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CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Kishimoto called the Regular Meeting of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) to order at 4:10 p.m. in Building A, Auditorium, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present
Mark Brodsky
Steve Glickman, Vice Chairperson
Armando Gomez
Yoriko Kishimoto, Chairperson
King Lear
Victor Ojakian
Greg Perry
Ron Swegles
Dolores Sandoval
Greg Sellers

Members Absent
Dominic Caserta
Joseph D. Hernandez
Breene Kerr
Norman Kline
Linda J. LeZotte
Al Pinheiro

A quorum was present. 

Orders of the Day

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto Agenda Item #11., Litter Removal and Landscape Maintenance Program Initial Study was deferred to a subsequent meeting.

Public Presentation

There were no Public Presentations.

Quarterly VTA Board of Directors Chairperson’s Report

VTA Board of Directors Chairperson Pirzynski provided a brief overview of 2005 VTA service milestones.   He reported that the Los Gatos Community Bus/Light Rail Shuttle made its debut on July 4, 2005, the Rapid Bus 522 Service operating on the
El Camino/Santa Clara/Alum Rock Corridor was introduced on July 5, 2005, and a 3.5 mile Vasona Light Rail Extension is scheduled to open on August 12, 2005. 

Board Chairperson Pirzynski reported that at the June 16, 2005 Board Meeting the Board directed staff to provide a new Quarter Cent Sales Tax Scenario to be used as means to inaugurate essential dialogue on how the region may be able to substantially deliver what was promised to the voters in 2000. He stated the Board’s direction to have the PAC review and provide comment on this new scenario prior to the Board Workshop Meetings which will be confirmed next week noting that the workshop meetings will likely take place in mid-September and mid-October.   Board Chairperson Pirzynski asked staff to forward those dates to PAC as soon as they were confirmed. 

Board Chairperson Pirzynski distributed a copy of a memo he sent to the Board of Directors.   Attached to the memo was a matrix that lists staff’s understanding of the underlying assumptions for the new proposed quarter cent sales tax scenario.  The memo asked Board members to review the assumptions to ensure they are correct and inclusive of the Board’s action on June 16, 2005.  

Board Chairperson Pirzynski asked the PAC to also review the matrix and to forward questions or comments to the Board Secretary. 

Board Chairperson Pirzynski announced that Michael Burns, VTA’s newly appointed General Manager will assume VTA responsibilities on August 22, 2005.   Currently, the Executive Director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Mr. Burns comes to VTA with 30 years of experience in transportation, has a proven track record in building alliance in highly-charged political arenas, and is well respected in the region for his success in leading a turnaround of the San Francisco Public Transportation Department (MUNI).   Board Chairperson Pirzynski further described Mr. Burns as having strong leadership skills, good relationships with labor and advocacy organizations, sound contract negotiating skills and a strong presence in the Bay Area transportation community.  During Mr. Burns’s tenure at MUNI, San Francisco voters passed Proposition E, which created a combined agency with multi-modal activities and established a stable funding source for MUNI.  Mr. Burns managed agencies’ functions that achieved gains in productivity such as increased on-time performance and reduced worker’s compensation claims. Mr. Burns has a strong relationship with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, is Chairperson of the Translink Management Group, and is active on the Caltrain JPB. 

In response to a question by Member Sandoval, Chairperson Pirzynski responded that plans to encourage High School Students to get out of their cars and use the Community Shuttle is one of many outreach programs being considered. 

Member Lear noted that his view on sales tax has always been related to small downtown businesses and stated that he would be more supportive of a sales tax if the State of California entered into a national agreement to tax all internet sales. 

Member Ojakian noted that Palo Alto accommodated their high school students with community bus service by reducing headways.

Chairperson Kishimoto asked if Board Chairperson Pirzynski would like to speak to the issue of the PAC Bylaws.  Board Chairperson Pirzynski asked PAC for their specific comments.

Member Ojakian questioned the Board of Directors’ decision requiring PAC Bylaws to reflect a majority of the total membership rather than a majority of those present to pass a vote.

Board Chairperson Pirzynski explained his affirmative vote to change the PAC Bylaws voting requirement to a majority of the total membership was due to his belief that an affirmative vote of a total membership truly reflects all 16 Member Agency positions.

Member Ojakian noted that it is atypical even in our democracy to have 100 percent of the people show up to vote on something.   He noted regarding representatives who choose not to attend he feels it is their responsibility.  He noted that to penalize the remainder of the membership seems unfair.  Board Chairperson Pirzynski restated that there is a weight that PAC has that is best communicated when as many communities are present at the table as possible.  He suggested that the Committee Members and the Committee Chairperson encourage all city representatives to attend the meetings and noted that each member has an alternate who can attend in their stead.  

Member Sandoval noted action taken by the Committee of the Whole earlier in the day to forward a recommendation to the Board of Directors regarding the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA’s) request to allow 9 members rather than a quorum (11), with a quorum present, to pass a vote as disability conditions often impact the member’s ability to participate in all committee meetings. 

Chairperson Kishimoto suggested that PAC’s recommendations be incorporated into staff presentation prior to Board discussion of an item.  She noted upon query from Board Chairperson Pirzynski that this is in addition to the PAC report at the beginning of each Board Meeting.

Chairperson Kishimoto noted that at the May 12, 2005 PAC Meeting there was committee discussion regarding city groupings and the way each city is connected through the city grouping to the Board of Directors.  She noted the importance that each representative to the Board of Directors be reminded that they represent the whole county, the city groupings, and their city.   It is important that each representative votes and represents their city grouping in a broad way.    She noted that it is up to each city and not the Board of Directors to determine how the city groupings choose their representatives.

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the Quarterly VTA Board of Directors Chairperson’s Report was received.

Committee Staff Report

Ann Jamison, Deputy Director of Congestion Management and Planning, introduced Scott Haywood and announced his promotion to Policy and Community Relations Manager for VTA. 

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

Chairperson’s Report

There was no Chairperson’s Report.

City Groupings Reports

There were no City Groupings Reports.

CONSENT

M/S/F (Perry/Ojakian) on a vote of 8 ayes to 0 nays to 2 abstentions to approve the Minutes of May 12, 2005.  Members Sandoval and Sellers abstained.

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

Long Term Transit Capital Investment Program

Chairperson Kishimoto suggested staff poll for an additional PAC Meeting prior to the proposed September Board of Directors Workshop to discuss the new Long Term Transit Capital Investment Program.        

Chairperson Kishimoto requested PAC Members review the memo provided by Board Chairperson Pirzynski and provide questions/comments to board.secretary@vta.org. 

Member Perry suggested members of the Sierra Club or the Transportation and Land Use Coalition be invited to the August 11, 2005 PAC meeting to provide a presentation regarding their views/alternate alternatives on the way projects can be phased/supported.

Member Ojakian asked if there is an opportunity to add some scenarios and what is the process to do that.  Chairperson Kishimoto noted that it is her understanding that the June 16, 2004 Board Meeting the Board directed staff to run a new quarter cent sales tax scenario on the current assumptions provided in the memo distributed by
Board Chairperson Pirzynski.

Vice Chairperson Glickman recognized that performing the task at hand which is to review the Long Term Transit Capital Investment Program and new quarter cent sales tax scenario based on the current assumptions provided in the memo distributed by Board Chairperson Pirzynski will be an overwhelming task and that entertaining additional scenarios for review is something that should be delayed until PAC has fulfilled the Boards’ direction.  

Members Sandoval and Swegles left the meeting at 5:25 p.m.

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the Long Term Transit Capital Investment Program was reviewed.

High Speed Regional Rail Update

Board Member Dean Chu noted that in 2000 the California High Speed Rail Commission determined that the Altamont Pass was not feasible as a High Speed Rail Alignment from an operational standpoint and therefore was not included in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) recently completed in October of 2005.   He reported that it has been suggested that the Altamont Pass be reconsidered and to that end will be included in the Supplemental EIR. 

Board Member Chu reported that a southern alignment would go through Pacheco Pass in or around Gilroy and proceed north stopping in San Jose.   The first phase would continue to San Francisco and in the second phase would add an additional line between San Jose and Oakland.   He reported that the first phase of an Altamont Pass Alignment would come through Altamont Pass to Union City where the line would be split with one line proceeding across San Francisco Bay via a new Rail Bridge and proceed north along the Peninsula to San Francisco with a feeder line to San Jose, a third line would later be added to proceed north to Oakland.  He noted that the High Speed Rail Commission felt  the initial stop in the Bay Area should be San Jose and then split up.  He reported that environmental impacts of the various proposed alignments will be addressed in the EIR.  He reported that VTA favors the southern alignment a because it fits into the goals of Caltrain Electrification and Grade Separation and a Silicon Valley High Speed Rail Coalition has formed in the last year to help promote the Southern Gateway Alignment.  

In response to a question from Member Perry, Board Member Chu reported that a group from the Henry Coe State Park where the Southern Gateway for High Speed Rail would pass wants to ensure that the Park remains untouched and that High Speed Rail would not travel north of Henry Coe State Park through the Diablo Range but instead go through a transit corridor (Pacheco Pass). The group is certain that by going with the Southern Alignment (Pacheco Pass) the Henry Coe State Park will remain untouched and that an Altamont Pass Gateway would present future challenges in the attempt to create a transit corridor through the Park or north.

Referring to Agenda Item #9., the Long Term Transit Capital Investment Program, Margaret Okuzumi, Bay Rail Alliance, distributed materials that explained viable alternative projects to the BART Extension that could create many more transit connections including BART.  

Regarding Agenda Item #10., High Speed Regional Rail Update, Ms. Okuzumi stated that there is a two-year Regional Rail Study underway to evaluate an Altamont Pass alignment for High Speed Rail. VTA is on the Steering Committee along with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), California High Speed Rail Authority, Caltrain, and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). 

Steve Van Pelt, Interested Citizen, expressed concern with projects being built over fault lines and urged preventative criteria be adopted for future projects.

Kevin Connolly, Transportation Planning Manager, and VTA’s Regional Rail Study Steering Committee representative reported that the study is funded by $6.0 million from Regional Measure 2.  The Study Management Team consists of the MTC, BART, Caltrain, and High Speed Rail.  The study will look at BART technology; conventional railroad based passenger systems, other high-speed segments, and rapid transit extensions of BART.  He reported that Light Rail transit has been specifically excluded from the study.  He reported that the scope of the study is being developed and should include electrification of the entire bay area network, high-speed rail alignments, governance issues, and land use connections.  The Steering Committee met for the first time in May of 2005 and the Committee will meet again in September 2005.

Member Swegles left the meeting at 5:50 p.m.

Member Perry asked if along with electrification will the study also look at increase in the frequency of transit lines.   Mr. Connolly stated that the study will look at future demand on three different levels of horizons; 5, 10, and 30 year and what it will take to meet the demand; what the capital investment is, what the operating issues are, and capacity issues.  

Member Brodsky asked if land use and high-speed rail integration connection points and connection points with existing service were being included in the study with the understanding that a destination (mini city) may need to be built.   He noted that moving cargo over rail and sorting out freight at a connection point rather than at individual ports would have a tremendous impact and should be looked at as a way to finance more rail. 

Member Perry noted that regarding regional rail there are trade lines that cross such as Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) passing under BART in Fremont.  He asked if the rail study include 380 degree connection points for existing rail systems and if so, what connections points are being discussed.    Mr. Connolly noted that the study will discuss all aspects including expansion and the existing network.  Mr. Connolly noted that currently the study does not include Fremont.

Mr. Glickman stated that even if the Altamont Pass is not deemed to be the ideal High Speed Rail Corridor it was noted that the Altamont Pass was in need of some service.  He asked if plans are included in the study to provide efficient commuter service in that area.  Kurt Evans, State and Federal Government Affairs Manager, responded that yes the long range plan being developed by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission on behalf of ACE and the Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority for the Capital Corridor City Rail Service include expanding levels of service for their systems.  He reported that $9 billion of the $10 billion proposed bond measure for high speed rail would fund the first phase of the high speed rail system and $900 million would be dedicated to upgrading other types of rail services such as community rail service and intercity rail service.

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the High Speed Regional Rail Update was received.

Litter Removal and Landscape Maintenance Program Initial Study

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the Litter Removal and Landscape Maintenance Program Initial Study was deferred to a subsequent meeting.

Committee Work Plan

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the Committee Work Plan was reviewed.

OTHER

Announcements

There were no Announcements. 

Adjournment

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara R. Box, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

NOTE:   M/S/F MEANS MOTION FAILED.

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