MINUTES, REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford, Connecticut
March 1, 2007 

William D. Chiodo, Chairman
Presiding............................    

At 7:00 p.m., a quorum determined to be present; Mr. Chiodo called a Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartford Transit District (the "District") to order in the District's Multipurpose Room at Union Station., One Union Place, Hartford, Connecticut.  The following Directors were present: Joan Gamble, Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet , East Hartford ; Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Jennifer Cassidy, Frank Lord and Jesse J. Smith; Hartford; James R. McCavanagh and Paul McNamara (arrived at 7:07 pm) Manchester; Kenneth D. Goldberg; Rocky Hill; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury;  Mary Oliver, Vernon; David Giordano (arrived at 7:06 pm) and Richard F. Messenger, West Hartford; Brendan T. Flynn, Wethersfield; and William D. Chiodo, Windsor. District staff present were ; Vicki L. Shotland,  Executive Director, Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services; DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator,  and Patricia Williams, Director of Paratransit.  Also present was Bradshaw Smith, a resident of the Town of Windsor. 

The Chairman next asked if there were any members of the public who wished to be heard.  There were none.   

Mr. Chiodo then asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 4, 2007.  Mr. Goldberg moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Mr. Messenger, the motion passed by a vote of 30.40 yea, 0.00 nay and 3.10 abstention (Mr. Smith). 

The Chairman recessed the Regular Meeting at 7:02 p.m. and called to order the Public Hearing to accept comment on the recently published Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Revisions.  As there was neither comment nor inquiry regarding same, Mr. Chiodo closed the Public Hearing at 7:03 p.m. and reconvened the Regular Meeting. Ms. Dunham gave a brief overview of the basis for various line item revisions including increased Interest Earnings, Charter Bus Revenue and Repair Expenditures, as well as Real Estate Taxes paid to the City of Hartford.  Union Station Transportation Center revenue and expenses have been adjusted based on the elimination of some internal fund transfers in addition to recent negotiations for increased rental revenue associated with the Great Hall, office and retail space and numerous bus bays.  As previously discussed and based on the recommendation of the District’s auditor, utilization of the Internal Service Fund has been eliminated. Following brief discussion, Mr. Flynn motioned appropriation of the budget revisions as presented.  Upon seconding by Mr. Messenger, appropriation was unanimously approved by a vote of 36.36 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions. 

Ms. Dunham then presented the Monthly Financial Report. She discussed the pending receipt of Federal Fiscal Year 2007 grant funds.  She also stated that USTC secured annual revenues have just exceeded the $700,000 mark and that the agency continues to reap the benefits of cost containment efforts.  She referred to a handout which reflected a comparison between January 2006 and January 2007 Event Parking revenue generated.  Since the inception of the reduced $5.00 event parking rate, it is evident that the number of customers taking advantage of the special rate has increased significantly.  However, Ms. Dunham cautioned that overall parking revenue is still lower than that recognized in the same period during the previous year.  Ms. Shotland commented that staff will be reviewing parking revenue trends closely over the forthcoming months.  Ms. Oliver moved acceptance of the monthly financial report as presented which was seconded by Mr. Flynn and accepted by a unanimous vote of 36.36 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions. 

Mr. Chiodo then asked for Program Presentations.   The Board was provided with the monthly ADA/DAR report and asked if there were any questions.  Since there were none, Ms. Shotland proceeded to discuss pending issues including; anticipated funding for; fleet replacement vehicles, capital for Union Station projects, and also a provision for miscellaneous equipment capital.  She also discussed the memo that was sent from the “District” to towns and agencies regarding 5307 funding. Lastly she discussed upcoming tenant negotiations, the “Red and the Green” shuttles that will provide service to the South End and to the Parkville sections of Hartford, upcoming installation of  additional security cameras, and the “District’s” application to join the Capitol Region Purchasing Council for savings on products and services.   

Ms. Cassidy attended the CRCOG Transportation Committee meeting on February 26, 2007 and made mention that there is money in the budget for Union Station. 

Next Ms. Shotland provided the Board with a presentation that included a ten-year strategic plan encouraging “Smart Growth” and “Transit Oriented Development” in and around Union Station.  She spoke about current and future initiatives that were going to help create an environment providing opportunity for Union Station to become a major transportation center in the region.  Several Board members asked questions and made remarks that were very supportive of the plan's outline. The District staff will take steps to further refine the plan and to develop a strategy to present the more evolved plan to member towns. 

There being no further business brought before the Board, Ms. Oliver moved that the Meeting be adjourned.  Upon seconding by Mr. Lord, the motion passed by a vote of 36.36 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,  

_______________________
FRANK LORD
Secretary