MINUTES, Regular Meeting and Committee of the Whole
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford, Connecticut
September 7, 2006

William D. Chiodo, Chairman
Presiding............................

At 7:15p.m., Chairman Chiodo called the Regular Meeting to order and immediately recessed it until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 2, 2006 because a quorum was not present. Mr. Chiodo then convened the assembled Directors as a “Committee of the Whole.” The following Directors were present: Joan Gamble, Bloomfield, Peter J. Bonzani, East Hartford; Russell G. St. John, Granby; Jennifer Cassidy and Frank Lord, Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester;Mary Oliver, Vernon; Brendan T. Flynn, Wethersfield; William D. Chiodo, Windsor. District staff present were Vicki L. Shotland, Executive Director; Domingo Gonzalez, Operations Administrator; Patricia M. Williams, Director of Paratransit Services; Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services. 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. No one wanted to speak.
• Adoption of the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of June 8, 2006 was recessed until the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on November 2, 2006.
• Vicki Shotland then formally introduced Mr. Domingo (DJ) Gonzalez the new Operations Administrator to the Board.
• Kimberly Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services presented the monthly financial report and discussed line items that had experienced a variance between actual figures and expected amounts. She relayed that interest income recognized in July and August had well exceeded expectations; vehicle disposition resulted in nearly $10,000, with more income expected upon upcoming sales; and that the Doron driver simulation system had been sold to another transit property. Parking revenue has been significantly lower than anticipated and Real Estate Taxes will be nearly $8000 more than last year. She provided an overview of the District’s intention to pass-through operating cost and real estate tax increases to Union Station tenants in accordance with their leases. Although that has not been the agency’s practice in the past, this pass-through is both allowable and an excellent opportunity to subsidize the operating deficit in the building. She also spoke of various initiatives to generate additional parking revenue such as event parking rates, the new signage design plan and group validation rates.
• Discussion ensued regarding the accrual of anticipated insurance costs and accrued time related to staff that will be eligible for retirement in the future. Upon inquiry to the District’s accounting firm and its recommendation, accruals shall no longer be made for these amounts; rather, costs will be expended upon incurrence.
• Mr. Chiodo then asked for Program Presentations. Ms. Williams presented the Paratransit Program Update. She distributed the Operational Summary with ADA & Hartford DAR figures for the period of August 2004-July 2005. Mr. Gonzalez then provided an overview on the benefits of procuring a GPS tracking system for the ADADAR vehicles. Some long-term results discussed included increased productivity, decreased lateness, and a decline in missed trips. Ms. Shotland also noted that there was a special meeting held by the CRCOG Transportation Committee in July to approve the TIP.
• Ms. Dunham updated the Board on the District’s leasing initiatives, upcoming Great Hall Events, and signage in and around the facility. Other issues discussed by Ms. Shotland included; upcoming and anticipated capital improvement initiatives; the zero emissions hydrogen fuel cell bus, an update on new board members, reappointments to the Board, and resignations from the Board.
• Mr. Chiodo then asked for Parking Lot Panel discussion. Ms. Dunham indicated that the Parking Lot Panel had met in June and decided to recommend to the Board that it adopt, on a six month basis, a Group Validation Rate for parking. This rate would be offered to groups hosting events in the Great Hall as well as others in the Union Station area that may have overflow parking needs, and would be assessed at $5.00 per person. The program would be reviewed at the end of the six month period for effectiveness and success rate.
• Mr. Chiodo then asked for any other business before adjourning the meeting. Mr. Brendan Flynn suggested that signs be placed on the Spruce Street side of the Transportation Center to direct people to the Star Shuttle stop located on Union Place. Ms. Shotland said that they would look into this request. Ms. Shotland then asked the Board to consider discussing at the November 2, 2006 meeting, the feasibility of looking at additional towns in the Greater Hartford area that may be considered for future District membership. Mr. Chiodo asked Ms. Shotland to provide a map to Board members that highlighted current member towns. Ms. Shotland also stated that she would like to discuss current member town dues at the next Board meeting. Ms. Mary Oliver suggested that District staff attend future member town council meetings to provide an overview of what the District provides as services to its member towns.
• Since there was no other new business the meeting was adjourned by general consensus at 8:45 pm.
  
  
  
  Respectfully submitted,
  
  
  _______________________
  Frank Lord
  Secretary