Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - August 8, 2022
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Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - August 8, 2022
The Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) Board of Directors held a virtual meeting on August 8, 2022, at 5:31 PM. The board approved the consent calendar, received public comments, discussed the downtown riverfront streetcar project, and heard the General Manager's report. The meeting was live-streamed and cablecast, with a quorum of seven votes present.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2.1 to 2.6 were approved unanimously with 10 votes (Director Howe initially muted but later voted). Public comments were heard on items 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4. Jeffrey Tardiya commented on item 2.2 (Townsend lobbying effort), noting Townsend's past involvement in transit-related propositions and urging board awareness. Director Natoli clarified that Townsend is a different firm from the one involved in the Citizens Initiative. Glenn Mandelkern commented on items 2.3 and 2.4. For 2.3, he recommended a Metro Magazine article on leadership recruitment. For 2.4 (Connect Card), he reported issues with loading cash value over the weekend and suggested adding testing scenarios for upgrades.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public addresses on matters not on the agenda (Item 6): Jeffrey Tardiya reported issues at Folsom paint festival (crowds, car problems, Connect Card failures, graffiti, and safety concerns on buses). He urged better service and noted a bus handrail safety issue. Glenn Mandelkern raised concerns about the Watt I-80 station: elevator door not fully opening/closing, exposed cables, and increasing graffiti. He suggested that candidates for VP of Light Rail Operations be shown the station.
- Public comment on the streetcar project: Jeffrey Tardiya asked about utility relocation costs on N Street and the $25 million mayoral commitment. Henry (GM/CEO) responded that the funding agreement will allow environmental review to identify any surprises. Glenn Mandelkern suggested sharing transit-oriented development concepts with West Sacramento for new apartment buildings near the proposed streetcar.
- Public comment on General Manager’s report: Jeffrey Tardiya thanked Henry for the website and requested clearer signage for 7th & O and 9th & K stops. He also noted homeless issues and asked about bus service near Florin Road and Power Inn. Glenn Mandelkern praised the video on social service practitioners, calling it inspiring and well-produced. Helen O'Connell asked for the language of Measure A (half-cent or three-quarters cent) and AB 2015; Henry offered to send the information.
Discussion Items
- Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project (Item 7.1): Laura Hamm presented a revised alignment connecting West Sacramento to SacRT’s light rail system via N Street, 7th and 8th Streets, instead of the previous route to Sacramento Valley Station. The revised alignment is estimated at $126 million, with $22.5 million spent to date, and includes two new Siemens S700 vehicles ($11.5 million). Benefits include connectivity to the entire network, no impact on Sacramento Valley Station plans, and potential for higher ridership. Concerns include additional design, environmental, and utility relocation costs, taking about 18 months. The project would enter construction in early 2027 with completion in 2029. The resolution (2022-08-090) delegates authority to the GM/CEO to negotiate a funding agreement with West Sacramento. Director Valenzuela expressed support, noting the alignment makes more sense. Director Budge asked about preserving the $50 million FTA allocation and the timeline for City of Sacramento action (targeted September). Director Harris supported the new alignment, stating it avoids disruption to the Valley Station master plan. The resolution passed 10-0.
- General Manager’s Report (Item 8.1): Henry (GM/CEO) reported service adjustments effective August 28 (four bus routes reduced due to workforce shortages), enhancements to three smart ride zones (including Thomas Lost Sacramento and Elk Grove), $2 million in funding from SACOG’s revolving match fund, and legislative update (AB 2015 expected to pass). He also highlighted the ride-free RT program for students and a safe parking project update. A video featured social service practitioner Rose Ortega, who assists homeless individuals. Directors praised the video and the social work program. Director Budge thanked Henry for reaching out to Ukrainian refugees for hiring. No vote was taken on the informational report.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (10 votes).
- Resolution 2022-08-090 (Streetcar Project): Approved 10-0, authorizing the GM/CEO to negotiate and enter into a funding agreement with the City of West Sacramento for the revised downtown riverfront streetcar project.
- Next Steps: Staff will continue design and environmental work, with City of Sacramento Council action expected in September 2022. The project is anticipated to begin construction in early 2027 and be completed in 2029.
- General Manager’s Report: No action taken; informational item only.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, and they can uh catch up with the rest of us. Okay, thanks. All right. Well, let's kick this off and uh welcome everyone to the August 8th, 2022 meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors. Uh, this is meetings being held virtually, and all speakers, the board and staff. Would you please announce your name when you begin to speak? This meeting is being live streamed, and the slide on the screen shows the information on how to join the webinar to Zoom. There we go. You can also call into the meeting at 253 215 8782. And the webinar access code is 8504772864. If you're participating by phone, please push star nine to indicate a desire to comment on an item. And if you're joining us online through Zoom, please push the raise hand button. Be sure to unmute yourself when it's your turn to speak and voluntary voluntarily state your name for the record. And now, Tabitha, if you'd uh call the role all right, Director Budge. Director Howell is absent. Director Hume. I am here. How how is here too? Oh good. Okay, and then Director Jennings is absent. Director Kennedy here. Absent. Director Shaneer? Here. Director Cerna. Here. Director Valenzuela. Here. And Chair Miller. I'm here. And with that, we have a quorum at seven votes. And this meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit District will be cable cast on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on Comcast Consolidated Communications and ATT Uverse. Today's meeting will air on Thursday, August 11th at 9 a.m. and Friday, August 12th at 9 a.m. on channel 14, and webcast at Metro14Live.sackCounty.net and is closed captioned. This meeting can also be viewed at YouTube.com forward slash Metro Cable 14. Thank you. And with that, would uh would everyone unmute their your mics and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States. And to the Republic. One nation under God. Indivisible justice. Okay, we're getting a little better at that. And uh with that, would you please call the first item, Tabitha? The first item is the consent calendar, items 2.1 to 2.6. And please note on item 2.2, I edited this item and removed some unnecessary text. Thank you. Are there any uh items that uh directors would have questions on or would like bold and uh any public comments? Otherwise, I'll move consent. All right, so noted.
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