OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors Meeting - October 23, 2023

Sacramento Regional Transit Board Meetings — Monday, October 23, 2023
BodySacramento County, California
SessionSacramento Regional Transit Board Meetings
DateMonday, October 23, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:56

Now we can start.

1:24

Good evening.

1:25

Welcome to this October 23rd, 2023 meeting of the second original transit district board of directors.

1:33

Director Budge.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Director Daniel?

1:37

Director Hume.

1:39

Director Jennings?

1:41

Director Koslavski?

1:43

Here.

1:43

Director Willowy.

1:45

Director Maple?

1:46

Director Cerna?

1:48

Here.

1:48

Director Sing Allen.

1:49

Here.

1:50

Director of Alan Zweila.

1:51

And Chair Kennedy.

1:52

Here.

1:53

With that, we have a forum at nine votes, and this meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit District will be table cast on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on Comcast Consolidated Communications and ATT UGERS cable systems.

2:08

This meeting is closed.

2:09

Caption in the webcast at Metro 14 Live.gov.

2:15

Today's meeting replays Thursday, October 26th at noon, and Saturday, October 28th at 2 p.m.

2:21

on channel 14.

2:22

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

2:27

This is a hybrid meeting, meaning members of the public can participate in the meeting either in person or virtually.

2:33

The meeting is being live streamed, and the slide on the screen shows the information on how to join the webinar via Zoom.

2:38

You can also call into the meeting at two five three two one five eight seven eight two.

2:43

And the webinar access code is eight three seven nine three three eight eight one six two.

2:49

Members of the audience wishing to address the board should fill out a speaker card located at the rear of the room and provide it to myself or Adam.

2:56

Once the item has been called, additional speaker cards will not be accepted.

3:00

Individuals will have three minutes to address the board.

3:03

The timer will chime when you have 30 seconds remaining, and then again when your time is up.

3:08

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

3:12

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

3:16

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

3:20

Thank you.

3:51

Are there any members of the board that have any questions on any item on the agenda on the consent corner?

4:00

Is there any member of the public that would like to address the board at this time on an item consent count?

4:07

Move approval.

4:09

Okay, we have a board second.

4:14

And what's that thing alan?

4:16

No, director budge, I believe.

4:20

Okay.

4:21

All right.

4:22

All those we don't have any one telephonic right.

4:25

Uh there are no comments online.

4:29

Okay.

4:30

Uh with that then, uh, all those in favor, say aye.

4:33

Aye.

4:34

Opposed.

4:36

Stay.

4:37

Next item, please.

4:40

The next item is number six.

4:42

Public addresses the board on matters not on the agenda.

4:45

Okay, I do have one card from a member of the public.

4:48

This time Harris, I believe.

5:00

Uh with that then uh all those in favor say aye aye opposed stay next item please the next item is number six public addresses support on matters not on the agenda okay you have one card from a member of the public this time came Harris I believe good afternoon I just want to take a moment and look around the rest we're gonna start coming back my right and look all the way up I want to say thank you to everyone in this part when I came here last month on September 25th I had a couple of issues I can excitedly say those issues have been resolved all of them the height of the basement already knows we know that oh I can't even tell the people who aren't here with issues regarding those reels uh street bus stop number 33 the bus excuse me the curve is painted red the bus stop has been removed from the inside of the construction area and there's no parking site and I can happily say that no one is parking there because of those things huge huge huge huge and that's because I came here asking for your assistance and not only did you do it we did so in an expeditious manner I didn't have to come to the next meeting and say guys what's going on why wasn't it done since then I can say that I've had coffee with Kate it wasn't personally but she had an event and I attended it it's just been great and I again I want to say thank you to everyone in here I would have absolutely have to ask that we continue the conversation Bill I have forgotten about you and I'm looking for coffee with you as well okay okay I would love to continue the conversation again the rumors out there are that the Dose Will's light rotation will not come to ration I have to ask that we not let that happen it's needed for the community it's needed for the area that's needed for us to continue to grow I'm originally from the Bay Area so I grew up with barks and a three train two of the most amazing most transportation that you can have you don't have to rely on the vehicle and I want the same thing for the community that we can absolutely do the public transportation as an alternative meaning to say it's reliable and it's dependable thank you so I said all that to say I would love to continue the conversation with you I did have it asked that I could be a part of the conversation about the light rail station I don't know if that's too much to ask but I figure it would hurt to ask that's absolutely not too much okay there's an emergency meeting this Wednesday any and all of your invited I would be more than happy to send you the link so you can be a part of that conversation because right now we're being asked to bring up alternative means of transportation if the light rail station doesn't happen that's something that we shouldn't even have to consider this early in the conversation with so much money at stake and so many people depended upon that coming to fruition I heard everything that you said that grant was granted because of the partnership with RT.

8:02

I asked that we not lose that it's right again so I want to say thank you again part of the conversation you can go over time all day long saying all this thank you and I don't want to forget about our amazing bus drivers on the route number 33 I cannot say thank you with that to him as well they did an amazing job.

8:29

They made those calls they stayed in contact I can tell you have a nice little list like oh my goodness if you can get that I'll let you say again thank you everyone I appreciate it thank you Miss Harris you're always welcome and uh we will definitely consider the conversation here valuable part of our architect I appreciate that thank you 9 30 is there a zoom option you could watch it you just can't call it awesome thank you thank you so much is there any other member of the public that would like to address the board at this time and it would have to be with a positive page here yes I just see um you're so fun top second you address this those real uh project because I feel that so uh last month when you open up and uh uh we shift some update to the board about the those real project status the project itself is quite the full million dollars project uh was 17.5 million uh made off about like five million dollars you'll set on his own money so that's about uh fundamental uh then the total project um because of three years because of the soil confirmation uh we put uh soil contamination issue will cost lots of five million dollars you should know

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transit█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Public Comment████████████████18%
Environmental Mitigation██████7%
Transportation Safety████5%
Homelessness████5%
Procedural███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Economic Development███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors Meeting - October 23, 2023

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board of Directors held a hybrid meeting on October 23, 2023, at 5:29 PM UTC. The board addressed consent calendar items, heard public comments, received presentations on funding options, vehicle fleet efficiency, and operational updates, and voted on a recommendation to pursue a legislative carve-out for a senior lifetime pass.

Consent Calendar

  • The board approved the consent calendar unanimously on a voice vote. No additional public comments were received on consent items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tim Harris thanked the board for resolving issues raised at the September 25 meeting, including the removal of a bus stop from a construction area, repainting a curb, and no-parking signs. He urged the board not to let the Dos Rios light rail station project fail, emphasizing its importance for the community. He requested to be included in upcoming discussions and mentioned an emergency meeting on Wednesday, October 25.
  • A speaker (unidentified) provided a detailed update on the Dos Rios light rail project's funding gap. The project originally cost $17.5 million but is now estimated at $24–$34 million due to soil contamination and delays. The speaker noted that SHRA contributed $5 million, leaving a $5 million gap. Board members had previously instructed staff to meet with partners, but no resolution has been reached.
  • Rick Hodgkin requested the reinstatement of a bus route covering the entire Sunrise corridor from Lewis and Orlando to the Sunrise Light Rail Station, noting the previous discontinuation of Route 91. He also supported the Dos Rios station and emphasized the need for bus routes to feed into light rail stations.
  • A caller (name not given) voiced strong support for the Dos Rios light rail station, noting that a $17 million TCC grant from the Strategic Growth Council is at risk. The caller stated that SHRA has been asked for alternative projects by December 1, but the River District Board and residents prioritize the station. The caller urged the board to find a way to save the funding.
  • Rick Hodgkin (later in the meeting) reiterated that taxpayers will not support new transit funding unless homelessness is addressed. He argued that building more housing alone cannot solve the crisis and called for repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act to allow rent control and inclusionary housing.
  • A written comment from Glenn Mandelkern was read by the board secretary: Concern about using smaller buses on fixed routes without proper communication to riders, citing past confusion on Route 95 when smaller vehicles were used. He urged advance notification and clear signage.

Discussion Items

  • Evaluation of Funding Options (Item 7.1): Consultant Cillian McAdam of AM Consulting presented a report on locally controlled funding sources (TDA, ATP, Measure A) and the need for the region to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction targets under the MTP. The report highlighted that current road projects may not be feasible under new rules and that transit projects (especially BRT) offer opportunities to meet targets. Board members discussed the importance of continuing dialogue with SACOG and STA, reassessing the 2004 Measure A project list, and ensuring equity. A public comment from Kevin (unclear affiliation) mentioned SB 125 providing $160 million in new capital and operating funds for transit, and the challenge of securing operating dollars.
  • Bus Efficiency and Use of Smaller Cutaways (Item 7.2): Staff presented an analysis of replacing full-size 40-foot buses with smaller cutaway vehicles on low-ridership routes. The analysis found that cutaways have higher operating costs per mile ($1.25 vs. $0.98), longer boarding times due to lifts, less passenger comfort, and operational inflexibility due to interlining. Staff concluded that standard low-floor buses are optimal for fixed routes, but noted that a comprehensive operational analysis (COA) planned for next year will evaluate alternatives. Board members asked about capital cost differences and labor cost impacts. A written public comment from Glenn Mandelkern (read earlier) also addressed this topic.
  • General Manager's Report (Item 8): The GM reported on recent events: a 51% ridership increase at Discovery Park music festivals; temporary relocation of the 65th Street bus stop due to construction; maintaining nearly 100% on-time performance; two job fairs with 144 and 170 attendees; a free ride event for over 500 windows in South Sacramento; and a senior outreach event at Pennel Center with 100 Spanish-speaking seniors. The GM also highlighted the Stockton Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, describing it as a game-changer for the corridor, with goals to secure up to $500 million in funding. A joint meeting with other regional boards was announced for next month.
  • Lifetime Pass for Seniors (Item 8.1): Staff presented a recommendation to pursue a legislative carve-out in SacRT's enabling act to offer a free or discounted lifetime pass for seniors 75+ without requiring the same discount for individuals with disabilities (per CPUC Section 99155). Staff found no other transit agencies interested in a similar program. The board voted on a motion to approve the recommendation. After brief discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote (no recorded opposition).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
  • Motion to approve the lifetime pass recommendation (to pursue a legislative carve-out) was approved by voice vote.
  • The board directed staff to continue working with SACOG and STA on funding opportunities and to include the STAX board in the upcoming joint meeting.
  • Staff will follow up on specific public comments regarding the 65th Street bus stop, the Sunrise corridor bus service, and the Dos Rios light rail station funding gap. An emergency meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25 to discuss the Dos Rios project.
  • The next board meeting will include a discussion on shifting the meeting time and a recognition program for community advocates.

Meeting Transcript

Now we can start. Good evening. Welcome to this October 23rd, 2023 meeting of the second original transit district board of directors. Director Budge. Here. Director Daniel? Director Hume. Director Jennings? Director Koslavski? Here. Director Willowy. Director Maple? Director Cerna? Here. Director Sing Allen. Here. Director of Alan Zweila. And Chair Kennedy. Here. With that, we have a forum at nine votes, and this meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit District will be table cast on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on Comcast Consolidated Communications and ATT UGERS cable systems. This meeting is closed. Caption in the webcast at Metro 14 Live.gov. Today's meeting replays Thursday, October 26th at noon, and Saturday, October 28th at 2 p.m. on channel 14. This meeting can also be viewed at YouTube.com forward slash metro cable 14. This is a hybrid meeting, meaning members of the public can participate in the meeting either in person or virtually. The meeting is being live streamed, and the slide on the screen shows the information on how to join the webinar via Zoom. You can also call into the meeting at two five three two one five eight seven eight two. And the webinar access code is eight three seven nine three three eight eight one six two. Members of the audience wishing to address the board should fill out a speaker card located at the rear of the room and provide it to myself or Adam. Once the item has been called, additional speaker cards will not be accepted. Individuals will have three minutes to address the board. The timer will chime when you have 30 seconds remaining, and then again when your time is up. If you're participating by phone, please push star nine to indicate a desire to comment. If you're 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. Are there any members of the board that have any questions on any item on the agenda on the consent corner? Is there any member of the public that would like to address the board at this time on an item consent count? Move approval. Okay, we have a board second. And what's that thing alan? No, director budge, I believe. Okay. All right. All those we don't have any one telephonic right. Uh there are no comments online. Okay. Uh with that then, uh, all those in favor, say aye. Aye.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com