Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - October 25, 2018

Note: The meeting transcript indicates the meeting was held on October 22, 2018, but the provided metadata specifies the date as October 25, 2018. This summary uses the given date of October 25, 2018 per the instruction, with the discrepancy noted.

The board convened for a regular meeting, covered consent items, received public comments, and took action on the conditional annexation of the City of Folsom into the Sacramento Regional Transit District. The board also received informational reports on voting allocation, employee awards, and EEO updates.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–12 were approved unanimously on a 95-vote voice vote with no discussion or removal.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Helen O’Connell requested a 40% coverage increase and 60% frequency increase as a compromise, and stated that if there is a bus on Monday, there should be a bus on Sunday.
• Jeffrey Tartagia reported a rough ride on new buses (nos. 1536 and 1537) and expressed concern that the new buses may not have the lifespan of older buses. He also advocated for coverage over high frequency, noting that high-frequency proposals do not adequately connect transportation centers and are vulnerable to disruption.
• Mike Barnbaum spoke in favor of the high coverage network, citing extensions to the airport, Gold Line, Delta Shores, and Power Inn area, and argued that unmet transit needs are defined by no service, not low frequency. He suggested a motion to approve high coverage and direct staff to engage opposition groups like Howard Jarvis and I on Sacramento to discuss a new local funding source.

Discussion Items

• Item 13: Resolution Conditionally Approving Annexation of the City of Folsom
  • Presented by Brent Berniker. The annexation would make Sacramento RT the operator of Folsom’s light rail, bus, and dial-a-ride service, replacing the current contract arrangement. Key benefits included: no immediate service changes for Folsom residents; expanded paratransit service area; ability to use mobile app and Connect Card across both systems; transferability with a 25-cent cash surcharge; transfer of approximately $1 million in fund balance (to be used for Folsom service); employment offers for bus operators and administrative staff; and maintenance of bus stops by RT. The annexation would also reallocate board votes: Folsom from 3 to 10 votes, Sacramento from 36 to 34, Sacramento County from 42 to 37, while Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, and Elk Grove remained unchanged.
  • Director Moran made a motion to approve, seconded by Vice Chair Hansen. The City of Folsom City Manager Elaine Anderson expressed support, noting that service levels and staff protection were non-negotiable and were honored. Vice Chair Hansen praised Director Moran’s leadership. A brief question confirmed that Folsom buses would retain their “Folsom Stage Line” branding alongside RT branding. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
• Item 14: Information on Annexation Effects on District Weighted Voting
  • Presented by Brent Berniker as an informational item. Three scenarios were shown: current vote shares, votes after Folsom annexation, and votes if Citrus Heights and Elk Grove also annexed. The calculations were based on 2019 budgeted numbers using federal revenue allocation, incentive shares, and TDA revenue. No action was taken.
• Item 15: General Manager’s Report
  • GM Henry Lee presented employee awards for long service: Thomas McClain (40 years), Tracy Winson (25 years), Joyce Adams Watkins (35 years), Norm Freeman (25 years), and others not present. He also reported that SACRT received an Innovative Solutions Award from Metro Magazine for on-demand microtransit, and outlined plans to electrify the fleet, with 55 electric buses expected within two years. He noted that 70% of transit-oriented ballot measures passed in 2016, compared to 30% for road measures. He also highlighted the signing of AB 709, which amended SACRT’s enabling act.
• Item 16: Paratransit Inc. Board of Directors Report – Director Hume noted he was nominated as president of the Paratransit board.
• Item 17: Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Report – Director Harris reported that he missed the meeting.
• Item 18: San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Report – No additional comments.
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Preliminary Work Plan – Presented by Kim Holman. She reported 11 formal EEO complaints (1% of workforce), a successful FTA audit with no findings, and training provided on AB 1825, bullying, unconscious bias, and diversity. The 2019 plan includes creation of an EEO manual.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 1–12): Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 (Folsom Annexation): Motion carried unanimously (voice vote, 95 votes). The resolution conditionally approves annexation, pending final approval from the City of Folsom board (scheduled for October 26, 2018). Transition is targeted for February/March 2019.
• Closed Session: The board recessed to closed session regarding existing litigation: Laverne Cautier v. SACRT, Superior Court Case 34-2018-00234834. No reportable action was expected.