A quorum was present.

Orders of the Day

There were no Orders of the Day.

Public Presentation 

Jerry Grace, Interested Citizen, extended his best wishes to General Manager,
Michael T. Burns.

Committee Staff Report

Michael T. Burns, General Manager, noted this is his seventh week with VTA and thanked the Committee for its time.  He gave a brief overview of his background information.  Mr. Burns noted his four immediate goals for VTA: 1) improving working relationships with all stakeholders, 2) build ridership, 3) build financial stability, and 4) deliver projects in sales tax measures.  Mr. Burns noted that he looks forward to working within the committee structure and to better communicate with the Committee on an ongoing basis. His paramount goal remains providing the best transportation services possible for Santa Clara County.

Self-introductions of all Committee Members were made, and Chairperson Kishimoto thanked Mr. Burns for his time and interest on behalf of the Committee and noted that the Committee looks toward a productive working partnership.

Member Perry stated that in politically awkward situations he hopes that more concise answers could be given to the Committee from staff.  Mr. Burns assured that staff strives to answer the Committee’s concerns.

Member Kerr inquired when staff was given direction to develop the new scenario.
Mr. Burns noted the direction came from the Board of
Directors Workshop Meeting September 16, 2005.  He reported VTA Scenario is going out to all Advisory Committees, Standing Committees, and the Board of Directors for comments and recommendations.  Member Kerr expressed concern that VTA remain a leader with environmental issues.

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

Committee Staff Report

Carolyn M. Gonot, Chief Development Officer, noted Vasona Light Rail had a well-attended grand opening.  Preliminary ridership numbers and marketing strategies will  return to the Committees November.

Irene Hsu, Partnership USA, gave a brief overview of the RIDE Task Force, its goals, and objectives to the Committee.   The RIDE Task Force received Board approval
September 2005 and the first meeting will be held at San Jose City Hall, Room W-120, Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., and everyone is invited.  Board Members Nora Campos and Jamie Matthews will serve as Co - Chairs for the Task Force.
Matthew O. Tucker, Chief Operations Officer, serves as the staff liaison for the Task Force.  Updates from the Task Force will return to PAC for comments and recommendations. 

Chairperson’s Report

Chairperson Kishimoto suggested and recommended that Committee Members interested in serving on the 2006 PAC Nominating Committee contact her by e-mail. 

City Grouping Report

There was no City Grouping Report.

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

(Removed from the Consent Agenda and Placed on the Regular Agenda.)

Approve the Minutes of September 8, 2005.

(Removed from the Consent Agenda and Placed on the Regular Agenda.)

Review and recommend that the Board of Directors approve the 2005 Santa Clara

County Congestion Management Program (CMP).

Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report for July to September 2005

M/S/C (Brodsky/Caserta) to receive and file the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report for July to September 2005.

Minutes of September 8, 2005

Member Brodsky queried about the PAC Minutes of September 8, 2005, and referenced his letter dated September 27, 2005, sent to Chairperson Pirzynski and forwarded to the PAC.   be included into the record. 

             There was no action taken on this item.

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

Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report for July to September 2005

Member Brodsky referenced the maps on Page 2-15 and 2-16, and J-11.  Member Brodsky noted that with the loss of jobs in the area the maps illustrate fundamental traffic patterns of congestion in areas where people wish to live.  Member Brodsky noted the traffic patterns indicate a north - westerly route pattern and suggested a subway in San Jose is not needed.

Member Kishimoto noted appendix J-12 and brought the Committee’s attention to the modal split, and the difference in ridership between 1997 and 2020. The figures rise from 2.04 percent in 1997 to 2.54 percent in 2020.   Staff stated an updated table will include Measure A Projects and will be e-mailed to members, and will include 2030 projections. Member Brodsky noted that a multi-modal formula be provided for calculating the data. 

M/S/F (Ojakian/Caserta) to recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the 2005 Santa Clara County Congestion Management Program (CMP).

Recommended VTA Quarter – Cent Sales Tax Scenario

Kurt Evans, Government Affairs Manager, provided an overview of staff recommended VTA Quarter - Cent Sales Tax Scenarios for the 2000 Measure A Program that establishes a 30 - year, quarter cent local sales tax supporting operations and construction of 2000 Measure A projects.   The Board of Directors reviewed three quarter cent sales tax scenarios at the September 16, 2005 Workshop Meeting.  The current plan brings BART to San Jose in 2015, the second scenario submitted by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) Poll includes a 30 - year tax with a Pavement Management Program, and the third scenario brings BART to Silicon Valley by 2018.  The scenarios are presented for the Committee's comments and recommendations, returning that input to the Board of Directors at the November 3, 2005 Meeting.  At the Board Workshop
Meeting of September 16, 2005, the Board considered the PAC recommendations and directed staff to meld together run five and six into a VTA Scenario.  Feedback was received from the PAC, Technical Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors, and community stakeholders to develop a scenario for Board consideration and adoption. 

Jack Collins, Chief Construction Officer, presented an overview of the VTA Quarter
Cent Sales Tax Scenario and referenced Attachment 1: VTA 2000 Measure A Transit Program in the Board Memorandum.   The total revenues projected over the 30 - year program are $19.6 billion.  The model year has been moved from 2025 to 2030 increasing ridership numbers, also increasing the number of vehicles needed for the program from 106 to 166, and the need for additional parking spaces.  The additional costs have been factored into the VTA Scenario.  The BART project is scheduled no later then 2018. 

The light rail extension to Eastridge is scheduled for completion in 2019.   The Santa Clara/Alum Rock Line will either be Enhanced Bus or single - car light rail and completed by 2035.  Eastridge to Neiman is included in the Completion Plan.  Three items are projected for the Caltrain service upgrade: 1) South County,
2) Improvements/Electrification, and 3) Service upgrades.  Moving electrification from
Tamien to Gilroy is included in the Completion Program.  Union Pacific Railroad owns all tracks south of Tamien and negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad are projected. 

Dumbarton Rail has been moved up, consistent with plans to open Dumbarton Rail service by 2011.  Mr. Collins noted that Bus Rapid Transit service between Sunnyvale and Cupertino is scheduled by 2021.  The initial San Jose Mineta Airport People Mover includes a premium non-stop service from the future Santa Clara BART Station to the airport terminals.  Pavement management and county expressways, bicycle and pedestrian programs are new items to the scenario and proposed by the
SVLG.  A local streets and roads program of approximately $10 million dollars a year is proposed.  VTA proposes an increase in overall service from 12.4 percent to 24 percent by 2020.  Senior and disabled programs will increase.

Member Kerr inquired as sales tax is increased, are some of the operating dollars going to Caltrain.  Mr. Collins noted that the annual operating costs for Caltrain are shared and there is a capital contribution for the whole system.

The recommended VTA Scenario maintains Operating Reserves at the Board - adopted policy of 15 percent.  This Scenario has a positive ending balance of $387 million subject to a new quarter cent local sales tax being passed in November 2006.

Member Sandoval noted that she is pleased that some priorities of the PAC are incorporated into the scenarios, and line 23 will benefit Cupertino.  Member Kline noted that at the Board Workshop he was pleased that the Committee's input was mentioned.   Cost analysis issues are a paramount interest.

Member Kerr stressed some operating revenues should be spent to increase our subsidy on Caltrain.  Member Caserta noted that he agrees with the scenarios, dollars for local government, bicycle and pedestrian and, county expressways, and he favors the 30 - year sunset.  Member Brodsky commended staff for demonstrating an initial phase as well as completion phase data on the project.  Member Brodsky queried in regards to the BART tunnel how much could be saved if this project is pushed into the completion stage and out of the initial stage and how it would impact the dynamics of the project in dollars.

Member Glickman noted that Los Gatos is enthusiastic about the light rail regarding the connectivity whether it connects with BART or Caltrain.   Member Glickman is pleased with the Vasona Light Rail Corridor, welcomes the free commuter buses, and the Zero Emission Bus Demonstration Program in the near future.  Member Glickman noted he has some apprehension looking ahead 30 years in the future with the advent of rapidly changing technology. 

Alternate Member Ojakian queried if the first five line items constitute 75 percent of the costs in Attachment 1.  Member Ojakian queried that the Measure A timeline indicates that other projects besides BART were back loaded into the funding.  Mr. Collins noted that Caltrain and Dumbarton Rail are not back loaded and are competing at the same time for the same dollars as BART.  With the assumption that services will be increased and that is the premise of asking the voters for the quarter cent sales tax.

Member Perry queried that the $2.5 billion for the BART subsidy assumes 64 percent farebox recovery and if farebox revenues dip that subsidy goes down and vice versa.  Mr. Collins noted that BART farebox recovery has been running fairly consistent.  Mr. Collins noted that the whole system is averaged for BART.  Member Perry queried if the ridership projections for the forth station extension are based on the (MTC) model.  Ms. Gonot advised it was based on a 1996 MTC model.  Member Perry queried if farebox recovery projections and ridership estimates are incorrect for the BART extension is this a linear issue.  Mr. Collins noted the subsidy would make up the difference.  Member Perry noted if lines 13, 14 and 15 are added together and the total is reduced by 10 percent would those projects still be completed.  Ms. Gonot advised that the recommendations remain with the Board.  Member Perry queried about the status of the 100 percent federal funding assumption for the Zero Emission Bus Program and if there has been response from the federal government. 
Mr. Tucker responded that the grant program and the Zero Emission Bus Program have moved to an alternate program.  Member Perry expressed concern that other transit needs in the county are not over-looked and that Caltrain receives the same high priority as BART. 

Member Pinheiro expressed concern that South County may not support the quarter cent sales tax.  Member Sellers noted South County concerns are to extend the ridership study to Caltrain and if a reverse commute service is viable in the future looking toward the development of Coyote area.  Member Sellers favors the premium People Mover and queried about county expressway assumptions.  Member Kishimoto suggested that VTA apply the multi - modal model to the Measure A Expenditure Plan.  Member Kishimoto noted that ridership figures should aim for a greater number for ridership projections to justify the $19.50 billion cost of the program.  Member Kishimoto expressed concern with the 10 percent cut for Caltrain and asked staff for updated numbers for Caltrain.

Jerry Grace, Interested Citizen, noted that he enjoys riding BART.

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed and forwarded recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding proposed VTA Scenario for the 2000 Measure A Transit Program.

Comprehensive Operations Analysis Overview

The Comprehensive Operations Analysis Overview was deferred.

Caltrain Measure A Priorities Study

The Caltrain Measure A Priorities Study was deferred.

Review the Committee Work Plan. 

The Committee Work Plan was deferred.

Announcements

There were no Announcements

Adjournment

On order of Chairperson Kishimoto, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,             

Jacqueline F. Golzio, Board Assistant

VTA Board of Directors