Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting – February 26, 2024

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board of Directors met on February 26, 2024, at 4:04 PM. The meeting covered routine consent items, recognition of community transit champions, public comments on service issues, and a major discussion on board composition. The board voted to restructure its membership, approving a 13-member cap with specific seat allocations for member jurisdictions.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1 through 2.12 were approved unanimously by a voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeffrey (public comment on consent): Noted discrepancies in the action minutes and expressed concern that public comment is becoming more limited and less accessible for those not physically present.
• Robert Copeland (non‑agenda): Criticized RT’s performance, citing broken wifi and lack of outreach; urged the board to hold town halls at senior centers and community centers.
• Helen O’Connell (non‑agenda): Raised issues with RT Go (paratransit) charging customers extra for personal care attendants, contrary to SacRT’s fare structure. She urged follow‑up with the service provider.
• Jeffrey Tardigia (non‑agenda): Reported that Connect Card readers at the Sacramento Valley Station were not working and noted a newly placed barrier at 5th and L Streets that may impact bus operations. He also urged the board to educate staff on fare structure related to his earlier comment.
• Robert Copeland (on 7.1 – GM report): Supported a sales tax increase if it directly benefits RT and housing, but opposed funding for freeways. Requested that all presentations be posted online.
• Jeffrey Tardigia (on 7.1 – GM report): Thanked staff for the strategic plan update; noted the passing of SacRT’s first general manager and called for convincing property owners to support better transit funding.
• Michael Bevins (on 7.1 – GM report): Proposed incorporating school transit into SacRT routes and suggested a formula ensuring every populated area has a north‑south bus route. He also asked about double‑tracking over the American River.
• Michael Bevins (on 9.2 – Capitol Corridor report): Recommended adding a joint SacRT‑Capitol Corridor stop between downtown Sacramento and Roseville, suggesting potential locations such as Marconi/Arcade.

Discussion Items

Board Structure Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation (Item 7.2 – taken out of order)

• Staff (Olga) presented options to address the imbalance created by the 2022 shift from weighted voting to one‑person‑one‑vote. The county’s voting power dropped from 33% to 27% while the city of Sacramento increased to 36%. The ad hoc committee recommended Option 2: a 13‑member cap with the city and county each receiving three seats, Elk Grove two seats, and Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova one seat each, with capacity to add West Sacramento and Galt (future members) without increasing the cap. The committee voted 6‑1 to recommend this option.
• Vice Chair Jennings presented a counter‑proposal (the city’s option, labeled Option 4 on the handout) that would have given the city and county four seats each in a 13‑member board. Director Maple and Director Vang expressed support for a 15‑member board with four seats each for city and county.
• General Manager Lee noted that time is critical because many light‑rail right‑of‑way parcels will revert to private holders by 2029 if not used.
• Substitute Motion (Option 4): Moved by Director Cerna, seconded by Director Vang. It failed on a roll‑call vote (5 yes, 6 no).
• Underlying Motion (Option 2): Moved by Director Daniels, seconded by Director Kozlowski. It passed on a roll‑call vote with 7 in favor, 3 opposed, and 1 abstention. The board directed staff to pursue legislative changes to the enabling act to implement the new structure effective January 1, 2025.

General Manager’s Report (Item 7.1)

• Henry Lee presented a comprehensive overview of SacRT’s strategic priorities, 2023 accomplishments (22% ridership increase, $160M in competitive grants, 300+ new hires), major capital projects ($6B planned over 5–15 years), and funding challenges. He highlighted the light‑rail modernization, Blue Line extension to Elk Grove, Stockton Boulevard BRT, and the streetcar project. He emphasized the need for a local funding measure, noting that the 2020 and 2022 measures failed partly due to lack of sustainable growth and transit improvements. Two options were discussed: a 2026 countywide transportation measure under STA authority, or a transit‑oriented measure under SacRT’s own authority (AB 1052). The report was received with appreciation from directors, who noted the need for service expansion to areas like Folsom Ranch and South/East Rancho Cordova.

Alternate Member Appointment for Capitol Corridor JPA (Item 7.3)

• The chair appointed Vice Chair Jennings to serve as the second alternate, replacing Director Lilouie. Director Maple, who already serves on the Capitol Corridor board, noted that the alternate is rarely needed.

Meeting Summaries (Items 9.1 and 9.2)

• Director Hume reported on the San Joaquin JPA meeting (January 26).
• Director Maple reported on the Capitol Corridor JPA meeting (February 21), noting an alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities and mentioning the nonprofit Operation Lifesaver as a resource.

Key Outcomes

• Board Composition Vote (7.3): The board approved Option 2 (13‑member cap) with 7 votes in favor, 3 opposed, and 1 abstention. The structure grants the city of Sacramento and Sacramento County three seats each, Elk Grove two seats, and Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova one seat each. Future additions (West Sacramento and Galt) will bring total seats to 13. Staff will pursue enabling legislation for a January 1, 2025, effective date.
• Appointment: Vice Chair Jennings was appointed as the second alternate to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority.
• General Manager’s Report: No formal action; the board acknowledged the report and directed staff to schedule a workshop to further discuss service expansion priorities and a comprehensive operational analysis.
• Consent Calendar: All 12 items approved unanimously.
• Follow‑Up Requests: Staff will address paratransit fare issues, Connect Card problems, and barriers at 5th and L Streets.