Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to the July 28th, 2025 meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors.

Would Tabitha Visa kinda take roll and announce the Metro Cable replay?

Director Burr.

Here.

Director Budge?

Yeah.

Director Dickinson is absent.

Director Hume?

Director Kennedy?

Here.

Director Maple.

Director Rorba.

Here.

Director Schaefer?

Here.

Director Cernan?

Here.

And Chair Jennings is absent.

So serving as chair is Chair Singh Allen.

Here.

And with that, we have a quorum of nine votes.

This meeting of the Sacramento Regional Transit District is recorded with closed captioning.

The recording will be cable cast on Metro Cable Channel 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast and Direct TV Uverse Cable Systems.

The recording will also be video streamed at Metro14Live.sackCounty.gov.

Today's meeting replays Wednesday, July 30th at 2 p.m.

and Saturday, August 2nd at 2 p.m.

on Metro Cable Channel 14.

Once posted, the recording of this meeting can be viewed on demand at YouTube.com forward slash metro cable 14.

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.

The time allowed for public comment is at the chair's discretion.

The timer will chime when you have 20 seconds and then again when your time is up.

There were two written public comments received for today's agenda, which have been provided to the board.

One from Tyler Weber suggesting to add late night service to routes 11 and 13, and one from Wesley Allen regarding frequency of service for bus and light rail.

All right, thank you for that.

Next up is our Pledge of Allegiance, and if I may ask Director Budge to lead us this evening.

Excellent.

Thank you.

All right, next up is our consent calendar items.

Are there any questions from directors?

Seeing none.

Public comments.

We have Jeffrey Tardiya on item 2.5.

Excellent.

Jeffrey.

Um to the board.

The question was in regard to uh 2.5.

Was some months ago I made the request that the board needed to review procedures policies that the board considers because number of them in effect um really needed to be updated.

And um looking back all the way now, this is 2000 that this started.

Uh it was amazing to go through 136 pages to read through and figure out some of these things, but just was wondering is this the board response, or is this something only internally because it seems to be an internal matter of coming with a resolution of updating some procedures and records that going on?

Oh, good.

I'm glad to see Roger here because I have some questions for him afterwards, but that's my thing for uh consent docket.

All right, thank you, sir.

Next, and we have Helen O'Connell on 2.12.

Hello, hello, yeah.

I was just wondering, um, it said approve contract changes to order number 14 to the contract for construction on dos Rios Light Rail Station.

I was wondering if that was because they had to reconfigure the whole thing because of unseen four circumstances with the construction or if it was some other issue that they were going to change back.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

I'm sure it's appropriate TAF will follow up.

Any others?

That's all the public comment.

All right, very good.

Any follow-up questions from directors?

Looking to the left, seeing none to the right, seeing none.

All right.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry.

I apologize.

Um, I had some questions raised uh regarding item 2.4.

So hold that.

Or how do you want to have it?

Um, we can take the vote and then come back to that one, or we can discuss it now.

I don't have a preference, so go ahead.

Why don't we uh I'll yield to you to your for your comments?

Okay.

Um just uh some concern raised uh about the uh indemnification uh change switching that uh and um the basis of are these on call officers or what's the what's the term of employment?

Uh is that to you ask this question?

Yeah, thank you for the question.

So these are police officers, they're Sacramento police officers that are off duty that like to work overtime.

So they're in full uniform, off-duty, and they choose to sign up for specialty jobs working at the Golden One Center, working for SACRT, working at different locations that want to contract for extra police services.

And uh what's the what's the genesis of the switch in the indemnification?

You're gonna go.

So the agreements that we um are required by the city to sign in order to have these uh these officers who are not part of our contract with the city requires, and and it's everybody has to just um indemnify the city versus the other way around.

And in our agreement with the city for the officers under our regular agreement with the city, the city indemnifies us.

So that's the risk that's that we have is that we um must indemnify the city versus the other way around.

And so if something happens and somebody sues the city, then we would have to they would tender over.

I understand indemnity.

Yeah, okay, that part that part.

So that's that's the and the city, there's no movement according to the city.

Something the that the city uh has as part of their standard agreement.

It's their standard agreement, and they wouldn't we because we did raise that issue.

Um that was the first issue I raised, and they said it's kind of like take it or leave it.

That those are the terms.

And um, so why are we uh entering into this for specialty services when we have officers assigned as a regular matter to regional transit?

Well, um about a year and a half ago, the city of Sacramento Police Department took eight of our officers back, right?

So it left it left us at a tremendous deficit.

So for a variety of reasons, and um we did the survey, the FTA required street harassment survey.

People feel most comfortable with police officers on our trains, and we've been running the we were trying to find a way to get more police officers, sworn police officers, you know, deputies on our trains to ride with our citizens and our our riders, and so this is a creative way that we came up with to get off-duty officers, and we have tremendous interest from the officers.

They really actually enjoy it.

So we're we're seeing every single day our spots are filled, and we're having them ride from about 3 p.m.

to about 11 p.m., where we traditionally don't have a lot of transit ambassadors because they tend to ride during the peak hours, and so we're just trying to make our system safer.

So these officers would be assigned simply to uh ride uh on the trains as opposed to any other.

Obviously, if they're police officers and they see something happening, they're gonna respond to that, but but their assignment would be to ride the the trains from three to eleven.

Exactly.

Okay, and then are we talking to the city at all about about uh either uh restoring officers or some because this is a expected to be a more temporary arrangement, is it not?

Correct.

This is this is temporary until they you know give us our officers back.

Um we're trying to do anything we can to get sworn peace officers back, and as a matter of fact, the sheriff just wrote, and I'll speak to that in my presentation, but he's authorized authorized us another sergeant and another um deputy.

So we're open to that, and that's forthcoming, but we really could use at least seven police officers back to get rid of this program and and go back into to normal operating mode.

Okay, so you're gonna continue to have that discussion with the city.

And I and I understand it's challenging for the city as it is for regional transit with a number of uh vacancies that the police department has, but you're gonna continue those conversations, I gather.

Yes, we just actually reached out to Chief Lester and asked her if she wanted to come ride with us, and so that'll open that conversation and we we have a planned train ride in the near future, okay.

Okay, um, thank you for the indulgence.

Of course.

And Director maple has some follow-up.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, and and thank you, Director Dickinson, for bringing up some of those concerns.

I had questions about the indemnification as well.

So I appreciate the answers.

Um the questions I have are actually around training, so for the standing contract that we have with PD, I'm assuming that those officers are they're aware of how SACRT functions, how many of the routes work and so on.

Will the folks who are in this more temporary program have any training that's specific to RT?

Yes, of course.

Obviously, number one would be on track safety because it we want to make sure our officers are safe and know how to to do their function around tracks.

Um but they do receive training and nobody can come and work for us unless they've had the prescribed training that we set out.

Okay, and then one last question I have, I'm sorry, um, is when there's an incident, so let's say you know, obviously traffic tragic incidents happen from time to time on any railway, not just on RT.

Um, are do we did does RT call out the officers that are specific to the contracts that we have to address those incidents, or do is there just a call to 911 and and PD generally?

You know, it varies in because we lost those eight officers.

So ideally we would like to handle the things that happen on SACRT property, and we have sheriff deputies and we have police officers, and they write all the reports on SAC PD in the record system.

But all MOUs that we have actually say that the jurisdiction will take over because oftentimes we don't have any officers.

We might have two officers on duty period for our entire system, and maybe something happens in on the gold line in Fulson in Rancher Cordova.

We don't have anybody available.

So the local jurisdiction has to go and respond.

But it varies because we're pretty well known.

So sometimes they'll call the SOC, and then our security operations center is on has a drop line with SAC PD, SEC Sheriff, so they seamlessly connect.

So even if somebody calls 911, SAC PD or sex sheriff is going to tell our security operations center and our police officers, hey, we just got a 911 call, and here's where it's at.

So it's it's pretty seamless.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Chair.

Any other questions?

Seeing none, I will look for a motion to pass the move approval of items 2.1 through 2.13.

Second.

All right, we have a motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye, thank you.

Any no's or abstentions?

Seeing none.

Thank you.

All right, next up is item number three.

Public addresses board on matters not on the agenda.

We have Barbara Stanton.

Okay.

Good afternoon, Barbara Stanton for Ridership for the Masses Group.

Uh, we have a very interesting situation here.

We went to tap our connect card at the Arden Del Paso Light Rail Station.

However, the one and only connect card tapper did not work, and there wasn't another one.

So then we got off at the 16th station because I called 311 321 bus and asked what were we supposed to do about paying our fare?

And she said, no problem.

Just get off at the 16th Street station and tap your card after you get off the the light rail.

Well, there's no there's no connect card anything at the 16th Street station.

So we're wondering what's going on, and how are we supposed to pay our fare?

I mean, we do want to pay our fare, and and so that's our question.

What's going on with the connect card readers?

Can we tap on light rail or can we tap on bus or how does that work?

That's the number one question.

I have a number two question.

Um at the last meeting, 2.2 was um taken off the consent calendar was about the DEI uh grant, the federal grant regulations, and there's nothing on this agenda about that this time.

So we're wondering what happened to our questions.

We didn't have our questions answered and what's going on with that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll have staff follow up or uh yes, I'm going to respond to your second question NATO my gym report under your first question, we're gonna go to the bottom of that.

Okay, thank you.

All right, thank you.

Next public comment.

Next is Coco Kocazella hi Coco Cocozella um Chair Jennings who's not here uh has expressed a couple of times in recent meetings that the board hears the concerns of the public and regards them as important input for the betterment of SACRT.

I appreciate that sentiment and that it was expressed and I certainly um myself am privileged to say that I've had many instances of SACRT staff and others uh staff obviously sorry um being available and excellent um outreach forums and very very fine interactions but I would like to call out several vectors where I don't feel heard so uh number one when the GM uses a good portion of the time during the GM report to proffer a defensive stance against things that were said by the public during the meeting that kind of crosstalk shows in my opinion a keen lack of active listening in consideration of the public comments so I ask that all staff and board take time to consider what the public is saying before jumping in.

Number two not usually hearing from staff or board proactively acknowledgement about things that are going wrong.

I would ask that SACRT adopts a culture of freely admitting mistakes and missteps SACRT is a complex engineering fiscal and political organism I expect problems.

So it feels disingenuous to not hear proactive acknowledgments and third a deficit of clear expectations related to public comments follow up mostly along the lines of if someone says something I'd love to hear honestly is it going to be addressed or not I'd rather hear no we're we can address that we don't have a means but just indefinitely not knowing is very impactful to us thank you thank you next is Helen O'Connell thank you board um I am thankful to be able to represent people that are unable or unwilling to come to board meetings and voice their opinions some people are totally terrified because they think that they may get retribution of some kind some people don't think that it's going to matter one way or the other because they're just a big entity um I know better um things do work if you keep them on task um that gets difficult when you have many um challenges with um any impairments um but I appreciate the fact that the the board and the RT staff are working very diligently to address issues I just wish like Coco said that we would either have a yes or no or next month or six months from now we'll talk about it on a timeline would be good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is Jeffrey Tartagia Jeffrey Tartagia, advocate, Sach True, various other hats um but the first one I'm going to be directing actually turn around to Roger.

And that for Roger Dickinson is I'm hoping, and I since you are apparently are on the Cal Expo board.

I'm hoping you can determine how many disability writers went through paratransit to the fair, how many 67 and 68.

I think that's important because that bus shelter is like several others in the R key system is not identified.

Now through the transit app, uh you show the travel pattern and happen.

But for anybody that's trying to leave from there, your RT app doesn't work because you need a bus stop number to use it.

Which leads to some of the other questions for the board is that the RT app, new one for the website, is interesting.

Good.

Prove the other things through there.

But I will say the transit app answers the first question of being GPS, also turns around, tells you, asks you where you want to go, and gives you the what is around you for dealing with bus location stops and even light rail.

Um I'm hoping that we when we go through the other app that is being talked about, which is bringing all of the travel transit apps, pay apps and everything else to be consolidated onto one location.

That more thought is given to it.

Also to Roger's other thought I will direct again.

Is this asking about fares?

I turn around and had where I just turned report in where a rider turned around and dealt with the fact of people not being ready to pay their fare.

Took an extra two minutes for each of three rides to get those in, but he did that job.

Unfortunately, there is many both shelters, but devices that are not working.

I asked that question months ago.

I still don't know how many of them are not working.

Thank you, sir.

And man, Chair.

I was just gonna say, well, we'll go here to Roger and then to direct.

Jeffrey, I'm sorry, but you're about 11 years too late.

I was on the Cal Expo board when I was in the assembly, but not since then.

I chose it on there when I looked at the website.

Apparently they need a refresh.

Director Serna.

Uh madam chair, do we have any more speakers on off agenda?

Do we have any more speakers?

Yes, there's a couple more.

I'll say my comments till after the last time.

Okay, sounds good.

We'll go on to our next one.

Michael Bevins.

Is it working?

All right.

Hi, everybody.

It's been a while.

Sorry, I've been wanting to be here a lot, but I never worked out.

So a lot of changes of the chairs, a lot of new faces.

Um, I'm going to talk today.

I'm a member of strong SAC Town.

One of our goals is to reform transit and parking and housing, and they all come together.

I'm talking here today, talking about parking day is coming up.

You know, if anybody knows what that is, where uh an organization takes over a parking spot and demonstrates what that parking spot could be.

It could be a park, could be a playground, could be a bike rack place.

Um, and I'm suggesting to you as an outreach to the community that maybe we consider parking lot day.

And I know RT has a bunch of vastly empty parking lots at our train stations.

Maybe you had a contest uh design.

What would you do, public, if you had the idea to turn this parking lot into something?

What would you do?

That would maybe get the SAC RT to either sell it to somebody who's gonna develop that or maybe become your own developer and rent it out to whatever it is.

Uh we I know we do some uh farmers markets.

We can maybe expand that, do more of them, turn it into a strip mall just for bicycles and buses.

I don't know.

The imagination is great.

I I have many ideas I'm happy to share with you, but maybe you can ask the public, hey, you got a parking lot here, it's empty.

You've done some uh housing reforms recently.

I know you're working on one at Arden Del Paso.

Maybe you have plans for doing that at these other places that are vastly empty.

So anyway, uh consider that for parking day.

Maybe we have a parking lot day.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Jenny Mightel.

Testing.

Okay.

Hi, my name is Jenny.

I'm also a member of the group Strong Sack Town.

We're a community volunteer organization, and we're focusing on doing multiple things that are the next small step for making the place we live better.

Some of our focus is our advocacy for uh safer and more pedestrian and bike infrastructure.

And since a big part of getting around is transit linked with that, um, we're also trying to get more into talking to SAC RT and doing advocacy for what we can feel can make uh transit in our community better.

So uh I'm here today just to introduce us because we're going to try to have more presence at these meetings and also to ask that SAC RT, and I know you're already doing this, um, but we feel that uh focusing on increasing route frequency and coverage, and I know that that's not always two things that go together, um, those are things that we feel are very important, um, and prioritizing those over large projects that are a big bet, um, like the green line, which I know is contingent on federal funding in the future and may never happen.

Um, we feel that the benefit of the community is in the smaller projects like focusing on roofs that are working well now and expanding those.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Looking forward to your participation.

And lastly, Bassan Ibrahim.

Hello.

Um, my name is uh Sam Abraham, and I'm also from uh strong SAC town.

And I think uh one of one of the most important things um for choosing transportation options is the reliability of the service, like how much you can depend on it.

So what astonishes me is apparently there are some routes with headways longer than 30 minutes.

And along with that, some routes you can't ride them at night.

Um with a if you have something like a car, you can drive out at night to like go somewhere, but you can't with SAC RT, and that's probably one of the reasons why I think we're not getting as many people to ride it as we could.

And then along with that, um, in downtown, um, so uh the light rail, it goes pretty slow because there's no signal priority, so they can get stuck in traffic.

So I think we should um establish some in downtown some signal priority for light rail.

I think you guys are working on that.

And then along with that, really um, we should really hammer in the service, add night service, along with that.

We should take all the light all the bus routes that are like longer than 30 minute headways because no one's gonna be waiting longer than 30 minutes if they miss the bus.

We should essentially have a goal of every bus route uh being 30 minutes or less for their headwaves.

And I think if we can increase how reliable it can be, the better.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Any more?

That was the last comment.

All right, we'll close the public comment and questions here.

I think Director Sarna, you had a follow up.

Thank you, man.

I'm sure.

Um, wanted to respond uh briefly to Ms.

Uh Kokazo's uh comments about being heard and um listening.

Um, because I think those are really important points that uh are not lost on me and um and I I want to acknowledge first off that uh we have a very strong tradition, especially here at RT.

Um all of us serve on our uh our home councils or boards and other boards and commissions, and we all are subject to the Brown Act and all of those boards and commissions, including this one.

And I know that the uh folks that routinely comment on off agenda know this, but I'm none nonetheless gonna just remind everyone that we are limited in our ability to really go deep into detail about subject matter that's brought to our attention on off agenda by state law.

Does not mean that we're ignoring you.

And in some defense of our general manager, I do want to say that I guess it's just a difference of opinion that I have seen over the years.

Mr.

Lee be very attentive to hearing what uh the public has to say during off agenda or otherwise.

And if it's not uh off agenda and it is uh a matter that is um has been publicly noticed, uh I've oftentimes seen our general manager engage and address even in real time some of those concerns uh not just reserved for his general manager's report.

So I I guess I would respectfully say that that's just a difference of how we've uh viewed viewed things.

Uh, but again, um, at least speaking for myself, and I think there's uh others on this board that are um very serious about uh our responsibility here as board members, and that means uh taking the time to hear not just uh the concerns and complaints, but to um make sure that we close the loop on those uh subjects that we uh hear from our constituents and our staff, I think does a fairly good job of uh doing that.

So again, I just thought it would be uh helpful for uh a brief acknowledgement that um I think you know, between the board members, our leadership here, and the leadership of our executive team that that that is actually happening.

Thank you.

Thank you for that government.

I was going to mention that at the end as well, so thank you for taking the lead on that.

Um, it is important to keep that in mind with the with the Brown Act, particularly on items that are not on the agenda.

And as such, if you feel there's an item that still requires our attention, you're all welcome to individually or respectively collectively, um, contact us and then remind us if it has not been addressed.

But I do believe that SACRT does an excellent job being very responsive and proactive.

But it, you know, there are I'm sure times where that may not seem to be the case.

So in those circumstances, please bring that to our attention because customer service, your attention public comments are important to not only us, but everybody here at SACRT.

So thank you.

Any other questions or comments from directors?

Seeing none, we will move on to our next item 4.1.

Information customer service response to feedback and comments.

We have our light rail modernization update.

Thank you, Chair Singh Allen, members of the board.

I am Lisa Heinz, Vice President of Security, Safety, Customer Satisfaction and Facilities.

As the lead of customer service for the agency, I will be presenting customer satisfaction strategies in response to public concerns.

I will continue to cover this topic at future board meetings.

Following my presentation, Blanca Orojo, VP of operations, will be presenting on customer response and feedback and provide a light rail update.

We at SACRT make customer complaints a priority.

Our customer satisfaction department has two teams that intake and manage complaints.

Our customer service team of over 20 staff members handle customer questions regarding our system.

Our customer advocacy team of five handle all SACRT complaints.

This involves requesting video, working with teams throughout the district to investigate allegations, and communicating the resolution to the complainant.

Here are some basic stats for our customer service team.

Our average time people must wait for customer service to handle the to uh answer the phone is 23 seconds.

The number of calls that come in per month are 17,059, which is a 12-month average.

And the average time customer service talks to customers is two minutes and 17 seconds.

Our customer advocacy team strives to keep the line open and staff with representatives.

However, due to the complexity of some reports and sensitive complaints, representatives tend to be on the phone with customers for a longer period of time talking and or returning calls.

Everyone at SACRT takes complaints seriously, assisting in resolving issues quickly.

A good example of a complaint that required several departments to assist were the complaints about excessive noise and announcements coming from our new S700 trains.

Although many citizens reported that the new S700 trains were quieter and much smoother, we did receive complaints from neighbors living close to our 48th Street Light Rail Station.

They reported that the new S700 trains had excessively loud gong noises and external announcements.

So I want to share here a summary of the actions we took as a team.

First Director Kennedy set up a meeting with a complainant and SACRT staff at his office.

After hearing the concerns and understanding what the issues were, staff reached out to Siemens and started working on these two issues.

We hosted a meeting here in this very room on December 30th at SACRT, discussing all the issues and identifying next steps.

We held a community meeting at the 48th Street Light Rail Station.

We stated communication with the community members via email and phone calls.

And then we hired an acoustic expert, which was a recommendation from a community member.

We moved the speaker at the station and faced it away from the houses and more towards the freeway.

We lowered the decibel level of our external announcements coming from the trains.

And then we invited the community member that made the original complaint to join us as we recorded the gong for the more preferable CAF cars, and then that preferable gong noise was uploaded to all of our new S700 trains.

This fall we hope to run all S700 trains on the gold line, exclusively closing out these issues.

The light rail monitorization expansion project is one of the biggest in SACRT's history, second to the start of the line in 1987.

SACRT successfully assembled the resources needed to move the $1 billion phase project forward, including the launch of the new low floor trains.

However, with the change of this magnitude, we did receive feedback from community members.

And I want to be clear there are three reasons why level boarding is not doable at this time.

It is cost prohibitive.

Our peer agencies like MTS did not implement level boarding.

And three, we have to continue to run a mixed fleet until 2034 on the same platforms.

And my partner Blanca Arojo will cover the ramp deployment concerns in a greater detail in her presentation.

The new S700 low floor light rail vehicles represent a major accessibility upgrade for SACRT riders.

These vehicles eliminate stairs, offer easier boarding for passengers with mobility devices, and include deployable bridge plate ramps to safely bridge the gap between train and the platform.

One of the first light rail systems in the United States with the construction of our starter line completed in 1987 prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA.

SACRT provided accessibility for persons using mobility devices from the outset via a single elevated 36-inch boarding platform, which we call a mini high ramp, or mini high platform rather.

It was accessible by a ramp located at each station and that provides access only through the front door of the first car of the train.

Members of the public have inquired why SACRT could not implement full level boarding.

This is directly related to the need for the need to use both the legacy fleet and the new S700 trains for an extended period of time.

Legacy light rail vehicles with their first step at 11 inches high can be boarded from the raised 8-inch platform constructed as part of the project, but a boarding platform of 14 inches high off the floor of the new light rail vehicles would create a tripping hazard for the legacy fleet.

The conflicting floor height is the primary and specific reason that the low floor boarding from eight-inch platforms was implemented.

We modeled its platform and vehicle design after San Diego MTS, as they were mitigating a similar fleet integration issue, and the design had been used with success for several years.

The eight-inch platforms designed and constructed as part of the light rail modernization expansion project are compatible with both the older trains and the new trains.

To accommodate both legacy light rail vehicles and new light rail vehicles, SACRT designed the platform to ensure usability for both fleets as some of the legacy light rail vehicles again will remain in service until 2034.

In some stations, there's just not sufficient space for our gradual slope, in which case a contrasting treatment and or handrail extending the full width of the new platform is required in accordance with ADA standards.

Passenger activated ramps provide access to the new light rail vehicles for passengers using mobility devices and who are unable to make the step from the platform into the vehicles.

This design was developed and with extensive input from the Mobility Advisory Council MAC, peer agencies, and disability advocates, and was approved by the Federal Transit Administration FTA.

SACRT's ramps are wider than federal minimum requirements and provide a more gradual slope than ADA standards require.

We make it a priority to make reasonable accommodations for people with unique needs.

Although we're not in a financial position to staff every single train and every single light rail station with staff to perform as assistants, we do ask our transit ambassadors and security guards to assist our riders.

In January of 2025, SACRT launched increased service frequency to the last seven miles of the gold line serving Folsom.

We were successful in securing the state grant to fund the improved service.

However, the granting agency only funded one of the passing tracks and not the additional side track near Hazel Boulevard.

To accelerate the schedule of providing the 15-minute service early to the residents in this community without delaying construction of the project while we attempt to secure funding for the second track.

Sacrete moved forward with construction of a passing track near Glenn Drive in Fulson.

As a result of the new track, we are now servicing the Fulsom stations with an increased frequency and three trains per hour.

We continue to pursue grants that will allow us to construct a second passing track.

These headway improvements have come just a few years after SACRT expanded late-night service to Fulsom to extend to 11:30 p.m.

where we were prior ending our service at 7 p.m.

SACRT has worked diligently to reduce the number of elevator breakdowns at Watanai 80 over the past four years.

Between 2022 and 2023, we installed two brand new elevators there.

We implemented a program in September of 2023 where we assigned light duty employees to be elevator monitors.

The elevator attendant program resulted in improved elevator performance with minimal elevator outages.

Having staff there gave them the ability to report any concerns immediately.

We have made a huge improvement in elevator outages in Watanai 80 as a result.

There have not been any bus bridges for the elevators being down at Watani 80 since October of 2024 due to our improvements implemented.

The Watonai 80 Transit Center continues to undergo major capital improvements as part of the reimagined Watonai 80 master plan.

While construction progresses, SACRT's primary focus remains on ensuring safe passenger access throughout the station and along adjacent streets.

SACRT made several operational changes to protect both passengers and employees during construction.

These include implementing new temporary route plans for multiple bus lines and relocated layovers away from active construction areas, daily monitoring by supervisors and station staff to ensure safe bus access and passenger boarding, a dedicated web page with project updates, maps, and FAQs for riders, social media posts, email alerts, and web notification announcing detours, construction changes, and elevator status.

Temporary signage and direction boards are installed throughout the station, so showing passengers where to board or transfer safely.

SACRT's technical team actively manages real-time detour data to ensure rider-facing apps show the most accurate stop information possible during ongoing construction.

When the station upgrade is complete, there will be improved lighting and line of sight throughout the station, redesigned stairwells for improved safety and accessibility, upgraded pedestrian crosswalks near Watt Avenue and Freeway Ramps, and modernized bus stops and shelters.

In 2018, SACRT launched Smart Ride, becoming an industry leader and pioneer in the new on-demand microtransit service.

It was immediately popular, and SACRT received a one-time grant from the Sacramento Transportation Authority to expand the pilot program to nine zones throughout the county.

Because it was so successful, and it was supported by this one-time grant, we reached out and engaged the board of directors, writing public, the mobility advisory committee on a cost of effective replacement program.

SACRT brought the proposal to the board of directors in August of 2024.

It was refined through public engagement, and the board approved transitioning the program to SACRT Flex in early of November of 2024.

All nine zones were maintained, and the program focused on a limited group of qualified riders with the greatest transportation needs, including seniors 65 and over, 62 and over, excuse me, low-income individuals and persons with disabilities.

To use SACRT FLEX, riders must meet the eligibility requirements and register in advance.

Since the soft launch in December and the full transition in January, SACRT has received positive feedback regarding the program.

SACRT will leverage 77 million dollar federal grant to secure approximately 150 million dollars in total funding.

This will transform our bus maintenance facility too, located at McClellan Park, into a zero emission hub, including Northern Sacramento's first hydrogen fueling station.

SACRT is transitioning its fleet to fully comply with the state zero emission bus mandate by 2040.

All hydrogen fueling solutions pursued by SACRT will meet and or exceed California's environmental regulations.

Public comments at our last meeting suggested that a fuel path was decided, but it is still under evaluation.

Our planning department is conducting a hydrogen feasibility study, which includes evaluating delivery methods and market availability, as well as a comprehensive evaluation of how hydrogen buses will be included in our future fleet.

We will provide detailed updates on the effort at a future meeting.

All hydrogen fueling solutions pursued by SACRT, SACRT will meet or exceed California's environmental regulations.

We are embracing both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses to meet aggressive emission reduction targets, including full compliance with the zero emission bus mandate by 2040.

We at SACRT are committed to operating a hundred percent zero emission fleet by 2040.

SACRT's zero emission transition transition is not only about compliance, it's about setting a standard.

This was after being identified in SACRT's capital portfolio for over 25 years.

Despite having zero dollars for construction of the station five years ago, SACRT and our partners have been successful in securing over 45 million dollars to support the station construction from a variety of sources.

SACRT embraces technology as its backbone to improving the customer experience.

Continuing this approach, this summer, we will launch an easy-to-use FAIR payment app called Transit Connect, offering a seamless way to purchase and manage FAIR.

The new payment platform will be rolled out in multiple phases to provide a smooth transition for customers.

Once fully implemented, the new payment platform will provide customers with a consolidated app experience that combines fair payment, trip planning alerts, and enhanced messaging.

SACRT accelerated long-term solutions to its fair payment system with this anticipated launch of the new FAIR app, eventually phasing out the old tap devices at light rail stations and replacing it with a more resilient approach.

It's particularly critical for state employees, college students, and recipients of benefits from social service agencies, among others who use the Connect Card system.

Writers will have access to SACRT fares on their mobile device for the first time without having to go through cumbersome processes to receive reimbursement or find a working connect card machine.

The first phase of the project will introduce the new consolidated mobile fare payment application for SACRT and YOLO bus riders.

Tickets and passes will be validated visually during this implementation phase, similar to SACRT's current mobile app ZipPass.

Once fully implemented, the new payment platform will provide customers with a consolidated app experience that combines fair payment, trip planning alerts, and enhanced messaging, among other features.

Phase two of the project will integrate the new Transit Connect app with the current tap to ride system installed on SACRT's buses and SACRT GoFleet.

Phase two is estimated to occur early in spring of 2026.

The new mobile fare app will include SACRT's transit partners in a phased approach beginning in the summer of 2026 with full integration to occur by fall of 2026.

SACRT became a model for the transit industry when it implemented Ride-Free K-12 program in 2019, ensuring that students can ride our system unrestricted and free.

Since launching, ridership among this demographic has grown 200% and will end fiscal year 2025 with 5 million rides.

This program is a tremendous example of regional partnership as SACRT receives funding from all the jurisdictions it serves as well as funding from various school districts.

On July 9th, Sheriff Jim Cooper rode SACRT's Light Rail train from old historic Folsom to 13th Street.

Henry and many staff members joined the ride.

Having Sheriff's Cooper's support of SACRT has proven invaluable.

Here's a short video highlighting how great it was to have our sheriff riding our system.

Thank you, Lisa.

Good afternoon, Chair Singh Allen and members of the board.

I'm Blanca Dauho, and I'm vice president of operations.

Today I'll be covering three keys, three key areas.

Our light rail systems on-time performance, what's been affecting it, and the steps we're taking to improve the feedback and field experiences with Gather during the S700 rollout, and a brief update on the SACRT goals software implementation.

Much of what I'll share is based on what we've experienced firsthand, writing the system, listening to writers, and taking the right action to address concerns.

I'll start with a quick overview of LightRail on-time performance before moving into the S700 feedback and accessibility, and then I'll close out with the SACRT Go update.

Let's walk through how our LightRail system is performing.

Our on-time performance goal is 97%.

And so far in 2025, we're averaging about 94.3.

Whilst that's a bit below our target, the performance is relatively stable and improving.

There were a few key challenges that impacted our on-time performance.

One of the biggest ones was the fulsome area, specifically at Glenn Station.

As Lisa had mentioned on her presentation, we had a slow order in place because the crossing arms did not meet the CPUC standards.

Since then, we've completed repairs on those arms and the crossing arms and the slow order has been lifted, and as a result, we already see noticeable improvements on our on-time performance.

Another factor is 7th and merchant where parked cars sometimes encroach too close to the tracks, forcing operators to stop and proceed cautiously.

We're working with the city to restrict the area, possibly relocate some of those parking spaces.

We're also seeing increased ridership, which is great, but it leads to longer boarding times and some delays with at the ridership platforms.

We're looking at the 12-time data and exploring schedule adjustments to address this.

To put our performance in context, let's look at how we compare to other light rail peers in California.

Most agencies set their on-time goals between 85 to 95%, depending on how their system is designed and operated.

SACRT's 97% goal is one of the highest in the industry.

While we're slightly below the 94.3, we're performing at the highest level compared to many of our peers.

We know that we can always do better, so we continue to aim high because we know how important availability is to our riders.

As of today, we secure funding for a total of 59 S700 low floor trains and vehicles, and we currently have 28 deliver on site.

22 are already operating in revenue service, and four are they're operating all on the gold line, and four are in final phases and testing, and other 17 trains are actively progressing through manufacturing at Siemens facility.

To fully convert the entire system to low floor operation across all three lines, we'll need a total of 66 light rail vehicles, and we're continuing to receive deliveries at a pace up to two trains per month.

By the fall of this year, we anticipate having enough S700s in operation to fully run the gold line with low floor vehicles only at with only low floor vehicles.

This will be a major milestone to our modernization efforts.

As we rolled out the S700 trains, we received several comments and concerns from the public, especially from passengers using mobility devices.

We've taken each concern seriously, and one topic that came repeatedly was around ramp instructions.

One example came from Jeff Tarragia here with us today, our SACRT ambassador who pointed out that the ramp button labeled read press for the ramp to deploy, while the door button said push.

Although both buttons function the same, push and release, he explained that press could be misunderstood as press and hold.

We wrote with Jeff to observe this firsthand.

And when we held the ramp button down, it interfered with the ramps operation.

It prevented from creating the cycle.

So we will hold it down and you can hear the clicking.

And we were able to see that when we wrote with him.

So to remove this confusion, we updated all the decals to say push, aligning the ramp instructions with the door buttons labels.

While we didn't observe others experiencing this issue during our ride alongsweep, we made the change to avoid any further confusion and improved clarity within the system.

It's also worth noting that the ramp users account for approximately 3% of riders.

And for those individuals, these features are critical to their ability to travel independently.

Even a single moment of confusion failure can significantly disrupt their journey.

We also encounter an instance where the ramp didn't deploy.

Not due to equipment malfunction, but because the train stopped short of the design, designated alignment at the station.

Since the ramp depends on precise positioning to deploy properly, the misalignment prevent it from functioning.

We address the issue on the spot and send a follow-up reminder to all train operators, reinforcing the importance of stopping at the correct location to ensure that this doesn't happen.

Okay, our next one is.

Separately, we did uh the executive management team recently worked with several advocacy groups to address concerns about the S700 ramp deployment during joint observations at SAC Valley with some of the members actually here today.

Um several team members also participated in ride-alongs to see riders using mobility devices and having trouble deploying the ramps.

Staff were able to determine that the screws used to install the temporary detectable warning tiles, as you can see on the picture, were causing the ramp deployment issues.

As you see on the picture, some of the screws used to secure the temporary tiles were installed too close to where the rampage deploys.

So when the ramp is deploying its filling, it's it's touching on that higher, and it's causing it to retract because it's not leveled.

And we when we went out and and saw this, we the main concern was a SAC valley, but we did a full um, we checked all the the different stations for the goal line and identified a second one, and we're looking uh to make sure that we change and fix that.

But that was one of the main things that was being brought up by Jeff and a couple, and we were taking the trains back when that information was coming to us, but we weren't able to duplicate back at the shop because it wasn't a ramp issue rather than the detectable tile issue.

Madam Chair, I I could ask a question.

Um, so uh I I understand what you just said about this particular instance with the fastener uh being exposed like that.

But was there any kind of observation where there's a general conflict between the just the texturing of the warning um panels and uh appropriate deployment of the ramps?

No, we didn't notice that it was so we when we went back and checked at the other stations when we noticed the issue was only at those when it reached that specific line where that screw was, and only those that are a little bit upward rather than the ones that are labeled uh leveled.

And then just a note, these are temporary.

We will be um switch, we're gonna fix it, but we're gonna change them all um once we move on to um doing the third um the platform accommodations for the third train.

So we will take care of it permanently that happened.

Will there be any consideration of um making sure that the train position matches where perhaps there isn't any of the textured handling?

So you have a more flush um uh area where it would meet with um the grade of the platform.

Yeah, so we looked at that as well because we also knew that it was it wasn't happening all the time.

So if the operator just pulled the train just a little bit further back, it made a huge difference depending on where the ramp was deployed.

So we make sure that we also took that in consideration to go back and let the operators know exactly where we need to be at, and that would be another reason why that the ramp wouldn't deploy as well.

That's that's good to hear.

Um, it seems to me too that there's all kinds of various wheeled um assistance um seats and chairs.

Some of them may have kind of different, you know, torque in terms of just getting the the chair moving.

So I would I would imagine that trying to do that when uh it's flush and smooth versus a textured panel is a lot easier to do.

So we're looking at different um what other agencies did too to see what type of detectable warning styles they use so we can also make sure that we choose the correct one.

So good to hear.

Thank you.

Okay.

So on the same one, um, we did just to make sure every you know is noted we did multiple VPs.

Um we wrote the system, and most passengers did appear to be able to use the doors and the ramps without any issues.

Um, we did observe a few situations that help us better understand what improvements could still be made, um, similar to what I mentioned earlier.

Uh, several passengers using mobility devices appear to ensure about the timing of the door and ramp sequence.

Just as a reminder, when using the ramp, the button should be pushed only once, and the ramp will deploy first, and then the door will only open after the ramp has fully extended.

Pushing the button multiple times or during deployment can interrupt the cycle and cause the ramp to stop to stop.

So what we were seeing is again, people just kind of get um, they they just because they didn't see the doors open, they would start pushing the button when it's intended for the doors not to open until the ramp will be deployed.

Um, another we did another ride along.

Um, if you can go back to the the other one, I'm really quick.

Just to point out, we did have um RCO and an EMT members do um another observation and we did on this specific picture here.

We had a passenger having difficulty reaching the ramp activation button.

Um while every writer's needs are different.

This situation highlighted the value of having support when needed, especially for riders who may benefit from traveling with a personal care attendant.

So transit ambassadors are always available to assist with when present, and we encourage riders to seek assistance if needed.

Um, however, we can't guarantee that an ambassador will always be in the train.

Um, so we do um having a PCA can provide more consistent and reliable support throughout the trip.

One of the most um the oh gosh.

So this will show actually the new um activation button observations of what we're changing it to so it gives you more information as to what to do so it they just to know to press it once and then wait, which is something that we had a lot of um a lot of writers asked that they hit they get more information and more clear instructions as how to use it.

You know, can you switch it to the next slide?

Okay, one of the most impactful changes we're making is through our AD, our system software upgrade.

Currently, if an ambulatory passenger pushes the door button before a wheelchair user pushes a ramp button, the ramp might be delayed or not deployed at all.

With this new software, the ramp button will always take priority.

If someone pushes a button for the ramp, it will override any door commands, even more importantly, the operator won't be able to overwrite manually.

The ramp has deployed first before the train can proceed.

So we were seeing that as well where passengers and we saw we heard it as well in some of our meetings, and we went back to try to figure out exactly what was happening, and that was the case.

Umperators wouldn't see nobody coming out when the its system itself was trying to cycle and we're not given enough time, so they'll override it and take off without allowing the passenger either to deport or board.

So now with this change, um, they will have to wait until that ramp is deployed, allowing either an exit or boarding to take place.

And we're still finalizing the necessary contract amendments for this with Siemens.

So as soon as we completed with that, we're planning to bring it to the board and move that forward.

So I'm gonna mention a couple things that Lisa did already mention in regards to what we've done.

Um, but I think it's important to note the things that we've already completed.

Um this is in response to our community feedback.

Um we lower the gong volume as she mentioned to 75 decibels, reduced and clarified external announcements, and work directly with the residents at 39th and 48th Street to address the bell sound concerns, and we hire the sound engineering to evaluate the system, increase ADA door dwell time from 15 to 20 seconds to standardize and standardize all decals to say push.

We've improved bicycle signage and passenger flow, and all of these completed items will continue to be monitored to ensure that they're working as intended.

And what we're still working on, we're working on relocating the ramp um deployment speakers inside the vehicles.

During writer feedback sessions, we heard concerns that the ramp sound cues weren't always clear and easy to hear, especially for passengers with visual impairments and those unfamiliar with the train.

So they're right now they're currently located at the top of the doors, and we had passengers stating that they couldn't hear.

So we what we're doing is we're relocating only two, two vehicles, and we're relocating those speakers at the bottom, and we're gonna test that out to ensure that that location works before we move it over to the whole entire fleet.

So that's going into into process right now of testing to see how it works.

Um additional to uh responding to those concerns.

We also heard um some concerns in regards to bicycles um occupying ADA spaces, and we're doing we're working with the transit ambassadors and collecting real-time data.

We want to know um how many bikes we're getting, what is the behavior?

Is it something that uh maybe it's educational for bike um users that don't know where to take the bikes?

Um are we asking ambassadors for assistance if we need to?

So we're trying to get the location and get to the root problem, so then we can come back and work together and and come up with solutions.

And then my last um update here is for the SACRT GO QRID.

Um scheduling and dispatching software.

We we launched this in mid-April, um, and we transitioned to the new scheduling and dispatch software um platform during the first two weeks of implementation.

Go service on time performance was at 60%.

And since then we've seen consistent improvements month over month.

On-time performance rose to 70.5% in May and climbed again at to 81.15 in June, showing that service availability and trending in the right direction and becoming more predictable for our riders.

In the early weeks, we experienced long call whole time, scheduling issues, coordination challenges between QRI and Userve and spike in writer complaints.

To address this, we added extra call center support, simplified our scheduling blocks, provide more training to dispatchers, and work closely with our partners to improve platform integration.

We already seen complaint rate drops, and writers are reporting a more stable experience.

And the new QRID app is currently undergoing third-party testing to ensure accessibility, and we plan to release it once we're confident it meets all standards of usability and equity.

That concludes my update.

We appreciate the board's continued support as we work to improve both performance and writer experience, and we're happy to answer any questions or hear any feedback you might have.

Thank you.

Wow.

I know it's a lot.

For very detailed, I love the the common theme that I'm hearing is continuous improvement.

And you really do an excellent job receiving community feedback and implementation.

So thank you for that.

I will look to the right for any questions or comments.

Yes, Director Dickinson.

Thanks.

I just have a question about the uh student ride.

Um and uh we had a number of as you uh alluded to a number of different uh entities that had agreed to contribute to that.

Um and that was to total, I think a million dollars uh in the aggregate.

Um, city of Sacramento included 250 and it's 250,000 in its budget.

Have all the other uh organizations and entities um budgeted and and delivered the amounts that uh they were pledged to to contribute.

It's my understanding that that's currently a work in progress to have those discussions.

So that's a cryptic answer.

Yes.

What does it do?

What does that mean?

It hasn't happened yet.

We're hoping it will.

So we're having conversations to try to get those into place.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, go ahead.

Yes.

Uh I believe, you know, we uh have uh made agreement with all or you know, which it is with money from all except one.

That uh organization, you know, uh is uh working on that still not commit yet, but uh we uh we have been very close to working with NAP and uh hopefully you know we can see a positive result.

Okay, so that's the one outstanding issue.

Uh the others have all agreed and budgeted the money, and yes.

You haven't necessarily received it all yet, though I gather.

Well, I mean, that's it.

That's uh account receivable.

Loman and it do not send to you along with you know the uh one time.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Well uh if you can um keep us apprised of how that's going that's going, that we will that would be helpful.

We will, and uh Chris actually has been the point of contact with NAND with that particular organization.

Uh we get uh we contact several of you, you know, uh inactive officials, ask you guys to help.

Thank you for asking that question, though.

Okay, thank you.

Any other questions or comments from the right?

Looking to the left?

Yes, Director Maple and then Director Cerna.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um, just quickly wanted to say, you know, to to Ms.

Kokazilla's um comments earlier.

I really just appreciate that you know we're not always gonna get it right.

Um, in fact, you know, just like any anyone or any organization that's constantly moving with a lot of technical challenges, we get a lot of things wrong.

But we I just really appreciate the culture that we have here of being willing to acknowledge and fix it.

I've seen that a lot.

I said on a lot of different boards.

Um, and uh I think more probably more so here than almost any of the other organizations that I'm that I sit on the board of that there's this willingness to acknowledge and and move to action quickly too.

Um, and so I just really want to appreciate that.

I think your um your very thorough presentation showed that you're well that you do that, you listen and then you implement and I'm loved especially seeing the ramp deployment um engagement because I I I we've heard those concerns um for a while now, and so I'm really glad to see that that's been um resolved, if not toward a permanent resolution.

Thank you.

Director Sarno.

Thanks, uh Chair.

So uh appreciate the uh presentation, uh, very informative and um I know that it's an iterative process to um literally go out in the field with our riders and see how they uh interact with uh our new um trains and the ramps and the um you know all the uh mechanics of how we board and disembark and um find our way once we're on the trains.

And to that point, uh with regards to the bicycles, do we currently have a policy uh relative to the number of bikes?

I know we have kind of designated areas.

Um it's almost a kind of a good problem to have because you obviously want folks using active transportation in addition to our train system bus systems uh to uh be as mobile as as they can in and around um where our system serves.

But I just wonder if it's time that if we don't have a policy relative to that, um maybe it's something the staff could um consider bringing back to the board.

Also, and in light of uh the tragedy that occurred last week relative to scooters, um I just wonder if there was any feedback given uh or even anecdotal information shared when you're out in the field uh kind of testing things with uh uh some of our our active writers, whether there's any uh developing conflicts or conflicts that we've uh encountered in the past between scooters uh on our trains, especially those that are um the the uh uh app uh based uh scooter systems, those I think we all know um can be a bit of a menace, at least in my opinion, where they're just kind of left behind and when the batteries run down, or um those that use them don't always uh return them to where we prefer that they would return them.

So I don't know if they get abandoned on our on our systems or abandoned on our ramps, that kind of thing.

But uh I just uh want to know if there's uh any feedback so far that we have relative to the scooter situation.

That evening, Sacramento Police Department's major crime investigation team came out and did a full investigation into that.

Unfortunately, the young man riding the scooter had huge headphones on, so he didn't hear the train, and he was listening to music, I imagine he was listening to something that had um so he didn't hear the train at all, and he didn't stop for the crossing arms.

He was right in on the sidewalk.

So I think it was less of a scooter issue than a um uh inattention issue.

Well, I mean, he wouldn't have been traveling the way he was if there was not a scooter involved, so it is a bit of a scooter issue, but I'm talking more generally in terms of just the way that the the traveling public has become accustomed to using these electric scooters uh in and around our system.

Has there been any um record or uh again just kind of um anecdotal information about uh potential conflicts or conflicts that have occurred, and I'm not talking about accidents necessarily, I'm talking about just their presence on the system or near the system.

Actually, what we've heard most is been bikes and just different kind of bikes as well, because now we also have the bigger big electric bikes.

Yeah, and I think that's been most of what the concerns that we've had come coming through.

We haven't heard of anybody leaving scooters on the system at the end of the night or um at ramps or anything like that.

We really haven't seen that.

Um, it's more of the issue of the bikes, the type of bikes and the space that it they're taking.

We do have a policy.

Um right now is two bikes in each train, and they have there's a specific side, and we do have specific areas of where we have them.

Um so we've seen that with experience and seeing that some passengers just don't know, and they take it like you'll see four in one location.

So I think a lot of it might be educational where they're they really don't know.

And um, so we're trying to that's why we're trying to work with her team with the ambassador so we can take that time to educate them and then marketing to push that out because we do have it um in place already, and then we're looking to see if that really works and if it's some if there's room to change it to something else depending on what we're looking at and how many banks are right are are coming into the trains daily, okay.

Our policy also has a weight limit on the bikes so that they can't bring on theoretically, they're not supposed to bring on these big heavy electric bikes onto our system.

Uh Madam Chair, I just wanted to answer uh director uh Sarah's uh observation.

That's actually it's a good problem we have.

The primary reason is because right now it's a new vehicle, new library of costs is easier to get in.

And uh um we you know regularly wrote the system just say what's going on.

And that the that time when we rode with uh Sheriff Cooper, there was a whole bunch of bikes.

I mean, that is actually from nine to ten and from um one to two, that time frame.

So, how we're going to address this issue, we're gonna think about what's going to you know, looking for uh a way.

Two bikes, you know, pull your car may not work down the road because the demand.

It's jumping.

Yeah, I mean, I can imagine it wouldn't take much for there to be a real um convenience conflict between someone that is wheelchair dependent.

Yes, and someone, a rider that uh wants to use their bicycle for last mile purposes or or otherwise.

Um, and you only have kind of that limited uh space that is very near the doors there.

So I think it's something that you might want to just keep the board apprised of as we kind of uh problem solve it.

Yeah, uh just one more comment.

The reason we had you know this long presentation, it's really thanks to our uh committee departments, Jeff or you know, um Baba and others ask us to do some like a workshop, like real modernization and expansion.

This is one of the largest, probably the largest capital project in our history.

Think about the one billion dollars investment.

And uh um we own an apology to the you know uh to the to our you know a community, you know, uh advocacy team.

And we did not really do this, but every time I want to assure you know everybody, every time when you know we received any, you know, comments from uh our you know, uh speakers and advocacy, you know, groups.

The second day tomorrow, you know, we have the executive team meeting.

We look at the one by one, you know, those concerns, issues, raised, then we immediately assigned, you know, uh, you know, team to address those issues.

Normally within one week, we immediately address those issues.

I can, you know, name, I can list all the comments of all those examples.

So we listen, we act, and uh we continuously impulse.

I would just add too that you you you've been very diligent about um keeping the board informed by email uh typically about um uh you know uh letting us know that a constituent's concern has been heard and addressed.

Um, or and even if that it's not what the constituent wants completely, you've done your best to try and uh figure out how best to fix what needs fixing.

So again, that's I think what a few of us have been attempting to communicate here tonight is that I think there's been um a very healthy feedback loop that uh serves our traveling public um pretty well.

Thank you.

Continuous improvements.

Any other questions?

Comments?

All right, we'll turn to public comments.

And we have Jeffrey Tardi Gia.

First response, Phil, is five years ago on the low floor is why put in the request about removing the seats so you could accommodate both the wheelchairs and the other things.

On the new ones, you know, Zimbabwe and a couple others, you will have more than five bikes arriving in there.

So this is why again I asked before about some policy changes that are needed to be examined and looked at um further.

Uh I also will say is this it got today to see that actually system update working because went to push the button to get out at 13th Street.

And indeed, um the signage said and they announced that the trains leaving, but it worked.

And so I actually was able to, the doors were actually to open up through there.

I've had a couple of times when I've been at 29th Street, where I've had to go to 39th Street and come back because the train is moving that fast and that quickly.

So a number of these things are being addressed, they're ongoing.

There are still matters that to be considered.

I thought it was important the board be drawn to the attention of understanding how far we have come and still how far we have to go.

Um, and there's still more coming because people that are in disability positions that cannot push the button.

Charles made the suggestion of having somebody help them, and other writers will help getting out.

But the major concern primary from August until this time was the outside overroad what was going on the inside.

The newest change is supposedly going to rectify that.

So inside pushing the button will open the doors before you get people out before you get people in.

I have other comments on there, but hey, this is a good start.

Thank you for what you've done, and thank you for paying attention to this was what was needed.

Thank you, sir.

Next public comment.

Ferinar's Navabi.

Uh I'd like to uh agree with the previous speaker.

Uh we need more capacity for both ADA passengers and for cyclists.

And it's not really an either-or.

Uh, I've personally witnessed uh 88 passengers being unable to board because there's already 88 passenger there and there isn't enough room for two wheelchairs sometimes with the folding seats there.

Um I am a cyclist and I am a bus and light rail rider.

Uh I would uh agree with Henry that you know it's a good problem to have.

Um, and maybe we could look at, for example, removing some of the seats or removing the pole uh that uh is in front of the door that the cyclists are supposed to enter.

Because it's not just cyclists, they're also uh parents with strollers.

There are people with carts.

And I personally witnessed when I uh went to a tour of the Siemens factory, that they have other light rail vehicles for other agencies that don't have that pole.

So that that's something that maybe SACRT could look at.

There would be a cost saving, and at the same time improve the experience for 88 passengers for parents and for cyclists.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's all the public comment.

All right, we'll close public comment.

Any other follow-up questions from directors?

Oh, was there one from Helen?

I don't have one for Helen.

We're on 4.1.1.

Okay.

Sorry.

Was that a typo?

Do you have one for this one?

No.

Okay, excellent.

Any follow-up questions, comments?

Seeing none.

We will move on.

So this is just an informational item.

We'll move on to 4.2.

City of Sacramento safe parking proposal.

Good evening, SACRT board.

I'm Chris Flores, Chief of Staff and VP of Real Estate.

As you see in your staff report last week, SACRT received a safe parking proposal from the City of Sacramento for the Franklin Light Rail Station.

We're looking for feedback and direction from the board on the proposal.

But before we do, we have Brian Pedro, director of Department of Community Response for the City here tonight to present the proposal.

Just say next slide.

All right.

Good evening, Madam Chair, board.

I'll keep this short.

We have about 40 slides.

I'm kidding.

We don't have 40 slides.

We uh we actually uh when uh Mr.

Bevins came up earlier and talked about our empty lots.

Uh we also thought about that and looked at our empty lots.

And uh that's why we're bringing this proposal for the uh Franklin Light Rail Station at uh 4801 Kasumness uh to look at safe parking for individuals that are experiencing uh homelessness who reside in their vehicles.

Uh next slide.

Or am I controlling?

Okay, perfect.

Um so this uh will be managed by my department.

Uh the uh program is uh intended to be temporary, uh flexible and fully compliant with the federal uh transit administration regulations.

As you can see, it will not uh impair the property's capacity to serve uh as its uh primary uh transit function uh in the public's interest in addressing and pressing uh address pressing regional needs, and then it will not interfere with the property's design construction operation or maintenance.

Next slide, please.

Uh the proposal uh will include 24-7 staffing and security uh portable restrooms, uh showers will be administered likely with a trailer on a regular schedule, and then we'll have uh trash collection that will be uh either from uh waste management um or through our contract that we have with um our uh FS Global.

Uh it will be a structured intake program.

DCR will control uh intake into the site.

Uh we will have a good neighbor policy for the area and um daily service for uh service engagement.

So we have uh multiple services that are available to us that uh we can bring to the site and offer services.

Next slide.

Uh we are proposing using uh approximately 140 parking spaces of the 520 that are there.

Uh the uh sites that we're looking to accommodate 60 to 80 in that uh total of 140, which allows us to have an opened area so we can do some rotation of the vehicles and allow us to clean up the areas as we rotate around the space.

Uh next slide, please.

Uh as you can see the overview of this, it uh we're looking at the far uh west side of the parking lot, uh um opposite side of the actual uh active RT station.

And our next slide, please.

Uh a closer version of the site here.

Uh so we have some things uh working to our advantage on this is that there is um no parking along that entire section, nor is there actually a place to uh uh pull off of the road right there because it's a uh um two lanes uh small median space there, uh, so that uh will keep us from uh any type of parking in the area.

Again, this site will be controlled, uh access, uh ingress and egress will be controlled uh by us.

Uh and I will also note that this currently we have no safe parking uh in the county at all, actually.

Um the county is looking to bring up their safe parking in uh on Watt Avenue at the end of the year.

Um that will take care of the north end of our valley, and then this would be a good south end site to have as well.

Uh next slide, please.

So the site will be enclosed by fencing and uh privacy screening.

Again, all ingress and egress to the site will be controlled by uh on site staff.

Uh we will have a curfew at the site uh from 10 p.m.

to 6 a.m.

There will be special uh circumstance for individuals that uh work at night or need to attend uh evening uh functions.

So there will be an allowance to come in and out at nighttime, uh, but there will be a curfew.

Uh next slide.

Brian?

Before you could you go back to the last slide.

Sure.

What's that last bullet actually mean practically a curfew will be enforced from 10 p.m.

to 6 a.m.?

Uh that means at uh 10 p.m.

that the gates and access to the site will be closed, and unless you have uh an agreement to that you uh either most likely it's work um that the for the people that work at night.

Okay, thank you.

Um and again, before you leave the slide, um I was gonna mention it later, but this uh photograph actually I think prompts me to chime in now.

The RV that's closest to us in the photograph there has a couple of buckets underneath the engine compartment.

Um I think many of us uh whether it be cities or the county understand that uh, especially with regards to the RVs that uh unfortunately have become some people's residences, de facto residences, aren't typically in the best shape.

Um, and there are many instances in the district I represent in the county where we've um encountered RVs that and this is not part of any kind of safe parking um policy or project, uh, but it's been kind of the organic development of folks parking their RVs uh and living out of them in places like adjacent to uh McClellan Business Park, for instance, where even when the um RVs aren't there, they're leaving a good deal of mess.

And sometimes it's oil and coolant uh that's actually going into the drains.

Um sometimes it can be gray and black water from their uh sewers onboard sewer uh systems.

So I'm hoping that you're gonna tell us a little bit about how you're going to um or how someone will monitor kind of the condition of some of these uh vehicles so that you're not left with some uh pollutants on site.

Thank you for leading us into our next slide.

Can I ask?

Next slide, please.

Can I ask a quick question?

Uh just a follow-up based on uh uh Dr.

Kennedy's question.

Um no cars in and out of the curfew time, 10 to 6, but can people go in and out?

Can they go in and out?

The people staying there.

Uh yeah, and you can okay.

Um we can't uh we can't completely shut it down and lock people in.

Um, so um to your question, uh, so all participating vehicles must be operable, registered, uh, belong to the owner um and uh functioning.

So very well aware of the type of uh vehicles we have in our streets.

Um it's uh an interesting um trend that we're seeing in that uh the other hat that I wear is in charge of our incident management team.

We had code enforcement that goes out and enforces uh what we've seen from a couple years ago when we started most of it was uh about a 50 50, maybe even less of um registered to unregistered vehicles.

Uh we're seeing the trend now is about 70% of the vehicles are um now registered, and uh so we're uh we're getting rid of a lot of the the blight uh being towed, dragged to areas um not even functioning, and so because we uh have control over who is going into this into the site, um we have some good control over the conditions, um, which also brings some of the rules that you will have to agree to to coming into the site.

Uh no propane.

Um you can't set up TARPs outside of your uh um RV or vehicle.

Um generators, so we won't have uh fuel and generators running at site.

Uh so there's uh many uh programs that we have looked at prior to uh setting this up and uh we're still refining exactly where we want to go.

Um there are programs out there that are park and do what you want, uh which we are definitely not looking at doing.

Uh there's programs that are spending millions of dollars uh on their programs and um trying to try to sit somewhere in the middle of that.

We're uh being conscientious of our budget uh yet having someplace that that does have some uh rules and uh and space.

There's a follow-up question from just this slide makes me uh uh wonder whether there's would be access to uh electricity and or water on the site for the for the RVs or trailers.

Yes, there will be uh water, uh Tim.

Did we look at is there electricity on okay?

So no electricity, yes on water.

Um, I mean, I don't want to assume that the questions will be answered in follow-up slides, but maybe I mean, unless it's pertinent to this one, I would just suggest that the following slide may answer your question so that he's not losing his train of thought actually.

So if it's pressing for the slide, I go ahead and ask it, but let's maybe, so Director Schaefer?

I can wait.

You want to wait?

Okay, okay.

So please continue.

Thank you.

Uh I'm used to being in front of council, so um, all right, so what do we have?

Uh um ongoing collaboration with RT and then again um if we need uh any enforcement of uh a good neighbor policy on this, um I have the benefit of being the director of our incident management team, which also has um um SAC PD and code enforcement uh if we need to enforce on this site.

Uh next slide, please.

You go back to the previous slide and the last paragraph needs further explanation, the re the structured intake.

What is the question, ma'am?

Uh the structured intake.

Uh so likely this would be uh consistent with our other um emergency shelters that we have where there is an understanding and signed by the individual that's coming into the site to follow the rules uh that we have provided for the site.

And you will be exited if you are not in compliance with the rules.

So when you say vehicles impacting the nearby neighborhood, you mean things that are actually sitting out in the adjacent neighborhood and need a place to go?

Correct.

So we will uh again, we are controlling in uh access to this.

So if we have uh vehicles that are in the area that are parked on the streets and um uh people are living in them, they will be uh uh likely some of the first to come to this uh spot because most people living in their vehicles are parked uh strategically at a location that works for either their job or where the kids are going to school and so the location anywhere they can find.

Pardon?

Or anywhere they can find.

Uh yes, but also tied to a reason for being in that area.

Uh DCR is that uh State Department of Corrections.

Uh it's the Department of Community Response that is my department for the city.

Sorry.

Uh next slide.

Um so the proposal is for a one-year lease uh option to extend.

Um the city will cover all costs related to the program for operations uh including staffing supplies, insurance, and administration, and then uh we will provide the uh endemic indemnification uh for the site and liabilities while use them utilizing the site.

And uh I believe that is my last slide.

Yes.

Great.

So we'll turn to the right.

We'll start with Director Hume.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um Brian, can you go back to the slide or whoever's controlling the uh PowerPoint or the slide deck?

Can you go back to the slide that has the kind of zoomed-in site plan?

Wow, that was fast.

Next one.

Next slide.

There you go.

There we go.

Uh so I'm just wondering, it looks like there's a driveway that bifurcates where the outlined area is.

Is there a reason why you have the proposed area spanning that driveway as opposed to moving and having the uh safe parking site entirely to the west and even maybe extending up towards the tracks to the what would be the north?

Um, so we we wanted to take so that gives us that our 140 to give us the room, first of all.

Um that can maybe address that because that came from a request from SAC RT.

If you see at the very bottom left, there's a um a box at our wayside unit needs it to access.

Okay, so multicolored things.

Yes, and we need a trailer to get into that, and so to be able to turn around, we need to have the push them back over to the east side.

Okay, and so this proposal would effectively shut down that driveway, then that ingress and egress.

That's what this this rendering would do.

Yes, correct.

There is one farther as you can see on that.

Zoom out, there's some additional ones.

Most people don't park as Brian mentioned over at the southwest corner because it is much farther away from the station platform.

Sure, sure.

And I do have a few slides if you want me to finish up before we can get back to the comments.

Sure, I'll reserve the rest of my question.

Okay, yeah, go for it.

Okay.

So let um Adam catch up, but thank you, Brian.

Um, I just did want to show a zoomed out um view of the Franklin Light Rail Station.

It's located at the intersection of Consumers River Boulevard and Franklin Um Boulevard in City Council District 8, as well as um Director Kennedy, Supervisor Kennedy's district.

Um, next slide.

As a reminder, SAC RT has worked uh with the city of Sacramento on previous proposals first um to assist with homelessness.

Back in 2019, the city proposed a triage center at the floor and light rail station, but Lair decided to pursue an alternative um site.

In 2022, SAC RT worked with the city on two sites, Franklin and Roseville Road, light rail stations.

The board approved usage of both light rail station sites and the Federal Transit Administration provide concurrence uh for the Roseville Road station.

However, a couple months after approval, the city voted to update their comprehensive siting plan for to address homelessness, pivoting to a strategy focused on more permanent housing.

Um, in addition to these efforts, SACRT has hired a full-time social services practitioner to assist with those experiencing homelessness, and we have provided over hundreds of free ride flyers over the last two years to respite spenders during extreme weather events.

Next slide.

So if the board directs staff to continue to work on the safe parking proposal, the following will be need to be completed prior to the launch.

Community outreach will be conducted and a good the city will agree to a good neighbor policy with the surrounding community.

The city will need to prohibit camping and storing personal property in the nearby vicinity of the Franklin station.

The city and SACRT will need to agree to a lease agreement, site plan and program guidelines.

And finally, the Federal Transit Administration must grant concurrence.

While the FTA was quick to grant concurrence to Roseville Road three years ago, this is a different administration.

And last Thursday, President Trump issued an executive order that seeks to overhaul the way U.S.

manages homelessness.

I'm gonna ask our legal counsel, Olga Sanchez Ochoa to comment on that executive order.

Thank you, thank you, Chris.

As Chris noted, last Thursday, President Trump signed it an executive order aimed at changing the model employed by municipalities and states and managing the unhoused crisis.

The president's stated goal is uh to reverse a number of consent decrees and federal court decisions, clearing the way to allow governments at the local, state, and federal levels to forcibly commit unhoused individuals to mental health facilities and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers.

Um section three of the president's executive order is particularly concerning for SAC RT because it directs the Secretary of Transportation, who you all know has uh complete prover purview and oversight of the FTA to prioritize states and municipalities for receipt of discretionary grants, which we heavily rely on.

If they, among other things, prohibit urban camping, loitering, and squatting.

The language of the EO seems to indicate a very unfavorable view of allowing unhoused individuals to camp in public spaces, and it also puts public agencies like SAC RT that receive FTA dollars at risk of losing access to those dollars if they do not comply with the administration's anti-homeless policy goals.

Um, and now turn it back to Chris.

Great, thank you.

And next slide.

Um, as mentioned, the Franklin station has a little over 650 parking spots.

It opened in 2015, and you can see the parking utilization um increasing prior to the pandemic.

Staff is going to be working on getting some updated parking utilization figures for the station.

Um, light rail ridership is approximately 70% of pre-pandemic levels, but does continue to have a steady rise.

Um, and that last slide.

Finally, as the board considers the proposal from the city, staff has identified identified some previously considerations in light of SACRT and um our passengers' needs.

Um, these include potential need for additional security at the platform in order to gain federal approval.

Um vehicle checks ensure operability of the vehicles that are ultimately authorized to park in the safe parking, a 24-7 point of contact should any issues arise, and a requirement that all parties involved with safe parking, including the residents participating on on-track safety.

Um, with that, I'll turn it back to the board for any questions and comments.

I imagine there's several.

Um, we'll continue on with um did you want to finish out your I I did actually because I I appreciate the chair's admonishment.

My questions were actually answered by the following slide, which was whether or not this was a continuation of the previous effort or a new effort altogether.

Um, my memory wasn't as uh good as what the resolution of the previous request to have a safe parking site here was.

So it's good to know that this that was approved, but ultimately rejected by, or not I guess rejected.

The city went in a different direction at that time and now are circling back to do this.

Um I think that's important to note because we did go through a lot of negotiation relative to particularly um uh nuisance behavior surrounding the safe parking area.

Um, and I think that what I'm hearing from Brian on this proposal is a slightly different uh clientel/slash end user um that I think also addresses the president's EO.

And that is because um an RV that is operable and registered, or a car that's operable and registered to me is a completely different uh uh person than a lot of the situations we see of this just sprawling sort of um you know hood up um multiple trailers and things and you know uh just uh more of a trash pile associated with the the vehicle that's parked there.

And so I think you're proposing something that's very different.

And I think that that uh it's more uh akin or aligned to the working poor um than necessarily some of the more public encampments that we see causing a nuisance for those wishing to go about their daily lives, which I think was the intent of the EO.

So uh I I'm interested in hearing from the public.

I'm interested in hearing from my colleagues, but I'm I'm happy to have the clarification that I think gives me a little more comfort.

But I will say this.

One of the things that we expressed the last time we went through this exercise, um, particularly with respect to this light rail station, which I do believe was overbuilt and overparked to begin with, maybe aspirational, but all of those homes that are being developed in the nearby um uh uh Delta Shores community, as well as everybody who lives to the south in Elk Grove, if they were going to use their cars as a first mile, last mile solution, this is likely to be the station that they would utilize given the fact that uh Casumis River College charges for parking.

So that's an important consideration as we look to who we're trying to get onto our system.

Um, but certainly I I I recognize the the immense uh strain that you're put under Brian and appreciate you coming forward with the solution.

Go to Director Dickinson and then Director Budge.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um Brian, I just wanted to ask uh regarding uh who, in a sense, would be eligible to occupy this site were it to become operational.

And you said nearby neighborhood.

Now, would those who uh would be uh eligible for consideration come through the coordinated entry system, or would it be a parallel?

Yeah, it would be um uh it'd be outside of the coordinate entry because coordinate entry itself would um like our other systems would go through two-on-one, and um staff there would determine uh vulnerability and what program would fit best for them.

We're looking to have this uh outside of CAS.

Um, of course, we coordinate with CAS all the time, um, but it would be um we again we'd look for the uh the people in the in the general area that needed a place.

Again, this is all voluntary, so whoever uh would be willing to uh abide by the rules and wants to come to that particular spot.

It would be open to the entire city, but we would be looking to serve the the local area.

Okay, I mean, I mean, trying to get a sense of of the those operational elements uh um because obviously we have uh uh those who are uh parked uh on on our streets uh for extended periods of time in RVs, trailers and similar kinds of uh vehicles who are not in this vicinity.

And so I mean there are a couple questions that that follow from what you what you said and partially alluded to is would would the city need to set up a a stand up a separate kind of entry point or point of contact for these?

What if it doesn't go through coordinated access or coordinated entry uh firstly and secondly, to what extent would this in your estimation be filled to capacity if it were in some immediate circumference of uh of this area, because we've got other parts of the city that are experiencing this phenomena of streetside parking uh to a significant extent.

And I I'm uh uh Supervisor Cerna, Director Cerner, whatever title you want to have for the moment, um uh alluded to uh adjacent to McClellan.

Um and as you know, uh diesel drive and up in that area is uh as an industrial area is filled, literally filled with with trailers, RVs, and the and the like.

So can you elaborate a little bit on do we have to stand up a separate uh point of contact for entry what does that entail and um the extent to which you think this would be uh um occupied by pe by those who are in this general uh vicinity uh sure so um estimated um again our incident management team is out in the city every day we have a uh very um uh close contact with not only our homeless community that are in uh in tents or street camping but as well as uh our um our individuals that are in um uh RVs and cars so we are well aware of who our audience is out there uh our estimated is about 450 uh families uh living in their uh vehicles around the city within the city limits and uh we will fill from that general area the south end of town we would fill this uh uh I I am highly likely that we would fill it just from the south end of town.

And then one of uh does would the city need to stand up a separate operation for point of contact, point of entry.

Uh it would be DCR, it'd be all of our so we have our DCR staff the uh what do we have 16 out in the field we have our hope uh contractors which is another 10 of us um we have uh community health works uh and uh step up so we have about 55 outreach workers out in the city every day and so between them just like we organize and coordinate all of our other entries um we would have uh someone that is willing to go into the program and we would just communicate that we are uh coming to you with somebody that wants to enter the program and there would be someone on site.

They would presumably then ex in some sense extend expand their their outreach to those who are in trailers and in RVs as opposed to those who are in encampments on the literally on the street.

And we currently do that as well.

So we're providing outreach to uh to our vehicles we have a separate team that's with code that's providing outreach to all of our RVs and vehicles out there.

Okay.

Well I I will uh make a comment as well as that thank you for the response to the questions in the presentation um would that we were realizing our aspirations and there was no or there was no room in this lot or any any other lots that that we have uh and hopefully that will be um uh aspiration that becomes reality at some point in time but uh this makes sense to me uh we I think we all observe uh uh what we see on our streets I know that in the district I represent it's uh I I wouldn't say it's omnipresent but it's uh unavoidably present uh and we need places for people to go the street does not work um and it doesn't work for them to tap into street street lights for electricity and it doesn't work for them to tap into fire hydrants for water uh and the other things that they do um as uh uh in part of necessity uh so having something that's organized uh and um that that is monitored uh and structured makes makes sense to me so I I very much support going forward negotiating the terms that we that that need to be resolved uh and then approaching uh FTA on this um what it does leave me with is the recognition that that if this is gonna be uh filled up and I presume you're probably right about this from folks in the uh the south area of the city and the surrounding area that we're gonna need to look for more opportunities to to do this elsewhere so we'll look to our brothers and sisters uh from the county up in the north and uh closer to your uh your home and uh see if we can fill that up as well.

Thanks, Sher.

Director Budge, yeah.

So um you said there would be um showers and restrooms provided, um, and that's fine.

But if one is living in a trailer or an RV, how do they do that?

Without water or access to electricity to run lights and heating and air?

Uh well, currently on the street, they don't have access to that unless they tap into a power pole.

Um, and uh a lot of times they don't use the uh restrooms that are in their RV and they accommodate by finding any place that they can use a restroom uh because they have they don't want to fill up their own tank and then they have to try and dump it, and then they need water.

And so this will have the restrooms uh will be portapotties, and uh then water is available, but we're not uh looking to tie in and make this an RV park.

We are looking for a safe spot for them to park that's off the road, that uh we can get them into a stable site and we can provide services.

Uh we know that if we can continue to uh contact people and provide the services that they need, our uh chances of getting them into someplace better into uh any one of our programs is much higher if we can at least uh have the ability to talk to them every day.

November, December, and January, it's dark at five o'clock at night.

Yes, ma'am, there's lighting out in the site, and that is why we picked this site.

You said there was no electricity available.

There's lighting at the site, the parking lot.

In the parking lot.

Well, look to the left here, Director Cerna.

My questions were answered.

Thank you.

Oh, there you go.

Thank you, thank you.

Uh so a couple things.

Uh maybe this is best for Chris to answer.

In terms of the sequencing of what needs to happen, if there's concurrence from our board board that we want to move forward with this, um, because it obviously isn't it's an RT asset.

But in terms of the sequence of what needs to happen next, how much work is going to be considered kind of a sunk cost on this before FTA chimes in?

And what's the what's the mechanism that FTA uses to tell us yes we concur or no we don't?

Um, and then where are we if they choose not to concur?

We really before we send anything to the FDA, it has to be pretty much finalized and the board approved.

And so we're gonna need a lease agreement, um, the site plan and kind of the program guidelines.

And I mean the lease agreement for Roseville Road was very complicated because there's a three-party lease agreement.

I think a lot of what the been captured in this proposal though sent to us is something that we had to negotiate previously.

Um we did highlight a few of our other considerations, but we really do need a buttoned up agreement to send to the FTA, they're not gonna review it unless you you have that approved.

So there's a considerable amount of legal work that needs to uh occur that could very well be lost if the administration comes back and says no, we don't we're not gonna support uh the use of this transit uh asset for this particular purpose.

That is a possibility.

Okay.

Second thing, unrelated to that.

Um my understanding of uh of things, if they haven't changed, um, is that uh when it comes to the county city relationship and how we partner to best serve our common constituents that are uh unsheltered, is that if uh DCR engages with uh a homeless individual, homeless family, homeless couple, um whether it be kind of triggered by a code concern from a resident or or uh by law enforcement, that uh if there is an understanding that's that that individual or group of individuals also requires some assistance from the county in terms of what we do, whether it be behavioral health, mental health services, general assistance, that that uh working partnership would would operate no differently here than it has kind of organically elsewhere outside of safe parking sites or or um sanctioned uh encampments.

Is that the the case?

Yes, um and it uh for us because we have the city county partnership agreement, it gives us the benefit of having the behavioral health aspect of this um as part of our uh deployment team that we have out now.

So that's um that's the other component of our outreach, absolutely.

So that okay, I think you answered the question because uh so a lot of that has is has been kind of reactionary.

You know, there we we see that someone has maybe a substance use disorder or um mental health challenges, they need uh access to medications, what have you.

But it sounds to me like what we're going to do again if we if the uh the board approves it and we move forward, that there would be some proactive ways that when someone comes in with their in their vehicle with the understanding of all the rules and expectations of of uh good behavior on site, that once they're there, they're gonna understand, hey, you know, we're working with the county, we can provide you the suite of of services here.

It's not just like you said, an R V park.

Correct.

Yep.

So um it um it works uh the city county partnership, we as we have um, you know, tried different iterations of deployment of what's most effective.

Uh one of the ways that that we've seen behavioral health be effective is in our um ability to have clients that are in the same place so you can recontact them and actually do the work.

Um and so we've uh pulled back from uh trying to contact uh everybody in the streets with just general outreach and looking at our shelters and our sites where we know that we have a more stable environment that they can work on.

Thank you.

And just as for point of clarification, tonight this item is just informational, so we'll be coming back.

Um Director Robo.

I'll just limit it to a few questions, but um so you you talked about the on on-site staff.

Is that would that be a police officer or would that be a security officer?

Security.

Uh and so they don't have the same enforcement as a police officer, correct?

Okay.

Um can we guarantee that 24-7?

A security officer 24-7.

It will be security 24-7.

So if there is drugs or there is some kind of infraction or you know something goes amiss, um, what will that security officer be able to do?

Do they have to call PD at that point?

After hours, it'd be a call to uh to PD uh daytime hours.

Again, we have uh 12 impact officers that are assigned to the incident management team for the city, and so we'd likely dispatch one of our impact officers over there.

And that concerns me too because of the the impact could take away from security in other locations.

Um how is this going to benefit our riders?

Um, you know, our my job as a director for SAC RT is to always look to see what is the best for the best and highest use for our ridership.

Um, how will this um benefit our riders and those using that parking facility for park and ride?

Um I think that we can look at outside of just the parking lot and look at the benefit to our entire city, not only the writers, which are also citizens of our city.

We are at a point in our homeless response that uh this is uh yet another uh tool for us to be able to help pull some people off the street and get them into a safer space.

We have emergency shelters, we have interim housing, we have permanent supportive housing, we have every realm that you can possibly offer right now.

And this is the one piece that we don't have, and it is um it's it's an it's again goes back to well, I can't park here, but where can I park?

We're providing that place that they can park.

It's significant to um helping our NHOs that are in vehicles has been a component that hasn't been fully addressed.

Uh in that we've been working so hard on everybody else that are our campers.

And so this is that that piece that really um benefits everybody.

And you said the city, and I and I appreciate that because I know that that you do have a lot in front of you as far as the homeless crisis.

Um, but again, my job is um to protect our riders and to be good neighbors as well.

So I'm really concerned about the benefits to SAC RT and more the opposite effect of what this could do.

One of the things I hear often here is the three things that we look for is safety, cleanliness, and reliability of our service.

And I believe this could be a detriment to it.

Of course, we don't have data.

So, you know, I I have some concerns about this.

One of our goals here is to increase ridership, and I can see that's doing the opposite, having the opposite effect.

So that's enough for now.

But thank you.

Thank you.

Dr.

Maple.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um, really appreciate the presentation and um, you know, I think this is a really important conversation to come back to this body.

I know that it was several years ago that it was first had.

Um, I wasn't on this board at that time, I don't believe.

Um, but I'm glad that we're we're having it.

Um, just on Friday of last week, um in the morning.

Some folks who are on on this body here, yourself and others participated in our continuum of carriers meeting um for the regional coordinated homeless action plan.

And I was really inspired to be in that room because we heard not just from you know elected officials and their perspective, but we also heard from service providers and folks like yourself who are doing kind of a combination of of services and enforcement.

So you kind of get to see all sides of it.

Um, and so it was very clear to me from that conversation from almost everybody in the room that there's an acknowledgement that we don't have enough.

We just don't.

Um it's something that we have to acknowledge openly and honestly in order to move beyond it and continue to work towards it.

We have a lot of really brilliant people on the city side on the county side in the other cities who are working towards these solutions every day, and we've really increased that capacity through creative solutions just like this and others.

Um, but at some point we do have to continue to push it and make it make it happen.

Um, but that's my view.

Um as you've mentioned, one of the challenges that we have in general is that there's really not a legal place in the city of Sacramento and probably beyond for you to park your vehicle if you're living in it.

And so de facto, you're you're you're you're moving around constantly, and that is the worst way for you to be able to get the services and the help that you need.

If you need to be in contact with a medical provider, uh mental health, substance use, whatever that may be, or if you're just trying to survive and get to work or pick up your kids from school or whatever that may be, um it's it's really a challenge.

And so we know that in the programs that we do have where people are able to stay in one place for long enough to get connected to a housing navigator or to the right job opportunity or to the mental health care that we need, um, staying in one place is really important.

Um, and that's it's almost impossible right now if you're living in your car.

It's just the truth.

Um and so just you know, speaking plainly, I I really appreciate the willingness to at least have the conversation from the RT and the city perspective because we're we can only really do this through partnership.

Um I don't know if you can speak a little bit to the availability of you know parking lots or spaces in the city of Sacramento that are you know owned and operated by the city versus it and maybe speak to why it's important for us to have to partner with others to do this.

Uh sure we that uh is is the that's about where we are on all everything that we have available uh to provide right now, and until we look outside of the city and look at our partners and look at private uh uh partners, we we have no place.

And so that's where we where I drive around constantly looking at where where is a spot that we can put people, whether house them, whether to uh allow them to park somewhere.

Um, and this is this is an opportunity for us to provide um, you know, um a hundred and forty spots, but really looking at that's uh also why I'm looking at keeping the number low is um you know 6080 in this 140 um keeps the uh the concern for uh excessive garbage excessive storage that the the excess of storage is not allowed.

Uh the excessive garbage uh is also not allowed.

There will be garbage on site.

So we're trying to keep this tight, clean, and tidy, and provide services and to not impact the entire area.

There's 520 slots in there.

We're looking at 140 in the farthest away corner that we can provide it.

That's really helpful.

Um, and you know, for me it's you know it's not simple.

You know, obviously that there's a lot of complication to this issue, but in my view, no matter what, that individual or that family or that group of people are either somewhere on a street in someone's private property in an industrial area, whatever that may be, people don't just disappear.

They exist, and and you know, I think it's very important for us, no matter what border entity that I sit on, have that compassion and humanity to realize if we can get them into a space stabilize and into something else or creating more throughputs and more opportunities to help others out and get connected to the right resource.

And the last comment I'll make is um I was very struck by you know 450 families.

You know, there yes, there are a lot of people who may be addicted to drugs or I'll call on the streets.

Yes, there are people who might have mental health conditions on the streets that I believe they also deserve care.

Um, but the reality is is we also have people who are working jobs and have kids and are trying to if they just can't afford rent, they've lost their housing for some reason or another.

We we certainly have those people in our communities, and um, you know, I think that if they can have an opportunity to get the care they need, that'll be great.

So I look forward to hearing from the public and from the other directors.

Thank you.

Thank you, Director Maple.

I believe um Director Brewer had a question and then Director.

Okay.

And then I have comments as well.

Oh, I'm sorry, and then Director Kennedy will come to Director Kennedy.

Not to, you're sitting right next to me, I forgot.

We'll go to Director Brewer and then come back to Director Kennedy.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh with so as we're looking at the site itself.

We know there's there's lights at the site, but there's no electric outlets in those areas.

So if they need to plug up or power up, um does that mean that those that those RVs or mobile homes, if they need to have electricity, they have to have like uh they have to have a generator or or something on site, or is that or is that restricted?

Yeah, so um restriction on generators.

Um again it's it's a challenge to uh balance between uh making an RV park out of this and trying to get people in a safe spot.

Are we trying to get people off of the streets into somewhere safe and that we can provide some service?

It's not gonna be the best that uh that you can have.

Um, but there's two things going against us.

Number one, we don't have the funding to make the best space, and number two, we're not looking at making this a permanent place where you can park your RV and live for the rest of your life.

So uh, you know, as harsh as it sounds, it's a balance of trying to provide someplace safe and someplace stable uh without all the amenities that uh that you would want.

And as for the the curfew, the 10 to 6 curfew, um you may have an individual who is working either graveyard shift or that swing shift where they may um work at 11 at 118 at 11 p.m.

or midnight.

Um is there a grace period that allows people who are coming in or will there be someone on site to let them in based on that information or knowledge, because obviously if that person is is doing a job is at a job that has that sort of late window, um they need to be back in the facility or at least let back in in some way, shape, or form.

Well, there'll be someone on site to let them in.

And is there some sort of agreement between the city or the county or the administrator running the actual lot?

It's that spot itself to help them to help them make that.

Yes.

Um, so the um security that will be on site will be um trained up to um trained up to uh have the roster uh who is on an agreement to um go past curfew or is working nights.

Um and it's not uh it's not unlike uh other shelters we have that um that they allow you to come and go when we have curfews, but there is a grace period on this as well.

Um it's not black and white and you're kicked out if you're not here by 10 o'clock.

No, I appreciate that because you we there will be, I mean, the gist of what you had just shared with us, and I definitely appreciate the the location.

Um is the whole notion of being able to help people where they're at and trying to get them back on their feet.

Um and you show that we were that there'll be people in RVs, cars maybe, maybe vans, but the table that was set was pretty clear.

These are these are the these are the working poor.

These are the people who cannot afford to live in apartments because the market has priced them out.

And so just being able to provide whatever services that are needed to help get people back on their feet or get that transition into an apartment.

Um is definitely important, but um, but definitely appreciate the curve for you.

It's just being able to give that grace period for those individuals who will be there that work somewhere else that has that late hour um time to actually like get off of work, come back home.

So they don't feel like that they're being forced or rushed, or they cannot accept that job because the job because the because you have the curfew in place.

Right.

Yep, for sure.

We um we work with uh each individual and uh and uh get an agreement of uh working hours and uh schedule for them and try and try and make it as standard as we can, try and give them some sense of stability.

And it's the stability plus it's being being able to provide the full wraparound services that are need to help that individual or that family.

Absolutely in that respect.

So, Kennedy.

Thank you, Chair.

Um kind of shotgun here because so much has been brought up.

Uh Brian, I I first of all, I I sincerely appreciate you know your drawing the distinction.

We're not setting up a KOA here.

Um this is a location in which we can triage people, um, gets people in a safer environment than they currently are.

It gets people out of neighborhoods and business districts, but most importantly, it gets them in a controlled environment where we can connect them with services that we can't do when they're scattered throughout the city.

So I appreciate that distinction.

Um, you know, this is not I was uh very much uh involved with some of the discussions with FTA the last time around with Roseville Road, and um, you know, there's there's some significant distant differences here, but I do want to first of all call out RT to say that this is not regional transits or any transit district's primary mission.

Um, but the fact that you know this organization recognizes that you're a part of this community, uh, you know, and you have to diverge from what our primary mission is in order to better serve the community.

Uh so I really appreciate RT and the staff of continuing to work on this.

I also want to give commend the city of Sacramento uh because the last time around, uh there were just it just it fell through partially because there were too many um onerous things being asked of RT, um, that we just it just went beyond our mission to the point where we couldn't do it from a fiscal uh perspective or liability perspective.

So thank you to the city of Sacramento, Brian, your staff for coming up with this.

I think it's a a much better plan than what we had before.

Um and we're heading in the right direction.

Now I'm gonna ask the hard question.

Um so Supervisor Cerna and I both share constituents that didn't think Miller Park was all that successful.

Um why is this different?

Oh, the many ways.

Okay.

Um so uh let's start with uh really uh and I think you hit on a little bit.

Our environment now in our homeless uh community is way different than we were two years ago, three years ago.

Um we're uh we're to the point that we have almost everybody's contact in our homeless management information system.

Um we have all of our services that are uh uh contrary to everybody's belief that are all working together and collaborating together.

Um, and we are um I mean we're we're hitting on all cylinders.

I mean, we're we're now challenged with uh doing more with less and trying to uh create more efficient ways to um provide services so uh in Miller Park days um uh it was early on.

It was um um trying to figure it out.

Um I think we've been in this uh uh in this um environment long enough and have enough data at this point and uh are well more organized and collaborative to to know what how to how to structure it um and uh not not bite off more than we can chew um and um just provide a a more stable environment without um I think we're past I mean there are obviously our um community members that still have concerns because we uh the the homeless community is a spectrum of our general population.

Um so we do have people with um with substance issues, we have people with uh behavioral health concerns, um, but we also have a lot of families out there living in their vehicles that are stable and just want a place to stay in that's who we're looking to uh get into this community.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions from directors?

All right, I'll pose my question mostly comments.

I have I do have a question as it relates to I heard a comment that um prior to launch is when the stakeholder engagement will take place, why prior to launch and not right now, um, with all of the impacted stakeholders, the residents, CRC, others, um, to let them know of what you know what you have in mind.

Um there's uh two sides to that.

There is the uh I think we we've all expressed that we're opening a new place, and then you don't see it for two years.

Um so we want to not have that.

Um I personally have no problem with bringing this forward uh at this point to let them know, but we're so early in this, and we have uh a few hurdles to get over before we can even start moving forward with this.

Um it would be up to um up to my boss and and our uh leaders to become.

Ultimately, so yeah, I mean, I'm just you know, like my example is the city of Elk Grove when we even contemplate something like this.

We always look for community feedback, sure.

So that nobody's surprised, sure, or no one says, Well, I wasn't informed, I didn't have an opportunity.

So to that extent, um, a well-informed public is always good.

So, and I but I fully understand what you're saying in the sense of we're not necessarily there yet.

But I do think, and I this would be in council member bangs district, so perhaps she'll be leading some discussions or things, but I do think that it's a good idea to have um community engagement, not necessarily all before, but it can be happening um parallel.

And you know, when I sit back here as a mayor of another city, this is coming in Sacramento.

I'd like to really sort of step back and look at that sort of regional approach of what really is at the heart of SAC RT Sacramento regional transit.

It's not just what's good for my city, but also our region.

And I see the thoughtful approach that you have all taken here, and considering all of the available land, think that you know what is unique here, and it shows it very clearly in the map.

We have space, we have space that won't encroach on on our writers, which I do share the concerns for our writers.

What will this look like and will this cause a safety issue?

But I do believe you've created a lot of checks and balances along the way here that um if there are issues, they can be raised and addressed in a real-time manner.

So I appreciate um that, particularly the 24-hour security aspect.

Um people want to see a safe place.

Ultimately, for me, I look at this as something that addresses human dignity, giving a safe place for a person or persons, a family.

And this provides that stability.

And I also want to respect what Mayor McCarty wants to do as he's leading the city as well.

And sort of his vision and help support as a neighboring city because you know homelessness is not just the city of Sacramento's problem.

It we all have different numbers, but we all have it.

And so to support something that quite honestly is a space that we don't need right now.

And we can revisit it in a year.

So I'm supportive of what you're trying to do.

And I look forward to the process along the way.

And with the with the notion, of course, FTA being, you know, that is a primary concern.

And that's as a SACRT wearing that lens, that's gonna be the most important because what we don't want to do is lose funding for the programs that we do operate.

But hopefully we don't get there and you negotiate something that works very well.

So I look forward to this coming back.

So tonight's just an information item.

I imagine we have a number of public comments, perhaps.

I don't know.

There's no public comment.

Okay.

If this is gonna come back, then I have some request for some data, and I don't know if it's our staff or you that would bring this to us.

Um and and I think to your before I move on to that though, to your point about this impacting the neighborhoods, I would definitely like to hear from them.

So next time we have it, I would I mean, I don't want to wait too long in the process because I'm not familiar with this neighborhood.

Um, so that would be very relevant to me.

Um, but here's some things that I would like it.

We we don't have one in the county, so I'm not sure that we need to be the first, but I would like to see you had other examples of where this has been implemented.

So I would like to see if you could get data on what is the increase or decrease in ridership out at those stations that something like this is at.

What is the increase or decrease in computer parking?

Um, what is the increase or decrease in calls for police, both to the city um or the county, whoever's in these other jurisdictions, and to the RT system, and then the type of crime.

If it went up, then what type of crimes went up?

Um, and then increase our decrease in fire calls as well.

Thank you, Director.

And I think also just further just that quality control, I think is really at the heart of some of these possible concerns.

Because I am somewhat familiar with this area, I would actually encourage our directors to maybe do a field trip out there to see how removed it is from the station.

It's pretty far away.

So I just to put it in perspective.

Um, so you've got those additional, I think.

Director Maple had a follow-up.

Yeah, thank you.

Um, just a quick follow-up.

Uh um agree.

I actually, you know, love the idea of data.

I think we should always be data informed, so that'll be really interesting.

Um, one of the comments um was around FTA and the federal administration and how what that EO executive work could mean for us.

I think um I think local jurisdictions are still kind of figuring that out.

I know we are too.

Um, so my my request would be, you know, if it sounds like there might be at least some tacit support to move forward this conversation, that we do active outreach to FTA and ask for their guidance of what of what it means to them.

So, for example, if they're, you know, reading the executive order language to mean that that a project like this would absolutely impact us.

Then of course, you know, I think that we had to need to, you know, take a step back and take and see if that works because we we obviously need funding for our district to do the the work that we need to do.

So just like that really proactive outreach.

The other thing that I wanted to mention is I did speak with Councilmember Vang um prior to this meeting just to get her thoughts um, you know, for context uh when this the original idea of this project, not what's being proposed now, but you know, a similar idea was brought forward.

Um, they did do community outreach, and she um expressed you know her support for this, but um she did request that that there would be more community meetings, including with the Dear Mesa Grande Community Association and others.

So I know that that would be a part of it.

Just wanted to mention that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Director.

And I think to your point, I we have relationships with um FTA, so it would be actually good to have that and those conversations proactively rather than submit something and then be surprised by it um to have them as part of the partnership yes all right so this again is an information item so we look forward to having it back and in the interest of time we are going to um consider with your consent of uh moving item 4.3 either to a future meeting or because it's information on surplus properties we can very easily get this as an electronic update um unless you actually want to hear it today so seeing no objections electronic update on and it will be available to everybody as well yes director yes what I would ask if that's to come back to us electronically or however it does is information on to when we look at uh moving forward with a marketing effort to on the project you know what the timeline is yes some details thank you thank you and then if you can even further um if it's we're getting it as an electronic update you can provide input as part of your director update absolute CEO update.

All right so that's moving on to 5.1 yes.

Oh okay is my report yes okay good evening madam chair and the board um that's very few update um first uh in last board meeting you know uh we discussed uh FTA grant master agreement to revise some of our uh policies good news because of the court a court order and uh our general concept determines we don't need to make any changes so that's one then next one uh well I mean uh recently the most you know uh boss was in the industry is cutting service and uh there in in Pennsylvania uh two top agencies cutting 45% of service and uh one agency one of those two you know similar sites to us they cut 45% of service and received 4000 comments all those comments are extremely active as you can see uh California you know uh the assembly budget includes a 750 million dollars long for Bay Area transit agencies for them to avoid cutting service this year this coming year so um we are fortunate to you know a little bit better position for next four five years but uh we're going to work with board the work with community uh particulars to see how we can write to the ship in the future you know to make sure we have a long-term you know financial uh support for us to avoid any this type of sense next please uh we go to I mean everybody knows uh Miss uh Margie Donovan is um one of the most uh you know uh frankly uh well outspoken you know supporter of SACIT or sometime you know constructive criticisms and she wrote us a wonderful email about our service about the paratransit go uh just wanted to thank staff operation who have truly you know addressed large portion of the issues and uh uh risk last couple months when we changed a new scheduling system.

We feel bad about when we change another new scheduling system and the same you know uh didn't allow to the didn't allow to immediate address.

Now, you know, this is the example.

Our on-time performance increased of to 82 percent and the service is much much better.

So this is a good you know uh comment uh from public.

Then next one, please.

Um, remember you know the um president's budget includes 15 transit projects for funding two months ago.

Uh out of this 15, our street car project was fully funded.

Then two weeks ago, uh Congressional Transportation and uh uh uh community urban development you know committee further cut the project from 15 to 7, 87.

And uh we are so grateful that one of those servants is our street car.

What does that mean?

That means our street car project will be fully funded at 16 some million dollars, and very likely we will make we will start construction later next year, and that is uh more than 25 years, a quarter of century, you know, uh journey, and finally we say we're gonna move forward.

Yeah.

So really want to appreciate the FTA and uh you know uh our you know uh lots of funding agencies and publicness.

And thanks to the board members who attended the White House briefing and FTA meeting last time.

We have a group of people, City of SAC and the county of SAC and SACIT had a visit to AC 20 for the BRT, the new BRT project in uh preparation of our uh stocked Boulevard BRT.

So lots of great work going on.

Next slide, please.

This is very interesting.

We just uh thanks to the board approval, this agenda item for the TNC access for all program, we receive 10 cents for right or poor whatever.

Um we receive some money uh in this county uh because the you know TNC companies like Uber, they are gonna pay us.

And uh county designates us as the funding you know administrator, and uh we received 2.3 million dollars so far.

It's uh money we did not expect it.

Uh some great you know uh uh information.

Next one.

Uh only this month uh APTA has the real conference in San Francisco because it's so close, so we attend that meeting.

And in three days, I was you know uh privileged to attend three panel discussions with some the highly recognized CEOs here uh in the industry to promote SAC RT in a national stage.

And uh uh the this is not what I you know, my major, you know, focus.

Next slide, please.

Uh then next slide for uh so you know uh this uh after conference showcased in this picture.

I said maybe you know, some somebody, you know, who may everybody recognize it, you know, put the biggest seizure to cut that, you know.

And uh with uh some you know great leaders like uh Carl STA, you know, Secretary Siemens, you know, president and others.

Thank you, you know, director uh, you know, him for uh promoting uh the region.

Yeah, then uh again uh uh uh our SAC City District 2 had a wonderful best bus tour.

The city staff told me in the history, city history, no single district uh council member ever put uh such wonderful uh tour together.

And uh that is our new director, you know, Roger Dixon.

And uh more than 50 or 60 people hacked our bus.

We spent about uh five hours, and uh it's just amazing.

Uh the next slide, please.

Yeah, and uh early this month or late last month, and the fourth time had the fourth time rodeo service.

It's always that kind of supporting them by providing special services for three days and the ridership increased more than 16 percent compared to last year.

Thank you, Director Robert, you know, for uh you know leading on this effort.

Okay, next slide.

Uh we want to talk about we had a wonderful ride along with Sheriff, and I really appreciate his unconditional support, and also uh we scheduled right along with uh DA 10 ho, and also uh COSAC, police chief Nestor, uh next month, and we're gonna have more right along.

We would like to invite our board members join to join this right along, and uh the the interaction with uh our writers are truly wonderful, and uh uh they really enjoyed the conversations with us.

Uh uh let me see.

Do you have any?

Do you have one more?

And then lastly, I just want to thank our you know uh community advocates for you guys uh for the constructive criticism.

And even though we may disagree with some of your criticism, but we really appreciate because that will continue to you know motivate us to do better and better.

And Jeff, you know, uh I want to say you are uh uh epitmo, uh the the perfect example of how community advocates or ambassador and uh not just you know continuously pushing us to do better and better, and also you spend countless time to work with us to look into the actual you know the site, you know, uh how to you know address those issues and spend lots of times and you know, Haran, you know, and Coke, you guys spend a lot of time, you know, on that, you know, to work with us.

I just want to appreciate the effort.

And uh Mike, I would love to work with you to have uh to organized the competition of the ideas, how to make our parking rides uh better utilize that, and uh um and uh strong downtown team is out here, and we have talked to them, you know, uh multiple times previously.

We'd love to work with them too, and uh we love to work with everybody, and we want to make sure, you know, we make this organization better, greater.

And uh thanks for both, you know, for both guidance and leadership on all this stuff.

Okay, I've been said back to you, Madam Chief.

Thank you.

Thank you for your report.

Any questions or comments from directors?

Looking to the right, yes, Director Him.

Uh just one comment in the um spreadsheet there that showed the FDA recommended funding.

I noticed that other than our streetcar and whatever the Marta Rapid South Lake project is, all of them were BRT projects that took home the lion's share of the money.

So if that's where the uh the FTA is right now, we should keep that in mind in our future.

Thank you.

Right now 80% of federal fundings are on BRT.

Any questions on the left here?

Questions, comments for our direct for our CEO.

All right, uh public comments.

We have Helen O'Connell.

Good evening.

Um I'm glad that RT is doing well at um maintaining service.

Um to the people that need it most.

Transit um dependent people seems to be at the top of the list, and that makes it wonderful.

Um, but we can't forget that we have um service deserts, where we don't have any service or minimal service that limits people's ability to get to grocery stores, hospitals, things like that.

Um I don't know how to um address that with the FTA, but um I'm glad that RT is doing well at maintaining our service levels.

And I would like to um thank everyone for uh addressing our needs and um being proactive.

And um I'm glad to see that people that were here, left, came back, are still here.

So I've been here a long time.

Have a great night, and thank you very much.

Any other public comments?

Jeffrey Tartigia.

I'm gonna try to use this one.

Uh what I have to say to the board is Fresno is potentially going to have three separate measures on the 26th ballot related to transportation.

As far as I know, Sacramento, we don't have any going forward.

I hope we do something, we figure out something that works, and I hope the board gets behind and perhaps sees what other areas are doing.

Um I testified for a couple of things that happened with the legislators lately.

Uh, but Sacramento needs to figure out for better for the future.

And as Helen and I have commented time and time again, we need to figure out how with all the projects going on, how we deal with keeping um what's going on, and whatever we else we need to do in the future.

There's other things, but Henry, try to be the best supportive element I can, and uh I hope that I'm doing the job that is needed.

Thank you.

Any other public comments?

No other public comment.

Any follow-up comments from directors?

Seeing none, we'll move on.

Or, let's see, we are on reports, ideas, questions from directors and communication.

Let's see, Capitol Corridor, joint powers authority summary.

Anything from directors Dickinson Shaker is gone, nothing wave mobility advisory council meeting summary.

We need anything on that?

I do have one public comment from Jeffrey Tardiya.

Oh.

Yeah, I went through it last and they dealt with the visual.

This one doesn't seem to have a record in there of how we're dealing with for the low floor vehicles visual response, although was well explained in the demonstration through there about it.

But that is still an element that really for people that are blind and people that have a disability, how the low floor vehicles really work for them.

And I hope that he gets back to Rick Jennings, that we really need to do a workshop that goes through something that explains really how to use the low floor vehicles.

Thank you.

Noted, thank you.

Uh San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority.

Uh thank you, Chair.

I will just say in that picture that was shown up there, um, one of the other gentlemen in the picture was Tox Almashakin, the secretary of transportation for the state of California.

That was really cool to have him join us.

But another person, the only female in the picture, Stacey Mortenson, the CEO of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and uh the San Joaquin's Joint Powers Authority who has announced her impending retirement.

And so we are looking for a new CEO to lead that uh organization, one who uh will be better positioned to interface with um the railroads, particularly Union Pacific as well as uh FTA and the state of California in order to get serious about the delivery of some of these major projects to uh expand Valley Rail.

There's no public comment.

For your participation, we will adjourn at 6 42 p.m.