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CALLED TO ORDER at 10:35 a.m.

ROLL CALL 

Members Present                        Members Absent
Cindy Chavez, Chairperson          Pat Dando
John McLemore                             Fred Fowler

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.

CONSENT AGENDA

The Committee of the Whole deferred the Minutes of February 19, 2004.

The Committee of the Whole received the Monthly Legislative Reports.

REGULAR AGENDA

The Committee of the Whole approved submitting a recommendation to the Board of Directors to approve the submittal of an AB 3090 funding request to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) that enables VTA to advance local funds for Planning and Programming and Monitoring (PPM) activities and receive reimbursement from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Funds; and authorize the General Manager to execute all necessary agreements for reimbursement of funds. 

Inquired about the strategy to ensure the monies are reimbursed.  Staff noted that the amendment codifies the year of the reimbursement and noted that the funds will be available in 2006-07 for reimbursement. 

Noted that on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) level, CTC has met almost all of their commitments.

The Committee of the Whole approved submitting a recommendation to the Board of Directors to approve a revised 2004 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) submittal to transfer $2 million from Reach II to Reach III of the City of Santa Claras San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, and to program $1.7 million as an AB 3090 replacement project commitment to the Route 152/156 Interchange project southeast of Gilroy. 

Staff noted that the City of Santa Clara strategically decided to use local funds instead of the 2002 STIP grant for Reach II (Agnew Road to Scott Boulevard) and requested the grant to be moved to Reach III (Scott Boulevard to Monroe Avenue) for faster completion of the project.

Staff noted that the Board of Directors approved an AB 3090 amendment to the SR-25 Widening Project that would allow the use of local funds.  The $1.7 million originally programmed for that Project is specified for the Route 152/156 Interchange Project. 

OTHER ITEMS

The Committee of the Whole received the Operating Cost Per Total Hour.

Inquired about the internal and external tools used to give out information.

Staff stated that education has to start inside and a multi-faceted approach should be used.  Staff noted that VTA has taken steps to become more productive and responsive. 

Staff noted that Request for Proposals (RFP) would be prepared to hire a firm that would assist VTA in giving the public information in a more understandable manner.           

Expressed concern that a new approach on giving information to the Board and Committees be considered, to provide a more efficient way of communicating information. 

Suggested that staff work closely with Board Members city staff with regard to information flow. 

Thanked staff for the report.

The Committee of the Whole discussed the bus and light rail operating plans included in the Tasman East/Capitol Bus/ Rail Service Integration Plan.

Acknowledged the report and expressed appreciation for the changes made in the plan.  Referred to Ms. Patricia Sons letter and inquired how it will be addressed.

Staff responded that a letter will be forwarded to Ms. Son to explain the changes. 

Requested Ms. Sons contact information and a copy of the staff response to Ms. Son.

The Committee of the Whole received the Member Agency Endorsement of VTAs Community Design and Transportation (CDT) Program. 

Congratulated staff for their achievement. 

Commented that the CDT Program is an excellent program and noted that MTC used the CDT Program document as an example on how other Congestion Management Agencies (CMA) could work with their respective cities.

Inquired about the strategy to follow up the CDT Program.  Staff noted that the document will continually evolve and that staff will continue to advocate it. 

Staff noted that the cities and elected officials will receive a copy of the Pedestrian Technical Guidelines.

The Committee of the Whole reviewed the Committee Work Plan.

Committee Staff Report:   Noted that the May 20, 2004 CMPP Meeting should be rescheduled and the alternative date will be on May 26, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. 

Chairpersons Report: The Committee of the Whole heard a report that there will be a free event for children on Saturday, March 21, 2004 at San Fernando Street in San Jose. Informed the Committee that the Spartan Football Team will collect book donations.

The Committee of the Whole determined the Consent Agenda for the April 1, 2004, Board of Directors Meeting.

CONSENT: Agenda Item #6., Approve the submittal of an AB 3090 funding request to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) that enables VTA to advance local funds for Planning and Programming and Monitoring (PPM) activities and receive reimbursement from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Funds; and authorize the General Manager to execute all necessary agreements for reimbursement of funds.  Agenda Item #7., Approve a revised 2004 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) submittal to transfer $2 million from Reach II to Reach III of the City of Santa Claras San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, and to program $1.7 million as an  AB 3090 replacement project commitment to the Route 152/156 Interchange project southeast of Gilroy.                     

REGULAR: None

Announcements:  There were no announcements.

ADJOURNED at 11:29 a.m.