In a memorandum to Committee, Deputy General Manager/Ferry Division James Swindler and General Manager Celia Kupersmith reported on staff’s recommendation to approve actions relative to RFP No. 2007-FT-2, Consultant to Provide Technical Specifications for Golden Gate Ferry Fare Equipment.  The report stated that the District received funding from Regional Measure 2 grant funds in the amount of $1,600,000 for the design and implementation of automated fare gates and ticketing system for Golden Gate Ferry.  The initial phase of this multi-year capital project will focus on a feasibility study, implementation plan, equipment specifications, procurement support and development of a customer information program.

The report also stated that on Friday, June 2, 2006, four proposals were received by the District Secretary in response to the RFP and were evaluated by a panel consisting of District staff.  Two of the proposers, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., and LTK Engineering Services, were invited to take part in the interview process.  The Evaluation Panel determined that Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., presented a stronger workplan, project understanding and approach, as well as specifically addressed the unique challenges of an automatic fare gates system in the marine environment.   District staff has found that Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.’s proposal is technically responsive to the specifications and the price is fair and reasonable, based on a cost analysis conducted by the District’s Procurement Department.  In addition, they have properly submitted all required documents.  The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Administrator has determined that Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. has complied with the DBE requirements applicable to the RFP and that a 16 percent DBE participation is anticipated.

This project is included in the Ferry Division Capital Budget at a total cost of $1,600,000 and is 100% grant funded.  A budget adjustment in the FY 06/07 Ferry Division Capital Budget, in the amount of $115,000, is necessary in order to fully fund the current fiscal year’s projected costs of $165,000.  This recommended budget adjustment, to be funded from the project’s future fiscal year’s budget, is subject to the concurrence of the Finance-Auditing Committee.  A copy of the report is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Celia Kupersmith summarized the staff report, stating that this action would allow the District to move forward with the implementation of automated fare gates and ticketing system for Golden Gate Ferry, in which the consultant would provide the technical specifications for the design of automated fare gates and a ticketing system.  She also stated that, although this project is included in the capital plan, only the minimum amount of funds are included in the current fiscal year’s budget; therefore, a budget adjustment is necessary from the project’s future year’s budget.  She noted that this project is 100% funded with Regional Measure 2 grant funds.

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

Authorize a budget adjustment in the amount of $115,000 in the FY 06/07 Ferry Division Capital Budget, to be funded from the project’s future fiscal year’s budget, subject to the concurrence of the Finance-Auditing Committee at its meeting of July 27, 2006.

Action by the Board – Resolution
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

The Committee was provided with copies of the agenda and minutes for the June 21, 2006 meeting, agenda for the July 19, 2006, and the minutes for the May 17, 2006 meeting of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART). Copies of these items are available in the Office of the District Secretary, as well as on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Director Boro provided a brief summary of the actions taken by the SMART Board of Directors (SMART Board) at its July 19, 2006 meeting. He pointed out that the SMART Board voted 10 (AYES) – 1 (NO), with one absent, to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), to adopt a sales tax ordinance and to put the measure on the November 2006 ballot. Further, he stated that SMART responded to 1,600 comments on the EIR. He noted that SMART has engaged the services of a campaign consultant to work with the SMART staff on the campaign for the measure being placed on the November ballot.

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Acting Chair Martini made the following comments and inquiries:
  • He inquired as to who made the opposing vote and the reasoning behind the opposition. In Director Brown’s absence, Director Boro responded by saying that Director Brown cast the “NO” vote and at the meeting he stated that it was his opinion that more time was necessary to review the EIR responses. Director Boro noted that the law does not require a hearing be held on responses to EIR. He also noted that the EIR responses had been thoroughly reviewed by the attorneys and were circulated for two weeks, and that the EIR was made available for 60 days.
  • He commented that SMART released the EIR on a compact disk, resulting in a savings in reproduction costs.
    

In a memorandum to Committee, Deputy District Engineer Ewa Z. Bauer, District Engineer Denis Mulligan and General Manager Celia Kupersmith reported on current engineering projects.  A copy of the report is available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Acting Chair Martini stated that he has received correspondence from his constituents regarding the success and/or failure of the “Spare the Air” days.  He requested that staff prepare a report on the impact of the “Spare the Air” days.  Celia Kupersmith stated that the “Spare the Air” days have been controversial among regular transit riders, particularly on the ferry.  She commended staff at the Ferry Division for their efforts to accommodate the extraordinary passenger demand, which jumped as high as 25,000 people on Friday, July 21, 2006.  She further stated that many print articles have appeared in the Bay Area newspapers regarding the results of the “Spare the Air” days, and these articles have generated many ideas, ranging from free rides only during peak commute hours to free rides 100% of the time.  She also noted that staff will present a detailed report to the August 4, 2006 meeting of the Transportation Committee.     

There was no public comment.