Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting – July 24, 2017

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting occurred on Monday, July 24, 2017, although the user-provided metadata states August 1, 2017. This summary follows the transcript date.

The board convened with a quorum of 100 votes. The meeting included public comment, consent calendar approval, individual votes on several items, a financial report, and a presentation on the Watt/I-80 station transformation.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–5, 8–10, and 12 were approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Arthur Ketterling inquired about a reported $13 million grant, which the General Manager indicated would be covered in his report.
• Justin Mendoza (a transit advocate, formerly with San Joaquin RTD) expressed strong support for better public transit and urged the board to accept a $10,000 grant opportunity, stating it would be “financially irresponsible” to let it go. He described himself as independent from the transit union.
• Mike Barnbaum previewed upcoming San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority discussions, including potential new bus service from Redding to Sacramento (with stops at the airport and Valley Station) and improved San Joaquin train service to Sacramento, possibly using the Sacramento Subdivision with new stations in West Elk Grove, Sacramento City College, Midtown, North Sacramento, and a Natomas airport station.
• Barbara Stanton raised concerns about outdated rider alert brochures on a light rail car (car #201) still requesting Title VI comments from April and February 2017, despite the deadlines having passed.
• Robert Coplin (Sacramento Transit Riders Union member) opposed the proposed trolley system, arguing RT should focus on improving existing light rail and bus services instead.
• Jeffrey Tardigia criticized the board’s explanation of financial items (items 4 and 5) as “gobbledygook” and urged better communication with the public. He also noted missed revenue opportunities during the State Fair due to limited service hours, reported two failed Connect Card machines, and asked how bus stop removals are communicated (citing the removal of a stop at Broadway and 19th Street).
• Brenda Anderson questioned items 6, 7, 11, and 12.1. On item 6 (pipeline easement), she asked about environmental review; staff responded that the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District handled all environmental aspects. On item 7 (legal contract amendment), she clarified it was for ongoing general advisory and arbitration work. On item 11 (temporary construction easement for Caltrans), she confirmed the temporary nature was only for equipment storage during bridge modifications. On item 12.1 (travel to China), she asked about the purpose and cost; Henry Lee explained the trip was for exploring public-private partnerships for infrastructure funding and noted the $2,100 estimate.<br>- Coco Casella opposed the China trip, calling the $2,100 figure “ridiculously lowball” and expressing concern about “selling RT to a foreign entity.” She argued that destination cities are built organically by serving citizens, not by “glitzy” projects.
• Helen O’Connell asked about the cost of bus bridge operations due to the elevator outage at Watt/I-80, the total repair costs for the elevator over two years, and the cost of a new elevator. Staff committed to providing those figures later.
• Barbara Stanton (Ridership for the Masses) emphasized that the Watt/I-80 elevator outage would severely impact American River College students starting August 25th. She urged RT to post visible schedules for the bus bridge at the station, not rely solely on social media or the internet, and to have bus drivers announce the shuttle.
• Mike Barnbaum detailed the bus routes serving Watt/I-80 (seven local, one express, one light rail line, and one Placer County Transit route) and recommended that any future reconfiguration be reviewed by the Mobility Advisory Council and Service Efficiency Review Committee.
• Jeffrey Tardigia (continued) criticized RT for being late in posting schedules for the bus bridge before the college semester. He urged coordination with American River College’s public information officer and student government, and noted missed revenue opportunities from the State Fair and Capital Air Show due to limited service. He also called for better use of electronic bulletin boards at stations.

Discussion Items

• General Manager’s Report (Henry Lee):

  • Provided state legislative update: AB 398 extending cap‑and‑trade to 2030 was approved, providing market certainty and auction proceeds (~$300 million) that RT is applying for.
  • Announced emergency repairs to UTDC light rail vehicles after a heat wave; repairs restored vehicles for normal operations. Additional improvements included AC modifications, sun screens, extra breaks for operators, and cooling supplies.
  • Introduced new initiatives: pop‑up tent at customer service center, regular meetings with supervisors’ offices, an “adopter station” program for senior managers, and a route optimization study (RFP released).
  • Reported a $13 million grant from the California Transportation Commission for fare vending machine replacement and digital information signs (not for vehicle replacement, clarifying social media inquiries).
  • Welcomed new Chief of Police Services, Lieutenant Nisa Hunt (26‑year SPD veteran), replacing Captain Roman Leon.
  • Acknowledged Officer Alex Ladwig’s shooting and his recovery; a GoFundMe raised over $70,000.

• Financial Report (CFO Brent Bunninger):

  • Preliminary FY17 results showed a $2.7 million operating surplus (revenues $162.2M, expenses $159.5M), achieved without new revenue sources through budget control and cost control.
  • The $29 million line of credit was paid down to zero, improving cash flow.
  • Fare revenue was below budget due to weather disruptions in Q3, a ticket exchange period in June (customers exchanged old tickets instead of buying new ones), and the transition to Connect Card (stored value deferred revenue recognition). Farebox recovery improved from 20% to 21%.
  • Ridership declined 11.2% year over year, attributed to increased fare inspection and fare increases. However, staff noted a cultural shift toward paying riders.
  • Concern about rising supply costs for aging light rail vehicles (Siemens and CAF cars) due to parts obsolescence; more mechanics needed, but training is a challenge.

• Watt/I-80 Station Transformation Presentation (Neil Nance, Lt. Lisa Hunt, Mark Lonergan):

  • Reported on security improvements after implementing the transit agent program and police presence. In response to pushback and the shooting of Officer Ladwig, two armed officers are deployed 7am–7pm weekdays, with armed Paladin guards evenings. Sixteen additional cameras and a PA system were installed, monitored by the 24/7 SOC.
  • Facilities improvements in the first 60 days: portable restroom removed due to misuse, landscaping cleared to improve visibility, straw wattles gates installed, and painting begun. Next 90 days: remove bike lockers, repair the east elevator, repaint shelters and bus loading curb, add ADA non‑slip adhesives to stairwells.
  • A preliminary concept under study: closing the upper bus level and routing all buses to the lower level to create a single, secure transfer point. This would eliminate the need for the elevator and stairs, improving safety and convenience, but may increase travel time for through riders. Public outreach will precede any decision.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Items 1–5, 8–10, 12 approved unanimously.
• Item 6 (Pipeline Easement): Approved unanimously. (Motion by Director Hansen, second Hume.)
• Item 7 (Legal Contract Amendment): Approved unanimously. (Motion by Director Jennings, second.)
• Item 11 (Caltrans Temporary Easement): Approved unanimously. (Motion by Director Shanier, second Miller.)
• Item 12.1 (Travel to China): Approved unanimously. (Motion by Director Hansen, second Kennedy.) Henry Lee will travel from September 2–10 (four business days plus weekends and holiday) as part of the Sacramento‑Shenzhen sister city relationship to develop a comprehensive transportation strategy and explore public‑private partnerships.
• General Manager’s Report: Received and filed.
• Watt/I-80 Update: Presentation noted; no formal vote taken. Staff committed to providing cost data on elevator repairs and bus bridge operations.
• Closed Session: Announced for conference with labor negotiators; no report out.