Sacramento Regional Transit Board Meeting - October 24, 2017

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting occurred on Monday, October 23, 2017, while the provided metadata states October 24, 2017. This summary uses the metadata date as instructed, but notes the discrepancy.

The Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) Board met on October 24, 2017, at 3:04 PM (as per metadata). The board addressed routine consent items, heard extensive public testimony, and engaged in lengthy debate on the sale of surplus properties, particularly regarding proposed uses for homeless shelters and transit-oriented development. Several items were approved, and one was continued to a future meeting. The meeting included reports from the General Manager and a presentation on police awards.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1, 3, 4, and 10 were approved unanimously by voice vote (moved by Vice Chair Kennedy, seconded by Director Budge).
• Item 2 (assignment agreement with San Joaquin Regional Transit District for nine option buses) was approved after staff clarification by Mark Lonergan and a question from Brenda Anderson.
• Item 5 (repeal/replace resolution for Proposition 1B grant documents) was approved after a question from Brenda Anderson and clarification from Brent Bernicker.
• Item 6 (resolution delegating authority to GM/CEO for position allocations and salary increases) was approved after public comments from Helen O'Connell and Brenda Anderson; staff agreed to respond in writing to their questions. Motion by Director Shanier, seconded.
• Item 7 (resolution authorizing solicitation of proposals for general planning support services) was approved after extensive discussion and public comment from Director Budge, Tammy Dramer, and Brenda Anderson. Staff committed to providing written responses on unfilled positions and staffing levels. Motion by Vice Chair Kennedy, seconded by Director Harris.
• Item 8 (MOU with City of Sacramento regarding Transportation Development Partnerships) was approved with an amendment directing staff to bring forward a policy ensuring the Mobility Advisory Council (MAC) is included in future decisions. Motion by Director Natoli, seconded. The item was approved unanimously.
• Item 9 (surplus properties) was split: Item 9A (Arden Way/Evergreen) was continued to the November 13 meeting; Items 9B (65th Street) and 9C (Power Inn Road) were declared surplus, with the board retaining final approval on sales. This followed substantial public comment and board debate. The motion (by Director Harris, seconded by Director Kennedy) passed on a roll call vote (96 votes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Copeland criticized RT bus system reliability and frequency, citing long wait times and missed connections. He urged service improvements.
• Mike Barnbaugh provided updates on the reopened Lewis-Orlando transfer point, upcoming unmet transit needs hearings, and other regional transit meetings.
• Barbara Stanley (Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency) presented certificates of appreciation to RT staff Jason Zebley, Kenny McCoy, Casey Courtright, and Matthew Wayman for their work on Connect Card distribution at community events.
• Stacey Wentling (Organized Sacramento/SAC Transit Riders Union) shared rider feedback on bus stops and expressed support for the RT holiday bus, requesting promotional materials and route details.
• Tyler Kearns (Seven Leaves/Gold Country Green) opposed the city planner's determination that his cannabis cultivation business was inconsistent with light rail and argued his business would increase transit ridership. He requested board review of the issue.
• Brenda Anderson spoke on multiple consent items, asking for clarification on bus option agreements, grant omissions, and salary negotiation controls.
• Helen O'Connell questioned the delegation of authority for up to $20,000 in payments without board oversight.
• Tammy Dramer (Organized Sacramento) requested that the Mobility Advisory Council (MAC) and Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) be incorporated into the MOU with the City, and expressed concerns about planning department staffing levels and grant writing capacity.
• Christian Perry (RT rider) expressed safety fears about a proposed homeless shelter near the Arden Way station, citing concerns about crime and harassment.
• Elaine Jackson urged the board to reconsider selling the Arden/Evergreen property, suggesting it be used as a transit station instead of a shelter, and presented a petition showing 80-90% neighborhood opposition.
• Jeremy Turner (Coincini Restaurant Supply) offered to purchase the Arden/Evergreen property for cash at double the city's offer for community-focused development.
• David Plague (Del Paso Boulevard Partnership) criticized the lack of public notification and transparency in the property sale process, noting that councilmembers were unaware of the intended use for a homeless shelter.
• Michelle Parasett (Organized Sacramento/SAC True) noted that the Surplus Land Act requires a 60-day notice to public agencies (not 30 days) and emphasized affordable housing priorities. She also questioned the impact on bus operations at 65th Street.
• Kelly Ellison (local resident) opposed the shelter plan due to existing safety issues and inadequate police presence.
• Kirk Lang (Newmark Cornish & Kerry) presented an offer from OmniNet Capital to purchase the Evergreen property for $350,000, proposing a low-income housing development with parking.
• Robert Copeland (second appearance) argued that surplus property should benefit the neighborhood and questioned security for a homeless shelter, advocating for smaller shelters per district.
• Brandon Lee (Placer County Probation) opposed the shelter citing increased crime and safety risks in his new residential neighborhood near the site.

Discussion Items

• Item 7: Planning Support Services – Director Budge raised concerns about the number of permanent planners versus contract staff, especially given the upcoming Route Optimization Study. Staff (Henry Li, Jim Boyle, Brent Bernicker) explained the need for a contract to handle peak workloads and grant writing, with a future senior grant writer position planned. Public speakers (Tammy Dramer, Brenda Anderson) urged hiring permanent staff rather than relying on consultants. The item was approved with a commitment to provide written responses.
• Item 8: MOU with City of Sacramento – Director Natoli proposed an amendment to incorporate the MAC into future planning processes, which staff agreed to pursue as a policy resolution. The board approved the amended MOU.
• Item 9: Surplus Property Declarations – The most contentious item. Staff (Brent Bernicker) explained the process: properties originally designated for joint development were now being declared surplus to enable sale. Public speakers overwhelmingly opposed the Arden/Evergreen sale for a homeless shelter, citing safety, insufficient notice, and undervaluation. Broker Ken Turton defended the process as aligning with transit-oriented development goals. Board debate included concerns about transparency, delegation of authority, and the need for final board approval on all property sales. The board agreed to continue Item A to November 13 and approved Items B and C with a requirement for staff to return with a summary of terms before any sale is finalized.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent items 1, 3, 4, 10 (voice vote).
• Approved items 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 (all with unanimous votes, 96 votes).
• For item 8, staff directed to bring forward a policy on incorporating the Mobility Advisory Council.
• For item 9, split action: Item A (Arden/Evergreen) continued to November 13, 2017 meeting; Items B (65th Street) and C (Power Inn Road) declared surplus, with final sale requiring board approval. The motion passed on a roll call vote (96 votes).
• Board will consider reverting delegation of authority for property sales to the full board at the November meeting.
• Staff committed to providing written responses to public questions on item 6 (salary delegation) and item 7 (planning staffing).
• Item 12 was pulled from the agenda for future consideration.
• Closed session was announced for pending litigation (two cases), with no report expected.

Reports

• General Manager’s Report: Henry Li highlighted security improvements (60 fare inspectors, up from 10) and recognized community volunteers for Connect Card distribution.
• Security Update: Lieutenant presented awards to officers Steve Lewis, Myron Lewis, and Gus Johnson for community engagement and crime prevention.
• Capitol Corridor Report: Director Harris reported on a site visit to Hercules for a potential station, noting challenges including sea level rise.
• General Public Comment: Mike Barnbaugh shared a personal experience of theft at Sacramento Valley Station and thanked Officer Givens for assistance.