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CALLED TO ORDER at 9:06 a.m.

ROLL CALL:     Members Present: Chavez, McLemore, Springer

                              Members Absent: Alvarado, Dixon

  A quorum was not present and a Committee of the Whole was declared.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

There were no Public Presentations.

ORDERS OF THE DAY There were no Orders of the Day.

The Agenda was taken out of order.

REGULAR AGENDA

Approved submitting a recommendation to the Board of Directors to approve an Update of Traffic Level of Service (LOS) Analysis Guidelines.

Member Springer took his seat at 9:08 a.m. and a quorum was declared.

Staff reported that the main purpose of this update is to update standards to be more consistent with the latest national standards for doing traffic level of service (LOS) analysis.

Requested an explanation of the difference between average stopped delay and average control delay.

Requested a definition of “a set of density-based criteria for transportation impact analysis (TIA)” regarding freeways.

Queried whether there would be any significant change in LOS if the old and the new methodology at current intersections were compared.

Approved submitting a recommendation to the Board of Directors to approve Project Priorities for the 2003/04 Countywide Transportation Development Act (TDA Article 3) Program.

Staff provided project priorities for the 2003 – 2004 Countywide Transportation Development Act (TDA Article 3) program and reported that approximately  $1.4 million in TDA Article 3 funds are being requested this year.

Received and filed the Fiscal Year 2003 Third Quarter Performance Report.

Staff provided the Fiscal Year 2003 Third Quarter Performance Report.

Staff noted that Paratransit costs for the fiscal year have decreased 9.2 percent despite an increase in ridership of 5.3 percent.  The cost per passenger trip has decreased 10.7 percent.

OTHER ITEMS

Received and filed the Service Reduction Plan Update.

Staff noted that the budget for Fiscal Year 2004 – 2005 is predicated upon a 21 percent service reduction. 

Staff reported that ten public meetings have been scheduled to discuss and receive input regarding the proposed October service reductions.  The proposal will be revised and brought back to the Board of Directors in August 2003 for implementation on October 13, 2003.

Expressed the need to continue Sunday service to St. Louise Hospital for those in need of emergency or regular hospital services.

Requested a chart that would show the nine percent service reductions compared to the 21 percent service reductions and the steps taken in terms of changes that have occurred in order to learn how drastically the impacts would affect some versus others.

Queried whether staff is concerned regarding segments of the population as it relates to age.

Staff stated that age, young and old, income and automobile availability are considered and noted that a report regarding this information would be provided.

Discussed the recommendation to approve $14,105,000 and $14,387,000 for  Fiscal Year 2003-04 and Fiscal Year 2004-05 to provide Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s share of Caltrain operating support; and further approve in concept VTA’s use of $1,486,000 Federal Section 5309 funds in lieu of the local match requirement for Fiscal Year 2003-04 capital support.

  Staff noted that Caltrain has been notified that VTA needs to keep funding levels flat.  There will not be additional funds next year and there are no funds for capital match.

 Staff reported that the Transportation Planning & Operations Committee (TP&O) expressed concern that Caltrain is expanding service while VTA is subtracting service.

 Expressed concern regarding the relationship to what VTA contributes based on where the commuters are coming from, the origin of the trip.  Stated that as a Board, opportunities need to be considered to better align responsibilities in terms of financial contributions.

  Stated that there is nothing in the Caltrain Fiscal Year 2003 – 2004 and  Fiscal Year 2004 – 2005 Operating and Capital Budget Allocations regarding any improvement within the South County extension.

Discussed the recommendation to authorize the General Manager to execute a Cooperative Service Agreement with the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency for continued VTA funding of Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) commuter rail service in the amount of $3,960,000 in Fiscal Year 2003-04 and $4,034,000 in Fiscal Year 2004-05.

Staff reported that it is trying to accomplish a new type of relationship and a new agreement among the three parties that are currently are members of the ACE Joint Powers Authority: 1) VTA, 2) San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, and 3) Alameda County Congestion Management Agency.

Staff identified the principles for development of an ACE Cooperative Service Agreement including: 1) VTA Board of Directors must retain control of the amount of funds it provides for ACE service on an annual basis in the context of the adopted VTA budget; 2) VTA must retain control of its allocation of regional, state and federal formula funds that are assigned to the San Jose UZA or that are passed through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to  Santa Clara County on a formula basis; and 3) the Cooperative Service Agreement shall use the current three round-trip trains as the baseline level of service and VTA’s Fiscal Year 2003 contribution as VTA’s initial contribution for  Fiscal Year 2004.

Directed attention to Attachment A, Proposed Elements of an ACE Cooperative Service Agreement, Item No. 14, and requested a definition of the word “appropriate”.  Queried who decides whether it is the VTA or Alameda County appropriate share.

Staff responded that the VTA Board of Directors would determine the  appropriate share on the capital side, if any.

Requested that it be made clear that each agency defines its contributions.

Staff stated that the request is consistent with the language in the Agreement.

Discussed the recommendation to adopt Phase III of the Paratransit Service Business Practices Improvement Plan, which includes modifications to the minimum account balance policy, implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defined service area and hours, a modified                               door-to-door/curb-to-curb program, and premium service pricing.

Expressed concern that curb-to-curb service would not work for some passengers.

Requested flexibility on curb-to-curb service and the three-quarter-mile rule for the South County area, realizing that it is not an urbanized environment.

Discussed the recommendation to: 1) Adopt a finding that a fare increase is necessary to meet operating expenses and to fund capital projects necessary to maintain service within the existing service area, while maintaining minimum required financial reserves; 2) Invoke a Statutory Exemption under CEQA, P.R.C. §21080(b)(8) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15273(a) (Rates, Tolls, Fares and Charges) for the purpose of modifying and increasing fares; and 3) Adopt a resolution establishing new rates and fares for VTA bus, light rail, and paratransit services effective August 1, 2003.

Expressed appreciation to staff for the revised recommendations.

Discussed a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2003 – 2004 and  Fiscal Year 2004 - 2005 Recommended Biennial Budget.

Staff reported a continuing and increasing reliance on one-time items and at the end of the two-year period it is estimated that the reserves will be under  $17 million.

Expressed disappointment that realistic wage increases were not discussed during Ad-Hoc for Financial Stability meetings.

Received and filed the Draft 1996 Measure B Program Revenue and Expenditure Plan for FY 2004.

  Staff reported that the VTA Enterprise Fund and the Congestion Management Program (CMP) Fund have funded some of the 1996 Measure B Program by providing services not yet been reimbursed.  Staff recently requested payback from the 1996 Measure B Program for these services.  The VTA Enterprise Fund provided services on non-transit projects and the CMP primarily provided traffic analysis and modeling for 1996 Measure B highway projects.  Jeff Davis, Measure B Program Administrator, informed staff that he will support payback of the Enterprise Fund but will not support payback of the Congestion Management Program.  The CMP amount is between $500,000 and $800,000.  The Congestion Management Program is paid for by all of the member agencies.  If these funds are not paid back, the CMP will be in the red next year.

Recommended that staff brief Member Alvarado next week regarding this matter.

Staff stated that the Congestion Management Program funds need to be repaid without negotiation.

Legislative Reports: There were no Legislative Reports.

Received and filed the Proactive Congestion Management Program (CMP) Reviewed and Approved Projects Monthly Status Report.

Reviewed the Committee Work Plan.

CONSENT AGENDA

Approved the Minutes of April 17, 2003.

Committee Staff Report: There was no Committee Staff Report.

Chairperson’s Report: There was no Chairperson’s Report.

Determined Consent Agenda for the June 5, 2003, Board of Director’s Meeting.

CONSENT:  Agenda Item #5., Approve an Update of Traffic Level of Service (LOS) Analysis Guidelines and Agenda Item #6., Approve Project Priorities for the 2003/04 Countywide Transportation Development Act (TDA Article 3) Program.

REGULAR:  None

Announcements

Announced that the Congestion Management Program & Planning Committee would not meet in June 2003 since there would not be a regular July 2003 Board of Directors’ Meeting.

ADJOURNED at 10:55 a.m.