VTA Advisory Board
April 13, 2013
The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority Advisory Board met Thursday, April 13, 2013 at 8:30 AM in the offices of the Transit Authority, 11 A Street, Edgartown. Present were Alice Butler (Oak Bluffs), Lenny Jason (Chilmark), June Manning (Aquinnah), John Alley (West Tisbury), Connie Teixeira (Tisbury), Lou Paciello (Edgartown), Peter Hefler (Tisbury Finance Committee), Angela Grant (VTA) and Lois Craine (VTA). Absent was Mary Beth Grady (Disabled Commuters’ Representative).
The meeting was called to order at 8:31AM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Alley moved to accept the Minutes of December 21, 2012. Ms. Teixeira seconded. Mr. Paciello abstained. M/s/c.
Ridership update
Ridership reports were distributed and discussed. Ms. Grant pointed out that ridership is down 1.37% from July to March most likely due to adverse weather in October and some winter storms curtailing the winter schedule.
State Funding Update & Policy Discussion
Ms. Grant reported that the House has made changes to the Governor’s Plan to finance Transportation. $80 million only would be allotted to pay down RTA RANs with other provisions still in negotiation. MassDOT asked the fifteen RTA Administrators to support the Governor’s plan. The Administrators choose to support the Legislature’s Plan and asked that the RTA Line Item be restored. The House plan includes a smaller tax increase without funding the South Coast Rail or the Green line extension. Under this plan the VTA will still need to borrow approximately $1million each year.
VTA Bylaws
Copies of the VTA bylaws were distributed to facilitate the discussion of the Finance and Audit subcommittee formation and the Accountability and Transparency for State Authorities requirements.
Finance & Audit Subcommittee
A summary of the requirements for a Finance and Audit Subcommittee of the Advisory Board was distributed and discussed. The agreement was reached between the fifteen RTAs, MassDOT Fiscal Department and Rail and Transit Division. Each RTA Board must appoint a Finance and Audit Committee to meet not less than four times a year. Responsibilities will include accepting and reporting to the Board on the Audit and Management Letter, reviewing each year’s final budget and making recommendations in the best interest of the fiscal affairs of the Authority. Copies of borrowing documents will be forwarded to MassDOT and annual RTA program planning meetings will be reinstated..
Accountability & Transparency for State Authorities
A summary of the requirements MGL 801 CMR 53.00 for GL c 29, section 29K for Accountability and Transparency For State Authorities was distributed and discussed. Ms. Grant asked the Board to vote to establish a subcommittee to fulfill the Finance and Audit request and to have that subcommittee serve as the Executive Compensation Committee for the Accountability and Transparency for State Authorties. Mr. Jason made the motion to establish said subcommittee. Ms. Manning seconded. M/s/c. Mr. Jason made a motion to also incorporate said changes into the VTA Bylaws. Ms. Teixeira seconded. M/s/c.
FY 14 Budget
A draft FY14 Budget was distributed and discussed. Ms. Grant noted an overall 5% increase in expense therefore a fare increase is assumed in revenue totals. The calendar dictates one extra week of in season service. Health insurance will increase 6.5% and insurance and fuel costs are rising. Fuel use is greater in the newer engines due to systems designed to burn off particulates. Post-employment benefit amounts are now required to be funded in full immediately at the Actuarial figure, $86,636.00 for the VTA in this budget. A hold on COLAs for VTA staff is included. Mr. Alley moved to accept the FY 14 Budget figure of $4,916,631. Ms. Manning seconded. Mr. Paciello abstained. M/s/c. Mr. Paciello noted that he was unable to support a budget increase while hearing complaints of buses often
observed running empty in the off season.
Fare Increase Discussion
Ms. Grant asked the Board to consider raising multi day and annual passes in the fall in the absence of increased funding from the State. Title VI requirements must be met at public hearings which would be planned for September.
Title VI Update
Ms. Grant advised the Board that MassDOT is requiring further revisions to the submitted plan. Detailed plans for accommodating requests for any assistive devices and translations for attendees at public meetings must be included.
Financial report through February 2013
Financial reports through February 2013 were distributed. Ms. Grant noted a slight decrease in revenue but this fiscal year should finish on budget. Increases in fuel and insurance are anticipated for FY14.
FY 14-18 Capital Plan
A VTA Capital Plan for FY 2014-18 as required for the MassDOT new database entry system was distributed and discussed. Ms. Grant noted that the VTA requires a minimum of 1 million dollars per year in Capital funding just to maintain the infrastructure before planning updates and replacement and that Federal Operating Assistance was included as part of MassDOT’s new online grant process. Mr. Alley moved to accept the VTA Capital Plan for FY 2014-18. Ms. Manning seconded. Mr. Paciello abstained. M/s/c.
FY 13 Capital Plan Update
Ms. Grant reported that 3 of the 4 new buses the VTA is purchasing this year have been inspected by the VTA in Connecticut. The fourth bus is still in Michigan and is expected in late June. Work will begin soon on retiring the propane bus fueling tank and pump and installing a second diesel and gasoline pump with its own software system to add required redundancy. In anticipation of future year engines conduit will be run to be ready for installation of urea storage and dispensing
Edgartown-VH Road Bus Stops
Ms. Grant reported that along with the Town of Edgartown the VTA is working towards Route 1 in Edgartown only requiring passengers to be at an established stop. The success of the flag system on this popular route is resulting in many passengers waiting within short distances of each other causing buses to not be able to keep to the schedule and adding to the destruction of the roadside. The VTA will ask the Town to pave additional pull offs so that no distance between is greater than 1/3 mile and add passenger amenities. Schedules and benches are ordered and solar lighting will be explored. Mr. Alley moved to establish Route 1 a designated stop only route in the Edgartown portion contingent upon the Town of Edgartown agreeing to add the requested pull offs. Ms. Teixeira seconded. M/s/c.
New Business
The State Audit of the VTA was distributed and discussed. Ms. Grant explained that the State Audit has resulted in the State Auditor agreeing to work with the VTA to fix the absence of the ability to track Local Assessments and their payments at the State level which would benefit all RTAs. Ms. Grant asked that the Board vote to receive and accept the Audit of the State Auditor Suzanne Bump. Mr. Alley so moved. Ms. Teixeira seconded. M/s/c.
Mr. Paciello asked why the VTA was still on the road following the Governor’s travel ban during the winter storm in early February. Ms. Grant explained that an email specifically exempting transit was received from MassDOT. The VTA carries more than 20,000 passengers monthly in the off season and has an obligation to provide a return trip for passengers taken to work and always operates with safety a priority.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:10AM
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