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CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) was called to order at 1:10 p.m. by Chairperson Julian in Building A, Auditorium, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present
Cynthia Aleman
Jeannette Bruntz
Linda Gallo
Sandra Gouveia
David Grant
Katie Heatley (Ex-Officio)
David Julian
Laura Michels
Aaron Morrow
Maryjane Naughten
Frederico S. Orillaneda
Marian Otis
Barbara Rhodes
Thomas Slack
Barbara Stahl

Members Absent
Emma Eljas
Martin Lasich
Marjorie Jensen

A quorum was present.

INTRODUCTION OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS

Received introductions from the audience including: David Ledwitz, Edna Pampy, and Natalie Wells, VTA Accessible Services; Michelle Garza, Office of the Board Secretary; Carolyn Grattan-Aiello, Human Resources; and Robin Anderson, Interested Citizen.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Anderson expressed concern regarding operators calling out stops, inoperable annunciators at transfer points, and operators using cell phones while operating the bus.

Chairperson Julian noted an observation of operators using cell phones while operating the bus.

The Committee stated that the issue of global positioning has been discussed several times and noted that the Committee has waited for a report and demonstration regarding global positioning. The Committee requested a full report regarding calling of stops, the annunciator, and global positioning be included in the February 11, 2004, Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) Agenda.

The Committee stated that annunciators should be unable to be turned off, but forced in the "on" position while the coach is moving and passengers are on board.

Chairperson Julian requested that these issues be addressed at the February 11, 2004 CTA Agenda.

Minutes of December 10, 2003

Committee Member stated that comments regarding January 5, 2004 Service Changes were not included in the Minutes though another Committee Members comments were included.

Committee Members discussed the procedure of Minutes of the CTA Meeting including how corrections are handled.

Committee Members were instructed that if they state that they would like a statement noted for the recorded that said statements would be a part of the record.

M/S/C (Morrow/Gouveia) to approve the Minutes of December 10, 2003.

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

Local Review Committee (LRC) Appointments

David Ledwitz, Management Analyst, stated that each year, VTA requests that the CTA appoint Committee Members to serve as the Local Review Committee (LRC) to evaluate and rank Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program Project applications submitted by Santa Clara County non-profit agencies.

The applications are completed by social service agencies within the County in order to receive funding to purchase vehicles and equipment.

Mr. Ledwitz stated that the Section 5310 Program are Federal funds administered by the State. Mr. Ledwitz noted that three members of CTA are needed to volunteer to serve two days, for approximately six hours per day to review from three to five applications. Mr. Ledwitz noted that persons who work at agencies preparing applications may not serve on the Evaluation Committee and further noted that volunteers need to complete a State of California Form 700 that states that he/she does not have any economic interest in the process.

Mr. Ledwitz stated that as soon as applications are complete, they would be sent to members of the Local Review Committee (LRC) via overnight courier.

Chairperson Julian and Members Morrow and Otis volunteered to serve as the Local Review Committee (LRC) to evaluate and rank Fiscal Year 2004-05 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program project applications. Member Orillaneda volunteered to serve as an alternate member on the LRC.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Eligibility and Appeals Program Information

Edna T. Pampy, Senior Management Analyst, reported that based upon a request of the CTA, a summary of operations of the Eligibility and Appeals Program for July through November 2003 has been included in the Agenda packet as Attachment A. The broad categories of the Attachment include visual disabilities, cognitive disabilities, physical disabilities, and combinations thereof to include seven categories Ms. Pampy reported that 1,304 new and re-certifying applicants were interviewed and of that number, 35 were denied paratransit eligibility. Ms. Pampy noted that initially there were denials in the visual disability category. After review by a Review Processor, the denials were overturned. One denial was also overturned in the visual and physical category.

Ms. Pampy stated that 16 of the 35 denied submitted appeals. NovaCare conducted seven appeals using functional assessments, overturning four and upholding three of the eligibility denials.

George Tacké, Accessible Services Manager and Staff Liaison, stated that it was explained to NovaCare that there is no circumstance where a blind individual is to be denied at least some level of service.

Committee Members expressed concern regarding: 1) marketing of the brochure regarding VTA's accessible transit service, 2) decrease in the number of persons applying for paratransit services and the related number of persons disqualifying themselves, 3) reports sent to VTA Board of Directors and VTA Committees before being reviewed by CTA, (4) considerable money would have been saved if the eligibility process had been provided by OUTREACH), 5) accessible restrooms at the Mountain View facility, 6) the length of time it took to receive the report, 7) necessity of providing assistance to applicants when completing the application an/or appeal process, and 8) complete report is necessary regarding a motion made at the November 12, 2003 Meeting regarding a recommendation for detailed monthly reports in accessible format regarding the application process as well as complete reports for all requests made by the Committee.

Mr. Tacké noted that concerns expressed and statistically reliable projections would be addressed in reports which would be provided in the February 11, 2004 Agenda Packet. Mr. Tacké further stated that staff may not be able to accommodate the request for a monthly report to include applications sent out, applications received, expenses including the cost of eligibility vendor and ratios of costs per certification of applicants on a monthly basis. Mr. Tacké noted that a comprehensive report would be provided at the Meeting of February 11, 2004 that would answer questions and further noted that staff would provide historical comparisons.

Regarding the Report, Committee Members requested: 1) the cost of processing a new applicant, 2) that there be a distinction in the report between new applicants and re-certifying applicants, 3) that historical data be provided, and 4) a cost comparison on each level between OUTREACH and NovaCare.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Eligibility and Appeals Program Information was received and filed.

CTA Bylaws Report

Mr. Tacké reported that there has been an on-going evaluation of the Committee structure including size, location, and the public address system. Mr. Tacké noted the resignation of several CTA Members. Presently, there are 16 Members and 1 Ex-Officio. Mr. Tacké stated that he has been working with Executive Management and the Office of the Board Secretary to consider reduction in the size of the Committee.

Mr. Tacké stated that he would like to reduce the Committee size to 15 Members plus 1 Ex-Officio Member. Mr. Tacké further stated that Committee Meetings could return to Room B-104 and eliminate the need for the public address system that would save $6,000 or $7000 annually. Mr. Tacké requested feedback from the Committee and stated that he would return to the Committee in February 2004 with a written report.

Mr. Tacké stated that if the Committee would like to consider the issue of co-chairpersons, it needs to be a part of the Bylaws and further stated that the Committee might want to review the Bylaws to see if there are any other changes it would like to make.

Committee Members expressed concern regarding: 1) decreasing the size of the Committee, 2) time limitations, and 3) absences at CTA meetings.

M/S/F (Slack/Otis) on a vote of 3 ayes to 11 abstentions to recommend that a Committee of CTA Members be formed to review the entire Bylaws and make recommendations. Members Bruntz, Gouveia, Grant, Michels, Morrow, Naughten, Orillaneda, Rhodes, Stahl, and Julian abstained.

Committee Members encouraged the issue co-chairpersons, suggested that Members need time to consider changes to the Bylaws, requested that the Bylaws be included in the February 11, 2004 CTA Agenda, and further requested that the Bylaws be discussed as the first or second item on the February 11, 2004 Agenda.

Chairperson Julian stated that the size of the Committee and the issue of co-chairpersons would be a part of the February 11, 2004 Agenda.

Mr. Tacké stated that the CTA determines the amount of time spent on each Agenda item.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the CTA Bylaws Report was received.

OTHER

Legislative Updates

There were no Legislative Updates.

Committee Staff Report

Mr. Tacké reported that Natalie Wells,

Mr. Tacké stated that an update on the Advanced Communication System (ACS) Project would be provided. Mr. Tacké reported that the Quarterly Accessible Services Report and a comprehensive Paratransit Improvement Plan Project update would be brought to the Committee at the Meeting of February 11, 2004.

Mr. Tacké stated that he was asked by the Office of the Board Secretary to request that Members respond to polling for CTA Meetings.

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

Chairperson's Report

Chairperson Julian stated that each Committee Member would be heard once regarding an issue before speaking again to the same issue.

Announcements

Committee Member expressed concern for the need of tokens for the use of the disabled community.

ADJOURNMENT

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 2:50 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.