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CALLED TO ORDER at 1:08 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Members Present: Eljas, Gallo, Grant, Heatley (Ex-Officio), Marcillet, Michels, Morrow, Naughten, Nguyen, Rhodes

Members Absent: Bruntz, Gouveia, Jensen, Julian, Lasich, Slack, Stahl

A quorum was not present and a Committee of the Whole was declared.

On general consensus, there being no objection, the Committee of the Whole elected Member Rhodes as Chairperson Pro Tempore.

INTRODUCTION OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS

The Committee of the Whole received introductions from the audience including: Sheri Fisher, Elaine Baltao, and David Ledwitz, VTA Accessible Services; Jacqueline Golzio, VTA Board Office; Belle Pannu, VTA Human Resources; Steve Johnston, VTA Operations; Michelle Garza, VTA Board Office; and Edna Pampy, VTA Accessible Services.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Emma Eljas, Interested Citizen, queried about what staff is doing to address the issues related to the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process. 

Aaron Morrow, Interested Citizen, inquired about the Accessible Services Manager and General Manager positions and processes to fill. 

Barbara Rhodes, Interested Citizen, requested staff send this information via e-mail to the Committee Members.      

The Committee of the Whole deferred the Minutes of November 10, 2004. 

The Committee of the Whole deferred the Minutes of December 8, 2004. 

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

The Committee of the Whole deferred the Election of Chairperson for the Committee for Transit Accessibility for the year 2005.

The Agenda was taken out of order.

The Committee of the Whole discussed developing a work plan and list of top five transit service issues for 2005.

The Committee of the Whole suggested the Committee consider reviewing and amending the CTA Bylaws to address the issues regarding a quorum and voting.

The Committee of the Whole expressed concern regarding the absence of a quorum and the inability to conduct Committee business.

The Committee of the Whole deferred the Election of Vice Chairperson for the Committee for Transit Accessibility for the year 2005.

The Committee of the Whole requested volunteers from the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) to serve on the Securement Implementation Committee.

The Committee of the Whole expressed concern regarding the lack of Member participation on the Securement Implementation Committee.

INTRODUCTION OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS (continued)

The Committee of the Whole received introduction from Terry Applegate, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center.

(continued) The Committee of the Whole requested volunteers for the appointment of five Members from CTA to serve on the Securement Implementation Committee.

The Committee of the Whole restated the request for five volunteers to serve on the Securement Implementation Committee.  Members Morrow, Rhodes, and Nguyen volunteered to serve.

The Committee of the Whole suggested staff work with Paratransit OUTREACH to schedule transportation for the CTA Members to the Securement Implementation Committee meetings.

(continued) The Committee of the Whole discussed developing a work plan and list of top five transit service issues for 2005.

The Committee of the Whole expressed concern regarding the lack of adequate Member participation in the discussion to develop a work plan and list of top five transit service issues for 2005.

Committee Staff Report:   Heard a report relating to the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modifications information.  Staff noted that a summary of the information obtained from community meetings is scheduled to be presented at the February 9, 2005 CTA Meeting.  Staff noted the advertising and noticing of the following three additional community meetings: January 20, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. held at the Mountain View City Hall, January 24, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. held at the Gilroy City Hall, and January 25, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. held at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.  Staff noted the addition of a mailing to 300 community organization resources and to recertification applications regarding a notice of the community meetings. 

The Committee of the Whole expressed concern about not having received a notice in the mail about the community meetings.

Ms. Applegate suggested that comments from individuals who have completed the recertification process be included with the information collected at the community meetings.

The Committee of the Whole suggested that the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings advertisement and notices should be distributed on VTA bus and light rail service for customer information.     

The Committee of the Whole expressed concern and noted the advertising and noticing of the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings is ineffective.    

The Committee of the Whole suggested providing the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings information on the Paratransit OUTREACH Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System.  Staff noted that the meeting information will be provided to Paratransit OUTREACH to be entered into their IVR System. 

The Committee of the Whole suggested providing the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings information on the VTA Customer Service IVR System.  Staff noted that the request to include the community meetings information in VTA Customer Service IVR System will be forwarded for consideration.  Staff noted the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings was noticed in VTA Take One Brochure, which are distributed on VTA bus and light rail services.

The Committee of the Whole recommended VTA staff provide the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings presentation at Senior/Disable organization agencies.  Staff requested that Committee Members identify five Senior/Disable organization agencies to conduct the presentation regarding the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modifications.  Staff added that the goal of staff and the Committee is to work and communicate collectively and collaboratively in a positive manner.  

Members Naughten and Nguyen left their seats at 2:02 p.m.

OTHER

The Committee of the Whole received the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Elderly/Disabled Advisory Committee Report.

Ex-Officio Member Heatley left her seat at 2:05 p.m.

(continued) The Committee of the Whole discussed developing a work plan and list of top five transit service issues for 2005.

Ex-Officio Member Heatley took her seat at 2:08 p.m.

Ex-Officio Member Heatley and Member Morrow left their seats at 2:09 p.m.

Member Nguyen took her seat at 2:10 p.m.

Committee Staff Report(continued)

The Committee of the Whole requested a flip chart with comments received from the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process proposed Modification community meetings.

Ex-Officio Member Heatley and Member Morrow took their seats at 2:12 p.m.

(continued) The Committee of the Whole discussed developing a work plan and list of top five transit service issues for 2005.

The Committee of the Whole recommended the following items be placed on the work plan: Youth and Senior/Disable fares, Fixed Route and Paratransit Service, Driver Training, Calling Out Stops, Operator Sensitivity Training, Fixed Route and Paratransit Fares, Scheduling, Paratransit Scheduling, and Customer Service complaint issues.

The Committee of the Whole entertained extensive discussion regarding the development of a work plan and a list of top five transit service issues for 2005.

Member Marcillet left his seat at 2:35 p.m.

The Committee of the Whole requested that staff provide a flow chart diagram regarding the steps related to the process regarding Customer Service complaint issues being addressed.

Ms. Applegate expressed her concern regarding lack of operator sensitivity training.

Member Marcillet took his seat at 2:37 p.m.

The Committee of the Whole recommended that staff obtain a copy of the Santa Clara County sensitivity etiquette handbook and utilize the information in operating training sessions.

The Committee of the Whole received the CTA Transit System Ridership Report.

The Committee of the Whole noted that the low-floor vehicles are in poor working condition.  The Committee of the Whole expressed concern regarding the issues related to the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Identification Card and operators unaware of the PCA fare policy.

The Committee of the Whole discussed developing a work plan and list of top five transit service issues for 2005. (continued)

The Committee of the Whole requested training material from NovaCare and Orthopaedic Hospital.  Staff advised that NovaCare and Orthopaedic Hospital are being scheduled to provide a presentation regarding their training.

The Committee of the Whole received Legislative Updates.

The Committee of the Whole requested a hard copy of the Legislative Updates be provided to CTA Members and noted that the Legislative Updates information is available on the VTA website.  

Committee Staff Report:   Heard a report relating to the Paratransit Eligibility Certification interview scheduling average wait timeframe is a couple of days at both interview facilities; and noted that accessible formatting training classes have been conducted for VTA staff as part of on-going training.

The Committee of the Whole thanked and expressed appreciation for the effort.  

The Committee of the Whole requested a hard copy of the accessible formatting training manual be provided to CTA Members and requested that CTA Members attend and participate in the accessible formatting training.  

The Committee of the Whole requested that the CTA Bylaws be placed on the CTA February Agenda.

Chairperson’s Report

There was no Chairperson’s Report.

Announcements

There were no Announcements.

ADJOURNED at 3:02 p.m.