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MTA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2002
ROOM 400, CITY HALL
400 VAN NESS AVENUE
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE

5:00 - REGULAR MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

Chairman Flynn called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present: Shirley Breyer Black
Mike Casey
H. Welton Flynn
Enid Lim
Cleopatra Vaughns

Absent: James McCray, Jr.

3. Approval of Minutes

On motion to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2002 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved. (McCray-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.

The board secretary announced that Item 13, Traction Power Systems would be continued at the request of staff.

5. Introduction of New or Old Business by Board Members

None

6. Director's Report (For discussion only)

Service Standards Quarterly Report
Mission Vision Values Statement
Overview of the Alternate Fuels Demonstration Project
Ongoing Muni Activities

This past week Muni started the 78-Bayview shuttle pilot project, which will run every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This project is the result of a multi-department task force put together by Mayor Brown and Supervisor Maxwell to improve health opportunities and options for residents of the Bayview Hunters Point district. The official kick-off will be held on Wednesday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at 3rd and Palou.

On Tuesday, May 28, Muni will officially break ground on the mainline portion of the Third Street Light Rail Project. Elected representatives who will be in attendance include Congresswoman Pelosi, Mayor Brown and members of the Board of Supervisors. The event will be held at 4th and King streets at 11:00 a.m.

Muni service for Bay to Breakers was as much of a challenge as the race was for participants. Even though Muni had a good service plan, with the rain and cold, everyone wanted to leave as soon as race was over so waits were longer than usual. The rain and the race made traffic difficult with the usual 38 minute drive back to the start taking as much as 55 minutes.

Michael Burns presented Muni's budget to the Board of Supervisors Budget committee. Muni staff attended all district hearings on the budget. There were few issues raised.

Chairman Flynn asked that the Key Capital Projects Report be discussed at the next board meeting.

Lisa Mancini, Chief Operations Officer, presented the Service Standards Quarterly Report.

Larry Williams, Deputy General Manager, Human Relations presented Muni's Mission Vision Values Statement.

Michael Burns presented the Alternative Fuels Demonstration Project. He reviewed the 11-point agreement and the findings of the project to date. At this point, reliability is a critical factor for alternative fuel buses. Muni staff will continue to test these buses to see if they can improve reliability. Staff will also explore LNG buses and will develop an implementation strategy for approval by the board within the next 6 months. Staff will report back in November 2002.

Ina Shlez, Department of the Environment, and a member of the Independent Oversight Committee commented on the process and results of the Alternative Fuel Pilot Project. She stated that enough data exists for Muni to make a decision and that further delays in purchasing new buses are damaging to public health. She stated that the report lacks objectivity, seems biased toward diesel buses with particulate matter traps and doesn't address Muni's need to replace older buses.

Director Casey asked for copies of the IOC's report. In response to a request by Director Casey, Marty Mellara, lead engineer on the project noted that fuel cell technology is probably ten to fifteen years away.

7. Citizen's Advisory Council Report.

There was no CAC report presented.

8. Public Comment

David Pilpel discussed the Alternative Fuel Pilot Project and vehicle availability list. He noted that the CAC is waiting for a response on a number of other issues. He noted that the CAC needs to have a better understanding of how DPT matters will be handled by CAC. (Michael Burns responded to the issues raised by Mr. Pilpel and noted that the CAC Chairman has been participating on the DPT merger task force.)

Dave Snyder, Exec Director, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, introduced himself and expressed his eager anticipation of the merger. He is optimistic that, given the recent improvements made at Muni, San Francisco will have a safer environment. He noted that there is a bicycle plan that will propose the ability to bike to every neighborhood in San Francisco. He would like to present it to MTA Board. (Chairman Flynn asked Mr. Snyder to outline his suggestions for the board. Director Casey said that the board would welcome a presentation on the bicycle plan.)

Ray Antonio, President 250-A commented on the service standards. One thing that affects unscheduled absences is that operators use their sick leave before they retire. He suggested that the city look at buying back unused sick leave. He noted that TWU is generally in favor of the Mission Vision Values Statement and would like to see old attitudes change, beginning at the top. Operators who participated in the Alternative Fuel testing program are concerned about a lack of power, slower take-offs and issues regarding safety and security.

Roger Capilos, Kirkland Safety Representative, has been involved in testing both the natural gas and hybrid buses. Operators are more comfortable with the hybrid buses. The CNG buses are heavy, exhausting to drive and because they are slow to accelerate, they might increase accidents. He thinks there could be serious problems if Muni went with CNG buses and that it would be detrimental to Muni and to serving our passengers.

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:

Russell Williams vs. CCSF, Superior Court #316694 in the amount of $7,500
Rosaliya Vinogradsky vs. CCSF, Superior Court #313757 in the amount of $7,500
Reliance National Insurance vs. CCSF, Superior Court #310047 in the amount of $8,500

RESOLUTION 02-037

(9.2) Accepting Contract No. CS-109, As-needed Vehicle Fleet Engineering Services, approving the final contract amount of $420,522.24, and approving the closeout of the contract with Lea + Elliott, Inc. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.)

RESOLUTION 02-038

(9.3) Accepting Contract No.1121R, Bus Stop Improvement Project, Phase 1, approving Contract Modification No. 2, which reduces the Contract by $4,634, for a final contract amount of $641,241, and extending the contract duration by an additional 44 calendar days to September 21, 2001, and authorizing the release of final retention to Stacy and Witbeck Inc. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.)

RESOLUTION 02-039

No public comment.

On motion to approve the Consent Calendar:

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

ABSENT - McCray

REGULAR CALENDAR

10. Certifying that the 2002/2003 fiscal year budget of the Department of Parking and Traffic, previously approved by the Parking and Traffic Commission, meets the goals and objectives of the Municipal Transportation Agency. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.)

No public comment.

Chairman Flynn expressed concern regarding certifying the budget without knowing if it was adequate to accomplish the goals and objectives of the department. He asked that the item be continued.

Robert Bryan stated that the reason the DPT budget was before the board was due to language in Proposition E.

RECESS REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENE CLOSED SESSION

CLOSED SESSION

1. Call to Order

Chairman Flynn called the closed session to order at 7:05 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present: Shirley Breyer Black
Mike Casey
H. Welton Flynn
Enid Lim
Cleopatra Vaughns

Absent: James McCray, Jr.

Also present: Michael T. Burns, Director of Transportation
Roberta Boomer, Board Secretary
Robert Bryan, Deputy City Attorney
Lisa Mancini, Chief Operations Officer

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 Sections 54956.9, and Administrative Code Section 67.8 (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 __X__ As plaintiff

ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - The closed session was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

11. Announcement of Closed Session.

Chairman Flynn announced the board met in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation with the city as plaintiff and with the city as defendant with the city attorney. The board took no action.

12. Motion to disclose or not disclose the information discussed in closed session.

On motion to not disclose the information discussed: unanimously approved (McCray-absent).

13. Approving the award of Contract No. MR-1146, Third Street Light Rail Project Traction Power Systems, to Mitchell Engineering, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $8,442,733. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.)

This item was continued at the request of staff.

ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 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 [SF Admin. Code Sections 16.520 - 16.534] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 1390 Market Street, Suite 801, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone 415-554-9510, fax 415-554-8757 and Web site: sfgov.org/ethics.