Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting – October 25, 2021

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board of Directors met on October 25, 2021, to consider consent calendar items, a final network integration plan, public comments, and a resolution to authorize negotiations for a temporary safe parking site at the Roseville Road Light Rail Station. The board also received updates on paratransit service challenges and ridership trends.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1–2.7 and 2.9–2.12 were approved unanimously by a roll call vote (100 votes, with all directors present voting yes).
• Item 2.8 (Resolution delegating authority to the GM/CEO to award contracts for supplemental paratransit services) was pulled for separate discussion and public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2.8 – Paratransit: Helen O’Connell submitted an email asking whether supplemental paratransit service would begin in January 2022 and how it would be implemented (qualification window vs. automatic implementation due to driver shortages). SacRT staff responded that the RFP process is confidential; trips will be identified by SacRT staff the day prior and brokered out; implementation expected shortly after January 2022; and additional outreach will occur via the Mobility Advisory Council.
• Item 4.1 – Network Integration Plan: Sabrina Hawker, a paratransit rider, raised concerns about ongoing ADA violations, driver shortages, and the cost of rider losses. She asked whether SacRT has contacted other transit agencies (e.g., East Bay, San Diego MTS) that have experienced fewer issues, and whether an analysis of losses vs. driver pay increases has been done. She also requested a process to submit a chronology of incidents. Staff agreed to contact her.
• Item 6 – Public Addresses (non‑agenda): Regina Marie (ACB Capital Chapter of CCB Inclusive Diversity) submitted an email requesting that service problems and driver shortages be placed on a future agenda, citing anticipation by the Mobility Advisory Council and concern that current feedback processes are inadequate.
• Barbara Stanton made brief remarks in support of the meeting format.

Discussion Items

• Item 2.8 – Supplemental Paratransit Services: Director Howell asked for clarification on the issue. Staff explained the RFP negotiation is confidential. A motion to approve the resolution (by Director Shaneer, seconded) passed 100 votes after roll call.
• Item 4.1 – Final Network Integration Plan: Laura Hamm presented the plan, a requirement of the 2018 TIRCP grant. The plan analyzes future gold line service, bus circulation to the Sac Valley Station, and fare integration. A key outcome was scaling back bus route extensions into the rail yards from four to two to reduce costs. The plan received public comment and was approved (motion by Director Hall, seconded by Director Hume) with 100 votes.
• Item 7.1 – Safe Parking Site at Roseville Road Light Rail Station: Chris Flores, Lisa Hines, Brent Berniger, and Olga presented the resolution. The City of Sacramento proposed a temporary safe parking site (80–100 guests, 24/7 staffing, one‑year term) to serve unsheltered individuals currently camping in the area. A major complication emerged: Caltrans (which holds the underlying property) advised that the existing encroachment permit cannot be transferred; a three‑party lease among SacRT, City, and Caltrans is needed, subject to FTA concurrence to avoid repayment of FTA‑funded parking facilities. The city’s assistant city manager, Chris Conlin, explained the public safety zone (a buffer for enforcement) used at other sites. Several directors expressed support, noting the humanitarian need and the successful track record of other safe ground sites (e.g., W/X, Broadway/Alhambra). Director Budge requested that any lease payment be the city’s responsibility and the safety zone be as large as legally defensible. Director Hume stressed an ironclad agreement protecting FTA funding. Director Harris moved to approve the resolution delegating authority to the GM to negotiate a three‑party lease with protections including the program guidelines, contingent on FTA concurrence without repayment. The motion passed 100 votes.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (except 2.8): Approved unanimously.
• Item 2.8 – Paratransit Delegation: Approved 11–0 (100 votes).
• Item 4.1 – Final Network Integration Plan: Approved 11–0 (100 votes). Plan will be transmitted to Caltrans to fulfill grant requirements.
• Item 7.1 – Safe Parking Site Resolution: Approved 11–0 (100 votes). The GM is authorized to negotiate a lease with the City of Sacramento and Caltrans, with provisions for a public safety zone “as large as legally permissible,” the city to bear any lease costs, and full indemnification of SacRT. Final agreement contingent on FTA concurrence that SacRT will not be required to reimburse FTA for the parking facility.
• General Manager’s Report: Noted a sharp increase in paratransit trips, a 15% wage increase and hiring bonuses to address driver shortages, new partnership with UC Davis for Causeway Connection service, special event service (Aftershock festival carried over 5,000 passengers), and a 22% overall ridership increase in Q1 FY2022 partly due to the Ride‑Free RT program. SacRT will receive APTA’s Outstanding Transit System of the Year award.
• Director Reports: Director Cerna thanked staff for supporting Aftershock shuttles. Director Hume requested a future agenda item on board seat allocation following the move to one‑member‑one‑vote.

Next Meeting: Closed session immediately following open session; no reportable action anticipated.