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Minutes
PCC Executive Committee Meeting
June 23, 2010
711 Eddy Street, San Francisco

PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Olivia Santiago, PCC Vice Chair; Marian Gan, PCC Secretary; Ameur Kallel; Byron Yan; Cheryl Damico; Claudia Grubler; Erma Brim; Genya Ehrlich; Griff Humphrey; Jacy Cohen; Jeanne Lynch; John Lazar; Kaye Griffen; Laurie Graham; Pam Martinez; Roland Wong; Ruach Graffis; Russell Green; Ruth Lawner; Sandra Fancher; Scott Blum;

PCC Members and Guests: Jane Bolig; Yetta Miller;  Marty Smith; Eric Duarte; John Murphy; Lurilla Harris; Silas Telfor; Robin Krop

PCC Executive Committee Member Excused: Stu Smith; Gilda Chico; Melecio Torres; Joseph Flanagan

SF Paratransit: Marc Soto; Paul Okunewitch; John Sanderson

SFMTA: Kate Toran; Annette Williams

Olivia Santiago, PCC Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:35 am. 

Read and Approve Agenda

Marian Gan, PCC Secretary, read the agenda. The agenda was motioned/seconded/passed as presented.

Approve Minutes of May 12, 2010 meeting

 

The minutes were motioned/seconded/passed as presented.

May 25, 2010 Planning and Review Subcommittee

Griff Humphrey read the following report:

  • The Planning and Review Subcommittee met on May 25th to discuss the PCC By-Laws and the Jewel McGinnis Appreciation Luncheon.
  • Griff Humphrey was voted Chair by acclamation.
  • The group discussed the PCC Executive Committee composition.  There was extensive discussion about the non-profit provider caucus, and if the description in the By-Laws should be clarified.  After a long discussion, it was decided recommend minor changes to the By-Laws regarding the non-profit caucus.
  • The group voted to clarify the duties associated with the Planning and Review Subcommittee as pertains to awards handed out at the PCC Annual Meeting
  • The group also voted to eliminate the Finance Subcommittee as a standing subcommittee, since that group has never met.  The Subcommittee decided that an ad hoc Finance Subcommittee will be formed whenever necessary.

Kate Toran then discussed the proposed By-Laws wording changes, which had been sent out in the agenda packet:

BYLAWS

SAN FRANCISCO PARATRANSIT COORDINATING COUNCIL

ARTICLE VI

FULL SAN FRANCISCO PARATRANSIT COORDINATING COUNCIL

Section 4.  Election Procedures:  During the SFPCC Annual Meeting, caucuses shall be held to elect SFPCC Executive Committee members from the following categories.  (The total number of Executive Committee members to be elected from each category is set forth in parentheses).

         Affiliated Disabled                                        (6)

         Unaffiliated Disabled                                     (5)

         Affiliated Elderly                                          (5)

         Unaffiliated Elderly                                       (6)

         Non Profit Paratransit Organization               (3)

         For Profit Providers:                                      (6) total

         Paratransit van service representative             (2)

        Taxi services which operate for profit            (2)

        Ramped Taxi driver                                       (1)

         Sedan Taxi Driver                                        (1)

ARTICLE IX

COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES

Section 2.  Sub-Committees:  There shall be three (3) standing sub-committees which report to the Executive Committee.  Each sub-committee will select its chairperson at its first meeting.

 

  a)   Grant Review Sub-Committee:  The Grant Review sub-committee is responsible for the review and analysis of all grants prior to action by the Executive Committee.

  b)   Planning and Review Sub-Committee:  The Planning and Review sub-committee is responsible for the continued recruitment of participants in the SFPCC and is responsible for reviewing, revising, and approving the bylaws of the SFPCC and any amendments thereto.  The Planning and Review sub-committee shall arrange the Annual PCC Meeting, determine recipients of all awards and honors to be distributed at the meeting, and appoint an individual to receive and disburse funds related to PCC activities.

  • Paratransit Coordination and Operations Sub-Committees:  The Paratransit Coordination and Operation sub-committees are the working committees of the PCC.  The PC&O is an umbrella structure that includes the PC&O modal committees (PC&O Group Van, PC&O Lift Van/ADA Access, and PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi). The PC&O modal committees shall meet once a month on a rotating basis and focus on specific issues related to each mode.  The PC&O, as a full body shall meet on an as-needed basis to deal with broader issues that are relevant beyond one specific mode.  There shall be a PC&O Chair Coordinator that is elected at the first PCC Executive Committee meeting of the new calendar year.  The PC&O Chair Coordinator is responsible for calling systemwide PC&O meetings as needed.  Each PC&O modal committee shall elect a Vice Chair at the first modal committee meeting of the calendar year.  The modal committee Vice Chairs are responsible for drafting the agenda in conjunction with the Chair Coordinator and running the meetings.   Please see PCC organization chart on page 11 which includes a schematic view of the PC&O umbrella structure.

Kaye Griffen stated that the wording, “Paratransit Organization” isn’t clear.  Kate explained that there has been at least once vacancy in the Non-Profit Provider caucus for about the last five or so years.  In the past, the Non-Profit Providers referred to paratransit providers, such as Shanti, Self-Help for the Elderly, Centro Latino.  Over the past few years, the traditional non-profit providers have not participated on the PCC, and the caucus shifted to include a broader interpretation: non-profit organizations that serve the paratransit community.  Kate explained that in a number of years ago, the By-Laws were amended, changing the term Non-Profit Paratransit Providers to Non-Profit Paratransit Organizations in Article VII, Section 2.  The current proposed change is simply an effort to standardize the language regarding Non-Profit Paratransit Organizations.

Marty Smith stated that the PCC should reach out to non-profit providers because the two entities currently in the Non-Profit Provider caucus (UTW and Taxi Driver Institute) don’t meet the qualifications of the caucus.  Jacy Cohen stated that there is nothing lost by changing the language, and that it makes the caucus more all encompassing, more inclusive, and it’s more based in the current reality.  Ruach Graffis stated that both UTW and the Taxi Driver Institute do qualify for the caucus, and they both provide services to the paratransit community.  The Taxi Institute trains drivers and UTW works with taxi drivers who provide paratransit services.  Jane Bolig stated that the Medallion Holder’s Association should also be invited to participate in the Non-Profit Provider caucus.

A vote was called on the report, and it was accepted by a vote of 14 in favor and 5 opposed.

June 2, 2010 PC&O SF Access Subcommittee:

Roland Wong provided the following report:

  • The PC&O ADA SF Access Committee meeting was held on June 2, 2010. The agenda was approved. The group decided not to vote on approval of the minutes from the March 3, 2010 meeting because many members had not received them prior to the meeting.  They will be reviewed and voted on at the next meeting.
  • During the Broker Report Marc Soto updated the Committee on the status of the taxi debit card implementation and driver training; the hiring of new staff at SF Paratransit; the new senior management at MPT’s parent company, Tectrans, and; general SF Access service issues.
  • During the Service Provider Report Vincent Webster updated the Committee on the status of MPT’s driver recruitment and training; service capacity; trip booking and scheduling, and; new supervisory staff at MPT and their responsibilities. 
  • The next PC&O ADA SF Access meeting will be on September 1, 2010 at the broker’s office.

After the report was presented, Ruth Lawner stated that she is concerned about MPT being on time, particularly for dialysis appointments.  There is a resident in her building that she often sees waiting for the vans.  She added that sometimes there are not enough tie-downs on the vans. 

SFMTA Report

  • Jewel McGinnis Appreciation Luncheon: Kate announced that the 2010 Jewel McGinnis Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for June 30th at the Legion of Honor.  Kate handed out invitations, stating that the luncheon would begin at 11:15 am and the tour of the French Impressionists would begin at 12:30 pm.
  • 5310 Grant Process: Kate reported that there has been a delay in the 5310 grant process. Typically, the Grant Review Subcommittee meets in the spring and reviews the grant applications.  This year, there has been no grant process to date, and CalTrans is estimating that the process will be delayed until November/December.  Kate will keep the group informed as she gets more information.
  • Clean Fuel Bus Grant: Annette reported that the SFMTA has submitted a grant application for a Clean Fuels/Clean Bus Grant for hybrid vehicles.  The regional funding agency, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), will likely submit just one grant application for a regional fueling facility.  Annette will let the group know the status of the grant application.  The SFMTA is also requesting federal funding to purchase one hybrid test vehicle before purchasing 20 or more hybrid vehicles.
  • Mobile Data Computer Procurement: Kate reported that SFMTA received federal grant funding to purchase 120 mobile data computers (MDC) for the van fleet.  The grant agreement is in process at MTC, and should be signed soon, making the funding available.  SFMTA and the Paratransit Broker staff have been meeting to plan the procurement of the MDCs.

Paratransit Broker Report

  • New Staff Introductions: Marc Soto introduced John Sanderson, the new Taxi Field Monitor.  John will be handling debit card complaints and other taxi monitoring issues. Marc also introduced Paul Okunewitch, the new Director of Operations.
  • Debit Card Update: Marc stated that there has been some progress with Wireless Edge, and they have started delivering the remaining In Taxi Equipment (ITE) units. The devices are being installed as they arrive.  By the end of July, 100% of the ITE should be installed.  Marc continues to work with the state Department of Measurement Standards (DMS) to ensure that the TYPE certification process for both Verifone and Wireless Edge continues moving forward.  Once all the ITE are installed and type certifications have been issues, the debit card project implementation will be completed.
  •  Service Level Statistics and Performance Goals: Kate introduced the new performance measurement report that will be presented quarterly at PCC meetings to track SF Paratransit performance compared to set goals.

Ruth Lawner stated that she is concerned about taxi drivers saying the debit cards are not working and refusing to accept them as a form of payment.  Marc Soto stated that paratransit riders should call John Sanderson to report all instances of drivers not accepting paratransit debit cards.  Kate added that she is working with SFMTA’s Taxi Services to establish a discipline process for taxi drivers who are failing to accept paratransit debit cards.  Drivers will be called in to be retrained for confirmed instances of failure to convey.  Kate added that a new bulletin has been issued to taxi drivers reiterating how to operate the ITE and back-up systems.

Kallel introduced Mark Frailey, the new General Manager at Mobility Plus Transportation.  Mark stated that he is working to improve training and communications between the drivers and the dispatchers.  MPT drivers will have new uniforms within the next 30 days. 

Olivia Santiago stated that at the last meeting, Kallel stated he would provide the analysis conducted of the Trapeze software system.  Kallel responded that MPT doesn’t have the final report yet, but MPT staff members have received additional Trapeze training.  Marc added that MPT hired a consultant to review their use of Trapeze.  They are working with the consultant to understand how MPT can best use the tools provided by Trapeze. 

Kallel then introduced Eric Duarte, MPT’s new road supervisor.

Announcements

 

Kate announced that there is a meeting scheduled on Friday, June 25th at 10:30 am to review Muni’s Minimum Requirements for Participation in the Paratransit Program.  This document was written over ten years ago, and an ad hoc subcommittee was recently formed to review the document and recommend updates as appropriate.  All are welcome to attend.

Jeanne Lynch announced that there will be a hearing at Superior Court (400 McAllister) on Friday, June 25th at 9:00 am regarding the lawsuit against the City for lack of curb cuts.

Roland Wong announced that Laguna Honda Hospital will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at 1:00 at the new building.

The next PCC meeting will be held on
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 711 Eddy Street

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