In a memorandum to Committee, Auditor-Controller Joseph Wire and General Manager Celia Kupersmith reported on staff ’s recommendation to ratify submission of a request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) by the General Manager for funds to support environmental studies and preliminary design work related to development of a physical suicide deterrent system.

The report stated that the Board of Directors, by Resolution No. 2005-015 at its meeting of March 11, 2005, approved proceeding with environmental studies and preliminary design work related to development of a physical suicide deterrent system on the Golden Gate Bridge.   As a condition of that action, staff was directed to investigate and report on funding opportunities for the project from sources including federal, state, regional and local government agencies, as well as from various private sector sources.

The report also stated that MTC has recently announced that it anticipates an additional $105 million federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funds will be made available for immediate programming and obligation to Bay Area transportation projects ready to move forward in Fiscal Year 2004/2005.  MTC staff has indicated that their preliminary STP/CMAQ funding plan includes $1.6 million to support environmental studies and preliminary design work related to development of a physical suicide deterrent system on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is equivalent to 80% of the initial $2 million for the project. 

The report further stated that this item ratifies the General Manager’s action to submit a written request to MTC to include funding for this project as a part of their STP/CMAQ program.  This action was taken by the General Manager in order to meet MTC’s newly established deadline of April 6, 2005, for submission of funding requests. There is no fiscal impact associated with this item; however, should funds be made available consistent with this request, a 20% local match, or $400,000, will be required to support implementation of this $2 million project.   A copy of the report is available in the Office of the District Secretary.

At the meeting, Ms. Kupersmith stated that MTC staff acknowledged receipt of the funding request from the District and stated that the funding request will be presented to the April 13, 2005 meeting of MTC’s Programming and Allocations Committee , and forwarded to the April 27, 2005 meeting of MTC’s Board of Directors for its consideration.   

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors REILLY/BROWN to forward the following recommendation to the Board of Directors for its consideration:

RECOMMENDATION

The Finance-Auditing Committee recommends that the Board of Directors ratify submission of a request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission by the General Manager for funds to support environmental studies and preliminary design work related to development of a physical suicide deterrent system.

Action by the Board - Resolution

                                                                                                        NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

AYES (5):           Chair Stroeh; Directors Brown, Reilly and Shahum; President Middlebrook (Ex Officio)

NOES (0):            None

ABSENT (5):      Vice Chair Pahre; Directors Boro, Cochran, Eddie and Murray

Attorney David Miller, at the request of Chair Stroeh, stated that the Committee would convene in closed session to discuss one matter of pending litigation listed on the Agenda as Item No. 3.a.1., Stephen Yost vs. the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District).

After closed session, Chair Stroeh called the meeting to order in open session with a quorum present.  Attorney Miller reported that the Committee met in closed session, as permitted by the Brown Act, to hear a report from Claims Management, Inc., regarding a pending Workers’ Compensation claim, Stephen Yost vs. the District.   He stated that the Committee recommended that this matter be referred to the April 8, 2005 meeting of the Board of Directors for necessary action.