return to MTA 2001 agendas and minutes

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5:00 - REGULAR MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

Chairman Flynn called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present: Shirley Breyer Black
Jose Cisneros
H. Welton Flynn
Enid Lim
Cleopatra Vaughns

Absent: Mike Casey

3. Approval of Minutes

On motion to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2001 regular meeting and the May 16,
2000 regular meeting (revised): unanimously approved (Casey, Lim-absent).

4. Communications

(4.1) Announcement of prohibition of sound producing devices during the meeting.

Chairman Flynn 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 may be removed from the meeting.

5. Introduction of New or Old Business by Board Members

None.

6. Director's Report (For discussion only)

-Special Recognition Award
-Review of Muni Web Sites
-Ongoing Muni Activities

Michael Burns introduced Mr. James Waterfield as this month's special recognition award recipient. Mr. Waterfield is an extraordinary individual who has been with Muni for 35 years, over 30 as a cable car operator. He is being recognized for his fundraising efforts for the Combined Charities campaign, American Heart Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and for the Muni employee who lost her children in a fire last year. He is a great asset to Muni and the community.

Mr. Waterfield thanked the general manager and admitted to being a bit overwhelmed. He doesn't participate in fundraising to receive recognition and feels that he just did a little bit because the people who donated did the most.

Director Vaughns offered congratulations and stated that it is an honor and pleasure to witness this much-deserved recognition.

Chairman Flynn congratulated Mr. Waterfield on behalf of the board.

Michael Burns announced that staff is working with SPUR on the 2nd Annual Stakeholder meeting which is expected to be held in February.

New Year's Eve service was generally safe and uneventful for Muni and its' patrons. Burns thanked all the Muni employees who worked during the holidays.

Translink Phase I is expected to be kicked-off on February 1. Muni has a few continuing issues but expects that all will be resolved to allow for the February 1 start-up.

General Manager Burns invited the board to the Annual Awards Reception on Wednesday, January 23 at 5:30 in Alexander Room at the Westin St. Francis hotel.

The FTA has selected Muni's web site, www.sfmuni.com, as one of the top 4 transit web sites in the nation. Over 645 web sites were reviewed. Maggie Lynch, Director of Communications and Public Relations reviewed Muni's intra- and internet sites.

7. Citizen's Advisory Council Report

There was no report from the CAC.

8. Public Comment

Ernestine Weiss asked about the progress on moving the Presidio and California stop so seniors could get onto the Muni. She also urged Muni to put cleaner buses on the streets as particulate matter contributes to disease. (General Manager Burns will provide Ms. Weiss with the memo discussing Muni's review of the Presidio/California stop and the decision to not move the stop.)

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

9. 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.

(9.1) Requesting the Controller to allot funds and to draw warrants against such funds as are or will be available in payment of the following claims against MUNI:

Della Nelson vs. CCSF, Superior Ct. #320104 in the amount of $2,500
Valerie Roberts vs. CCSF, Superior Ct. #319615 in the amount of $4,300
Larry Ceranek vs. CCSF, Unlitigated claim #0200211 in the amount of $5,522.32
Gayle Braun-Adam vs. CCSF, Superior Ct. #314834 in the amount of $5,500
Rudolfo Patrimonio vs. CCSF, Superior Ct. #314175 in the amount of $15,000

RESOLUTION 02-001

(9.2) Approving payment of settlement amounts to the Municipal Transportation Agency in the following claims:

Courtney Pendelton vs. CCSF, Superior Ct. #175302 in the amount of $1,500
Elizabeth Torrieri vs. CCSF, Superior Ct. #316101 in the amount of $51,442.21

RESOLUTION 02-002

No public comment.

On motion to approve the consent calendar:

ADOPTED: AYES - Black, Cisneros, Flynn, Lim and Vaughns

ABSENT - Casey

REGULAR CALENDAR

10. Review of the FY2002 Municipal Transportation Agency budget and presentation of the preliminary FY2003 budget. (Explanatory documents include a staff report.)

Michael Burns stated that Muni is experiencing revenue-related problems attributed to the economy and the September 11th impact on tourism. At the moment the numbers are fluid with Muni's actions being in a constant state of change as the fiscal picture changes.

Gigi Harrington, Deputy General Manager, Finance reviewed the budget and revenue sources. She noted that the fare revenue has continued to worsen since September. Parking revenue has also been susceptible to the drop in the economy and tourism. Ms. Harrington reviewed a series of adjustments within the expenditure budget to adjust this fiscal year's budget shortfall of $20 million.

Director Lim asked for an update on the current budget, in particular, Muni's current fiscal year expenditures prior to the next meeting.

G.M. Burns said that the only service adjustments that Muni is looking at is in the South of Market area where service was implemented to take care of the dot com industry. He stressed that there would be no line cuts.

Ms. Harrington reviewed the FY03 budget, which anticipates a $30.4 million decrease in revenue, plus approximately $20 million in mandated increases from negotiated MOU's and fringe benefit costs. The net deficit that Muni is facing in FY03 is approximately $45 million of which Muni has identified approximately $24 million in expenditure reductions.

Director Vaughns acknowledged staff for their aggressive work and urged them to stay the course.

Director Lim asked if Muni was also looking at ways to save money, such as checking warranties, as it would help the board in looking at the total budget picture.

Chairman Flynn asked that the budget packet be sent to the board on January 25th so they have enough time to review it prior to the special meeting on the 29th.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Andrew Sullivan, Chairman, Rescue Muni, noted that there are several areas of concern but mostly in the area of service cuts. He asked staff to provide additional detail on the service cuts. While Rescue Muni doesn't like service cuts, it's better to be specific so the public knows what to expect. He also suggested that the board vote on the FY02 changes to the budget and for FY03, he urged staff to make the information public and have a dialogue with constituent groups.

Chairman Flynn asked staff to provide detailed information on service cuts.

ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 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

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Information last updated February 7, 2002.