2005 Presentation was received.

Member Rhodes reported that effective March 1, 2003, the State of California defined the segway as a pedestrian and it will be allowed on sidewalks and used in the same areas used by pedestrians including the elderly and the disabled community.  The segway is an electric scooter that is about six inches wide with a wheel on each side, is noiseless, runs on batteries and is able to run up to 12.5 miles per hour.  Member Rhodes stated that she would not have a problem with the segway if it were to be used in bicycle lanes.

Member Rhodes reported that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has sent a letter to transit agencies encouraging them to take a stand to prohibit the segway from transit malls and light rail platforms.

Member Julian stated that the sidewalks in the City of Santa Clara are narrow and there has already been a conflict between a person in a wheelchair and a person using a segway.

Member Eljas suggested that a presentation by a representative of the segway would be useful to the Committee.

George Tacké, Accessible Services Manager and Staff Liaison, reported that if the Committee agreed, the discussion of the segway could be placed on a future Agenda and/or a work group could be formed to discuss the segway.

M/S/C (Julian/HammCiric) to form a work group dealing with the segway.

Members Julian, Slack, Rhodes, Naughten and Morrow volunteered to serve as a work group dealing with the segway.

Member Liebetrau stated that the segway could serve persons who have disabilities with traveling a distance.

Members Gallo and Slack volunteered to arrange to have a representative of Segway provide a presentation regarding the segway.

On order of Chairperson Tamez,there being no objection, the Safety Issues Related to Segway Human Transporter report was received.

Member Morrow stated that he does not believe that clear judgment regarding scoring numbers can be used by members of the LRC when staff generates the preliminary numbers.

Chairperson Tamez agreed with Member Morrow and requested that staff provide administrative support but allow the process to take care of itself and allow LRC members to score numbers within prescribed guidelines.  Chairperson Tamez noted that the process has to be kept as clear as possible.

David Ledwitz, Management Analyst, responded that he would take these comments to heart and noted that he respects and encourages participation.  Mr. Ledwitz thanked Members Morrow, Julian, and Otis for their commitment to two days of intense review.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that approximately $10 million is available statewide annually to fund Section 5310 projects and further reported that in recent years the Bay Area has received approximately $1 million annually.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that this year four agencies requested funds for approximately 16 projects and noted that 12 of these projects are in the fundable level.  These projects will provide services to persons who might then not need to use OUTREACH thus enabling OUTREACH to provide service to persons not currently using its services.

Mr. Ledwitz thanked Outreach for actively working with staff in pursuing grant money for computer equipment.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) LRC met on March 4 and 5, 2003, to review the applicants of four agencies.  The recommended scores were sent to the MTC in Oakland in mid-March.  MTC has reviewed the projects and forwarded them to Caltrans.  Caltrans will forward the State Review Committees (SRC) recommended Program of Projects to the California Transportation Commission (CTC).  The list will be ready for the October 1, 2003 Federal budget to be funded when the Federal budget is approved.  Funding availability in the 5310 Program is an item of concern for all participants.  The lead-time before funding becomes available is 12 to 18 months.

Mr. Ledwitz noted that VTA and CTA played a critical role in the State 5310 Program.

Ex-officio Member Heatley noted that organizations applying for Section 5310 funding have to supply the local match.

On order of Chairperson Tamez,there being no objection, the Section 5310 Local Review Committee (LRC) Scoring Committee Update was received and filed.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that paratransit ridership decreased from the level of ridership recorded for third quarter of 2002.  There was a 5.1 percent decrease in total customer trips.  Average total weekend ridership declined 1.1 percent.  Mr. Ledwitz reported that no-shows have decreased over 21 percent and noted that the number of no-shows is key since no-shows delay schedules and place unnecessary vehicles on the road.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that complaints have increased 7.6 percent and compliments have increased 20 percent.  There was an increase in late rate reporting as more paratransit customers called OUTREACH to report late vehicles as a way to avoid no-shows.  No operational changes have been made that would impact the delivery of trips.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that net costs, (the total cost excluding capital minus revenue collected from fares and other revenues collected by OUTREACH) has decreased 13.1 percent in response to administrative and policy changes implemented to improve system efficiency.

The number of calls per weekday has declined to .8 percent.  The length of time spent per call has declined slightly.  Dispatch calls have increased 48 percent.  The average wait time has also increased.  In November 2002 the Board of Directors voted to increase the number of available subscription trips as a way to improve service efficiency.  Last year there was a ceiling of the number of subscription trips set at 1200 per day.  As of the third quarter of 2003 VTA is providing an average of 1313 subscription trips per day or 37.4 percent of total ridership.

Mr. Ledwitz reported that last year there were 330 individual incidences of pullouts with down lifts.  This year there were 48 individual incidences of pullouts with down lifts.  This figure is associated with bus inactivity, newer buses used and an increased number of low-floor vehicles used.

Mr. Tacké reported VTA has adjusted service so that there is no problem getting service on the road.

Mr. Tacké noted originally it was projected that paratransit would spend $40 million this year.  If ridership increases continue, the figure will come in closer to under $30 million.  Mr. Tacké stated that most of the savings realized comes from OUTREACH negotiating with its vendors, getting the best service for the best price and cuts in its administrative budget.

Member Morrow commended VTA and OUTREACH for continuing to think outside of the box.

Ex-officio Member Heatley thanked CTA for its support and stated that changes have taken place through the hard work of OUTREACH staff for the last 18 months.

Member Rhodes stated that calling of stops should be included in the Accessible Services Performance Report.

M/S/C (Naughten/Morrow) to provide information to the Board of Directors before the June 5, 2003 Board of Directors Meeting showing how much money OUTREACH has saved.

M/S/C (Rhodes/Naughten) to congratulate OUTREACH for all the hard work that it has done in savings for VTAs budget.

Natalie Wells, Associate Management Analyst, deferred the Legislative Updates in the interest of time and urgency so that Mr. Tacké could provide the Committee Staff Report.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Legislative Updates were deferred.

Mr. Tacké reported that OUTREACH would cut ten percent of staff effective July 1, 2003.  Staff is working with OUTREACH to encourage customers to schedule their own inter-county trips that require a transfer. 

Mr. Tacké reported that a presentation regarding the pouring of cement for the Guadalupe Retrofit Project would be agendized for the CTA Meeting of June 11, 2003.

Mr. Tacké reported that the software program and equipment for calling of stops would be tested, implemented, and in place by summer 2003.

Mr. Tacké stated that the CTA endorsed the service area with the proviso that a 12-month notice is provided, endorsed the minimum account balance, and specifically did not endorse curb-to-curb service.  Mr. Tacké reported that he is working on a fee for escort component of $1.50 per ride or one half of the one-way trip.  South County would be disproportionately impacted; therefore, a fee would be suggested for out-of-service area.  Mr. Tacké stated that he would report back to the CTA in July 2003 with the outcome.

Mr. Tacké introduced Edna Pampy, VTAs Accessible Services Departments first Senior Management Analyst.

Chairperson Tamez encouraged Members of CTA to attend the Board of Directors Meeting of June 5, 2003.

Member Eljas stated that if CTA Members were interested in visiting various Members of the Board of Directors, they should speak to her to arrange a visit.

Member Slack stated that he suggested to the Board of Directors at the Workshop held on April 25, 2003, that the issue of curb-to-curb service be voted on as a separate entity.

Chairperson Tamez stated that his sense is that the Board of Directors would not support curb-to-curb service.

Mr. Tacké stated that the option regarding service outside of the service area will be a proposed surcharge of approximately two times the one-way trip or $6.

Member Rhodes expressed concern that this option is too complicated.

There was no Chairpersons Report.

There were no Items of Concern and Referral to Administration.

There were no Announcements.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Judith Tinlin, Board Assistant

                                                VTA Board of Directors