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City and County of San Francisco
Municipal Transportation Agency
Citizens’ Advisory Council (MTA CAC)
Planning, Marketing Committee (PMC)
FINAL MINUTES
of
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 18, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 334 (Conference Room 335)
San Francisco, California
1. Call to Order / Roll Call (Agenda Item 1). The regular meeting of the Planning and Marketing Committee (PMC) was called to order at 5:46 p.m., Monday, April 18, 2005. Bruce Oka (Chair) presided. A quorum was present including the following:
PMC Members Present at Roll Call: Bruce Oka (Chair), Emily Drennen, Norman Rolfe and Dorris Vincent.
PMC Members Present, but absent at Roll Call: none.
PMC Absent: none.
MTA CAC Members, not on this committee, but also present: Daniel Murphy
MTA Staff (San Francisco Municipal Railway [Muni] and Department of Parking and Traffic [DPT]) Present: Peter Straus (MUNI Manager of Service Planning), Debra Reed (MTA CAC Secretary), and Frank Markowitz (DPT Pedestrian Program Manager, Transit Planner IV).
Community Representatives Present: None
2. Adopt Minutes of March 21, 2005:
Motion to adopt the March 21, 2005 minutes with one word deletion in Item 7.
2nd by Dorris Vincent
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: Bruce Oka (PMC Chair)
No report at this time.
5. Pedestrian Countdown Signals at Hazardous Intersections: Frank Markowitz (DPT Pedestrian Program Manager, Transit Planner IV)
Mr. Markowitz displayed a map indicating pedestrian injury collisions, 1999-2003 and PedSafe Zones. In a 5-minute presentation he highlighted the progress of the pedestrian countdown signal replacement project. San Francisco is one of the national leaders installing the countdown signals, now working at 660 intersections. A pilot study on some of the initial installations noted improvements ranging from a slight decline to as much as an impressive 52% reduction in pedestrian collision. With the Proposition K sales tax as a major funding source, the estimated completion time for equipping traffic signals with Pedestrian Count Down signals is 5 to 10 years.
a) Emily Drennen’s E-mail question:
When would countdown signaling be installed at dangerous intersections such as 18th & Dolores and the Van Ness corridor? Answer: Mr. Markowitz responded that 1) by State law the 18th & Dolores streets intersection is high priority because of being near a school. After completing the necessary street construction, conduit, piping and wiring, the pedestrian signal is expected to be installed by 2006/2007. 2) For the Van Ness corridor, since it is a state highway route, the funding is shared with CalTrans, however San Francisco is still seeking its share of funding to complete Van Ness. 19th Avenue and the Park Presidio Route 1 were already funded projects.
b) Daniel Murphy asked for the remaining number of signal lights yet to be equipped with pedestrian countdown signals. Answer: 300 plus intersections to be completed over the next 5 years.
Resolution from Emily Drennen:
WHEREAS, a pilot study undertaken by DPT found that 90% of the public approved of the new pedestrian countdown signal heads; and
WHEREAS, San Francisco is a national leader in installing pedestrian countdown signals; and
WHEREAS, locations with new pedestrian countdown signals see a 52% average reduction in pedestrian injuries; and
WHEREAS, the costs to retrofit and/or to install new pedestrian countdown signals are very low in relation to their benefit;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the MTA CAC urges the Transportation Authority to prioritize installation of new and retrofitted pedestrian countdown signals, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic, high pedestrian injuries and/or deaths and near schools.
Motion to accept the above resolution by Dorris Vincent.
2nd by Norman Rolfe
CAC passed unanimously
6. Service Planning-Effects of Budget-Related Service Adjustments: Peter Straus (Manager of Service Planning)
Mr. Straus distributed and reviewed the April 14, 2005 memorandum from Michael T. Burns “Potential Service Adjustments in Accordance with FY06 Budget” which will also presented to the MTA Board of Directors, basically outlining 7% of MUNI services to be cut. Because of the magnitude of the changes there will be a General signup, where drivers can switch between divisions. Implementation for the changes and signup are scheduled for August 27, 2005.
Comments from the PMC
a) Comments and questions from Emily Drennen:
Coalition for Transit Justice along with several other organizations are in the outreach process of uniting in a platform focused on raising of parking fees and fines, with no cuts in service and no fare increases. Normal Rolfe added that the Senior Action Network would certainly be interested in participating.
Previously MUNI staff presentations highlighted “no layoffs” yet the news media announced 200 MUNI employees to be laid off. Answer: Mr. Straus responded that the 200 number is the estimated maximum (50 part-time positions and 150 full time positions) which is still up for discussion, depending on savings from other areas, such as, attrition, reducing overtime built into runs, reducing or eliminating paid driver assignments other than driving (fare collection at CalTrain stations, etc.), and other efficiency and service measures. MUNI has not had much success with Union management dealing with the realities of the budget.
Ms. Drennen asked had Labor representation identified different alternatives? Answer: Mr. Straus responded that he could not comment regarding those discussions at this time.
b) Comments and questions from Daniel Murphy:
Parking fees and fines were a strong source of revenue, however the Board of Supervisors was very resistant to proposed increases.
The agreement of no layoffs based on concessions from labor on efficiencies with an agreement to do a “sign up” was refused by Union management. The “3 and 3” early retirement would hurt MUNI being that senior operators are disproportional, concentrated in cable car services and railcars. It would take time to fill the vacated positions due to complicated training along with dropouts. Junior drivers hoping to improve their positions are very unhappy. Answer: Mr. Straus responded that Union management has been firm in their stand, resulting in those less senior members feeling the weight of budget adjustments.
c) Dorris Vincent commented that drivers she has spoken with were looking forward to the “3 and 3” retirement offer.
d) Bruce Oka commented that seniors citizens and wheelchair users would be negatively affected especially during commute hours by the longer waits, crowding and pass ups. Mr. Oka invited Mr. Straus to the MAAC (MUNI Accessibility Advisory Committee) on Thursday, April 21 or May 19, 2005, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., 1449 Webster Street, San Francisco.
7. Committee Members’ Questions/Information Requests: (Discussion)
Emily Drennen announced that Walk SF was having a pedestrian protest on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at 12:30 p.m., at Mission and Debuce streets. The protest would focus on lack of pedestrian access at construction sites.
8. Schedule Upcoming Meetings and Agenda Items:
Next regular meeting: May 16, 2005, at 401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 334 (Conference Room 335), at 5:30 p.m.
- Yield to Bus – Peter Straus
9. Adjournment: 7:34 p.m.
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