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Orientation presentation from VTA Executive Staff
Mr. Lawson presented a brief report of VTA’s organizational overview and introduced the chief officer of each department. Mr. Lawson noted the powerpoint presentation would provide PAC the information on VTA’s organizational and divisional operations.
Suzanne Gifford, General Counsel, advised that the Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice to all divisions and departments, and assists divisions to achieve their goals by providing legal service and advice.
Mr. Lawson reported the Office of the General Manager is responsible for Board support, policy development, strategic planning, inter-governmental and business relations. He noted the goals of the Office of the General Manager include increasing ridership, maintaining financial stability, improving relationships, and to deliver capital programs. Mr. Lawson advised PAC there are no significant budget changes in the department.
Matthew O. Tucker, Chief Operations Officer, gave an overview of the Operations Division highlighting ridership increases, productivity improvements, the Los Gatos Community Bus, Rapid Line 522, Vasona Light Rail opening, and the Zero Emission Bus Pilot Program.
Mr. Tucker noted the proposed goals for the Operations Division including: ridership initiatives, reducing costs, improved customer service, comprehensive Operations Analysis, and investment in employees. He indicated that the major budget change in the Operations Division is due to the increase of diesel fuel cost.
Jack Collins, Chief Construction Officer, reported on the recent completed accomplishments in the Construction Division including: Vasona Light Rail (ahead of schedule), Highway 880 widening, landscaping, 152 Phase B1, and Highway 85 Noise Mitigation.
Mr. Collins listed the goals slated for completion by the Construction Division including: River Oaks Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge, Preliminary Engineering (PE) for Silicon Valley Rapid Transit, PE for Capital Expressway, Coleman/880 Interchange Project, 85/101 (N) Interchange Project, 17 Auxiliary Lanes from Hamilton Avenue to Camden Avenue, Route 87 North (HOV), 152 B2, Commence construction of the Downtown San Jose Platform Retrofit Project, Commence construction of 152/156 improvement Project, Commence construction of landscaping for 85/101 North and Coleman/880 Interchange, and noted that major budget changes are due to staffing reductions.
Mr. Collins noted Caltrain has acquiesced the lead to VTA on the construction management of the152/156 Interchange Project.
Roger Contreras, Chief Financial Officer, reported on the accomplishments of the Fiscal Resources Division including: Financing Transactions to include the sublease of light rail vehicles, lease to service for low floor LRV’s, Refunded 2001 Bonds with $17 million in savings, Investment Earnings, and the Implemented 1st Biennial Budget, and Fare Policy.
Mr. Contreras noted that the goals of the Fiscal Resources Division include: financing transactions comprised of the remarket of measure A Bonds, fund accounting conversion, the Annual vendor Fair, Annual Compliance Review Plan, and the Automated Budget System. Mr. Contreras noted that major budget changes are the results of staff reductions and professional and special services.
Douglas Beley, Technology Manager, stated that the Technology Division partners with all divisions to utilize technology and to bring efficiency and effectiveness to VTA. The accomplishments for the Technology Division include: the Technology Strategic Plan/ Capital Investment Program, Installed Closed Circuit Television on light rail vehicles, reduced technology service delivery costs, completed setup of VTA Backup Recovery Center at Guadalupe/light rail. Mr. Beley noted the future goals for the Division include SAP hardware and software upgrades, “Real Time Customer Information”, Implementation of the new Budget System, Upgrades of security cameras on VTA buses, and Translink. Mr. Beley cited there are no significant budget changes for the division.
Carolyn Gonot, Chief Development Officer, reported that the Development and Congestion Management Division is comprised of four primary functioning areas: Marketing and Public Affairs, Transportation Planning, Project and Program Development, and Commercial Development. Ms. Gonot noted the accomplishments for the Division include: FY 2006-FY 2015 Short Range Transit Plan, Joint Development Program Policy, 2005 Congestion Management Program, 2006 State Transportation Improvement Program, High Occupancy Toll Lanes Feasibility Study, and increased marketing and public relations efforts to include the Rapid 522, Vasona Light Rail Extension, VTA 10 Year Anniversary, and proactive media relations.
Ms. Gonot noted the goals of the Development and Congestion Management Division include: developer agreements for transit development sites, Transit Capital Expansion Policy, high Occupancy Toll Lanes Conceptual Engineering, I-880 and South County Highway Studies, BART Economic Impact Analysis, Measure A Caltrain Plan, Website Redesign, Targeted Comprehensive Marketing Campaigns to include leisure and destination promotions, community partnerships, senior/disabled free fares, and new service corridor promotions. Ms. Gonot advised the major budget changes are due to the established Joint Development Program and increased ridership marketing campaigns.
Mr. Lawson reported the Administrative Services Division is composed of three departments: Employee Services, Risk Management, and Employee Relations.
Mr. Lawson advised PAC the position of Chief Administrative Officer is vacant.
Mr. Lawson noted the Organizational Overview Presentation has been provided to all VTA Advisory Committees.
Alternate Member Kennedy expressed his appreciation to VTA staff for completing projects ahead of schedule and below budget. Member Kishimoto noted that the progression of VTA and the completion of projects is impressive, and she welcomes the commencement of “Real Time Customer Information” and Translink. Member Kishimoto noted her interest in the use of rubberized asphalt in highway paving. Mr. Collins reported the treatment of rubberized asphalt is site specific and can be a consideration for certain over-lay paving projects.
Member Caserta requested information about proposed outreach programs for youths in the County. Ms. Gonot explained that an effort to incorporate youth – oriented destination sites into transit programs is proposed for youths in the upcoming months. Ms. Gonot further added that outreach programs are also directed at schools to familiarize students with transit, and programs will be available introducing discount transit fares for youths.
Member Brodsky noted at the end of 880 South at the First Street on-ramp the lane ends in approximately 200 yards and another lane begins under Guadalupe Expressway Bridge causing traffic congestion because of a reduction from 5 lanes to 3 lanes of roadway. Mr. Collins stated that a component of the Measure B Project was to widen and lengthen the merge over First Street. Ms. Gonot added that this issue is included in the 880 Corridor Study.
Mr. Brodsky indicated he supports interactive technology to reach potential riders, and queried, with the assumption the major budget revenue of $29 million for 2006
and 2007 depicts sales tax growth why is there no evident commensurate farebox growth indicated. Mr. Brodsky indicated he supports interactive technology to reach potential riders.
Member Kline noted the City of Saratoga would greatly appreciate asphalt paving on Highway 85 to increase noise reduction and looks toward a long-term strategic goal to increase ridership. Member Kline inquired about the feasibility of a user-friendly information system whereas a potential rider need only enter destination information online and could then receive data noting the best transit route, destination, time schedule and cost. Mr. Tucker answered that the process is in the preliminary formulation mode.
Member Pinheiro noted VTA should place paramount importance on better understanding the individual cities’ transportation needs and concerns.
Member Macias indicated that Transit Oriented Development (TOD) should be a regional priority, and noted she endorses Community Bus Service. Member Macias remarked she also favors rubberized asphalt and looks toward a user–friendly online information service for potential riders to obtain route information.
Member LeZotte queried about the Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process.
Mr. Tucker noted that positive feedback has been received from the community on the streamlined Paratransit Eligibility Certification Process. Chairperson Glickman inquired if “tracks” of frequent Paratransit activity are plotted. Mr. Tucker advised that plotting of Paratransit activity in the South County has occurred and the success and efficiency of a Paratransit operation is dependent on the efficient grouping of the amount of passengers carried per revenue hour. Mr. Tucker added that VTA’s goal is to achieve a flexible routing program for South County residents.
Chairperson Glickman asked about the selection process of the VTA Board of Directors. Mr. Lawson stated that the Board has 19 members, all of whom are elected officials appointed to serve on our Board by the jurisdictions they represent. Fourteen Directors are city council members, and three are County Supervisors. Twelve Directors serve as voting members, and five Directors serve as alternates. Two Directors are Ex–Officio Members who are Santa Clara County’s representatives to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Chairperson Glickman suggested implementing an advertising campaign informing the public of the security factions utilized by VTA on buses and light rail to provide safety for passengers as an incentive to increase ridership.
On order of Chairperson Glickman, there being no objection, the Committee received an Orientation presentation from VTA Executive Staff.
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