MINUTES OF THE HUMBOLDT TRANSIT AUTHORITY
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
May 18, 2011
ROLL CALL
Present Absent
BOARD MEMBERS
| Michael Winkler, Arcata | Clif Clendenen, Humboldt County |
| Dean Glaser, Fortuna | Julie Fulkerson, Trinidad |
| Julie Woodall, Rio Dell | |
| Jimmy Smith, Humboldt County (Alt) | |
| Linda Atkins, Eureka | |
| Mark Lovelace, Humboldt County | |
STAFF
| Neleen Fregoso, General Manager | |
| Laura Shodall, Administrative Asst. | |
| Greg Pratt, Secretary to the Board | |
| Jim Wilson, Director of Maintenance |
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Lovelace called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
MINUTES
Motion by Councilmember Glaser, second by Councilmember Atkins to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2011 Humboldt Transit Authority regular board meeting.
Motion carried unanimously
CITIZENS COMMUNICATION
Richard Tolleson requested that staff provide a shuttle to and from the Humboldt County Fair
CONSENT AGENDA
General Manager Fregoso gave the board an overview of the Performance statistics for all systems.
Motion by Councilmember Winkler, second by Councilmember Atkins to approve Consent Agenda.
Motion carried unanimously
FISCAL AND COMPLIANCE AUDIT
The 2009-10 audit declared that excess operating funds were received by Willow Creek and Arcata Dial-a-Ride. Staff made the recommendation to follow the auditor’s solution (b) for Willow Creek by restricting those excess TDA funds for future capital expenditures; and, to follow the auditor’s solution (a) for the Arcata Dial-a-Ride by requesting that the City of Arcata amend their 2009-10 claim to utilize the excess funds received during the 2010-11 fiscal year.
Motion by Supervisor Smith, second by Councilmember Atkins to direct staff to prepare the responses as recommended and authorize the General Manager to notify county to restrict $37,250 for capital purchases for the Willow Creek Extension
State Transit Assistance Funds
Per the Transportation Development Act, Sections 99313 and 99314, State Transit Assistance Funds (STAF) are available to the regional operators for transit projects. STAF do not require alocal funding match.
Motion by Councilmember Atkins, second by Supervisor Smith to authorize staff to apply for State Transit Assistance funds in the amount of $212,000 for Redwood Transit and $102,000 for regional transit projects.
Motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSED FARE INCREASE FOR REDWOOD TRANSIT SYSTEM, WILLOW CREEK EXTENSION, AND THE SOUTHERN HUMBOLDT SYSTEMS
Due to the continuing increases to the transit systems’ operating costs, staff proposed a fare increase for all systems and the introduction of a 6-day (week) pass.
Motion by Councilmember Glaser, second by Councilmember Atkins to authorize staff to raise the fares as proposed by staff to Redwood, Willow Creek, and Southern Humboldt Systems with one adjustment made to Redwood Transit Systems’ day pass amount being reduced from $5.00 to $4.50.
Motion carried unanimously.
REJECTION OF CLAIM AGAINST HUMBOLDT TRANSIT AUTHORITY
A claim for injury was submitted by Deborah Whitley on February 28, 2011 which occurred on a Eureka Transit Service bus. HTA’s insurance adjusters York Insurances Services recommended that the board send a Notice of Rejection by Operation of Law.
Motion by Councilmember Winkler, second by Councilmember Glaser to reject the claim submitted by Deborah Whitley and directed staff to send out a Notice of Rejection by Operation of Law.
Motion Carried unanimously
FTA SECTION 5311 (f) INTERCITY GRANT FUND CYCLE FOR FY 2011-12
Caltrans is soliciting projects for the 2011 – 12 Fiscal Year for intercity bus service operating assistance. Staff recommended submitting an application for these funds for the two Southern Humboldt Transit services.
Motion by Supervisor Smith, second by Councilmember Glaser to adopt resolution 11-02 authorizing staff to submit an application for FTA Section 5311 (f) funds for Southern Humboldt Local Transit System and the Southern Humboldt Intercity Transit System for fiscal year 2011 – 12 in the amount of $200,000.
Motion carried unanimously
communications
Board: Councilmember Glaser had questions on the future of transportation in Fortuna and Supervisor Lovelace recommended it be placed on next month’s agenda. Supervisor Lovelace also asked about transportation to and from the Humboldt County Fair.
CLOSED SESSION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.3(b) members of the public were invited to comment on matters to be discussed during this closed session agenda item.
There were no members of the public present to comment.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) the board met in closed session at 9:40 a.m. to discuss the recruitment and appointment to fill the position of general manager and the possible availability of General Manager Neleen Fregoso for the purpose of training and guidance for the new General Manager.
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.1, the board reconvened into open session at 11:17 a.m. and Chairman Lovelace announced that no formal action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Lovelace adjourned the meeting at 11:18 a.m.