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Minutes
PCC Executive Committee Meeting
October 26, 2005
711 Eddy Street, San Francisco
PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Laurie Graham, Chair; Griff Humphrey, Vice Chair; Cheryl Damico, Secretary; Patty Clement; Bruce Oka; Hal Mellegard; Erma Brim; Byron Yan; Patricia Lovelock; Jewel McGinnis; John Lazar; Genya Ehrlich; Jeanne Lynch; Jacy Cohen; Elizabeth Boardman; Michael Gurevich; Paul Gillespie; Willie Mae Parish; Anthony Nicco; Kaye Griffin; Lisa Rosene
PCC Executive Committee Members Excused:
Guests: Derik Calhoun, MV Transportation; John Murphy, MV Transportation; Vincent Webster, MV Transportation; Michael Kwok; Sandra Fancher; Ruach Graffis; Diane Diep Ngo; Taso Zografos
Paratransit Broker: Marc Soto; Richard Lesser; Kevin McNay
Muni: Annette Williams, Kate Toran
Read and Approve Agenda
Laurie Graham, PCC Executive Committee chair, called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. Cheryl Damico read the agenda. The agenda was motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) as presented.
Approve minutes of September 28, 2005 meeting
The minutes were M/S/P as presented.
Comments from the Chair
Laurie Graham stated that it is her last full meeting as the Chair and she thanked everyone for allowing her the opportunity to be the chair. It has been a great experience for the past two years.
Report from the October 5, 2005 PC&O Group Van meeting
Jacy Cohen gave the following report:
Agency representatives reported that overall service is going well. North and South of Market ADHC stated that service is going quite well with TransMetro Express, Medsam and MV. Betty Fung from Self Help for the Elderly has resigned from her position because she is having a baby and will be a stay-at-home mom. She will be missed.
Lisa Rosene stated that she had one complaint that she had reported to Kevin. One client is having trouble having problems with late pick ups.
Jacy reported that service with MV is nearly seamless and that it’s easier to get through to MV than it has been in the past. With TransMetro, when there’s a substitute driver, things fall apart. The earlier the agency is informed of the substitute driver, the better. The customer service at TransMetro has been disappointing. There is one person in particular that is not helpful. Transmetro is having a training with their staff this week.
Derik reported that MV is having a high turn-over of drivers, and they are in need of new, good drivers. Derik reported that MV has established a Passenger Advisory Committee to help get more in-put from riders.
There was a discussion of sensitivity training and it was decided that this item would be on the next agenda so that the providers could each give an overview of their sensitivity training.
Kate reported on that the first meeting of the Paratransit Working Group was held in September and that the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 21.
Marc Soto reported he is reviewing offers on office space from both 12th street and 1449 Webster Street. There are pros and cons regarding both locations, and moving is an inconvenience, so that is a factor that will be weighed in.
The Lift Van/ADA Access RFP has been issued but an issue has been brought up regarding California labor codes. ATC has consulted legal counsel and a series of addenda have been issued. Addendum 5 suspended the deadline, and Addendum 6 will announce the new deadline and is expected to go out at the end of this week or early next week.
Laguna Honda raised an issue about the shuttle from the bottom of the hill up to Laguna Honda. The shuttle service ends at 5:30 and sometimes residents get stuck and they call ramp taxi rides for a ride up the hill. And often ramp taxi drivers don’t respond because it’s a long way to deadhead for a short fare. Kate stated that she would look into the shuttle times further at Muni.
Report from the Membership Subcommittee
Kate Toran reported that the PCC Appreciation Luncheon was a success and that it was a fun event and a good opportunity to appreciate the PCC members. The PCC Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 19 at 711 Eddy Street. Kate announced which seats are up for re-election at the last PCC meeting and they are in the minutes for anyone who is not sure if their seat is up this year.
Update on Sensitivity Training
Laurie Graham stated that she invited representatives from the three taxi driver training schools in San Francisco – Flag-a-Cab, Taxi Driver Institute and Cab College. Bruce Oka and Laurie Graham teach classes for ramp taxi drivers and they focus a bit on sensitivity issues and then on the specific training needs associated with driving a ramp taxi.
Cheryl Damico teaches sensitivity at Flag-a-Cab and she stated that she reviews all disabilities in her sensitivity classes, but that she was asked specifically to focus on training issues regarding working with blind passengers for this PCC presentation. Cheryl received training material from Jewel McGinnis and Don Brown, the ADA compliance officer in Berkeley. Cheryl emphasizes that paratransit taxi service is a curb-to-curb service except for blind passengers, and then it’s a door-to-door service. Cheryl added that she taught drivers that when they are escorting blind people, they should greet the rider and identify themselves and what cab company they’re from. They should ask the passenger if they would like assistance; they should never just grab the blind individual or their cane. Cheryl uses role-playing in her class. The drivers take an exam at the end of their training and there are 15 questions specifically about the ADA.
Ruach Graffis teaches at the Taxi Driver Institute and she teaches the two-hour segment dedicated to ADA training. She also incorporates ADA training and sensitivity throughout the entire class. Ruach takes her drivers-in-training on tours throughout the city and she focuses on accessibility features of the various areas. Ruach stresses door-to-door escorting and introducing oneself and describe where the cab is parked. Ruach also uses role-playing techniques.
Jeanne Lynch asked Ruach if she can attend one of her classes. Ruach responded that she would be welcome to attend a class.
Bruce Oka added that he and Laurie use many of the same techniques that Ruach and Cheryl use, and that all drivers who are coming to the ramp taxi training have already been through the general sensitivity training.
Laurie stated that the PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi Subcommittee has developed an improved training curriculum which recommends an increase from 2 to 4 hours which was approved by the PCC and will be sent to the Taxi Commission. Michael Kwok stated that he is in favor of the improved curriculum and more time for training.
Jewel McGinnis stated that it’s important for drivers to know differences between people who are totally blind and people who are legally blind. She hears the major complaint that drivers don’t get of their cabs – they’ll either beep the horn or call. Some drivers grab at Jewel’s cane or try to escort her on the same side as her cane. Also, it’s helpful for Jewel to know what type of cab she is being escorted into.
Pat Lovelock stated that verbally stating how something should be done doesn’t always help in training, but actually doing the skill helps it stick in the mind. Kaye Griffin asked if the classes are listed on a website. Laurie responded that all the schools are listed on the Taxi Commission’s website. Annette added that maybe the SF Paratransit website could also link to the Taxi Commission website.
Paratransit Broker’s Report
Marc Soto gave the following report:
New Office Location:
After careful consideration, Connex/ATC has signed a lease at 68 12th Street for the entire ground floor and ½ of the second floor. This will be the new SF Paratransit office and will have a term of 10 years. The 10 year term offered the best economic terms. The expected move-in date is sometime after March 1, 2006, given the need to finalize all architectural plans and complete construction.
Pilot Debit Card:
Yellow Cab runs a pilot debit card program, and they are in the process of updating their software system. This requires new debit cards for those individuals participating in this pilot project. After November 1, 2005, the current debit cards will no longer be valid. Current participants were notified and were provided with a replacement debit card.
Fraud Mitigation:
There is an on-going paratransit taxi scrip fraud mitigation program with unannounced undercover operations scheduled throughout the city. Most recently two drivers were caught and cited at SF General for purchasing scrip illegally. SFPD and Muni Security continue to monitor activity out in the field.
Lift Van/ADA Access RFP:
The Broker recently issued Addendum No. 6 to the RFP, which provides additional information to prospective bidders and includes a revised schedule of events related to evaluation, selection and award. An issue was raised regarding the applicability of California Labor Code 1070 and 1074 to this procurement by the Broker. Connex/ATC’s legal counsel extensively researched this issue and concluded that this labor code does not pertain to this particular procurement since the labor code intends for the specific provisions to be applicable to procurements made by public agencies. However, Marc explained that Connex/ATC has agreed to include a mechanism for prospective bidders to voluntarily comply with the spirit of the labor codes in exchange for a preference. Marc explained that the anticipated schedule included the deadline for bid submissions as November 14, 2005, with the review process beginning on or shortly after November 15. If necessary, oral presentations would be scheduled for December 12, and negotiations would occur on December 19 and 20. Marc explained that the target for Notice to Proceed would be December 22 with a March 1, 2006, start up date.
Currently the MV contract only goes through December 31, 2005, but Connex/ATC negotiated a unilateral option to extend MV’s contract for an additional three months, through March 31, 2006. Marc met with MV on October 7, 2005, to discuss recent service issues and at that meeting, the three-month extension of the contract came up. Subsequent to that meeting, MV sent Connex/ATC a letter conditionally terminating the contract unless the Broker was willing to accommodate recent fuel increases and increase the reimbursement cost per trip to reflect labor cost increases driven bya pending collective bargaining agreement. The Broker told MV to submit a proposal regarding the fuel costs, given that there have been unanticipated increases in fuel due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, notwithstanding the fact that MV, as part of the agreement to extend their contract, had received a 3% increase effective April 1, 2005, and another 3% increase July 1, 2005, rates in excess of the standard cost of living increases given to other service providers on July 1, 2005.
After several assurances from MV that they would provide the Broker with a fuel proposal, no proposal was submitted, so the Broker assumed that this meant that MV was not interested in further negotiations. So the Broker issued a letter to MV, which exercised the option in the contract for the three-month extension, which then triggered MV’s request to terminate with 90 days notice, and then accepted MV’s request to terminate the contract explaining to MV that their final day of service under their current contract would be January 25, 2006. Marc then explained that his plan was to turn to existing providers to continue the provision of both ADA Lift-van and ADA Access services so that there would be no service interruption.
Jacy stated that she found this information regarding MV’s contract surprising, and Marc stated that the request to terminate came from MV. Marc further explained that his firm had given a lot of thought to this matter. Marc assured the PCC that the Broker has always been open to dialogue and that they had tried to do everything possible over the past 5 years to make sure that MV had the necessary resources to provide a high quality service. But the Broker has a commitment to get the service on the street within certain financial parameters and that the most recent move by MV, despite previous negotiations, could not be supported. Marc promised to keep the PCC informed as new developments occurred.
John Murphy, MV Transportation, stated that everything Marc stated is correct. MV did receive a 3% increase in April and another 3% increase in July. MV assumed that there would be a new labor contract starting on January 1, 2006. In August, MV started negotiating with a labor union and then Katrina hit and the price of fuel increased dramatically. MV can’t live with the current rates because of an anticipated 30% increase in wage rates combined with increases in fuel costs. MV asked the Broker for consideration. MV wants to continue to provide service and will work with Marc and hopefully there will be concessions on both sides. John stated that MV recognizes Marc’s concerns and they hope that he recognizes MV’s concerns.
In reference to debit card, Jewel McGinnis stated that since Yellow has upgraded their debit card software they should connect their system with Luxor’s. Hal stated that Yellow has an in-house system. In the past it has been a long involved process to add money to the debit card. The upgrade has made it easier to add money – now it’s web-based which simplifies the process. Taso Zografos stated that Yellow Cab looking to leverage their upgrade could include other cab companies in the debit card system. Annette responded that Muni could look into that possibility if people in the pilot program would like to use other cab companies.
Public Comment:
Taso Zografos stated that he was the architect of the new debit card project and the solution that he articulated in the proposal was a multiple vendor solution. The contractor, GPS Data Solutions, could not come up with the bond, so they sold a controlling interest to a new company and the new company wants to do the project a different way. It’s wrong and there has been a lot of complaining to Muni. Taso stated that he filed a complaint with the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT). He stated that he met with U.S. DOT representatives for 4 hours to explain the situation and he then gave them documents that they had requested. The cab industry and the subcontractors want to make this work.
Pat Lovelock asked Taso what financial interest does he have in the project. Taso responded that he has no financial interest.
Annette responded that there is a big difference of opinion on this matter. Taso was working with Booz Allen Hamilton and did submit a bid to Muni with GPS Data Solutions. The main issue is regarding the supplier of in-vehicle equipment. DDS is written into the contract as the in-vehicle equipment supplier. Both Yellow and Luxor currently use DDS equipment. DDS is the only equipment provider listed as a subcontractor. Taso gave the cab companies the impression that they could choose their own equipment but that was never part of the contract. The taxi companies were very upset when they found out that there are not multiple equipment providers. GPS Data Solutions did have a hard time getting the bonding and DDS put up the bond. DDS is a larger company and had the financial capacity to provide the $3.2M bond. DDS does have a controlling interest in the project (51%). This was presented to Muni and the City Attorney. Dean Featherling is new project manager, but everything else in the contract remains the same.
The debit card system will interface with other systems and this is a requirement of the contract but cab companies will have to pay for their own equipment if they want to use equipment other than what is provided by the contract where the supplier is DDS. Dean Featherling is trying to work with the cab companies to address their concerns and move the project forward. The cab companies concerns with the project are issues beyond the scope of the debit card, such as computerized dispatch. There is a warranty on the equipment and maintenance for the first four years of the contract.
Bruce Oka stated that the proposal does allow for multiple vendors to be used. Annette responded that nothing in the proposal prevents the cab companies from purchasing other equipment. Bruce added that it should be Muni’s obligation to make the contractor do what the proposal says it will do. Annette stated that the proposal does support different types of equipment and multiple companies can use the system, as long as the cab companies pay for the other equipment. Only one contractor, DDS, is listed to provide in-vehicle equipment on the subcontractor list.
The next PCC meeting will be held
on Wednesday, December 7, 2005
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
at 711 Eddy Street.
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