Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - July 25, 2022

The Sacramento Regional Transit (SACRT) Board of Directors held a virtual meeting on July 25, 2022, with a quorum of eight votes present. The meeting covered consent calendar approvals, public comments on service issues, approval of the General Manager's performance evaluation and contract amendment, an emergency declaration for a damaged overhead contact system pole, an informational presentation on a proposed county transportation tax initiative, and the General Manager's report including updates on funding, service changes, and COVID-19 impacts.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1 to 2.13 were approved unanimously (9 votes in favor, no abstentions). Public comment was received on item 2.2 (extending Zoom meeting authority to August 24, 2022). Glenn Mandelcorn suggested returning to in-person board meetings with a continued Zoom option, citing recent recruitment events held at the 29th Street Auditorium.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeffrey Tartigia (on consent calendar and general matters) questioned whether meeting minutes matched the General Manager's report and noted 21 bus route cancellations on the day of the meeting. He called for better communication on cancellations, including signs on buses directing riders to the website.
• Alison Kustick expressed concern over declining service on the 134 bus route in East Sacramento and River Park, which had been cut to a school bus schedule (one trip at ~7:00 am and one at ~2:30 pm). She urged the board to restore full commuter service in September and improve reliability of alternative routes (30 and SmaRT Ride).
• Glenn Mandelcorn (on bus cancellations) observed a significant drop in daily bus trip cancellations from 70-90 in May-June to single digits or zero in July. He thanked Blanca Salcedo for her recruitment efforts in Spanish on Univision. General Manager Henry Lee attributed the improvement to a decrease in COVID-19 cases among operators (from over 60 in May-June to about 25 in July).
• Barbara Stanton (Ridership for the Masses) spoke during item 7.1 (GM evaluation) about ongoing bus cancellation concerns and collaboration with SACRT staff to reach riders without electronics. She thanked the board for expanding the downtown SmaRT Ride to Mariposa Village and noted that Mariposa Village is now in the system.

Discussion Items

• New Business 7.1 – General Manager Performance Evaluation and Contract Amendment: Shelley Valentin presented. The board met in closed session on June 13, 2022, to evaluate General Manager CEO Henry Lee, determining he met or exceeded key performance goals. Proposed: a 3% salary increase (consistent with other employee groups) and modification of severance from 6 to 12 months of pay for termination without cause. Director Harris moved approval, praising Mr. Lee's performance. Director Hume abstained, citing inability to attend the closed session and therefore discomfort voting. The resolution passed with 8 votes in favor, 1 abstention (Hume), and 2 absences (Jennings, Shanier).
• New Business 7.2 – Emergency Declaration for Damaged OCS Pole: Laura Hamm presented. A structural analysis of a pole east of Marconi Arcade station determined it must be replaced within 60 days. A temporary fix is in place with trains operating on a slow order. Authorization would allow the General Manager to execute a contract over $150,000 (initial quote ~$175,000, funding set aside up to $200,000). Chair Miller clarified the damage was due to an electrical failure. Motion by Director Budge, second by Director Natoli. Passed unanimously (9 votes).
• New Business 7.3 – Proposed Citizens' Transportation Tax Initiative (Information Item): Laura Hamm presented the Sacramento County Transportation Maintenance, Safety and Congestion Relief Act of 2022, a citizen initiative requiring only 50%+1 for approval. Over 40 years, SACRT is expected to receive $3.3–3.5 billion (~$90 million annually), a significant increase from the current 1/6 cent under Measure A. Funds would support maintenance, operations, light rail modernization, zero-emission bus conversion, K-12 fare-free program, SmaRT Ride, and other services. Director Hume questioned the identification of corridors for high-frequency bus service; staff noted a prior high-frequency bus study. Public commenter Jeffrey Tartigia raised concerns about the initiative's timeline and funding distribution compared to Measure A, urging regional cooperation. No action was taken.
• General Manager's Report (Item 8.1): Henry Lee reported:
  • Nearly $24 million awarded for eight new light rail vehicles (total now 44 funded, goal of 72 for full low-floor fleet replacement).
  • $5 million for connectivity and planning at Sacramento Valley Station; $1.5 million for contactless payment devices.
  • State budget includes $3.6 billion for the next TRCP cycle.
  • Federal earmarks: $3.7 million from Rep. Ami Bera for light rail station upgrades; $8.7 million requested by Sen. Alex Padilla.
  • Launched "SACRT in the Community" blog.
  • Closure of 8th & O Street light rail station westbound platform and bus stops for three years due to Cal DWR construction; riders should use K Street Plaza station.
  • Fencing project along 12th Street reduced trespassing by 30%.
  • EEO office reported no valid findings in complaints over the past four years.
  • Transportation ballot measure campaign raised $1.2 million prior to a recent event, with an additional $1 million pledged on the spot.
  • Rosefield Road safe parking program: three-party agreement executed; weekly coordination meetings underway; tentative launch in fall.
  • COVID-19 cases: 50 in May, 67 in June, 25 in July (as of the meeting).
• Item 9.1 – Capitol Corridor JPA Meeting Summary: Reported by Michael Cormay. No questions. Director Budge acknowledged the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and honored Jim Knottley and Francis Grayschild for their advocacy. Jeffrey Tartigia noted that no RT representative attended that JPA meeting (Mike Barnbaum represented RT well). Director Budge moved to adjourn in memory of those individuals.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (9-0).
• Resolution 2022-07082 (GM evaluation and contract amendment) approved (8-1, with Director Hume abstaining; Directors Jennings and Shanier absent).
• Resolution 2022-07083 (emergency pole replacement contract) approved (9-0).
• Item 7.3 was informational; no vote taken.
• General Manager's report received; no formal action.
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Jim Knottley and Francis Grayschild.