METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS February 20, 2018 I. CALL TO ORDER 1 A meeting of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas ("METRO") was held on February 20, 2018, at 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX in the Board room on the 2nd floor. Chair Carrin F. Patman presided over the meeting. The following directors were present: Carrin F. Patman, Chair (City of Houston) Cindy Siegel, Second Vice Chair (Multi-Cities) Lisa Castaneda (Harris County) Sanjay Ramabhadran (City of Houston) Jim Robinson, First Vice Chair (Harris County) Troi Taylor, Secretary (City of Houston) Lex Frieden (City of Houston) Christo[ Spieler (City of Houston) Chair Patman called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. It was determined that all members of the Board of Directors were present, except for Mr. Don Elder, and that the required notice of the meeting had been given and that a quorum was present. II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chair Patman called for a motion to approve the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting on January 25, 2018. Upon motion duly made by Mr. Ramabhadran, and seconded by Mr. Taylor, such minutes were unanimously approved as presented at the meeting. 2 III. PUBLIC COMMENTS As the next order of business, Chair Patman turned to the receipt of comments from the public. Mr. Jose Avila commenced the comments by complimenting the METROLift staff for promptly resolving several of his requests and thanking METRO for the planned improvements and feeder service at the Northwest Transit Center. He noted that it is difficult for him to access many of the fixed bus route stops in his neighborhood because of the lack of sidewalks in the area. Dr. Frieden encouraged Mr. Avila to provide METRO with the addresses for the locations in his neighborhood that are not equipped with sidewalks so that these areas can be referred to the City of Houston. Next, Mr. David Tidmore requested that METRO replace a bench near a bus shelter that was recently removed to improve accessibility. Mr. Dominic Mazoch then requested that the Uptown Development Authority provide regular updates to METRO on the status of the construction of the Uptown Bus Rapid Transit project. In addition, he suggested that METRO promote local bus service as another option to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Mr. Stephen Longmire, President of the First Montrose Commons Neighborhood Association, advocated for light rail or bus rapid transit service on the Richmond A venue corridor. Chair Patman requested a meeting with Mr. Longmire to further discuss the matter. 1 Motions: 2018-10 to 2018-16; Resolutions: 2018-22 to 2018-33 2 Motion 2018-10 Page 1 of 6
Next, three members of the Houston High Speed Rail Watch Group advocated for an elevated METRO rail line or bus rapid transit service on Interstate 10, to connect the planned High Speed Rail Terminal at the Northwest Mall area with downtown Houston. The speakers asserted that the expansion would provide high-capacity transit to residents along the corridor and help enhance transit to match the projected population growth of the city. Mr. Mike McMahan then commented on commuter service for those living inside Interstate 610 and suggested that METRO use a grid system based on the freeways to design the express bus network for these areas like the local bus network. Mr. Trinidad Renteria expressed concern about some METRO Lift drivers using their cell phones for navigation. IV. PRESIDENT & CEO REPORT President & CEO Tom Lambert provided his monthly report, highlighting the following matters: Mr. Lambert updated the Board on his presentation at the Hobby Area Management District State of the District meeting. He complimented METRO Public Affairs staff members, Linda Trevino and Chana Karega, for their work facilitating METRO's collaboration and partnership with the Hobby Area Management District to improve the bus shelters and bus stop lighting in the corridor. He also noted that the District would like to continue to work with METRO in the future as it develops the METRONext regional plan. Mr. Lambert recognized the Houston Hispanic Forum for hosting its 32 d Annual Career and Education Day. He noted that he received a plaque from the Houston Hispanic Forum on behalf of METRO for being a longtime trusted partner. Mr. Lambert also thanked the Human Resources and other METRO departments that participated in the career exhibition. Mr. Lambert concluded his report by congratulating Arthur Smiley, Chief Financial Officer, and Debbie Sechler, Executive Vice President of Administration, for being recognized by the Government Financial Officers Association for their excellence in financial reporting as it relates to METRO's pension plans for the 2016 calendar year. V. CHAIR REPORT Next, Chair Patman reported that the President of the United States recently signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, noting that it will provide $90 billion in additional funding for areas impacted by the recent hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters. She further noted that $330 million of such funds is earmarked for the Federal Transit Administration to assist transit agencies like METRO affected by certain tropical storms and/or hurricanes. Chair Patman thanked Governor Abbott and other elected officials and staff for helping obtain this additional funding. Chair Patman also acknowledged the widespread community participation and comments that METRO has received to date in the development of METRONext and noted certain modes of public transit that may be incorporated in the new regional transit plan. VI. MONTHLY WORKING COMMITTEE REPORTS At Chair Patman's request, the chairs of the working committees of the Board of Directors reported on their monthly committee meetings during February. Page 2 of 6
Finance & Audit Committe : A meeting was held on February 15, 2018 to review the monthly financial, investment and compliance reports. Ms. Siegel noted that METRO's year-to-date sales tax revenue was 1.8% over budget, and 8.8% higher than the prior year comparison. She further noted that METRO's year-to-date expenses were 5% below budget. The committee also reviewed management's recommendation to designate Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility grant funds for certain programs and projects. In addition, the staff provided a briefing on the Board's upcoming annual review and approval of a pool of pre-qualified potential underwriters for METRO's debt in the open market. Capital & Strategic Planning Committee: A meeting was held on February 14, 2018 to discuss an interlocal agreement with the Uptown Development Authority, the Harris County Improvement District #1 and the City of Houston for the Uptown Bus Rapid Transit Project (the "Uptown Project") and the execution and delivery of various contracts, including for the purchase of 3- or 5-door transit buses and ticket vending machines for the Uptown Project and a modification to an existing contract for environmental remediation oversight and compliance services. In addition, the committee reviewed the proposed June 2018 service changes. Public Safety, Customer Service & Operations Committee: A meeting was held on February 15, 2018 to discuss the execution and delivery of certain contracts, including the renewal of METRO's all-risk property insurance and windstorm deductible buy-down policies. The committee also reviewed management's request to submit grant applications for the purchase of rifle-resistant body armor and a replacement bomb disposal robot. In addition, the committee received a monthly report on public safety, customer service and operations and reviewed potential procurement solicitations. The committee received several briefings, including on the Gunda Corporation's preliminary Phase II Texas Medical Center/Red Line Intersections Safety Study Report; the Transportation Safety & Security Solutions' preliminary Light Rail Transit System Safety Assessment; the Houston-Galveston Area Council's 2017 State of Safety Report; METRO's Bluetooth Proximity Alert System pilot project and survey results; and METRO's continued partnership and involvement at the upcoming the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Administration Committee: A meeting was held on February 15, 2018 to discuss various routine matters, including a request to commence a solicitation for proposals concerning the implementation of digital technology to provide customer information at METRO's bus stops and transit centers. In addition, management provided monthly reports on certain human resources metrics, government affairs' matters and METRO's media coverage and reviewed other potential procurement solicitations. The committee was also briefed on a pilot with the Clinton Foundation and Verizon Wireless involving the integration of smart lighting, camera and other technology along certain bus routes and transit centers. VII. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Chair Patman called for approval of consent agenda items 6 through 13. Mr. Taylor moved, seconded by Mr. Ramabhadran, to approve the items en bloc. The motion was unanimously approved. 3 3 Motion 2018-11 Page 3 of 6
Resolution 2018-22 (Agenda Item 6): Approval of a resolution approving and accepting the February 2018 working committee reports, including the financial and investment reports. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-22) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-23 (Agenda Item 7): Approval of a resolution designating Katy Wei as an authorized investment officer of METRO to be responsible for the investment of its funds consistent with METRO's Investment Policy. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-23) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-24 (Agenda Item 8): Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO to modify the existing contracts with Parkeon and Genfare to purchase twenty additional ticket vending machines for the Uptown Bus Rapid Transit Project and eight ticket vending machines for spare inventory, and to increase the maximum aggregate amount for both contracts by $729,575.00. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-24) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-25 (Agenda Item 9): Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO to exercise an option under its existing contract with Arcadis U.S., Inc. for environmental remediation oversight and compliance services to extend the term for one year and to increase the maximum contract amount by $300,000.00, resulting in a new maximum contract amount of$3,300,00.00. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-25) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-26 (Agenda Item 10): Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO to renew METRO's all-risk property insurance policy with FM Global and windstorm deductible buy down insurance policy with Lloyds of London Syndicate Insurance. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-26) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-27 (Agenda Item 11): Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO to exercise the second option to extend the term of METRO's existing contract with Memorial Hermann Health Solutions for METROLift paratransit eligibility assessment services for an additional year through April 8, 2019. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-27) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-28 (Agenda Item 12): Approval of a resolution approving and designating Timothy Kelly, Executive Vice President of Operations, Public Safety, and Customer Services to act on behalf of the authority in administration and management of a grant issued by the Office of the Texas Governor, Criminal Justice Division, for the purchase of rifle-resistant body armor and adopting matters related to such grant. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-28) has been included in the official record. Resolution 2018-29 (Agenda Item 13): Approval of a resolution approving and designating Timothy Kelly, Executive Vice President of Operations, Public Safety, and Customer Service, to act on behalf of the authority in administration and management of a grant issued by the State of Texas Homeland Security Grants Division for the purchase of a replacement bomb disposal robot and adopting matters related to such grant. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-29) has been included in the official record. Page 4 of 6
VIII. ITEMS FOR SEP ARA TE CONSIDERATION Next, Chair Patman called for consideration of the below items separately by the Board. Resolution 2018-30 (Agenda Item 14): Ms. Siegel moved, seconded by Mr. Ramabhadran, approval of a resolution approving the designation of Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant funds on the programs and projects described in the meeting materials and authorizes the President & CEO to approve administrative actions as required by the grant and negotiate and execute subrecipient agreements in compliance with Federal Transit Administration regulations. The motion was unanimously approved. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-30) has been included in the official record. 4 Resolution 2018-31 (Agenda Item 15): Mr. Spieler moved, seconded by Mr. Taylor, approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with the Uptown Development Authority, Harris County Improvement District #1 and City of Houston for the Uptown Bus Rapid Transit Project. The motion was unanimously approved. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-31) has been included in the official record. 5 Resolution 2018-32 (Agenda Item 17): Mr. Spieler moved, seconded by Chair Patman, approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO to negotiate and execute a contract with New Flyer of America, Inc. for heavy duty 60-foot articulated clean diesel low floor bus rapid transit style 5-door transit buses. The motion was unanimously approved. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-32) has been included in the official record. 6 Resolution 2018-33 (Agenda Item 18): Chair Patman moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, approval of a resolution approving and adopting a new labor agreement with the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO and the Transport Workers Union of America Local 260. The motion was unanimously approved. A copy of the approved Resolution (2018-33) has been included in the official record. 7 IX. FUTURE MEETING The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors is expected to be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at 1900 Main Street, in the Board room on the second floor. 4 Motion 2018-12 5 Motion 2018-13 6 Motion 2018-14 7 Motion 2018-15 Page 5 of 6
X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Taylor made a motion for adjournment, which was seconded by Mr. Ramabhadran. All Board members present voted in favor of the motion. Chair Patman adjourned the meeting at 11 :25 a.m. 8 Respectfully submitted, 8 Motion 2018-16 Page 6 of 6