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CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Chairperson Tamez in Building A, Auditorium, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present

Jeannette Bruntz

Emma Eljas

David Grant

Katie Heatley (Ex-Officio)

Marjorie Jensen

David Julian

Martin Lasich

Laura Michels

Aaron Morrow

Maryjane Naughten

Frederico S. Orillaneda

Marian Otis

Barbara Rhodes

Thomas Slack

Barbara Stahl

Randy Tamez

Members Absent

Cynthia Aleman

Sandra Gouveia

Linda Gallo

Gerry James

A quorum was present.

M/S/C (Morrow/Slack) on a vote of 14 ayes to 0 noes to 1 abstention to approve the Minutes of November 12, 2003. Member Julian abstained.

The Agenda was taken out of order.

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

Joonie Tolosa, Senior Management Analyst, provided the Fiscal Year 2004 First Quarter Performance Report highlighting: 1) two fare increases and two service reductions during the last 18 months which affected ridership; 2) the percent of service provided improved, the percent of light rail pullouts on time significantly improved, and miles between chargeable accidents and miles between mechanical schedule losses improved.

Mr. Tolosa stated that ridership declined. Paratransit ridership declined on a fiscal year-to-date level for the first time since VTA implemented Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant paratransit service in 1997. Paratransit operating expenses declined. Mr. Tolosa stated that contracted services also experienced a decline in ridership with the exception of Caltrain Shuttles within Santa Clara County.

Mr. Tolosa reported that sales tax revenue collected was four percent lower than the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2003. Fare revenue was down 3.6 percent compared to last fiscal year.

Vice-Chairperson Grant requested an explanation of the cost of operating the transit system per total hour. Mr. Tolosa responded that the cost per hour of operating the transit system is the amount spent per hour system wide.

Member Jensen queried what additional sources of revenue have been pursued since sales tax revenue is down.

George Tacké, Accessible Services Manager and Staff Liaison, noted that an update regarding additional sources of revenue would be provided to the Committee. Mr. Tacké noted that VTA is borrowing against 2000 Measure A to expand service through June 30, 2005.

Member Slack queried the role the fare increase played in the decrease in ridership on bus and light rail. Mr. Tolosa responded that historically, a decrease in service, rather than a fare increase, directly impacts ridership.

Member Orillaneda queried whether steps have been taken to increase ridership. Mr. Tolosa responded that marketing efforts have been put in place to increase ridership.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Fiscal Year 2004 First Quarter Performance Report was received and filed.

Kermit Cuff, Transit Service Development Specialist III, reported that service changes represent a three percent service reduction as opposed to the proposed 21 percent service reductions.

Member Morrow applauded VTA for limiting service reductions and requested that VTA keep looking for ways to keep the level of service equitable around the County of Santa Clara.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the January 5, 2004 Service Changes were received and filed.

Mr. Tacké stated that the Nominating Committee met by telephone to discuss nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Mr. Tacké noted that anybody could nominate a Chairperson/Vice-Chairperson or him or herself.

Member Eljas reported that the Nominating Committee consisted of Members Eljas, Slack, and Stahl. The Committee had conference calls, talked individually and e-mailed one another regarding nominations. The Committee was unable to find a person who would accept the position of Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Members Stahl and Bruntz agreed to co-chair the Committee. However, the CTA bylaws do not provide for co-chairs. In order to have co-chairs, the CTA bylaws would need to be changed. Member Eljas reported that Vice-Chairperson Grant agreed to be nominated for Vice-Chairperson for the Year 2004.

Chairperson Tamez noted that the issue of changing CTA bylaws is not on today's Agenda and cannot be discussed. Chairperson Tamez recommended that the Committee request placement of the CTA bylaws on a future Agenda for review and to make changes.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Nominating Committee Report was received.

Chairperson Tamez opened nominations from the floor for Chairperson of the Committee for Transit Accessibility for the Year 2004.

Member Julian nominated himself as Chairperson of the CTA for the year 2004. Member Jensen nominated Member Otis as Chairperson of CTA for the year 2004 and Member Otis accepted the nomination. Member Naughten nominated Member Rhodes as Chairperson of CTA for the year 2004 and Member Rhodes declined.

The nominations for Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004 were closed.

M/S/C (Stahl/Morrow) to elect Member Julian as Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004.

No vote was taken to elect Member Otis as Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004.

Member Naughten queried whether Member Julian would be able to be Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004.  Member Julian responded that he would be able to attend every meeting as Chairperson for the Year 2004.

Chairperson Tamez opened nominations from the floor for Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for Transit Accessibility for the Year 2004.

Member Otis nominated herself as Vice-Chairperson for the CTA for the Year 2004. Vice-Chairperson Grant withdrew his acceptance to be nominated as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Member Slack nominated Member Bruntz as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004 and Member Bruntz declined. Member Bruntz nominated Member Stahl as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004 and Member Stahl accepted.

The nominations for Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004 were closed.

M/S/F (Naughten/Jensen) on a vote of 8 ayes to 0 noes to 7 abstentions to elect Member Otis as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Members Bruntz, Eljas, Grant, Rhodes, Slack, Stahl, and Tamez abstained.

M/S/F (Slack/Julian) on a vote of 10 ayes to 0 noes to 5 abstentions to elect Member Stahl as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Members Lasich, Naughten, Orillaneda, Otis, and Tamez abstained.

Mr. Tacké suggested that the two candidates state their reasons for accepting the nomination as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004.

Member Otis stated that she would strive for a degree of order and further stated that actions would parallel the CTA bylaws that have been slack during her membership on CTA. Member Otis stated that assisting leadership is where she has always excelled.

Member Stahl stated that her primary goal is to assist people in need of transportation in the area of accessibility. Member Stahl stated that she now has enough knowledge to contribute to the organization. Member Stahl stated that as a subcommittee of VTA, CTA needs to be heard and stated further that CTA has the power to make additions and changes.

M/S/F (Naughten/Julian) on a vote of 7 ayes to 0 noes to 8 abstentions to elect Member Otis as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Members Bruntz, Eljas, Grant, Orillaneda, Rhodes, Slack, Stahl, and Tamez abstained.

M/S/C (Slack/Jensen) on a vote of 11 ayes to 0 noes to 4 abstentions to elect Member Stahl as Vice-Chairperson of CTA for the Year 2004. Members Lasich, Naughten, Otis, and Tamez abstained.

OTHER

Member Rhodes reported that the MTC Elderly/Disabled Advisory Committee met on December 4, 2003. The Elderly/Disabled Advisory Committee strongly suggested a special line item for senior and disabled transportation. Staff did not agree with the suggestion. Member Rhodes reported that MTC is redoing its original ADA eligibility and stated that the report would be provided to the CTA.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Elderly/Disabled Advisory Committee Report was received.

M/S/C (Slack/Michels) to extend to Chairperson Tamez a vote of appreciation for his work over the past ten years.

Natalie Wells, Associate Management Analyst, provided information regarding SB 916 (Perata) which places a vote on the March 2004 ballot to increase bridge toll fares by $1.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Legislative Update was received.

Mr. Tacké reported that the first meeting of the CTA for the Year 2004 would be held on January 7, 2004.

Mr. Tacké noted that Customer Service has been provided training regarding paratransit identification cards including a picture of the identification card. The identification card as well as instructions are included in the official Coach Operators' Guide.

Mr. Tacké expressed appreciation to Chairperson Tamez for all of his work on behalf of CTA, VTA, and the community.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Committee Staff Report was received.

Member Julian announced that the Abilities Expo of 2004 would be held at Santa Clara Convention Center in November 2004.

Member Rhodes expressed concern that Take One should continue to be provided in the Agenda Packet and contained in accessible media.

Vice-Chairperson Grant requested clarification that the CTA Bylaws would be placed on the January 2004 Agenda. Chairperson Tamez stated that the CTA Bylaws would be placed on a future Agenda.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judith Tinlin, Board Assistant

VTA Board of Directors

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

NOTE:M/S/F MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED.