REVISED MINUTES
ANNUAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford Connecticut
May 10, 2007

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

At 7:03 p.m., a quorum determined to be present; Mr. Chiodo called the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartford Transit District (the "District") to order in the District's Multipurpose Room at the Union Station Transportation Center (the "Center"), One Union Place, Hartford, Connecticut. The following Directors were present: Joan Gamble, Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet; East Hartford, Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Jennifer Cassidy, Frank Lord, Melvin Pettigrew and Jesse Smith; Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester; William G. Hall, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury; Mark Etre, Vernon; David A. Giordano and Richard F. Messenger, West Hartford; Brendan T. Flynn, Wethersfield; 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; Patricia M. Williams, Director of Paratransit Services; and Sam Wilson, Fleet Coordinator. Also present were Windsor Town Manager, Peter Souza; and Bradshaw Smith, a resident of the Town of Windsor.

Mr. Chiodo then asked if there were any members of the public who wished to be heard. There were none.

The Chairman next asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of March 1, 2007. Mr. Messenger moved to adopt the Minutes as submitted. Upon seconding by Mr. Flynn, the motion passed by a vote of 34.89 yea, 0.00 nay, and 2.48 abstention (Messrs. Etre and St. John who were not in attendance thereat).

The Chairman next asked for the report from the Nominating Committee which was distributed to all Directors on March 23, 2007. Mr. McCavanagh, Chair of the Nominating Committee, reported the slate of Officers proposed by the Nominating Committee as follows:

Mr. McCavanagh pointed out that under the By-Laws there must be two separate votes taken at the meeting; one for the express slate of officers and the other for the regular slate of officers. The Nominating Committee in its report expressly recommended that the Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary be nominated for an additional term. He also reported that the District office had received three new nominations; one for Chairman, one for Vice Chairman, and one for the office of Secretary as permitted by the By-Laws, the fact of which effectively closes any further nominations. Mr. Messenger then moved the election of the entire express slate as proposed by the Nominating Committee. Mr. St. John seconded the motion which was approved unanimously (37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention). The Nominating Committee in its report then recommended that the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, be nominated for one term. Mr. Messenger moved the election of the entire regular slate as proposed by the Nominating Committee. Mr. St. John seconded the motion which was approved unanimously (37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention).

In recognition of his notable leadership as Chairman and his dedication to the District, Board of Directors, the Town of Windsor, the Greater Hartford region and the entire State of Connecticut, Mr. Chiodo was presented with a number of formal acknowledgements. Chairman Mitchell presented Mr. Chiodo with District Resolution GHTD-07-GEN-1 (a copy of which is attached to the office copy of these minutes and incorporated therein). Mr. St. John and Mr. Smith, who respectively retain the longest tenure as board members, motioned and seconded acceptance of the Resolution as set forth by the Chairman. The Resolution was accepted by a vote of 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

Peter Souza, the Town Manager of Windsor, bestowed upon Mr. Chiodo a Proclamation on behalf of the Town. Mr. Mitchell then read aloud a formal Citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly in addition to a Proclamation from Governor M. Jodi Rell. Vicki Shotland presented Mr. Chiodo with gifts on behalf of the staff. Each presenter spoke personally of their admiration of Mr. Chiodo, and each award was unanimously acknowledged by applause.

Mr. Chiodo addressed the group and relayed his appreciation for the overtures extended to him on this occasion. He spoke to his history on the Board, commended the staff for their accomplishments and extended his personal best wishes to the entire group. As his final act as Chairman, Mr. Chiodo requested that the incoming officers gather to be sworn in to their individual positions. A brief ceremony ensued swearing in those appointed officers of the Board.

Chairman Mitchell requested that the Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services present the Monthly Financial Report. Ms. Dunham indicated that most funds are within budgetary projections and that one more revision to the current year budget should be expected near fiscal year end. She commented on current fiscal year FTA grant revenue which varies significantly from prior year due to the $2.9 million purchase of the Hydrogen powered Fuel Cell Bus. Upon motion made by Ms. Gamble and seconded by Mr. Messenger, the Monthly Financial Report was accepted by a vote of 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions.

The Chairman then recessed the Annual Meeting at 7:33 p.m. and called to Order the Public Hearing related to the Adopted Fiscal Year 2007 and Proposed Fiscal Year 2008 Budgets. Ms. Dunham stated that there were no revisions to the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget at this time. She further relayed that the District enters the next fiscal year in a sound financial position as a result of revenue generation and cost containment efforts as well as concerted attempts to allocate staff wages, maintain self-sufficient Enterprise and Special Revenue Funds, and retain General Fund revenues as contingency assets. She then gave an overview by Fund of budget issues worthy of note.

With regard to the Special Revenue Fund, State grant funding remains consistent with current year funding of the ADA, Dial-A-Ride municipal grants, Drug and Alcohol Testing Program and the Insurance Consortium programs. The District has secured local match funding from CTDoT for its ADA fleet vehicle procurement in FY 2008. Ms. Dunham outlined the various FTA grants expected during the upcoming year in addition to the restructured hourly rate for Hartford Dial-A-Ride transportation service.

In the General Fund, a higher yield is anticipated on CLASS investment funds driven by a change in economic landscape from the preceding year. Additionally, as part of the transition to Citizen's Bank, the District's primary checking account will be zero-balance in nature and excess funds will be “swept” into an interest bearing account. Revenues in the General Fund are slated to be retained as contingency funds as the District does not anticipate the need to cover deficits in the other Funds. Termination of the Kelley bus lease has resulted in a significant decrease in expenditures.

An overview of the Enterprise Funds, which comprise the Spruce Street Parking Lot and both Public and Private portions of Union Station, was then presented. Monthly parking revenue has been negotiated with Hot Tomato's and CT Limo which shall total $22,000 in additional revenue annually. New tenant rental revenues and anticipated current tenant rent escalations during the upcoming year will result in more than $100,000 in additional funds over those recognized in the previous year. Capitalization of Union Station operating costs are expected in the $275,000 range versus $400,000 in the previous two years. More than $1,000,000 is expected to be utilized for Union Station major mechanical and structural needs.

As previously discussed, utilization of the Internal Service Fund has been completely eliminated. As there were no questions from the Board members related to the Proposed Fiscal Year 2008 budget, the Chairman opened the floor to public comment. There were no questions or comments from the public. The chairman closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the Annual Meeting at 7:44 p.m. Upon motion by Mr. Messenger and seconding by Mr. Pettigrew, the Proposed Fiscal Year 2008 budget was unanimously approved by a vote of 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

The Chairman next asked for consideration to renew the contract with Foley Services, Inc., Glastonbury, CT, for the provision of Third Party Administration of the Statewide Drug and Alcohol Testing Program under the terms of the budget submitted by that firm for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008. After brief discussion, Mr. Chiodo moved to retain the firm under the terms contained in its proposed budget and authorized the Chairman to execute that Agreement. Upon seconding by Mr. St. John, the motion was approved unanimously 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstentions.

The Chairman next asked for consideration to renew the contract with ProPark America., Hartford, CT, for the provision of parking lot management services under the terms of the budget submitted by that firm for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008. After brief discussion, Mr. Jansen moved to retain the firm under the terms contained in its proposed budget and authorized the Chairman to execute that Agreement. Upon seconding by Mr. Pettigrew, the motion was approved unanimously 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstentions.

Mr. Mitchell next asked for consideration of Resolution No GHTD-08-FTA-1 Authorizing Filing and Acceptance of Federal Grants. Upon motion made by Mr. Messenger and seconded by Mr. McCavanagh, the motion passed unanimously by a vote of 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention.

The Chairman then asked for consideration of Resolution No. GHTD-08-STATE-1 Authorizing Filing and Acceptance of State Grants. Upon motion made by Mr. McCavanagh and seconded by Mr. Chiodo, the motion passed unanimously by a vote of 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention.

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations. The Monthly Ridership and Statistical Review Reports were distributed in the Director's packets. The Chairman requested that the members of the Board take a moment to look at the information. Ms. Cassidy requested to know about the downward trend in overall vehicle hours. The District staff responded that there has been an increase in productivity due to a more efficient utilization of the ADA fleet vehicles.

Ms. Shotland updated the Board on the status of the current Request for Proposals (“RFPs) for both Legal Services and Audit Services. She stated that there will be additional RFPs noticed for security, cleaning, and a taxi operation. She next discussed anticipated Grants including 5309 funding related to Vernon's Intermodal Facility and Enfield's Commuter Station in addition to Section 5307 Apportionment for Vehicle Procurement, Union Station Improvement, and Administrative Capital. She stated that the Towns of Manchester and Rocky Hill have requested transit enhancement funding for bus shelters and signs, and that the District will be the designated recipient for those funds. Ms. Shotland also stated that she had been provided with the opportunity to meet with James Simpson/FTA Administrator from Washington, D.C. to discuss current transit issues. She mentioned that she will be providing two upcoming presentations on the District to the Farmington Avenue Alliance and to the CRCOG Transportation Board. Ms. Shotland then asked Ms. Dunham to discuss the need to re-evaluate the District's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals. Ms. Shotland then mentioned that the District is awaiting a final decision by the Senate regarding a “Seniors Ride Free” program. Lastly, Ms. Shotland discussed leases that were just negotiated and those that are forthcoming.

There being no further business brought before the Board, Mr. Chiodo moved that the Meeting be adjourned. Upon seconding by Mr. Flynn, the motion passed by a vote of 37.37 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Annual Meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
JAMES R. McCAVANAGH
Secretary