Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting - January 18, 2019

The Sacramento Regional Transit District Board held a regular meeting on January 18, 2019, at which the board approved a consent calendar, heard public comments, debated and unanimously approved several resolutions, and received reports from the general manager and advocates. All votes were unanimous with 9 ayes and 1 abstention (or as recorded).

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 7 were approved unanimously (9-0-1). A public speaker, Jeffrey Tardiquilla, addressed item 5, expressing concern about the Los Rios bus pass program and urging the board to ensure proper verification of pass usage. The board moved and seconded the consent calendar, and it carried.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Barnbaum welcomed new board member Kerry Howell and alternate Mike Klosowski, urged the board to consider appointments to the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin Joint Powers Authorities, and highlighted the underfunding of Sacramento RT (noting a one-sixth cent of Measure A).
• David Schwegel promoted high-speed rail to Sacramento by 2022, advocated for new light rail rolling stock (citing Siemens mock-up at the railroad museum), and referenced King County's $54 billion light rail expansion measure as inspiration.
• Arthur Kitterling declined to speak, stating he had received answers prior to the meeting.
• Jeffrey Tardiquilla praised the route optimization and 15-minute schedule, but criticized bus shuttle operations (lost Connect Card revenue), mobile app issues, and lack of outreach materials for route changes in Citrus Heights. He also urged the board to address the Southside elevator and accessibility.

Discussion Items

• Item 8: Extension of Chair and Vice Chair Terms – Motion to extend Chair Patrick Kennedy and Vice Chair Steve Hanson for one year (2019). Approved unanimously.
• Item 9: Second Amendment to GM/CEO Employment Agreement – Resolution approving the amendment consistent with board direction from November 12, 2018. Approved unanimously.
• Item 10: Waiver of Competitive Bidding for R Street Repairs – Resolution waiving bidding and delegating authority to the GM/CEO to execute a contract for structural and roof repairs at 1225 R Street (needed for IT server room). Required a four-fifths vote (80 votes) and was approved unanimously (9-0-1).
• Item 11: Transit Portion of Nexus Study and MOU with County – James Boyle (Director of Planning) and John Long (DKS Associates) presented the Sacramento County Transportation Development Fee Program update. The program uses a 2017 base year, 2050 horizon, and is based on SACOG’s regional model. It allocates $408 million in total transit costs, with $188 million attributable to unincorporated area growth. The fee per dwelling unit equivalent is $1,004 for urban districts (1,4,6) and $95 for rural district 5. Director Cerna questioned the nexus justification for the large fee difference. The board approved the resolution and MOU unanimously.
• General Manager’s Report (Item 12) – Henry Lee provided updates:
  • Sacramento Riverfront Streetcar Project: Three bids received for the guideway portion (budget $108 million), but bids came in $75-98 million over budget; staff will evaluate.
  • Citrus Heights approved annexation to RT district; Folsom approved annexation; service Stage 9 bus service begins Feb 4; Elk Grove contract negotiations ongoing.
  • Labor relations: Operating Engineers Local 3 withdrew petition to represent management staff.
  • Paper litigation: 9th Circuit dismissed the case, freeing $13 million in federal grants; RT actively seeking release.
  • Electric bus progress: Signed agreement for 12 large electric buses (by end of 2019), 6 small electric buses arriving in February, and 10 more small buses this year.
  • State Advocate Mark Watts reported on Governor Newsom’s budget (no major transportation changes), committee assignments, and potential legislation (ACA1 to lower vote threshold for transportation taxes, commuter benefits, bus-on-shoulder authorization).
  • Federal Advocates Julie Adair Minerva and Jeff Booth reported on the 116th Congress, shutdown, FY19 appropriations (including $2.553 billion for Capital Investment Grants), and oversight of the FTA’s management of the CIG program.
• Public Comments on GM Report – Mike Barnbaum urged board engagement on ACA1; Jeffrey Tardiquilla highlighted upcoming budget hearings, accessibility, and the need for more outreach on route optimization.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions (Items 1-7, 8, 9, 10, 11) were approved unanimously, with 9 votes in favor and 1 abstention (recorded as "91 votes" in the transcript).
• The board extended the terms of Chair Kennedy and Vice Chair Hansen for 2019.
• The board approved the second amendment to the GM/CEO employment agreement.
• The board waived competitive bidding for structural repairs at 1225 R Street.
• The board approved the transit nexus study and MOU with Sacramento County for transportation development impact fees.
• The board recessed to closed session to discuss labor negotiations with ATU (Item A).
• Appointments to various joint powers authorities and boards were deferred for future action.