MINUTES, REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford Connecticut
December 10, 2008 

Stephen F. Mitchell, Chairman
Presiding............................   

At 6:08 p.m., a quorum determined to be present; Mr. Mitchell 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 (arrived at 6:12 p.m.), Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet, East Hartford ;James B. Brislin  and Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Gilbert Hayes, East Windsor; Russell St. John (arrived 6:17 p.m.), Granby; Jason Barone-Cichocki, Jesse J. Smith and Melvin D. Pettigrew, Hartford; James R. McCavanagh and Paul McNamara, Manchester; Kevin Chick and William G. Hall, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury; Mary Oliver (arrived at 6:23 pm), Vernon; Richard F. Messenger and A. David Giordano, West Hartford; and Martin H. Walsh, Wethersfield. District staff present were; Vicki L. Shotland,  Executive Director, Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services; DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator, Sandra Sheehan, Director of Grants and Contract Administration, Patricia Williams, Director of Paratransit, Sam Wilson, Fleet Coordinator, Silvana Vardhami, Accounting Associate and Valerie Ellis, ADA Paratransit Coordinator. Mr. Bradshaw Smith, a resident of Windsor, was also in attendance.  

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

Mr. Mitchell then asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 6, 2008.  Mr. Messenger moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Mr. Pettigrew, the motion passed by a vote of 34.45 yea, 0.00 nay and 1.49 abstention (Mr. Hall).

The Chairman recessed the Regular Meeting at 6:09 p.m. and convened the Public Hearing to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2008 budget amendment. Ms. Dunham presented the additional line item expenditure in the General Fund for Professional Services which changed the net income for last year to $190,464. The Chairman asked if there were any questions from the public or any Board members; as there were none, he closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the Regular Meeting at 6:11 p.m.  Upon motion by Mr. Brislin, and seconding by Mr. Hall, appropriation of the additional funding was approved by a vote of 35.94 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

Mr. Mitchell then requested presentation of the monthly financial report. Ms. Dunham relayed that most income and expense items are within budgetary projections. First quarter Dial-A-Ride grant payments are planned for January disbursement. The Administration line item budget in the Special Revenue Fund will be adjusted based on Fiscal Year 2008 actual activity. Budget revisions are also expected in the General Fund including Investment Income, Incidental Charter/Vehicle Sales Income, Other Income, Professional Services Expense, and Charter Bus Maintenance Expense.

Spruce Street Parking Lot Professional Services expense is below budget as two months’ payments are due the management firm, pending invoice receipt. Budget revisions are planned for Federal Grant Revenue and Real Estate Taxes. An agreement has been reached with the City of Hartford, resulting in annual tax payments of $160,000. A comparison of utility costs year to date versus the previous fiscal year was reviewed. Mr. Jansen and Mr. Mitchell inquired about the increase in Charter Bus Income and Expense line items. Ms. Dunham responded that the private operators have recently submitted significant repair invoices for reimbursement which were unexpected during budget preparation.  Mr. Pettigrew motioned acceptance of the report, which was seconded by Mr. Graff and voted unanimously by a vote of 38.99 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations. Ms. Shotland requested the Board review the ADA paratransit report and Mr. Hall inquired as to the decrease in no-show trips. Ms. Shotland noted that First Transit has recently made some changes in certain parameters within the scheduling software that may have attributed to this decrease.

Ms. Shotland relayed that a number of meetings had taken place during the week related to the Enfield Intermodal Center, the Hartford-New Britain Busway and commuter rail projects. Connecticut Department of Transportation held a public hearing on the Busway project; the commuter rail meeting was a scoping meeting which included project update information.  Mr. Mitchell and Mr. St. John commented on the commuter rail meeting including various concepts and comments proposed by attendees. Discussion then ensued regarding the process for infrastructure projects including project phases and funding. It was suggested that Board members contact their legislators to encourage acceleration of transit related projects.

Mr. Hayes gave an update on the latest CRCOG Transportation Committee meeting. A presentation had been given on the transit center study process indicating that alternative locations had been considered, what the next steps will be and that a final report is expected in March 2009. Ms. Shotland noted that although a number of sites are being considered, attention is being focused on the Union Station area.

Mr. Mitchell inquired if there was any other business to be brought before the Board. Mr. Pettigrew commented on the handicapped parking spots that had previously existed on Spruce Street. Mr. Gonzalez indicated that he has been in contact with the City of Hartford numerous times regarding this matter and is awaiting a response from the City. Mr. Mitchell offered to contact the City personally to expedite resolution.

Mr. Mitchell discussed reconvening the Parking Lot Panel to discuss rates and other matters and asked the existing members if they wish to continue in that capacity. As they all answered in the affirmative, Mr. St. John, Ms. Pet and Mr. Hall will serve as the Panel; a January meeting will be scheduled and the entire Board will be notified of the meeting date and are welcome to attend.

There being no further business brought before the Board, Mr. Jansen moved that the Meeting be adjourned. Upon seconding by Mr. Pettigrew, the motion passed by a vote of 40.42 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
James R. McCavanagh
Secretary

                                                   Adopted on: 1/08/09