Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting - December 9, 2016

The Sacramento Regional Transit District board met on December 9, 2016, with a quorum present. The meeting covered a range of topics including the general manager's report, a public hearing on the Sacramento Valley Station area improvements, a controversial streetcar design contract, changes to board meeting procedures, the preliminary FY2017 budget, and a service changes plan for January 2017. Public comment was heard on several items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 10 were approved unanimously on a motion by Director Hume, seconded by Director Moran.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple speakers addressed the board on the streetcar design contract, including Dan Allison, Barbara Stanton (Ridership for the Masses), Maggie Coulter (Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders, STAR), and others. They expressed concerns about the $10 million expenditure, lack of a financial plan, potential impact on existing transit services, and questioned the timing.
• On the service changes plan, speakers included Mike Barnbaum (Ride Downtown 916), Dan Allison, Barbara Stanton, Jeffrey Tardigia, and others. They urged caution about eliminating routes, especially those serving vulnerable populations, and suggested considering frequency increases or alternative adjustments.
• Public comment on meeting procedures was provided by Mike Barnbaum and Maggie Coulter, supporting earlier start times and public comment placement.
• On the preliminary budget, Jeffrey Tardigia questioned fare increases and budget cuts.
• During matters not on the agenda, Mike Barnbaum reported on Connect Card progress, and Jeffrey Tardigia raised issues about fare machines, elevator outages, and construction signage.

Discussion Items

• General Manager's Report (Item 11): Elaine Masui reported on the CAP to Cap trip, including meetings with the FTA regarding the downtown riverfront streetcar and Buy America waiver. The GM reported on unsuccessful IBEW negotiations for part-time cleaners, and a fallback plan to hire 6 additional service workers and 14 seasonal workers. Tim Bangler updated on the surplus CMO Circle property, which had contamination found; the property will be reappraised and re-bid. Laura Hamm presented on the system-wide improvement initiative: six stations now have paid fare zones, with enforcement beginning; reported a 64% reduction in robberies and thefts year-to-date; and a homeless navigator program with Sacramento Steps Forward. A report on the Sacramento Transportation Authority sales tax measure was given: a 70-30 split between roads and transit, with front-loading of maintenance and accountability measures for RT. The STA board voted 14-2 to advance the measure, with a subcommittee unanimous direction. Board members expressed hope for a November ballot measure.
• Public Hearing on Sacramento Valley Station Area Improvements (Item 12): Staff presented the mitigated negative declaration. The 30-day comment period closed on April 29. No public comments were received at the hearing. The board voted to close the hearing and certify the document.
• Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Design Services Contract (Item 13): Staff requested authority to award a contract to HDR Inc. for design services, divided into four tasks. Only task one (85% design) had partial funding. Extensive board discussion and public comment raised concerns about lack of governance and operations plans, timing, and use of taxpayer dollars. Board members proposed a substitute motion to approve only task one and require board approval for subsequent tasks after receiving governance and operations information. The substitute motion passed 6-4 (64 votes). Directors voting aye: Hansen, Harris, Natoli, Cerna, Chair Shaneer; nay: Budge, Hume, McGlashan, Morin, Slowey.
• Board Meeting Procedures (Item 14): Staff proposed changes to start meetings at 5:30 p.m., move public comment to before consent calendar, and hold closed session at end. Board approved unanimously.
• Preliminary FY2017 Operating and Capital Budgets (Item 15): Staff presented a $163.8 million operating budget and $89.2 million capital budget. Highlights included reliance on $1.9 million in sponsorship revenue for Golden 1 Center, $1 million in service cuts, and conservative revenue assumptions. The board authorized release for public hearing on May 23, 2016, with a unanimous vote.
• Service Changes Plan for January 2017 (Item 16): Staff presented a list of low-productivity routes totaling $3.3 million in potential savings, but targeting $2 million. Public comment stressed the need for alternatives and equity analysis. Board members requested detailed information on alternatives and impacts. The board will receive a refined proposal on May 23.
• Paratransit and San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Reports (Items 17-18): Directors noted the passing of former Paratransit chair Catherine Kelly Baird. Director Hume updated on high-speed rail developments, including reinstatement of Merced in the initial operating segment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing on Valley Station: Certified the mitigated negative declaration.
• Streetcar Design Contract: Approved substitute motion to authorize only task one, with subsequent tasks requiring board approval upon provision of governance and operations plans. Vote: 6-4.
• Meeting Procedures: Unanimously approved changes to start time, public comment order, and closed session placement.
• Preliminary FY2017 Budget: Authorized release for public hearing; unanimous.
• Service Changes Plan: Received as information; further discussion scheduled for May 23.
• General Manager's Report: Noted reports on CAP to Cap, IBEW, surplus property, paid fare zones, crime reduction, homeless navigator, and sales tax measure progress.