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City and County of San Francisco

Municipal Transportation Agency

Citizens’ Advisory Council (MTA CAC)

FINAL MINUTES
of
Regular Meeting

Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.

1145 Market Street, 5th Floor (Main Conference Room)

San Francisco, California

1. Call to Order / Roll Call (Agenda Item 1). The regular meeting of the Municipal Transportation Agency citizens’ Advisory Council (MTA CAC) was called to order at 5:35 p.m., Thursday, March 3, 2005. Daniel Murphy (chair) presided. A quorum was present including the following:

MTA CAC Members Present at Roll Call: Daniel Murphy (Chair), Steve Ferrario (Vice Chair), Art Cimento, Joan Downey, Emily Drennen, Griffith Humphrey, Bruce Oka, Cesar Perez, and Norman Rolfe.

MTA CAC Members absent at Roll Call: Sue Cauthen.

MTA CAC Absent: Mary Burns, Dorris Vincent, and Daniel Weaver.

MTA Staff (San Francisco Municipal Railway [Muni] and Department of Parking and Traffic [DPT] Present: Paul Czechowicz (MTA CAC Liaison), Deborah W. Denison (MTA), and Debra Reed (MTA CAC Secretary).

Community Representatives Present: None.

2. Adopt Minutes of February 8, 2005:

Motion to adopt the February minutes by Norman Rolfe, with spelling corrections.

2nd by Bruce Oka

CAC passed unanimously

3. Public Comment – Concerning any issue within the jurisdiction of the Council and not noted on the agenda:

None.

4. Report of the Chair: Daniel Murphy (MTA CAC Chair)

a) The MTA Board approved the Budget by a 4 to 2 vote.

i. Director Will Den unsuccessfully made an attempt to amend by adding that all future fare increases should be contingent on achieving the 85% On Time Standard for night, weekend and owl services.

ii. Mr. Murphy testified before the MTA Board hearing with recommendations from the MTA CAC. Some changes were:

1. Parking and garage rates were raised

2. RPP raised to $60.00 instead of $50.00

iii. The Lifeline Fast-pass, a new fare instrument, is a discounted pass for adults eligible through a Working Families’ Assistance program through the Department of Social Services, also recipients of AFDC, GA, etc.

b) Developments on the Clean Air Plan:

i. Progress is being made in acquiring filters for the particulate-matter part to be purchased from a vendor based in Japan in order to transition a fleet of our buses. Also some of our oldest buses would be replaced by purchased and re-powered AC Transit buses available for sale as a result of their major service cuts.

ii. Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced a resolution at the BOS to support the Clean Air program. Mr. Murphy was invited to Supervisor Ammiano’s chambers along with members of the Environmental Advocates and Rescue MUNI to talk through some of the differences on various points. The language of Supervisor Ammiano was then changed to reflect the action being taken on the Clean Air plan and to proceed with the hybrid purchase. Thus the resolution then passed the Board of Supervisor (BOS) unanimously.

iii. Marty Mellera said that recently acquired hybrid buses by way of New York MTA were presently testing well.

c) Mr. Murphy and Steve Ferrario met with Michael T. Burns to talk about budget, fares and the CAC’s desires to increase parking returns also find other revenue sources.

Comments and Questions from the CAC

a) Steve Ferrario asked about the Cable Car work-stoppage. Paul Czechowicz responded that stoppage is an illegal action. Attorneys are working on a response.

b) Bruce Oka asked if the cash fare increase from 35¢ to 50¢ was ever presented before the MTA CAC. Mr. Murphy responded that MTA opted not to adopt the CAC’s recommendation for the 35¢ to remain, but of their own accord decided to raise the fare to 50¢.

c) Griffith Humphrey asked about increase of street sweeping citations. Mr. Murphy answered that fine was increased to $40.00.

d) Norman Rolfe asked about Clean Air buses considered for purchase. Mr. Murphy responded that due to a tight budget the order for 30-foot busses was reduced from 40 to 30 buses. There was also an RFP for an order of 40-foot busses.

e) Emily Drennen asked if MUNI was required to return funds granted by Bay Area Air Quality Management District due to delayed progress of Clean Air buses purchases. Mr. Murphy responded that he would need to ask Michael T. Burns. MUNI is drawing on funds from many sources to help finance clean air conversion as well as purchase of hybrid buses.

f) Joan Downey asked if the 37 Corbett is still a “Must Fill” line. Paul Czechowicz will research the answer for Ms. Downey.

5. Staff Report: Paul Czechowicz

Staff report was not prepared. Mr. Czechowicz will E-mail the report.

a) Deborah Ward from the Airport Department has joined MUNI as the new Budget Director.

b) Hotel Vitale on Stuart Street will be opening.

Staff-Initiated Items

6. MUNI 2nd Quarter Performance Reports: (Discussion/Action) Deborah W. Denison

a) Ms. Denison distributed a bulletin on Token booklets affective February 28, 2005. Joan Downey added that metal tokens are still valid fare.

b) Ms. Denison distributed and reviewed the 2nd Quarter Performance report.

Questions and Comments from the MTA CAC

a) Emily Drennen asked what is Master Training. Paul Czechowicz responded that it is a 5-day training course on how we provide service, which includes passenger interaction, stress management techniques, anger management, etc.

b) Art Cimento commented that MUNI goals seem unrealistic. It seems that every year for the past 3 consecutive years MUNI has not achieved goals. Daniel Murphy suggested inviting Michael T. Burns to a future MTA CAC to ask him what is his vision and what are his ideas for achieving these goals.

c) Steve Ferrario asked:

i. How bus lines are selected for sampling in the performance report. Ms. Denison replied that lines are selected by responded load factors, passenger complaints, etc.

ii. Both Mr. Ferrario and Norman Rolfe feel that the results for cable cars are doubtful. Ms. Denison responded that she will have Susan Chelloni with the Cable Car division bring raw date to the March 21, 2005 OCSC meeting.

d) Cesar Perez asked if the Crime Incident report was classified by line. Ms. Denison will include the information in the next report.

e) Joan Downey asked why tickets that had already been removed by riders themselves from booklets prior to boarding are considered VOID. Answer: Tickets/coupons are only to be removed by or in view of the operator or agent to avoid repeat-coupon misuse.

7. DPT 2nd Quarter Performance Reports: (Discussion/Action)

The DPT report will be presented at April’s MTA CAC.

Council-Initiated Items

8. Council Members’ questions and Comments:

a) Daniel Murphy has been receiving many complaints about fast-pass shortages. Paul Czechowics will investigate the matter.

b) Emily Drennen asked what are the plans for the green tents assembled for the purpose of selling MUNI fare instruments in Metro stations. Steve Ferrario added that these tents, especially the Embarcadero, are rarely open for business while the adjoining kiosks for BART and other items are constantly open for business. Joan Downey feels that fare-passes should be sold in every Metro station. Ms. Downey asked could arrangements be made to sell passes at BART’s transit stores.

c) Bruce Oka observed that a majority of the new models 5500 and 5600 buses have problems deploying wheel chair lifts. These are “new buses.” Steve Ferrario adds other additional problems are associated with the articulate trolleys and the some of the other new models.

d) Joan Downey:

i. Recalled that at February’s OCSC meeting, Jerry Robbins distributed a training bulletin reviewing sidewalk parking. Discussion will continue at the March 21, 2005 OCSC meeting.

ii. Ms. Downey met with Peter Straus regarding the 39 Coit line. The latest idea has been to extend the route to Pier 39 to pick up tourists. Mr. Straus said that MUNI is willing to comply if everything is favorable. Bond Yee was going to speak with Michael Burns. Route changes may happen as early as Summer 2005.

e) Sue Cauthen commented that the Telegraph Hill Dwellers Parking and Traffic committee has put together a team, which includes Joan Downey and Ms. Cauthen herself to work with Bond Lee, Peter Straus, and liaisons of Recreation and Park, DPT, and other departments. Positive interest is in the project.

f) Emily Drennen inquired about DPT’s staff reports and their regular participation in MTA CAC meetings. Daniel Murphy responded that DPT is slated for a presentation in April and the DPT staff report should be included. Paul Czechowics commented that his staff report also included reports from DPT.

9. Agenda planning for April meeting:

a) Dan Weaver requested to add Translink update as a topic for April.

b) DPT will be giving a presentation for April.

c) Bruce Oka added that the PMC Agenda for March 21, 2005 would include a presentation by Suany Chough. Ms. Chough would also like to give her presentation before the full MTA CAC in April. Mr. Murphy will discuss with Ms. Chough.

d) Daniel Murphy pointed out the FY06 Budget calls for serious service adjustments. Staff will strategize with the MTA CAC for solutions in time for May ’05 approvals. Bruce Oka announced the Peter Straus will also be addressing FY06 Budget issues at the March ’05 PMC meeting.

10. Adjournment 7:08 p.m.

Attachments:

Agenda Item 2 –

Draft Minutes for MTA CAC Meeting of January 6, 2005

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