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CALLED TO ORDER at 4:11 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Members Present: Brodsky, Furtado, Kennedy, Kishimoto, Ojakian, Perry, Glickman, King

Members Absent: Caserta, Gartman, Kerr, Lear, Lezotte, Polanski, Walker, Sandoval

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

Committee Staff Report: The Committee of the Whole heard a report regarding SB 916 (Perata) which raises the tolls on all of the state-owned toll bridges in the Bay Area by $1 and will appear on the March 2, 2004 Primary Election ballot as Regional Measure 2.

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

The Committee of the Whole discussed the Draft Caltrain 2004-2023 Strategic Plan.

Staff distributed a Power Point Presentation of the Draft Caltrain Strategic Plan and a memorandum outlining VTA´s comments and concerns related to the Draft Caltrain 2004-2023 Strategic Plan.

The Committee of the Whole received a presentation of the Draft Caltrain Strategic Plan highlighting: Caltrain Guiding Principles, Service Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, Finance Plan, and Strategic Initiative.

The Draft Caltrain Strategic Plan offers four Scenario Choices for consideration: 1) No-Build (no service growth over 2004 levels), 2) Moderate Growth (implement service and capital improvements with projected financial resources), 3) Enhanced (meet future demand by providing high quality and frequent rail service), or 4) Build-Out (integrate Caltrain and High Speed Rail Network on a joint use corridor). It is Caltrain´s recommendation not to select one scenario but to view all the scenarios as part of a continuum. This approach will require flexibility, strong leadership and commitment, the packaging of capital projects wisely as work is expensive, tying capital improvements to service plans, tying service plans to productivity, market demand and financial ability, aligning program and funding availability, using both "Pay as You Go" and "Innovative Financing," long-term financial stability and additional funding over a 20-year period to realize future potential.

The Committee of the Whole requested that a high-speed rail representative provide an overview to the Committee if it looks certain that high-speed rail will be part of the November 2004 ballot.

The Committee of the Whole received an overview from VTA staff noting that the Continuum approach rather than Scenario Choice is preferred.

The Committee of the Whole expressed concern regarding support of the No-Build Scenario and suggested that PAC support the Enhanced Scenario.

Staff clarified that what is being recommended to the Board of Directors is support of a continuum of all future scenarios. Based on the current financial situation it is believed that the No-Build and Moderate Scenarios are supportable. The Enhanced and Build-Out Scenarios are not supportable at this time due to capital shortfall. The Committee of the Whole inquired if the Committee would be reviewing the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) and asked if that would be the time to prepare the Committee´s priorities.

Staff distributed the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP).

Staff noted that the Short Range Transit Plan will go before the Board of Directors in March 2004, and noted that the Valley Transportation Plan 2020 (VTP 2020) now known as the VTP 2030 Countywide Plan is in the process of being updated, keeping in mind current budget constraints, project prioritization is the next step.

The Committee of the Whole received the FY 2004 First Quarter Performance Report.

Staff provided a report highlighting: 1) vandalism and graffiti issues improved service-wide, 2) an increase in percent of service provided, 3) a 65 percent improvement in system reliability (miles between service calls), and 4) continued ridership decline system-wide as well as ACE, Caltrain, and Paratransit.

The Committee of the Whole received the Next Generation of State Highway Projects and Status of Current Corridor and Gateway Studies.

Staff noted that with the near completion of the Measure B Highway Program, identification and prioritization of the next generation of State Highway Projects is underway, included are I-880 Coleman Interchange Reconstruction and the Routes 152/156 Interchange.

Staff noted that projects in project development and ready for construction when funding becomes available are more likely to receive funding. The Board of Directors requested staff to conduct Corridor and Gateway Studies to assist in the project prioritization process. A complete list of Highway Projects will be presented to the Board of Directors for the development of a prioritization plan.

Staff noted that a Board Workshop is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2004, at 8:30 a.m. at the San Jose Hyatt Mediterranean Center, to review the projects list and potential funding.

The Committee of the Whole received the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report for October - December 2003.

Staff noted that technically all projects are doing well with the exception of the River Oaks Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge; more time is needed for environmental work and may delay the funding obligation.

OTHER

The Committee of the Whole received the Status of the Proposed VTA Board of Directors Restructuring Proposals.

Staff reported that the West Valley Mayors and Managers will be contacted at the end of January 2004 with a follow-up in February 2004 with the Northern and Southern Cities to ask if they would like to reformulate their city groupings.

Announcements

Noted that one half of the artwork on the sound-wall at Highway 101 in Mountain View has been installed upside down.