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

At 6:05 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 6:10 pm), Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet, East Hartford ;James B. Brislin (arrived at 6:15 pm) and Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Gilbert Hayes, East Windsor; Jennifer Cassidy (arrived at 6:10 pm), Frank Lord, Jesse J. Smith (arrived at 6:12 pm) and Melvin D. Pettigrew, Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester; William G. Hall, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury; Mark Etre and Mary Oliver (arrived at 6:32 pm), Vernon; A. David Giordano, 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, Sandra Sheehan, Director of Grants and Contract Administration, Patricia Williams, Director  of Paratransit, and Sam Wilson, Fleet Coordinator.  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. Mitchell then asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 1, 2007.  Mr. Flynn moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Mr. McCavanagh, the motion passed by a vote of 22.14 yea, 0.00 nay and 2.44 abstention (Mr. Etre and Mr. Hayes.) 

The Chairman next asked that the Audit Committee Chair, Brendan Flynn, address the Board regarding the November 2007 Audit Committee meeting.  Mr. Flynn indicated that the committee had met with Reed Risteen of Blum Shapiro, both in the presence of District management and without, to review the Fiscal Year 2007 audit.  He then invited Mr. Risteen to provide a brief overview of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report in addition to the State Single Audit and Federal Single Audit Reports. There were no findings related to the overall financial audit nor state and federal grant compliance areas.  He then provided a synopsis of financial highlights within the various funds and discussed the upcoming requirement to accrue Post Retirement Health Benefits liability commencing in Fiscal Year 2008.  A motion was made to accept the year end report by Mr. Pettigrew, seconded by Ms. Gamble, and accepted by a vote of 34.21 yea, 0.00 nay and 2.31 abstentions (Mr. Brislin).     

The Chairman recessed the Regular Meeting at 6:18 p.m. and called to order the Public Hearing regarding the recently published Fiscal Year 2007 and Fiscal Year 2008 Revised Budgets. Ms. Dunham provided a summary by fund for Fiscal Year 2007 as adjusted to actual revenues and expenditures as well as line item adjustments to the current year budget. Mr. Mitchell asked if there were any questions or comments related to the budget revisions from the Board members.  Mr. Chiodo inquired as to the status of the Internal Service Fund, and Ms. Dunham confirmed that the Fund is no longer being used; thus, no amounts had been budgeted for either year.  Mr. Mitchell then asked if any members of the public had any comment on, or question related to, the budget revisions at this time. There were none.  Mr. Mitchell asked if there were any remaining comments or questions related to the budget revisions from either the board or the public.  As there were none, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:24 p.m. and the Regular Meeting was reconvened.  Upon motion by Mr. Flynn that full appropriation of funds be approved, and seconding by Mr. Lord, adoption of the budgets was unanimously approved by a vote of 36.52 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions. 

The Chairman then requested presentation of the Monthly Financial Report. Ms. Dunham discussed activity within the Special Revenue Fund, including distribution of the first quarter municipal Dial-A-Ride operating grants. The pending receipt of executed Connecticut Department of Transportation contract documents for a number of programs is holding up funding. With regard to the General Fund, significant interest earnings continue to be recognized and considerable vehicle sale proceeds are possible over the next several months.  Ms. Dunham relayed that 10-12 ADA buses are slated for sale upon receipt of replacement vehicles and that the District has recently completed a Fair Market Value (FMV) Analysis of lessee vehicles which have reached their useful life as defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A compilation of sale history data received from peer agencies as well as the District’s own records has resulted in a FMV based on age and/or mileage. The District is working together with the FTA to obtain concurrence on the reasonableness of its methodology and will then offer lessees the opportunity to purchase the vehicles.  Mr. Hayes inquired as to the average assessment per vehicle and Ms. Dunham responded that the analysis has resulted in a typical FMV of $2,000 - $2,500. 

Recent leasing activities at Union Station include premise expansion for Aquastone Graphics and negotiations with Peter Pan Bus Lines for a renewal term commencing March 2008.  Mr. Gonzalez provided vending and game commission revenue figures, which exceed $2,000 per month.  A motion was presented by Mr. Pettigrew to accept the monthly financial report, seconded by Mr. Chiodo, and accepted unanimously by a vote of 37.95 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions (Ms. Oliver had entered the meeting at 6:33 p.m.). 

The Chairman acknowledged and bade welcome to two new board members: Gilbert Hayes from the Town of East Windsor and James Brislin from the Town of Enfield. 

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations.   Ms. Shotland followed up with an additional Union Station issue; mentioning that a tenant has informally stated that they are considering leaving Union Station.  Ms. Shotland discussed the current status of several Request for Proposals and Request for Quotes including; security services, architectural & engineering services, transit system advertising, phone system hardware and software upgrades, and cleaning services.   Ms. Shotland requested that the Board take a few minutes to look at the ADA/DAR statistical report.  She also stated that the District was awaiting a final report from the FTA’s Civil Rights Office regarding a complaint submitted by an ADA passenger who was disgruntled with the paratransit service.  Ms. Shotland next addressed operational issues.  She stated that there was nothing to report this month regarding the CRCOG Transportation Committee meeting. 

Mr. Mitchell requested that Ms. Cassidy present an update from the Parking Lot Panel meeting on December 19, 2007.  Ms. Cassidy proposed to the board that a short-term parking rate of fifty cents ($.50) for any vehicle parked for thirty (30) minutes or less be heard at a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008.  After the public hearing the Parking Lot Committee will consider the final proposal to adopt the short-term rate change.   Upon motion by Ms. Cassidy and then seconded  by Mr. Pettigrew, the recommendation to set a public hearing regarding this matter was accepted unanimously by a vote of; 37.95 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention.  

Ms. Cassidy also asked if the remainder of the Board members would read the ProPark contract and submit questions or concerns to her.  She stated that a meeting will be set up with the contractor in April to discuss outstanding issues with the Parking Lot committee. She also noted that the committee  would like to work with the City of Hartford to proactively market the Spruce Street lot for future events that take place in and around the city. 

Mr. Mitchell asked the Board if there was any other business that Board members would like to discuss. Mr. Pettigrew wanted to find out if anyone knew where the “Handicapped Parking Signs” went that were on Spruce Street.  Mr. Chiodo wanted to know if anyone had additional information on the Putnam Bridge project.  He stated that the District should be mindful of this project and see if there is a possibility of District involvement.  Mr. Hayes wanted to know if there was any new information on the extension of the ¾-mile radius that was raised at the December 2007 LOCHSTP meeting by CTDoT.  There being no further business brought before the Board, Ms. Oliver moved that the Meeting be adjourned.  Upon seconding by Mr. Flynn, the motion passed by a vote of 37.95 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted, 

_______________________
James R. McCavanagh
Secretary 

                                                  Adopted 03/06/08