return to MTA 2002 agendas and minutes

---

4:00 - REGULAR MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

Chairman Flynn called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present: Shirley Breyer Black
Mike Casey
H. Welton Flynn
Enid Lim
James McCray, Jr.
Cleopatra Vaughns

3. Announcement regarding Sound Producing Devices

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.

4. Approval of Minutes

On motion to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2002 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved.

5. Communications

None.

6. Introduction of New or Old Business by Board Members

None.

7. Director's Report (For discussion only)

-Update on Alternative Fuels Demonstration Project
-Ongoing Activities

Director Burns presented Muni's Alternate Fuels Pilot Project to the Transportation Authority. Within the next twelve months, Muni will be ordering 80 buses. The Transportation Authority introduced a resolution prohibiting them from approving funding for diesel buses. Muni is working on CNG and hybrid technologies. The biggest issue is one of is reliability but we hope to come to some resolution so we can move forward.

On July 9, Governor Davis signed Senate Bill 1048, which allows the MTA board to serve as San Francisco's Parking Authority. These were duties formerly performed by the Parking and Traffic Commission. The Chairman has designated all directors to serve as members of the Parking Authority.

On Sunday, over 40 Muni employees will participate in the Annual AIDS walk with all proceeds going to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Muni has asked every employee to donate five dollars.

At the next board meeting, staff will present the L-Taraval rail project. This is an emergency contract that was recommended by Director Burns and authorized by Chairman Flynn. It will require a full shut down of the line for 2 weeks with the Zoo loop taking a little longer to complete. Outreach to the community will begin in the next few weeks with an anticipated construction start date in mid-August. Buses will be substituted.

The Director of Transportation introduced Dan Murphy as the new chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council. Dan is a founding member of the CAC and was active in the creation of Proposition E.

On July 8, Robert Hertan joined Muni as the new Manager of Security Programs. Mr. Hertan will focus on building ongoing security and emergency preparedness efforts.

Fred Hamdun, Deputy Director of DPT recognized Ben Beckman who is retiring after 35 years with the city. He will be deeply missed as he cares about what he does. Mr. Beckman acknowledged Mr. Hamdun and Bond Yee for their leadership

The MTA Board of Directors unanimously recommended that Mr. Beckman receive a lifetime pass on Muni for his contributions.

Mr. Hamdun reviewed the Fourth of July activities where over 75 Parking Control Officers were dispatched to provide for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Staff did an outstanding job.

8. Citizen's Advisory Council Report

Dan Murphy, Chair, CAC has served for 5½ years as vice-chair of Rescue Muni, was one of the first appointees to the CAC and currently chairs the Finance and Administration Committee. He thanked Linton Stables for his leadership. The CAC has a stable and committed membership with an increasingly deep understanding of the issues facing Muni. He would like the CAC to look ahead six to twenty-four months in order to play a more collaborative role in programs and policy development. He reviewed the CAC recommendations from their July 11 meeting, which include endorsing the Caltrain express service changes, disapproving the changes to the TWU MOU, using the lease/leaseback funds to establish an operating reserve and non-scope Third Street street architecture.

9. Public Comment

Ernestine Weiss thinks that Market Street traffic needs attention as it's not well served by DPT. She would like to see more new buses on the 1-California line and that faster action is needed to establish bus zones. She recognized two Muni Operators, Tim McIlhenny and Jane Jackson as drivers who deserve recognition.

Roger Bazeley suggested that public comment be broken into two sections and that the length of time each speaker has is too short to give valuable input. He recommends hand held stop signs for Cable Car Operators at California and Drumm Street. He also suggested staff wear orange vests and that Muni use beacons.

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 as are or will be available in payment of the following claims against MUNI:

• David Cabrera vs. CCSF, Superior Court #324406, filed on 9/10/01 in the amount of $3,000
• Linda Frieders vs. CCSF, Unlitigated Claim #01T0991, filed on 3/12/02 in the amount of $5,625
• Kathryn Ellis vs. CCSF, Unlitigated Claim #00C0130, filed on 11/27/01 in the amount of $5,850
• Louis Brown vs. CCSF, Unlitigated Claim #0200806, filed on 9/14/01 in the amount of $9,500
• Dolores Malatag vs. CCSF, Superior Court #321836, filed on 2/15/01 in the amount of $10,000
• Lloyd Kraal vs. CCSF, Superior Court #320181, filed on 4/2/01 in the amount of $60,000

RESOLUTION 02-064

Chairman Flynn asked that the Cabrera case be severed and considered separately. He asked the board to excuse him from voting due to a conflict of interest.

No public comment

On motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Cabrera Case severed):

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

On motion to approve the Cabrera Case:

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

EXCUSED - Flynn

REGULAR CALENDAR

DEPARTMENT OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC

11. Authorizing the Director to establish a 22-foot tour bus zone, 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday at 1501 Lombard Street, south side, from 73 feet to 95 feet west of Franklin Street in accordance with the provisions of the San Francisco Traffic Code. (Explanatory documents include a staff report and resolution.)

Tom Folks, Senior Transportation Engineer presented the staff report.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Hiten Patel, the hotel owner has exhausted other possibilities to transport passengers. He is only asking for one spot for safe transport, which is fair because there is plenty of on street parking during the day and he has six to ten tour buses daily and double parking on Lombard is unsafe.

Greg Danz lives next door and noted that 22 feet is more than 1 parking space. He presented a diagram that showed the number and size of white zones in the neighborhood. Across the street there is a 28-foot zone that doesn't block traffic or a driveway that the hotel could use. He asked the board to vote in favor of the residents.

Janet Alsup is watching the few parking spaces in the area slip away. She is increasingly frustrated and things that the neighborhood is losing street parking to businesses that don't support local residents.

Sook Lee, a nearby resident, owns a car but doesn't have a garage. He relies on street parking on a daily basis. He said that DPT is citing people who are parking in their own driveway so it's increasingly difficult to find a place to park. He asked the board to be sympathetic to the residents.

Dan Graham said that parking is rough and the neighborhood has many apartments. He doesn't want to spend hours finding a place to park.

Danette Harvilick has lived there for 15 years and has never seen one tour bus. She is at home during day.

Melanie Pedro, San Francisco Sightseeing, offers daily sightseeing excursions from that location. She supports the installation of a white zone as they currently have to resort to double parking, which is a liability issue.

Shaun Layton asked the board to uphold the opposition as there are no safety issues and there are a large number of white zones at other hotels that are within walking distance.

Roger Bazeley urged the board to look at the bigger picture and to not compromise safety.

RESOLUTION 02-065

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES - Black, Flynn, Lim, and McCray

NAYES - Casey, Vaughns

MUNICIPAL RAILWAY

12. Authorizing the Director to revise morning peak period service on lines 80X, 81X and 82X to retain service on fourteen of the existing thirty-five trips, discontinue afternoon peak period service on lines 80X and 81X; and revise afternoon peak period service on line 82X to retain service on five of the current seven trips and execute agreements with the Peninsula Joint Powers Board and the Presidio Trust. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.)

Peter Straus, Manager, Service Planning gave the staff report. This change has the support of the Citizens Advisory Council and will go into effect on Tuesday, September 3.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mark Helmbrecht, Presidio Trust stated that the 82X is a commuter lifeline and the Presidio Trust is stepping up service with increased funds. The newly instituted shuttle in the Presidio connects to the 82X.

RESOLUTION 02-066

On motion to approve:

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

13. Authorizing the Director of Transportation to amend the MOU between MTA and TWU, Local 250-A (9163), July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2004 regarding the city's reduction of its employee contributions to the retirement system to 2.75% of employees' compensation from July 1, 2002 to close of business June 30, 2003 and payment of an ongoing 1% payment premium to employees commencing July 1, 2003. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and cost analysis.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 02-067

On motion to approve:

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

14. Adopting an overall annual goal of 29 percent for DBE contracting in DOT-assisted contracts for federal fiscal year 2001-2002. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, methodology and resolution.)

Andre Boursse, Director, Accessible Services and Contract Compliance, presented the staff report. He apologized for the late submission and assured the board that he will present the 2003 goal before the beginning of the federal fiscal year.

Chairman Flynn stressed that the next report must be submitted on time.

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 02-068

On motion to approve:

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

15. 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.)

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ron Losch, representing Kingston Constructors, protested the award of the contract citing an ongoing investigation at BART regarding Mitchell Engineers' DBE certification. He asked for a delay for two weeks so BART could complete their analysis.

Alexander Bannon, representing Mitchell Engineering, stated that the court threw out Kingston's Temporary Restraining Order request as there was no merit to warrant a hearing.

Mike Silva, Mitchell Engineering, stated that his company will exceed the goal and the work they'll do will be fair and honest.

Robert Bryan, Deputy City Attorney stated that the Courts did dismiss the Kingston petition and the city is not required to wait for BART's investigation.

RESOLUTION 02-069

On motion to approve:

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

16. Approving a contract with Ross Financial to provide financial advisory services for a term from July 1, 2002 to July 31, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $200,000. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and agreement.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 02-070

On motion to approve:

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

17. Authorizing the Director to execute Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. CS-114, Consulting Engineering and Support Services for the Trolley Coach Replacement Program with Booz-Allen and Hamilton, Inc., to increase the contract amount by $1,986,500 for a total amount not to exceed $6,433,500, and to extend the term of the Contract to December 31, 2005. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and agreement.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 02-071

On motion to approve:

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

ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 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.

©2002 San Francisco Municipal Railway. All Rights Reserved.
Page last updated March 19, 2003.
Information last updated August 7, 2002.