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CALLED TO ORDER at 4:35 PM

ROLL CALL:     Members Present: Cortese, Fowler

Members Absent: Gonzales, Mossar, Yeager

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

Eugene Bradley, Santa Clara VTA Riders Union (SCVTARU) expressed concern that VTA has not advertised the use of bus and light rail stations for sports events and holiday shopping near malls. Mr. Bradley distributed a document regarding the location of bus stops in relation to the malls. Mr. Bradley requested that VTA staff work with the SCVTARU to create a link on the VTA website promoting the fact that transit is available throughout the holidays.

James Wightman, concerned citizen, stated that he found an identification card on light rail. Mr. Wightman further stated that when he presented the card to the light rail operator, he was rudely "waved off." Mr. Wightman noted that he returned the identification card to the VTA Customer Service Center in downtown San Jose.

CONSENT AGENDA

REGULAR AGENDA

The Committee of the Whole approved submitting a recommendation to the Board of Directors to authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., (Securitas) to provide armed and unarmed security and protective services for all VTA facilities and selected transit centers and light rail station platforms. The term of the contract is three years with two one-year options in the amount of $16,247,700 for the first three years of the contract. Further, authorize the General Manager, at his discretion, to exercise the two one-year options for an amount of $12,157,600 for the fourth and fifth years of the contract.

Staff provided a brief presentation regarding the Contract for Armed and Unarmed Security and Protective Services.

Mr. Bradley queried the expense to VTA of a private security firm rather than local police officers throughout the light rail system. Staff responded that there are various levels of security including security for customers, employees, needs of security at each VTA facility, security that travels with armored cars to pick up revenue, and walking security guards on bus and rail systems.

OTHER ITEMS

The Committee of the Whole discussed the Financial Stability Strategy, which includes revenue enhancement measures recommended by the Ad-Hoc Financial Stability Committee.

Staff reviewed a brief summary of the Financial Stability Strategy.

Staff noted that the Financial Stability Strategy was adopted today at the Meeting of the Administration and Finance (A&F) Committee.

The Committee of the Whole determined the Consent Agenda for the January 8, 2004 Board Meeting.

CONSENT: None

REGULAR: Item #14., Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., (Securitas) to provide armed and unarmed security and protective services for all VTA facilities and selected transit centers and light rail station platforms. The term of the contract is three years with two one-year options in the amount of $16,247,700 for the first three years of the contract. Further, authorize the General Manager, at his discretion, to exercise the two one-year options for an amount of $12,157,600 for the fourth and fifth years of the contract.