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4:00 - REGULAR MEETING ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to Order Chairman Vaughns called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present:
Absent:
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. 4. Approval of Minutes On motion to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2005 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved (Din, Kasolas-absent). 5. Communications None. 6. Introduction of New or Unfinished Business by Board Members Chairman Vaughns requested the concurrence of the Board to change the start time of MTA Board meetings from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Chairman Vaughns requested that the Board Secretary read Article 7, Section 4 of the MTA Rules of Order. Board Secretary Boomer stated that Article 7, Section 4, pertaining to amendments to the Rules of Order, says “an amendment to the Rules of Order may, after ten days’ notice, be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board”. Chairman Vaughns directed the Secretary to post a notice to amend the Rules of Order to change the start time of the meeting at 2:00 p.m. and to find a venue that would allow the Board to meet at that time. The Board Secretary stated that she would post the notice immediately to allow consideration of the item at the April 19 Board meeting. 7. Executive Director’s Report -Special Recognition Award -Ongoing Activities Executive Director Burns stated that he was pleased to present the Special Recognition Award to James Sanabria. James has been a Muni employee for five years as a 7371 Electric Transit Vehicle Mechanic in Rail Maintenance. While working as a Rail Vehicle Mechanic James honed his troubleshooting skills and proved to be a quick study in learning the electrical circuits and mechanical components on the Breda LRV. James also worked in “Meet & Greet”, a highly stressful position that requires a person to possess a solid working knowledge of the LRV, and be able to think quickly. When James transferred to the Mobile Response Unit (MRU) he was able to apply his mechanical skills, knowledge of the LRV subsystems and an uncanny ability to work well under pressure to clear line delays and respond to emergency situations. On more than one occasion James was called upon to respond to major accidents involving pedestrians with injuries. Mr. Sanabria stated that he is grateful for the award and happy to provide the assistance. Chairman Vaughns acknowledged and commended Mr. Sanabria on behalf of the Board of Directors. On April 11, William Lieberman will join the MTA as Director of Planning. Mr. Lieberman is a 30-year planning veteran whose experience includes 20 years of integrated transit planning. For almost 17 years, he served as Director of Planning and Operations for the Metropolitan Transit Development Board in San Diego. He will be formally introduced at the next meeting and introduced to the general planning community at an April 27 SPUR meeting. The Bicycle Plan was scheduled to be heard in early April by the Board of Supervisors, however, a member of the public challenging the adequacy of the environmental review process recently filed an appeal. A tentative hearing on the appeal is scheduled on April 19. Consideration of the Bicycle Plan Update will be continued pending a decision on the appeal. At the last Board meeting, members of the public commented on a proposed CalTrain bike storage facility. MTA staff met with CalTrain, the Bicycle Coalition and the Transportation Authority to try to come to some resolution. CalTrain’s concern is that while they have secured the grants to construct the facility, they do not want to be responsible for operating subsidies given their current fiscal crisis. The MTA is reluctant to accept that responsibility as well given its’ budget problems Workshops will be held on April 13th , 14th and 22nd to introduce the Geary Bus Rapid Transit Project to the public and to solicit feedback from the community on transportation needs and opportunities. These presentations will be translated into several languages. The Transportation Authority is leading this effort. The MTA is actively supporting the events. Chairman Vaughns expressed concern that the public receives adequate notification of the Geary Bus Rapid Transit Project meetings. Exec. Director Burns stated that notification to the public was the responsibility of the Transportation Authority. Staff will report back to the Board about those efforts. Exec. Director Burns stated that at the March 15 Board meeting, several speakers expressed concern about limousines illegally parking in hotel white zones. Speakers stated that taxis were losing business and asked the MTA to examine the issue. White zones are restricted to non-commercial vehicles loading and unloading and have a five-minute time limit. Staff spoke with the San Francisco Police Department’s Taxi Detail. They agreed to work with Patricia Breslin of the Hotel Council, who also serves as a member of the Taxi Commission who will work with the hotels to notify them that the city plans to vigorously enforce the five-minute time limit in hotel white zones. DPT will also work on an enforcement plan and will report back to the Board on this matter. The MTA has issued layoff notices to approximately 200 part-time and full-time transit operators as part of the effort to deal with the FY06 budget shortfall. The budget solution included $13 million in service reductions. Staff is working with the City and TWU, Local 250- to see if the MTA can offer early retirement to protect workers. These notices are a start to a process that could take several months. The layoffs will be effective June 30th . Bond Yee, Deputy Director, DPT, reported on a recent fire at the Conservatory of Music, immediately adjacent to 25 Van Ness, and its impact to 25 Van Ness and the SFgo project. An industrial hygienist has assessed the extent of the damage. Staff is keeping tabs on time lost, expenses and damages and will be filing a claim with the contractor. 8. Citizen’s Advisory Council Report Board Secretary Boomer announced that the CAC Chairman, Dan Murphy, had contacted her to say that he would not be making a report this evening. 9. Public Comment David Pilpel stated that the budget had included significant service reductions and potential layoffs. A process for these changes was supposed to commence immediately. He wondered what the schedule was and when a “General Sign Up” would take place. He expressed concern that part-time operators were being laid off. He also asked about the plan for token booklets that were expiring at the end of June and about the status of CDS Net in the downtown station booths. He added that there needed to be more enforcement of transit lanes and other existing regulations. Barry Taranto expressed concern that DPT’s website didn’t have notices posted for recent weekly public hearings on traffic changes. He stated that Kelly Castagnaro, acting Director of the Taxi Commission, was unaware of a March 25 hearing on the Hilton hotel cabstand. Since there was no notice of that meeting, another hearing should be held because due process was denied. He stated that white zones continue to be bombarded with limousines. Phil Rambo wondered how people would get to their jobs during odd hours if transit service was cut. He stated that sometimes operators did have a chip on their shoulder and were hostile but if people went through what operators did, they would understand. Chairman Vaughns thanked the speakers and closed public comment and asked Exec. Director Burns if he had any response to public comment. Exec. Director Burns stated that he is planning to have a full discussion of the service adjustments at the next Board meeting. Staff plans to start implanting the approved service adjustments for FY05. He also stated that tokens were being horded in the expectation of a fare increase. To date, staff has not been successful in identifying a vendor who would make tokens that would work. THE FOLLOWING MATTERS BEFORE THE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY BOARD ARE 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:
RESOLUTION 05-044 (10.2) Approving the following traffic modifications: A. ESTABLISH - UNMETERED MOTORCYCLE PARKING - Shotwell Street, west side, between the driveways of 908 and 910 Shotwell St. B. ESTABLISH - RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING AREA "J" (2-HOUR TIME LIMIT, 8 AM - 5 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)- Hillpoint St., both sides, north of Parnassus Ave. C. ESTABLISH - BICYCLE LANES - John Muir Drive, both sides, between Lake Merced Boulevard and the east property line of the Lakewood Apartments. D. ESTABLISH - TOW-AWAY, NO PARKING ANYTIME - Paulding Street, north side, from the Arago Street intersection to 115 feet westerly. E. ESTABLISH - BIKE LANES - Market Street, both directions, between Van Ness Avenue and 8th Street. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (DPT) Executive Director Burns requested that Item 10.2 E be severed from the Consent Calendar. Jack Fleck, acting Traffic Engineer presented the project. Mr. Fleck expressed appreciation for the work of the Bicycle Coalition. Staff is eager to implement these bike lanes by Bike to Work Day. PUBLIC COMMENT: Barry Taranto stated that at that location, Market Street is wide so there is plenty of room for a bike lane. The street narrows at the Ramada Hotel. He requested dotted lines to placed on the street 20-30 feet before the bus stop to allow for a safe merger for bicycles into the transit lanes. He suggested that the MTA send a letter to the police requesting stepped-up enforcement of transit-only lanes Leah Shahum, S.F. Bike Coalition, thanked DPT for their effort. This has been a 2-year public process and they are happy to see this moving forward. This is the first phase of a longer-range plan and with more controversial items coming forward. She noted that the bike community had agreed to live with the 8th St. intersection but it needs attention. She encouraged the city to think about creative approaches such as colored bike lanes, bike boxes and shared route arrows. Chairman Vaughns stated that this project was an indication of collaborative partnership. She expressed pride and pleasure in seeing this project move forward RESOLUTION 05-045
On motion to approve Item 10.2 E: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas
(10.3) Authorizing the Director to accept and expend $636,000 in Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Transportation Development Act funds for striping and signing bike lanes on various streets; purchasing and installing bicycle racks; and bicycle safety programs. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (DPT) RESOLUTION 05-046 No public comment. On motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Item 10.2 E severed): ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas
REGULAR CALENDAR
MUNICIPAL RAILWAY 11. Approving the exercise of an option for the lease of 66,317 square feet of office space on the seventh floor of One South Van Ness Avenue at a rental rate of $2.00 per square foot per month, and affirming the Director of Planning's environmental findings regarding the lease. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, lease and resolution.) PUBLIC COMMENT: David Pilpel stated that the item required approval by the Board of Supervisors. He suggested that the staff report wasn’t clear about who was moving and at what time. He noted that existing space at 949 Presidio and at the Green division wasn’t being fully utilized and requested further clarification about the breakdown of money. Glenda Lavigne, TWU-200, stated that for safety and security reasons, the MTA couldn’t move Central Control. She requested clarification about the plan to relocate Central Control and inquired about the anticipated savings for the project. Chairman Vaughns requested that the Executive Director again clarify the savings that would occur as a result of this consolidation. Exec. Director Burns stated that the overall intent of the moves was to reduce costs. The ultimate goal is for the City and County of San Francisco to own the building, which would substantially reduce the cost. It could possibly generate income from other tenants. The MTA does intend to relocate Central Control. Centralization of MTA operations is one benefit of the move. Another benefit is that other MTA property would be freed up for income-generating development. Staff did not separate out operating costs Deputy City Attorney Julia Friedlander stated that the exercise of the option requires the approval of the Board of Supervisors. Director Mezey requested a breakdown of operating expenses. RESOLUTION 05-047 On motion to approve: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas DEPARTMENT OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC 12. Approving the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 budget and capital improvement requests for the following garages:
Ron Szeto, acting Director of the Parking Authority presented the staff report. Peter Lee, Corporate Manager for the Portsmouth Square Garage responded to a question by Director Mezey regarding the parking garage rates at the I Hotel. Mr. Lee stated that while the initial rate at I Hotel undercut Portsmouth Square Garage rates, I Hotel rates have recently been raised and people were returning to the Portsmouth Square garage. PUBLIC COMMENT: Norm Rolfe asked if the private sector garages had been surveyed to see how their rates compared to city-owned garages and how much rent received from commercial businesses came to Muni. Exec. Director Burns stated that staff had considered private sector garage rates and occupancy rates in their deliberations. Chairman Vaughns noted that several lights were broken at the Civic Center Garage and requested that staff investigate and repair them. RESOLUTION 05-048 On motion to approve the Fifth and Mission Parking Garage budget: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas RESOLUTION 05-049 On motion to approve the Sutter-Stockton Garage budget: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas RESOLUTION 05-050 On motion to approve the Union Square Parking Garage budget : ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas RESOLUTION 05-051 On motion to approve the Ellis O’Farrell Garage budget: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas RESOLUTION 05-052 On motion to approve the Portsmouth Square Garage budget: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas RESOLUTION 05-053 On motion to approve the Japan Center Garage and the Japantown Task Force’s budgets: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas RECESS REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENE CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION 1. Call to Order Chairman Vaughns called the closed session to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present:
Absent:
Also present:
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 (Din, Kasolas-absent). 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:
RESOLUTION 05-054 On motion to approve: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas
RESOLUTION 05-055 On motion to approve: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas
RESOLUTION 05-056 On motion to approve: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, McCray, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT - Din and Kasolas ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - The closed session was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. 13. Announcement of Closed Session. Chairman Vaughns announced that the Board met in closed session to discuss the Krug, Goodwin and Khazin cases with the City Attorney. The Board voted unanimously to settle the cases. 14. Motion to disclose or not disclose the information discussed in closed session. On motion to not disclose the information discussed: unanimously approved (Din, Kasolas-absent). ADJOURN – The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 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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