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2:00 ‑ REGULAR MEETING ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to Order Chairman Vaughns called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m.
2. Roll Call Present:
Absent: James McCray, Jr. – with notification 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 April 19, 2005 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved (McCray-absent). 5. Communications Chairman Vaughns stated that she would like to bring attention to the positive correspondence received from the neighbors in the vicinity of Guerrero and San Jose Avenue commending DPT for recent street improvements. 6. Introduction of New or Unfinished Business by Board Members Director Mezey inquired about the status of the protest of the red light camera contract. Julia Friedlander, Deputy City Attorney stated that the protest had been withdrawn. 7. Executive Director’s Report -Special Recognition Award -Initiation of public disclosure of amendment to Memorandum of Understanding with Automotive Machinists Local 1414 pursuant to Section 8A.104(p) of the City Charter -Overview by CalTrans on the Bay Bridge West Approach Retrofit Project -Prop K Prioritization Program -Ongoing Activities Exec. Director Burns stated that he was pleased to present the May Special Recognition Award to Henry Gong, an administrative analyst in Muni’s Revenue Department. Mr. Gong is a versatile and knowledgeable analyst whose input has proven to be invaluable. Mr. Gong is one of the many unsung heroes at the MTA. Mr. Gong stated that he had the good fortune to be working with bright and talented people. Chairman Vaughns acknowledged and commended Mr. Gong on behalf of the Board of Directors. Exec. Director Burns expressed appreciation to Chairman Vaughns for her remarks on the San Jose and Guerrero street improvements. Those improvements were done cooperatively with the neighborhood and had the support of Supervisors Ammiano and Dufty. Staff had received overwhelming positive response from the neighborhood. Bike to Work Day will take place on Wednesday, May 19. Plans are currently underway for 13 projects that will add approximately 8 miles of dedicated lanes to the City's existing bicycle network. The Board of Supervisors denied the appeal of the Bicycle Plan. The final approval of the City's Bike Plan Update is expected by the end of May. Exec. Director Burns advised the Board that the MTA and the City had reached tentative agreements with Local 1414 last week however both agreements were voted down by union members. The MTA was currently in mediation with Local 1414. Bill Lieberman, Director of Planning, presented the Prop K Prioritization Program which is a process used by the Transportation Authority to prioritize projects in 44 different categories. Muni is the lead agency for 17 projects, most of which are single projects, such as the Third Street and Central Subway projects. Five categories consist of multiple projects such as Bus Rapid Transit and transit enhancements. The prioritization program has been a coordinated effort with other departments and with the public to establish criteria for ranking projects. Chairman Vaughns requested information on the Flynn ventilation system. Director Din requested information on the funding for all the projects. Duncan Watry stated that the projects were described in the Short Range Transit Plan. The calendar item is a request for federal funds to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Exec. Director Burns stated that staff requests partial funding for projects each year from the Transportation Authority, the state and the federal governments. Staff will provide the Board with a copy of the SRTP, which shows the year-by-year schedule for each project. Bond Yee, Deputy Director of Department of Parking and Traffic introduced the Bay Bridge West Approach Retrofit Project. This project is one of the biggest public works projects in San Francisco in the last 50 years. The project runs from the anchorage near Beale Street to Fifth Street. Dennis Turchon, Caltrans Project Construction Manager thanked Mr. Yee for the close working relationship with Muni and DPT staff. The cooperation has been fantastic. There has been tremendous public outreach on the project. Mr. Turchon reviewed the project and timeline for the various phases scheduled to be completed this summer. 8. Citizen’s Advisory Council Report No report was made. 9. Public Comment David Pilpel stated that he had previously mentioned that he had provided comments about various items, such as 1 South Van Ness, and, although he had been assured there would be a response, he has heard nothing from staff. He questioned the paper token situation and Muni’s ability to deliver on the promised general sign-up along the timeframe previously provided. He stated that the budget presented by the Mayor included raises for certain managers and requested a table that shows the old and new classifications. He requested a copy of the existing Local 1414 contract and fiscal analysis. Barry Taranto stated that he hopes that the Board would be sensitive to allow people time to attend Board meetings at the new time. It is important that event promoters be required to provide a loading and unloading area for taxicabs. Mr. Taranto stated that he was taking credit for a revised application from the Hilton Hotel. It will be a win-win situation. The proposed closure of part of Jessie St. will be a problem for Muni and DPT. It won’t be good for traffic and needs to be resolved. Erickson stated that he had heard rumors that Mitchell Engineering was going bankrupt and that Muni was having difficulties with them. Chairman Vaughns closed public comment and requested that Exec. Director Burns provide comment on the items raised. Exec. Director Burns stated that staff was confident that they could meet the time frame for the general signup. Paper tokens were printed initially with a June expiration date. The next batch to be printed will have an August expiration date. Paper token coupons that have the June expiration date will be accepted through August. Exec. Director Burns will follow up on the 1 South Van Ness request. He added that the rumor about Mitchell Engineering had been around for years. The reclassification referred to by Mr. Pilpel is a citywide reclassification of positions throughout the city and no raises were associated with the reclassification. Board Secretary Boomer stated that the information on the new Local 1414 contract would be made available to the Board and to the public upon receipt. 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) Approving the following traffic modifications: A. ESTABLISH - MUNI BUS ZONE - Steuart Street, east side, from Mission Street northerly to Don Chee Way. B. ESTABLISH - PART-TIME MUNI BUS ZONE 9 AM to 5 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND 6 AM TO 7 PM SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS - Steuart Street, west side, from Mission Street to 80 feet southerly. C. RESCIND - BLUE ZONE - Steuart St., west side, from 18 to 42 feet south of Mission St. D. RESCIND - METERED TRUCK LOADING ZONES, 7 AM TO 11 AM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY - Steuart St., west side, from 42 to 90 feet south of Mission St. E. RESCIND - MUNI POLE STOPS – ESTABLISH - MUNI BUS ZONE - Topeka Avenue, at Venus Street (nearside) southwest corner. F. RESCIND - METERED LOADING ZONE, 7 AM TO 6 PM, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY – BLUE ZONE – ESTABLISH - Mission Street, south side, from 3 feet to 23 feet east of Steuart Street. G. ESTABLISH - METERED LOADING ZONE, 7 AM TO 6 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY - Mission Street, south side, from 29 feet to 51 feet west of The Embarcadero. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (DPT) RESOLUTION 05-066 (10.2) Authorizing the Director to submit an application for funding under Federal Transit Administration programs in an amount up to $251,694,313 for various capital projects. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (MUNI) RESOLUTION 05-067 (10.3) Authorizing the Director to reject all proposals received for Contract No. 350ES, Engineering and Project Management Support for Bus Procurement Projects; issue a new Request for Proposals with a revised scope of work; and negotiate a contract. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (MUNI) This item was severed at the request of the public. PUBLIC COMMENT: David Pilpel inquired if approval from the Civil Service Commission had been sought before the RFP was issued and if not, he suggested that their approval should have been sought beforehand. He stated that the resolution was unclear whether the contract would return to the Board for final approval or if the matter was in the hands of the Executive Director. Exec. Director Burns stated that the contract would return to the Board of Directors for authorization to execute the contract. He stated that he didn’t believe that the RFP received Civil Service Commission approval prior to being issued and that such approval was unnecessary. RESOLUTION 05-068 On motion to approve Item 10.3 severed: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT – McCray On motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Item 10.3 severed): ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT – McCray REGULAR CALENDAR MUNICIPAL RAILWAY 11. Public Hearing on the MTA’s proposals to adjust service in accordance with the FY06 budget. Exec. Director Burns presented the information that will be presented at all scheduled public meetings. The service changes that will be presented were reviewed with the Board at the April 19 meeting. Exec. Director Burns presented the brochure and car card that would be distributed on all Muni vehicles and throughout the system. The public hearings have been well covered by the press. BART, SamTrans, CalTrain and Sacramento are increasing fares and cutting service and transit properties throughout the country are trying to come up with solutions to their fiscal problems. The MTA’s approved budget for FY06 includes increases to parking fines and fee increases. The Board of Supervisors isn’t supportive of the parking increases and if aren’t approved, staff will have to return to the MTA Board for further service cuts to balance the budget. PUBLIC COMMENT: James Muszalski stated that he remembers when Michael Burns got a raise. He asked the Board to explain how they can cut employee pay and give the top person a big fat raise. He called it unethical and immoral. He stated that the Board needed to ride Muni for a month to see what was going on. A fare raise will hurt people. Don’t start making cuts at the bottom, start at the top with over bloated salaries. David Pilpel stated that there was no detailed information on weekend service adjustments. He stated that he didn’t believe the package would recover $13 million in projected savings. He has not received a response from staff on his detailed plan. More aggressive cuts in service are needed. Major route changes should be deferred until the Third Street light rail service begins. The MTA should bring forward their doomsday proposal so the Supervisors can see what the alternative is. Tracie Broom asked about the specific changes in service and how to find out about other revenue sources. She wondered how changeable the current plan was given that the vote on the budget has already happened. She stated that she hopes the Board understands how important Muni is to riders and that the Board should consider what ten minutes would mean to people standing in the cold. Don Kertzman stated that he had read that the federal government gives plenty of money to fund mass transit but most of that money is allocated to car traffic. A decision should be made locally to shift funds from cars to mass transit. Richard Mellor stated that the plan is a generalized attack on working people. Corporations want to lower taxes. If the Board had the public’s interests at heart, they would have protected our interests but instead they voted for the budget at our expense. The public needs to shut down the city. This is a terrorist economic attack on working and poor people. Susan King, Coalition for Transit Justice, stated that service cuts and fare increases would land directly on the backs of the working poor. Service cuts and fare increases will force people to decide whether to put their kids on transit or buy food. She urged the Board to look aggressively for alternatives and to hire more PCO’s. She stated that she would urge the Board of Supervisors to reject the budget because car drivers weren’t being asked to bear the brunt of the deficit. Herbert Weiner stated that the MTA has gone from bad to worse and will lead to privatization. He asked the Board how many members rode Muni. With every fare increase, service gets worse and the only beneficiaries will be pickpockets who will work on crowded buses. William Patrick Purcell stated that the service for the past year has been an embarrassment. He boards at the rear of the bus with an armload of groceries because the front is full. A 2nd bus is usually right behind his bus and is nearly half-empty. There are too many bus stops. Paul Tieck stated that if the MTA cuts back on service, it would limit people’s access to a fuel-efficient mode of transport. The proposal is ill advised and is a short-term attempt to save money at the expense of long-term environmental health. The MTA has not been aggressive enough in increasing parking rates, fees and fines. Public transit agencies should get funding from bridge tolls. Barry Taranto stated that he doesn’t think that the proposed service cuts were done lightly. He stated that more Parking Control Officers should be hired to enforce the laws. PCO’s should help bus drivers. People who double park should be fined. Light rail vehicles need to be added to Metro lines. The Board should look at the response to service during the weekends because people have to wait a long time. Norman Rolfe stated that the people who were screaming at the social injustice of the proposed adjustments were both right and not right. If parking rates aren’t approved at the Board of Supervisors, the current cuts will look pleasant in comparison to the actions that the MTA would have to take to balance the budget. He urged the public to urge the Board of Supervisors to approve the increases in parking charges. Chairman Vaughns closed public comment and thanked the speakers. Chairman Vaughns stated that the Board listens carefully and gives serious consideration to each speaker’s input and suggestions. DEPARTMENT OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC 12. Authorizing the Director to execute District Agreement No. 4-1930-C with the State of California to allow Caltrans to design, advertise, administer and manage construction of traffic signal upgrades at 34 intersections on 19th Avenue and Park Presidio (State Route 1) from Junipero Serra Boulevard to Lake Street, at a total cost to the City not to exceed $9,537,000. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, agreement and resolution.) Bond Yee, Deputy Director, Department of Parking and Traffic presented the staff report. The project includes 34 traffic signals and is separated into two phases given the availability of funding. This project will be a tremendous asset and will improve pedestrian safety. PUBLIC COMMENT: David Pilpel asked about the prioritization of Phase I and II items and stated that he hopes staff would move aggressively to find funds for Phase II. The Sloat Ave. intersection was very busy. He asked why the fiber cable was part of Phase II and suggested an ongoing dialogue with Caltrans to complete the paving project that was begun twenty years ago. Bond Yee, Deputy Director, DPT stated that Sloat Ave. had been upgraded several years ago. Staff was currently discussing adding a left-turn lane at that intersection with Caltrans. The cost to install fiber optic cable was included in Phase II and would incorporate the ability to use transit preferential technology. RESOLUTION 05-069 On motion to approve: ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Din, Kasolas, Mezey and Vaughns ABSENT – McCray RECESS REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENE CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION 1. Call to Order
Chairman Vaughns called the closed session to order at 4:15 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present:
Absent: James McCray, Jr. – with notification 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 (McCray-absent). 4. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a) and Administrative Code Section 67.8, the Municipal Transportation Agency Board shall meet in closed session for: CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR CCSF Representative: Larry Williams and/or his designees
Employee Organizations:
TWU Local 200 and Automotive Mechanics Local 1414
To discuss: _X_ Wages _X__ Hours _X__ Benefits _X__ Working Conditions _X__ Other ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - The closed session was adjourned at 4:32 p.m. 13. Announcement of Closed Session. Chairman Vaughns announced that the Board met in closed session for a conference with their labor negotiator. There was no action taken. 14. Motion to disclose or not disclose the information discussed in closed session. On motion to not disclose the information discussed: unanimously approved (McCray-absent). ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 4:33 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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