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In the absence of Chairperson McNeely and Vice Chairperson Kott, Member Lazarus called the Regular Meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was called to order at 1:41 p.m. by Chairperson Pro Tempore Lazarus in Conference Room B-104, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA),
3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

On general consensus, there being no objection, the Committee elected
Member Lazarus as Chairperson Pro Tempore.       

ROLL CALL

Members Present

John Curtis

Glenn Goepfert

Robert Kass

Cathy Lazarus

Gayle Likens

Michael Murdter

Joe Oliva

Ben Tripousis

Jack Witthaus

Members Absent

Scott Alman

David Bischoff

Mintze Cheng

John Cherbone

Geoff Goodfellow

Jim Lightbody

Jim Porter

Rick Smelser

A quorum was present.

There were no Public Presentations.

M/S/C (Tripousis/Murdter) to approve the Minutes of February 13, 2003.

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

John Sighamony, Transportation Planner I, distributed the Non-Pavement funding needs for Santa Clara County matrix to Committee Members and provided a brief overview.  Mr. Sighamony noted that the cost information regarding both pavement and non-pavement needs was provided by each member agency at the October 10, 2002 TAC Meeting.  Mr. Sighamony added that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will compile the data information then the information will be provided to TAC Members.

Michael P. Evanhoe, Chief Development Officer, provided a brief report noting:
1) VTA Board of Directors Workshop Meeting scheduled for Friday,
March 21, 2003, 2) National League of Cities, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and MTC legislative conferences in Washington, D.C. and
3) reauthorization of Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA 21).

Marcella Rensi, Senior Transportation Planner, noted the Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) will not do any new allocations until federal legislative signals an increase in funding.  Ms. Rensi noted that state legislative staff is proposing allocating funding in April 2003 to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

There was no Chairpersons Report.

Mr. Evanhoe provided a brief overview on the Draft FY 03 04 Congestion Management Program (CMP) Work Program, Budget and Member Agency Fees. 
Mr. Evanhoe commented on the summary page and noted that when the program started it was run on the agency members contribution.  Mr. Evanhoe commented that for a number of years the CMP Work Program was running a surplus to keep member agency dues constant; therefore, due fees did not have to move up or down based on the cycles of the program.  Mr. Evanhoe noted that the CMP Work Program had constant revenue and expense flow.  Mr. Evanhoe noted the change in 1999 as additional projects and responsibilities are increased.  Mr. Evanhoe noted that staff has proposed to forgive the seven percent increase to
Member Agency dues.  Mr. Evanhoe noted that under the Joint Powers Agreement the draft budget is due by April 1, 2003, and that this item will come back to TAC in April for discussion and forwarded to VTA Board of Directors in May for consideration. 

Member Witthaus noted that Sunnyvale is under a fiscal crisis and needs to identify what is mandated and absolutely necessary.  Member Witthaus requested a budget alternative that focuses on providing mandated services, services that administer outside funding and that facilitate funding to the region.

Member Kass suggested deferring any programs or efforts that imposes any future costs on the member agencies that do not have a revenue positive impact on the member agencies.  

Mr. Evanhoe noted that the Congestion Management Agency (CMA) are in discussion with MTC regarding management funding that is paid with the
Member Agencies dues and noted the possibility of the member agencies receiving supplemental funding from regional funds by next fiscal year.

Member Kass requested that staff provide additional information on the other CMA agencies on growth, membership agency dues and the relationship with the overall programs within their counties.

Mr. Evanhoe noted that staff will work with the eight counties and identify how they underwrite their operations and noted that the information will be forwarded to the April 10, 2003 TAC Meeting.

M/S/C (Murdter/Curtis) to recommend that the Board of Directors approve distribution of the Draft FY 03 04 Congestion Management Program Work Program, Budget and Member Agency Fees to Member Agencies for review and comment.

Chairperson Pro Tempore Lazarus requested that the CMP maintenance requirement for next year be placed on the April 10, 2003 TAC Agenda.

Murali Ramanujam, Assistant Transportation Engineer, provided a brief overview on the 2002 Monitoring and Conformance Report and Conformance Findings.
Mr. Ramanujam distributed additional items to the Committee Members regarding the 2002 Monitoring and Conformance Report and Conformance Findings.
Mr. Ramanujam noted that the following five intersections on the CMP network were not in standard conformance in year 2001:  1) Lawrence Expressway at Arques Avenue, 2) Central Expressway at De La Cruz Boulevard,
3) San Tomas Expressway at Saratoga Avenue and 4) San Tomas Expressway at Hamilton Avenue.  Mr. Ramanujam noted that operations on approximately
66 directional miles of the Countys freeway system have deteriorated in 2002. 
Mr. Ramanujam noted that three out of twelve rural highways were determined not to conform to CMP standards in 2002.  Mr. Ramanujam noted that all CMP Member Agencies have complied with the CMP land use submission requirements.

M/S/C (Oliva/Witthaus) to recommend that the Board of Directors approve the 2002 Monitoring and Conformance Report and Conformance Findings.

On order of Chairperson Pro Tempore Lazarus, there being no objection, the Proactive Congestion Management Program (CMP) Reviewed and Approved Projects Monthly Status Report was received and filed.

Joonie Tolosa, Senior Management Analysis, provided a brief overview on the
FY 2003 Second Quarter Performance Report.  Mr. Tolosa noted that ridership is down due to company layoffs as a result of the weak economy as well as service reductions and fare increases implemented by VTA in July 2002.  Mr. Tolosa noted that Paratransit ridership has increased and added that Paratransit operating expenses have decreased, which indicates the cost containment improvements implemented are having an impact.  Mr. Tolosa noted that the overall VTA service quality continues to improve. 

On order of Chairperson Pro Tempore Lazarus, there being no objection, the FY 2003 Second Quarter Performance Report was received and filed.

There were no Announcements.

On order of Chairperson Pro Tempore Lazarus, there being no objection, the Committee adjourned at 2:56 p.m.