01-2012

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

MEMORANDUM OF MINUTES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

JANUARY 13, 2012

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, January 13, 2012, at 10:06 a.m., President Reilly presiding.

ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO ALICE FREDERICKS

Just prior to the commencement of the January 13, 2012, meeting of the Board of Directors, Secretary of the District Janet S. Tarantino administered the Oath of Office to Alice Fredericks, appointed to the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin on January 10, 2012, as a recommendation from the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers. Alice Fredericks fills the vacancy on the Board as a result of the retirement of Director Albert J. Boro

Director Fredericks addressed the Board and expressed her appreciation at the honor of serving on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors.

ROLL CALL

Directors Present (18): Directors Arnold, Chu, Cochran, Elsbernd, Fredericks, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Sears, Snyder, Sobel, Stroeh and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; First Vice President Eddie; President Reilly

Directors Absent (1): Director Campos

Staff Present: General Manager Denis Mulligan; Auditor-Controller Joseph Wire; Secretary of the District Janet Tarantino; Attorney David Miller; Attorney Jerrold Schaefer; Attorney Molly Lee; Deputy General Manager/Bridge Division Kary Witt; Deputy General Manager/Bus Transit Division Teri Mantony; Deputy General Manager/Administration and Development Kellee Hopper; Director of Planning Ron Downing; Public Affairs Director Mary Currie; Executive Assistant to the General Manager Amorette Ko; Assistant Clerk of the Board Lona Franklin

Visitors Present: Greg Moore, Executive Director, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Director John Moylan led the Board of Directors in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

CONSENT CALENDAR

President Reilly presented the Employee of the Month Award for January 2012, to Lehnee Hernandez, Accounting Analyst – Capital and Grant Programs, District Division, and expressed her congratulations on behalf of the Board of Directors.

General Manager Denis Mulligan reported that all items contained in the written General Manager’s report are informational. A copy of the General Manager’s Report is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Director Dick Grosboll, Chair of the Transportation Committee, reported that, at the January 12, 2012, meeting of the Transportation Committee/Committee of the Whole, a motion was made and seconded by the Committee members present to continue the matter of, “Authorize the Setting of a Public Hearing Relative to a Proposal to Institute a Pilot Program to Charge a Monthly Premium Parking Fee at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal” to a future meeting of the Transportation Committee, to allow further discussion of possible alternatives.

Authorize the General Manager to Enter into and Amend Agreements with the Marin County Transit District Relative to Ownership of Paratransit Vehicles

Directors GROSBOLL/COCHRAN
Resolution No.2012-002 approves actions relative to ownership of Paratransit Vehicles, as follows:

Authorizes entering into a new Pass-through Agreement with MCTD for the procurement of five additional paratransit vehicles to be owned by MCTD and used in inter-county service.

Adopted

Authorize the Setting of a Public Hearing Relative to a Proposal to Increase Ferry “Stored Value” Clipper^SM Fares

Directors STROEH/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2012-003 authorizes the setting of a public hearing on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., in the Board Room, Administration Building, Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza, San Francisco, CA, for the purpose of discussing a proposal to increase ferry “Stored-Value” ClipperSM fares.

AYES (16): Directors Arnold, Chu, Cochran, Fredericks, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Sears, Snyder, Sobel, Stroeh and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; First Vice President Eddie; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (3): Director Campos, Elsbernd and Mar

Directors STROEH/PAHRE
Resolution No. 2012-004 ratifies the action of the General Manager to renew the Automobile Liability Policy relative to the “Doyle Drive Lane Diversion Program and Roadway Patrol/Tow Services Agreement” with the California State Department of Transportation, with a liability limit of $2 million, underwritten by Argonaut-Midwest and Axis Surplus Insurance Companies, for a premium of $81,302.00, for a six-month term, effective January 8, 2012, with a pro-rata cancellation provision with no penalty, with the understanding that requisite funds are available in the FY 11/12 District Division Operating Budget.

AYES (16): Directors Arnold, Chu, Cochran, Fredericks, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Sears, Snyder, Sobel, Stroeh and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; First Vice President Eddie; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (3): Director Campos, Elsbernd and Mar

In a memorandum to the Board, the 75th Anniversary Planning Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) provided a report on the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to approve the Anniversary Plan (“Bridging Us All”), prepared by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Conservancy), to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge (Bridge).

The Board, by Resolution No. 2011-020 at its meeting of March 11, 2011, authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the District, the National Parks Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Conservancy), for the cooperative improvement of the visitor experience, facilities services and interpretation at the Bridge and adjacent national park lands; and, authorized an Agreement between the District and the Conservancy for 75th Anniversary visitor experience projects, activities and merchandising activities.

The staff report stated that the District, on April 21, 2011, entered into a comprehensive agreement (Agreement) with the Conservancy, as described above. The Agreement contemplates development of projects (1) to enhance the visitor experience at the Bridge and its surroundings through the development of site improvements, interpretive services including audio and guided tours, retail operations and food service opportunities; and, (2) to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Bridge to include public events and programs, sponsorships, retail partnerships, production and sale of commemorative products and site improvements. The Agreement also provides that the Conservancy is to serve as the lead agency for development of the Anniversary Plan.

The staff report further stated that, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, the Conservancy has developed a comprehensive Anniversary Plan for 75th Anniversary activities, which describes events, programs, merchandise, marketing, communications, site improvements and activities to commemorate the 75th Anniversary, under the general guidance and oversight of the District’s 75th Anniversary Planning Advisory Committee and in conjunction with the District’s management team, for review and approval by the District.

The staff report also stated that the Conservancy is organizing a broad, civic celebration to engage the entire community in the Golden Gate Festival on the anniversary weekend, May 26 through May 27, 2012 and has reached out to community groups to solicit partners who will self-fund tributes to the Bridge including performances, exhibitions, lectures, contests, education programs and athletic events. In addition, the 75th Anniversary Steering Committee (co-chairs Nancy Bechtel of the Bechtel Foundation and Larry Baer, President, World Series Champion San Francisco Giants), has attracted sponsorships from renowned businesses throughout the Bay Area region to fund implementation of the civic celebration, including, but not limited to Wells Fargo, Hewlett Packard, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Odwalla, Hanson Bridgett and Levi Strauss & Co. Finally, in keeping with the stated intention of the Agreement, no District toll revenues or reserves will be spent to support the celebration.

A copy of the staff report is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

In a PowerPoint presentation (PowerPoint) to the Board and the District, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy General Manager Greg Moore provided a report, entitled “Bridging Us All,” detailing final plans for the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary Celebration.

The PowerPoint provided description and details for the 75th Anniversary weekend, May 26 and 27, 2012, including agency partners, corporate partners, media partners, community partners, site enhancements and visitor programs. There will be national and international press coverage of the events. The purpose of the PowerPoint was to present and seek approval of the Conservancy’s 75th Anniversary Program. Bridge Visitor Enhancements will include the Plaza, Pavilion and Round House.

The Pavilion will include exhibits, artifacts and merchandise. A 1930s tower model will be on display, along with Bridge artifacts, historic photographs and films, and interpretive panels. Bridge and Park products will be available for purchase. The PowerPoint included thumbnail photographs of commemorative products that will be sold. The Grand Opening of the Pavilion and the Visitor Plaza will take place in May 2012, with a preview for special guests and short Bridge tours and green-screen photo demonstrations. Public officials, boards of directors, sponsors and civic leaders are expected to participate.

The Round House will be remodeled. It will display commemorative photographs, and views of the Bridge, as well as providing educational programs. The Bridge Café will provide local and organic food and beverages.

On-site exhibits will include interpretive panels and scale models addressing Bridge history, design, engineering and construction. Information will be available regarding the weather and geology of the Bay and nearby areas, and their effects on all aspects of the building of the Bridge.

The Bay Trail at the Golden Gate will have separate bicycle and pedestrian routes and a new vista point. The Golden Gate Overlook construction is presently underway with its dedication scheduled for May 2012. Construction of the Pacific Overlook, with its approach on Lincoln Boulevard, is also underway and expected to be dedicated in the autumn of 2012.

Seventy-five community tributes, including performances, exhibitions, lectures, contests, educational programs and athletic events will honor the Bridge. These will take place in widely scattered areas around the Golden Gate, including San Francisco, the North Bay, and the East Bay. Examples of tributes include a “NightLife” event focused on the Bridge, by the California Academy of Sciences; Bill Fontana’s Sound Sculptures of the Golden Gate Bridge, commissioned art and writings; and, the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants Baseball team’s “International Orange Friday” in honor of the Bridge.

Educational programs will include National Park Service field trips to the Bridge for children; programs in local schools; Crissy Field Center programs; and, National Science Foundation interactive exhibits.

Communications and marketing will include media partners, an outdoor advertising campaign, a 75th Anniversary website; a social media campaign; Bridge tower vignettes; promotional partners and commemorative posters; street pole banners; and, an advertising campaign in printed media. The 75th Anniversary website, www.goldengatebridge75.org, will include links to active social media sites, as well as photographs, construction updates, contests, schedules of tribute events, partner recognition, an online store, and an event and transit page.
Anniversary Weekend planning concepts include using the full waterfront; using community partners, to be inclusive and distribute impact; having a memorable finale; and, creating a finale procession. Saturday evening, May 26, 2012, will provide a Golden Gate Film Festival. On Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, 2012, a community festival will take place and on Sunday night, the Bridge will display lights. Among programs planned for Saturday will be art installations at Fort Point, bicycle trips to the Bridge by YMCA, music and displays at Fisherman’s Wharf, and film night in the Presidio. Many activities will take place on Sunday at the Waterfront.

Crissy Field will be the site of 75th Anniversary activities and displays, as will East Beach and Marina Green. Waterfront festival partners are Fort Mason Center, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39.

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Discussion ensued, including the following comments:

• Director Grosboll commented that David Miller, the District’s Attorney, is a member of the law firm of Hanson Bridgett, one of the 75th Anniversary sponsors. Director Grosboll expressed his appreciation of their sponsorship.
• President Reilly reported that a press conference regarding the 75th Anniversary celebration took place on Monday, January 9, 2012, and described it as “terrific.” She stated that approximately 100 people were in attendance. She expressed appreciation for the work done by Mr. Moore and by Mary Currie, Public Affairs Director for the District, relative to the 75th Anniversary celebration.
  

Directors MOYLAN/COCHRAN
Resolution No. 2012-005 approves the Anniversary Plan for the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge, as presented by Greg Moore, Executive Director of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, in the PowerPoint presentation entitled “Bridging Us All – Year of the Golden Gate Bridge,” the key elements of which include:

• Merchandising of commemorative products;
• Site improvements;
• Communications and marketing;
• 75 Tributes to the Bridge that include performances, exhibitions, lectures, contests, education programs and athletic events that celebrate the Bridge throughout the year; and,
• Civic celebration to engage the entire community in the Golden Gate Festival on the anniversary weekend, May 26 through May 27, 2012, to occur along the waterfront from Fort Point to Pier 39, with the understanding that the civic celebration will be free of charge.

Adopted

AYES (18): Directors Arnold, Chu, Cochran, Elsbernd, Fredericks, Mar, Moylan, Pahre, Rabbitt, Renée, Sears, Snyder, Sobel, Stroeh and Theriault; Second Vice President Grosboll; First Vice President Eddie; President Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (1): Director Campos

There was no “Unfinished Business” to discuss.

There was no “New Business” to discuss.

After Closed Session, President Reilly called the meeting to order in Open Session with a quorum present. Attorney Miller reported that the Board had met in Closed Session, as permitted by the Brown Act, to discuss the matter listed above in Item No. 8. Attorney Miller further reported that the Board had heard a report from the General Manager and District labor negotiators, and that this matter will be continued until the next meeting of the Board.