REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
Hartford, Connecticut
June 16, 2011
Stephen F. Mitchell, Chairman
Presiding...........................
At 7:02 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: Joan Gamble, Bloomfield; Marilyn Pet and Peter J. Bonzani, East Hartford; Stephen F. Mitchell and Kevin T. Mooney, Enfield; Frank Lord, Jesse J. Smith, and Jennifer Cassidy, Hartford; James R. McCavanagh and Paul McNamara, Manchester; William G. Hall and Kevin Chick, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Simsbury; Hugh Brower, South Windsor; Mary A. Oliver, Vernon; Richard F. Messenger and A. David Giordano, West Hartford; and Ricardo Quintero, Windsor. District staff present were Vicki L. Shotland, Executive Director; Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services; DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator; and Sandra E. Sheehan, Director of Grants and Contract Administration.
The Chairman asked if there was any member of the public who wished to address the board. There were none.
Ms. Gamble then moved adoption of the May 12, 2011 meeting minutes, which was seconded by Ms. Oliver, and approved by a vote of 43.49 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.
The Chairman next asked for presentation of the financial report. Ms. Dunham relayed that the auditors have been on-site this week for preliminary audit work and will return for two weeks in mid-August. The District has just executed a seven year operating contract with CTDOT for the ADA service and a premium presentation meeting had been held earlier in the day for the Insurance Consortium. The Town of East Hartford subsidizes its residents’ ADA fares and that total has averaged approximately $15,000 per month for several years; however the past two months have totaled nearly $20,000 and the paratransit staff is working closely with East Hartford to ensure accuracy in the fare charges.
Third and fourth quarter disbursements of the Dial-A-Ride operating funds are forthcoming and the District is awaiting final word on the status of the FY2012 Dial-A-Ride funds.
There has been significant vehicle disposal activity which will result in net income of at least $89,000 by fiscal year end. Fund balance is expected to exceed $155,000. A review of parking revenue was provided indicating there is a 22% increase in year to date amounts compared to the same period in the prior year. The recent ½ hour and maximum daily rate changes have yielded nearly $13,000 in additional revenue just in the past ten weeks. Extension documents have been executed for both Dunkin’ Donuts and Crosskey Architects, both expiring in 2016.
There being no further discussion, Mr. Bonzani motioned acceptance of the monthly financial report, which was seconded by Mr. Quintero, and accepted unanimously by a vote of 43.49 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.
Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations. Mr. Gonzalez relayed that the Town of East Hartford Youth Services Department had just purchased a vehicle from the District. He also stated that First Transit drivers took first, second, and third place as well as the team award in the Body-on-Chassis division of the Connecticut ROADEO held last Sunday. Two vehicles are currently being leased to the Town of Enfield under a short term lease-to-purchase agreement.
Ms. Pet stated that there had been a ceremony held in East Hartford to commemorate the purchase of the vehicle that will be used by the Youth Services Department. Previously that group had rented buses and the vehicle purchase will allow them to provide more trips. Ms. Pet thanked the District for working with the Town and recommended that other board members consider a similar arrangement should there be a like need in their own community.
Mr. Gonzalez provided an update of Union Station project activity. The platform canopies are being power washed and painted and bird netting is being installed. Upgrades to the security camera system will provide broader coverage of the property, including the parking lot. The parking lot booth is slated for replacement as are the lights in the parking lot and near the sidewalk. The north side train trestles will be painted this summer and a fire suppression system will be installed in the computer server room.
Ms. Sheehan provided a Procurement and Grant Activity update. She relayed that the Window Replacement Project continues; there have been some delays related to weather but overall it is going well. The half moon windows will be completed first and then the Great Hall windows will be replaced. The District is working with the DOT to finalize the approval for the purchase of vehicles for the New Freedom program and Yellow Cab to address the details of the project.
The District held a kick off meeting with Independent Elevator Inc., the firm awarded a contract for the modernization of the elevators, on Wednesday June 15th. Materials will take approximately six weeks from submittal approval and each elevator is expected to take approximately four weeks to modernize. The District has been working with Pro-Park staff to implement some of their proposed measures including the Juice Bar electric charging station. The District received four bids in response to the “Invitation For Bids” issued for AC Equipment Replacement. A recommendation for award was provided to Ms. Shotland and the District will be awarding a contract to Ferguson Mechanical Company.
The Consultants will be presenting the Intermodal Center conceptual designs to the Enfield Town Council on July 5th. A public review period will follow and it is expected the Town will vote on the plan at the September meeting.
The FTA has given the District the go ahead to obligate the balance of the earmarked funds for the construction of the Intermodal Center and the transit pathway in Mansfield. Accordingly, the District has commenced work on that grant amendment. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for the Storrs Center project, the transit portion being a part thereof, for June 29th at 5:00 p.m. Design services continue with some renderings of the transit center having been prepared and shared with the District.
Ms. Shotland indicated that a second letter has been sent to the Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner requesting the department’s participation in the Transit Nexus project currently approved by FTA at the site of the existing Park-n-Ride lot at 402 Hartford Turnpike. The District is working diligently to obtain commitment of state owned land as the local match for the project, as the FY 2009 funds will expire at the end of this Fiscal Year.
The District is finalizing details to work with the town of Glastonbury for the replacement of passenger bus shelters using the balance of the funds from projects from Rocky Hill and Manchester. Also a grant application will be submitted on behalf of the region for Transit Enhancement Funds that include projects in the Greater Hartford region, the Town of East Hampton and various towns in Central Connecticut.
Mr. Lord inquired as to the planned publicity regarding the electric charging station in the parking lot and suggested that outreach occur with local car dealers that sell hybrid vehicles. Ms. Sheehan stated that the District will be partnering with Propark to promote the Juice Bar.
Ms. Shotland relayed that the District has been awarded a Clean Fuel grant from CTDOT to purchase two hybrid electric and two CNG paratransit vehicles. Mr. Mitchell noted that it has been problematic to find alternative fuel paratransit vehicles in the past and this is an exciting opportunity for the District. Mr. Jansen asked what types of companies would have competed for this type of funding; Ms. Shotland stated it had been other transit districts. Mr. Quintero inquired regarding any type of analysis or reporting requirements associated with the grant. Further discussion ensued regarding details of various alternative fuel vehicle types and the fueling process.
Note was made regarding the spotlight on the Hartford ADA operation included in the First Transit newsletter. Ms. Shotland reported that an incentive program has been initiated by the senior managers to challenge GHTD staff to come up with energy, cost, and time savings ideas for the District. A report related to the aging population and future mobility options was also provided.
Ms. Shotland then provided an update on federal funding and the pending receipt of the UZA split letter that is a required part of that process. After extensive research and based on the input of legal counsel, the District will not pursue purchase of the Wawarme Avenue property due to potential risk associated with prior contamination. There is currently another property available that might work and staff will continue to pursue all other viable options.
Mr. Quintero provided an update on the progress of the By-Law Committee. That group is moving forward with researching potential changes and will provide a draft report in September. Mr. Lord recommended that the changes be presented to the Board prior to submission to the attorneys, so that any changes not desired by the Board be removed in advance.
Mr. Mitchell requested a motion for Consideration to Continue in Executive Session to Discuss Performance Review and Compensation of the Executive Director. Ms. Gamble so motioned, which was seconded by Ms. Oliver and approved unanimously by a vote of 43.49 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. The meeting continued in Executive Session at 7:50 p.m.
Ms. Gamble motioned that the Regular Meeting reconvene at 8:40 p.m. which was seconded by Mr. Messenger. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 43.49 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.
Mr. Lord then motioned Adoption of Matters discussed in Executive Session which was seconded by Mr. Bonzani. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 43.49 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.
There being no further business brought before the Board, Ms. Gamble moved that the meeting be adjourned. Upon seconding by Mr. Quintero, the motion passed by a vote of 43.49 yea, 0.00 nay, and 0.00 abstention. The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
James McCavanagh
Secretary
Adopted: September 8, 2011
