MEMBERS PRESENT: Maria Ayerdi, Michael Burns, Arthur Lloyd, John McLemore, Steve Schmidt, Manny Valerio, Ken Yeager, Chair Nevin, Sue Lempert (MTC Liaison)

MEMBERS ABSENT: Sophie Maxwell

STAFF PRESENT: Mike Scanlon, David Miller, Jim Gallagher, John Ficarra, Howard Goode, George Cameron, Rita Haskin, Roger Contreras, Jerry Kirzner, Cheryl Cavitt, Michelle Bouchard, Darrell Maxey, Chuck Harvey, Martha Martinez, Deanna Riding

Chair Burns called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jim Bigelow, Redwood City/San Mateo Chambers of Commerce, Bay Area Council and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, expressed appreciation from the business community for the inclusion of Caltrain projects in the MTC Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).

Jeff McGraw, Transportation Involves Everyone (TIE), recommended that low-sulfur diesel fuel be used in the Caltrain existing fleet after an immediate evaluation instead of the high-sulfur, red dye No. 2 diesel fuel currently used. Mr. McGraw presented a copy of his comments for the record to Secretary Riding.

Richard Mylnarik, San Francisco, acknowledged thanks for the recently approved MTC RTP, as well as for the excellent chairmanship of Michael Burns during the past two years.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, concurred with Mr. Mylnarik’s comments and added the Caltrain Toys for Tots Program was well done and enjoyed by all whom attended. The ticket vending machines (TVMs) at the Millbrae Station have been out of order recently and Mr. Carter suggested the monthly Caltrain reports include an update on TVM maintenance. Mr. Carter also recommended the Millbrae-SFO Shuttle stop closer to the Station and coordinate schedules with Caltrain.

Bob Castiglione, Caltrain locomotive engineer, stated that grade separations are the only solution to the fatality problem and suggested that private industry contribute.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Chair Burns noted requests to sever Agenda items 4.e., 4.f. and 4.g. from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.

It was moved, seconded (Nevin/McLemore) and unanimously approved by roll call to adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1. Minutes of December 6, 2001.
   
   
2. Statement of Revenue and Expense, November 2001.
   
   
3. Amended Caltrain Codified Tariff to Allow Free Fares for Sworn Peace Officers.
   
   
4. Award Contract for Printing of Timetables to Essence Printing of S. San Francisco for a three-year Term at an Estimated Cost of $272,629.
   
   
5. Authorized Agreement with SamTrans Pursuant to an Agreement with the San Mateo County sheriff’s Office for Supplemental Law Enforcement and Related Communication Services.
   
   

Richard Mylnarik, San Francisco, questioned the process used in considering and selecting Booz Allen and Hamilton to perform the Caltrain Fare Study.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, suggested an outreach to Caltrain riders and the CAC in conjunction with the Fare Study to ensure customer’s wishes are reflected in the Study. Chair Burns assured Mr. Carter that input from the riders would be considered in the Study.

Michelle Bouchard, Associate Planner, presented background on the need for the Fare Study at this time to take a comprehensive look at all aspects of the fare structure (i.e. zones, ticket types, discounting, parking charges, bikes on board, etc.) Six proposals were received and three were selected for an interview. The Selection Panel was comprised of three JPB staff members and one VTA staff member. Booz Allen and Hamilton received the highest score. There will be focus groups of riders involved in the Study. Criteria used was as follows:

1. Experience and success in similar projects (20 percent).
   
   
2. Understanding of project parameters and potential problem areas (20 percent).
   
   
3. Project approach (15 percent).
   
   
4. Quality and Experience of the Project Manager and Proposed Staffing (20 percent).
   
   
5. Reasonableness of Proposed Cost (15 percent).
   
   
6. Project Management Plan (10 percent).
   
   

The Study will begin immediately with recommendations by the first of July.

It was moved, seconded (Schmidt/Valerio) and unanimously approved by roll call to award the contract for consultant services for a Caltrain Fare Study to Booz Allen and Hamilton of San Francisco for an amount not to exceed $140,826.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, recommended that locomotives purchased at this time be electric and not diesel to reflect a modern image.

Mike Scanlon, Executive Director, advised that six locomotives will be purchased now and there is no cost for the option for six additional locomotives. Once the line is electrified, there will still be a need to run diesel locomotives to the far end of the rail line. There is no problem running diesel locomotives under wires. Art Lloyd noted Amtrak runs under wires with F40 locomotives. Art Lloyd was assured the locomotives are 3,600 horsepower and will look modern.

Jerry Kirzner, Director of Rail, advised Steve Schmidt the fuel would burn 40 percent cleaner in the new locomotives, which represents the cleanest locomotive currently on the market.

Chair Burns requested staff follow-up with Jeff McGraw’s issues and the use of low-sulfur diesel fuel. Jerry Kirzner advised the fuel used is in compliance with all the Federal and State regulations. Mike Scanlon said staff would respond to Mr. McGraw.

It was moved, seconded (Nevin/Schmidt) and unanimously approved by roll call to award a contract to MotivePower, Inc. of Boise, Idaho for the manufacture and delivery of six new locomotives for Caltrain Express service scheduled for initiation in 2003 for a base bid of $14,064,462, which includes spare parts, delivery and support services and an option to purchase six additional locomotives and selected optional features.

Harry Kim, Victor Maintenance Co., Inc., expressed concern over the disparity in costs between the seven janitorial companies who bid on the contract for janitorial services and urged that the proposals be reexamined. Chair Burns said Board Members had the same concerns and were assured due diligence was exercised.

Cheryl Cavitt, Director, Contracts and Procurement, reported that the process was one of competitive sealed bids where the lowest, responsible and responsive bid wins. Maintenance Systems Management (MSM) responded to all items requested. The owner of the company attended the pre-bid conference (including an actual walk-through of the railcars) and brought his materials manager with him to assure accuracy of the estimates. Experience of the firm determined MSM has been in business for 14 years and references were positive. Ms. Cavitt clarified this contract is for heavy-duty railcar cleaning three times a year and not for daily maintenance. Amtrak personnel and JPB staff monitor the contract.

It was moved, seconded (Nevin/Lloyd) and unanimously approved by roll call to award the contract for providing railcar maintenance cycle cleaning services (on a 120-day cycle) to Maintenance Systems Management, Inc. (MSM) of San Francisco for a three-year term at an estimated price of $127,092.

CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

Chair Burns appointed Director Lloyd as the JPB representative on the Lenzen Caltrain Maintenance Facility Monitoring Committee.

JPB OFFICERS FOR 2002

Chair Burns thanked staff and members of the Board for assistance and cooperation during the two years he has served as JPB Chair. Chair Burns also thanked and encouraged the advocates, supporters and stakeholders of Caltrain, whose efforts have made a difference in the direction of Caltrain, to continue with the pressure, questions, input and oversight of Caltrain activities.

Director Ayerdi, Nominating Selection Committee, thanked colleagues Art Lloyd and Ken Yeager for their help on the Committee. The Committee selected Mike Nevin as Chair and John McLemore as Vice-Chair for 2002.

It was moved, seconded (Ayerdi/Lloyd) and unanimously approved by roll call to nominate Mike Nevin for Chair.

Michael Burns passed the gavel to Chair Nevin.

It was moved, seconded (Lloyd/Valerio) and unanimously approved by roll call to nominate John McLemore for Vice-Chair.

Chair Nevin stated Michael Burns did an excellent job as chair and his excitement and enthusiasm for Caltrain will continue. Mike Scanlon presented a model Caltrain and framed photograph of the San Francisco Caltrain Station with PacBell Park in the background to Michael Burns.

John McLemore stated the JPB could not have asked for a better chair during these past two years, as Michael Burns has always brought a calm atmosphere to contentious issues. Art Lloyd said Michael Burns has done a fantastic job with S.F. Muni and Caltrain.

MTC LIAISON REPORT

Sue Lempert echoed comments made earlier noting, as chair, Michael Burns always treated the public with respect and consideration. Ms. Lempert thanked people who went to Oakland to provide public testimony for the Regional Transportation Plan. Caltrain was successful with approval of electrification, Baby Bullet, the Transbay Terminal, and inclusion of rail under, or over, the Bay to connect with Sacramento.

REPORT OF THE CAC

John Hronowski, CAC Chair, also thanked Michael Burns and stated the CAC looks forward to working with Chair Nevin in 2002. A Nominating Committee was appointed to select officers for the CAC at the next meeting. The CAC has prepared draft by-laws, which were distributed to CAC members, JPB staff and legal for review.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mike Scanlon reported as follows:

1. Weekday ridership was down 5.8 percent from November of last year from 31,500 to 29,700, and revenue was down 7.7 percent.
   
   
2. On-time performance was at 92 percent, which is off from last November’s 95 percent. Construction work caused delays on the Gilroy line.
   
   
3. Shuttle ridership was down 16.5 percent.
   
   
4. Year to date average weekday ridership is up 2 percent from 32,500 to 33,100 and revenue is up by 3 percent. Caltrain shuttle ridership is off by 2.1 percent.
   
   
5. The annual systemwide ridership count is scheduled for January 7-18 by Pacific Transit Management.
   
   
6. The economic downturn is definitely affecting Caltrain ridership, which will be monitored closely. S.F. Muni is down approximately 3-4 percent.
   
   
7. Caltrain carried 2,500 riders on three trips out of San Francisco on New Year’s Eve and one additional train out of San Jose carried approximately 100 passengers.
   
   
8. The Annual Martin Luther King Freedom Train will occur on January 21 leaving from San Jose at 10:25 a.m. with three stops before arriving in San Francisco.
   
   
9. SamTrans is making major bus service changes, which will improve bus/rail connections in Redwood City and Palo Alto.
   
   
10. The Caltrain/Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program was extremely successful collecting 4,400 gifts. Larry Stueck, Stage Manager, showed slides of the event on December 8 and 9 and noted Janet McGovern was the coordinator.
    
    
11. Major Jim Franks, Second Battalion 23rd Marines, presented the JPB with a plaque in honor of Caltrain’s involvement in the Bay Area Toys for Tots Program, which is the largest Toys for Tots drive in the United States.
    
    
12. Janet McGovern was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the JPB and she thanked all the volunteers and Mike Mangini, Golden Gate Railroad Museum, for their expertise and hard work.
    
    
13. Announced that John Ficarra, Chief Operating Officer, is retiring.
    
    
14. Caltrain received an award from ASHTO for the Carlink Program at the California Station.
    
    

CTX PROJECT

Chuck Harvey, Deputy Chief of Bus Operations, reviewed the Caltrain CTX Project with emphasis on the planned replacement transit services. The CTX Project (i.e. track and signal work, passing tracks and preparing for Caltrain Express, completion work for the BART/Caltrain intermodal connection, rebuilding Bayshore and Lawrence stations) is a $100 million project with an estimated two years of construction. Bid opening is scheduled for February with a probable start date to be in April/May. There will be a full weekend shutdown system to perform the construction, which will create adequate work windows, reduce costs and expedite the project.

Replacement bus service (RRX service) has been designed for the weekend shutdown, which will have departures matching the current Caltrain schedule from San Jose Diridon Station, express to Palo Alto, Hillsdale, and into San Francisco. There will be multiple buses leaving each trip segment. The reverse commute will also match the Caltrain schedule. Travel time is estimated to be between one hour and forty-five minutes depending on the Hillsdale Loop. Current Caltrain scheduled time is one hour and thirty-nine minutes. There is also existing intra-county bus service for riders who need to reach the RRX stations. If capacity issues are seen on the intra-county service, staff has met with VTA who has agreed to supplement Route 22 based on ridership needs and possibly semi-express service on El Camino Real. In San Mateo County, the KX route would be supplemented if needed.

PacBell Park service is being designed to handle 100 percent of the current ridership, which is between 4,000-4,500 roundtrips. This will require between 50 and 55 buses for every game. The route will be similar to 49’er football service. Chuck Harvey thanked Al Felder of the Giants, who found a solution for parking the buses on Berry Street. There is a maximum of 27 games that will need bus service. If the CTX project doesn’t start until May 1, there will be 22 games needing coverage. Private contract buses may be required for some of the work.

Bus service costs are an eligible reimbursement cost under the CTX Project and are, therefore, considered revenue neutral. The final costs will be determined by the service delivery option selected. There are a few ineligible costs such as the lost fare revenue during the weekends but operating cost reductions should offset the lost revenue.

The next steps in the process are to:

1. Finalize the bus flow issues in San Francisco at 4th and King, as well as the PacBell Service.
   
   
2. Select the final method of service delivery. Fare passes will be accepted.
   
   
3. Finalize costs and revenue projections so that grants management can assure cash flow adequacy.
   
   
4. Discussions will be continued with Amtrak to save weekend service costs.
   
   
5. Initiate the implementation plan and begin to coordinate public outreach and information.
   
   

Michael Burns thanked staff for working with the Giants and committed that San Francisco will cooperate, as required. The most important part of the plan is the public information and marketing of the alternative service.

Steve Schmidt was informed that Caltrain will single-track after 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays starting in May and service might run 5 minutes late. Chuck Harvey stated the KX and the 292 buses provide connections to SFO, which will be discussed with SFO. Steve Schmidt was also assured there will be coordination with cities along the line to provide work windows to get projects done expeditiously.

Vaughn Wolffe, Pleasanton, stated he is glad to hear the project is revenue neutral.

Richard Mylnarik, San Francisco, requested that bus service doesn’t end at 4th and King and carries on to Transbay Terminal and, also, that there be hourly or half-hourly service on Sundays instead of several buses leaving at the same time.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, asked for a detailed list of projects to understand the need for the shutdown and, also, that an additional stop be considered in Northern San Mateo County. Mr. Carter questioned if future Caltrain shutdowns will be needed.

Ed De Lanoy, San Carlos, urged that Option C (nighttime closures) be selected instead of weekend closures.

JPB CALENDAR FOR 2002

Martha Martinez, Manager Executive and Governing Board Support, presented the proposed schedule of JPB meetings for 2002, noting there is a conflict with the CTA Fall Conference on November 7, and July 4 is a holiday.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, recommended there not be a meeting on October 31 since it is Halloween.

Manny Valerio noted he has a conflict with the October 3 and December 5 JPB meetings due to League of California Cities and the National League of Cities programs.

Mike Scanlon suggested staff poll members for Mondays and present the Proposed Schedule of Meetings at the February 7 meeting. John McLemore suggested that meeting dates be identified for the annual meetings in San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

PROPOSITION 42

Michael Burns noted the San Francisco Charter prohibits San Francisco commissions from taking formal positions on legislation and questioned if this applies to San Francisco representatives sitting on other boards. David Miller advised in terms of the JPB the Agreement states that the rules and regulations that govern SamTrans pertain to the JPB, but he cannot advise on San Francisco rules.

It was moved, seconded (Lloyd/McLemore) and unanimously approved to endorse Proposition 42.

LEGAL COUNSEL REPORT

David Miller stated from the legal staff perspective, Michael Burns’ leadership and technical participation in the 2001 Caltrain Operations and Maintenance Contract was greatly appreciated and contributed to a success story.

The next regular meeting of the JPB will be held on February 7 at 10 a.m. at 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos.

The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.