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2:00 ‑ SPECIAL MEETING ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to Order Chairman McCray called the special meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present:
Chairman McCray introduced Carter Rohan who will act as Executive Director on behalf of Nathaniel Ford. 3. Announcement of prohibition of sound producing devices during the meeting. Chairman McCray announced that the ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at the meeting. He 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. He 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 January 16, 2007 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved. 5. Communications None 6. Introduction of New or Unfinished Business by Board Members Director Nolan requested an update regarding televising Board meetings. Mr. Rohan stated that the cost would be approximately $37,000 per year and could be included in the FY08 budget at the direction of the Board. Director Shahum requested a hearing on the Central Subway alternatives report to address the concerns raised in the report. Mr. Rohan stated that staff would present the report in early March. Mr. Matoff will be invited to attend. Director Shahum also requested a report on parking meter revenue. 7. Executive Director’s Report (For discussion only) -Ongoing Activities Carter Rohan, acting Executive Director, presented Phase II of the Metro Overhead Improvement Project. Mr. Rohan stated that Supervisor McGoldrick held a hearing on parking meter revenue. There are several studies underway that look at parking turnover, parking behavior and pricing and new meter technology. Staff will keep the Board informed about these studies. The MTA is also hiring additional Parking Control Officers. Mr. Rohan stated that the city took swift action following the incident at Market and Octavia last week. Safety is of the utmost importance and priority. Safe hit posts and a variable message sign were installed. The Police Department has stationed enforcement officers at the location. Staff will continue to work with the Board of Supervisors, stakeholders and community groups. 8. Citizen’s Advisory Council Report Daniel Murphy, Chairman, CAC presented the report. He requested that the CAC be included in the dialogue regarding the Central Subway. The CAC will provide recommendations to the Board regarding the FY08 budget. The CAC requests an opportunity to discuss the BART/Muni fast pass item before the Board takes action. The CAC recommends that key Metro stops receive the next “Next Muni” signs. The MTA should develop a regular and comprehensive plan to maintain platforms and stations. 9. Public Comment Bob Planthold stated that it would cost very little to make sure that pull cords are fully across the senior/disabled seats at the front of the bus. This is a clear safety issue to which nobody has responded. He will lend the MTA his drill if that’s what it would take to get this fixed. Mark Gleason, President, Teamsters, Local 665, stated that there has been an inherent practice of employee parking in garages. His members have to be at the garages on-time to open them. Some members are involved in revenue control, which is a safety issue. Garage employees aren’t allowed to park when not on duty. Mr. Gleason suggested that future garage bids include language that encourage use of the commuter check voucher program. Andy Thornley, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, stated that last week’s incident at Market and Octavia was only the most recent in a series of incidents. The SFBC has been sounding the alarm for a long time, before the intersection opened. They appreciate the signage, and safe hit posts but they are only a start. San Mateo has traffic control cameras in place. A steeper fine might be in order. Websites that give directions indicate that you can take a right turn at Market and Octavia. They should be instructed to remove the erroneous information. Tom Radulovich, Livable City, stated that the City needs to do more about the Market and Octavia intersection quickly. He stated that a limited BART/Muni disabled pass that makes patrons go out of their way to get a pass won’t be useful and suggested that maybe all disabled passes should be good for one month. Mr. Radulovich stated that the MTA should consider switching its ticket stock from paper to plastic. It will cost little but will result in tremendous benefit. The Matoff Report on the Central Subway is invaluable and should be taken seriously. THE FOLLOWING MATTERS BEFORE THE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY BOARD OR PARKING AUTHORITY ARE RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION AS STATED BY THE MTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO, PARKING AUTHORITY DIRECTOR, OR CITY ATTORNEY WHERE APPLICABLE. EXPLANATORY DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CALENDAR ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT 1 SOUTH VAN NESS AVE. 7th FLOOR. SPECIAL CALENDAR 10. Presentation and discussion of the FY08 budget and process. (For discussion only. Explanatory documents include a staff report.) (Sonali Bose) Sonali Bose, Chief Financial Officer, presented the FY08 budget, expenses, revenues and options for addressing the deficit. Director Shahum requested an update on revenue generating items that require legislation. Ms. Shahum also requested that staff return to the Board soon to discuss revenue options for the FY09 budget. Marisa Espinosa, Manager, Strategic Policy Initiatives, presented a proposal to use MTA senior/disabled passes on BART. Director Kasolas requested clarification regarding the amount of the discount and requested an update on the status of the Translink project. Director Shahum requested further discussion on the BART/Muni proposal at the next meeting. Gregg Wilcox, Deputy Director, Transportation Development presented the five-year capital program. Sonali Bose, Chief Financial Officer, presented resources for funding the five-year capital program. PUBLIC COMMENT: Bob Planthold stated that parking garage rates are still below the rates at private garages which means that the city is subsidizing motorists. Staff should look at increasing fines for violations that impede the progress of Muni. People who live in the Sunset or Richmond aren’t likely to use BART much. He expressed concern that suspicion about the possibility of fraud was being put on a constituency that has been left out. Emily Drennen stated that the BART/Muni issue had been in existence for 23 years. People who take BART with a Muni pass use it approximately 11 times per month. This program assumes that senior and disabled pass users will use it three times more often than regular riders. Staff should look at eliminating the life-line program. Few people use the life-line pass and it costs the MTA over a million dollars. Ms. Drennen provided a fact sheet for the Board to review. Bob Franklin, BART Board of Directors, stated that the proposed reimbursement rate was not discounted by BART. Negotiating a discount with BART has always been challenging. It will be tough to negotiate a special discount with San Francisco without sharing that same discount with other counties. A modest fare increase for a new product is feasible. Tom Radulovich stated that the proposed BART/Muni pilot project will distort the data. The Agency should devise a study that will give accurate data. Equity would demand that BART do more for San Franciscans. Staff should look at better management of parking meters and at expanding meter revenue in the evening and on Sunday. There is enough time to also look at more dedicated lanes, far-side stops, and more operational efficiencies. Edward Mason stated the BART-Plus ticket should be incorporated in the discussions with BART. He stated that he was glad to see a two-year budget estimate and suggested that the city look at the “IBM model” for health care. He would like to see a list of tasks that aren’t going to be accomplished or that would be performed at reduced levels and commented about the paint color on vehicles. 11. Endorsing the Bicycle Plan Projects for purposes of initiating environmental review, approving the proposed scope of work for the environmental review of the Bicycle Plan Projects, and authorizing the Executive Director/CEO to approve an agreement to perform environmental review services. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and RFP.) Director Shahum recused herself from the discussion and vote due to a conflict of interest. Peter Albert, Deputy Director, Construction Planning, presented the staff report. PUBLIC COMMENT: Andy Thornley, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, congratulated staff and stated that the SFBC continues to be somewhat leery of the timeline. The estimated seven or eight months of analysis seems excessive and could be done more quickly. Staff needs to be doubly vigilant to keep the project moving quickly. The day after approval, staff should start implementing the projects. Director Kasolas requested a quarterly update on the status of this item. RESOLUTION 07-012 On motion to approve: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, McCray, Mezey, and Nolan RECUSED - Shahum The MTA Board took a short recess. PARKING AUTHORITY 12. Presentation and discussion of the North Beach and Vallejo Garage Audit. (Explanatory documents include a report.) (Ron Szeto) Ron Szeto, acting Director, Parking Authority, presented the North Beach and Vallejo Garage audit. Mr. Szeto will provide a list of past practices and policies and recommendations by March 16, 2007. Director Din requested that Mr. Szeto make sure that the Board is aware of any special rate programs at parking garages. Director Din requested that Mr. Szeto provide information at the February 6 meeting regarding how parking garage rates are established. Chairman McCray stated that monthly access cards for Parking Authority Commissioners would be collected or cancelled immediately and until such time as a new policy was in place. Chairman McCray also requested a usage report. Peg Stevenson, Controller’s Office, stated that, she didn’t want to leave the Commission with the impression that the Controller’s Office said that administrative approval of a free parking policy was sufficient. The Controller’s office said that a policy needed to be written but did not discuss who needed to approve it. Approval needs to occur at the level of the Parking Authority Commission. The Controller’s office is doing a separate audit of taxable fringe benefits. No public comment. 13. Discussion and vote pursuant to Administrative Code Section 67.10(d) as to whether to conduct a closed session and invoke the attorney‑client privilege. On motion to invoke the attorney-client privilege: unanimously approved. RECESS REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENE CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION 1. Call to Order
Chairman McCray called the closed session to order at 5:28 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present:
Also present:
3. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9, and Administrative Code Section 67.8 (a) (3) the Municipal Transportation Agency Board will meet in closed session to discuss attorney‑client matters in the following cases: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL Anticipated Litigation: ___X__ As defendant (2 cases) __X___ As plaintiff (2 cases) Also present: Gregg Wilcox, Deputy Director, Transportation Development 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 attorney‑client matters in the following case: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL Existing Litigation: TWU 250-A v. CCSF and KGO T.V., Superior Ct. #CGC 07459678 filed on 1/17/07 Also present: Ken McDonald, Chief Operations Officer Diana Buchbinder, Director, Human Resources ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE OPEN SESSION - The closed session was adjourned at 6:04 p.m. 14. Announcement of Closed Session. Chairman McCray announced that the Board met in closed session to anticipated and existing litigation with the City Attorney. The Board took no action. 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 6:05 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 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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