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The Regular Meeting of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) was called to order at 4:05   p.m. by Chairperson Glickman in Conference Room B-104, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present -  Representative Cities             
Mark Brodsky - Monte Sereno
David Casas - Los Altos
Dominic Caserta - Santa Clara   
Steve Glickman, Chairperson - Los Gatos
Yoriko Kishimoto - Palo Alto
Norman Kline, Vice Chairperson - Saratoga
Linda J. LeZotte - San Jose                
Laura Macias - Mountain View
Christopher Moylan - Sunnyvale
Al Pinheiro - Gilroy
Kris Wang -  Cupertino

Members Absent - Representative Cities
Armando Gomez - Milpitas                       
Joseph D. Hernandez - Campbell        
Pete McHugh - Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Greg Sellers - Morgan Hill

A quorum was present

There were no Orders of the Day.

There were no Public Presentations.

Jim Lawson, State and Regional Government Affairs Manager and Staff Liaison, welcomed Michael T. Burns, General Manager.

A.             Quarterly Report from the General Manager

Michael T. Burns, General Manager, commented that in the effort to improve relationships with VTA throughout the community a commitment has been established to report back through the committee process on a regular basis to provide a high-level update of key initiatives.  He intends to visit the PAC on a quarterly basis and provide updates of current projects and their standings.

Mr. Burns introduced Bill Lopez, Chief Administrative Officer; Mike Hursh, Deputy Director of Maintenance; and Dan Smith, Deputy Director of Transportation Operations. 

Mr. Burns thanked PAC members who participated in the VTA Tour of Projects and Facilities and noted that tours may be planned for future dates.

Mr. Burns reported bus ridership has increased by 6 percent and rail ridership has increased by 31 percent from 2005.   Mr. Burns noted the increase in ridership is attributed to the upturn in the economy and the rise of fuel and gasoline prices. 

Mr. Burns gave a brief overview of the upcoming performance audit and noted the Request for Proposal (RFP) is out for bid.  Mr. Burns noted that the Chairperson of each Advisory Committee have been invited to participate in the evaluation process, serve on the selection panel, and provide recommendations.  The recommendation of the selected firm will be presented to the Board of Directors at the September 2006 Regular meeting, culminating with a recommendation to award a contract.

Mr. Burns commented that strives have been made toward building consensus for the Expenditure Plan, and noted the Project Advisory Committee has been diligently working to reach consensus and advance discussion to the Board on the Expenditure Plan. 

Mr. Burns noted the employee survey has been tabulated and a summary of the results was sent to all VTA employees. He commented that according to the survey, key findings indicated that most employees feel appreciated by the riders they serve, that they value their jobs, and are proud of the work they do. The area identified as needing the most improvement is internal communication.   Mr. Burns noted a senior staff offsite meeting would be held to develop an action plan to address the areas that have been identified by the employee survey as needing improvement.

Mr. Burns reported the Board of Directors approved budget adjustment to the FY 2006 – 2007 budget. This adjustment was needed to respond to the rising cost of fuel and higher interest rates for debt service than were originally anticipated.  Mr. Burns noted that sales tax revenues have increased and are above the projected levels.  Mr. Burns commented that in coordination with the increased ridership capital, reserves have been restored to just below 15 percent, which is the Board’s, goal for maintaining reserves in the budget. 

Mr. Burns introduced Kurt Evans, Government Affairs Manager, to provide a brief overview of the Infrastructure Bond Package and how it applies to VTA and transportation.   Mr. Evans reported that the California State Legislature Infrastructure Bond Package has been approved and will be placed on the November 2006 ballot.  The Legislature approved the use of General Obligation Bonds to fund the State’s growing infrastructure needs such as transportation, water, housing, and public facilities. 

Mr. Evans commented that the size of the infrastructure bond package is approximately $38 billion and is a one-time issuance scenario.  The infrastructure bond package focuses on four areas: $20 billion for transportation; $10.5 billion for education for grades Kindergarten through 12; $4 billion for levees and flood control; and $3 billion for a low cost housing with each area appearing as separate bond issues on the California State November 2006 ballot.

Mr. Evans noted that the infrastructure bond package allocates $20 billion for transportation and the bond proceeds would be used to fund a combination of new programs such as corridor mobility, public transit capital improvements, goods movement, and public transit security, such as the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOP).

Mr. Evans indicated that $2 billion of the proceeds would augment the STIP and $750 million of proceeds would burgeon the SHOP, $1 billion for the Local-State Partnership Program, and $400 million for Intercity Rail Capital Improvements. 

Mr. Evans noted that the transportation bond proceeds would be distributed to new transportation programs that include: Corridor Mobility, Goods Movement that is used for improvements to key trade corridors in the State and Air Quality Improvements at ports as well as Port Security, and Transit System Safety, Security and Disaster Response.  Mr. Evans commented that $3.6 billion of funds would be available and allocated to public transit operators throughout California and those flexible funds could be used for any capital transit purpose.

Chairperson Glickman provided a brief overview of the PAC Chairperson’s Report he presented at the May 4, 2006 VTA Board of Directors Regular Meeting.   He indicated that the Board of Directors were pleased to learn the first City Transportation Presentation will be provided to the PAC at the May 11, 2006 meeting.

Chairperson Glickman gave a brief overview of the Caltrain Subcommittee.   He stated the first meeting was held April 27, 2006 and Member Kline is the Chairperson with Member Kishimoto as Vice Chair of the Committee.   Chairperson Glickman noted the Committee received an overview of the Caltrain Capital Needs Study.  

Caltrain Subcommittee Chairperson Norman Kline noted the meeting was very productive and informative.   Chairperson Kline indicated the relationship with Caltrain and VTA retains a historical background and noted Caltrain retains prolific land holdings.   Chairperson Kline noted the Committee is anxious to meet the scope of study.

Member Pinheiro requested that the PAC receive the minutes from the Caltrain Subcommittee.

Chairperson Glickman commented that he found the Board of Directors Tours of Projects and Facilities fascinating and enlightening. 

Chairperson Glickman informed PAC that Board Member Breene Kerr expressed concern the Los Altos Hills Town Council has been unable to appoint a representative to the PAC and inquired about Committee appointee guidelines.

Chairperson Glickman invited the PAC to attend the Project Advisory Committee meeting in the VTA Auditorium after the PAC meeting.

Member Brodsky reported that a presentation on Caltrain Metro East was provided at the West Valley Mayors and Managers meeting.   Member Brodsky commented the presentation demonstrated that Caltrain Metro East has not been previously evaluated and contains compelling data to reopen the Major Investment Study.   Member Brodsky noted that he presented an abbreviated version of the Caltrain Metro East presentation to the Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor (SVRTC) meeting.

Member Kishimoto reported that the North County Cities met with a primary topic of formulating North County requests to provide to the Project Advisory
Committee.   Member Kishimoto noted the North County Cities request that those high priority projects from the North County achieve completion date before 2018.

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

CONSENT

M/S/C ( LeZotte/Caserta) to approve the minutes of April 13, 2006.

On Order of Chairperson Glickman, there being no objection the Committee reviewed the Congestion Management Program Financial Audit, Fiscal Year 2005.

On Order of Chairperson Glickman, there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the Proactive CMP Reviewed and Approved Projects Quarterly Status Report January through March 2006.

Member Casas left his seat at 4:45 p.m.

REGULAR

Stephen Flynn, Congestion Management Program and Planning Senior Management Analyst, reported on the Recommended FY 06-07 Congestion Management Program Work Program and Budget.  Mr. Flynn noted the Congestion Management Program (CMP) is responsible for the development and implementation of the countywide transportation plan for Santa Clara County.  The Valley Transportation Plan (VTP 2030) is the prevailing comprehensive long-range multi-modal transportation plan for the County.  The VTP 2030 was adopted by the Board of Directors in February 2005.

The CMP has the responsibility to prepare and implement the state mandated CMP Program and to promote land use and transportation integration with Member Agencies.  The Board of Directors adopted the Community Design and Transportation Program in 2002 as the primary program for integrating land use and transportation.

The CMP also retains the responsibility of programming discretionary funds and monitoring projects programmed by the Board of Directors from Federal, State, Regional, and Local funds, and acting as the program manager for certain countywide grant funds.   Mr. Flynn reported the CMP is responsible for the preparation and execution of the Countywide Bicycle Plan, Pedestrian Program, and the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan.

Mr. Flynn noted the adopted Joint Powers Agreement for administration on the Santa Clara County CMP requires distribution of a preliminary work program, budget and fee schedule submitted to member Agencies for comment and review annually.  The fee schedule was mailed to Member Agencies in January 2006.  VTA staff is providing the Recommended FY 06-07 Work Program and Budget to the Policy, Technical, Citizens, and Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committees as well as the Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee (CMPP) in May 2006.  With the culmination of comments and review from the Committees a final FY 06-07 CMP Work Program and Budget will be provided to the Board for approval at the June 1, 2006 Regular meeting.

Mr. Flynn reported the Recommended FY06-07 CMP Work Program would define the components of the Congestion Management Program, with only minor modifications from the current year, the most significant of which are: 1) Required monitoring of the CMP system and preparation of the 2006 Monitoring and Conformance Report;
2) Commencement of initial preparation of the 2007 Congestion Management Program; 3) Finalizing project selection and programming of Regional Lifeline Transportation projects and work in conjunction with Santa Clara County to monitor project delivery; 4) Initiating an assessment study for determination of countywide pedestrian issues concerning transit stops and stations; 5) Partner in the El Camino/Grand Boulevard project; and 6) Initiating development of the Transit Sustainability Policy; and the initiation of additional corridor, planning and project development studies identified in VTP 2030. 

Mr. Flynn noted the Recommended FY 06-07 Budget facilitates the financial means to complete the projects proposed in the Work Program with total proposed expenditures of $4.3 million and total revenues of $4.21 million.  In combination with the projected $980,000 of beginning of the year fund balance the proposed revenues and expenditures result in a projected end of fiscal Fund Balance of $756,000.

Member Kishimoto expressed concern that of the nine Bay Area Counties of: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Santa Clara County has the highest drive alone rate at 77 percent and suggested that an indicator regarding the multi-modal split information be recorded and placed in the Monitoring and Conformance Report.

On general consensus, the Committee proposed a recommendation to be presented to the Board including the drive alone statistics in the Monitoring and Conformance Report.

Member Brodsky expressed concern that outreach to riders should extend to where they congregate and attempts should be made to facilitate providing transit service to those areas.  Member Brodsky concurred with the comments of Member Kishimoto.

Member Kline noted that VTA is a unique agency providing transit services, congestion management and, roadway responsibilities. 

M/S/C (Kline/Kishimoto) to review and recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the Recommended FY 2006-07 Congestion Management Program Work Program and Budget.

John Sighamony, Transportation Planner III, reported that the Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA) is derived from a ¼ cent sales tax from the State of California’s general sales tax.  Mr. Sighamony noted the State distributes the funds based on County population and Article 3 of the TDA provides a portion of these funds available for use on pedestrian and bicycle projects.

Mr. Sighamony noted Santa Clara County has approximately $2 million of TDA funds available. Mr. Sighamony reported 70 percent of the allocated funds are guaranteed to Member Agencies based on recent California Department of Finance population estimates, and can be utilized for any eligible project; with 30 percent of the annual allocation dedicated to projects in the Countywide Bicycle Expenditure Program for a ten year period FY 2002 through FY 2011.   Funds available for the Guaranteed Fund is $1,388,947 and approximately $600,364 is available for the Bicycle Expenditure Program (BEP).  

Mr. Sighamony reported the City of Sunnyvale has requested $440,000 for the Borregas Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge project and is the only BEP project submitted this year leaving a balance of $160,364 unprogrammed in the program.

The City of Sunnyvale has requested an advance of funds for the Java Drive Sidewalks projects.   The city of Sunnyvale received a TDA advance last year and is not entitled to receive its full share of Guarantee funds this year.  VTA staff recommends postponing the repayment of $86,000 of last year’s advance to allow Sunnyvale to claim those funds this year to build the project.  The City of Sunnyvale will forgo next year’s Guarantee Funds up to $86,000 to pay back the outstanding loan. 

The Town of Los Gatos has requested an advance of $29,250 to complete the College Avenue Pathway Repairs Project. Los Gatos originally claimed $16,500 for this project last year but anticipated receiving an additional grant of $67,750 to complete the project.   The anticipated funding was not available and the Town of Los Gatos will apply for its 2006-07 Guarantee Fund amount of $22,000 but additionally needs $29,250 to complete the project.  VTA staff recommends programming an advance of $29,250 for the project and if approved Los Gatos will repay the loan by forgoing its guarantee amount is future years up to the amount of the loan. 

M/S/C (LeZotte/Kline) to review and recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the FY2007 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Project Priorities.

Members Caserta and LeZotte left their seats at 5:00 p.m.

Member Yoriko Kishimoto provided an overview of the City Transportation Presentation for the City of Palo Alto

Member Kishimoto introduced Gail Likens, Acting Chief Transportation Official.   Member Kishimoto gave a brief overview of the community profile reporting that the City of Palo Alto covers 25 square miles with one-third of the area is open space, with a population of 61, 000 residents, 98,000 workers, and 200 miles of streets, 30 miles of bike lanes, and commute modes. 

Member Kishimoto noted the Comprehensive Plan Goals for the City of Palo Alto include: less reliance on single occupancy vehicles, convenient, efficient public transportation system, encourage and promote bicycling and walking, efficient roadway network for all users, minimal impacts on residential neighborhoods, and high level of safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Member Kishimoto provided the four transportation priorities for Palo Alto include:
1) Palo Alto Intermodal transit Center, 2) Palo Alto Shuttle Program, 3) Safe routes to schools, and 4) the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project. 

Member Kishimoto indicated the Palo Alto Caltrain Station is the second busiest with
85 trains and 16 Baby Bullet trains, 14 transit lines including VTA, Samtrans,
DB Express,  Stanford Marguerite, and the Palo Alto Bikestation.  Member Kishimoto noted the project component as transportation elements to include: increased bus and rail service capacity, 4 tracks at station with center boarding platforms, improve bicycle/pedestrian access, new bust transit center, new loop road system for university Avenue, and new bridge over El Camino Real.  Community amenities include: new civic green/urban park, integration of station with the Downtown area, elimination of railroad tracks as a barrier, public art and/or urban design features, and enhanced gateway to Downtown and linkage to Stanford University.

Ms. Likens gave a brief overview of the Palo Alto Shuttle Program.  Ms. Likens noted the Shuttle Program began in 2000 as a Pilot Project with 2 buses with annual ridership of 69,000 and in FY 2004-05 the program has grown to 5 buses and to 170,000 annual passengers.  The Shuttle Program is: free to riders with 16-19 riders per vehicle hour, with an average of $2.88 per passenger trip and 688 riders per day with approximately 50 percent of those riders students.  A unique aspect of the Shuttle Program is evidenced by the route changes to serve summer school sites and reduced vacation service.  Ms. Likens noted that future challenges for the shuttle program include the need for larger vehicles/more frequent service for peak commute and school service periods, forming a future partnership with VTA on a Community Bus project to leverage resources and improve service, and to seek additional funding needed to keep service level intact as annual operating costs increase.

Ms. Likens reported the future challenges and goals include; 1) Sustaining commitment locally; 2) Develop countywide dedicated funding and resources for Safe Routes to School program; 3) Charleston/Arastradero Corridor project; and 4) Residential Arterial Street Redesign Goals.

Member Kishimoto noted Palo Alto Regional Needs include:  1) El Camino Real Grand Boulevard Project; 2) Support High Speed Rail and Regional Rail; 3) Financial Support for conversion to multi-modal street; and 4) Smart Systems-GPS and web-smart shuttles and transit.  Member Kishimoto noted that future transit challenges to Palo Alto include:  1) Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan goals; 2) Sustaining a vibrant and dynamic economy while improving quality of life and environment; and 3) meeting additional growth in mobility needs through alternative transportation and pedestrian friendly neighborhood design.

On Order of Chairperson Glickman, there being no objection the Committee reviewed the City Transportation Presentation (Palo Alto).

OTHER

On Order of Chairperson Glickman, there being no objection, the Committee deferred the Workplan.

There were no announcements.

Respectfully submitted,

Jacqueline F. Golzio, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

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