REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford Connecticut
June 17, 2010

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

At 7:07 p.m., a quorum determined to be present; Mr. Mitchell called the Regular 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: Marilyn Pet and Peter Bonzani, East Hartford; Kevin G. Mooney and Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Frank Lord and Jesse Smith (arrived at 7:55pm), Hartford; Kevin Chick and William G. Hall, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Simsbury; A. David Giordano and Richard F. Messenger, West Hartford; Brendan T. Flynn and Martin Walsh, Wethersfield; and Mary Oliver Vernon.. District staff present were Vicki L. Shotland, Executive Director; Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services; DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator; and Sandra Sheehan, Director of Grants and Contract Administration. Also present was Bradshaw Smith, a resident of the Town of Windsor.

Mr. Mitchell then 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 Annual Meeting of May 14, 2010, as amended by the following: The first (1st) paragraph on Page 1 on the Minutes should read, “Kevin G. Mooney, Enfield.” Mr. Messenger moved adoption of those Minutes. Upon seconding by Ms. Oliver, the motion passed by a vote of 29.90 yea, 0.00 nay and 1.05 abstention (Mr. St. John.)

The Chairman then requested presentation of the monthly financial report. Ms. Dunham indicated that the third quarter Dial-A-Ride operating grant payments had been disbursed to all member towns. She also relayed that she had a meeting at CTDoT on June 16, 2010 and received a verbal notice that Dial-A-Ride funding will remain in place for next year, but cautioned that there is always a little hesitancy before we actually see a contract in place. Total State funding year-to-date is $11,572,358. Total (non USTC) FTA funding year-to-date is $3,104,528. The current balance in the General Fund is approximately $3,000,000. A transfer of funds from the account has been moved into the State Treasurers Fund, but can be withdrawn at any time. She noted that the District is still pursuing better opportunities for a higher return on our principal and we are currently awaiting a proposal from Citizens Bank. Ms. Dunham said that the General Fund Balance as of May 31, 2010 is at $160,628 which is approximately $17,000 higher than our last budget revision. The District anticipates that this balance will be even higher at the end of the fiscal year. Some factors contributing to the balance include; disposed vehicle sales, insurance proceeds, and transit advertising The Enterprise Fund year-to-date is at $841,597. She also let the Board know that the Bond Fund has dipped under $140,000. Ms. Dunham mentioned to the Directors that there was a report referring to parking revenue in their Board packets. Ms. Dunham wanted to let the Board know that the current MAS90 software has not been updated for approximately twelve years, but we procured the services of a consultant for $16,000 to add modules which will create a more efficient system, providing the accounting department with new opportunities for the future. Mr. Mitchell then asked if there were any questions related to the financial report as presented. As there were none, Mr. Flynn moved acceptance of the report, which was seconded by Mr. St. John and voted unanimously by a vote of 30.95 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations. Ms. Shotland asked the Directors to take a few minutes and to examine the two ADA Paratransit reports provided. Ms. Shotland than asked Mr. Gonzalez to discuss the disposal of vehicles for both member towns and DATTCO. Before he did that he wanted to acknowledge that the Greater Hartford Transit District serviced by First Transit took first and fourth place in the body-on chassis segment of the Statewide Bus Roadeo. He also noted that we took first place in the team category. Mr. Gonzalez then went on to discuss the funds received to date from the sale of the vehicles that had met their useful life. He also stated that the District was given the approval to move forward in selling the seven 1995 coaches currently operated by DATTCO. The District will have three remaining coaches which have not met their useful life, but discussions on their future disposition are ongoing with CTDoT and the FTA. Mr. Gonzalez finished the discussion by stating that all of the newly acquired ADA Paratransit vehicles are in service. Ms. Sheehan then provided an update on the AVL/GPS implementation and deployment. She noted that a list of pending items was prepared as well as addressed by StrataGen as part of the system’s final acceptance. A transition period has commenced as the District moves from the implementation phase to the support phase. Ms. Shotland finished the ADA portion of the staff presentations by noting that negotiations are still ongoing with the City of Hartford regarding the Dial-A-Ride program. The current contract ends on June 30, 2010, but the City wants to discuss an extension.

District staff then provided the Board with an update on operational and administrative initiatives. Ms. Sheehan stated that Associated Construction Company has substantially completed the interior upgrades project for the transportation center. There are few items that are pending, but they include the interior of the security booth, additional graphics, and a small punch list. Mr. Gonzalez noted that in the near future additional cameras and recording equipment will be placed in and around Union Station to tighten security measures and fill current gaps. He also noted that the District will be installing Wi-Fi in the transportation center and the Great Hall. Mr. Lord requested that the District look into providing free service for the Wi-Fi. Mr. Gonzalez noted that the District is looking into revenue producing opportunities to partner with a towing company for cars that are abandoned by their owners and left in the Spruce Street Parking Lot.

Ms. Sheehan then discussed the window replacement project and said that the District is working with Crosskey Architects for selection of a firm to conduct testing of the existing window caulking as well as the wood sash of the exterior windows including those of the Great Hall. The solicitation package for the restoration and renovation of the windows was released at the beginning of June and a pre-bid conference was held last week. In regard to the paving replacement project, the bus berthing area and parking lot has been substantially completed. The Contractor is expected to turn over the project to the District on Sunday, June 20th. The area will be open to buses on Monday the 21st. Taxi service will return to Spruce Street on that day.

Ms. Sheehan next discussed the Town of Enfield completing its procurement process for the selection of an Architectural and Engineering firm to complete the final design of the transit center to be located in Thompsonville. The firm selected is SEA. An initial meeting took place as part of the negotiation process that includes the scope of work and pricing. The Town is finalizing the contract with Transit Realty Advisors, the firm selected to conduct property appraisals and the preparation of the documents required by FTA for acquisition of parcels that will make up the transit center. Finally, the Town has been working with CRCOG and the District in the preparation of a proposal for loop bus service that may be funded with New Freedom funds through ConnDOT.

Finally Ms. Sheehan stated that the Town of Mansfield received twelve responses to the Request for Qualifications/Proposal issued by the Town for design services for the intermodal transportation center. The Town designated a selection committee that will assist in narrowing down the number of firms in order to issue a Request for Proposal to the qualified firm.

Ms. Shotland told the Board that the new Hot Tomatos restaurant is tentatively scheduled to open around July 23, 2010. She also stated that the District is waiting to finalize the sublease with First Transit and the master lease with the landlord at the Wawarme site for the ADA Paratransit operation. Ms. Shotland stated that there may be future opportunity for acquisition funding for an ADA Paratransit property. The District is working with CTDoT on the funding portion of this initiative. Ms. Shotland also stated that it appears that the District will be receiving significant 5307 funding for 2010. The District has worked closely once again with CTDoT for additional monies for; facility projects, vehicles, and computer support equipment.

Ms. Sheehan gave an update to the Board on the Transportation Committee meetings. She stated that the meeting held on May 18, 2010 featured a presentation on the Northwest Corridor Study. Additionally a Special Meeting was held on June 14, 2010. The CRCOG staff reports included information on the public hearings that were held as part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Intercity Rail project. The Transportation Committee adjourned for the summer and will meet next on September 20, 2010.

Mr. St. John moved to continue the Meeting in Executive Session to discuss the performance review and compensation of the Executive Director. Upon seconding by Mr. Walsh, the motion passed by a vote of 30.95 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions. The Meeting continued in Executive Session at 7:44 p.m. No votes were taken in that Session except that Mr. Bonzani moved to continue the Meeting in Regular Session. Upon seconding by Mr. Quintero, the motion passed by a vote of 34.05 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting continued in Regular Session at 9:04 pm. Mr. Flynn moved to adopt the Committee’s Report. The motion was seconded by Ms. Oliver. Mr. Bonzani moved to amend the Report of the Personnel Committee as discussed by the Board. Upon seconding by Mr. Quintero, the motion to amend passed by a vote of 34.05 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. The motioner and seconder of the main motion accepted the amendment as presented, and a vote on the main motion was called. The motion passed by a vote of 34.05 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

There being no further business brought before the Board Mr. Jansen moved that the meeting be adjourned. Upon seconding by Ms. Oliver, the motion passed by a vote of 34.05 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
James McCavanagh
Secretary