Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting - May 10, 2021

The Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors met on May 10, 2021, at 5:30 PM. The meeting was streamed on Metro Cable 14 and webcast. Chair Miller presided. A quorum of 100 votes was established. Key actions included approval of consent calendar items (with removals), approval of the High Capacity Bus Corridor Study, a public hearing on the preliminary FY2022 budget, and approval of contracts and assignment agreements for the Downtown Riverfront Streetcar project.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1 through 2.9 were on the consent calendar. Directors removed items 2.2, 2.3, and 2.7 for separate votes.
• Item 2.2 (third amendment to agreement with Sacramento County for Sheriff Deputy Services) and item 2.3 (agreement with City of Sacramento for peace officer assignment) were each approved separately with votes of 92 in favor (Director Valenzuela voted no on both).
• The remaining consent items (2.1, 2.4-2.6, 2.8, 2.9) passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Bernbaum: Expressed support for the preliminary FY2022 budget and praised the finance team. He also made a motion-like statement to approve the preliminary budget and bring back an amended budget in October.
• Barbara Stanton (Ridership for the Masses): Criticized changes to the fiscal impact reporting format, advocating for a return to a more detailed table format.
• Michael Alt (Downtown Sacramento Partnership): Requested collaboration on special event planning to activate downtown, noting that a planned street fair was impacted by RT decisions.
• Bay Mary (K Street Working Group): Proposed relocating light rail off K Street to H Street, citing safety and walkability benefits, and offered to seek private funding.
• Public comments on item 7.1 (Streetcar): Jason McCoy (City of West Sacramento) submitted a letter from Errol Laurel supporting the project and urging approval. Sacramento Transit Riders Union (via Tammy Dreamer) opposed the project, calling it a "streetcar to nowhere" and urging better use of federal funds.

Discussion Items

• High Capacity Bus Corridor Study (Item 2.7): Director Linda Budge requested pulling the item for more review, citing a 200-page document and potential major impacts. Staff (James Boyle, Laura Hamm) presented key findings: 84% rider satisfaction, top concerns were frequency and on-time performance, five corridors identified (Watt, Florin, Arden, Sunrise/Camino, Stockton). The study proposed a phased approach and further analysis. After discussion, the board voted on a motion to approve the resolution approving the study. The motion carried with 91 votes (Director Budge voted no; others voted yes).
• Public Hearing on Preliminary FY2022 Operating and Capital Budgets (Item 5.1): Brent Berniker presented the budget: operating $214.3 million, capital $152.3 million. Federal stimulus made up the largest revenue source; fare recovery dropped to 6%. The agency plans to eliminate use of the line of credit and has achieved a 1.5-month operating reserve. Discussion included concerns about reporting format and inclusion of actuals from prior years. The board voted unanimously (100 votes) to continue the public hearing to June 14, 2021.
• Downtown Riverfront Streetcar (Item 7.1): Three resolutions were presented: (1) approving assignment agreement with Riverfront Joint Powers Authority, (2) repealing resolution and conditionally approving amendment to HDR contract, (3) repealing resolution and conditionally approving amendment to AECOM contract. Project costs estimated at $131 million (federal $55M, state $31.6M, local $32.4M, vehicles $11.4M). Annual operating costs $1.5M. Debate was extensive. Opponents (Directors Harris, Budge, Valenzuela, Hume, Kennedy, Howell) called the project a "boondoggle," too expensive per mile ($100M/mile), with low ridership potential and ongoing maintenance costs straining other priorities. Supporters (Directors Cerna, Shaner, Jennings, Natoli, Chair Miller) argued that the project would connect to West Sacramento, had secured non-RT funding, and that voting no could risk losing federal/state funds. The motion passed. Vote tally: In favor: Directors Cerna, Shaner, Jennings, Natoli, and Chair Miller (5). Opposed: Directors Budge, Harris, Howell, Hume, Kennedy, Valenzuela (6). The chair announced the motion carried with 51 votes (weighted vote system).
• General Manager’s Report (Item 8.1): Henry Lee reported on workforce equity (69% minority, 33% female, pay equity achieved), customer satisfaction survey, zero-emission bus planning (12 electric buses in fleet, 3 more due in August), plans for a high-speed charging station at Power Inn station (10 chargers initially, up to 100 in 5 years), the new Dos Rios Light Rail Station project (funded by $17.5M state grant), and free ride program for vaccine appointments extended to July 31. He also highlighted a partnership with downtown business districts offering free rides on Wednesdays to support job access.
• Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor JPA Report: Director Budge reported on the JPA meeting, including trail development by outdoor groups, plans to extend excursion train service, and improvements to Wilson Boulevard.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items (except 2.2, 2.3, 2.7) approved unanimously.
• Items 2.2 and 2.3 approved separately; each passed 92-1 (Director Valenzuela dissenting).
• High Capacity Bus Corridor Study approved (91 votes in favor). The study will be submitted to Caltrans as required for the grant.
• Public hearing on FY2022 budget continued to June 14, 2021 (unanimous).
• Downtown Riverfront Streetcar resolutions approved (51 weighted votes in favor, with 6 directors opposed). The project will proceed with further studies and application to FTA’s Small Starts program.
• General manager’s report received; noting continued progress on zero-emission buses and new station projects.

The meeting adjourned after approximately three hours.