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2:00 ‑ REGULAR MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

Chairman Vaughns called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present:

  • Shirley Breyer Black
  • Wil Din
  • Michael Kasolas
  • James McCray, Jr.
  • Peter Mezey
  • Cleopatra Vaughns

3. Announcement of prohibition of sound producing devices during the meeting.

Chairman Vaughns announced that the ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at the meeting. She advised that any person responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices might be removed from the meeting. She also advised that cell phones that are set on “vibrate” cause microphone interference and requested that they be placed in the “off” position.

4. Approval of Minutes

On motion to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2005 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved.

5. Communications

Board Secretary Boomer reported that Item 10.8, close out of Contract No. MR-1145: Third Street Light Rail Project Hester Avenue to Sunnydale Avenue, had been removed from the calendar at the request of staff.

6. Introduction of New or Unfinished Business by Board Members

Chairman Vaughns stated that on September 21, 2005, the Rules Committee of the Board of Supervisors would be considering a Mayoral recommendation and resolution regarding the appointment of Hunter Stern to the MTA Board of Directors.

Chairman Vaughns stated that the Board had received written responses to various issues raised by the Board and expressed appreciation to staff for their expediency.

Director Mezey inquired if the AVL project was resulting in service efficiencies. A.E.D. Sunshine stated that recent survey results showed that riders were satisfied when they received accurate information about bus schedules. Staff will research if there were other efficiencies achieved.

Director Kasolas thanked staff for the report on the technology projects and requested that the reports be provided on a quarterly basis.

7. Executive Director’s Report

  • Special Recognition Award
  • Monthly Citation Report and PCO Deployment Plan Status
  • Rear Door Boarding Pilot Program
  • System-wide Cost Effectiveness Analysis
  • Ongoing Activities

A.E.D. Sunshine stated that he was pleased to present Paul Fichera as the recipient of the Special Recognition Award for October. Mr. Fichera has been the Fixed Route Accessibility Coordinator at Muni for 21 years. His hard work helped transform an almost completely non-accessible transit system to one of the best systems in the country. Paul Fichera expressed his appreciation to the Board, staff and the community. Chairman Vaughns expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board.

A.E.D. Sunshine reported that Vince Harris, Deputy General Manager, Construction had submitted his resignation. Mr. Harris has accepted a position as Executive Director for the Stanislaus County Council of Governments. Mr. Harris has been instrumental in the success of many projects during his tenure and will be greatly missed. Chairman Vaughns expressed appreciation and commendation to Mr. Harris for his work. Vince Harris thanked Chairman Vaughns for her kind words and thanked the Board, Mr. Sunshine and Mr. Burns and the Construction staff for their support over the past six years.

A.E.D. Sunshine announced that Ann Carey, the MTA’s IT manager had also chosen to leave the organization. Ms. Carey worked on finance and technology projects and was the project manager for Translink. Chairman Vaughns requested that Mr. Sunshine express the Board’s appreciation to Ms. Carey and wish her well.

A.E.D. Sunshine stated that staff had planned to present the monthly citation report and deployment plan however further analysis was necessary and the report will be presented in October.

A.E.D. Sunshine stated that the service adjustments that were part of the FY06 budget balancing plan would go into effect on Sept. 24th. These adjustments represent approximately 4% of Muni’s total service. Notification to the public regarding the changes were underway including press releases, Rider Alerts in English, Chinese and Spanish, and a brochure describing the changes in three languages placed on board all vehicles and subway stations. Announcements via the digital voice announcement system and NextBus were also being made. New maps will be printed by the end of September. The first General Sign-Up in two years was successful. 55 Operators accepted early retirement. Staff will continue to monitor the changes after they go into effect.

Fred Stephens, General Manager, Muni presented a status report on the Rear Door Boarding Pilot Program.

Director Mezey stated that operators had informed him that transfers were regularly and greatly abused. He requested that the Rear Door Boarding program be expanded to study the use of transfers.

Bill Lieberman, Deputy Director of Planning discussed the concept of a System-wide Cost Effectiveness Analysis. Mr. Lieberman stated that planning staff was currently working with the Controller’s office to hire a consultant who will conduct an system-wide route and service analysis of Muni’s transit network. This study will take approximately 12 to 18 months and will include an examination of the City’s changing demographics, bus frequencies and transfers, bus stop spacing and other factors that might impact travel time. The recent SPUR report touched on some of the factors that the MTA faces and recommended many of the same things that the MTA would be examining in the study. Staff will keep the Board informed as this project moves forward.

8. Citizen’s Advisory Council Report

No report.

9. Public Comment

Toni Brock stated that she had collected approximately 130 signatures from people who are appalled and disappointed about the service adjustments to the 52 and 54 lines. People weren’t told about these changes. Signs were put up in English and Spanish but not in Tagalog or Chinese. There is a bus shelter mid-block at Dublin and Prague but the poorly lit bus stop is on the corner. She urged the MTA to look at the line and community more carefully.

Roger Bazeley suggested that staff reexamine parking prices because the cost was chasing people away from shopping in certain commercial districts. The MTA needs to move towards customer-oriented model for planning purposes. He expressed concern that the MTA should do more with respect to marketing. Marketing needs to be incorporated within the MTA’s strategic plans. He urged staff to accelerate the BRT process.

Herbert Weiner stated that the MTA stands for misery, trauma and anguish. He inquired if the MTA had a disaster preparedness plan. In case of a natural disaster or terrorist attack, the MTA needs to have a plan in place. Mr. Weiner proposed erecting speed bumps on 19th Ave. because there are too many injuries and deaths. People should be sacked who make mean spirited proposals such as eliminating the 2-Clement.

Barry Taranto stated that P.C.O. dispatchers have been more efficient, friendly and available to take care of his concerns. The traffic lights on Octavia Blvd. need tweaking. Octavia Blvd. is a great way to get to other parts of city without having to go through downtown. The City should allow right turns at night. DPW has put a dumpster that is blocking a cabstand on Market St. The Taxi Commission had a 90-minute hearing on the debit card program. The program is controversial and the MTA could lose federal funds.

Gifford Hartman stated that Muni is a giant rip-off and poorly run. The MTA is going to start eliminating lines or reduce service. The public is not going to pay more for less. They will continue to strike until the MTA treats the poor and disabled fairly. People have to get on the back of the bus because buses are over crowded.

Charlie Walker stated that he had previously requested that the Board look at the conditions on Third St. He stated that he doesn’t believe that there’s a white community in America that would allow “no left turn” signals at intersections in the evening when there’s no traffic. He calls Third St. “Christmas Tree Lane” because there are lights everywhere even where there is no traffic. There is no reason for no left turn signs on every corner.

Chairman Vaughns closed public comment and requested that staff expeditiously address the lack of bilingual information on the 52 and 54 lines. Chairman Vaughns requested additional information regarding the capacity to make left turns off of Third Street. A.E.D. Sunshine stated that with the advent of the Third Street light rail, no left turn signs were installed at certain intersections so people didn’t turn left in front of a light rail vehicle. Cars do have the ability to make left turns but just not at every intersection.

THE FOLLOWING MATTERS BEFORE THE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY BOARD WERE RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION AS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, AND CITY ATTORNEY WHERE APPLICABLE. EXPLANATORY DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CONSENT AND REGULAR CALENDAR ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT 401 VAN NESS AVE. #334.

CONSENT CALENDAR

10. All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Municipal Transportation Agency Board, and will be acted upon by a single vote of the Board. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Board or the public so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered as a separate item.

(10.1) Requesting the Controller to allot funds and to draw warrants against such funds available or will be available in payment of the following claims against the MTA:

  1. Arturo Mingoa Superior Ct. #427579 filed on 12/23/03 for $2,000
  2. David Weetman, Unlitigated Claim #0600462 filed on 8/19/05 for $9,000

RESOLUTION 05-144

(10.2) Approving the following traffic modifications:

  1. ESTABLISH - RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING AREA "J" (2-HOUR TIME LIMIT, 8 AM - 5 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY) - Hillway Avenue, east side, from Carl Street to the north property line of #40 Hillway Avenue.
  2. PERPENDICULAR (90-DEGREE ANGLE) PARKING – ESTABLISH - Hillway Ave., east side, between Carl Street and Parnassus Avenue.
  3. MUNI BUS ZONE – ESTABLISH - 19th Avenue, west side, from Sloat Boulevard to 80 feet southerly.
  4. BUS BULB – ESTABLISH - 16th and Bryant intersection, northeast corner
  5. TOW-AWAY, NO STOPPING ANYTIME – ESTABLISH - Beacon Street, both sides, from the south end of the driveway of 383 Beacon Street to 120 feet southerly. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (DPT)

RESOLUTION 05-145

(10.3) Authorizing the Director to accept and expend $65,840,680 in federal Section 5307, STP and CMAQ capital assistance for Motor Coach Replacement-Alt Fuel; Cable Car Infrastructure Rehabilitation; Trolley Coach Replacement; MUNI Rail Replacement; Paratransit Assistance; Overhead Lines Reconstruction; Wayside Fare Collection Equipment; Radio Replacement; Preventive Maintenance; Treasure Island Ferry Terminal; and Motor Coach Clean Air Device Retrofit. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (Muni)

RESOLUTION 05-146

(10.4) Authorizing the Director to accept and expend $23,305,667 in federal Section 5309 Fixed Guideway capital assistance for Trolley Coach Procurement; Cable Car Infrastructure Rehabilitation; Cable Car Vehicle Renovation; Overhead Lines Reconstruction; Historic rail car Rehabilitation and Wayside Fare Collection Equipment. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (Muni)

RESOLUTION 05-147

(10.5) Authorizing the Director to accept and expend $11,283,000 of Regional Measure 2 funds for the Automatic Vehicle Location System project. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (Muni)

RESOLUTION 05-148

(10.6) Authorizing the Director to accept and expend $2,500,000 of Regional Measure 2 operating funds for the Third Street Light Rail Line - IOS (Phase 1) project. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.) (Muni)

RESOLUTION 05-149

(10.7) Authorizing the Director of Transportation to accept and expend $23,600 in Section 115 capital assistance from FTA for Muni’s Radio System Replacement and Third Street Phase 1 projects. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (Muni)

RESOLUTION 05-150

(10.8) Accepting Contract No. MR-1145: Third Street Light Rail Project Hester Avenue to Sunnydale Avenue, approving the closeout of the contract with Shimmick Construction Co. and Homer J. Olsen and authorizing release of retention in the amount of $150,000. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.) (Muni)

This item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of staff.

No public comment.

On motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Item 10.8 severed):

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns

REGULAR CALENDAR

PARKING AUTHORITY

11. Authorizing the Director of the Parking Authority to execute the contract with Pacific Park Management for the management of the San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center Parking System, for a term of six years commencing January 1, 2006, with extension options not to exceed four years, for a monthly management fee of $1,000 dollars, and with an annual incentive fee not to exceed $25,000 dollars per contract year. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and contract.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 05-151

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns

MUNICIPAL RAILWAY

12. Authorizing the award of Contract No. MR-1209, West Portal Trackwork Replacement Project to Stacy Witbeck as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in an amount not to exceed $6,446,550. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 05-152

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns

13. Authorizing the Purchaser to utilize the competitive procurement of the State of California to purchase 17 paratransit vans from El Dorado Bus Sales for an amount not to exceed $1,007,179, with an option to purchase 3 additional paratransit vans for an amount not to exceed $177,738, subject to availability of funding. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 05-153

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns

RECESS REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENE CLOSED SESSION

CLOSED SESSION

1. Call to Order

Chairman Vaughns called the closed session to order at 3:37 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present:

  • Shirley Breyer Black
  • Wil Din
  • Michael Kasolas
  • James McCray, Jr.
  • Peter Mezey
  • Cleopatra Vaughns

Also present:

  • Stuart Sunshine, Acting Director of Transportation
  • Roberta Boomer, Board Secretary
  • Julia Friedlander, Deputy City Attorney
  • Fred Stephens, General Manager, Muni
  • Wilson Johnson, Deputy General Manager

3. Discussion and vote pursuant to Administrative Code Section 67.11(a) as to whether to conduct a closed session and invoke the attorney‑client privilege.

On motion to invoke the attorney-client privilege: unanimously approved.

4. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 and the Administrative Code Section 67.8 (a) (3), the Municipal Transportation Agency Board will meet in Closed Session to discuss and take action on attorney‑client matters in the following case:

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL

Existing Litigation:

(4.1) Lucia Wong, Superior Ct. #431126 filed on 5/5/04 for $110,000

RESOLUTION 05-154

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns

ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - The closed session was adjourned at 3:53 p.m.

14. Announcement of Closed Session.

Chairman Vaughns announced that the Board met in closed session to discuss the Lucia Wong case. The Board voted unanimously to settle the case.

15. Motion to disclose or not disclose the information discussed in closed session.

On motion to not disclose the information discussed: unanimously approved.

ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 3:56 p.m.


A tape of the meeting is on file in the office of the Secretary to the Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors.

Roberta Boomer

Board Secretary

The Ethics Commission of the City and County of San Francisco has asked us to remind individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [S.F. Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 2.100 et seq.] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 415-581-2300; fax: 415-581-2317; 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 3900, SF, CA 94102-6027 or the web site: sfgov.org/ethics.

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