CALLED TO ORDER at 4:36 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Members Present: Gonzales, Mossar, Valerio

Members Absent: Cortese, La Poll, Yeager

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

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

James Wightman, Interested Citizen, addressed the Committee and expressed concern regarding an incident he witnessed on light rail in where a guest was calling another guest names. He noted that he reported the incident to the Operator and the Operator indicated there was nothing he/she could do about the incident.

Mr. Wightman suggested that VTA cut light rail service to one hour headways starting in October 2003.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

Add Agenda Item #17.X., Receive a report regarding staff recommendation to abandon an eminent domain lawsuit authorized by the Resolution of Necessity identified as Agenda Item #5, adopted by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors on October 10, 2002, for property located at 331 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, California, Parcel #7673, under the ownership of Jayvadan N. Itchhaporia, et al. for the Capitol Light Rail Project.

Staff noted that Stacy & Witbeck/R.M. Harris, a Joint Venture, the apparent low bidder, did not meet the DBE goal of 17 percent on the contract and did not demonstrate a good faith effort. Staff noted that the second low bidder, R&L Brosamer, did not meet good faith efforts. Staff noted that West Bay Builders withdrew their bid and VTA has given Viking Construction until Friday, March 21, 2003, to submit documentation to determine if Viking Construction has met their good faith effort.

Expressed concern regarding awarding a contract that is both over the Engineers Estimate and is the lowest bid. Queried if it would be simpler to reject the bids and to rebid the contract.

Requested that staff contact Neil Struthers, Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, to obtain ideas to enhance Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)/Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation.

Recommended that staff reject all bids for construction of the Route 17 Underpass and Hamilton Avenue Overcrossing, move expeditiously, and work with the labor community.

Discussed the Proposed Transit and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Fare Modifications for Implementation August 1, 2003.

Staff noted that the Proposed Transit and ADA Paratransit Fare Modifications for Implementation August 1, 2003, would be discussed at the VTA Board of Directors Workshop on Friday, March 21, 2003.

Mr. Wightman queried about the proposed increases for the Senior and Disabled.

Expressed concern regarding the cuts in service and proposed fare increases. Noted that the impact of the decision-making is disproportionate throughout the County of Santa Clara.

Received and filed the Paratransit Service Business Practices Improvement Plan: Project Update.

Acknowledged staff work on the Paratransit Service Business Practices Improvement Plan.

Discussed the difficult decisions the Board of Directors is facing to address VTAs deficit. Noted that staff should continue to report back to the Board of Directors with the savings/costs of this Program.

Determined the Consent Agenda for April 3, 2003 Board Meeting.

CONSENT: Item #5., Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with the lowest responsible bidder, Bianchi Amaker Construction, in an amount of $424,032, for the restoration of residential and commercial property along Capitol Avenue that was affected by the construction of the Capitol Light Rail Project; Item #6., Authorize the General Manager to execute a sole source agreement with VenTek International in an amount not to exceed $2,650,000, for the purchase and installation of 34 Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) for the Vasona, Capitol, and Tasman East Light Rail Projects; Item #7., Authorize the General Manager to exercise the two remaining one-year options of the existing contract with Central Equipment Service Company, extending the contract through June 30, 2005 for automotive dispensing equipment (non-fuel) preventive maintenance and repair services. The value of the two option years will not exceed $125,000 for the fourth option year and $128,000 for the fifth option year for a total contract amount of $614,000 for the five-year term of the contract; Item #16., Authorize the General Manager to execute a tag-on procurement contract with GE Transportation Systems in an amount not to exceed $1,411,800, for the fabrication, delivery, and testing of signal equipment for the Tamien to Lick Double Track Project; and, Item #17.X., Abandon an eminent domain lawsuit authorized by the Resolution of Necessity identified as Agenda Item #5, adopted by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors on October 10, 2002, for property located at 331 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, California, Parcel #7673, under the ownership of Jayvadan N. Itchhaporia, et al. for the Capitol Light Rail Project.

REGULAR: None

Announcements

There were no Announcements.