METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1900 Main, Houston, Texas MINUTES APRIL 25, 2013

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1 METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1900 Main, Houston, Texas MINUTES APRIL 25, 2013 MOTIONS to RESOLUTIONS to Presiding - Chairman of the Board, Gilbert A. Garcia, CFA Board Members Present: Allen D. Watson, Vice Chairman (City of Houston) Burt Ballanfant (Multi-Cities) Honorable Dwight Jefferson (City of Houston) Carrin A. Patman (City of Houston) Gary Stobb (Harris County) Lisa Castañeda (Harris County) Cindy Siegel (Multi-Cities) Board Member Absent: Christof Spieler (City of Houston) The Regular Board Meeting of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Directors was called to order at 9:03 a.m. by Chairman Gilbert A. Garcia. Approval of the Minutes: Chairman Gilbert A. Garcia called for a motion for approval of the minutes for the Regular Board Meeting of March 28, Board Member Stobb moved for the approval of the minutes. Board Member Ballanfant seconded the Motion. All Board Members present voted in favor. MOTION NO Public Comments: Daniel Bennett- Mr. Bennett spoke regarding his suggestions for METRO Police Department. Mark Hogue- Mr. Hogue spoke regarding his suggestions for service on Sunday on route 402 and route 32. Tony Jones- Mr. Jones spoke regarding METROLift and his appreciation for the annunciators on the alternative service buses. Page 1 of 6

2 Dr. Nandeti- Dr. Nandeti spoke regarding his suggestions for better customer service including more public restrooms at transit centers, better signage and improving bus operator communication with passengers. Chairman s Report: Chairman Garcia thanked the METRO staff and board members for their work advancing the Uptown Project and bus rapid transit on Post Oak Boulevard. Board Committee Reports: Capital Program Committee: Board Member Ballanfant reported that the construction of the rail lines was 80% complete and on emergency vehicle access issues on the north rail line. Customer Service Committee: Board Member Siegel reported that bus route 59 Aldine Mail had not experienced an increase to ridership during its one year trial period. She also reported on the progress on the METROLift public meetings and on the roll-out of the METRO 360 software. Finance and Audit Committee: Board Member Jefferson reported that the committee reviewed the Finance and Audit Reports for the Authority and that sales tax revenue is continuing to run 8.6 % above last year s collection. He also recommended the board accept the financial reports for this month. Government Affairs Committee: Board Member Patman reported that the legislation that is being sponsored in the Texas Legislature has advanced to allow fare enforcement by non-metro police officers. She also reported that her committee was continuing to monitor appropriations on the federal level. Briefing Items: Transit Route Information Planning (T.R.I.P.) Application: Randy Frazier, Vice President of Information and Technology gave a live demonstration of the METRO computer feature that allows for real-time route information to be available to customers. High Occupancy Vehicle (H.O.V.) Lanes: Vince Obregon, Assistant Vice President of Engineering- Major Capital Projects, gave a presentation on the pilot program to extend the high occupancy lane hours of operation on Interstate 45. METRO Real Estate: Miki Milovanovic, Vice President of Real Estate and Property Management gave a presentation on the METRO properties located near University of Houston/ Downtown. Contingency Program- David Couch, Vice President of Capital Programs and Debbie Sechler, Chief Executive Officer briefed the board on the contingency in the METRO budget. Hughes Underpass Project- David Couch, Vice President of Capital Programs briefed the board on the Hughes Underpass project and possible project cost impacts. Page 2 of 6

3 Consent Agenda Items: Chairman Garcia then called for consideration of the Consent Agenda Items 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Chairman Garcia pulled item number 17 from consideration until a later date. The Motion for approval of the items was made by Board Member Watson and seconded by Board Member Siegel. All Board Members present voted in favor. MOTION By Motion, as reflected in these minutes, the Board approved and accepted the monthly committee reports including the investment and financial reports and passed the following resolutions: RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract with Krauthamer & Associates for executive search firm services; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to extend the contract with Marsh USA, Inc. for insurance services for the MetroRail expansion project; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract to National Bus Sales and Leasing, Inc. for the purchase of METROLift paratransit vans; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract modification to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC for tire lease and service; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract to J.N.A. Painting & Contracting Company, Inc. to resurface the exterior coating systems at the Hiram Clark and Kashmere bus operating facilities; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. Page 3 of 6

4 Items for Separate Consideration: Chairman Garcia called for consideration of Agenda Item 22. Board Member Ballanfant made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Jefferson MOTION RESOLUTION Authorizing the president & CEO to negotiate, execute and deliver a modification to the design-build contract with Houston Rapid Transit for design changes and construction activities for the rail operations center; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. Chairman Garcia leaves the board meeting. Vice Chairman Watson presides over the remainder of the meeting. Vice Chairman Watson called for consideration of Agenda Item 23. Board Member Ballanfant made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Jefferson MOTION RESOLUTION Authorizing the increase in the capital improvement program budget for the Red Line station platform upgrades; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. Vice Chairman Watson called for consideration of Agenda Item 21. Board Member Jefferson made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Siegel MOTION RESOLUTION Approving revisions to METRO s major service change policy, which will become the service and fare equity policies; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. Vice Chairman Watson called for consideration of Agenda Item 20. Board Member Ballanfant made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Patman Page 4 of 6

5 MOTION RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract to Klotz Associates, Inc. for engineering design services and design support during construction of the El Dorado Park & Ride; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. Vice Chairman Watson called for consideration of Agenda Item 19. Board Member Ballanfant made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Jefferson MOTION RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract to RDLR Architects, Inc. for engineering design services and design support during construction for the Burnett Plaza Transit Center; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. Vice Chairman Watson called for consideration of Agenda Item 18. Board Member Ballanfant made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Jefferson MOTION RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to execute and deliver a contract modification to Universal Technical Resource Services for corrosion control testing services for the Red MetroRail line extension (North Corridor); and making findings and provisions related to the subject. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 1:00 p.m. the board went into executive session, pursuant to Texas Government Code , , , and , to consult with its attorneys on pending or potential litigation, legal matters in which the attorneys duties are governed by the State Bar of Texas (Code of Conduct); and to deliberate, in accordance with the above statutes, real estate matters, personnel matters, security matters and devices, and any legal issues regarding potential litigation (METRO v. BP, and Trachtamann v. METRO). The Board returned to regular board session at 1:12 p.m. Page 5 of 6

6 Vice Chairman Watson called for consideration of Agenda Item 24. Board Member Jefferson made the motion for approval of the item. Board Member Siegel MOTION RESOLUTION Authorizing the President & CEO to settle lawsuit Cause No , Peter Thachamattam v. Metropolitan Transit Authority, in the 80 th District Court of Harris County, Texas; and making findings and provisions related to the subject. There being no other matters to come before the Board, Board Member Stobb moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Board Member Castañeda. All Board Members voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 1:14 p.m. The date for the next Regular Board Meeting is Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Alva I. Treviño General Counsel and Assistant Board Secretary Page 6 of 6