11-2011

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

MEMORANDUM OF MINUTES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

JUNE 10, 2011

The Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) met in regular session in the Board Room, Administration Building, Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza, San Francisco, CA, on Friday, June 10, 2011, at 10:10 a.m., President Reilly presiding.

ROLL CALL

Directors Present (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly

Directors Absent (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Staff Present: General Manager Denis Mulligan; Acting Auditor-Controller and Director of Accounting Bette Joe; District Engineer Ewa Bauer; Attorneys David Miller and Jerry Schaefer; Deputy General Manager/Bridge Division Kary Witt; Deputy General Manager/Bus Transit Division Teri Mantony; Deputy General Manager/Ferry Transit Division James Swindler; Planning Director Ron Downing; Human Resources Director Harvey Pye; Public Affairs Director Mary Currie; Assistant Clerk of the Board Lona Franklin; Senior Board Analyst Elizabeth Eells

Visitors Present: Gerard P. Burnett and Harry Newhall, Speedway Copy Systems, San Francisco, CA.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Director David Campos led the Board of Directors in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

PUBLIC COMMENT

1. Remarks by the Public

The following public comments, relative to Agenda Item No. 10.A., were taken at this time, at the request of the speakers.

Harry Newhall, Speedway Copy Systems, San Francisco, CA, addressed the previous disagreement of neighbors in the area of 3rd, 4th, Perry and Stillman Streets in San Francisco, CA, where the District proposes to construct a mid-day bus storage lot for Golden Gate Transit buses and drivers. He indicated that attendees from the neighborhood and elsewhere were pleased with the results of the latest round of meetings with District staff and its Attorney, and that they look forward to working with the District as the project progresses.

Gerard P Burnett, Speedway Copy Systems, San Francisco, CA, thanked General Manager Denis Mulligan for an excellent meeting on June 9, 2011, regarding the mid-day bus storage lot and its construction. He also thanked Deputy District Engineer John Eberle and staff, stating that everyone had done an excellent job. He stated that the meeting could have been adversarial but, due to the professionalism of District personnel, attendees were pleased with the results. He stated his awareness that transit is a very important aspect of getting people to and from Marin County, and that public transportation helps to reduce vehicle congestion on streets and highways. He concluded by thanking Mr. Mulligan and staff for attending the meeting and for allowing him to speak during the Public Comment period today.

 

2. Remarks by General Manager

Mr. Mulligan stated that the effort by the District and its staff to be good neighbors at the bus storage facility and to work with interested individuals has been collaborative.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

Directors COCHRAN/MOYLAN moved and seconded to approve the Consent Calendar. All items were approved by the following vote of the Board of Directors:

AYES (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Board of Directors of May 27, 2011.

Carried

Subrogation Claim of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (Insured: Kevin Thompson)

Carried

Ratify Actions by the Auditor-Controller

Resolution No. 2011-049 (Finance-Auditing Committee/Committee of the Whole, May 26, 2011) ratifies actions taken by the Auditor-Controller, as follows:

Purchase

Date

Maturity

Date

Original

Cost

Percent

Yield

Accepts the Investment Report for April 2011, as prepared by PFM.

Adopted

Mr. Mulligan stated that the items contained in his written report are informational.

Monthly Update on California Department of Transportation Project – Doyle Drive Reconstruction

Ms. Bauer stated that no new information has become available regarding the California Department of Transportation’s Doyle Drive Reconstruction project.

Approve Actions Relative to the Execution of the FY 11/12 Inter-County Paratransit Services Agreement with the Marin County Transit District

Directors COCHRAN/ARNOLD
Resolution No. 2011-050 approves actions relative to the execution of the FY 11/12 Inter-County Paratransit Services Agreement (FY 11/12 Paratransit Agreement) with the Marin County Transit District (MCTD), as follows:

with the understanding that requisite funds are available in the FY 11/12 Bus Transit Division Operating Budget.

Adopted

AYES (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly
NOES (0): None

ABSENT (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Discussion by the Directors

Discussion ensued, including the following inquiry:

• Director Campos inquired as to the reason this Agreement is a sole source agreement. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the HASTUS software program is proprietary. The only opportunity the District would have to seek competitive bids would be by replacing the software with a different product.
  

Action by the Board

Directors COCHRAN/BORO

Resolution No. 2011-051 approves actions relative to the execution of a Professional Services Agreement regarding to Sole Source Agreement No. 2011-BT-4, Maintenance and Support Services for the HASTUS Software Program for Golden Gate Transit Fixed Route Scheduling System, as follows:

with the understanding that requisite funds are available in the FY 11/12 Bus Transit Division Operating Budget, and that future years will be budgeted accordingly.

Adopted

Approve Adoption of the FY 11/12 Operating and Capital Budgets

Discussion by the Directors

Discussion ensued, including the following comment:

• Director Cochran stated that he had discussed with Auditor-Controller Joseph Wire how the proposed FY 11/12 Budget would be affected by savings that were unknown at the time the FY 11/12 Budget was prepared. He stated that Mr. Wire had informed him that, should savings become available, those amounts would be taken out of the FY 11/12 Budget and would not be used for other purposes. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that, whenever the Board approves an action that changes the adopted Budget, that change becomes part of that Budget with its action. He stated that District staff will continue to present its recommendations in this manner.

Action by the Board

Directors PAHRE/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2011-052 approves adoption of the FY 11/12 Operating and Capital Budgets, including the following items:

A 1.0% negotiated salary increase for Amalgamated Transit Union employees effective March 1, 2012.

Adopted

Authorize Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with York Risk Services Group, Inc., Relative to Request for Proposals No. 2011-D-2, Third Party Administrator for Workers’ Compensation Program Claims Administration and Ancillary Services

Directors PAHRE/SOBEL
Resolution No. 2011-054 approves actions relative to Request for Proposals No. 2011-D-2, Third Party Administrator for Workers’ Compensation Program Claims Administration and Ancillary Services (RFP No. 2011-D-2), as follows:

with the understanding that requisite funds are available in the FY 11/12 District Division Operating Budget, and that future years will be budgeted accordingly.

Adopted

AYES (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Authorize Execution of an Extension to the Commercial Paper Line of Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank

Directors PAHRE/COCHRAN

Resolution No. 2011-055 authorizes execution of a 364-day extension of the Line of Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., for the Commercial Paper Program, at the cost of 0.67%, or an approximate annual fee of $511,000.00, for the period of July 2, 2011 to June 29, 2012.

Adopted

AYES (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Approve Actions Relative to the Renewal of the Health and Benefit Insurance Plans

Directors PAHRE/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2011-056 approves the renewal of the District’s Health and Benefits Insurance Plans, at an estimated renewal cost increase of 7%, as follows:

b.

with the understanding that requisite funds are included in the FY 10/11 Bridge, Bus Transit, Ferry Transit and District Divisions’ Operating Budgets.

Adopted

AYES (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Report by the Attorney

After Closed Session, President Reilly called the meeting to order in Open Session with a quorum present. Attorney Miller reported that the Board of Directors had met in Closed Session, as permitted by the Brown Act, to discuss the matters listed above in Item No. 5.

He stated that, with regard to Item No. 5.a.1., Ernest L. Johnson vs. Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, the Finance-Auditing Committee of May 26, 2011, recommended that this matter be forwarded to the Board for approval of a settlement and direction has been given by the Board to effect a settlement of the matter.

He further stated that, with regard to Item No. 5.a.2., Conference with Labor Negotiator, a thorough report was heard by the Board regarding pending labor negotiations with the Union Coalition and with individual unions that are members of the Coalition at side table. He stated that a full report was presented to the Board with regard to the most recent proposal received by the District from the Union Coalition, and that instructions have been given to the Labor Negotiator by the Board with regard to the District’s position with respect to those proposals.

Finally, he stated that, with regard to Item 5.a.3., Conference with Real Property Negotiators regarding the loan repayment to the District by the former General Manager Celia Kupersmith for the property located at 14 Burdell Court, Novato, CA, a report was heard by the Board from the Advisory Committee for Review of Officers of the District and it was the consensus of the Board to bring forward the recommendation as stated below for the Board’s consideration.

Action by the Board

Authorize Establishment of New Loan Repayment Date

Directors BORO/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2011-057 approves the establishment of September 1, 2012, as the repayment deadline applicable to the District’s housing loan to the former General Manager Celia Kupersmith, with the understanding that monthly payments of principal and interest will continue to be made until the repayment deadline, in accordance with the terms of the promissory note between now and that date.

AYES (14): Directors Arnold, Boro, Campos, Cochran, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Snyder, Sobel and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (5): Directors Brown, Chu, Elsbernd and Stroeh; First Vice President Eddie

Adopted

PowerPoint Presentation by the Planning Director

At the meeting, Planning Director Ron Downing made a PowerPoint presentation (PowerPoint) regarding the District’s planned mid-day bus storage lot in San Francisco, bounded by 3rd, 4th, Perry and Stillman Streets.

The PowerPoint provided background information, showing that Golden Gate Transit (GGT) serves over 7 million passengers annually on more than 900 basic, commute and Marin local service runs. As a result, approximately 7,000 cars per day do not use San Francisco streets, lanes on Highway 101 through Marin County are less crowded and Golden Gate Bridge traffic is reduced.

The PowerPoint stated that the District currently stores buses at three facilities in the North Bay, and at one mid-day bus storage facility in San Francisco. The current mid-day bus storage location, operated by Gray line, will no longer be available for GGT bus storage. The PowerPoint displayed an aerial photograph of the proposed new mid-day bus storage lot at 3rd, 4th, Perry and Stillman Streets in San Francisco. It also provided information regarding the historic use of the site, stating that the area has long been used for parking vehicles.

In addition, the PowerPoint discussed the Transbay Joint Powers Authority’s (TJPA) project to build a new Transbay Transit Terminal, including the District’s use of this lot for bus storage. TJPA prepared a Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR/EIS) for the project that included mitigation measures for the bus storage usage of this lot including prohibiting buses on Stillman Street and construction of noise walls. Several changes have taken place since the Final EIR/EIS was certified, including a 50% reduction in the number of buses planned to be stored. The PowerPoint showed photographs of test runs using GGT buses passing between supports, entering Perry from 4th Street, entering the mid-day bus storage lot from Perry and 4th Streets, and exiting Perry Street onto 3rd Street.

The PowerPoint listed neighborhood concerns that remain, as follows: 1) air quality; 2) noise; and, 3) traffic. In response to concerns about air quality, the PowerPoint displayed a bar graph showing Fleet Average Emissions Requirements year by year since 2002, compared to GGT fleet average emissions for the same period. In addition, the District’s Clean Diesel Bus Program was recalled in the PowerPoint, with photographs of former Mayor Gavin Newsom testing emissions using a white handkerchief.

The PowerPoint showed photographs of how the District plans to pave the lot for interim general parking until GGT moves onto the site, similar to the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Lot at 2nd, 3rd, Stillman and Perry Streets. The Board approved Contract No. 2011-BT-1, San Francisco Bus Facility Construction (Contract No. 2011-BT-1) on March 25, 2011, and the Notice to Proceed was issued on April 21, 2011. The Contract No. 2011-BT-1 will not preclude the construction of the required noise walls.

The PowerPoint listed communications between the District and interested parties, with six meetings having taken place between November 2008 and May 2011. In April 2009, a dedicated phone line was installed (415-923-2201) and in May 2009, a dedicated email address was established (busparking@goldengate.org) for use by interested parties.

The District has committed to coordinating noise wall design with neighbors. In addition, cooperative actions by the City of San Francisco will be required, including restriction of street parking on Perry Street and a change in the one-way direction of traffic flow; modification of the sidewalk at 4th and Perry Streets; and, installation of a traffic signal at 3rd and Perry Streets. Finally, the District has committed not to use Stillman Street for bus access.

Comments by the Staff

At the meeting, Mr. Downing stated that, because of the peak nature of commute bus service, buses arrive in San Francisco during the morning hours and remain there until the afternoon commute begins. Having a mid-day bus storage facility in San Francisco allows the District to bring buses on line during the afternoon peak period in a timely manner and is key to successful GGT service. He stated that current storage locations are slated for sale and/or development, making them unavailable for use by GGT.

He stated that the location at 3rd, 4th, Perry and Stillman Streets has historically been used for automobile parking. It has been rehabilitated for seismic purposes and Stillman Street was improved as a result of that construction.

He stated that the District’s intent in 2001, when the process of locating and approving a new mid-day storage facility was begun, was to store approximately 140 GGT buses and allow other carriers to store buses, as well. However, current plans are for storage of only 70 GGT buses.

Regarding construction of noise walls, he stated that the original engineering drawings located the walls in an area that now is the center of Stillman Street. The location will be changed in response to community concerns. In addition, since the Environmental Impact Report was certified, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has received approval to build a light rail subway from Chinatown to south of market area of San Francisco. The tracks will rise to the surface at 4th Street in the vicinity of the proposed mid-day bus storage lot. The location of the tracks will constrain ability to turn buses into Stillman Street and will make entering onto Perry Street difficult.

He stated that the next step will be the construction of the interim paving project. A final lease with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), owner of the lot, was negotiated in 2010 and contemplates interim use as a surface parking facility. He added that the paving will not preclude the construction of noise walls. A consultant is planned to be hired to assist the District in reconciling noise wall issues and in finalizing the configuration of the noise walls.

He concluded by stating that a mid-day bus storage lot is critical to GGT operations.

Remarks by the General Manager

Mr. Mulligan stated that District staff has addressed the neighbors’ concerns. He added that the staffs in the Mayor’s Office of San Francisco and in the City’s Department of Public Works was very helpful. Property Development and Management Specialist Norma Jellison negotiated the favorable terms included in the long-term lease with Caltrans.

Discussion by the Board

Discussion ensued, including the following comment and inquiry:

• Director Snyder commented that staff had done a good job, and inquired as to whether the configuration of the mid-day bus storage lot will preclude the purchase of larger buses. In response, Mr. Downing stated that the District’s largest buses are 45-feet long and these are the coaches that have been used in simulations. Staff agrees that the 45-foot coaches can be stored in the lot. He added that the District does not contemplate the purchase of 60-foot articulated buses for use in San Francisco. Mr. Mulligan stated that the major concern is the turning radius. A physical simulation was done on May 27, 2011, and another on Monday, June 6, 2011. He stated that buses can negotiate the necessary turns as the lot is currently configured. He added that the City of San Francisco will allow minor modifications to sidewalks, if necessary, to accommodate the buses.