OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento RT Board Meeting: Board Composition, GM Report, and Service Updates - March 27, 2023

Sacramento Regional Transit Board Meetings — Monday, March 27, 2023
BodySacramento County, California
SessionSacramento Regional Transit Board Meetings
DateMonday, March 27, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

Is being live streamed and the slide on the screen.

0:06

Which there's not one.

0:08

Uh here we go.

0:12

Well, continue.

0:13

The slide on the screen shows the information on how to join the webinar via Zoom.

0:17

There we go.

0:18

Uh, you can also call into the meeting at 2532 8782.

0:24

And the webinar access code is get your pens out.

0:28

837.

0:31

9338, 8162.

0:34

And would the clerk please call the roll and establish a quorum?

0:37

Director Budge.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Director Daniels.

0:41

Here.

0:42

Director Hume?

0:43

Here.

0:44

Director Jennings?

0:45

Here.

0:45

Director Kozlowski?

0:47

Here.

0:48

Director Lilowy.

0:49

Director Maple.

0:51

Director Cerna?

0:52

Here.

0:53

Director Singh Allen.

0:55

Director Valenzuela.

0:57

Here.

0:58

And Chair Kennedy.

0:59

Here.

1:00

With that, we have a quorum at eight votes.

1:03

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 Cable Systems.

1:15

This meeting will be closed caption and webcast at Metro14 Live.sackCounty.gov.

1:21

Today's meeting replays Thursday, March 30th at 2 p.m.

1:24

and Friday, March 31st at 2 p.m.

1:26

on channel 14.

1:28

This meeting can also be viewed at YouTube.com forward slash metro cable 14.

1:33

Members of the audience wishing to address the board, which actually I don't think we have anyone in the audience.

1:39

Um should fill out a speaker card and bring it to Adam or myself.

1:44

If you're participating by phone, please push star nine to indicate a desire to comment.

1:49

If you are joining us through Zoom, please push the raise hand button.

1:52

Be sure to unmute yourself when it is your turn to speak and voluntarily state your name for the record.

1:57

Thank you.

1:58

And would you please uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

2:04

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic.

2:11

One nation under God individual with liberty to judge for.

2:17

Thank you all.

2:19

Before we get to our first items of the day, um I think we're most of us, if not all of us, are aware that we lost a friend over the weekend.

2:28

Uh past chair Steve Miller.

2:31

Um passed away and uh suddenly.

2:34

And uh I will just say that um RT lost a champion and I lost a friend with that.

2:47

I'd like to start with a moment of silence.

3:03

Thank you very much.

3:04

Now we will move to our consent calendars, items 2.1 through 2.6.

3:09

Is there any member of the board that would like to discuss uh member on the uh uh item on the consent calendar or have any questions of staff?

3:18

Is there anyone, madam clerk from the public that has any items on the consent calendar they'd like to address?

3:27

Jeffrey Tartagia has his hand up, Jeffrey.

3:30

Welcome.

3:34

Can you hear me?

3:36

We can hear you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transit██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Public Comment███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Governance Options█████████9%
Employee Relations████████8%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
General Manager Report████4%
Media Production███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting - March 27, 2023

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) board held a regular meeting on March 27, 2023, at 5:31 PM PDT. The meeting began with a moment of silence for former board chair Steve Miller, who passed away over the weekend. Key agenda items included a discussion on legislative changes to board composition and voting structure, the general manager's report covering agency updates, and a detailed presentation on bus service cancellations and customer service improvements.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 2.1 through 2.6 were approved unanimously by voice vote after a public comment from Jeffrey Tartaglia questioned the record of a March 15 meeting. The board directed staff to follow up.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jeffrey Tartaglia raised concerns about missing records for a March 15 meeting and asked for more transparency. He also questioned multiple light rail vehicles jumping tracks and suggested staff provide a report.
  • Dan Allison (Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders) commented on the failure of Measure A, stating the group did not support it due to its emphasis on roadway expansion over transit. He advocated for a new approach and participated in forums to find a better solution.
  • Rick Hodgkins shared his vision challenges but supported Elk Grove getting an additional board seat, noting the city's growth. He also asked about cross-track access with raised platforms and expressed concern about potential federal funding cuts.

Discussion Items

  • Legislative Amendment to Board Composition (Item 7): Chris Flores (Chief of Staff) presented a recommendation from the ad hoc committee to seek additional board seats for Elk Grove and Sacramento County. The committee met on March 15 and unanimously recommended the change, but Director Valenzuela registered the City of Sacramento's opposition to a county seat due to service density. Assembly Member Nguyen has placeholder legislation (AB 354) and requested unanimous board consent. Several board members expressed discomfort with requiring unanimity. A substitute motion to postpone the item to the next board meeting (to allow further discussion) was made and passed 10-0.
  • General Manager's Report: GM Henry Li reported on:
    • Steve Miller's legacy: 16 years on the board, leadership during the pandemic.
    • Transit Driver Appreciation Day (March 18): Recognized nearly 700 operators for maintaining 11% of service levels despite workforce shortages.
    • Women's History Month: Noted female employees earn slightly more than males on average, and 6 of 9 executive managers are women.
    • New Low-Flow Light Rail Vehicles: First vehicle delivered, third received. By summer, 30+ vehicles will serve the Gold Line; station modifications are underway.
    • Bus Stop Improvement Plan: Identified $65 million in improvements for 630 bus stops (out of 3,000+).
    • Federal Grant Applications: Two submissions for light rail vehicles (~$80M total); one highly competitive.
    • Ridership Ranking: SacRT is now the 43rd largest transit agency by ridership (up from 51st) and 31st among top 50 urbanized areas for transit trips.
    • 50th Anniversary: Events kick off April 3 at Cosumnes River College; free ride Tuesdays in April (fixed route bus and light rail).
  • Operations & Customer Service Update (Carmen Alba & David Topaz):
    • Current bus service at 97-98% of pre-pandemic levels; on-time performance 83%.
    • Bus cancellations peaked at 7.6% in January 2022, dropped to 1% in February 2023.
    • Top causes: operator unavailability (staffing shortages, sick leave), bus bridge service during light rail disruptions, equipment failures, passenger incidents.
    • Absenteeism is highest on Mondays and Fridays (31% and 30% above average). Sick leave doubled since pre-pandemic.
    • Mitigation: increased extra board from 20% to 25-30%; added operator positions; wage increases (top step nearing $40/hour); attendance program restored; training improvements.
    • Commitment to timely passenger notifications via website, bus tracker app, social media, Alert SacRT app, and call center.
    • Light rail operates at 100% pre-pandemic service with 98% on-time performance and 1.3% cancellation (primarily weather and workforce).

Key Outcomes

  • Board Composition: Postponed to next meeting (substitute motion passed 10-0) to allow further discussion with Assembly Member Nguyen and potential reconsideration of the unanimous consent requirement.
  • Operational Updates: Board acknowledged efforts to reduce bus cancellations; staff will follow up on specific public questions (e.g., cross-track access, platform heights).
  • Chair’s Request on Train Horns: Chair Kennedy asked staff to explore reducing excessive horn use at intersections near county buildings. Director Valenzuela offered to assist with signage.
  • Smart Ride Funding: Director Valenzuela requested staff review Measure A language for potential stopgap funding as grant funds are depleting.
  • Student Misuse of Smart Ride: Director Maple reported students using Smart Ride at lunch to leave closed campuses unsafely; police chief and SROs are investigating.
  • Meeting Adjourned in memory of former board chair Steve Miller.

Meeting Transcript

Is being live streamed and the slide on the screen. Which there's not one. Uh here we go. Well, continue. The slide on the screen shows the information on how to join the webinar via Zoom. There we go. Uh, you can also call into the meeting at 2532 8782. And the webinar access code is get your pens out. 837. 9338, 8162. And would the clerk please call the roll and establish a quorum? Director Budge. Here. Director Daniels. Here. Director Hume? Here. Director Jennings? Here. Director Kozlowski? Here. Director Lilowy. Director Maple. Director Cerna? Here. Director Singh Allen. Director Valenzuela. Here. And Chair Kennedy. Here. With that, we have a quorum at eight 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 Cable Systems. This meeting will be closed caption and webcast at Metro14 Live.sackCounty.gov. Today's meeting replays Thursday, March 30th at 2 p.m. and Friday, March 31st at 2 p.m. on channel 14. This meeting can also be viewed at YouTube.com forward slash metro cable 14. Members of the audience wishing to address the board, which actually I don't think we have anyone in the audience. Um should fill out a speaker card and bring it to Adam or myself. If you're participating by phone, please push star nine to indicate a desire to comment. If you are joining us through Zoom, please push the raise hand button. Be sure to unmute yourself when it is your turn to speak and voluntarily state your name for the record. Thank you. And would you please uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. One nation under God individual with liberty to judge for. Thank you all. Before we get to our first items of the day, um I think we're most of us, if not all of us, are aware that we lost a friend over the weekend. Uh past chair Steve Miller. Um passed away and uh suddenly.

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