Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting - December 9, 2016

Consent Calendar

• Approved resolution repealing Resolution 16-09-0106 and approving an agreement for the discount purchase and sale of prepaid fare media with the County of Sacramento Department of Human Assistance (DHA) retroactive to September 1, 2016. Under the agreement, DHA receives a 60% discount on monthly passes and a 50% discount on daily passes; monthly distribution is approximately 6,800 passes. (Jeffrey Tardi Gia questioned the discount rates.)
• Approved the first amendment to the contract for on-call real estate services with Paragon Partners Limited. The board clarified the contract is paid on an hourly rate, not a percentage fee.
• Both items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janice Nakoshima (Japanese American Citizens League, Florence Chapter) opposed the G4S contract, citing human rights abuses, including attacks on Native American protesters at Standing Rock, and urged the board to contract with an organization that abides by UN guiding principles.
• Fabrizio Sasso (Sacramento Central Labor Council) expressed support for the new general manager and encouraged in-house security services to improve accountability and community representation. He advocated for living wages and card-check neutrality if services are contracted.
• Jeannie Keltner (alternative media) echoed opposition to G4S, citing its poor human rights record and the benefit of local contracting.
• Gaith Hassan urged the board to consider ethics and human rights in the RFP process, specifically criticizing G4S for its involvement in the private prison industry.
• Mike Barnbaum (Ride Downtown 916) provided event announcements and community updates.
• Lori Jones opposed G4S, called for unionized workers with $15 wage and benefits, and expressed concerns about American River College transit service.
• Arthur Ketterling asked about bus service to Center Parkway light rail station and weekend hours at the Customer Service Center.
• Don Newson opposed G4S, emphasizing the economic multiplier of keeping money local.
• Jeffrey Tardi Gia raised concerns about Connect Card contract, noting it has not been updated in a decade, and questioned the lack of Connect Card availability at new light rail stations.
• Farris Shields (single mother from Elk Grove) opposed G4S, citing its lack of values and the Dakota Access Pipeline incident.
• George and Margaret Spatz praised the light rail service, noting it has become a "pre-party" for events.
• Mike Barnbaum (again) reported on station activation events and upcoming partnerships.

Discussion Items

• General Manager's Report – GM Henry Lee highlighted the success of Golden 1 Center service: In the first eight events, RT transported nearly 16,000 additional passengers, about 10% of attendees, with a majority being first-time riders. Over 2,000 customer assistance shifts were coordinated. Positive media coverage was noted. Director Hume suggested improved signage in parking lots: "pay at platform" and "pay here" signs. Director Jennings praised staff's customer service.
• RideSacRT & Station Link – Deborah reported on the reopening of 7th & Capital Station, the Station Link partnership with Uber/Lyft/Yellow Cab (up to $5 off), and partnerships like Dinner en Blanc (800 guests rode light rail). RT received over 122 positive media mentions in the first 14 days of October.
• Operations Update – Mark Lonergan described operational adjustments for Golden 1 Center, including train length and event size, and noted that boarding all passengers at 7th & Capital has been successful. He also mentioned the new round-trip pass.
• Rancho Cordova Sound Wall – A 1.3-mile sound wall along Folsom Boulevard was cleaned and painted through a partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova, completed before a car show on October 9.
• Financial Report – Brent presented year-to-date results: Revenues exceed expenses by $48,000; total positive variance of $437,000 (revenues over budget by $116,000, expenses under by $321,000). Fare revenues were up 9% year-over-year. Fare recovery ratio was 21.3%, above the 20.7% budget. Ridership has trended down, consistent with projections post-fare increase.
• Board Meeting Schedule – Director Budge voiced concern about the cancellation of the November meeting, noting upcoming pivotal events and post-election matters. GM Lee explained the recommendation was to give staff a break during the holiday month. Chair Schneer said he would discuss with the GM whether to hold a November meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent items.
• Recognized two employees: Deep Griwodip (Senior IT Programming Analyst) for his work with the employee association and cost-saving ideas; Joe Pacley Lorney (Senior Grants Analyst) for finding a way to reallocate $2.2 million in CCAT funds to operating expenses, avoiding $1 million in service cuts.
• Board directed staff to review the student fare policy to consider eligibility based on enrollment in K-12 systems rather than age under 18.
• Board discussed possibly reinstating the November meeting; decision deferred to Chair Schneer and GM.
• Moved to closed session for two legal cases and real estate negotiations.