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2:00 - SPECIAL MEETING ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to Order Chairman Vaughns called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present:
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. Director’s Report -Public disclosure of amendment to Memorandum of Understanding with TWU-Local 200 -Ongoing Activities Exec. Director Burns stated that the MTA was initiating public disclosure of Memoranda of Understanding with Local 200 and 1414. Charter Section 8A.104 requires public disclosure of labor agreements for at least 30 days before approval. A fiscal analysis and copies of the agreements are available for public review. The MTA Board will hold a special meeting on June 30th to consider adoption of both agreements. 5. Public Comment Glenda Lavigne, Local 200, expressed anger over the mediation and arbitration process. She stated that Local 200 went into negotiations believing that they would be dealt with fairly. They were blatantly threatened that if Local 200 didn’t give management what they wanted, management would destroy their union. This process was an anti-labor and a union busting tactic. If the Board supports this agreement, the Board is anti-labor. Local 200 is opposed to the agreement. Michael Lonergan, Local 200, stated that the negotiation and arbitration process wasn’t a good one for the MTA, Local 200 or transit riders. Local 200 was forced into arbitration, which caused fiscal hardship for them. The MTA is against unions. The MTA’s proposal would have taken away the right of assignment and the right to “grieve” seniority. Local 200 tried to work with management. Barry Taranto stated that traffic over the past weekend was atrocious. He stated that Muni drivers had been great but they have to deal with people who double park and other traffic congestion problems. The MTA needs to look at hiring more PCO’s. He suggested bringing back the monthly citation report. The signal timing is good on Geary but is bad on Masonic and Divisadero. Enforcement personnel are going to enforce white zones. Roger Bazeley stated that there had been a growing trend to provide safe routes to school and to improve pedestrian safety. He discussed a proposed ordinance regarding pedestrian safety. Chairman Vaughns closed public comment. She stated that she wanted to go on record by reinforcing the understanding that the MTA Board of Directors was not anti-union or adversarial regarding labor issues. 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 6. 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. (6.1) 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:
RESOLUTION 05-070 (6.2) Approving the following traffic modifications: A. ESTABLISH - PERPENDICULAR (90-DEGREE ANGLE) PARKING- Rhode Island Street, east side, from 17th Street to 190 feet northerly B. ESTABLISH - TOW-AWAY, NO STOPPING ANYTIME - Bayshore Boulevard, west side, from Industrial Street to Silver Avenue C. ESTABLISH - BICYCLE LANES - Bayshore Boulevard, southbound, between Industrial Street and Silver Avenue D. ESTABLISH - MUNI BUS ZONES - Bayshore Boulevard, west side, from Boutwell Street to 100 feet northerly E. ESTABLISH UNMETERED MOTORCYCLE PARKING - Norfolk Street, between the driveways of 49-51 and 55 Norfolk Street F. ESTABLISH - RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING AREA “I” (1-HOUR TIME LIMIT, 9 AM TO 6PM,MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY - 2700 and 2730 Mission Street, between 23rd and 24th Streets G. ESTABLISH - RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING AREA “J” (2-HOUR TIME LIMIT, 8 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY THOUGH FRIDAY) – Moraga St., both sides, between 12th Avenue and Funston Street H. ESTABLISH - RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING AREA “Z” (2-HOUR TIME LIMIT, 8AM TO 6 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)- 26th Street, both sides, between Church and Dolores Streets I. ESTABLISH - 2-HOUR PARKING TIME LIMIT, 9 AM TO 6 PM, EXCEPT SUNDAY Kansas Street, east side, between 16th and 17th Streets. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (DPT) RESOLUTION 05-071 (6.3) Concurring with the Controller's determination that security guard services for Fiscal Year 2006 at Parking Citation and Hearing Offices at 1380 Howard Street can be practically performed by private contract at a lesser cost than to provide the same services with City and County employees. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and certification.) (DPT) RESOLUTION 05-072 (6.4) Concurring with the Controller’s determination that for Fiscal Year 2006 vehicle towing, storage and disposal services can be practically performed by private contract at a lesser cost than to provide the same services with City and County employees. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and certification.) (DPT) Item 6.4 was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of the public. PUBLIC COMMENT: Roger Bazeley stated that he wanted to make sure that the contractor would be responsible for posting appropriate signs and that there were adequate protections against abuse. City residents need to be protected and be given assurance that the vendor will conduct business in a fair and reliable manner. Exec. Director Burns stated that the new tow contract contained adequate protections. RESOLUTION 05-073 On motion to approve Item 6.4:
(6.5) Concurring with the Controller’s determination that for Fiscal Year 2006 services for a parking citation processing and collection system can be practically performed by private contract at a lesser cost than to provide the same services with City and County employees. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and certification.) (DPT) Item 6.5 was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of the public. PUBLIC COMMENT: Roger Bazeley stated that he wanted to make sure that the contract contained adequate controls to provide for public accountability and expressed concern over the time it takes to process parking tickets. RESOLUTION 05-074 On motion to approve Item 6.5:
(6.6) Concurring with Controller’s determination that for Fiscal Year 2006 services for a parking meter management system, which includes collection and coin counting services, can be practically performed by private contract at a lesser cost than to provide the same services with City and County employees. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and certification.) (DPT) Item 6.6 was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of the public. PUBLIC COMMENT: Roger Bazeley stated that there are commercial areas where a card system could be used. A card system would encourage people to shop. The lack of convenience is a problem because of the number of quarters people will have to carry with them. Exec. Director Burns stated that staff had previously given notice to Serco to proceed with a stored-value card. He expressed hope that the card would be available by the end of the year. Director Mezey suggested that it might be appropriate to look at general meter procedures, including the use of multi-space meters, increasing time limits or zeroing out meters when people leave. RESOLUTION 05-075 On motion to approve Item 6.6:
On motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Items 6.5, 6.5 and 6.6 severed):
REGULAR CALENDAR
Chairman Vaughns requested that the Board secretary call items 7 and 8 together. Exec. Director Burns stated that the MTA had been working with the Board of Supervisors, the Budget Analyst and the Controller’s office on the budget. The budget that the Board approved on February 28 was based on the best information available at the time. The approach to resolve the $57.3 million deficit was a shared approach and included the use of capital funds. Over 26 public hearings were held. When the Controller’s office issued their nine-month report, they identified an increase of $6.6 million in the general fund transfer. This increase was due to an increase in revenues from the transfer tax. The Governor released his proposed state budget, which included spending Prop. 42 monies on transit projects. Due to the changed financial outlook, staff recommended no changes to the owl service, no increase in the adult monthly fast pass, no increase to the discount cash fare, adjusting parking fines and meter rates in neighborhood commercial districts as recommended by the Board of Supervisors and to partially reimburse funds taken from capital and maintenance projects. Subsequent to the original recommendation to eliminate the increase in the discount cash fare, staff realized that it made more sense to maintain the monthly discount fast pass at its current level because it would encourage people to use a monthly pass rather than paying a cash fare. Exec. Director Burns recommended that the Board consider increasing the discount cash fare to 50 cents and keeping the monthly discounted pass at same level as it currently exists. This would be consistent with the plan to increase the adult cash fare but maintain the monthly Fast Pass at its current price. PUBLIC COMMENT: Bob Planthold stated that that there could possibly be civil rights action if the service proposals went into effect because they are disproportionately burdensome on seniors and people with disabilities. He discussed how the proposal to “short loop” the 26-line would affect people with disabilities and wondered if staff had fully investigated the impact of the proposed cuts on seniors and the disabled. Karen Block stated that she was in support of rerouting the 2-Clement bus. The buses currently pose a huge problem in the neighborhood. There is very low ridership on Euclid between Arguello and Presidio. Over 150 people support the plan to reroute the line. Rose Hillson stated that she supports the reroute of the 2-Clement line to California St. because of the redundancy between the 2-Clement and 4-Sutter bus lines. There is very low ridership in the Jordan Park area. The 1-California and the 38-Geary lines are nearby. Bruce Oka stated that he was in support of the adjustments and the fare structure. He is hopeful that by leaving the cash fare at 50 cents, it will cause more people to buy monthly passes or get stickers. The monthly fare is a bargain and people who are heavy Muni users would benefit by the reduced monthly fare. Bruce Allison stated that he was opposed to any fare increase. He would like to see the parking fares increased and a parking meter in front of every residential home in San Francisco. Stafford Parker stated that raising fares would discourage riders. His friends tell him that they won’t pay the increased fare and will drive their cars instead. Muni should be providing better service. Michael Burns and the Board don’t care about the city or poor people. They only care about cars. Bill Murphy stated that there are too many cars. The city needs less cars and more public transit that is more affordable and more accessible to poor people, seniors, and students. The money shouldn’t be used to lower parking fees and fines as that will only result in more cars, pollution, and congestion and will decrease safety which is immoral and fiscally irresponsible. No fare hikes, no service cuts. Richard Marquez stated that the MTA Budget was not reflective of the working class. Despite the political cover of not raising the discount fares, people still can’t afford the cost of a monthly pass. Riders shouldn’t have to pay an increase in their fare if they can’t get a seat on the bus. Robert Carr stated that he was strongly in favor of the proposed reroute of the 2-Clement from Euclid to California St. It has received near unanimous support at their neighborhood meetings. Commercial establishments are also supportive. Annie Arora stated that she was in favor of rerouting the 2-Clement bus to California St. Neighborhood schools support the plan as do a majority of her neighbors. Ridership on Euclid is virtually nonexistent. Buses on Euclid are a safety issue because the area is residential and the crosswalks are not well marked. Even with the reroute the community will still be heavily flanked by bus service. Timothy O’Shea stated that he was speaking on behalf of Laurel Heights and Jordan Park residents who were supportive of the plan to move the 2-Clement line to California St. This will allow access to commercial businesses and respects the residential character of the neighborhood. William Sisk, Local 250-A, Transport Worker’s Union, commended Director Din for riding the bus. He stated that a 60-foot bus will create a hazard on Lincoln Blvd. He requested that Prop. 42 monies be used to fund service. Andrew Sullivan, Rescue Muni, commended the suggestion concerning discount monthly fares. He stated that Rescue Muni strongly supports raising cash fares and keeping monthly passes to a minimum to encourage ridership. Rescue Muni was very disappointed that the Board of Supervisors made the wrong choice regarding parking fines. The MTA should let the Board of Supervisors know that by keeping parking fees and fines low, the result will be service cuts. He expressed the hope that Muni will post bus schedules at bus stops, particularly at locations where Muni operates at or below service policy levels. He noted that it’s hard to get a fast pass and suggested that Muni enter into an arrangement with BART to allow for the purchase of a fast pass at BART vending machines. Sylvia Melikian stated that she was in favor of rerouting the 2-Climent. Schools and churches also support the change. Roger Bazeley stated that between “nimbyism” and the social extremists, it is not surprising that Muni is in budget distress. The lifeline pass was instituted as the result of public comment and to say that the budget was being balanced on the backs of the poor is misguided. He expressed support for the budget and for raising cash fares over monthly passes. Staff needs to account for tourist revenues when considering service reductions and suggested the installation of vending machines in commercial areas where there are lots of tourists. Herbert Weiner stated that he was upset over the fare increases and service cuts. Service will only get worse. He stated that he has never seen any Board member approach downtown business groups to see how downtown could contribute their fair share. He wants to know how many Board members ride Muni and called the Board’s silence a reflection of their lack of honesty and integrity. David Pilpel stated that the last time there was a major service change there was a much more substantial public outreach effort. He isn’t clear that making mid-day service adjustments would save any money. He stated that adjustments to weekend service have only been spoken about in general terms, and specific plan had not been disclosed publicly. He is yet to receive a written response to the comments he made earlier in the year. He is opposed to the proposed changes to the 12 and 23 lines to reduce service below policy levels. The Board should send the package back and consider it at the next regular meeting when better notice could be given. Sue Cauthen stated that they have been working a project to eliminate the long car lines that prevent the 39-Coit line from running on schedule. She urged the Board to defer reducing headways on that line. People will ride the 39 if it is on time. Howard Wong, Telegraph Hill Dwellers, stated that the 39-Coit bus is a serious concern to the residents of Telegraph Hill. Residents require the bus for their daily needs and the limited parking on Telegraph Hill makes it difficult for the elderly and disabled to use cars. The Telegraph Hill Dwellers have been working on a project to improve transportation, which they hope to implement this summer. This pilot program could be a major revenue generator. Jeremy Nelson, Transportation for a Livable City, stated that they had previously advocated that the budget be based solely on parking fines and fees. The Board should say that the budget wasn’t a transit-first budget and to send a message to the Board of Supervisors that the MTA Board doesn’t want to roll back parking fines and fees. He would like to see an expedited review of the budget by the Controller. Staff should be directed to do a demand analysis to see how much should be charged for parking in the neighborhood commercial districts and where more parking meters could be added. He suggested that meters operate on Sunday. The Board should reject the budget. Casey Mills thanked the MTA for the fare increases because it allowed people to unite and stand up for their rights. People have shown solidarity in demanding social, economic and environmental justice. Huge numbers of people expressed their opposition to fare hikes and service cuts. People have a right to public transit and they won’t sit back and allow the budget to be balanced on their back. Turn down the budget and take back the Board of Supervisors approved parking fare, fine, and fee reductions. All the new money should be used to relieve fare hikes and service reductions. Ron Mitchell, JLMB, stated that Jordan Park residents should be careful for what they ask for. The 54-Felton service is poor and shouldn’t be changed because of the terrain in that neighborhood. The 71-Line shouldn’t use articulated buses, as operators would be in jeopardy by having to drive large vehicles through the crowded Haight St. neighborhood. Donney Mac stated that the Coalition for Transit Justice is a vast coalition of organizations that got together because they care. He urged the Board to get on board and do the right thing. The city shouldn’t subsidize “four-wheelers”, much less illegally parked four-wheelers. There will be a backlash of insurmountable proportions if these items are approved. Sue Vaughn, Green Party, stated that last week’s Board of Supervisors vote to reduce the planned increases in parking fees and fines was disappointing. The goal should be that getting into cars should be the option of last resort. If car drivers had to pay for the damage they cause to the environment a gallon of gas would cost $14-15 dollars. She expressed disappointment over the planned increases. Chairman Vaughns closed public comment. Director Mezey requested that Mr. Burns comment on Mr. Planthold’s statement regarding impacts to seniors and people with disabilities. Exec. Director Burns stated that staff may have overlooked something. Staff will hold off on making any changes to the 26-line until staff can full vet the impact of this change. Peter Straus, Manager of Service Planning stated that the pilot program planned for the 39-Coit line would occur prior to implementation of the proposed service change to that line. Staff can make adjustments if necessary. Chairman Vaughns requested the Board Secretary review the public notice provided for the meeting. Board Secretary Boomer stated that Administrative Code Section 16.112 requires notice to be published in a timely manner for significant changes to the operating schedule or routes and for changing fees, rates, charges or fares that affect the public. The appropriate notice was placed in the official newspaper and ran on Saturday, May 28th. Director Din stated that much input had been provided by the public and expressed his appreciation for the input and for the work done by staff. He stated that Exec. Director Burns has had to take the blame for a situation that wasn’t his doing and that Mr. Burns and the Board have tried to consider everyone’s input since the budget process was started by Chairman Vaughns last fall. He added that the MTA would have opportunities to make further improvements in the future. RESOLUTION 05-076 On motion to approve:
8. Approving the MTA's FY2006 Budget, as amended, in the amount of $609,870,800; certifying that the FY2006 MTA Budget as amended is adequate in all respects to make substantial progress towards meeting the goals, objectives, and performance standards for FY2006; and approving the Alternative Balancing Plan for FY 2006. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and attachments.) At the request of Chairman Vaughns, Board Secretary Boomer read the MTA’s Rules of Order regarding the requirement to provide public notice prior to revising the fare structure. The Rules of Order require five days notice in the official paper not less than 15 days prior to adoption. Because the Board of Supervisors requested that the MTA Board act on the budget prior to their Finance Committee meeting on June 2, the Board would need to suspend their rule in order to comply with the request. Ms. Boomer added that Section 16.112 of the City’s Charter requires that a notice be placed in the official paper in a timely manner for any significant change to Muni’s operating schedule or routes and for any change to the fee structure that affected the public. The required notice appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on May 28. Director Kasolas moved that the Board suspend their Rules of Order given the unforeseen timing issue. On motion to suspend the MTA Rules of Order: unanimously approved (Black, McCray-absent). Director Din stated that he would vote to approve the budget with the understanding that there would be a quarterly review of the service adjustments. He wants to make sure that the Agency is going in the right direction. Director Mezey moved that the resolution be amended to eliminate the proposed increase to the monthly discount passes for seniors, disabled and youth and restore the cash fare for seniors, disabled and youth to 50 cents as originally proposed in the February 28 budget. On motion to amend the resolution to eliminate the proposed increase to the monthly discount passes for seniors, disabled and youth and restore the cash fare for seniors, disabled and youth to 50 cents as originally proposed in the February 28 budget:
RESOLUTION 05-077 On motion to approve the resolution as amended:
ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 4:31 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 |
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