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

At 7:06 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; Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Jennifer Cassidy and Jesse J. Smith; Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester; Kenneth D. Goldberg; Rocky Hill; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury; Mary Oliver, Vernon; David Giordano, West Hartford; 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 E. Sheehan, Director of Grants and Contract Administration, and Patricia Williams, Director of Paratransit.  No members of the public were present.

Before proceeding with the regular agenda, Mr. Mitchell introduced Sandra Sheehan, who has just joined the district staff, to the Board, and invited the board to greet her following the completion of the meeting.

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

Mr. Mitchell then made reference to changes that were made to the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 7, 2007 and then asked for consideration of adopting those same Minutes.  Mr. Chiodo moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Ms Oliver, the motion passed by a vote of 19.60 yea, 0.00 nay and 4.94 abstention (Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Smith).

The Chairman then requested that the monthly financial report be presented.  Ms. Dunham indicated that the site work associated with the District’s year end audit was near completion and gave a brief overview of FY2007 financial information.  More than $17 million in capital and operating funds passed through the agency in FY2007.  A projected surplus of $60,000 in the General Fund is expected to be retained as contingency.  

With regard to FY2008 financial data, Ms. Dunham discussed the Indirect Cost Allocation Plan and intentions to meet with the agency’s two largest funding sources, Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration, to discuss a revised plan.  She indicated that the District was able to save $185,000 in current policy year premium costs on behalf of the CT Department of Transportation through vehicle reclassification by the Transit Districts.  She also noted that year to date FTA grant revenue is less than anticipated, as a number of grants have just recently been approved and subsequent contract awards remain pending. Ms. Dunham then discussed anticipated vehicle sales in addition to expected high interest earnings in the Investment Fund and Citizen’s Bank checking account. 

Variance to budget items in the Enterprise Fund include Professional Services for the Spruce Street Parking Lot, as the District is holding payment to the management company pending receipt of requested data.  Concession income is lower than expected due to a change in vending service provider.  The previous vendor is delinquent in concession payment for the months of June and July, and the District will be initiating collection proceedings. Rental Revenue in the Brownstone does not include the internal fund transfer which essentially increased the agency’s Indirect Costs as an offset to Rental Revenue, as that transfer had been reversed at fiscal year end for the past few years due to insufficient funding of Indirect Costs.  This will be reassessed following approval of the Revised Cost Allocation Plan.

Ms. Shotland then provided an overview of FTA grant funding which includes Section 5307 funds to purchase paratransit vehicles, obtain administrative capital items to support operations, and improvements at Union Station. She also discussed earmark funding of the Vernon and Enfield Intermodal Centers as well as the Downtown Circulator/Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus project. Approximately $100,000 remaining in the Commuter Coach Replacement grant will be reprogrammed for the purchase of additional paratransit vehicles pending TIP/STIP action.  Brief discussion then ensued regarding financial matters and grant funding.           

A motion was then presented by Ms. Gamble to accept the monthly financial report, seconded by Ms. Oliver, and accepted unanimously by a vote of 24.54 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions.

Ms. Dunham went onto discuss facility matters regarding recent leasehold activities.

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations.   The Board was provided with the monthly ADA/DAR report and asked if there were any questions.  Mr. Jansen commented that the overall cancellation percentage seemed high and he stated that this most likely put an additional burden on the contractor’s operation. Ms Shotland announced that there has been a major change in local management for Laidlaw and Ms. Linda DeLallo has been named the new Project Manager.   Ms. Shotland proceeded to discuss pending issues including; sidewalk replacement, upcoming transportation center floor refurbishment, and proposals received for reduced costs regarding electric usage.

A motion was then presented by Ms. Oliver to recognize the placement of a plaque on the outside of the Union Station brownstone to honor those students who attended the Shanti School on this site in the 1970s. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gamble, and accepted unanimously by a vote of 24.54 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions.

The Chairman then called for the Transportation Committee report.  Ms. Cassidy attended the CRCOG Transportation Committee meeting on June 18, 2007 and made mention that the meeting was held at the Greater Hartford Transit District offices with the Executive Director giving a presentation on the District’s role in the region.

The Chairman then addressed a 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 is scheduled to be held later this month to address the complaint; the District will be represented by its legal counsel. 

The Chairman asked if there was any additional business to be heard before the board.  Ms. Cassidy stated that James Kopensey from the Hartford Parking Authority made a visit to the Spruce Street Parking Lot and provided some suggestions regarding the District’s parking situation.  Ms. Cassidy also made reference to some upcoming events that will be taking place in Hartford in the near future.  Mr. St. John discussed transit related issues that were addressed at the recent Connecticut Public Transportation Committee meeting.  Mr. Mitchell then addressed the Request for Proposal that was issued by the District for “Rental of Taxicab Service Area.”  The Chairman stated that alternatives are being investigated and negotiations are taking place to find a suitable resolution to this issue.

There being no further business brought before the Board, Mr. Chiodo moved that the Meeting be adjourned.  Upon seconding by Ms. Oliver, the motion passed by a vote of 24.54 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.