MINUTES, REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford, Connecticut
January 8, 2009
Stephen F. Mitchell, Chairman
Presiding............................
At 7:04 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, Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet, East Hartford ; Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Frank Lord, Jason Barone-Cichocki, and Jesse J. Smith, Hartford; William G. Hall and Kevin Chick, Newington; Mary Oliver, Vernon; A. David Giordano and Richard M. Messenger, West Hartford; Brendan T. Flynn and Martin 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, 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. Mitchell then asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 10, 2008. Ms. Oliver moved adoption of those Minutes. Upon seconding by Ms. Gamble, the motion passed by a vote of 27.40 yea, 0.00 nay and 3.10 abstention (Mr. Lord.)
The Chairman then requested presentation of the monthly financial report. Ms. Dunham indicated that the first quarter Dial-A-Ride operating grant payments had been disbursed. Notices regarding Fiscal Year 2010 Member Town Dues (at $.13 per capita) are being sent to member municipalities. The status of Fiscal Year 2010 Dial-A-Ride operating grants is unknown until the legislature passes the budget and an executed contract is in place between the District and Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The General Fund continues to carry significant revenue amounting to $121,346 year to date. Major factors include Investment Income, Member Town Dues, Vehicle Sales, and Transit Advertising Revenue.
Due to payments to the boiler replacement contractor and architects, both FTA Revenue and Property Acquisition Expense include a noticeable increase. FTA Revenue receivable in the Union Station – Private fund represents the anticipated year to date operating deficit. Upon closure of the December books, a drawdown will be completed. The agency recently received its January 2009 Real Estate Tax bill, bringing the Fiscal Year 2009 taxes to $160,000, which is the amount agreed upon with the City of Hartford.
Mr. Mitchell inquired if there were any questions related to the financial report, and as there were none, Mr. Barone-Cichocki motioned acceptance of the report which was seconded by Mr. Flynn and accepted unanimously by a vote of 30.50 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.
Mr. Mitchell then asked Mr. Flynn, Chairman of the Audit Committee, to address the Board regarding the 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Single Audit Reports. The Audit Committee had met in December and a presentation was provided by Vanessa Rossitto of Blum Shapiro who reported that the annual report had received an unqualified (clean) opinion. Mr. Flynn noted that in order to comply with GASB 45, the District will procure software capable of calculating the agency’s OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) liability so that it may be acknowledged in the financial statements. The Audit Committee had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Rossitto in the absence of management’s presence. There being no questions related to the year end reports, upon motion by Mr. Barone-Cichocki and seconding by Ms. Gamble, they were accepted by a vote of 30.50 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.
Ms. Dunham provided an update on leasehold activity. The District is in final negotiations with a firm to install a second ATM on the Union Place side of the building. Mr. Lord inquired as to its actual location; Ms. Dunham replied it will be in the vestibule of the GHTD offices with access from the outside of the building. Mr. Hall asked about the revenue structure which is a combination of base rent and a tiered profit share of fees. The agency will also extend the license agreement with Hot Tomato’s for the Great Hall commencing February 1, 2009.
Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations. Ms. Williams discussed updated ADA/DAR statistics inclusive of December 2008. Ms. Williams brought to the attention of the Board, increases in rider statistics. Mr. Gonzalez stated that there will be a union ratification meeting for First Transit employees on January 15, 2009. Mr. Mitchell asked if these were pass-through costs, and Ms. Shotland acknowledged that they were. Mr. Gonzalez also noted that three new body-on-chassis buses arrived and have been placed in service; with nine more on order. Ms. Shotland said that these were being paid for with 5307 funding. Mr. Mitchell asked if they were gas or diesel vehicles? Upon response that they are diesel, Mr. Hall inquired of staff if bio-diesel has been considered? Ms. Sheehan explained that bio-diesel is not being purchased and that it is a much costlier product to procure at this time.
Mr. Gonzalez provided the Board with information on three large upcoming events scheduled for the Great Hall within the next 90-days. Ms. Sheehan then discussed the impending installation of the new parking management system for the Spruce Street Lot. Ms. Shotland also asked Ms. Sheehan to discuss the District’s proposal for “shovel ready” projects. Ms. Sheehan stated that two projects were submitted to CRCOG in response to their request for projects that are shovel ready. The first project includes: the replacement of three passenger elevators and two hydraulic systems at Hartford’s Union Station providing access to the Transportation Center, the North and South entrances to Union Station. Replacement will ensure ADA compliance. In addition, Ms. Sheehan indicated that it is the District’s intent to use materials that make elevator usage more energy efficient and environmentally safe and friendly. These include: LED style lights for inside; installing sensors to enable LED lights to turn off when the elevator is not in use; replacing the elevator controller with a microprocessor based controller; replacing the hydraulic elevator oil with alternative lubricants. The second project is the lighting improvements around Union Station including the light fixtures facing Asylum Street. The intent is to purchase lighting fixtures that are energy efficient and will enhanced the historical aspect of the building while providing the required foot candles of light. The lighting fixtures will be similar to those located along Union Place.
Ms. Sheehan went on to state that another Request for Proposal is being drafted for the remaining boiler. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the MDC’s sewer separation project should not have a significant impact on the traffic in and around Union Station. Ms. Sheehan stated that the District held a pre-proposal meeting for janitorial contractors interested in bidding on the cleaning contract at Union Station.
Ms. Shotland stated that there was a possibility of being a grantee for the Town of Mansfield for an FTA 5309 earmark. The staff will be meeting with Town representatives on Friday, January 9, 2009 to discuss the initiative. In regard to the Enfield Intermodal site; an FTA representative will be at the District next week for an update and a visit to the site. The Vernon project has been status quo and there have been no new developments. District staff is anticipating communication from the Vernon Town Administrator towards the middle of January after the Town Council has met to discuss their options. Ms. Shotland reminded the Board that the NorthEast Passenger Transportation Association will be holding their transit conference on March 18th and March 19th at the CT Convention Center. She also said that further information would be forthcoming. There will also be a reduced rate that is still under discussion, but when approved it is anticipated that the lower cost will attract transit-interested individuals that would not have been able to attend otherwise. Next on the agenda Ms. Shotland and Ms. Dunham gave a brief presentation on the updated website. Although a work in progress, a number of changes have been made including the addition of Union Station archival documents presented in a book format. A number of board members offered suggestions on the website including adding a list of Union Station amenities and hours of operation as well as adding virtual tour clips.
Mr. Mitchell then asked if there was any other business to be properly brought before the Board. Ms. Oliver asked if the District was allowed to encourage appointments to fill open Board positions. Mr. Mitchell explained that the District cannot recommend appointments, but interested persons should be directed to their respective Town.
The Chairman addressed the Board and stated that he had two items to discuss. The first was in regard to a call he made to the City of Hartford’s Traffic Engineer asking for assistance in replacing the handicap parking signs that were removed from the transportation center side of Union Station. Mr. Mitchell stated that he left a voicemail and will follow-up on the matter. The second issue was to notify the Board that the previous members of the Parking Lot Panel were reappointed, but all Board Directors are welcome to attend the upcoming meeting on January 23rd where the short term parking rate will be discussed.
There being no further business brought before the Board, Mr. Flynn moved that the Meeting be adjourned. Upon seconding by Mr. Messenger, the meeting was adjourned by a vote of 30.50 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting ended at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
James R. McCavanagh
Secretary
Adopted on: 3/5/09
