Related Links

Agenda Item # 8

BOARD MEMORANDUM

Memorandum

Attached is a summary of my comments to the VTA Board of Directors at last week’s Board Meeting where I introduced my initiatives for 2006 as Chairperson. Working with the strategy of Full Participation, Full Information, we have committed to being fully engaged with our Board, our Advisory Committees and our stakeholders.

I am very excited about being the VTA Board Chairperson this year and having an opportunity to work with all of you. This will be a great year for us!

This year provides many opportunities and challenges as we work to make our valley’s transit system continue to improve its quality of service and meet the diverse needs of our riders and residents. In an effort to ensure that we begin this year in a collaborative spirit with everyone on the same page, I have worked closely with General Manager Michael Burns to discuss initiatives we can pursue as a team. Under the theme Full Participation, and Full Information we seek to improve how VTA conducts its business. We have identified three initiatives we feel will best help VTA achieve this goal. The following is a summary of the initiatives outlined in my comments last Thursday night at our Board meeting.

Financial and Organizational Assessment

I presented this initiative to my colleagues last year and was met with enthusiasm and excitement. We decided, however, it would be most valuable to wait until our new General Manager was on board. From a financial and organizational assessment we will pursue a basic review of our resources including an analysis of our methods and forms of reporting. The assessment will evaluate business practices and staffing levels, it will analyze industry best practices and assess applicability to VTA.

This year we will develop benchmarks to measure our progress. This is an opportunity to identify cost savings as well as make certain that we are using the dollars we have in the most expeditious manner. It is our goal to maximize VTA’s ability to provide services to our communities.

Staff will come back to the Board of Directors in 90 days with a Request for Qualifications for this type of assessment along with a timeline that illustrates when the Board can expect to see the results of the audit.

Advisory Committee and Board Relationships

This second initiative will increase the value of communication as it relates to Advisory Committee and Board relationships. Many of us have not felt our conversations at the Board level or even at the Committee level were deep enough and at times have felt we were not getting all the information necessary to weigh a decision. The Committees are a valuable resource and an important part of the Board’s decision-making process.

Michael Burns and I have discussed a number of strategies to increase effectiveness of our Advisory Committees and to improve communication at all levels and he has agreed that his goal by the end of the year is to have full participation and buy-in from all the committees, especially the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that has been significantly underutilized. At the February Advisory Committee meetings each Advisory Committee agenda will evaluate communication and how their experience as participants is working. Based on that feedback, we will quickly take steps to address any concerns that arise.

We will also start the process of working with the chairpersons of each advisory committee to develop work plans that will create agendas that are meaningful and productive.

Legislative Advocacy

State Infrastructure Bond

Governor Schwarzenegger is working to put an immense state infrastructure bond on the ballot in June. Our immediate action is very important because VTA and Santa Clara County have to be well positioned to take advantage of any opportunities to be included in this proposed bond.

To accomplish this I am appointing a committee composed of three Board Members, three representatives from private business, labor and community groups that are engaged in infrastructure development and three VTA staff members, one of whom is the General Manager. Board Members Campos, Gage and Kerr have agreed to serve on this committee. Staff will forward to you the committee composition once we have determined representatives from the community.

I would like this committee to meet at least once and develop a list of priorities and give the Board feedback through the committee process and through informational memos. I would like a report back at the January workshop meeting. I cannot stress enough the importance of the timing of this committee given the Governor’s recent budget announcement and other fast approaching bond measures. This committee will allow VTA to take better advantage of these opportunities.

Advocacy Firms

It is also important to evaluate VTA’s existing contractual relationships with advocacy firms in Washington DC and in Sacramento. It is in our interest that these firms operate at the optimal level to ensure that VTA’s high standards are met and the full weight and resources of these levels of government are brought to bear for the residents of this valley. Our current contracts with both our lobbyists will expire at the end of this year and staff will initiate the competitive process for these services.

Moving Forward

I am very excited about being the VTA Chairperson this year and having the opportunity to work with all of you as we pursue our strategy of Full Participation, Full Information. Together, we can continue to make our high quality of service even better.

If you would like to offer any feedback or have any questions, I encourage you to contact me or General Manager Michael Burns.

cc: VTA Advisory Committees

Click here to return to the Board Agenda Index