MEMBERS PRESENT: Maria Ayerdi (arrived 10:15 a.m.), Michael Burns, Arthur Lloyd, Sophie Maxwell, John McLemore, Steve Schmidt, Manny Valerio, Ken Yeager, Chair Nevin, Sue Lempert (MTC Liaison)

STAFF PRESENT: Mike Scanlon, David Miller, Joan Cassman, Jim Gallagher, John Ficarra, Chuck Harvey, Howard Goode, George Cameron, Rita Haskin, Roger Contreras, Jerry Kirzner, Liz Wiecha, Darrell Maxey, Martha Martinez, Deanna Riding

Chair Nevin called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. and asked Michael Kiesling, CAC Member, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, referred to the recent suicide on Caltrain tracks and suggested the media be advised to stress that playing or walking on the tracks is similar to playing on the freeway.

CONSENT CALENDAR

It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to adopt the Consent Calendar as follows:

1. Minutes of January 10, 2002
   
   
2. Statement of Revenue and Expense, December 2001
   
   

JPB MEETING CALENDAR 2002

It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to adopt the proposed meeting calendar for 2002.

MTC LIAISON REPORT

Sue Lempert, MTC Liaison, reported MTC has concerns regarding proposed changes to SB 45, which would favor State projects over local projects. Also, the State Board of Equalization voted four to one to take away diesel gas tax funds from transit agencies and the strategy is to convince the Board of Equalization to change this decision. If that were not successful, legislative action would be necessary requiring a two-thirds vote. There is also a proposal to take funds from the State Highway Account for the General Fund with no plan to return the funds.

REPORT OF THE CAC

Mike Rodriquez, newly elected CAC Chair, thanked John Hronowski for the wonderful job he has done as chair the past two years. At its January 16 meeting, the CAC discussed a global positioning system (GPS) project and recommended the JPB agendize a proposed GPS project. The CAC also suggested a proposal for a "quiet car" program. By-laws for the CAC have been presented to staff and legal counsel for review, which will be presented to the JPB in the near future and will enable the CAC to be more efficient and effective.

Mike Rodriquez said the public must be informed about the weekend shutdown of Caltrain as soon as possible.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

In response to CAC Chair Rodriquez’ statements, Mike Scanlon reported the GPS project is in the Caltrain Capital Budget but is under budgeted. Staff has a Caltrain Etiquette Marketing Program underway and will be looking at the CAC proposed by-laws. Plans have not been finalized regarding the shutdown and will be widely advertised when ready. Bids for the project will be open on February 14.

Mike Scanlon reported on the following items:

• Average weekday ridership is down 8.3 percent for the month of December compared to December 2000 and revenue has decreased by 10.3 percent. Shuttle ridership down by 22.4 percent due to huge layoffs by many high tech companies and on-time performance is at 97.5 percent.
  
  
• Year to date average weekday ridership is up by 0.3 percent, with total revenue up by 1 percent.
  
  
• Sales tax receipts are substantially down, State Transit Assistance (STA) is taking a hit and, therefore, transit economics are not good at this time.
  
  
• Transportation ridership decreased nationally in December for the first time in many months.
  
  
• SamTrans implemented major bus improvements in January for round the clock El Camino Real services with improved Caltrain connections at Palo Alto and Redwood City.
  
  
• There have been two fatalities this year. Additional assistance from the Sheriff’s Department, Operation Lifesaver, and all elements of the Caltrain Safety Program will help eliminate trespassers.
  
  
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found the Bay Area to be non-compliant and has suspended Federal transit funding until a satisfactory plan is approved. Caltrain has several projects which are exempt: CTX North and South Projects; Phase II TVMs; passenger car overhaul; maintenance facility; and current EIR work on electrification and the Downtown San Francisco Extension. Caltrain non-exempt projects are the San Carlos Parking Expansion and the Santa Clara Station Improvements.
  
  
• Staff has confirmed that Caltrain has been using low sulfur tax-exempt diesel fuel in its locomotives.
  
  
• Martin Luther King Freedom Train carried 1,500 passengers to San Francisco on Monday, January 21.
  
  
• New signs have been placed at Fourth and King, which ultimately will be replaced by electronic programmable signs at each gate.
  
  
• There will be a modified schedule on February 18, Presidents’ Day, and extra service will be added for Chinese New Year’s, February 23.
  
  
• John Ficarra, Chief Operating Officer, is retiring and Chuck Harvey has been appointed to the position.

Ken Yeager announced the City of San Jose has given the Caltrain Maintenance Facility Task Force the "Good Neighbor Award" for the exemplary work done with the neighborhood and Caltrain to develop solutions to ensure the Caltrain Maintenance Facility is a good neighbor.

Michael Burns was informed by Mike Scanlon the FY 2003 budgets will be brought to the Board in May for adoption in June.

John McLemore noted he was on the Freedom Train and it was extremely enjoyable. Director McLemore reported the new Regional EPA Director has stated approval of the Bay Area Air Quality Plan is being delayed until it is compared with other regions’ plans. Sue Lempert stated non-compliance with the emissions standard is due to poor air quality in Livermore.

Art Lloyd stated an Operation Lifesaver Coalition Meeting would be held at VTA at 10 a.m. on February 28.

Steve Schmidt referred to a report from Menlo Park on quiet zones and pedestrian safety and he questioned how cities might enhance warning gate infrastructure in and around grade crossings. Mike Scanlon advised a letter was sent to the Menlo Park City Manager to set up meetings on this issue.

CTX PROJECT

Chuck Harvey, Chief Operating Officer, presented an update on the CTX Project and replacement bus service. The replacement bus service (RRX) for Saturday and Sunday will have departures that match the Caltrain schedules from four locations (San Jose, Palo Alto, Hillsdale and San Francisco). Travel time will be comparable to Caltrain service under single-track conditions. SamTrans and VTA have been asked to honor Caltrain fare instruments and, once finalized, notices will go out to the public.

Progress on the RRX service is as follows:

• SamTrans buses will be used.
  
  
• Route maps have been finalized.
  
  
• SamTrans’ existing contractor (MV Transportation) will operate buses.
  
  
• Final cost is under negotiation.

Pac/Bell replacement bus service will be as follows:

• 50-55 buses needed for each game
  
  
• Buses will pick up at three to five locations and express to San Francisco within walking distance of PacBell Park.
  
  
• There are 22 weekend games from May to September.
  
  
• VTA and SamTrans have agreed to operate service.
  
  
• There has been outreach to private operators and operation may be transitioned to charter service.
  
  
• Route maps and station assignments have been prepared.

The next steps will be to finalize bus flow issues with San Francisco, establish fare policies, publish route maps and timetables, update costs and revenue projections, continue Amtrak savings discussions, initiate bus service implementation plan, and coordinate public outreach/information.

Chuck Harvey advised Steve Schmidt that staff is studying the possibility of RRX service to Transbay Terminal but there is concern about the turnaround time and the cost of the drivers. Mike Scanlon stated the RRX service is an eligible construction budget cost and will be presented to the Board when ready.

Art Lloyd was advised staff is talking with Union Pacific regarding the freight operations on the Caltrain tracks.

Vaughn Wolffe, Pleasanton, suggested that the proposed budget cut back be on operations as opposed to capital projects.

Jeff Carter, Burlingame, requested a detailed report on all projects included in the CTX Projects to fully understand the reason for the shutdown. Mike Scanlon said once the bids are opened, staff would be able to evaluate the benefit of the shutdown.

Margaret Okuzumi, Mountain View, stated the Peer Group Review Committee Report on Caltrain electrification notes the weekend shutdown is the optimum situation to deal with the construction, as well as to complete installation of foundation and poles for electrification. Mike Scanlon said if there is a way of accelerating electrification, it will be done.

Norman Rolfe, San Francisco, said he is disappointed that the last RRX bus out of San Francisco is 8 p.m. since the last train out of San Francisco on weekends is 10 p.m. and out of San Jose is 10:30 p.m. and ridership will be lost.

FTA SECTION 5307 AND 5309 GRANT APPLICATIONS

It was moved, seconded (Lloyd/Schmidt) and unanimously approved by roll call to take the following actions:

1. Rescind Resolution No. 2001-121;
   
   
2. Authorize the Executive Director to submit applications with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in FY 2002 with revised funding totals and to execute grant agreements required to receive Federal funds;
   
   
3. Authorize the use of $9,592,134 from FY 2002 capital budget, programmed from State Proposition 116 funds, State Highway Account (SHA) funds, State Public Transportation Account (PTA) funds, and previously approved JPB member contributions, and the use of $403,000 in local Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) funds, as local match for the Section 5307 funded projects;
   
   
4. Authorize the use of $2,957,802 from FY 2002 capital budget, programmed from JPB member agency contributions as local matching funds for the Section 5309 grant projects.
   
   

QUARTERLY PROJECTS STATUS REPORT - December 31, 2001

Liz Wiecha, Director Capital Project Management, reported the capital program focus during the second quarter of 2002 has been delivery of the north and south CTX contracts, which include systemwide rehabilitation, centralized traffic control, Millbrae Intermodal Station for connection with BART, and Baby Bullet.

The North CTX contract bids will be opened on February 14, with award of contract at the March 7 JPB meeting and a notice to proceed with the project on April 1, 2002. Weekend closures will begin in May 2002 and Baby Bullet Service will begin in the fall of 2003.

The South CTX contract will be advertised in May 2002, with bid openings in July and award of contract in August 2002, notice to proceed in September and completion of construction in March 2004.

Other programs and projects include passenger car rehabilitation and the maintenance facility. The Union Pacific Railroad relocation contract in connection with the maintenance facility will be advertised in May 2002 with award of contract in August. In March, the by-laws for the Maintenance Facility Monitoring Committee will be submitted for JPB approval. Project implementation strategy will be brought forward with the Rapid Rail update during the third quarter of FY 2002.

Liz Wiecha advised the CTX North Project consists of trackwork from San Francisco to Redwood Junction and the CTC work extends to Menlo Park. The South CTX Project on the signal side starts in Menlo Park and tracks continue into Santa Clara.

Michael Burns applauded the Quarterly Report and requested the report include names of the major design consultants and/or construction contractors for the various jobs.

QUARTERLY ELECTRIFICATION REPORT

Darrell Maxey, Chief Engineer, reported on the accomplishments during the past quarter, the electrification workshop held on November 15, 2001, peer review group findings, project funding and third quarter deliverables. The draft environmental document is 80 percent complete and contains visual simulations. Utility agreements are being assembled for over 1,600 utility crossings, 400 overhead electric crossings, and 50 bridges.

A group of experts from the United States and Europe reviewed the Electrification Report. Darrell Maxey presented the findings of the Committee, which were favorable in general.

Darrell Maxey advised Caltrain sub-station sites are under PG&E lines. John McLemore encouraged that public power companies be utilized instead of PG&E.

The draft EA/EIR will be completed during the next quarter and will be transmitted to the FTA for review (three months). A detailed construction schedule is being developed and survey crews are performing clearance studies. Public meetings will be held in early summer.

John McLemore said the report is extremely thorough and will provide opportunity for studying every aspect of electrification.

Darrell Maxey advised Maria Ayerdi there would be continued peer reviews, as they have been extremely beneficial. Mike Scanlon agreed stating the Peer Review Committee recommended an auto transformer system, confirming that electrification can be constructed incrementally, which is an opportunity for savings. The Committee also recommended electric locomotives rather than EMUs.

Sophie Maxwell and Chair Nevin left the meeting at approximately 11:45 a.m. Vice Chair McLemore took over the gavel.

Darrell Maxey informed Maria Ayerdi that the CTX Project includes installation of a signal system with high-speed crossovers, which would allow for breaking the track into blocks for single tracking.

Norm Rolfe, San Francisco, referred to Page 3 in the Peer Review Report under Compatibility, which states, "There is some concern that the planned signal system is not fully coordinated to future electrification." Mr. Rolfe emphasized the importance of ensuring the signal system is compatible with electrification when installed and not at a later date. Regarding the five-minute headways, Mr. Rolfe recommends that the electrification system accommodates high speed rail in the future.

Richard Mylnarik, San Francisco, stated it will be a disaster if electric locomotives are purchased.

The next meeting of the JPB will be held on March 7 at 10 a.m. at 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA. The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.