Directors STROEH/BROWN moved approval of the Consent Calendar. All items were approved by the following vote of the Board of Directors:

AYES (15): Directors Chu, Cochran, Elsbernd, Grosboll, Moylan, Newhouse Segal, Pahre, Sanders, Snyder, Sobel and Stroeh; Second Vice President Eddie; First Vice President Reilly; President Boro
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (4): Directors Campos, Dufty, Kerns and McGlashan

Claim of Joyce Goerndt

Carried

Carried

Carried

Carried

Carried

Presentation of Retirement Gift to Michael S. Mar, Bridge Painter, Bridge Division

President Boro presented a retirement gift to Michael S. Mar, Bridge Painter in the Bridge Division, who has worked for the District for twenty-eight years, and expressed his best wishes for a long and happy retirement on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Presentation of Thirty-Year Service Award to Enid Marcus, Vessel Master, Ferry Transit Division

President Boro presented a Thirty-Year Service Award to Enid Marcus, Vessel Master in the Ferry Transit Division, and expressed his congratulations on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Presentation of Twenty-Year Service Award to Thomas Territo, Bus Operator, Bus Transit Division

President Boro presented a Twenty-Five Year Service Award to Thomas Territo, Bus Operator in the Bus Transit Division, and expressed his congratulations on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Presentation of Twenty-Year Service Award to Lori Fromm, Manager of Organizational Development, District Division

President Boro presented a Twenty-Year Service Award to Lori Fromm, Manager of Organizational Development in the District Division, and expressed his congratulations on behalf of the Board of Directors.

[The following item under Special Order of Business was taken out of agenda order.]

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

Caltrans Presentation

Denis Mulligan introduced Gene C. Gonzalo, District Division Chief for Project Management, Caltrans, one of the Project Directors for the Doyle Drive Reconstruction Project (Doyle Drive Project). Mr. Gonzalo provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Doyle Drive Project, with a focus on how the Doyle Drive Project will affect the District and its operations during construction. Mr. Gonzalo expressed his appreciation for the District’s support of the Doyle Drive Project, as well as expressed gratitude for the District’s contribution of $75 million. Mr. Gonzalo noted that, with the District’s support, Caltrans hopes to complete the project 18 to 20 months earlier than originally planned.

Mr. Gonzalo provided information regarding the various construction contracts and activities, including the proposed lane and road closures that will impact traffic going to and coming from the Golden Gate Bridge. Mr. Gonzalo stated that the Doyle Drive Project team presented a plan to accelerate the completion of this project, which was approved by Caltrans’ Executive Committee earlier this year. Mr. Gonzalo noted that the driving force to accelerate the project was to replace the facility as soon as possible and take advantage or stimulus funds available to the project.

Mr. Gonzalo noted that, with the completion of contracts three and four, the facility will be seismically safe by early 2011. He also noted that Caltrans is considering a public private partnership or P3 procurement (P3) for the remaining contracts, five to eight, depending upon whether a P3 is appropriate for the Doyle Drive Project.

Mr. Gonzalo displayed images that depicted: the various stages of the construction timeline for each proposed contract; the impacts of the roadway construction; and, the construction work hours, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday), 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Saturday), limited Sunday work and occasional night work. Mr. Gonzalo noted that Caltrans plans include a three-day weekend closure of Doyle Drive in early 2013. Further, Mr. Gonzalo stated that it was decided to perform the major work during the day because the noise from equipment activity, pile driving, demolition activities and back up alarms will negatively impact the residential areas. In addition, he outlined the long-term road closures occurring during construction from both the northbound and southbound directions.

In conclusion, Mr. Gonzalo described the various concerns related to the Doyle Drive Project, noting of particular concern are the anticipated 80 to 100 truckloads of materials arriving each day for a period of three to four months during the Battery Tunnel construction. A copy of the PowerPoint is attached.

Discussion by the Board and Staff

A lengthy discussion ensued, including the following comments and inquiries:

• President Boro made the following comments and inquiries:

  • He inquired as to why the work is not scheduled at night to minimize the negative impact on traffic. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that these areas have a lot of residents in which the construction would have a negative impact; however, Caltrans is seeking ways to do night work, including the possibility of relocating residents on a temporary basis.
  • He inquired as to how and when the public will be notified about the proposed road closures. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that advance notifications will be given approximately six to eight months prior to the upcoming work.
  • He inquired as to whether Caltrans has taken into account the hardship to San Francisco and the impact on City streets, and to Golden Gate Bridge traffic for the proposed ramp closures. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that, according to the San Francisco Traffic Demand Model, the general impact to traffic will be that 60% of northbound vehicles from Park Presidio will use local neighborhood streets and that traffic will disperse across the street network grid in San Francisco. Mr. Gonzalo stated that it is estimated that the remaining 40% of vehicles will cut through the east parking lot at the toll plaza or use Lincoln Boulevard in the Presidio to continue their trip.
  • He stated that the proposed construction will have a negative impact for everyone that uses Doyle Drive, and directed staff to review the project’s Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to determine if the proposed project approach is compliant with the EIR. Staff expressed concern about the magnitude to which the construction plans appear to different from the EIR and about the lack of a detailed, well thought-out Transportation Management Plan (TMP). Mr. Gonzalo stated that Caltrans recognized that the current construction approach differs from the EIR but not unusually so. He also specifically acknowledged that the current TMP is inadequate and will need to be corrected.

• President Boro and Directors Elsbernd, Newhouse Segal, Sobel and Stroeh expressed concerns regarding the proposed road closures and lane reductions, and requested Caltrans to provide a traffic congestion analysis and an ancillary time-delay analysis. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that Caltrans will prepare a Traffic Operations Analysis Report (Report), which studies traffic volumes and analyzes the intersections within the area. It was noted that District staff have not yet seen or reviewed this Report.

• Director Newhouse Segal inquired as to whether Caltrans has provided information to the affected community regarding the redirection and detours of traffic, which may have a negative impact on residents, schools and businesses. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that Caltrans will provide an updated TMP which will lay out a set of strategies for managing the traffic impacts of this construction.

• Ms. Kupersmith made the following comments and inquiries:

  • She inquired as to whether Caltrans has a mitigation proposal that will address the loss of revenue that the District may incur due to diversion of Bridge traffic during the construction period. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that Caltrans has been looking at ways to mitigate this and will be working with District staff regarding the details of the matter.
  • She requested clarification regarding the actual number of cars and delivery trucks that are anticipated to flow through the East Parking Lot of the Toll Plaza, stating that that traffic will be sharing the this roadway with tour buses and tourists.

• Director Brown emphasized the need for Caltrans to work immediately with District staff to address these concerns.

• Director Campos made the following inquiries:

  • He inquired as to the adequacy of the EIR since the timelines for the closures are significantly different than those listed in the Caltrans proposal. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that, as the project gets further into detail design, it is not unusual for factors to change the timelines.
  • He inquired as to the legal constraints of what Caltrans is proposing in light of the deviation from the EIR and directed staff to look into the District’s options.

• Mr. Mulligan made the following comments and inquiries:

  • He inquired as to whether the EIR document indicated closure of both ramps at the same time or did the traffic analysis look at closing one ramp at a time. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that the traffic analysis in the EIR looked at closing both ramps at the same time, a statement that Mr. Mulligan will research further as directed by the Board.
  • He inquired as to what plans Caltrans has in place to address the reduction in corridor capacity by the removal of one of the six traffic lanes for a three-year period during construction of the Doyle Drive Project. Mr. Gonzalo stated that it was not expected to create much of an impact but that it would be addressed in the TMP.
  • He inquired about the plans for addressing the impacts to existing transit services within the Doyle Drive corridor as well as the potential need for additional transit services and noted that the existing traffic plan had only one sentence relative to transit.

• Director Reilly inquired as to the signage that will be in place to assist drivers for the detours. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that there will be permanent roadway signs, as well as portable changeable message signs to alert traffic of upcoming road closures.

• Director Pahre expressed her concerns regarding the last-minute notification of the details for the Doyle Drive Project and commented that staff may need time to evaluate the negative impact to the District, including the loss of toll revenue. In response, Mr. Gonzalo stated that one of the challenges of accelerating the project included the short notice that would be given to the District. Mr. Gonzalo also stated that Caltrans must weigh the seismic safety of the structure with the public convenience.

• Director Sanders stated that, with the theme of project acceleration, the District should encourage Caltrans to work 24/7 in certain uninhabited areas to move the project along more swiftly, which would mean an earlier completion date for the benefit of the public and provide the District with an earlier recovery in the loss of toll revenue.

• Director Snyder requested that Caltrans specifically address the pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in the east parking lot at the Toll Plaza.

• Director Eddie requested that parking capacity issues at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal be explored in light of anticipated additional ferry transit usage due to the Doyle Drive project.

At the conclusion of a lengthy discussion, Ms. Kupersmith suggested that the District send a formal letter to Caltrans to document concerns expressed by the Board, including the negative impact on traffic, utility relocations, the potential loss of toll revenue and the possible District expense of putting additional buses and ferries into service to accommodate increased traffic. Mr. Gonzalo expressed Caltrans’ commitment to work with the District to find solutions.

Motion by the Board

By motion made and seconded by Directors BROWN/STROEH, the Board of Directors approved the following:

“Authorize the President of the Board of Directors to transmit a letter to the California Department of Transportation outlining the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District’s concerns regarding the substantial impacts related to the Doyle Drive Reconstruction Project.”

Carried

Approve Actions Relative to the Award of Contract No. 2010-BT-1, San Rafael Body Shop Roof Replacement and Solar Panels Installation, to Angotti & Reilly, Inc.

Directors EDDIE/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2009-063 approves actions relative to the award of Contract No. 2010-BT-1, San Rafael Body Shop Roof Replacement and Solar Panels Installation, as follows:

with the understanding that requisite funds are available in the FY 09/10 Bus Transit Division Capital Budget.

Adopted

AYES (12): Directors Chu, Cochran, Elsbernd, Grosboll, Moylan, Sanders, Snyder, Sobel and Stroeh; Second Vice President Eddie; First Vice President Reilly; President Boro
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (7): Directors Brown, Campos, Dufty, Kerns, McGlashan, Newhouse Segal and Pahre

Authorize Execution of Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. 2009-FT-7, Four Marine Diesel Engines and Installation Support Services for Re-Powering of the M.V. Del Norte, with Pacific Power Products

Directors EDDIE/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2009-064 approves actions relative to Contract No. 2009-FT-7, Four Marine Diesel Engines and Installation Support Services for Re-Powering of the M.V. Del Norte, with Pacific Power Products, Kent, WA, as follows:

b.

Approve Actions Relative to the Award of Sole Source Contract No. 2009-FT-12, Diesel Engines and Drive Train & Installation Support Services for the M.V. Snohomish (M.V. Napa) and the M.V. Chinook Ferries, to Valley Power Systems North, Inc.

Directors EDDIE/COCHRAN

Resolution No. 2009-065 approves actions relative to the award of Sole Source Contract No. 2009-FT-12, Diesel Engines and Drive Train & Installation Support Services for the M.V. Snohomish (M.V. Napa) and the M.V. Chinook Ferries, as follows:

subject to receipt of a Buy America Regulation waiver from the Federal Transit Administration and with the understanding that requisite funds are available in the FY 09/10 Ferry Transit Division Capital Budget.

Adopted

Ratify Execution of Change Orders Relative to Contract No. 2009-FT-11, Interior and Exterior Modifications to the M.V. Snohomish (M.V. Napa), with Dakota Creek Industries, Inc.

Directors EDDIE/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2009-066 approves actions relative to Contract No. 2009-FT-11, Interior and Exterior Modifications to the M.V. Snohomish (M.V. Napa), with Dakota Creek Industries, Inc., Anacortes, WA, as follows:

Authorize Budget Transfers in the FY 08/09 Operating Budget

Directors STROEH/KERNS
Resolution No. 2009-067 authorizes budget transfers in the FY 08/09 Operating Budget, as follows:

Transfer $750,000.00 from the Bus Transit Division Fuel Expense category to the Bus Transit Division Salaries and Benefits category; and,

Transfer $1,170,000.00 from the Ferry Transit Division Fuel Expense category to the Ferry Transit Division Salaries and Benefits and Professional Services categories.

Adopted

Attorney’s Report

Attorney Madeline Chun, at the request of President Moylan, stated that the Board of Directors would convene in closed session to discuss a matter of pending litigation listed on the agenda as Marco Vincenti vs. Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District), listed on the Agenda as Item No. 6.B.

After closed session, President Boro called the meeting to order in open session with a quorum present. Attorney Chun reported that the Board of Directors met in closed session, as permitted by the Brown Act, to discuss the item of pending litigation, Marco Vincenti vs. District. Ms. Chun reported that the Board unanimously provided settlement authority for disposition of this matter.