Item VII-A
Tulare County Regional Transit Agency
Minutes
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February 22, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Thusu, Riddle, Gomez, Cerros, Weyhrauch, Sigala, & Valero Members Absent: Mendoza & Correa
Alternates: Beltran
Ex Officio Present: Georgina Landecho & Kellie Carrillo Staff Present: Rich Tree, Albert Barragan, Teresa Ortega, Jennie Miller, Olivia Forte, Leslie Davis, Servando Quintanilla, and
Brideget Moore
Counsel Present: Patrick Beck
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Sigala called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Chair Sigala.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public comments were heard.
IV. REPORTS:
None
V. PRESENTATIONS:
None
VI. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
None
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
A. Approve minutes of January and February Meetings
B. Reaffirm Conditions of State Assembly Bill 361 to Continue Remote Attendance
Upon motion by Member Gomez and seconded by Member Valero the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency unanimously approved Items A and B as presented.
C. Receive and File Financial Statement as of January 31, 2023 Upon motion by Member Riddle and seconded by Member Valero the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency unanimously approved Items C as presented.
VIII. ACTION AND INFORMATION ITEMS:
A. Approve Conditions to Expand On-Demand Service
Mr. Tree reported that staff is seeking approval to negotiate a three-year agreement with Via Mobility, LLC to pilot the regional On-Demand service; at the conclusion of the second year, TCRTA and Visalia would evaluate the performance and collectively issue a request for proposals for a long-term agreement at the conclusion of the final year of the pilot. Since the procurement of the On-Demand software is funded with local transportation dollars, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) procurement requirements do not apply to this procurement. Any future procurements of equipment that use FTA funds must be in accordance with the FTA Procurement Circular Item VII-A
4220.1F, by requesting competitive proposals. The estimated cost of On- Demand software includes a one-time installation fee of $100,000, a one-time purchase of tablets and mounting equipment of $82,500, and a monthly service fee of $400 per vehicle.
Upon motion by Member Thusu and seconded by Member Gomez the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency unanimously approved Items A as presented.
B. Resolution 2023-02 Approving Agreement with the Central Valley Regional Center
Mr. Tree commented that CVRC is seeking to form a partnership with TCRTA to offer transportation services for their clients. CVRC is requesting that TCRTA be setup as a vendor for TCRTA to bill CVRC for trips performed on a monthly basis. Clients authorized for public transportation services will be the responsibility of CVRC.
Upon motion by Member Valero and seconded by Member Cerros the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency unanimously approved Items B as presented.
C. Approve the Creation of an Ad Hoc Committee on Student Transportation
Mr. Tree stated staff is proposing that the Ad Hoc Committee on Student Transportation collaboratively work with staff and the Porterville Unified School District to identify risks and opportunities associated with administering a student transportation program, and draft recommendations to act on them. The proposed Ad Hoc Committee would be established for the duration of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Upon motion by Member Gomez and seconded by Member Thusu the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency unanimously approved Items C as presented.
D. Approve Virtual Participation of the Public at Board Ms. Miller stated that at the Board Meeting of January 30, 2023, the Board of Directors discussed changes to remote participation by Board members after the declared COVID-19 state of emergency ends on February 28, 2023, and Board members would participate in-person at all future Board Meetings, except as otherwise allowed under AB 2449. Furthermore, at the Board’s request staff will be reaching out to each member agency to determine alternate meeting sites for future meetings.
Upon motion by Member Gomez and seconded by Member Valero the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency unanimously approved Items D as presented.
E. Discussion: Consideration to Amend Joint Powers Agreement and Bylaws to Include Student Transportation
Mr. Tree Staff will provide an update on the development of the services agreement between TCRTA and PUSD, staffing considerations, and guidance provided by the FTA’s Deputy Administrator for Region IX.
F. Information: Conflict of Interest Code (Form 700) Due April 1, 2023 Mr. Tree reminded Board that Form 700 are due by April 1, 2023
Item VII-A
IX. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Director’s Report
Mr. Tree stated that TCRTA staff helped support efforts to the Tule Rive Tribe of California route 9, staff also took direction to help assist Exeter with transit center project, appointments would be sent to those for the Sustainable Committee, the CALACT conference is coming up and is excited to see what information comes from this conference, and lastly TCRTA is planning to go for transit grants. Mr.Thusu asked questions about funding opportunities.
B. Request from Board Members for Future Agenda Items
None
X. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS:
A. None
XI. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Chair Sigala confirmed the next scheduled meeting of the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA) Board of Directors will be held on March 20, 2023 and will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA), 210 N. Church Street, Suite B, Sequoia Conference Room, Visalia, CA 93291.