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MTA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2003
ROOM 400, CITY HALL
400 VAN NESS AVENUE
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE

4:00 - REGULAR MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to Order

The Board Secretary stated that pursuant to the MTA's Rules of Order, in the absence of the Chairman or Vice-chairman, board members would select a member to preside over the meeting. Director Vaughns was unanimously selected to preside (Black, Flynn, and Lim-absent).

Chairman Vaughns called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present:

Absent:

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 may be removed from the meeting.

4. Approval of Minutes

On motion to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2003 Regular Meeting: unanimously approved (Black, Flynn, and Lim-absent).

5. Communications

6. Introduction of New or Old Business by Board Members

7. Director's Report (For discussion only)

-Special Recognition Award
-Ongoing Activities

Michael T. Burns, Director of Transportation, began his report with the MTA Special Recognition Award. He is pleased to present the award to Mr. Harold Byrd who started at Muni 24 years ago as an operator and has worked in many positions since. He has repeatedly demonstrated a can-do attitude, even during times of extra pressure such as the recent demonstrations when he provided 70 operators to support service through demonstrations. He has shown exemplary work throughout his career. Mr. Byrd noted that he shared this recognition with everyone. Chairman Vaughns commended Mr. Byrd on behalf of the board.

Director Burns reviewed the significant challenges at Muni over the past weeks with the anti-war demonstrations and the start of ballpark service. All in all, everyone did a tremendous job and deserves commendation.

The budget news from the city is not improving. The Mayor's office has revised the city's shortfall from $320 to $347 million. The city is instituting cost controls, including reductions in discretionary funding, furlough days, and looking at personal services contracts. The Board of Supervisors' budget committee approved the revised DPT parking fine proposal. DPT changed some of the rates previously approved by the MTA board but the financial impact of these changes were the same so they do not have to return to the board for further ratification. The full Board will consider the matter on April 8. Director Burns is continuing to hold employee briefings and discussions with TWU, Local 250-A have resulted in a tentative agreement, which achieves three million in savings.

Pursuant to the Charter, Director Burns formally announced the start of the 30-day disclosure period by releasing the tentative agreement, and a detailed analysis of the costs and comparison of the proposed differences in the agreement. The item will be brought to the MTA board for a vote.

Chairman Vaughns asked the director to convey the board's appreciation for staff's professionalism and decorum during the demonstrations. Their actions represented the high caliber of employees working at Muni and are reflective of the training they have received.

Fred Hamdun, Deputy Director, Department of Parking and Traffic appreciates staff for the team effort to get the fine increases approved. Ballgame activity has been successful with 15 Parking Control Officers. The Octavia Blvd. Project is working as well as can be expected. It will take time for drivers to get used to the reroutes.

Effective May 1, Mr. Hamdun is leaving DPT as he has accepted a position with the Secretary of State. He called his work at DPT tremendously rewarding and he feels like he is leaving his family.

Chairman Vaughns stated that Mr. Hamdun has demonstrated the kind of leadership that Muni is all about. Director Kasolas appreciates Mr. Hamden's management skills as reflected by his employees' regard for him. Director McCray and Director Casey thanked Mr. Hamdun and wished him good luck.

8. Citizen's Advisory Council Report

Daniel Murphy, Chairman, CAC, wished Mr. Hamdun well. He was surprised at how smoothly the merger went and is grateful for Mr. Hamdun's work on that front. The CAC has been lobbying the Board of Supervisors to approve the parking fine and meter changes. The CAC has passed two resolutions regarding measuring service standards and publishing a complete timetable book for each sign-up. The CAC is a big advocate of the timetable book.

The CAC has endorsed a bus procurement policy that moves Muni toward meeting CARB emissions and does not include Compressed Natural Gas-fueled systems, as they won't meet the 2015 requirements. Any investment in CNG is not a good use of dollars.

Director Burns appreciated the significant help by the CAC with the Board of Supervisors. Labor organizations also helped lobby the Board.

9. Public Comment

Mr. Barry Taranto is disturbed to hear that Mr. Hamdun will be leaving, as it has been great working with him. He noted that the MTA agenda now has fewer DPT items for the public to comment on. He thinks that Parking Control Officers should focus their attention on the South Van Ness/Mission St. off ramp and asked staff to make sure the lights are timed properly on 9th St. He wouldn't like to see the Taxi Commission melded with MTA. He is concerned about the appointment process.

Carol Badger has lived in the Marina for 8 years and this year DPT has become very aggressive about ticketing. She wrote multiple letters to Mr. Hamdun protesting her tickets but didn't get any resolution and DPT delayed issuing her a residential permit for five months. She is concerned that DPT's focus has changed from monitoring parking and traffic to generating revenue. The public has no recourse and there needs to be a department that can monitor and override DPT.

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:

A. State Farm/John Sheehan, Unlitigated Claim #0321501, filed on 11/5/02 for $5291.98
B. Vera Sawinko, Unlitigated Claim #01B15911, filed on 9/18/02 for $5,750
C. Patricia Arias, Unlitigated Claim #0300531, filed on 8/12/03 for $6,200
D. Carmela Baglione, Unlitigated Claim #302435, filed on 1/24/03 for $6,633.54
E. Mei L. Chung, Unlitigated Claim #0300926, filed on 9/16/02 for $7,000
F. Terry Pena, Unlitigated Claim #0203281, filed on 4/11/02 for $9,500
G. Tatyana Tsibulskaya, Unlitigated Claim #0204080, filed on 6/25/02 for $15,000
H. Leo Riegler, Superior Ct. #408946, filed on 6/11/02 for $20,000
I. Arthur Reddic, Superior Ct. #316533, filed on 11/8/00 for $45,000
J. Claudia Tucker, Superior Ct. #407781, filed on 5/9/02 for $65,000
K. Rodolfo Lezama, Superior Ct. #406277, filed on 4/3/02 for $75,000

Director Kasolas asked for assurances that controls are in place to avoid future situations like the one Ms. Tucker experienced. Director Burns noted that systems are currently in place.

RESOLUTION 03-063

(10.2) Urging the Board of Supervisors to accept the gift of $55,000 from the Market Street Railway Company toward the purchase of Historic Streetcar #162. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (MUNI)

RESOLUTION 03-064

(10.3) Authorizing the City of San Francisco Japan Center Garage Corporation to amend the Bid/RFP by requiring interested parking firms to submit three years of certified audited financial statements, financial reviews, or notarized tax statements. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, and resolution.) (DPT)

RESOLUTION 03-065

(10.4) Approving a revocable permit between the Parking Authority and the San Francisco Ballet Association for access to the Performing Arts Garage during construction of the Ballet's expansion project. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and permit.) (PA)

RESOLUTION 03-066

(10.5) Authorizing the Director to terminate the existing lease and execute the approved new Lease between the Parking Authority and T.A. Fruits and Vegetables for the commercial property at the Moscone Center Garage for five-year term with a five-year option at a base rent of $2,720 per month. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and lease.) (PA)

RESOLUTION 03-067

No public comment.

On motion to approve the Consent Calendar:

ADOPTED: AYES -Casey, Kasolas, McCray and Vaughns

ABSENT - Black, Flynn, and Lim

REGULAR CALENDAR

MUNICIPAL RAILWAY

11. Approving the award of Contract No. MR-1147, Third Street Light Rail Transit Platform Finishes and Special Systems, to Amelco Electric, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $23,296,109. (Explanatory documents include a staff report, resolution and financial plan.)

No public comment.

RESOLUTION 03-068

On motion to approve:

ADOPTED: AYES -Casey, Kasolas, McCray and Vaughns

ABSENT - Black, Flynn, and Lim

RECESS REGULAR MEETING AND CONVENE CLOSED SESSION

CLOSED SESSION

1. Call to Order

Chairman Vaughns called the closed session to order at 4:49 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present:

Absent:

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 (Black, Flynn, Lim-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:

Employee Organizations: TWU, Local 200; IBEW, Local 6; Machinists, Local 1414; TWU 250-A (misc.); SEIU, Local 790; IFPTE, Local 21; Stationary Engineers, Local 39; Carpenters, Local 22; Laborers, Local 261; Teamsters, Local 853; Painters, Local 4; Glaziers, Local 718; Sheetmetal, Local 104; Operating Engineers, Local 3; Plumbers, Local 38, MEA, Unrepresented.

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 5:02 p.m.

12. Announcement of Closed Session.

Chairman Vaughns announced the board met in closed session for a conference with their labor negotiator. There was no action taken.

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

On motion to not disclose the information discussed: unanimously approved (Black, Flynn, Lim-absent).

ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 5:03 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.

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Page last updated May 7, 2003.
Information last updated May 7, 2003.