Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting – April 10, 2018

This meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors took place on April 10, 2018 (though the transcript opens with the Chair stating “April 9th meeting”). The board reviewed a consent calendar, heard public comments, received updates on major projects (SACRT Forward, microtransit, financial performance, student fare pilot, the Watt I-80 Transit Center), and approved a preliminary FY19 budget. A quorum of 100 votes was established. The meeting was cablecast and will be re-aired on April 11 and April 14.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 9 were approved unanimously (motion by Director Budge, second by Director Jennings).
• Item 6 (rescheduling the next regularly scheduled meeting as a special meeting on April 23, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at McGeorge School of Law) was approved after a speaker (Mike Barnbaum) requested that future scheduling consider earlier times and larger venues. The motion carried at 100 votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Barnbaum (public speaker) announced upcoming events: April 11 design workshop for the Dos Rios station at Smythe Academy (2–6:30 p.m.), free RT rides for Sacramento Kings game ticket holders on April 11, and the Elk Grove City Council’s review of potential multimodal station locations. He also noted the Solano Transportation Authority is reimagining three transit lines into one from Sacramento/Fairfield to Pleasant Hill BART, with implementation planned for July 1, 2018. He spoke on Item 6, urging larger evening meetings in 2019.
• Pat Williams (public speaker) advocated for bringing paratransit services in-house, stating that combining services could save “millions and millions of dollars.” He cited statistics: 3,000 drivers have come and gone at Paratransit, $228,000 spent on legal in 2014-15, a $13 million budget, and $3.5 million taken out last year. He noted the aging baby boomer population will increase demand for door-to-door disability services.
• Jeffrey Tardiya (public speaker) spoke on multiple items: on Item 6 he yielded his time; on Item 11 he questioned the withdrawal of proposed changes to board rules of procedure (Title III), asking whether the decision came from staff, the board, or the public; on Item 12 he requested more detailed budget explanations beyond pie charts and asked how a $3.3 million loan from SACOG would be tracked; on Item 13 he urged the board not to discard the Roseville Road relocation option for the Watt I-80 Transit Center and stressed replacing the east elevator immediately.
• Arbor Steaton (public speaker) supported the withdrawal of the proposed Title III changes but expressed concern that they would be brought back in the future.
• Nick Brant (public speaker) reported on a homeless individual at Watt I-80 station, encouraged riders to report issues via the app, and praised RT for pressure washing stairs and cleaning the station.
• Russell Rawlings (public speaker) commended staff on the Watt I-80 study but cautioned against relocation, noting it would burden the community and the Mercy Housing project residents who rely on that hub.

Discussion Items

• General Manager’s Report (Henry) : He extended an invitation to the public and board to attend the April 11 design workshop for the Dos Rios station. He presented employee service awards for the last quarter (10 recipients, 4 present). He provided a legislative update from Washington, D.C., noting that federal funding for transit capital projects increased from $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion annually, including an additional $50 million for the downtown streetcar project. He also announced that camera upgrades and a new public announcement system began that day at the Watt I-80 and Watt stations, funded by Proposition 1B, with enhanced resolution for facial recognition and license plate reading.
• SACRT Forward (Laura Hamm) : The route optimization study now has a name and logo. A website (SACRT.com) is live with project documents and email sign-up. Focus groups were held with frontline employees (close to 80 participants) and a stakeholder resources group (about 40 attendees for a four-hour workshop). Next steps include a board workshop on April 23, a public involvement campaign through April and May, and a core design retreat in the first week of June.
• Microtransit Update (Mark Lanagan) : The Citrus Heights pilot launched February 12, 2018, and has been in service for two months. Ridership is showing a continual upward trend, with positive feedback. The service is expanding to include Orangevale and Antelope, and hours will be extended from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. to 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Friday. The app adoption is increasing. No riders have been denied a ride, and the 30-minute wait time commitment is being met. A customer survey has been released. Additional areas under consideration for microtransit include Franklin Boulevard, Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Rancho Cordova, CSUS, and River Park.
• Financial Report (Brent Burlinger) : February 2018 had a net surplus of approximately $200,000; year-to-date surplus is close to $2.5 million. Deferred revenue exceeded $500,000 in February. The farebox recovery ratio is 47% with Measure A supplemental revenue, but 19% without. Ridership in February was slightly down compared to goal, but the past two months show a positive trend compared to fiscal year 2017.
• Student Fare Pilot Program (Brent Burlinger) : Since implementation, student pass sales increased 27%–34% in a three-month period, and student ridership grew by 30,000 trips. The revenue impact was a modest $21,500 per month, with no new costs. Students prefer electronic fare options. Staff will return with a Title VI analysis and a permanent recommendation in the coming months. Director Schneider asked about the break-even fare point; staff indicated that a monthly pass price between $20 and $25 would likely minimize revenue loss while maintaining ridership gains.
• Item 11 – Withdrawal of Proposed Title III Changes : Laura Hamm reported that staff has been taking comments from the public and board and decided to give the matter more time. The item will be brought back with a future recommendation. The main change under consideration involves the order of agenda items.
• Item 12 – Preliminary FY19 Operating and Capital Budget : Brent Burlinger presented the budget. Operating budget is $165.5 million (2.6% increase), capital budget is $96.1 million. No significant changes to service levels or fare structure. Measure A (local sales tax) provides 26% of operating revenues, which is low compared to other transit agencies. The ideal revenue model would see Measure A covering 62%. Challenges include volatility in federal funds, future debt service, higher claim payouts from past accidents, low liquidity, and low operating reserve balance. A public hearing is set for May 14, 2018, with final adoption on June 11.
• Item 13 – Watt I-80 Transit Center Concepts : Tracy Canfield presented short- and long-term concepts. The station is the busiest bus–light rail transfer center, serving 3,500 riders per day (about 1 million per year). Outreach included 80+ attendees at meetings, 170 at pop-up events, 40+ at walk audits, and 270 online responses. Short-term improvements: replace elevators, improve lighting, wayfinding, and restrict access to hidden spaces. Long-term concepts: tear down existing structures, widen sidewalks, add monument signs, and potentially close the underpass in favor of a mid-block crossing. Relocation to Roseville Road was evaluated but rejected as it would reduce ridership and cost an additional $500,000 per year in operating costs. Next steps: seek funding for long-term improvements, conduct environmental review, partner with the county and Caltrans, and replace the two non-working elevators as soon as possible.
• Item 14 – San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Meeting Summary : Director Hume reported that the business plan was approved. Mike Barnbaum added details: a morning express train begins May 7, 2018 (arriving Sacramento Valley Station at 7:41 a.m.), and the next JPA meeting is May 25 in Stockton. The board is planning for eighth and ninth round trips, which would use a new Sacramento subdivision and could include new stations at City College, Midtown, Railroad Avenue, and North Natomas (with a potential shuttle to Sacramento International Airport).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (items 1–9) with 100 votes.
• Item 6 approved (special meeting rescheduled to April 23, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at McGeorge School of Law).
• Item 11 (proposed changes to Title III) withdrawn by staff; will be brought back later.
• Item 12 (preliminary FY19 budget) approved; public hearing set for May 14, 2018.
• General Manager’s Report and all informational presentations received without votes.
• The board recessed to closed session for three litigation items: Antoinette Satchel vs. RT, Holly Euler vs. RT, and Pamela Terrell vs. RT.

Note: The transcript begins with the Chair stating “the April 9th meeting,” but the provided meeting date is April 10, 2018. This discrepancy is recorded as found.