Sacramento Regional Transit Board Meeting - May 13, 2020

The Sacramento Regional Transit Board met on May 13, 2020, at approximately 5:33 PM. The meeting covered a consent calendar, public comments, a discussion on reducing public comment time, and a comprehensive General Manager's report including updates on coronavirus response, a proposed transportation measure, Elk Grove transit performance, and departmental reports from legal, internal audit, and equal employment opportunity.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1 through 2.5 were approved unanimously. A public speaker (Jeff Tardiya) questioned whether fare vending machines on the Gold Line would be the same as those on the Blue Line; staff confirmed they would be identical. The consent motion carried with 97 votes in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Copeland expressed confusion about meeting length (two minutes for public comment at a previous meeting versus three that night), criticized the cancellation of two meetings, and stated he would not support Measure A unless an independent audit of every agency including RT is conducted. He also said Sacramento Forward made the bus system worse.
• Jeff Tardiya complimented the board on accountability efforts, requested the chair check with the city about L Street sidewalk closures affecting the airport bus stop, thanked the general manager for improving website accessibility, and noted that electronic bulletin boards at Marconi/Archives Plaza failed to show delays. He praised a bus driver who assisted a blind individual.

Discussion Items

• Item 7.1 – Resolution Amending Rules of Procedure (Public Comment Time): The proposed resolution would reduce public comment from three minutes to two minutes and require speaker cards to be submitted before the item is called. Several board members opposed: Director Budge argued it sends a message that public comment is less important; Director Cerna noted the board typically has few speakers and the chair can already adjust time; Director Natoli said the current system works well and the card requirement could disadvantage latecomers; Director Hull agreed. Four public speakers opposed the change: Mr. Copeland (called it a bad precedent), Jeff Tardiya (said limited time prevents explaining concerns), Tammy Dreamer (representing Sacramento Transit Writers Union, argued two minutes is unreasonable for complex transit issues and burdens people with disabilities), and Helen O'Connell (said it excludes people with disabilities and is unfair). A motion to withdraw the item was made by Director Cerna, seconded by Director Budge, and passed unanimously. The item was withdrawn.

• General Manager's Report:

  • Coronavirus Update: The GM reported proactive sanitizing efforts: buses and light rail vehicles cleaned every night, fogging with chlorine dioxide increased from every few weeks to every other day (soon daily). A daily task force monitors the situation, and employees with symptoms or childcare issues may work from home. A news segment (KCRA) was shown. Director Cerna directed the public to SACCounty.net for updates.
  • STA Measure A: The Sacramento Transportation Authority will vote on placing a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot. The plan would generate $8.4 billion over 40 years, with $3 billion for RT. This would fund $500 million in capital (leveraging over $1 billion in state/federal funds), expand service by up to 30%, continue the student free ride program, offer senior discounts, reduce regular fares from $2.50 to under $2, and maintain the smart ride program for 40 years. State of good repair funding is a priority.
  • APTA Award: RT’s marketing team won first place for the comprehensive outreach campaign for Sacramento Forward.
  • Elk Grove Transit Contract Update: Presented by Jamie Adleman and Carmen Alba. First six months: ridership up 5.1% (19,000 additional passengers), revenue hours up 1%, missed trips down 59% (20 vs. 49 under previous contractor), passengers per hour up 4%. Paratransit (EVAN): ridership flat, revenue hours down (savings for Elk Grove), on-time performance 96% (October 96%, November 96%, December 97%), zero denials (compared to 65 in three months under previous contractor). Goals include reducing late trips and eliminating excessively long trips while maintaining zero denials and 100% staffing.
  • General Counsel Update: Olga Sanchez Ochoa reported on legal department activities: supporting paratransit transition, creating a litigation advisory committee, reviewing all contracts for legal compliance, and advising on employee discipline to guard against employment-related claims.
  • Internal Auditor Update: Jack Hutchinson reviewed the internal audit function: completed a review of district-wide safety policies and a consultation engagement; new projects include audit of IT security, procurement card use, and fuel inventory. A district-wide risk assessment is ongoing.
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Update: Kim Holman reported on the EEO program: one internal and one external complaint (far below 1% of employees), outreach through job fairs, training on SB 1343 (anti-harassment), preparation for the 2021 FTA audit, and future projects including compensation equity analysis and exit interview system. Greg Walters was introduced as the new EEO specialist.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• Item 7.1 (amending rules of procedure for public comment) was withdrawn by a unanimous vote.
• The General Manager's report was received; no formal vote was taken.
• Director Miller announced an update on the smart ride program in Citrus Heights on Thursday at 7 PM.
• Chair Hansen announced that Yolo County Transit District has requested a two-by-two meeting, with Director Miller serving as vice chair.