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 and Peter J. Bonzani, East Hartford; Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Jennifer Cassidy and Frank Lord; Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester; William G. Hall, Newington (exited at 7:26 pm and returned at 7:34 pm); Kenneth D. Goldberg; Rocky Hill; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury; Mary Oliver, Vernon (arrived at 7:46 pm); David Giordano (departed at 8:40 pm) and Richard F. Messenger, West Hartford; and Brendan T. Flynn, Wethersfield. District staff present were; Vicki L. Shotland, Executive Director; DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator; Sandra E. Sheehan, Director of Grants and Contract Administration; and Patricia Williams, Director of Paratransit.  Also present was Marcia Baran, a resident of the Town of West Hartford.

The Chairman next asked if there were any members of the public who wished to be heard.  Ms. Baran made a request to be heard and raised a concern about the ADA Paratransit “No Show” policy and also asked if the District maintained an updated list of client telephone numbers.   Ms. Shotland explained that changes were being initiated by the District and First Transit (formerly Laidlaw Transit Services) over the course of the next several weeks.  The results that are anticipated include a decrease in “No Shows and Late Cancellations.”  Mr. Bonzani commented that he thought that the “No Show” percentage did not appear to be that high based on the number of trips that are provided monthly.  Ms. Baran then asked if the documents sent to passengers would be in an accessible format?  The District staff will look into her request.  In regard to Ms. Baran’s other concern, Ms. Williams stated that phone numbers are maintained and are as up-to-date as possible.

Mr. Mitchell then asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 6, 2007.  Mr. St. John moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Mr. McCavanagh, the motion passed by a vote of 22.90 yea, 0.00 nay and 9.77 abstention (Mr. Flynn, Mr. Lord, Mr. Messenger and Ms. Pet).

The Chairman then requested that the monthly financial report be presented  The Monthly Financial Report had been distributed via mail prior to the meeting due to the anticipated absence of the Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services.  All Federal Fiscal Year 2007 grants have been approved and various construction projects have been initiated including replacement of the sidewalks.  The Connecticut Department of Transportation has committed local match on the Section 5307 funds which are slated for vehicle procurement, Union Station repairs and improvements, and the purchase of Administrative Capital equipment.  Municipal Dial-A-Ride grant funding has been committed for Fiscal Year 2008 and contract documents have been sent to member municipalities accordingly. 

Interest Income continues to exceed expectations.  Future anticipated revenues in the General Fund include the sale of ten-twelve ADA vehicles upon receipt of the new vehicles as well as sale proceeds of municipal Dial-A-Ride vehicles that have exceeded their useful life as defined by the Federal Transit Administration.  Property Acquisition expense and Federal Grant revenue in the Enterprise Fund remain lower than expected, as the sidewalk replacement expenditure was incurred in October 2007 and is not reflected in this report. 

A number of Fiscal Year budget line items are expected to be revised at the December Board meeting, at which time the final Fiscal Year 2007 budget shall be adopted.  As the Board had been afforded the opportunity to address any questions related to the financial report prior to the meeting, a motion to accept the monthly financial report as presented was made by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Lord and accepted by a vote of 32.67 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions.

The Board also discussed the possibility that the District would obtain a line of credit from Citizen’s Bank.  A motion  was made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Bonzani to obtain a line of credit in an amount not to exceed $750,000 from Citizen’s Bank, and also to  authorize the Chairman, Mr. Mitchell  to enter into agreement with Citizens Bank for the line of credit. The motion passed by a vote of 31.18 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. 

Mr. Mitchell called for the Facility Report.  Ms. Shotland advised the board that the District was entering into agreements which are going to decrease electric costs over the next several months.  She also discussed a recent heating oil purchase made for the underground tank which is the backup system to the boilers.  Ms. Shotland also made reference to the following: reevaluation for upgrading the transportation center floors and that there will be a new request for quotes published; the completion of the sidewalk replacement program; and the upcoming installation of new vending equipment providing additional revenue to the District.

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations.   The Board was provided with the monthly ADA/DAR report and asked if there were any questions by Ms. William.  Ms. Shotland proceeded to discuss administrative and operational issues that included; major meetings and presentations, request for proposals, pending procurements, board member vacancies, and current contracts with towns.  She also mentioned the need to have a Disclosure Statement signed by all Directors annually, an update on the Northwest Corridor Study, the Salvation Army request, scheduling of an upcoming audit committee meeting, and proposed vehicle sales.

The Chairman then called for the Transportation Committee report.  Ms. Cassidy attended the CRCOG Transportation Committee meeting on September 24, 2007 and stated that there were no significant issues discussed at the meeting related to District affairs.

The Chairman then addressed the recent Freedom of Information Complaint (FOI) that was directed against the Board of Directors and its Chairman by Bradshaw Smith of Windsor, CT.  A hearing was held on October 23, 2007.  Mr. Mitchell also indicated to the Board that this FOI complaint has had a significant financial impact on the District. 

The Chairman then explained to the Directors that the State was requiring the Board to act on considering adopting a resolution pertaining to the acceptance of a policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under CGS § 4a-60(a)(1) and § 4a-60a(a)(1), as amended in State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142.  A motion was made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Bonzani to adopt the certified resolution.  The motion passed by a vote of 28.68 yea, 2.31 nay (Mr. Mitchell), and 0.00 abstention. 

The Chairman asked if there was any additional business to be heard before the board.  The Chairman himself brought forward a request from District staff to consider increasing member town contributions. The Directors were provided with spreadsheet calculations indicating the current dues assessed to each municipality and also proposed contribution increases.  A motion to amend was made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Messenger to increase the town dues from .07 cents to .10 cents for FY ’09.  The motion passed by a vote of 34.10 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.  Mr. Lord asked that the minutes reflect the formation of an “ad hoc” committee to discuss membership increases for the following year.  A memo from the District will be drafted and distributed to the Directors and to the town mayors, administrators, town managers, and/or selectpersons ultimately responsible to bring the increase before their respective town councils.  Ms. Shotland stated that the last increase to the towns was in 1989 when the contribution went from .05 cents to the current .07 cents.

Before final adjournment of the meeting, Ms. Oliver inquired about the hours of the Star Shuttle on weekends.  Mr. Gonzalez was asked to respond and made mention that the shuttle runs on Saturdays, but its use on Sundays is based upon CT Convention Center business and is not regularly scheduled to run on this day.  Mr. Jansen inquired if there was a breakdown of local riders taking the shuttle vs. those individuals visiting the city?  Ms. Shotland responded that those numbers are not broken out separately, CTTransit records total riders per day only.

There being no further business brought before the Board, Mr. Bonzani moved that the Meeting be adjourned.  Upon seconding by Mr. Messenger, the motion passed by a vote of 30.99 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.