MINUTES
GOVERNING BOARD of the YOLO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT
Council Chambers, Woodland City Hall
Woodland, California
March 8, 2004
Agenda Item 1 Call to Order/Roll Call
Chair Boyd called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. At Chair Boyd’s request, Martie Dote led the
assembly in the pledge of allegiance.
Represented were:
Davis – Susie Boyd (P)
Winters – Harold Anderson (P)
Woodland – Dave Flory (P)
Not represented were:
West Sacramento
Yolo County
UC Davis
CalTrans
Staff present: Terry Bassett, YCTD Executive Director; Sonia Cortés, Legal Counsel; Martie Dote,
YCTD Sr. Planner; Erik Reitz, YCTD Assistant Planner; Kwai Reitz, YCTD Finance Officer (arrived
at 7:25 p.m.), and Kathy Souza, YCTD Administrative Assistant.
Others present: Roy Rice, Ed Remly, Mike Grabowski, Sandy Rowe, Tom Follansbee and Jim
Kaiser, First Transit; Olin Woods, SACOG; William Patterson, Woodland; William Lowell, West
Sacramento, Larry Greene, Carl Vandagriff and Dan O’Brien, YSAQMD; Kris Balaji, CalTrans and
Steve Basha, Yolo County Counsel, arrived at 8:30 p.m. Other attendees signing the attendance sheet
were David Morrison, Yolo County; Wendy Ross, City of Woodland; Dan Sokolow, City of Winters
and Stephen Patek, West Sacramento.
Agenda Item 2 Consider Approval of Agenda
Minute Order No. 04-14
Director Flory made a motion, seconded by Director Anderson, to approve the Agenda of the March 8,
2004 Board of Directors meeting. Roll call resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd, Flory
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Agenda Item 3 Comments from Public Regarding Matters Not on the Agenda
William Lowell suggested that warning signs be installed on the low floor buses to caution disembarking
passengers about the step down. He also suggested that the overhead space on the low floor buses be
equipped with luggage racks.
Chair Boyd thanks Mr. Lowell, stated that staff would take the suggestions under advisement and in the
case of the luggage racks, consider that option for future bus orders.
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Agenda Items 4
Consent Calendar
Minute Order No. 04-15
Director Anderson made a motion, seconded by Director McGowan, to approve the following items on
the Consent Calendar:
4a.
Approve YCTD Board Minutes for Meeting of February 9, 2004.
4b.
Declare Gillig Buses Surplus and Authorize their Sale.
Roll call resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd, Flory
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Agenda Item 5 Adopt Resolution Honoring Mayor Susie Boyd
There being only 3 voting members in attendance, this item was postponed until later in the meeting to
allow other voting members to arrive and participate.
Agenda Item 6 Board Member Reports/Announcements
None
Agenda Item 7 Oral Update from First Transit
Roy Rice, General Manager, mentioned that Sacramento Regional Transit was experiencing labor
disputes with its operators resulting in some cancelled service. He informed the directors that Yolobus
put on extra buses to pickup any late commuters affected by any RT cancellations.
Mr. Rice reported that earlier that day Yolobus had undergone its annual CHP inspection of its records
and the operating fleet and that, for the first time in its history, Yolobus received a perfect score on its
inspection as well as a commendation from the inspector to First Transit for the status of the records,
facility and fleet. Mr. Rice commended his staff, particularly the management team in attendance at the
meeting.
Agenda Item 8 Consider Matters Related to Additional Bus Service: Woodland / Madison / Esparto /
Capay / Cache Creek Casino and Resort
Mr. Bassett introduced Assistant Planner Erik Reitz to present the background relating to the request to add
service to the Route 215. Mr. Reitz reported that, following the previous week’s meeting with
representatives of the casino, staff made minor changes to the proposed schedules as indicated in the board
packet information. The recommended 5-minute earlier departures westbound were to allow casino
employees sufficient time to reach their work areas on time.
Mr. Bassett reminded the directors that the proposed additional service was funded for only a 9-month
period from the casino expansion mitigation funds through Yolo County. He stated that unless additional
funding was available, the service would have to be reduced at the end of that period. He also reminded the
directors that the proposed service expansion was to relieve current overcrowding issues and not those
anticipated once the casino’s expansion was completed with its additional workforce.
Director Flory asked if the casino could supplement the funds if the desired to keep the expanded service
running.
Mr. Bassett replied that would be a possibility or the casino could provide additional funds to the county for
the purpose of continuation of the expanded service.
At 7:23 p.m., Chair Boyd opened the Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to Route 215 serving Woodland,
Madison, Esparto, Capay and Cache Creek Casino and Resort and called for public comment. There being no
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requests to speak on the matter, Chair Boyd closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 p.m.
Mr. Reitz reviewed four phone calls he had received regarding the proposed changes. Each had been from
casino employees requesting the district to add service at “off-peak” times, i.e. times when only a small
number of employees would be arriving or leaving the casino. He stated that each caller was given an
explanation of the reasons for providing peak time service and each expressed their understanding of the
necessity.
Minute Order 04-16
Director Anderson made a motion, seconded by Director Flory, to authorize the service changes as
described, subject to minor adjustments deemed necessary by staff, and with the explicit understanding
that the three additional trips will continue for only as long as there is sufficient funding to provide them,
authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and execute an agreement with the County of Yolo
regarding the funding of the added Cache Creek service, and authorize the Executive Director to prepare
and submit a budget adjustment Roll Call resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd, Flory
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Agenda Item 9
Consider Approval of Limited Service to River Cats Games
Mr. Bassett stated that because this was a limited service and did not continue a public hearing was not
necessary. He stated that staff recommended that the directors authorize the District to offer limited
service from Southport and Bridgeway Island to River Cats games. Staff recommended that service from
Woodland and Davis not be offered for the 2004 season as it had been poorly supported by riders in those
communities. He reminded the directors that an application had been submitted to the Yolo Solano Air
District for $12, 500 which would pick up the net cost of the service, the total cost would be between
$17,000 and $18,000 with the difference being made up by the regular fee fares charged riders. He stated
that if the funds were not forthcoming from the Air District, the District would then bill the City of West
Sacramento for the $12,500 difference. He reminded the directors that last year this service was well
used by the residents of Southport and Bridgeway Island.
Director Flory asked if West Sacramento was aware that they would be billed if the Air District funding
was not received. Mr. Bassett responded that the West Sacramento representatives to the District were
provided with the information in their board packets as did the other board members. Director Flory
pointed out that neither West Sacramento representative was in attendance
Director Flory then asked if the River Cats had contributed any money to funding of the service. Mr.
Bassett replied that they had not.
Chair Boyd asked if the service had been well used. Mr. Bassett replied that the West Sacramento shuttle
was well used.
Director Anderson asked if the matter could be postponed to the April meeting to allow West Sacramento
representation for the discussion. Mr. Bassett reminded him that the baseball season started in April.
Director Flory stated that, in the event of a vote, he would vote no because the River Cats had not
contributed to the cost of the service.
Chair Boyd asked counsel if two votes in favor of approving the service would constitute a proper
majority. Ms. Cortes responded that it would.
Chair Boyd asked if any of the West Sacramento staff in attendance would care to comment on the issue.
They responded that they would not.
Minute Order 04-17
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Director Anderson made a motion, seconded by Director Boyd, to approve limited service from Southport
and Bridgeway Island to the River Cats games contingent upon receipt by the District of a letter from
West Sacramento agreeing to make up the difference of $12,500 in the event the requested funding from
the Air District were not to be granted. Roll call resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd
NOES:
Flory
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Agenda Item 10
Consider Nominations For Community Design Funding
Mrs. Dote informed the directors that each of the five jurisdictions would present their respective design
application concepts.
Pat Fitzsimmons from the City of Davis presented their two designs. Chair Boyd asked if, since she
owned property in the vicinity of one of the projects if she would have to recuse herself from
consideration of the grant request. Mr. Fitzsimmons stated that she would not have to do so.
Steve Patek presented an overview of West Sacramento’s current and future proposed high density infill
plans and the related request for funding for the State Route 275 West Phase.
Director Flory stated his familiarity with the West Sacramento plans from many meetings with Director
Cabaldon.
Dan Sokolow presented the Winters Rotary Park Urban Activity Center design.
Wendy Ross presented the Woodland Redevelopment Agency Armfield Railroad Site Redevelopment
project.
Chair Boyd asked if the historical railroad depot was part of the project. Ms. Ross stated that, while not
in this phase, it would be proposed to move the depot into the Armfield site.
Director Flory asked who owned the historical depot property.
Sacramento Valley Historical Railways.
Ms. Ross stated the owner was
David Morrison presented the request for funding of the Yolo County General Plan update project.
Chair Boyd thanked each of the jurisdictions’ representatives for their project presentations.
Director Flory stated that he felt all of the projects presented were commendable.
Minute Order No. 04-18
Director Flory made a motion, seconded by Director Anderson, authorizing the Executive Director to
send a letter to SACOG endorsing and supporting the projects presented before the board. Roll call
resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd, Flory
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Chair Boyd thanked the staff members from the jurisdictions for their attendance and presentations.
Agenda Item 11
Consider Results of Cleaner Air Partnership Voter Survey
Mr. Bassett reviewed the voter survey material included in the board packet. In late 1993, the Cleaner
Air Partnership group commissioned a tracking survey of 2,757 people in six geographical areas; namely,
El Dorado County, Placer County, Yolo County, Solano County, Sacramento County, and Sacramento
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City. A total of 544 people were surveyed in Yolo County. Bassett stated that the survey revealed that
support for a transportation related sales tax was strongest with younger voters and weakest with older
voters and that, overall, close to a super majority of those surveyed in Yolo County indicated they would
support a sales tax similar to Measure A in Sacramento County for transportation purposes.
Chair Boyd asked if a simple majority would be needed to pass such a ballot measure or a “super
majority.” Mr. Bassett responded that would depend on how the issue was placed on the ballot. If the
measure was placed on the ballot by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors as an “A plus B” measure
similar to what happened in Woodland and West Sacramento, it would need a simple majority but the
County Board of Supervisors would control the expenditure of funds. If the District placed the issue on
the ballot, a “super majority” would be required for the measure to pass. To even put such an item on a
ballot, approval would be needed by a majority of the YCTD Board of Directors and a majority of the
governing bodies of the cities and county.
Director Boyd suggested that, if the board decided to move forward with the issue, the matter should be
carefully coordinated with each of the jurisdictions to avoid potential conflicts with any similar proposals
from those jurisdictions.
There was a consensus of the Board to refer this item to the Transportation Expenditure Plan
subcommittee of Cabaldon and McGowan to work on.
Agenda Item 12
Consider Options for Provision of Transit Service
Mr. Bassett reviewed the five options being considered for providing transit service to the District as of
August 31, 2004 when the existing contract was set to expire. Finance Officer Kwai Reitz explained the
spreadsheet detailing the cost estimates provided to the directors.
Director Flory asked what action Mr. Bassett wanted from the directors. Mr. Bassett responded that as
contained in the staff report, staff recommended that the directors 1) confirm its interest in taking
YOLOBUS operations in-house, effective on or after September 1, 2004; 2) appoint a subcommittee of
one or two board members to work with staff to finalize analyses and details; and 3) authorize staff to
submit a formal request to join the Yolo County Public Agency Risk Management Insurance Authority
(YCPARMIA).
Chair Boyd asked if the ATU contract covered all First Transit employees. Mr. Bassett responded that it
only covered operators, mechanics and utility workers, not supervisors, managers, or clerical workers.
Director Boyd made a motion, seconded by Director Flory, to create a subcommittee of two board
members to consider the five options for provision of transit service and return a recommendation to the
board of directors at a future meeting.
In discussing the motion, Chair Boyd stated her opinion that the case for bringing the service in house
made sense.
Director Flory stated that he wanted to know those reasons that Mr. Bassett had recommended using an
outside contractor in the past and why those reasons had changed.
Mr. Bassett replied that this would be a change in approach from the past but that he was of the opinion
that, after dealing with seven different contractors, they did not necessarily deal with the interests of their
employees and the public as well as these other arrangements might.
Director Flory stated his concern that the representatives from Yolo County and the City of West
Sacramento not in attendance at the meeting should have another opportunity to be involved in the
decision.
Mr. Bassett said that RT staff have made approaches to consolidate service (i.e. have RT operate
everything in the region) for years but that has never been feasible given RT’s high operating costs.
Bassett suggested that the YCTD Board needs to be careful not to give up local decision making control
to RT on matters that affect transportation policy, the cost of service, and how and where service would
be operated.
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Director Boyd’s motion failed for lack of action.
Minute Order No. 04-19
Director Flory made a motion, seconded by Director Anderson, appointed a subcommittee of two YCTD
Board members to meet with staff and develop a recommendation for the YCTD Board on whether the
district should operate YOLOBUS service in-house versus pursue the following other options:
Extend the current contract one or two years
Take maintenance in-house
Re-bid the service
As part of the motion, the Board removed Sacramento Regional Transit District from the options to
consider.
For purposes of discussion, Director Anderson requested that the committee consist of a representative
from West Sacramento, Woodland and Yolo County. Chair Boyd pointed out that three members of the
board would constitute a called meeting.
Director Flory amended the motion to state that the committee members be the representatives from the
City of Woodland and Yolo County. Director Anderson accepted the amendment to the motion. Roll call
resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd, Flory
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Agenda Item 13
Executive Director’s Report
a) Mr. Bassett reminded the directors of the interim newsletter included with their board packets.
He recapped the ADA workshops attendance. Mr. Bassett stated that in the newsletter was
mention of the Cap-to-Cap trip, that the early-bird registration deadline was rapidly approaching
and that to date no board members had indicated they wished to attend on behalf of the District.
It was the consensus of the directors that Mr. Bassett attend the Cap-to-Cap trip to represent the
District’s interests and that staff poll the directors for interest in attending to represent
transportation issues.
The regional priority list had been reviewed by Senior Planner Dote and the Putah Creek Bridge
was still the number one priority. Mr. Bassett asked which other projects were to be introduced
as regional projects. Mrs. Dote informed the directors that in her conversations with Sampson
Okhade of CalTrans, the sole Yolo County project was the Putah Creek Bridge. Mrs. Dote stated
that this would leave those attending the Cap-to-Cap to espouse other significant projects such as
the I-5/113 and the Harbor Boulevard.
Mr. Bassett informed the board that a consultant for the CNG fueling station had been selected.
b) Mr. Bassett informed the directors that the final Orion VII had arrived at the District site earlier in
the day. The bus was being carefully inspected for potential problems as this was the bus that had
a fire on-board in-route.
c) On the Funding Swap, Mr. Bassett said that Sac RT was doing a switch. At the February YCTD
meeting, the directors approved a swap that would free up two million dollars for RT’s
maintenance facility in return for an equal amount of money for the Tower Bridge project. Mr.
Bassett stated that Sac RT had changed its approach and is now requesting those funds for their
Folsom light rail project. Apparently SACOG was unclear as to the resolution of the issue. The
net effect under either RT scenario would be that the Tower Bridge bike/pedestrian crossing
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project may be accelerated because it is a Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) eligible
project. He reported that there was still between $425,000 and $475,000 for other projects being
considered by the Technical Advisory Committee.
d) On the West Sacramento Transfer Center MOU, Mr. Bassett reported that legal counsel for the
District and for West Sacramento were continuing to work out the details before final execution
of the MOU.
e) Reporting on the status of the STIP allocation Light Rail Study request, Mr. Bassett stated that
California Transportation Commission staff had asked that the District’s allocation be combined
with Sac RT’s allocation as a single request.
Chair Boyd asked Mr. Bassett if her understanding was correct that the YCTD fleet, with the
acquisition of the new buses was 100% CNG fueled. Mr. Bassett replied that all the fixed route buses
were CNG fueled but the paratransit vehicles were not.
Agenda Item 5
Adopt Resolution Honoring Mayor Susie Boyd
Mr. Bassett stated it was with honor and sadness that he read and presented the proposed resolution
honoring Chair Susie Boyd for her service to the District.
Minute Order No. 04-20
Director Flory made a motion, seconded by Director Anderson, to adopt the resolution honoring Mayor
Boyd. Roll call resulted in the following vote:
AYES:
Anderson, Boyd, Flory
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
West Sacramento Representative, Yolo County Representative
ABSTAIN:
None
Agenda Item 14
ADJOURN
The regular meeting of the Yolo County Transportation District adjourned at 9:10 p.m. on the 8th day of
March, 2004 until Monday, April 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Woodland City Hall,
300 First Street, Woodland, CA.
Respectfully submitted,
, Secretary
TERRY V. BASSETT
TB/ks
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