return to MTA 2003 agendas and minutes

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4:00 - REGULAR MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

Chairman Flynn called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present:

Shirley Breyer Black
Mike Casey
H. Welton Flynn
Michael Kasolas
James McCray, Jr.
Cleopatra Vaughns

Absent: Enid Lim

3. 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.

4. Approval of Minutes

On motion to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2003 Regular Meeting: unanimously
approved (Lim, McCray-absent).

5. Communications

6. Introduction of New or Old Business by Board Members

7. Director’s Report (For discussion only)

-Special Recognition Award
-FY2004 Muni and DPT budgets
-Ongoing Activities

Michael Burns, Director of Transportation is pleased to announce that this month’s Special Recognition award is being presented to Ted Unaegbu. Ted has been an employee since 1984 and manager of the Proof of Payment division since 1999. His involvement in the planning and implementation of the POP program got the program launched early, amidst much doubt as to its’ success. Mr. Unaegbu stated that he was humbled to receive the award and owes thanks to his wife, Robert Hertan and the POP inspectors. Chairman Flynn offered his congratulations to Mr. Unaegbu on behalf of the board.

Director Burns noted that the construction at 4th and King continues on schedule. It is expected to be complete by March 27. The contractor has also started work constructing a new 101 off ramp. The current ramp will be closed on February 16 with trucks being rerouted through a commercial area to avoid disrupting residents. The new off ramp is expected to be complete in July of 2004.

Director Burns stated that since the Jan 21st meeting, the news had gotten significantly worse for both FY03 and FY04 budgets. The current fiscal year deficit has increased to $15 million dollars, up $3 million from previously reported. Muni is honoring the Mayor’s agreement with those labor unions that agreed to participate in the retirement contribution. Approximately 25 to 30 people will have to be laid off. They will occur soon with notification likely to happen in the next week. Muni has tried to avoid this situation but given the magnitude of the deficit, it can’t be avoided any longer. In addition to these layoffs, Muni is significantly reducing cell phones and internal special events, and eliminating sedans throughout organization. The main focus is to protect the quality and reliability of service and maintain recent improvements.

The FY04 budget has also changed. With further declines in the general fund contribution, parking revenues and state taxes, Muni now has a $50 million deficit, an increase of nearly $13 million from what was reported. Staff will bring a balanced budget to the board for consideration on February 18th. There will be a special meeting to consider the fare increase on February 11 at the State Building. Other solutions include increases in parking fees, layoffs, federal preventive maintenance funds and savings realized from collective bargaining.

Chairman Flynn noted that the revenue numbers keep changing and that staff isn’t likely to have solid figures from the State until later this year.

Gigi Harrington, Deputy General Manager, Finance, presented an update on the FY03 and FY04 budgets. Muni’s FY03 deficit increased from $12 million to $15 due to a decrease in the general fund transfer and a decrease in the parking tax. They are working on a plan to address it. For FY04 the deficit has increased from $38 million to $50 million due to reduced revenues, sales taxes and general fund transfer.

Lisa Mancini, Deputy Executive Director of Transportation, reviewed the goals and priorities used in balancing the budget. Staff sought to minimize the impact on the level and quality of service, and minimize the need for employee layoffs. Ms. Mancini also reviewed the proposed service changes and internal adjustments. Staff looked at ridership statistics for lines where there was excess capacity and where service could be spread out without affecting customers while staying within the policy headways. These changes have been discussed with TWU and with the CAC.

Ms. Mancini has met with labor unions to discuss plans to reduce the work force for FY03. Muni will honor all agreements with those labor unions that participated in the Mayor’s employee retirement contribution. These employees who are laid off will be placed on a recall list for 5 years and will have access to outplacement services. To solve the entire labor savings for FY04, an additional 45 to 60 layoffs are possible but this number may be reduced through collective bargaining. In addition there are potential reductions to the construction staff.

Director Casey asked staff to provide information about the use of operators for standby runs and how often they are called upon to assist in an emergency. He also asked about the cost to provide service to the ballpark. Ms. Mancini noted that the cost is approximately $10,000 per game with revenue bringing in approximately $4,000.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

David Pilpel discussed Muni’s proposal to adjust service. While he agrees with many of the recommended changes, he says the Sutter Street changes violate the policy headways. He recommended other lines that could be examined for savings. He urged a balanced approach with participation by labor.

Norm Rolfe is disturbed about the process and feels that it should be reversed. He urged the board to look at raising other possible fare rates, such as an increase to parking fees and fines, before transit fare increases.

Roger Bazeley believes that riders should pay their fare share and suggested that fares could be increased above what has been proposed. He suggested that residential permit fees be increased and that if headways are cut back, that staff should coordinate with schools.

Barry Taranto is concerned that Muni is using cab drivers to raise revenue. He said that inspectors are hiding at bus stops, writing tickets and not giving the tickets to drivers. He suggested that drivers be asked to move prior to being ticketed and that they be given reasonable time to leave the bus zone.

Julia Dawson, Deputy Director, DPT Finance reviewed the status of the DPT budget. DPT is projecting a deficit of $1.3 million. Their fee proposals include increases to the street closure fees; curb painting fees and parking meter rates.

Director Casey asked for information about the cost to recalibrate the meters.

Ron Szeto, Acting Director, Parking Authority, gave an overview of Parking Authority duties. The Parking Authority administers forty sites, twenty-one metered facilities and nineteen parking garages. The PA staff manages parking garages and lots including land acquisition, development, administration, legislation, and budget review. The budget for FY03 is approximately $28 million and anticipated revenues for next year will be $26.6 million. These revenues go to the general fund, Muni, Department of Recreation and Parks and to the School District. Eight of the nineteen garages are required to submit an annual operating budget which Mr. Szeto will bring to the MTA Board for approval in March or April.

Chairman Flynn asked about the monthly parking rate at San Francisco General Hospital, wondering how the rate wound up being $35 per month. Fred Hamdun, Deputy Director, DPT stated that staff will prepare a package to increase rates.

Fred Hamdun reported that the parking industry has had difficulty in implementing an ordinance that requires parking controls for all parking facilities. He plans to hold hearings for garage and facility owners and operators to discuss possible solutions. He noted that the installation of the new meters is on schedule.

8. Citizen’s Advisory Council Report

No report was made.

9. Public Comment

Roger Bazeley pointed out that there is a difference between fees that are revenue based; fees derived from safety; and fees derived from rules and regulations such as street cleaning and parking. He urged the board not to raise fines on the backs of normal family members. He suggested that the citywide residential parking permits are a tremendous source of fees. He doesn’t want safety to fall by the wayside because of the budget.

Howard Strassner, Sierra Club, supports Chairman Flynn’s discussion of increased parking fees. He has sent a list of 38 items that can be done, such as raising the parking fees downtown, increasing fees for multiple vehicles for residential permits and fines for double parking. He also recommended that meters operate on Sundays.

David Pilpel noted that Lou Johnson has retired and wanted to publicly recognize him for his excellent 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 as are or will be available in payment of the following claims against the MTA:

A. Yip Ho Go/Allstate Insurance, Unlitigated Claim #030162 filed on 12/18/01 for $6689.15
B. Yip Ho Go, Unlitigated Claim #0300414 filed on 12/18/01 for $10,000
C. American Motorists Ins., Unlitigated Claim #FY031497 filed on 12/2/02 for $25,000

Director Vaughns asked for clarification as the staff report for the Yip Ho Go case said the claim was filed in 2001 yet the accident happened in 2002.

RESOLUTION 03-030

(10.2) Approving the following traffic modifications:

A. Fell Street from Baker Street to Scott Street – Bike Lane (Six Month Trial)

· Tow-Away, No Stopping, Monday-Friday, 4:00 –6:00 pm – Rescind
Fell Street, south side, from Baker Street to Scott Street.
· Tow-Away, No Stopping, Monday-Friday, 4:00 –7:00 pm – Establish
Fell Street, south side, from Divisadero Street to 182 feet easterly.
· Bicycle Lanes - Establish Fell Street, from Baker Street to Scott Street.
· Tow-Away Lane Must Turn Left – Establish Fell Street at Scott Street.

B. Unmetered motorcycle parking - Establish Fell Street, south side, from 167.5 feet to 171 feet west of Divisadero Street, in front of 1217-1221 Fell Street

C. Residential Permit Parking Area "S" (2-Hour Time Limit, 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Monday through Friday) – Establish 20th Street, both sides, between Church and Sanchez Streets (3900 block). (Explanatory documents include a staff report and resolution.) (DPT)

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Donald Stroh, Dolores Heights Improvement Club, had a procedural concern and asked that the item be continued. His neighborhood association has requested that the petitions include absentee owners but their recommendation has been ignored. He thinks that absentee owners should be allowed to get parking stickers.

Bond Yee, Deputy Director, Traffic Engineering noted that this is a community generated process where residents file a petition as parking difficulties arise. The procedure has been in place since the ‘70’s and all procedures for this permit had been followed. The current legislation doesn’t allow absentee owners to have parking permits. It’s difficult to obtain absentee owner consent on a petition and the petitions allow only one signature per address. Following MTA Board approval, the designation will go to the Board of Supervisors.

Mark Murphy introduced himself as the person who collected the signatures and filed the petition. His neighbors and he would appreciate approval of the designation.

Norman Rolfe noted that residential permit parking is for the people who live in the neighborhood and not for absentee property owners.

RESOLUTION 03-031

(10.3) Accepting the work performed under Contract No. MR-1132, Muni Metro East Site Soil Improvement; approving Contract Modification No. 2, which reduces the contract amount by $347,628.17; and approving the closeout of the contract with Gordon N. Ball/Mendelian Construction Co. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution, agreement and financial plan.) (MUNI)

RESOLUTION 03-032

(10.4) Accepting Contract No. MR-1134, Western Bay Bridge Approach Trolley Reroute Project with Kingston/Gildersleeve, approving Contract Modification No. 6, and approving the final contract amount of $1,997,595.18. . (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution, contract modification and financial plan.) (MUNI)

RESOLUTION 03-033

No public comment.

On motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Item 10.2 (c) severed):

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Casey, Flynn, Kasolas, McCray and Vaughns

ABSENT - Lim

REGULAR CALENDAR

DEPARTMENT OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC

11. Authorizing the City of San Francisco Uptown Parking Corporation to expend funds from the capital account, not to exceed $700,000, for the partial payment of the renovation of the Union Square Plaza/Garage (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 03-034

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Casey, Flynn, Kasolas, McCray and Vaughns

ABSENT - Lim

12. Authorizing the award of Department of Public Works Contract No. 0494J: Contract 55 – New Traffic Signals to Jin Construction and Electric Co., Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for a total contract amount of $662,485. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 03-035

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES – Black, Casey, Flynn, Kasolas, McCray and Vaughns

ABSENT - Lim

ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 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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Page last updated March 19, 2003.
Information last updated February 19, 2003.