MINUTES, REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford Connecticut
September 4, 2008 

Frank Lord, Vice Chairman
Presiding............................   

At 7:00 p.m., a quorum determined to be present; Mr. Lord 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 the Union Station Transportation Center (the "Center"), One Union Place, Hartford, Connecticut.  The following Directors were present: Joan Gamble, Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet, East Hartford; Gilbert Hayes, East Windsor; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Frank Lord, Jason Barone-Cichocki (arrived at 7:07 pm), Jesse J. Smith, and Melvin D. Pettigrew; Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester; Kevin Chick, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury; Mary Oliver (arrived at 7:12 pm), Vernon; Richard F. Messenger, West Hartford; and Brendan T. Flynn, Wethersfield.  District staff present were Vicki L. Shotland, Executive Director; Patricia M. Williams, Director of Paratransit Services; Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services; and DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator.  Also present was Mr. Bradshaw Smith a resident of Windsor.

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

The Vice Chairman next asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 5,, 2008.  Mr. Flynn moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Ms. Gamble, the motion passed by a vote of 26.98 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

The Vice Chairman then requested presentation of the monthly financial report.  Ms. Dunham indicated that federal grant revenue is reflective of administration fee activity only. State of Connecticut Department of Transportation funding is expected at levels comparable to Fiscal Year 2008. CTDOT will be funding local match on vehicle procurement, Union Station rehabilitation expenditures, and Automatic Vehicle Locator and Global Positioning System equipment.

Funds are again available for the Dial-A-Ride operating grants and a synopsis of funding by municipality/agency was reviewed.

Interest earnings remain high and the agency has recently begun to invest excess cash in a Certificate of Deposit with the ability to withdraw funds maintaining liquidity. Vehicle sales have exceeded $23,000 year to date and the District is awaiting directive from the Federal Transit Administration with regard to disposition of the Dial-A-Ride vehicles which have not reached the end of their useful life.

Overhead costs in both the Public and Private sides of Union Station are under budget due to the minimal use of outside contractors. Also, the agency expects notable savings as a result of a new copy machine lease contract. A brief review of additional rental income generated over the past three years was presented. Negotiations on new and renewal leases have net an additional $185,000 per year. Ms. Dunham also discussed the status of the Real Estate Tax situation. The agency had filed an appeal with the Superior Court under CGS Section 12-119 and hired a consultant who met with the tax assessor to review inaccuracies in the City’s calculations. The results of that meeting were extremely positive, with an anticipated $115,000 per year reduction in taxes. Brief discussion ensued regarding the matter and Ms. Shotland indicated the District’s satisfaction with the outcome.

There being no further discussion, Mr. Flynn moved acceptance of the financial report, which was seconded by Mr. Pettigrew and voted unanimously be a vote of 31.51 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

An update of leasehold activity was presented.  Propark has exercised its renewal option for a five year term and is now leasing the first floor north mezzanine. There is a possibility that Capitol Workforce Partners may sublease a portion of the third floor to another entity. Mr. Gonzalez noted that the District continues to research a second ATM on the Union Place side of the building, either leased directly by the agency or in partnership with a bank.

Ms. Shotland noted that the District has been awarded the GFOA Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the twenty fourth consecutive year.

Ms. Dunham discussed the Incidental Charter Excess Mileage account which has accumulated over the past thirteen years. There is a significant balance in the account, and it is expected that the private operators will submit major repair invoices over the next few months which may deplete the majority of the balance. Mr. St. John inquired as to the funding of that account and Ms. Dunham replied that the operators have been paying into it each year. Ms. Shotland updated the Board on the status of disposition of the commuter coaches. The District had previously requested approval from FTA to sell the vehicles to the private operators, however that request was denied due to concerns that the needs of the commuting public may not be met. Staff recently met with the operators and Connecticut DOT to discuss an intergovernmental transfer of the vehicles from GHTD to CTDOT.

Mr. Lord then asked for Program Presentations. Ms. Williams discussed updated ADA/DAR statistics inclusive of July 2008.  Ms. Williams explained that she modified the report based on a request made by the Board at the May 2008 meeting.  Mr. Gonzalez notified the Board that twelve replacement vehicles have been ordered and will be added to the ADA Paratransit fleet.  

Ms. Shotland then noted that the District has applied for a federal grant under the Clean Fuels program to fund hybrid electric vehicles; a response should be forthcoming within the next few months.  She then asked Mr. Gonzalez to speak about the AVL (automated vehicle locator) system that will be procured for the ADA Paratransit vehicles.  Mr. Gonzalez gave a brief summary on the current status of that procurement and stated that the District would anticipate that the entire process may be completed and the equipment installed by March 2009.  Mr. Jansen asked if there is a savings on fuel that can be attributed to the utilization of AVL.  Mr. Gonzalez stated that those numbers do not appear to be available. Mr. Pettigrew asked Mr. Gonzalez if there were cameras on the ADA Paratransit vehicles. Mr. Gonzalez explained that the vehicles had “G Force” cameras otherwise known as Drive Cam.  He explained that the cameras record incidents.  Mr. Pettigrew then asked if there were monitors on the bus.  Mr. Gonzalez acknowledged that there were at various times.  Mr. Pettigrew that asked how much the radios cost.  Mr. Gonzalez said that he was unsure of the radios on the current vehicles because we have not had to purchase new ones recently.  Mr. Smith asked about drivers backing up vehicles and what was the procedure that they should follow. Mr. Gonzalez explained that if there were situations where the bus operator has to back up a bus and they are required to call First Transit dispatch for approval.   Mr. Gonzalez was asked to update the Board members on Spruce Street Parking Lot issues.  He explained that the agency was in the process of procuring new software that will give the District the ability to generate accurate revenue reports and the means to collect payment by debit and credit card.  Mr. St. John asked if the District was increasing parking lot revenue due to the new short term parking rate.  Ms. Shotland stated that Ms. Dunham would try to provide an analysis by the next Board meeting. Ms. Shotland stated that the District is still investigating the use of the two glass encased areas in the Great Hall and how to utilize the space accordingly and profitably.  She said that a Business Center is still a possibility if revenue can be generated from that source.

Ms. Shotland next provided a status report on the Enfield Intermodal site.  She stated that the consultants have prepared a draft Memorandum of the key findings for the Thompsonville Transit Center as part of the feasibility study being conducted.  The key findings will be presented at a special Town Council meeting tentatively scheduled for September 16, 2008.  The next steps include finalizing the feasibility study report, working with ConnDOT to define transit service and completing an RFP for Design/Engineering services for the phased transit center.  She also provided an update on the Vernon Intermodal site.  District staff met with the Interim Town Administrator, John Ward, to discuss the project, explain the funding requirements and to provide demographic information.  The funds earmarked for this project are for design and construction of a facility to support bus services to the Town such as CT Transit, GHTD paratransit, dial-a-ride service, taxi, bikes and intercity service.  Mr. Ward also wanted to know if the funds could be used to purchase passenger waiting shelters at the existing bus stops.  He was told that this earmark is to construct an intermodal transportation center. As to the use of the earmarked monies to purchase passenger waiting shelters in and around the existing bus stops, the funds cannot be used solely for that purpose as the intent of the earmark is to construct an intermodal center.  However, the passenger amenities are an eligible expense if they are part of the intermodal facility improvements to the surrounding area.  Ms. Oliver then spoke and addressed secondary modes of transportation that would enhance the proposed intermodal site.

Ms. Shotland finished the program presentations by noting that the Department of Visual and Performing Arts for the Bloomfield Public Schools will be utilizing the Great Hall for a two week exhibition in the spring of 2009. Ms. Gamble went on to describe the distinguished background of Joseph A.Olzacki the Director of the Visual and Performing Arts Department who will be bringing the exhibition and festival to Union Station.

Ms. Shotland presented the news that the District was chosen as one of the “10 Great Transit Systems to Work For.”  The agency will be featured in the September/October issue of Metro Magazine, as well as on the TransitTalent.com website and in the Transit Intelligence e-mail newsletter.  The news will be released at the annual transit industry conference hosted by the American Public Transportation Association in San Diego, CA in early October.  This is wonderful publicity and recognition for the District.

Mr. Hayes then reported on the July 28, 2008 CRCOG Transportation Committee Meeting.  He provided an update on the Northwest Corridor Study presentation that Sandy Fry/CRCOG Planner spoke about.  He mentioned that there were three important items addressed in her presentation; building ridership in the Northwest Corridor, evaluating Union Station and recommended improvements, and the development of a downtown transit circulation system that will accommodate Busway service.

Mr. Lord then asked if there was any other business to be properly brought before the Board. Mr. Pettigrew requested to be heard and stated that the Handicap Parking signs were removed from Spruce Street and have not been replaced.  Mr. Gonzalez stated that he spoke with Kevin Burnham from the City of Hartford several weeks ago, but he will call Mr. Burnham to follow up on the issue again.  Mr. Lord then reminded the Board that the next Regular Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
James McCavanagh
Secretary

 

Adopted on: 11/06/08