Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - February 26, 2019

Note: The agenda specified the meeting date as 2019-02-26, but the transcript indicates the meeting was called to order on February 25th, 2019. This summary uses the date from the agenda as instructed.

The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments, a station renaming, a major service contract with Elk Grove, and the adoption of a comprehensive new bus network plan (SACRT Forward).

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 4 were approved unanimously by a vote of 100 votes (all present). These were routine items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Barnbaum (volunteer community transit ambassador) provided updates on upcoming meetings: San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority meeting (March 2nd), Paratransit Board of Directors meeting (March 18th), and Elk Grove City Council meeting (February 27th) regarding paratransit regionalization. He also noted a Capitol Corridor meeting in April.
• Jeffrey Tardiya raised concerns about malfunctioning Connect Card terminals at various stations, particularly at Sacramento Valley Station, and requested an additional terminal. He also reported on accessibility issues and his participation in public testimony on infrastructure.
• Robert Copeland (Sacramento Tenants Union) argued that RT's problems are tied to a lack of affordable housing, which reduces ridership. He also complained about long wait times at a light rail crossing on 19th Street.
• Multiple speakers addressed the SACRT Forward plan (see Discussion Items).

Discussion Items

5. Renaming 39th Street Light Rail Station to 39th Street UC Davis Health Station

• Staff presented a revenue-generating naming sponsorship: $30,000 per year with a 2% annual increase, totaling approximately $335,000 over 10 years. The station is near the UC Davis Medical Center, which already offers free shuttle service.
• Director Harris, in whose district the station lies, moved approval. The motion passed unanimously (100 votes).

6. Agreement with City of Elk Grove for Transit Services

• Staff (Laura Hamm) presented a proposed five-year contract for SACRT to operate Elk Grove's eTran and eVan services, starting July 1, 2019, with total consideration of ~$35.8 million. The contract includes startup costs of $452,000 absorbed by SACRT, and a $350,000 annual proportionate share payment that would be waived during the contract (reducing RT revenue).
• Key provisions: liquidated damages for non-performance (e.g., $50 for late stops, $500 for failure to pick up passengers, $2,500 for failed CHP inspection), requirement to keep key staff positions filled, and no termination for convenience clause initially.
• Vice Chair Hansen expressed concerns about the lack of fairness, the $2.25 million revenue loss over five years, liquidated damages being unusual for a public agency, and the risk of subsidizing the service. He suggested the contract should be revised.
• Director Natoli questioned the cost of leasing facilities (noted as $1) and the startup costs.
• Director Shanier opposed liquidated damages for a public agency and the $350,000 payment, arguing it's not justified.
• Director Hill (Elk Grove) noted the contract is a pathway to annexation and stressed the need to maintain quality service for riders. He supported the contract but suggested a mutual nine-month termination clause.
• GM CEO Henry Li acknowledged the termination clause could be negotiated to nine months and noted that the $350,000 is not a payment to Elk Grove but a waiver of an existing fee because RT now provides service.
• The board decided to delay approval of the second amendment (regarding the proportionate share payment) and instead formed a subcommittee (Vice Chair Hansen, Directors Natoli, Shanier, Hume) to further negotiate and bring back a final contract. The motion to delegate authority to negotiate and execute passed 100 votes.

7. SACRT Forward New Network Plan and Title VI Analysis

• Staff (James Boyle and James Drake) presented a comprehensive redesign of the bus network, developed over 18 months with extensive public outreach (47 pop-up events, 33 presentations, 20 open houses, online engagement).
• Key changes: 27 all-day weekday routes, 26 Saturday routes, 26 Sunday routes, 10 peak-only routes, and 6 frequent corridors (15-minute or better service). Average headway reduced from 42 to 31 minutes on weekdays; hourly service dropped from 44% to 3.7%. Weekend service significantly improved.
• Ridership projections: 400,000 to 1 million additional boardings per year, though an initial decline is expected.
• Title VI equity analysis found no disparate impacts on low-income or minority populations.
• Public comments included both support and opposition:
  • Supporters (e.g., SAC 350, Ion Sacramento, SACOG) praised the outreach and balancing of coverage and frequency.
  • Opponents raised concerns about specific routes: Route 13 (North Market area), Route 6/62 (South Land Park), Route 80/84 (La Riviera), Route 2, Route 65, and lack of service to Sunrise Station. Many worried about walking distances, safety, and loss of weekend service.
  • Joyce Adams Watkins (operator) spoke on behalf of riders on Route 80, emphasizing the need for weekend service.
  • Tracy Shaw (Pocket Area Alliance) commended staff for responsiveness.
  • Dan Allison (Sacramento Transit Advocates) supported the plan but urged investment in microtransit and education.
• Board discussion:
  • Director Cerna raised concerns about service to the Fruit Ridge Community Collaborative (Route 68) and for visually impaired riders. Staff agreed to keep Route 68 on 44th Street and to work with the Society for the Blind.
  • Directors Budge, Natoli, and others noted issues with Route 13, Route 80/84, and Sunrise Station. Staff committed to adding PM trips on Route 13 and revisiting Route 80/84.
  • Director Jennings emphasized the need for ongoing customer communication and a clear process for tweaks.
  • Vice Chair Hansen argued that the plan is a significant improvement and should not be delayed by perfection.
• A substitute motion to delay the vote for one meeting failed (3-8-0). The original motion to approve the plan passed 78 votes (with Directors Budge and Natoli voting no, and Director Shanier absent).

8-11. General Manager's Report and Other Reports

• The General Manager's report was skipped. Reports from San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, RT Board of Directors meeting, and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority were noted without discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
• Item 5 (Station Renaming): Approved unanimously. 39th Street Station will be renamed 39th Street UC Davis Health Station, generating $30,000/year with 2% annual increases.
• Item 6 (Elk Grove Contract): Motion passed to delegate authority to the GM to negotiate a final contract, with a subcommittee (Hansen, Natoli, Shanier, Hume) to review terms. The second amendment (proportionate share payment) was deferred.
• Item 7 (SACRT Forward): Approved by a vote of 78 (7 in favor, 2 opposed, 1 absent). Staff will implement the plan starting July 1, 2019, with monthly monitoring and quarterly service adjustments. Outreach and communication will continue, including travel training for visually impaired riders and specific route revisions as discussed.