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Minutes
PCC Executive Committee Meeting
September 27, 2006
711 Eddy Street, San Francisco
PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Stu Smith, Chair; Jeanne Lynch, Vice Chair; Erma Brim; Cheryl Damico; Gilda Chico; Sandra Fancher; Jose Caedo; Griff Humphrey; Ruth Lawner; Jacy Cohen; Paticia Lovelock; Lucky Walker for Hal Mellegard; Paul Gillespie; Kaye Griffin; Shun Wah Tao; Semyon Portnoy; Michael Gurevich
PCC Executive Committee Members Excused: Laurie Graham; Patty Clement; Luis Calderon; Bruce Oka; Lisa Rosene; Dee Ann Hendrix; Jewel McGinnis
Guests: John Murphy, MV Transportation; Jack Brodnax, SF Taxi Commission; Lurilla Harris; Gloria Wadeleigh; Leon Schmidt, North and South of Market ADHC
Paratransit Broker: Tulay Atalay; Kevin McNay
Muni: Kate Toran
Read and Approve Agenda
Stu Smith, PCC Executive Committee chair, called the meeting to order at 10:45 a.m. Jeanne Lynch read the agenda. The agenda was motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) as presented.
Approve minutes of August 30, 2006 meeting
The minutes were motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) with the following amendment:
After John Lazar provided the report, Erma Brim requested that whenever statistics are presented at all subcommittee meetings, the members should receive a copy in writing so that they can follow along with the report.
Comments from the Chair
Stu welcomed the PCC members and guests to the meeting. He stated that at the last meeting, Jacy Cohen raised an issue regarding Trans Metro’s group van service to the ARC. Stu asked that the Broker provide follow up information, so that the PCC is informed of the status of that situation. Unfortunately, Marc Soto is not able to be here today, but Kevin McNay is prepared to provide a report on this matter as part of the Broker’s Report.
Stu also noted that he attended Luxor’s driver appreciation barbeque at Stern Grove, and it was great, almost no one from PCC attended, they missed out on a wonderful event with fantastic food and drink & live music in a spectacular setting!
Stu stated that he is looking forward to the upcoming PCC Annual Meeting on November 18th, and he encouraged everyone to attend.
Report from the September 6, 2006 PC&O Lift Van/ADA Access meeting
Cheryl Damico provided the following report:
- A report was provided regarding the city-wide meeting with dialysis centers. This was reported on in detail at the July PCC meeting.
- KGO News Report:
Marc gave the basic highlights of the KGO broadcast:
Side-loading of a wheelchair, improper stair-assist, lack of sufficient wheelchair tie downs, and the appearance of a child operating the wheelchair lift. Appropriate disciplinary actions against the drivers involved was taken before the broadcast, and TME has established a zero tolerance policy for these types of safety violations. Marc also reminded the committee that KPIX did a report about MV in 2004.
Jeanne Lynch reported that she was interviewed by Vick Lee of KGO the day following the airing of part 1 and although her interview was not included in the telecast of part 2 she told him that he did not have his story straight and that he needed to do more research.
The discussion went on to cover other concerns about safety and boarding of vehicles. Cheryl Damico suggested that TME remove the front passenger seats in the minivans as the taxi companies did to better facilitate the loading of wheelchairs. Byron Yan expressed his concern for the safety of passengers riding in the vans with out proper seatbelts and tie downs that don’t work properly. He suggested that drivers carry an extra set of tie downs.
Kate would like to reinvigorate the Secret Rider Program and appealed to anyone that might be interested in becoming a secret rider to contact her.
Marc explained that dwell time is the time that is given a passenger by the computer to board and be secured in the van. For ambulatory persons the default time is 5 minutes and for wheelchair passengers it is 7 minutes. He went on to explain that this time can be adjusted for individuals that need longer to board and get secured on an individual basis. Kevin pointed out the importance of passengers being ready on time when the van arrives. If a driver must wait longer than is allowed to board a passenger the route can easily become late for every subsequent passenger.
Michael Gurevich reported that there had been some problems with on-time performance as some of the ADHC’s. But that they had met with all of the centers and routes are now running on time.
TME is now in possession of 12 of the 20 new busses that were ordered by Muni and they should be in service in the next day or so. TME is also meeting with the dialysis centers at their base this afternoon to review scheduling. TME is also working with the drivers to make sure that they note ride cancellations on their manifests. Road Supervisors are taking drivers off the road that are observed not operating a vehicle in a safe manner.
Pat Lovelock stated that it appears that there is more communication with agency social workers, dialysis social workers and that there is not enough communication with individual riders. Marc’s response was that all consumers are important. Our role is to advocate for individuals and that formal complaints are important for this reason as this allows us to solve the problems of many riders. Cheryl asked if TME might identify someone in-house to act as an advocate or ombudsmen for riders.
Marc announced that the closure of the East bound Bay Bridge over the Labor Day weekend had not caused any interruption to service. There were announcements on the broker phones and well as on the phones at TME. No trips were scheduled to Treasure Island for the weekend.
Pat Lovelock asked why the annual consumer survey is going to be conducted in the fall instead of in May as it usually is. Kate responded that we need to do the survey while school is in session, but Muni and the broker along with Jon Canapary from the survey company can re-examine the timing of the survey.
After Cheryl completed her report, Ruth Lawner added that there was also a discussion about shoulder straps and tie downs at the meeting. Michael Gurevich stated that he pulled out all the securements from the vehicles and each driver is assigned the securements for a specific vehicle, which they get when they pick up the keys for the vehicles. This is to ensure that each van has the appropriate number of securements before it goes out of the TME yard. Also, the TME road supervisors conduct gate checks that the drivers must pass through. The 4 point tie down of wheelchairs is mandatory. Michael Gurevich added that some individuals mark their chairs where they want them tied down, and it’s helpful to drivers. Pat Lovelock added that perhaps that information could go out in a flyer or a newsletter. Kevin McNay stated that the Broker’s newsletter will be going out in the next month or two. Kate mentioned that in the East Bay they provided wheelchair users with tether straps to put on the chair for the tie down. Stu Smith asked that Michael Gurevich take the lead on this topic, along with Kevin, and report back to the PCC at the next meeting.
Jose Caedo asked about the status of the CHP report that was discussed a few meetings ago. Michael Gurevich responded that TME had a CHP inspection in June, and received an overall unsatisfactory rating. Most of the deficiencies were corrected immediately. TME has not been notified of the next inspection, but usually a follow up inspection occurs 100-150 days after an unsatisfactory inspection. TME expects to receive a satisfactory rating at the next inspection. Stu asked that Michael Gurevich advise the PCC on the status of the next CHP report. Lurilla Harris asked for a copy of the CHP report.
Report from the September 11, 2006 Membership Subcommittee meeting
Kate Toran provided the following report:
- The Membership Subcommittee met on September 11th to further discuss the proposed By-Laws amendments, particularly as they relate to PC&O Systemwide meetings.
- After some discussion, it was decided that the By-Laws amendments were fine, as they had been presented and approved by the PCC at the May 31st meeting. The proposed By-Laws cover the matter, and the PC&O Chair should use discretion in calling meetings. The groups also discussed that the meeting agendas should be specific and not simply repeat topics already discussed at other meetings.
- The Membership Subcommittee also discussed the upcoming PCC Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 18th, at 711 Eddy Street. The group discussed awards, fundraising, catering, and speakers.
- We hope to see you all at the meeting. We will honor the best drivers, celebrate the longevity of the PCC (it’s our 28th anniversary!), vote on By-Laws amendments and elect Executive Committee members.
Kate added that she is working on the PCC News and Notes and that she would welcome articles or ideas from PCC members. Kate announced that the following seats are up for re-election:
- Affiliated Elderly: Stu Smith, Jacy Cohen, Jeanne Lynch
- Unaffiliated Elderly: Vince Behan; Griff Humphrey, Erma Brim
- Affiliated Disabled: Luis Calderon, Bruce Oka
- Unaffiliated Disabled: Pat Lovelock, Cheryl Damico; Kaye Griffin
- For Profit Provider: John Lazar; Laurie Graham; Paul Gillespie, Sam Portnoy
Paratransit Taxi Issues –
Proposed Taxi Meter Increase Update
Kate Toran explained that when the last taxi meter rate went into effect, a provision to offset increased costs to the paratransit program was put into place. This provision was put in place to ensure that the costs for off-setting the increase to the paratransit budget would not be borne by either the taxi companies or the drivers. The drop fees were therefore increased from the initially proposed $2.75 to $2.85 and the mean gate fee cap (the fees charged by the cab companies to the drivers to lease the vehicle) was increased from the initially proposed $90 to $91.50 per shift. The provision to offset the paratransit costs was originally set to sunset on December 31, 2005, but was extended until June 30, 2006. The loss of the offset will cost the paratransit program approximately $800,000 annually. In addition to the loss of the offset, the Controller issued a report in August and recommended that the taxi meter rates increase 8.23% and a fuel surcharge of $.05 per mile. These proposed increases will also impact paratransit.
Paul Gillespie stated that three proposals related to the fares and gates were voted on at Taxi Commission meeting held on September 26, 2006. The first proposal was to raise the average gate to $97 and add $1.00 on the flag drop. This was voted down. The second proposal, put forth by Paul, was to change the meter rates and gate fees at the start of the fiscal year to allow paratransit to appropriately budget. Paul also explained that he felt that to raise the meter rates and gate fees now would be counterproductive because there is a newly developed Health Care task force, and it will take at least 6 months to develop a report. Paul feels that if the gates are raised now, it will be hard to get another increase later to help pay for the driver’s health care. His recommendation also included a request to subsidize clean air taxi fleets. Paul explained that his proposal also was voted down by the Taxi Commission. The third proposal was to increase the gate cap to $95 and include a $.75 increase on the drop fee. This proposal was approved by the Taxi Commission and forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.
Ruach Graffis stated that Paul’s proposal was very thoughtful and should have passed. The Budget and Finance Subommittee of the Board of Supervisors will be discussing this topic today at 1:00 p.m. in the Board’s main chambers at City Hall. Ruach made a motion to support Paul’s motion that was voted down at the Taxi Commission. Jacy Cohen seconded the motion. After further discussion, the motion was approved with one abstention. Vince Behan moved that Pat Lovelock represent the PCC at the Budget and Finance meeting today. This was seconded and approved.
Update on ADA Access to Taxi – 100 Customer Pilot Project
Kate Toran announced that the pilot project to offer taxi service to the first 100 active ADA Access riders who were registered into the paratransit program after the taxi freeze went into effect. Rich Conklin from the Broker’s office has been working on this, and he reports that 93 active ADA Access riders have been registered for taxi scrip, and that he is offering this to ADA Access riders who were registered into the program from January 2002 up to April 2004. Pat Lovelock is conducting an analysis of the effect on the paratransit budget and her preliminary finding is that Muni may be paying slightly more. Pat stated that her analysis is not final and may have been skewed by some outlier data.
Lurilla Harris stated that paratransit taxi riders should be able to buy taxi scrip any day of the month. The current policy is to the advantage of the paratransit program but disadvantages paratransit taxi riders. Gloria Wadeleigh added that she thinks the scrip purchasing policy is unfair. Pat Lovelock stated that she has had a lot of problems with the Broker’s office on this issue. Pat added that the woman working at the front desk at the Paratransit office can be confused, particularly for PCC members who get extra scrip. Pat added there’s often a problem if a rider doesn’t purchase for a month for budgetary reasons. Pat thinks that riders may purchase less scrip if there’s more certainty about the purchase policy. Ruach stated that she has had the same problem for about 6 months. Her purchase date is the 26th and the scrip is postmarked on the 29th. Sometimes the scrip never comes. Kaye Griffin added that she has also had problems purchasing her scrip. Griff stated that the policy should be explained and then the PCC should discuss it. Jose Caedo stated that the policy pre-dated the current Broker.
Stu Smith asked that this topic be discussed further at a PC&O Systemwide meeting, and that the Broker attend to help clarify the policy.
Paratransit Broker Report
Kevin McNay stated that Marc apologizes for not being able to attend the meeting, and he then provided the following report:
Current Service Quality – Trans Metro – SF Paratransit:
- There has been a 66% reduction in complaints since June.
- Formal complaints July (45), August (37), September (month-to-date) (27)
- 20 new (Muni-owned) vans added to TME’s fleet and deployed
- The Broker continues to expect TME to enforce their zero tolerance policy on safety-related complaints
- The Broker continue to conduct intensive monitoring (via daily/weekly meetings), and increased field monitoring of TME, and is reporting to Muni weekly
- Outreach meetings to problem-solve on-going problems (City College, dialysis meeting, Long Term Care Coordinating Council, Advisory Council to the Commission on Aging and Adult Services, The Arc San Francisco, etc.)
- TME’s on time reliability is currently at 83% (goal is at 93%+)
- The Broker continues to work with TME on specific areas where complaints continue to be generated.
Update on service issues at The Arc San Francisco
At the last PCC meeting, Jacy Cohen of The Arc, San Francisco, raised a concern with regard to a specific passenger on the Trans Metro Group Van service. Stu Smith, Chair of the PCC Executive Committee, asked the Broker to update the PCC on this matter.
- Jacy Cohen met with Michael Gurevich and his team immediately after the last PCC meeting.
- The topics discussed were mainly focused on a service issue being experienced by one group van rider.
- This rider’s group standing order had been bounced from the regular group van run for unexplained reasons and had not been put back on the group van run.
- The Broker fully expected for this matter to be resolved. However, due to a lack of follow-up, the matter wasn’t resolved and on a recent routine ADA paratransit trip, this rider, who is subject to behavioral problems, stood up while the vehicle was in route.
- Two different drivers assigned to this rider’s group van claimed to have been raising this concern with TME staff but it had gone unresolved. The two drivers have been unable to work with the client and in a most recent incident, one of these drivers who had the rider on a group van run, screamed at the rider’s mother about having to transport the rider.
- In addition, the rider’s family has expressed concern with the ride, even on the group run, being timely.
- At the meeting, it was agreed that TME would ensure the rider’s trip is re-anchored to the group run at a specific time. A new driver would be assigned to the run and the driver would be properly briefed on this particular rider.
- It was agreed that the rider’s standing trip would be scheduled only as a one-way (going trip) in the mornings when the rider would be accompanied by a staff member from the ARC.
- As a longer-term solution, this rider will be transported by a different GGRC program.
- The Broker expressed to the rider’s parent and the ARC, regret that it took this long to address this particular issue.
After Kevin’s report, Jacy added that it was a really good meeting, but not timely, and that she took responsibility for that. Jacy added that she usually works directly with the provider, but she realizes that she can no longer do that and that she will work through the Broker. The ARC will develop protocols on how to handle transportation issues.
Michael Kwok stated that his wheelchair was secured sideways by a TME driver. Michael Gurevich stated that the TME policy is to secure all clients forward facing, and all drivers are properly trained to do so. Michael Gurevich asked Michael Kwok to help him identify the date of the trip so he could follow up.
Kate Toran stated that a small working group of the PCC met to discuss the SF Paratransit customer satisfaction survey. There were three PCC members who felt strongly that the survey should be conducted in the spring (Pat, Griff and Jewel), and three members who felt that the survey should be conducted this fall (Byron, Dee Ann and Ruth). Kate explained that Marc had suggested a compromise, which would be to conduct the full survey in the fall, then conduct a follow up survey on just the ADA Access and ADA Lift Van services in the spring. Unfortunately, this is not a viable option because the cost to conduct two surveys is prohibitive. So Kate asked the group for feedback on the timing of the survey. Griff Humphrey stated that the reason he supports conducting the survey in the spring is because TME is not fully set in the job, and the survey wouldn’t be accurate. If the survey is conducted before TME is fully established, it will be inaccurate. Pat Lovelock agreed with Griff and stated that there is no sense in measuring the quality of the program now because it is just a point in time analysis and TME is just starting. Conducting a survey now will just tell you about the start up problems, but not the base problems. In conducting a survey, there are certain things to keep constant, and Pat recommended keeping the timing constant. According to Pat, conducting the survey in the fall instead of the spring, when it has been conducted in the past, would introduce different factors, such as rain and the beginning of school. Pat added that conducting the survey in the fall instead of the spring would confound the ability to compare to prior surveys and that it would be worthless.
Announcements
Erma Brim asked that Kate find out if someone can come and talk to the PCC about organizational conflict of interest.
Jeanne Lynch announced that Senior Action Network is holding their annual convention on October 12th and that Mayor Gavin Newsom will be the keynote speaker.
The next PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2006, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at 711 Eddy Street.
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