TRANSPAC Committee Meeting Summary Minutes
MEETING DATE: November 10, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Ross, Martinez (Chair); Loella Haskew, Walnut Creek (Vice Chair); Peter Cloven, Clayton;
Carlyn Obringer, Concord; Sue Noack, Pleasant Hill
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: John Mercurio, Concord
STAFF PRESENT: Ricki Wells, BART; Abhishek Parikh, Concord; Robert Sarmiento, Contra Costa County; Ruby
Horta, County Connection; Melody Reebs, County
Connection; Ananthan Kanagasundaram, Pleasant
Hill; Andy Smith, Walnut Creek; Matt Todd,
TRANSPAC Managing Director; and Margaret
Strubel, TRANSPAC Clerk
GUESTS/PRESENTERS: None
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Margaret Strubel, TRANSPAC Clerk
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SELF-INTRODUCTIONS.
Chair Ross called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT.
There were no comments from the public.
3. CONSENT AGENDA.
a. Minutes of the October 14, 2021 Meeting.
b. TRANSPAC Committee Appointments - CCTA CBPAC Appointments for the Term January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.
c. TRANSPAC Quarterly Financial Reports.
d. Continue Use of Teleconferencing for Public Meetings by the TRANSPAC Board and Subcommittees Pursuant to the Provisions of AB 361.
On motion by Commissioner Noack seconded by Vice Chair Haskew to approve the consent items “b.”, “c.”, and “d.” by unanimous vote of the members present (Ross, Haskew, Cloven, Obringer, Noack).
On motion by Commissioner Noack seconded by Vice Chair Haskew to approve the consent item “a.” by four votes of the members present (Ross, Haskew, Obringer, Noack) with Commissioner Cloven abstaining.
4. MEASURE J LINE 19A FUNDING REQUESTS.
Managing Director Matt Todd gave a brief overview of the Measure J Line 19a funding noting that the program is assigned 1.2% of Measure J revenues, with the funds identified for additional bus service enhancements in Central County and services are to be funded to be jointly identified by TRANSPAC and County Connection. He said that the revenue is expected to be about $1.2M based on the FY 2021/2022 revenue estimates.
Mr. Todd requested approval for programming for the upcoming 5 years, through FY 2026/2027. The program recommendation is similar to what was done in the past. The first $10,000 (matched with $10,000 from TRANSPAC) would be allocated to the City of Martinez for the maintenance of the Pacheco Transit Hub Park and Ride Facility and the remainder of the annual funds programmed to CCCTA to offset operational costs of the County Connection Route 16 and 316 services for the period of FY 2022/2023 to FY 2026/2027.
Chair Ross questioned if there could be route 316 bus service in the Park and Ride facility in the morning or afternoon stops for cyclists or pedestrians to take to the Amtrak station. County Connection staff Ruby Horta responded that this could be considered in the spring service change, but she noted that the issue with the park and ride is the time that is required for the bus to get in and out of the facility. She also noted that this facility is served by route 99x (BART to Amtrak) but only on weekdays during peak service. Chair Ross had thought that there was no service at all, but Member Horta said that this has only been in service for 3 years.
On motion by Vice Chair Haskew seconded by Commissioner Noack to approve the item by unanimous vote of the members present (Ross, Haskew, Cloven, Obringer, Noack).
5. MEASURE J LINE 20A FUNDS PROGRAM POLICIES.
Mr. Todd introduced this as an information item; he noted that this would be an action item during the December Board meeting. He provided information about the CCTA Measure J Line 20a program which provides funds for transportation services in the TRANSPAC area for seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to use other transportation options. He said that generally, this population is underserved and the services we fund reduce the demand for LINK paratransit service trips.
Mr. Todd said that there are about $500,000 in funds for FY 2022/2023 and FY 2023/2024. He said the call for projects is proposed to be released in December and that more requests than funds available is expected; and that he expects there to be 10-15 applications asking for $700,000 range in funding requests. In light of this, Mr. Todd said that a review of the evaluation criteria by the TRANSPAC TAC has been occurring and will continue at next week’s meeting to review evaluation criteria. He highlighted the challenges of the qualitative criteria, giving an example wide range of use, frequency, and assistance needed and how to compare them. He said that quantitative change (such as caps or a match) was considered, but the TAC discussed that this could penalize less well-funded organizations. He said that trips that are at a lower cost than LINK, shared resources with other programs, or included mobility management services could be other criteria considered.
Commissioner Obringer noted that Vice Chair Haskew was appointed to be on the Accessible Transportation Committee and enquired how this committee’s discussions could inform this issue.
Mr. Todd said the Measure J Line 20a program is funding many of the types of services that would fall under the Accessible Transportation Committee vision. He said that there is a push to have an umbrella organization to efficiently and comprehensively coordinate all senior and disabled trips across the county.
Commissioner Obringer drew attention to lack of transportation solutions around homelessness in the TRANSPAC communities and would like these funds to consider addressing this issue.
Mr. Todd noted that none of the programs funded directly support transportation for the homeless, and that he can speak with any organizations that are interested in this funding, their programs and eligibility.
Vice Chair Haskew noted she was appointed to the Accessible Transportation Committee. She said that she believes the Committee will be meeting over the next year to identify a coordinating agency, so this year’s program will be gap funding and important. She said she would take this program’s information back to the Accessible Transportation Committee.
Commissioner Noack spoke about the criteria in relation to equity. She mentioned the example of County Connection receiving funding for Monument Corridor. Mr. Todd also noted the census data included in the packet. He also noted that other information not available, such as an individual’s wealth, would provide a better picture of an individual’s financial status.
6. 2022 TRANSPAC MEETING CALENDAR.
Mr. Todd discussed the upcoming year’s meeting calendar and noted that the meetings take place the second Thursday of the month with January and August as dark meeting months. He said that the TAC meetings are generally the last Thursday of the month. He reminded the group that if the Board were to meet in a physical place, the Pleasant Hill meeting room is currently used as a temporary library, so an alternate location would have to be identified. He also discussed the requirements of the AB 361 legislation that required affirmation of the terms within 30 days and noted that the Board meetings meet the requirements through December.
However, he said that there are months that have more than a 30 day gap. Mr. Todd is talking to CCTA staff about how to address this and will present options at the next meeting.
Commissioner Noack mentioned that the new library is expected to be open in May, so the Pleasant Hill room would be available after that.
Vice Chair Haskew asked if the commissioners should request a room in their respective city.
Mr. Todd said this was not needed currently as there is no specific month we need a physical location at this time.
Chair Ross would like to understand how to reinstate the AB 361 status, such as reconvening another meeting. Commissioner Noack said that CCTA has quarterly Innovate 680 meetings.
Mr. Todd explained that these were covered by the CCTA Board meeting resolution.
Commissioner Noack said that the CCTA Board had a quick meeting to address this issue. Vice Chair Haskew noted that because TRANSPAC is a JPA, it is a separate entity and needs to have its own resolution.
7. TRANSPAC CCTA REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS.
There were no reports.
8. CCTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT REGARDING AUTHORITY ACTIONS / DISCUSSION ITEMS.
There were no reports.
9. ITEMS APPROVED BY THE CCTA FOR CIRCULATION TO THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEES AND RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST.
There were no reports.
10. TAC ORAL REPORTS BY JURISDICTION
There were no reports.
11. BOARDMEMBER COMMENTS
There were no reports.
12. MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Todd commented that he will move items 8 and 9 to the consent calendar in future agenda packets.
Mr. Todd said the federal infrastructure bill has moved through Congress and intends to include an item in the December Board meeting. He said that there was a joint meeting with TRANSPLAN and the next joint meeting in 2022 will be with SWAT. Mr. Todd requested potential items for discussion from the commissioners. Commissioner Obringer mentioned the League of Cities meeting with Tim Haile and the executive director of Alameda County Transportation Commission and raised a question about projects to advocate for funding.
13. ADJOURN / NEXT MEETING.
The meeting adjourned at 11:38 A.M. The next meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. The location will be determined pending further guidance from the Contra Costa County Department of Public Health.