[00:00:02]
I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO
[I. Call to Order]
ORDER LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 1235, UH, THIS, UH, THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE AUGUST MEETING OF THE CAP METRO BOARD OF DIRECTORS.UH, I'LL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
SO, UH, WE HAVE, UH, AFTER THE CALL TO ORDER, WE'RE GOING
[II. Public Comment (please see instructions at the bottom to participate)]
TO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, UH, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE, ARE, UH, COMING TO TALK ABOUT, UM, ACCESS TO RIDERSHIP.AND, AND, UM, NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE OVER, UH, 20 PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TO, UH, THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK.
SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW EVERYONE TO SPEAK, FIRST OF ALL, THAT THAT IS THERE THIS YEAR.
UM, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO, BUT, UH, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP RUNNING A PRETTY TIGHT SHIP BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LONG AGENDA AS WELL.
SO WE WILL ASK THAT YOU KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES.
AND WHEN YOU HEAR, UH, THE LAST BEEPER AND, AND THE, UM, AND THE ITEM TURNS RED, THEN YOU PLEASE BRING YOUR, YOUR COMMENTS TO A CLOSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO HEAR EVERYONE.
SO THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN LISTED, UH, TO, UH, TO SPEAK FIRST AND I HAVE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN IN SHEETS, SO I SHOULD GET TO EVERYBODY.
UH, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LISTED TO SIGN UP FIRST, I'LL START WITH LYRIC WARREN, UH, WARDLOW LYRIC WARDLOW.
HERE IS LYRIC WARDLOW HERE, NOT HERE.
SO THAT WOULD BE NUMBER ONE IS EMILY.
UH, SELL US HERE, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
I'M EMILY SEALS AGAIN, I'M A SOCIAL WORKER WITH SUNRISE HOMELESS NAVIGATION CENTER.
I ALSO SERVE ON THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WORK GROUP THAT CAME INTO EXISTENCE IN 2019.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
THANK YOU ALSO FOR SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FREE RIDES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS POLICY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.
LAST MONTH, WHEN WE SPOKE WITH YOU ALL, I GAVE TESTIMONY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A SOCIAL WORKER AND SERVICE PROVIDER IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR FAR TOO MANY YEARS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, FAITH-BASED GROUPS IN LOCAL NONPROFITS HAVE HAD TO MAKE DAILY DECISIONS ABOUT WHO IS THE MOST DESERVING TO RIDE THE BUS.
WE ASK OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS TO WALK MILES, STAND IN LINES FOR HOURS AND PARTICIPATE IN LOTTERY SYSTEMS AND OTHER DEHUMANIZING PROCESSES FOR A CHANCE AT A BUS PASS, WE NEVER HAVE ENOUGH BUS PASSES AND PEOPLE ARE TURNED AWAY DAILY.
I HAVE TO SIT WITH THE REALITY THAT SOMEONE MAY END UP MISSING A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, A JOB OPPORTUNITY, OR A CHANCE TO SEE SOMEONE AND THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEM.
AND MAY INSTEAD END UP IN ONE OF OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS OR IN ANY NUMBER OF WORST SITUATIONS WITHOUT ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION.
THIS TYPE OF EXTREME SERVICE FASHIONING IS WHAT LEADS TO 10 SITUATIONS AND FRUSTRATIONS.
THIS THEN CARRIES OVER TO THE NEXT SITUATION OR HUMAN INTERACTION.
SOCIAL WORKERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SHOULD NO LONGER BE THE GATEKEEPERS TO THESE LIFE SAVING RESOURCES.
THIS IS A CONSISTENT CONCERN FROM SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE AWARDED DISCOUNTED BEST PASSES THAT THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND THAT THE PROCESS AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AS A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN AT ONE FAITH-BASED PROGRAM.
I LEARNED THAT IT TAKES AT LEAST THREE VOLUNTEERS.
EVERY TIME THEY DISTRIBUTE BUS PASSES TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION.
ADDITIONALLY, THOSE WHO ARE AWARDED BUS PASSES TO THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND STILL MUST FUNDRAISE TO PURCHASE THE DISCOUNTED TICKETS.
WHY IN A CITY AS WEALTHY AS AUSTIN, ARE WE ASKING PEOPLE TO FUNDRAISE, THEN ASK VOLUNTEERS OR STAFF WHO COULD USE HER SKILLS MORE APPROPRIATELY TO PASS SOME OUT AND THEN SPEND HOURS DOCUMENTING WHO USED THE BUS AND WHY IT IS TIME FOR THIS PROCESS TO CHANGE NO LONGER SHOULD PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR THE SERVICE PROVIDERS BE A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM TODAY.
MANY OF US ARE COMING FORWARD TO ASK SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BOARD TO REQUEST THAT KAT METRO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY IN PERSON, A PROPOSAL AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, WE NEED THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE CAP, METRO BOARD, THE UNWAVERING COMMITMENT FROM THE CAP, METRO STAFF AND THE COLLABORATION WITH PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND EXPERTS TO COME TOGETHER AND PRIORITIZE THIS INITIATIVE.
[00:05:09]
I UNDERSTAND THAT MISS WARDLOW HAS ARRIVED.SO, UM, WOULD YOU, UM, WOULD YOU COME UP AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO PRESENT? THANK YOU.
I AM THE COMMUNITY TRAINING MANAGER AT ENDING COMMUNITY HOMELESSNESS COALITION.
UM, I AM ALSO A PERSON WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF HOMELESSNESS.
SO WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE WITH MY MOTHER WHO IS NOW 55 YEARS OLD, SHE WAS PERMANENTLY DISABLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD AND WE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.
UM, NOT ONLY WHILE WE WERE HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT FROM MY HOMETOWN IN SOUTH BEND INDIANA.
SO FROM THE AGE OF NINE, UNTIL I WAS BASICALLY 18 AND I'M 24 NOW BLESSED TO BE HERE.
I WAS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SHELTERS AND MY MOM NEVER HAD THE ABILITY TO DRIVE A CAR.
SO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WAS USUALLY MY ONLY OPTION UNLESS I HAD A FRIEND WHO HAD A CAR OR A FAMILY MEMBER IN A SHELTER ALONG THE WAY WHO HAD A CAR AS WELL.
UM, SO I RELIED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ALMOST MY ENTIRE LIFE UNTIL I HIT 18 AND SAID, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THINGS A LITTLE BIT QUICKER AND I'VE HAD A CAR EVER SINCE THEN, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF HOW PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CAN BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE LOW INCOME.
IT IS A BARRIER TO HAVE TO GO OUT OF YOUR WAY EVERY DAY TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO ACCESS THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WITH THAT MONEY.
YOU COULD BE USING THAT FOR A CUP OF COFFEE.
SOME PEOPLE USE THAT FOR STARBUCKS, FOR US, FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, JUST ACCESSING A DAILY FARE IS AN ISSUE.
AND IT'S AN UNNECESSARY ISSUE THAT COULD JUST BE A FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
UM, SO I'M ADVOCATING FOR FREE FAIR, NOT BECAUSE IT'S, UM, REQUIRED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S JUST A NUN, AN UNNECESSARY BARRIER FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT COULD JUST BE PUT AWAY.
UM, THE PERSON WHO WAKES UP EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, DOESN'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE THE FAIR, TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS TRANSPORTATION TO THEIR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, TO VISIT THEIR CASE MANAGER, TO SEE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO MIGHT BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN.
IT SHOULD NOT BE ANOTHER STRESSOR FOR SOMEONE IN THEIR DAY TO DAY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN ACCESS THE BUS SYSTEM.
UM, JUST BEING ABLE TO GET A CUP OF WATER COULD BE TAKING YOUR TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO GET FAIR, JUST TO GET THE BUS, JUST TO GET TO A LOCAL AREA WITH WATER.
SO I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY NECESSARY.
AND IN 10 YEARS, I WANT YOU TO THINK BACK AND THINK, WHAT DID I DO TO TRULY HELP THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS? UM, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ASK, WHAT DID YOU DO? AND IF YOU HAVE NO ANSWER TO SAY, I TRULY DID SOMETHING THAT IMPACTED, NOT JUST ONE PERSON EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, BUT ALL OF THEM IN THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
UM, AND SO I JUST HAD TO SAY THAT TODAY AS SOMEONE WHO'S COME FROM IT, THAT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE AN IMPACT.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS CAN TOO.
AND I ADVOCATE FOR FREE FARE EVERY SINGLE DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.
AND THAT'S WHY I DO THE STUFF THAT I DO WITH INDIAN COMMUNITY HOMELESSNESS COALITION IS BECAUSE THIS STUFF MAKES AN IMPACT.
AND IF YOU CAN HELP A PERSON EXPRESSES THE ALMONDS, HOMELESSNESS, WAKE UP AND NOT FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANOTHER BARRIER, THAT'S JUST THERE FOR NO REASON.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I DO WHAT I DO.
I THINK THE NEXT PERSON IS GOING TO BE REMOTE AND, AND, UH, THE NAME IS SASHA ROSE.
UM, SASHA ROSE AND DO WE HAVE THEM ONLINE? OKAY.
MS. ROSE, ARE YOU WITH US TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES? WE SHOULD GET THERE PRETTY SOON.
MS. ROSE, DO YOU WANT TO TRY IT ONE MORE TIME, MR. JERRY, LET ME GET AN IT PERSON AND I'LL UH, OKAY, SO WE'LL GO TO MAGDA, MS. ROSE.
WE'LL COME BACK TO MS. ROSE AND WE WILL CALL ON FILL SESSION, FAIL SESSION.
SO I GUESS WHAT WE WILL, SO WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE WILL GO OUT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE AND, UM, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THE, UH, TO THE OTHERS.
[00:10:03]
I GUESS IT'S ON.MY NAME WAS JOEL PETTIS AND, UH, EXCUSE ME, I'M NOT MUCH OF A SPEAKER, BUT I'LL TRY TO BEAR WITH ME.
MY NAME I'M HOMELESS IS IT IS.
AND I, I TRIED TO GET BUS PASSES WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION.
I WORKED WITH THEM OR, UH, SHOULD I SAY VOLUNTEER WITH THEM? AND, UH, I GO TO METHADONE WHERE EVERYDAY I USE THE BUS EVERYDAY AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO HAVE BUS SPRAYS AND STUFF.
LIKE I SAID, TASTES HARM REDUCTION.
THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO GIVE US BUS SPURS, BUT IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO SUPPORT US ALL.
AND WE, UH, ASK HIM TO CPL, CAN, YOU KNOW, HELP US OUT.
YOU KNOW, I, I TRY TO VISIT MY FAMILY.
I'M BLESSED TO HAVE MY FAMILY TO INVITE ME TO DINNER AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
IT'S HARD TO GET OVER THERE AT TIMES.
AND I'M BLESSED TO HAVE THEM TO INVITE ME OVER, TO GET OUT OF THE HEAT.
AND, UH, I HAVE DINNER WITH THEM AND WHENEVER I CAN TO GET THERE.
AND RIGHT NOW IT'S REALLY HARD.
AND I DEPEND ON TEXAS HARM-REDUCTION TO GIVE ME BUS SPURS.
IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO, LIKE I SAID, UH, SUPPLY US ALL.
AND I DO HAVE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND EVERYTHING TO GET TO AND HARD A BUS BUNCH OF US, NOT JUST MAKING IT ON ME.
SO I ASKED Y'ALL CAN, YOU KNOW, FIND A WAY FOR US, YOU KNOW, LIKE IT'S HARD TO TELL WHO'S HOMELESS AND WHO'S NOT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? RIGHT.
Y'ALL SAID THAT LAST TIME ON THE MEETING, BUT MAYBE WE CAN GET THOSE PASSES BACK ON THE ROAD THAT LIKE, YOU KNOW, MOBILITY, DISABILITY, UH, SOMETHING THAT THEY CALLED IT.
SO Y'ALL COULD, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH US AND TRY TO HELP US ALL GET A WAY TO GET TO WHERE WE GOT TO GO WITH.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO PRESENT TODAY.
UM, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BARRY JONES, BARRY JONES.
I'M ONE OF YOUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.
UH, I'M COMING UP ON EIGHT YEARS ON HOUSED IN OCTOBER.
UM, THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO SAY TODAY WAS I WANTED TO GIVE SOME COMMENDATIONS TO METRO.
UM, I KNOW, UH, TEXAS I'M WITH A VOLUNTEER WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION.
AND WE TALKED TO THEM RECENTLY ABOUT THE ISSUE OF PETE RIDES RIDES TO HEAT COOLING CENTERS.
AND, UH, I THINK THEY REALLY STEPPED UP ON THAT ISSUE AND, UH, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE TO EVERYBODY.
UM, IS PROBABLY EVERYONE HERE KNOWS WE'RE GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF STEEP RISES IN HOUSING PRICES COSTS.
AND, UH, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE, UH, EXPERIENCING EVICTION.
UH, AND EVEN THOUGH FOR MOST PEOPLE THAT WILL BE A SHORT-TERM PERIOD OF HOMELESSNESS FOR A CERTAIN PORTION.
I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO GET STUCK IN HOMELESSNESS.
AND IF, IF YOU'RE GOING TO EVEN KEEP THE NUMBERS OF HOMELESS THE SAME, YOU REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO OFFER A PATH OUT OF HOMELESSNESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO GET OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.
THAT'S JUST TO KEEP THE NUMBERS THE SAME, UM, WHEN I WAS MADE HOMELESS, UH, I THINK YOU REALLY JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND.
I THINK YOU, IT'S JUST VERY HARD FOR SOMEONE WHO HASN'T BEEN THROUGH IT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE IN A DEPARTMENT ONE DAY AND BE OUT ON THE STREETS WITH NO RESOURCES THE NEXT DAY.
AND YOU MAY MEET SOMEBODY ON THE STREET AND THEY SAY, OH, WELL, YOU CAN GO DOWNTOWN AND YOU CAN ALWAYS GET SOMETHING TO EAT DOWNTOWN, BUT I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GET DOWNTOWN TWO 50 FOR A DAY PASS.
UH, THEY MAY SAY YOU CAN GO SEE SUCH AND SUCH A PLACE AND GET A SHOWER OR GO TO YOUR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.
THERE'S A RESOURCE CENTER DOWNTOWN, BUT HOW DO YOU GET THERE? AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO YOU IS THAT THIS TRANSPORTATION ISSUE IS REALLY, REALLY CRITICAL TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHY WE GOT OVER A THOUSAND SIGNATURES ON OUR PETITION.
UM, AND, UH, WE WANT TO OFFER A REAL PATH OUT OF THAT SITUATION, TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND, UH, MS. WATKINS AT OUR MEETING, SHE AGREED WITH US THAT, UH, METRO'S COSTS ARE PRETTY MUCH
[00:15:01]
FIXED AS FAR AS ROLLING THEIR BUSES.UM, A FEW MORE RIDERS DON'T COST ANY EXTRA, AND SHE AGREED WITH US THAT, UH, METRO DOESN'T NEED TO LOOK TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY FOR INCOME, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER THAT WAY.
WHAT WE NEED NOW IS A PLAN TO GET TO THAT, TO WHERE THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY HAS A WAY TO RIDE ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING DOWN TO SPEAK TO US TODAY.
UM, UH, THE NAME IS TINY, TINY, AND SHE, OKAY.
HI, GOOD MORNING OR AFTERNOON.
UM, MY NAME IS PAULETTE SOLTANI.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING AT THE TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.
UH, OUR ORGANIZATION IS ORGANIZING, UM, WE HAVE AN ORGANIZING PROJECT AND WE'RE BUILDING POWER AMONG LOW INCOME PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS, HOMELESSNESS AND MASS INCARCERATION.
WE'VE BEEN ORGANIZING AROUND THIS ISSUE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
AND I WAS BARRY MENTIONED, WE DELIVERED A PETITION OF OVER A THOUSAND SIGNATURES LAST WEEK AT A RALLY OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING.
WE ALSO PRESENTED AT THE JULY BOARD MEETING WHERE WE REQUESTED THAT CAP, METRO PROVIDE FREE FARES.
UM, DURING THE MONTHS OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, WE WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR REALLY TAKING ACTION ON THAT STEP AND HELPING PROTECT PEOPLE DURING THESE REALLY EXTREME TEMPERATURES.
WE REALLY, REALLY HOPE THAT NOW CAP, METRO GOES A STEP FURTHER TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE FREE FARES FOR FOLKS.
UM, I MENTIONED THIS DURING THE LAST BOARD MEETING, BUT I WANTED TO READ SOME QUOTES OF WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING AT OUR ORGANIZING MEETINGS, UM, IN REGARDS TO GETTING FREE FARE OR IN REGARDS TO BUS FAIR PERIOD.
THEY SAY, IF YOU AREN'T WELL CONNECTED, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE OR HOW TO GET A BUS PASS.
PEOPLE START TO FORM LINES AT THE CHURCHES AROUND FOUR OR 5:00 AM LINES BECOME REALLY TENSE.
PEOPLE FIGHT AND CUT LINES BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PASSES TO GO AROUND.
SOMETIMES YOU WALK AWAY EMPTY HANDED.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO TRINITY CENTER ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, I REALLY ENCOURAGE SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HERE TO CHECK THAT OUT, UM, TO CHECK OUT THE LINE THAT PEOPLE START MAKING AT FOUR OR FIVE IN THE MORNING, HAVE A HUNDRED PEOPLE EASILY JUST WAITING TO GET 50 PASSES, DISTRIBUTED 50 PEOPLE OR MORE ARE TURNED AWAY.
UM, IT'S JUST, IT'S, IT'S NOT WHAT OUR CITY SHOULD, SHOULD.
OUR CITY SHOULD NOT BE FUNCTIONING THIS WAY.
AND OUR TRANS AGENCY REALLY NEEDS TO STEP UP TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE DO NEVER HAVE TO STAND IN THESE LINES TO GET, TO GET BUS FARE.
IT'S, IT'S JUST NOT, IT'S A MORAL IT'S INHUMANE.
IT'S ALL OF THOSE WORDS THAT, THAT COME TO MIND WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.
UM, WE WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE BOARD, UM, REQUEST THAT CAP, METRO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND PRESENT A PROPOSAL FOR FREE FAIRS AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, WHICH IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH.
WE, WE REALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING, UH, IN ALIGNMENT AND LIKE CLOSELY WITH CAP METRO.
SO WE HOPE THAT THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF SEPTEMBER SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR A PROGRAM BY THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
THIS IS REALLY A QUESTION OF POLITICAL WILL TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED THIS IN THIS CITY.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE OUR, UM, WE HAVE OUR INTERNET ACCESS GOING, SO I WILL CALL, UH, SASHA ROSE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ADS ARE WORKING ON THAT WITH US AS WELL.
UM, I JUST WANT TO START OUT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT I DO NOT, I'VE NEVER BEEN EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS MYSELF.
HOWEVER, I HAVE A FAMILY, UM, WHO HAS, SO I HAVE WITNESSED AND HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE, UM, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN MUTUAL AID.
OUR ORGANIZATION CAME INTO PLACE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES CURRENTLY PROVIDED TO, UM, A LOT OF DIFFERENT MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
BUT WE DO DO AN OUTREACH ONCE A WEEK TO ABOUT 60 MEMBERS, UM, WHO ARE UNHOUSED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN AND IN THE NORTHWEST AUSTIN SIDE OF TOWN.
[00:20:01]
UM, I WANTED ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE SOME RESOURCES IN THAT AREA, BUT IT IS FAR FAR BETWEEN EVERYBODY.AND SO SOMETHING I'VE HEARD FROM THE FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE SIDE OF TOWN IS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS A LOT OF RESOURCES BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SO FAR APART.
ANOTHER THING I'VE HEARD AND WE SEE THESE PEOPLE ONCE A WEEK, IS THAT THEY'RE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM THESE BUS SERVICES.
SO EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE BUS PASSES SOMETIMES ARE BEING TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR BIKE OR THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR TRAILER, OR THEY'RE BRINGING, THEY'RE BRINGING THINGS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO SURVIVE WITH THEM.
AND THEY'RE BEING TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T.
SO I THINK THAT ADDITIONAL TRAINING IS NEEDED FOR SOME OF OUR BUS DRIVERS AS WELL, BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ANYONE.
UM, I WANT TO ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERY TIME AT ALMOST EVERY CAMP THAT WE GO TO WHEN WE ARE PROVIDING FOOD AND, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST BASIC SUPPLIES WE ARE ASKED, DO YOU KNOW WHERE WE CAN GET BUS PASSES? HOW CAN WE GET PAST BUS PASSES? DO YOU ALL HAVE BUS PASSES? WE ARE BEING ASKED FOR BUS PASSES AS WELL.
WE ARE A FAIRLY SMALL ORGANIZATION.
NOW WE'RE A FAIRLY NEW ORGANIZATION NOW.
AND TO ASK FOR US TO PROVIDE BUS PASSES ON TOP OF THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE ALREADY ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE IS, IS A BIG ASS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS FOR THIS.
UM, WE WILL, WE HAVE FUNDRAISING IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THESE FUNDS.
AND I AGREE WITH, WHAT'S BEEN SAID BEFORE, IS THAT OUR FUNHOUSE COMMUNITY SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO BE A WAY OF INCOME.
WE HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SERVICES FOR EVERYBODY, BUT THEY'RE INACCESSIBLE.
AND IF THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, THEY ARE NOT SERVICEABLE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR EVERYONE.
I DO APPRECIATE THAT THE, UM, SERVICES HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE UP INTO SEPTEMBER, AND I ENCOURAGE US TO EXTEND THAT.
AND I ALSO ENCOURAGE MORE TRAINING SO THAT WE CAN RECOGNIZE WHEN THERE IS BEING DISCRIMINATION TO OUR UNHOUSED MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
FILL SESSION, MR. SESSION, ARE YOU WITH US? YES, YES, YES, YES.
UH, SO MY NAME IS, UH, AS PHIL, I AM THE COORDINATOR FOR OUR AUSTIN ATHEIST, HELPING THE HOMELESS, UH, HERE IN AUSTIN.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TODAY AND FOR SENDING AN EMOTION, THAT PLAN TO AID THOSE TRAVELING TO A COOLING CENTER THROUGH THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
UM, AUSTIN HH IS A SMALL COMMUNITY GROUP FOCUSED ON SERVING THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS THEY AWAIT HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS, CASE MANAGERS AND OTHER INTEGRAL SERVICES ON THE WAY TO BECOMING HOUSED FROM INITIALLY SERVING LESS THAN 20 PEOPLE PER MONTH.
WE NOW DISTRIBUTE, UM, TOILETRY SANITARY SUPPLIES, FOOD AND OTHER SPECIAL ITEMS TO AN AVERAGE OF 200 INDIVIDUALS PER MONTH IN THE CENTRAL AUSTIN AREA.
AND ALSO FURTHER AWAY AS KIND OF EXACERBATED BY THE ENFORCEMENT OF PROPERTY TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST.
UM, ONE ITEM THAT KEPT ARISING IN THESE DISTRIBUTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN 2018 WAS THE LACK OF THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE AROUND EASILY, TO GET TO PLACES LIKE WORK TO NGO SERVICE PROVIDERS SCATTERED AROUND AUSTIN TO CASE MANAGERS, RECOVERY SERVICES AND OTHER ITEMS. THESE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES LED US TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP WITH, UH, SEVERAL LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE 231 DAY PASSES EVERY THREE MONTHS UNDER OUR TRANSIT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019.
THE TAP PROGRAM WILL BE THREE YEARS OLD AS OF NEXT MONTH.
AND AS OF TODAY HAS DISTRIBUTED 68,450 CUMULATIVE DAYS OF TRAVEL AT NO CHARGE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION AND IT COMES WITH SIGNIFICANT COSTS AND COMPROMISES, THE TAP PROGRAM DRAWERS, ALL OTHER SPENDING, WE HAVE EASILY SURPASSING OUR FOOD AND HYGIENE, WHICH WAS OUR PRIMARY PROGRAM.
UM, SO PASSING IT AND ACTUALLY DOUBLING IT.
AND MOST YEARS, EVEN WITH THAT, WE REGULARLY RUN OUT OF PASSES AND HAVE THE HEARTBREAKING SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THOSE REMAINING IN LINE THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANYMORE BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES, UM, TO HAVE MORE LET ALONE THIS ALSO DISCOUNTS PEOPLE THAT ARE UNABLE TO FIND WE'VE HAD TO GO OUT AND SEND OUT OUR VOLUNTEERS SPANNING OUT ACROSS AUSTIN TO FIND PLACES IN WOODED AREAS AND OTHER THINGS, AS I MENTIONED, UH, DUE TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF PROP B TO FIND PEOPLE, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T FIND AND LET ALONE, WHEN WE FIND THEM HAVING A BUS PASS IS SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO SERVE.
EVERYONE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT STRUGGLE
[00:25:01]
AND ONE THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BRIDGE, WE HAVE SEEN THE DIRECT ACCESS, THE DIRECT IMPACT THAT TRANSIT ACCESS CAN HAVE ON OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN, ALONG WITH THE HOPE AND EMPOWERMENT THAT IT CAN BRING TO AN INDIVIDUAL.UH, THE SOLUTION MUST BE A SYSTEMIC ONE.
I ASKED THE BOARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT A FREE TRANSIT ACCESS PROGRAM FOR OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
IT'S ONE THAT WE, AS SMALL ORGANIZATIONS CAN NOT HANDLE ON OUR OWN.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A SYSTEMIC MOVE AND COURAGE BY EVERYONE INVOLVED TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT AND CHANGE THE LIVES OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS SURROUNDING US.
AND SO WITH THAT, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
UH, SHERRY TAYLOR, SHERRY TAYLOR OH, GOOD AFTERNOON.
TAYLOR HAPPENED TO BE A RESIDENT AT WILDFLOWER TERRACE.
UM, I DIDN'T, I, I PREPARED A PROPOSAL TO CHANGE BUS ROUTE 3 35.
I SPOKE ABOUT IT LAST MONTH IN JUNE AND MAY.
AND I WAS SO EARLIER THAT THIS PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAPPEN, BUT MY POINT IS AT, IF YOU INCREASE RIDERSHIP, THEN IT MAKES MORE MONEY FOR YOU GUYS BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING STRAIGHT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD DOWN BERKMAN FOR NORTH SOUTH TRAVEL AND STRAIGHT ON BARBARA JORDAN FOR EAST WEST TRAVEL.
SO I READ THIS THEN I HOPE I DON'T RUN OUT OF TIME.
UH, THE PROPOSAL 28TH, AUGUST, 2022 CAP, METRO BUS, ROUTE 3 35, TRAVELING EAST ON 38TH, TURN NORTH TO AIRPORT, RIGHT ON ANTON TO GO INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON TOM MILLER AND GO ACROSS BERKMAN.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PARK OVER THERE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE MISS KEEP GOING ACROSS BERKMAN TO TILLY AND TURN LEFT TO GO DOWN TO 51ST STREET.
THERE'S A BRAND NEW OPENING ON 51ST STREET, NEAR MAIN ROAD.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THERE'S A BIG TOWER RIGHT THERE, AND YOU GO, UH, ANY STOP SIGN.
UM, THEN YOU WOULD TURN AND GO WEST ON 51ST STREET TOWARDS HEB TO THE FIRST DRIVEWAY.
AND THAT WAY FOLKS, UH, WHO NORMALLY GO TO HANCOCK CENTER AND SOUTH MEADOWS, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO HEB AND BE DROPPED OFF WITHIN THE MALL, WITHIN THE HEB, INSTEAD OF GOING ACROSS THE STREET AT THE BUS STOP, UH, THEN RIGHT ON FILOMENO GOES TO THE FOUR-WAY STOP CROSS BERKMAN AGAIN, UNTIL YOU GET TO THE FOUR WAY, STOP ON ALDRICH, WHICH IS THE BUSIEST DISTRICT OF MUELLER CONTINUED WEST ON PHILOMENA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE DELL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
THIS IS CRITICAL BECAUSE THE MEDICAL PERSONS THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP MAINTENANCE.
THE VISITORS THERE ALL WOULD BE ABLE TO RIDE THE BUS AND ELIMINATE A LOT OF TRAFFIC IN MUELLER.
UM, THERE'S MORE HERE, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS TRYING TO GET CAP METRO TO RECOGNIZE IF WE CAN INCREASE RIDERSHIP BY HAVING BUS AVAILABILITY FROM BEST BUY ALL THE WAY TO THE NEW SKATE PARK, THEN IT WOULD BE LESS DANGEROUS FOR THE CHILDREN.
I WAS AT THE SKATE PARK LAST NIGHT.
IT RUNS RIGHT ALONG MAIN ROAD, BUT IT'S NO STOP FOR THE MAIN ROAD BUS 20 TO LET THE KIDS OFF.
SO THE PARENTS ARE CROWDING UP THE PARKING LOT, WAITING ON THEIR KID TO FINISH, UH, RIDING.
SO ANYWAY, I WROTE IT ALL OUT AND, UH, REFERENCED.
THE OTHER THING IS ABOUT THE FREE RIDE.
I SPOKE LAST MONTH ABOUT MATCHING UP THE CITY LIBRARIES WITH THE PROGRAM THAT INCREASES ATTENDANCE IN THE CITY LIBRARY CLASSES.
IF YOU GO TO THE CLASSES AND THE ATTENDANCE RECORD IS SCANNED, IT WILL FEED RIGHT INTO TRAVIS COUNTY.
AND IT WOULD GIVE RIDERSHIP FREE RIDERSHIP TO THOSE WHO ARE ENROLLED WITH INTEGRAL CARE.
THOSE WHO ARE ENROLLED WITH, UH, SOCIAL SERVICES, BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE A PHOTO ID RIDER CAR, JUST LIKE I HAVE FOR REDUCED.
AND IT WOULD ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO ATTEND THE EDUCATION CLASSES THAT ARE ALREADY, UH, GOING ON IN THE LIBRARY, BUT THEY'RE NOT WELL ATTENDED BECAUSE THERE'S NO INCENTIVE TO GO IN THERE.
SO, I MEAN, I LOVE LEARNING SOMETHING.
[00:30:01]
WATCH A MOVIE, YOU WOULD STILL GET BUS PASS CREDITS ON YOUR PHOTO ID WITH THE BUS.SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
FIRST OF ALL, BUT EVEN THE CHAIRMAN SHIRT TO VIDEO DOTTIE AND THE REST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M THE ATU PRESIDENT AND BUSINESS AGENT.
I REPRESENT ALL THE OPERATORS AND MECHANICS THAT WORK FOR SUBCONTRACTOR, MV TRANSPORTATION, AND ALSO MTM.
UM, I GUESS I HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON HOW WE FIX THE HOMELESSNESS AND THE TRANSPORTATION.
I COME FROM A POINT OF VIEW OF SAFETY FOR MY OPERATORS.
UH, A LOT OF TIMES, SOME OF THEM, THE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS, WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON YOUR BUS ALL DAY IS THEY GET INTO IT WITH THE OPERATORS OR THEY GET INTO IT WITH THE OTHER PASSENGERS WHO MAY BE RIDING TO WORK ALSO, OR RIDING TO THEIR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND HOW WE FIGURE OUT HOW TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN.
I SPOKE WITH SOME PEOPLE EARLIER TODAY.
WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
I DON'T DOUBT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
SOMEONE RIDING THE BUS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, IT'S JUST NOT PALATABLE FOR ATU BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF MY OPERATORS.
MY CONCERN IS ALSO THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY CARRY.
THESE OPERATORS HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING THESE UNITS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY CAN GET PEOPLE SAFELY TO POINT A AND P AND POINT B.
SO I I'M GLAD THAT CAPITAL METRO WITH BOARD IS ENGAGING WITH THIS CONVERSATION, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO NOT LEAVE OUT THE SAFETY OF THE OPERATORS WHO HAVE TO DRIVE THESE UNITS AND THE CONDITIONS WE PUT THEM IN TO DRIVE THESE UNITS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
UH, NEXT UP WILL BE ALVIN SANDERSON.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M A HOMELESS ADVOCATE AND OUTREACH TEAM LEADER FOR TEXAS HOMELESS, UH, TEXAS OUTREACH NETWORK.
UM, I'VE, I'VE GIVEN YOU A, A COPY OF IT.
SO I, I CAN WITHIN THE THREE, THREE MINUTES, BUT I'D LIKE YOU TO LOOK AT THAT AND KNOW THAT I REPRESENT THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY HERE IN AUSTIN.
I'M ALREADY ON THE STREETS AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY NEED FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, TAKING THE BUSES OFF IN LUXURY WITH MINIMAL INCOME.
THEY OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT THE MONEY NEEDED TO PAY THE BUS FARE, TO GET MONEY, TO GET FOOD, MEDICAL TREATMENT OR SHELTER.
THEY MUST WALK LONG DISTANCE OFFICES SOON, OFTEN IN HARSH RATE WEATHER CONDITION WITH THEIR BELONGING.
FOLLOWING THE NOW COMMON LOGIC OF HOUSING.
FIRST, WE WISH TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR BUS PASSES AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.
AS WE CONSIDER DIFFERENT POLICIES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SUBSIDIZED BEST PASSAGE THAT WOULD PROVIDE PHYSICAL MOBILITY.
IN A CHANCE OF SOCIAL MOBILITY BUS PASTOR WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES.
BY OBTAINING THE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
THEY NEED PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SUFFER FROM PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILLNESS AT HIGHER RATES THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION, GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.
SEEING THE DOCTOR, SOCIAL WORKER, GETTING MEDICINE TO THE SEEDLING, CHALLENGING WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE AROUND FREELY, UNABLE TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
THEY MAY DROPPED OUT OF SEEKING THE HELP THEY NEED.
THEREFORE, HAVING A BUS PASS IS ONE LESS CYCLICAL AND GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET, MOVING AROUND FREELY ALSO PROMOTES BETTER ACCESS TO FOOD, CLOTHING, AND SOCIAL BENEFIT.
FOOD PANTRIES AND CHARITIES ARE SPREAD AROUND THE CITY AND ACCESSING THEM OFTEN REQUIRES WALKING LONG DISTANCES.
THE MORE THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS SPREAD AROUND THE CITY, WHICH IS FOLLOWING THE KEMP AND BAN THE HARDER IT IS FOR THEM TO GET DOWNTOWN.
A BRUSHED PAST CAN ALSO ENABLE PEOPLE TO FIND SAFER SLEEPING SPOTS ALONG THE SAME LINE WITHOUT SUBSTAIN ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
PEOPLE OFTEN PREFER TO STAY IN FAMILIAR PLACES, EVEN WHEN THEY'RE NOT SAFE, WALKING LONG DISTANCE TO FIND GOOD AND SAFE SPOTS IS RISKIER AND ATTACHING.
SO PEOPLE AND WOMEN IN PARTICULAR OFTEN PREFER TO REMAIN, PUT, UH, GETTING TO THESE SAFE SPOTS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE PEOPLE
[00:35:01]
SUFFERED.THEY'D GO THROUGH A LOT OF HARM, A LOT OF SALT, AND THEY NEED TO BE SHAPED.
UH, ALSO ADDITIONALLY BUS PASSES HELP PEOPLE MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH FAMILIES AND FANS IN ORDER TO GET IT ON SLEEP ON A COUCH, UH, MORE THAN THE PHYSICAL LOSS OF A DWELLING PLACE.
HOMELESSNESS OFTEN ENTAILS A LOSS, A PERSONAL TIED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUS PASSES CAN MAKE IT EASIER TO KEEP IN TOUCH, MAINTAIN CONTACT, AND GET HELP FROM THE PERSONAL NECK.
LASTLY, AT BUS PASSES NEEDED FOR STEADY EMPLOYMENT.
HAVING THE BUS PASSION ENABLES ONE TO GET TO WORK EVEN BEFORE THE PAYCHECK ARRIVED AND ENABLES ONE TO GET TO THE JOB INTERVIEW AND SHAKE A JOB NEEDED THIS, TO SAY THAT THESE BARRIERS ARE INSURMOUNTABLE FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM DISABILITY.
AND I THANK FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND, UH, I THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE PRIEBUS RIDES TO SEPTEMBER 30TH HAS, UH, PROMOTED BY, UH, A HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.
THANK YOU FOR CHRIS BAKER, CHRIS BAKER.
UM, IT'S PROBABLY NO BIG SURPRISE TO MOST OF YOU, UM, WHERE I STAND ON THIS.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT BRIEFLY.
I JUST WANT TO KIND OF ASK A QUESTION, I GUESS, MAYBE FOR YOU GUYS AND IS, IS THERE ANYBODY HERE WHO THINKS THAT INCREASING ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS A BAD IDEA, ANYBODY? OKAY.
SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD STARTING POINT.
SO WE ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS NOT A BAD IDEA.
SO THE QUESTION IS REALLY HOW DO WE DO IT AND HOW ARE WE DOING IT NOW, HOW WE'RE DOING IT NOW IS THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION EMPOWERMENT FUND, WHICH IS KIND OF A MESS, UH, ON THE FRONT LINES.
YOU KNOW, WE GET THESE BUS PASSES THAT COME IN WELL, I'M HERE IN THIS LIKE BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.
OUR OFFICES ARE LIKE HELD TOGETHER WITH LIKE DUCT TAPE AND OUR FURNITURE IS FALLING APART AND WE CAN BARELY KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.
AND MEANWHILE, WE'RE RUNNING AROUND FUNDRAISING TO BUY THESE BUS PASSES, THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND, WHICH THEN THEY GET A LIMITED NUMBER OF, AND THEN ARE DISTRIBUTED TO PEOPLE BASED ON WHO'S THERE FIRST, A LOT OF THE TIME SO THAT THESE LIKE, AND ALL OF THIS, LIKE APPARATUS FOR DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRIBUTING THESE BUS PASSES REALLY SORT OF LIKE GOES AGAINST THESE, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS IDEA OF EQUITY BECAUSE IT'S USUALLY THE MOST ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE, UH, USUALLY THE LEAST MARGINALIZED PEOPLE WHO ARE THE FIRST IN LINES TO GET THESE BUS PASSES.
AND SO LOOK, HERE'S THE THING, RIGHT? WE'RE DOING IT.
AND I HEAR THE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY, BUT LOOK, OUR FRIENDS THAT ARE LIVING ON THE STREETS ARE ALREADY ON THE BUS.
WE'RE JUST SORT OF TAKING THIS, THIS, UM, THIS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, WHICH HAS SPREAD, WHICH IS SPREAD OUT THROUGH ALL THESE LIKE SMALL NON-PROFITS AND SMALL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND CENTRALIZING IT.
SO THE, THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE DO IT? AND I THINK WHAT YOU'VE GOT HERE IS A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK TO DO IT.
AS LONG AS THE BOARD IS WILLING TO ENCOURAGE CAP METRO TO GO AHEAD AND WORK WITH US TO DO IT.
EMILY STEELS OVER HERE CAME UP AND TALKED FIRST, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS CONVERSATION FIVE YEARS AGO, AND WE'VE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FOR FIVE.
AND FOR FIVE YEARS, WE KEEP GETTING THESE, THESE LITTLE PACKAGES OF BUS PASSES AND, AND TRYING TO LIKE DOLE THEM OUT IN SOME WAY THAT'S EQUITABLE.
AND SO IT'S NOT ABOUT, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ONLY ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE ON THE BUS.
IT'S ABOUT HAVING ABOUT PUTTING THE, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SORT OF DISTRIBUTION EQUITABLY OF, UH, THIS, THIS RESOURCE TO ALL PEOPLE HERE IN AUSTIN.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR, UM, EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE SO FAR.
AND FOR A LOT OF YOU GUYS, I KNOW THAT YOU'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK ON THIS ISSUE.
UM, SO WE APPRECIATE IT AND WE'LL HOLD ON ONE SECOND.
WE'VE GOT A BOARD, CHRIS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AT THE ESPERANZA COMMUNITY AND REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND ALL THAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO, UM, JUST, JUST A QUICK QUESTION AND I COULD HAVE ASKED EMILY THIS AND OTHERS THIS, BUT DO YOU FIND YOURSELF IN TERMS OF YOU FIND YOURSELF PAYING FOR BUS PASSES, THAT YOU CAN DISTRIBUTE IT AT THE ESPERANZA COMMUNITY? OR GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AS THE ESPERANZA COMMUNITY? YEAH, SO WE PAY FOR THEM.
WE PAY, WE PAY A REDUCED AMOUNT.
UM, I THINK IT'S ABOUT, I COULD BE WRONG.
I THINK IT'S ABOUT 60% OF THE, OF THE MARKET VALUE FOR THE, FOR THE BUS PASSES.
SO WE GET THEM IN BULK, UH, THROUGH THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND.
WE, UH, THEY, THEY COME, THEY COME TO US, UH, WITH SORT OF PAPERWORK THAT HAS TO BE FILLED OUT.
SO THE PAPERWORK GETS FILLED OUT BASED ON LIKE, WHO GETS THE,
[00:40:01]
WHO GETS THE BUS PASS.UM, AND SO THERE'S LIKE A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE BANDWIDTH THAT GOES INTO THAT GOES, THAT GOES INTO IT.
SO WE GET THE BUS PASSES WHEN AFTER THE BUS PATCHES HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED, THAT PAPERWORK IS THEN RETURNED TO, UH, THE TRANSMIT EMPOWERMENT FUND FOR US.
WE ACTUALLY, THERE'S, THERE'S ANOTHER STEP OF COMPLICATION FOR US, WHICH I WON'T EVEN GET INTO, BUT OKAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, DID YOU SAY YOU ALL HAVE BEEN AT THIS NOW FOR FIVE YEARS? YEAH.
WE'VE THE CONGRESS IS SO WE, WE WERE PART OF SOMETHING CALLED THE COMMUNITY WIDE OUTREACH WORK GROUP THROUGH THE, THROUGH THE COC, WHICH IS LIKE THE, UH, THE ORGANIZING BODY FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND SO WE DECIDED DUDE, FIVE YEARS AGO THAT THE THING THAT WE, WE DECIDED TO FORM A WORK GROUP FOR ADVOCACY, EVERYBODY IN THAT GROUP AGREED THAT ONE PIECE OF LOW-HANGING FRUIT THAT WE COULD ADVOCATE FOR WAS THIS WAS FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, JUST EQUITABLE FREE ACCESS TO, UH, TO, TO BUS FARES FOR EVERYBODY.
BECAUSE LOOK AT THE END OF THE DAY, RIGHT? LIKE WE, WE, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS GET EVERYBODY INTO HOUSING, BUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISN'T THERE, THE HOUSING ISN'T THERE, THE STICKS AND BRICKS AREN'T THERE, BUT THE BUSES ARE ALREADY THERE.
YOU KNOW, LIKE THIS IS, THIS SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RELATIVELY EASY LIFT.
UM, BUT HERE WE ARE NOW, UM, FIVE YEARS LATER STILL TALKING ABOUT IT.
AND WELL, I, YOU KNOW, I, I DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS.
CAUSE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR FOUR YEARS WHEN YOU ALL SHOWED UP LAST MONTH, THIS WAS THE FIRST I'D HEARD OF IT, THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM.
AND I, THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE WE CAN'T, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, I CAN'T ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND LETTING US LETTING US KNOW ABOUT THIS.
BECAUSE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT BETTER SO THAT WE, IF WE KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM, WE CAN WORK TO TRY TO MAKE IT BETTER.
I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE FOR FIVE YEARS.
SO I LED TO, YEAH, THAT'S WHEN WE ALL STARTED.
LET'S START TALKING ABOUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR, FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION LIKE THIS.
AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME Y'ALL HAVE TAKEN AND BUREAUCRATS, YOU KNOW, THEY LOVE IT.
THEY LOVE, THEY LOVE SAYING NO.
WELL, SPEAKING OF BUREAUCRACY,
I'M A TRISH VOLUNTEER AND BEEN HOMELESS HERE IN AUSTIN FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.
I'M ALSO AN ASPIRING ARTISTS AND AN ENTREPRENEUR.
AND SOMETIMES I'M ALSO ON PROBATION.
AND SOMETIMES, UH, I DON'T HAVE, UH, OPPORTUNITIES TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE MONEY OR A BUS PASS.
AND SOMETIMES I DON'T GET BUS PASSES FROM MY PO, BUT SHE EXPECTS US TO BE THERE OR A WARRANT IS GOING OUT FOR MY ARREST.
AND THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED BEFORE, UM, SOMEONE WHO IS STARTING A BUSINESS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, IT'S THE CHANCE OF YOUR BUSINESS BEING, UH, CREATED IS ACTUALLY A MORE LIKELY, SO HELPING, I GUESS, NOT JUST THE OUTHOUSE COMMUNITY, JUST THE LOWER CLASS IN GENERAL, MOVE AROUND, GET AROUND.
WHAT KIND OF, I THINK WILL BENEFIT THEM IN MAYBE CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS THAN THEMSELVES.
I THINK IT IS STEVEN POTTER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THE HOMELESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
I WEAR A LOT OF HATS AS A STAFF MEMBER OF THE CITY'S STORAGE FOR THE HOMELESS.
I SEE THIS NEED IN THE FACES OF ALL MY CLIENTS AS A MEMBER OF AUSTIN'S HOMELESSNESS ADVISORY COUNCIL, I ADVISE CITY LEADERS ON POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT IMPACT THE HOMELESS.
YOU'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE WHY I'D LIKE TO OFFER A FEW SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE, HOW TO REACH OUT TO DIANA GRAY AND THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE
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WORK WITH HER WORK WITH REACH OUT TO THE I'M SORRY, SEEK ADVICE AND INPUT FROM THE HOMELESSNESS ADVISORY COUNCIL UNDER DOC HAVE IDEATION SESSIONS WITH THE HOMELESS WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF DESIGN AND DELIVERY BUILD IN SOME ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY, BUT MOST OF ALL MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN THE AUSTINITES WHO WERE IN THE MOST NEED.UH, AND I WORK WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP OR LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT WORKS TO END MASS INCARCERATION.
UM, I'LL START OFF BY THANKING THIS BOARD, UM, FOR THE TIME IT HAS GRANTED US, THE COMMUNITY THAT BOTH YOUTH AND PAY FOR CAP METRO SERVICES, UH, FOR THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST THAT CAP METRO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND DIRECTLY IMPACTED STAKEHOLDERS AND PRESENT A PROPOSAL ON A FREE, UH, TO PRESENT A PROPOSAL ON A FREE FARES PROGRAM FOR OUR ON HOUSE.
AUSTINITES AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, WHICH IS COMING UP MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH.
SO WE CAN MARK IT IN OUR CALENDARS, UM, AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO END, UM, THAT WE'RE SUING, UH, AS AN ORGANIZATION, SORRY, THAT WORKS TOO.
THAT WORKS WITH FOLKS THAT ARE INCARCERATED THEIR FAMILIES, AND RECENTLY RELEASED FOLKS.
UM, WE OFTEN WITNESS, UM, WE ARE ALSO OFTEN WITNESS, UH, TO WHEN THE PERCEIVED SOCIAL FABRIC OF HELP SERVICES FAIL AND LEAVE THIS FOLKS ON THEIR OWN MANY TIMES.
WE ALSO WITNESSED HOW RECENTLY RELEASED HOW HE RECENTLY RELEASED PERSON DESPITE ALL OF THEIR BEST EFFORTS END UP IN SITUATIONS THAT LEAVE THEM UNHOUSED, MAKING THEIR JOURNEY TO REINTEGRATE BACK INTO YOUR COMMUNITY.
THAT MUCH HARDER WHEN ONE IS RELEASED, YOU STILL HAVE OBLIGATIONS LIKE PAROLE AS SOMEONE BEFORE ME MENTIONED, UM, PAROLE, CHICKEN CHECK, AND SPECIFICALLY THAT IF MISSED CAN BE THE END OF YOUR FREEDOM, IF YOU'RE A RECENTLY RELEASED, YOU'RE OFTEN STRUGGLING TO FIND WORK AND WHATEVER PROFIT YOU ARE MAKING IS SOMETHING GOING TO TRY AND SECURE HOUSING, WHICH IN AN OVERGROWING GENTRIFIED CITY LIKE OURS IS A CONSTANT UPHILL BATTLE.
LEAVING TRANSPORTATION COSTS, FEELING LIKE A LOT OF LUXURY COSTS TO CONSIDER COST TO CONSIDER THIS SHOULD BE DISH SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE.
OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER.
WE AS A CITY WITH A STORE PLUS AS SURPLUS CAP, METRO BUDGET THIS YEAR HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
YES, THAT INCLUDES OUR OWN HOUSE COMMUNITY.
THAT IS WHY TODAY WE'RE ASKING THE CAP, METRO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND DIRECTLY IMPACTED STAKEHOLDERS TO WORK AND CREATE A 10% A PROPOSAL ON F UH, FOR A FREE FARES PROGRAM FOR ON HOUSE.
AUSTINITES AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
THE TIME IS NOW WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR FIVE YEARS, AS SOMEBODY ELSE HAS MENTIONED, OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT ONLY DEMANDING THIS, BUT AS YOU ALL HAVE ALL WITNESS, IT'S ALSO SUPPORTING THIS AND WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK THEY HAVE.
SO PRIOR TO THIS BEING A CONVERSATION THEY HAVE, SO FOR THE LAST YEAR, THEY'RE SHOWING UP IN AN UNCONVENIENT PLACE.
UNCONVENIENT TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE WORKING TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOU ALL THAT THE TIME IS NOW AND TO CREATE, UH, IF WE SHARE FREE BUS, A FAIR PROGRAM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
AND PAUL MULLIN IS NEXT PALM ISLAND.
UM, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS FOR OVER 50 YEARS NOW.
UH, PART-TIME OF COURSE, IN DIFFERENT CITIES ACROSS THE WORLD.
UH, I ALSO FIND MYSELF A FRO BACK SITUATION BECAUSE MY ORIGINAL CAREER WAS AS A TRANSPORT ECONOMIST WHEN I WAS A CONSULTANT ON FAST POLICY, 2 30, 3 DIFFERENT MAJOR BUS OPERATORS IN EUROPE.
SO I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SUBJECT.
THEY, UH, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, KNOWING THE HOMELESS PEOPLE WE SERVE AT SUNRISE, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHOSE MEDIAN INCOME IS LESS THAN HALF OF FPL.
AND IN MANY CASES, MUCH LESS THAN HALF OF FPL.
[00:50:01]
PEOPLE WHO, IF IT WEREN'T FOR BUS PASSES, DISTRIBUTED BY, UH, VARIOUS CHARITIES COULD NOT RIDE THE BUS THAT TALL YET THEY HAVE NO CAR, THEY HAVE NO HOME, THEY ARE CAMPED WHEREVER THEY CAN FIND A PLACE TO CAMP.AND IF THEY CAN'T USE THE BUS TO GET TO THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, THEIR SOCIAL WORK APPOINTMENTS, OR EVEN TO BE FED AT A, AT A SUNRISE, THEN THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO COME IN A CITY, COME RIGHT NEXT TO A SERVICE PROVIDER, EITHER DOWNTOWN UNDER 35 OR A LONG BEN WHITE THEY'RE THERE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD A BUS TO GET THERE.
AND THIS IS ONE REASON WHY THE CITY ARE HAVING SO LITTLE SUCCESS IN CLARE AND HOMELESS CAMPS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE, BUT TO COME BACK TO THE LOCATIONS, YOU JUST CLEARED THEM OUT FROM.
UH, SO WE REALLY NEED TO HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT.
THEY ARE THE POOREST OF THE POOR IN, IN AUSTIN.
THEY, UH, VERY MUCH MINORITIES, THE BLACK ON HISPANIC, UH, UH, REPRESENT AMONGST THE HOMELESS ABOUT TWICE THE AVERAGE FOR THE AUSTIN METRO AS A WHOLE.
UH, THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE LATEST FIGURES HEIGHTENS BECAUSE THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND IT, BUT, UH, UH, MOST OF THEM HAVE A WELL ON THE HALF FAMILY POVERTY LEVEL, THEY WON'T BE HELPED BY DISCOUNTS AS THE TEAM.
YOUR 20% DISCOUNT FOR EQUIFAX IS JUST TOTALLY USELESS TO THEM.
SO THEY NEED FREE FAST IN ORDER TO GET TO THE PLACE THEY NEED TO GO AND TO GET THE HELP THE MEDIC MEDICINE, THEIR HOUSING, HEALTH, EVEN BASICS OF FOOD.
AND THE NEXT PERSON IS CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ.
UH, MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT TRINITY CENTER.
UH, WE HAVE BEEN A LONG PARTNERS WITH THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND FOR MANY YEARS.
UM, AND I'LL SAY AS SOMEBODY PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, UM, WE HAVE A PROCESS THAT HAPPENS EVERY WEDNESDAY OR IN PAST YEARS, OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK.
AND, UH, THAT WOULD TYPICALLY INCLUDE ABOUT 50 TO 100, UH, NEIGHBORS, UH, OF OURS, WHO, WHO ARE STANDING OUTSIDE IN LINE, UH, WAITING FOR US TO DISTRIBUTE OUR BUS PASSES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
UH, CURRENTLY WE HAVE ABOUT, UH, 50 THAT WE CAN GIVE OUT ON A GIVEN WEEK.
UM, AND THAT BEING SAID, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER, YOU KNOW, 30 TO OTHER 50 PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING IN LINE, UH, HOPING THAT MAYBE WE'LL HAVE SOME EXTRA.
AND SO WE HATE TURNING PEOPLE AWAY.
IT'S NOT FUN TO HAVE TO SAY, THIS IS ALL WE CAN GIVE.
UM, BUT AS A LOT OF, UH, YOU KNOW, OUR CO LABORERS AND PEOPLE THAT DO SIMILAR WORK HAVE SAID ALREADY, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST ONE, ONE SMALL AGENCY, UH, AMONG THE MANY THAT CAN GIVE WHAT WE CAN GIVE.
AND I THINK, UH, THE IDEA OF FREE FAIRS IS, CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING, UH, FOR A PERSON THAT'S SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THIS POPULATION OF FOLKS.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY, I, I BARELY STARTED GETTING INTO THIS CONVERSATION AS, AS, UH, I USED TO HAVE AN OLD ROLE WITH, WITH MY AGENCY.
AND, UM, AS I'VE BEEN A PART OF IT HEARING A LOT OF THE SIMILAR THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND ALL THAT, LIKE I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TOO MUCH WITH ALL THESE FOLKS IN THE, IN THE SENSE OF THE COLLABORATION AND YET THE THEMES ARE ALL THE SAME.
AND SO I'M JUST SAYING THAT IN THE SENSE OF LIKE THIS, ISN'T A PLAN THING WHERE WE'RE ALL GONNA SAY THE SAME THING, BUT NO, THIS IS, THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT'S HAPPENING.
AND, UH, THE IDEA OF FREE FARES CAN CHANGE LIVES.
AND I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO BE MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS, TO BE ABLE TO, UH, MAKE IT TO, TO, UH, FORMS OF EMPLOYMENT, WHERE THEY CAN MAKE MONEY, WHERE THAT MONEY CAN ACCUMULATE, WHICH CAN GIVE THEM STABILITY.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY, UH, POSITIVES TO THE IDEA OF SOMEBODY BEING ABLE TO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING FROM POINT A TO POINT B.
AND SO I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE AND I JUST HOPE THAT, UH, JUST HEARING ALL OF OUR VOICES AND, AND HEARING, UH, THE NEED AND THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS, I THINK NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR, BUT EVEN FOR THE CITY, YOU KNOW, AND TALKING ABOUT, UH, HOMELESSNESS AND TALKING ABOUT, UH, THE POTENTIAL TO BE BETTER.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S THERE AND, AND I THINK IT, IT JUST TAKES SOME DECISIONS,
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UH, YOU KNOW, FROM THE TOP.SO, UH, SO I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING THAT'S BEING SAID HERE, AND I HOPE THIS CONVERSATION CAN CONTINUE.
THANK YOU FOR
SO THOSE PASSES THAT YOU DISTRIBUTE ARE THERE WEEKLY OR DAILY THEY'RE WEEKLY, SIR.
UM, WE TYPICALLY WE'LL GET, UH, WE'LL, WE'LL PURCHASE UP TO ABOUT 3000 OR SO FROM THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND AND DON'T GET ME WRONG.
IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT IT'S NOT IN THE SENSE OF HAVING TO RATION THEM OUT.
THAT'LL LAST US A YEAR UNTIL THE NEXT DISTRIBUTION.
AND, YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR BUDGET GOES TOWARDS BUYING THOSE PASSES, WHICH YOU'VE HEARD SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ALREADY TALK ABOUT.
AND, UM, SO ANYWAY, YEAH, WE DO HAVE WEEKLY PASSES.
WE CAN ONLY GIVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR AS PART OF OUR BUDGET, BUDGETARY EXPENSE.
SO, AND THAT MONEY THAT WE PURCHASED FOR THOSE PASSES, I CAN GO TO SOMETHING ELSE THAT COULD BETTER BENEFIT THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.
GO, GO TOWARDS, YOU KNOW, WE HELP WITH IDS, WE'LL HELP WITH OTHER THINGS.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT COULD JUST MEAN BETTER THINGS FOR, FOR PEOPLE RATHER THAN HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT BUS PASSES, HAVING TO PURCHASE THEM EVERY YEAR.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, MR. CONLEY, HELLO BOARD MEMBERS.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE AGAIN TODAY.
UM, I'M, UH, AS WELL, PAULA CONNOLLY AND THE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR AT THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, AND I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY, UH, THE BOARD FOR THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
AND IN BOTH OF THOSE SPACES, THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ACCESS THE BUS IS A TOP POLICY PRIORITY, WHICH IS WHY I THINK YOU'VE SEEN THIS ROOM FULL TODAY.
AND I EXPECT THIS ROOM WILL BE FULL, UM, FOR MEETINGS MOVING FORWARD UNTIL WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME BETTER ANSWER FOR THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
UM, FORTUNATELY WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PATH FORWARD.
UM, WE, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO WHAT CAP METRO CURRENTLY CANNOT DO, WHICH IS DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN EVERY OTHER BUS RIDER AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND THIS IS NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM, BUT WE DO HAVE THE HMES DATA.
UM, AND H M I S ALLOWS US TO TRACK A WHOLE RANGE OF DIFFERENT DATA POINTS AROUND PEOPLE IN OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
AND SO A NEW PILOT PROGRAM THAT COULD INTEGRATE HMES WITH THE APP SYSTEM, OR THAT COULD SOMEHOW BRING HMES WRITERS INTO A FREE BUS ACCESSING PROGRAM WOULD NOT ONLY BE RADICAL AND TRANSFORMATIVE.
IT WOULD PUT CAP METRO IN LEADERSHIP OF A SMALL SELECT GROUP OF METROS IN THE NATION THAT ARE WORKING ON THIS KIND OF POLICY.
RIGHT NOW, IT WILL PUT US ON THE CUTTING EDGE, BUT NOT ONLY WOULD IT DO THAT.
AND NOT ONLY OF COURSE THE, THE CORE MORAL ARGUMENT IS THAT WE SHOULD NEVER CONSIDER THE POOREST PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO BE A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR CAP METRO.
SO NOT ONLY WOULD IT ADDRESS THE MORAL QUESTION, IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW US TO TRACK A WHOLE BUNCH OF DATA AND OUTCOMES.
IT WOULD ALLOW US TO MEASURE, YOU KNOW, MISSED DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS WITH CASE MANAGERS AND THE RATE OF, UH, THE SPEED IN WHICH PEOPLE ACCESS NEW HOUSING.
SO IT WOULD ALLOW US TO TELL A REALLY POWERFUL STORY IN THE DATA ABOUT THE ROLE THAT THE BUS PLAYS IN HELPING PEOPLE ACCESS OUTCOMES, HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND IT WOULD TELL OUR HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS A WHOLE LOT ABOUT THE ROLE THAT THE BUS PLAYS IN MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE GET TO THEIR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS.
I'M SURE THAT, UH, THE COST OF ONE MISSED DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT IS, IS A LOT MORE THAN, THAN, YOU KNOW, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY BUS PASSES.
SO, UM, WE HAVE, UH, AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL HERE, WHICH IS A NEW PILOT PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT ARE IN OUR HMI S DATABASE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE BUS.
NOW, I HEAR THE SAFETY CONCERNS RAISED BY ATU.
THOSE CONCERNS ARE OURS AS WELL, BUT THE FACT IS, YOU KNOW, THOSE CONCERNS ALREADY EXIST WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM.
WE HAVE THE CURRENT SYSTEM WE HAVE, AND THE CURRENT SYSTEM WE HAVE IMPOSES ON BUS DRIVERS.
I THINK A JOB THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REGULATE YOU WHO ACCESSES THE BUS.
SO WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT.
THEN THE BUS DRIVERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT, AND IT KEEPS EVERYONE SAFER, REDUCES DISCRIMINATION AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THE OTHER PART THAT I THINK I MUST ADDRESS, I KNOW MY TIME IS UP.
UH, I SEE, I HEAR THE BEEPER, UM, BUT IS THE RACIAL EQUITY COMPONENT TO THIS BECAUSE THE CURRENT POLICY, WHICH DEPENDS ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE AND WHERE WE'RE DOING THIS KIND OF INSANE, 63 BUS PASSES TO YOU, 140 BUS PASSES TO YOU.
25 BUS PASSES TO YOU MODEL WITH THE CURRENT TA T IS NOT EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED BUS PASSES
[01:00:01]
TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDERSERVED IN OUR COMMUNITY, HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AND OVERREPRESENTED IN OUR SYSTEM, BUT ALLOWING EVERYBODY IN HMES TO ACCESS A NEW BUS PILOT PROGRAM WOULD EQUITABLY DO THAT.UM, AND IT WOULD DO THAT VERY EFFECTIVELY TOO.
THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO WOULD FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS, ANY SYSTEM THAT ISN'T A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM, WE'LL HAVE PEOPLE THAT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS, BUT IT WOULD BE A PILOT.
IT WOULD ALLOW US TO TRACK DATA AND IT WOULD ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD IN A REALLY MEANINGFUL WAY.
AND YOU, I'M SURE YOU SAY, UH, SHARED THIS MS. WITH MS. WATKINS, BUT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT, UM, UH, OTHER COMMUNITIES.
IF YOU'VE SEEN THAT, I, I AGREE IT WOULD BE TRANSFORMATIVE TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THE HMI SYSTEM.
AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT, THAT'S THE CENTRAL POINT OF CONTACT IN A COMMUNITY IT'S A NATIONALLY, I GUESS, MANDATED, BUT FOR IT, BUT IT'S A CENTRAL POINT OF CONTACT IN THE COMMUNITY FOR DATA ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY OTHER PLACES THAT WE CAN CONNECT WITH OR LOOK TO THAT HAVE DONE THIS AT THIS POINT, HAVE CONNECTED THOSE SYSTEMS? I MEAN, WE, WE CAN BE FIRST.
WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
THERE ARE LOTS OF COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD THAT ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADDRESS THIS PIECE.
THEY'RE COMING UP WITH DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS.
I THINK THAT WHAT WE WOULD COME UP WITH MIGHT BE TAILORED TO OUR COMMUNITY AND IT MIGHT BE UNIQUE AND IT WOULD BE CUTTING EDGE.
WE HAVE A MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, UM, WITH EDNA WHERE SOME OF THE FOLKS FROM CAP METRO WITH H M I S TEAM AT ECHO TO PRECISELY START TO DO SOME OF THE BRAINSTORMING AROUND WHAT THAT CAN LOOK LIKE.
SO I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF MOMENTUM.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO PITCH IN WHAT WE NEED FROM THE CAP.
METRO BOARD IS A COMMITMENT TO SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST STALL THIS ENDLESSLY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY PUT A PLAN ON THE BOOKS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DEADLINE, AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN MEANINGFULLY GET THIS DONE.
SO IT DOESN'T JUST DRAG ON, YOU KNOW, AS CHRIS WAS SAYING, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THESE IDEAS FOR YEARS.
I THINK WE ALL HEAR THAT AND CAN, CAN AFFIRM, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR.
I JUST WANTED TO ASK THAT QUESTION.
I THINK IT WOULD BE, IT'D BE AMAZING AND HUGE TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THOSE SYSTEMS. YEAH, I THINK SO TOO.
DID I, UH, JP, DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY? YOU'VE GOT A MEETING SCHEDULED EVEN LATER THIS AFTERNOON WITH MEMBERS OF THE CAP, METRO AND HMS AND ECHO AND FOLKS TO, TO GET YOU ALL TOGETHER ON THE SAME PAGE TO ADVANCE THIS CONVERSATION FURTHER.
WE DO, WE HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED.
I WOULD, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE FROM, FROM THE CAP METRO, TO BE APPRISED ABOUT THAT AS THE, AS THE CHAIR OF THE OPS COMMITTEE TO BE APPRISED OF THAT, I KNOW WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HAVING SOME SORT OF AN UPDATE ON OUR SEPTEMBER AGENDA FOR THE, UH, THE OPS, UH, COMMITTEE TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THIS VERY ISSUE.
SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO KIND OF HEAR HOW THINGS ARE GOING AND MOVING THAT BALL DOWN.
AT THE SEPTEMBER OPERATIONS PLANNING SAFETY COMMITTEE, WE'LL BE PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC, THE ISSUE, THE ENGAGEMENT WE'VE HAD WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR ADVOCACY COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS WHAT WE THINK IS THE TIMELINE FOR HOW WE CAN BOTH IMPLEMENT A PILOT AND THEN, YOU KNOW, LEARN FROM THE PILOT, TWEAK THE PILOT AND EVENTUALLY LAND ON A PERMANENCY.
I'D LIKE HERE IN THIS, ESPECIALLY THAT THAT IF WE CAN GET, GET OUR HEADS WRAPPED AROUND THIS IDEA OF HOW WE CAN DISTINGUISH THE POPULATION FROM THE RIDERSHIP AS A WHOLE, THAT IS THE KEY.
I THINK THAT'S A HOLY GRAIL HERE FOR THIS WHOLE OPERATION AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN DO WHAT WE'RE ALL TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE, I THINK.
UM, I'M NOT WITH NO ORGANIZATION.
I DO WORK AND IT IS HARD FOR ME TO GET, TO GET BACK AND FORTH, TO WORK THROUGH, UH, BECAUSE I HAVE TO BUY THE BUS PASSES AND STUFF.
BUT I THINK CAPTAIN METRO SHE'LL COME UP WITH A PLAN WHERE US HOMELESS PEOPLE CAN BE AFFORD TO RIDE FREE.
CAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD IN THE PAST ONE TIME ON MY EXPERIENCE, I HAD TO WALK AWAY FROM EAST AUSTIN ALL THE WAY OUT TO DEL VALLEY.
CAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO RIDE THE BUS AND I HAD TO WORK ALL THE WAY OUT THE COTA.
SO, AND THAT WAS A LONG WALK AND I WAS, AND I WAS LATE.
MY BOSS TOLD ME YOU CAN'T BE DOING THAT.
BUT MY MAIN, MY MAIN CONCERN HERE IS THAT,
[01:05:01]
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF US CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THE BUS PASSES AND STUFF.NOW I'M WORKING ON MINIMUM WAGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
AND I BEEN, I BEEN HERE IN AUSTIN FOR ALMOST MY WHOLE LIFE.
AND THAT JUST THINK IF IT COULD COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION ON WHERE DON HOUSE PEOPLE COULD GET FREE RIDES, I HAVE, I EVEN USE GOT A PAPER FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE COOLING SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S A START, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME DRIVERS THAT WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT, YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S STILL, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT A REAL TALKER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT YOU KNOW, IF Y'ALL COULD JUST, YOU KNOW, LOOK INTO CAUSE WEAKNESS, WE ARE HUMANS JUST AS Y'ALL ARE, YOU KNOW, AND WE TRY TO MAKE IT.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, PROBABLY A LOT OF PEOPLE AIN'T NEVER BEEN HOMELESS.
THAT'S MY FIRST TIME BEING HOMELESS.
AND UM, IN ORDER TO FEEL, I SHOES, YOU HAVE TO GET IN OUR SHOES AND, AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YEAH, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, US HOMELESS, PEOPLE NEED TRANSPORTATION AND Y'ALL ARE THE BEST TRANSPORTATION TO DEALS.
Y'ALL NEED TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.
OH, HOW WE CAN GET FREE RIDES.
UH, KIM MIGHT NEED YOU TO PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST NAME FOR ME.
IT'S WE WILL CALL THE NEXT PERSON.
AS WE, AS WE LOOK TO A WARREN BERKELEY WELL, WE'LL BRING HER NEXT GOODS, WARREN BERKLEY.
UH, I DON'T REPRESENT ANYONE BUT MYSELF.
UH, THIS IS GOING TO REALLY REITERATE A LOT.
WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID HERE.
THE, UH, DISTRIBUTION THROUGH T F T F IS INADEQUATE.
AS MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE TOLD YOU FIRSTHAND, UH, THERE NEEDS TO BE A PILOT ROLLED OUT WITH THE AMP CARD SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO HAVE UNHINDERED ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION.
UH, SPECIFICALLY OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, UH, THE, THE, THE RIDE.
SO COOLING STATIONS IS, IT'S A GOOD START, BUT THIS IS TEXAS.
YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS AIN'T GOING TO BE OUR FIRST HOT SUMMER IN EIGHT.
WE, THEY AIN'T BEEN THE FIRST ONE.
SO WE NEED A PERMANENT SOLUTION WITH THAT.
WE NEED TO GET ON TOP OF THIS.
LIKE WE NEED SOMETHING BEFORE THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
UM, KIM, I'M JUST HERE TO ASSIST.
I LIVE UP TO NAME ME, COME HERE.
I NEED SOME MONEY HAVE MADE ME TALK IN LITTLE, BROKEN MY HOUSE.
MEN, LAID DOWN AND BLOOD AND ME WITH BLUR AND HEAR ME SAYING SIM SIM AND SOMEBODY HAD ME CAPULET NIGHT ON, ON, AND PAUL
[01:10:02]
AND HE COME HOW HE, THAT HE WROTE JAIL AND BEAT ME REAL HAPPY THOUGH.AND NOW I WAN GO, LAWYER HAD ME GO LAWYER.
I HAVE A, I HAVE A PICTURE POLICE GIVE ME PICTURE AND PAPER BOOK MY LAP LAST MONEY THOUGH.
ONE TIME LAWYER AND CALL ME GO.
AND NOW ONLY SEND ME PAPERWORK MONDAY, GO AROUND MY, MEET THEM, MEET THEM, NO TALK.
I, I NEED SOMEBODY HELPED ME FIX MY HOUSE.
NOBODY WITH ME MEET ME FALL BEFORE LA FAMILY LIVE LIVER OCTANE
SO, SO JP, I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS A CAP METRO ISSUE, BUT MAYBE WE CAN DETERMINE, UH, EXACTLY KIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON SO THAT WE CAN GUIDE HER TO THE RIGHT PLACE.
UM, WITH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER AND THEN, AND THEN MAYBE PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND TRY TO GUIDE HER TO THE RIGHT PLACE.
KIM EXPRESSED TO US OUTSIDE THE NEED ACTS.
SHE NEEDS ACCESS TO A SOCIAL WORKER AND SHE'S TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A SOCIAL WORKER.
SO I THINK WE CAN TRY TO HELP CONNECT HER.
IS IT NOW I HAVE A SEVEN FEET.
YOU SAID 72 YEARS OLD? NO, SWAMIJI TIGHT.
EIGHT YEARS WHO'VE BEEN RETIRED.
SO WE'LL, WE'LL GET YOU ACCESS TO A SOCIAL WORKER AND WE'LL TRY TO CONNECT YOU TO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT CAN HELP WITH RESOURCES.
LET'S KEEP HER CLOSE UNTIL WE CAN FIND THE RIGHT PERSON TO TALK TO.
UH, LET'S SEE, IS ANTHONY WALKER HERE IS THAT HE DID LEAVE A NOTE THAT HE'S, UM, HE'S, HE'S WORKING SO HE MIGHT ARRIVE LATE.
SO WE'LL, WE WILL, WE'LL PUT THAT AT THE BACK OF THE BAG.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WANTED TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? WHO HAS NOT SIGNED IN? OKAY.
LET'S MAKE A RECORD OF YOUR SIGNING IN, AND THEN, UM, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO, UM, IDENTIFY AND REACH BACK OUT TO YOU IF NECESSARY AND WE'LL TAKE YOU IN THE ORDER THAT YOU SIGN UP.
SO WHEN YOU'VE SIGNED UP, YOU CAN COME TO THE MIC AND, AND PLEASE, DON'T FORGET TO TELL US YOUR NAME.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY.
I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.
UM, I WANTED TO THANK AT METRO FOR TAKING THAT STEP TO PROTECT AUSTINITES FROM THIS HEAT AND CHANGING THE HEAT POLICY, UM, ALLOWING PEOPLE TO RIDE FOR FREE.
UH, THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO A COOLING CENTER.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL TAKING THAT STEP.
UM, I WANTED TO LIKE KIND OF STEP UP STEP BACK A LITTLE BIT, UM, JUST TO LIKE COVER AGAIN, THE WAY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED ACCESS BUS PASSES RIGHT NOW IS THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE TRINITY CENTER.
[01:15:01]
BASICALLY LIKE A CLUSTER OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THAT ARE LOCATED PRETTY CENTRALLY DOWNTOWN.NOW, IF YOU LAYER IN PROP B AND THE SUITES THAT ARE HAPPENING, UM, WE'RE PUSHING THESE UNHOUSED, AUSTINITES OUTSIDE OF THESE KEY CENTER LOCATIONS WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY ACCESS THESE SERVICES.
SO IN EFFECT, WE'RE LIVING IN A CITY RIGHT NOW WHERE THE UNHOUSED POPULATION IS BEING ASKED AND FORCED ACTUALLY TO THESE OUTER MARGINS OF AUSTIN.
UM, AND THEN TOLD TO FIND A WAY DOWNTOWN TO GET A BUS PASS, A BUS PASS THAT IS AVAILABLE WEEKLY ONCE A WEEK, UM, AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION ACROSS THE CITY.
SO, UM, WE'RE GOING TO, UH, TRINITY CENTER ON WEDNESDAYS CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN ON THURSDAYS, UM, IN EFFECT THIS LEAVES AUSTINITES STRANDED AND UNABLE TO ACCESS THESE KEY SERVICES.
UM, AND I'M SURE AS, AS A PUBLIC AGENCY, IT MAY BE AN EASY ROUTE TO TAKE, TO SEE LIKE, WELL, WHY DOES THIS FALL ON US? WHY DOES METRO HAVE TO TAKE IN OR STEP IN AND TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY? AND I THINK WHAT ALL OF US HERE TODAY ARE ASKING Y'ALL IS, IS THE UNHOUSED AUSTIN POPULATION, A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR CAP.
METRO IS CAP METRO, UNABLE TO OPERATE THESE BUSES IF THEY'RE NOT PROFITING FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND IF SO, IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN THERE IS A SERIOUS EQUITY AND ACCESS ISSUE THAT JUST COMPLETELY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
THAT'S COMPLETELY MISSING BECAUSE IF THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, THEN LIKE HOW ARE YOU OPERATING A METRO SYSTEM THAT IS DEPENDENT ON THAT SOURCE OF INCOME? UM, SO I WANT TO ALSO STATE THAT WE'RE ORGANIZING AROUND THIS ISSUE.
THIS IS WHAT OUR MEMBERS NEED RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
UH, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP COMING TO THESE BOARD MEETINGS.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP SHOWING UP AND WE'RE WILLING TO COLLABORATE WITH Y'ALL.
WE WANT TO, UM, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE HERE FOR THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
WE'RE HERE TO HAVE OUR MEMBERS IN THESE CONVERSATIONS, BUT, UM, WE NEED Y'ALL TO TAKE THAT STEP AND, UM, WE'RE, WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR THE TIME.
HI, I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY AND THEN FOR, UH, ALSO PROVIDING FAIR, FREE RISE.
UM, DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, UH, I'M A FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER WITH COMMUNITY CARE STREET MEDICINE TEAM, UH, IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER OUTREACH TEAMS, WE GO INTO THE WOODS INTO THE CAMPS UNDER BRIDGES TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE FOR UNSHELTERED PEOPLE, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
UH, WE ENCOUNTER PATIENTS ON A DAILY BASIS WHO FACED LACK OF TRANSPORTATION AS THE MAJOR BARRIER TO ACCESSING ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE, PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, LIFESAVING, MEDICAL TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES, UH, NECESSARY FOR GETTING HOUSING.
UH, MY PATIENTS TESTIFIED TO THE HARDSHIPS OF, UH, GETTING MONEY TO TRAVEL TO THESE APPOINTMENTS AND TO PHARMACIES, UH, INTO MAJOR SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.
UH, MY PATIENTS MISS APPOINTMENTS WITH SPECIALISTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THERE IN TIME.
UH, I HAD A PREGNANT PATIENT NOT TOO LONG AGO, WHO WAS FORCED TO FLY SIZE AT AN INTERSECTION DURING A HEAT ADVISORY TO AFFORD A BUS RIDE, TO SEE A CASE MANAGER AND HER OB GYN PROVIDER.
UH, THE TRUTH IS MY PATIENTS ARE NEIGHBORS.
THEY HAVE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE, PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, ALL WITHOUT A COPAY YET STILL THEY'RE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ACCESS THOSE VITAL NECESSITIES.
UH, WE KNOW THAT LACK OF TRANSPORTATION IS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH, UM, FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES AND IS CURRENTLY THE MAJOR BARRIER THAT I FACE WITH MY PATIENTS.
SO I'M ASKING THAT, UH, CAP METRO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH CARE STAKEHOLDERS TO ADDRESS THE SYSTEMATIC, UH, BARRIER AND AN EQUITY FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND, UH, REALLY ADVOCATE THAT THIS IS A SMART STRATEGIC MOVE THAT ENABLES THESE PATIENTS IN OUR UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS, IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ACCESS THE RESOURCES NEEDED FOR HEALTH AND HOUSING, UH, AND A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY.
SO, UM, I'M NOT REALLY WITH AN ORGANIZATION, JUST SOMEBODY WHO LIKES PEOPLE AND HAS OPINIONS.
UM, OTHERS HAVE DISCUSSED, UH, SPECIFICS MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN I CAN.
SO, UM, I'LL JUST TELL YOU HOW I FEEL AS AN AUSTINITE AND AS SOMEONE WHO'S GROWN UP HERE, I'VE RELIED ON CAPITAL METRO FOR A LARGE PORTION OF MY LIFE.
UM, FROM TRANSPORTATION, GETTING WORK GROCERIES,
[01:20:01]
GOING DOWN TO THE SPRINGS.UH, ANYTIME I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR, WHICH WAS THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE, UH, TRANSPORTATION IS AN NECESSITY HERE.
UM, DEVELOPING ANY SORT OF LONG-TERM PLANS, UH, REQUIRES A WAY TO GET TO AND FROM IT'S, UH, PARTS OF THE CITY ARE WALKABLE, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.
UH, THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY ON HOUSED AND HOUSED AT CAPITAL.
METRO IS ONE OF THE ONLY RESOURCES THAT PROVIDES THAT SERVICE TO THOSE OF US WITHOUT VEHICLES OR THE MONEY TO TAKE A RIDE SHARE.
UM, I'VE BEEN AT A FADED BROWN CAPITAL METRO AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO HAS PRIDE IN THE CITY.
UM, I'D LIKE TO KNOW MY TAX DOLLARS GO TOWARDS MAKING OUR CITY A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL THAT LIVE HERE, ENSURING ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO LIVE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.
AS SOME WOULD ARGUE THAT FREE BUS FARE FOR OR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY IS THE BARE MINIMUM IN REGARDS TO SERVICES THAT A CITY CAN PROVIDE, REGARDLESS, IT'S A NEED, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AND I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE, UM, CAPITAL METRO TO FIND AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN THAT CAN PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO EVERYBODY THAT NEEDS IT REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.
RUSSELL HI, MY NAME IS FRANCIS RUSSELL.
UH, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CREATION OF A FREE FARES PROGRAM FOR AUSTIN.
I VOLUNTEER AT THE MUTUAL AID ORGANIZATION CALLED STREET FORUM, UH, THAT PROVIDES NECESSARY RESOURCES TO AN ESTIMATED 150 ON HOUSED FOLKS EVERY SUNDAY MORNING AT REPUBLIC SQUARE PARK.
UH, WE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE TRANSIT EMPOWERMENT FUND.
WE HAVE APPLIED, UM, BUT WE'RE NOT A REGISTERED NONPROFIT.
AND INSTEAD WE USE A FISCAL SPONSOR, UM, THAT THE PROGRAM DOES NOT ACCEPT.
SO WE HAVE TRIED FUNDRAISING FOR BUS PASSES, UM, AS THE COMMUNITY IS ALWAYS TELLING US THAT IT'S A NEED, UM, BUT BUYING THEM AT FULL PRICE WOULD COST US ALMOST $8,000 A MONTH.
AND WE'RE JUST UNABLE TO RAISE THAT AMOUNT.
UM, FROM JUST ONE TIME DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY, UM, IN DOING THIS WORK AT STREET FORUM, IT'S BECOME REALLY CLEAR TO US HOW IMPORTANT BUS PASSES AND BUSES ARE FOR THE UNHOUSED AND LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN THE CITY TO GET TO WORK, TO COORDINATE HOUSING ASSESSMENTS, TO THERAPY AND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND COUNTLESS OTHER SERVICES.
UH, BUT ACCESSING BUS PASSES IS REALLY DIFFICULT FOR FOLKS.
I'VE HEARD COUNTLESS STORIES OF BUS DRIVERS TURNING AWAY ON HOUSED FOLKS, WHETHER THEY HAD A BUS PASS OR NOT, OR WHILE THEY WERE TRYING TO ACCESS A RIDE TO A COOLING CENTER FOR FREE IN AUGUST.
UM, JUST YESTERDAY MORNING, ACTUALLY WE HAD PRINTED OUT CAP METRO'S OWN FLYERS REGARDING FREE RIDES TO COOLING CENTERS THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND HANDED THEM OUT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF RECEIVING THESE FLYERS.
SEVERAL FOLKS ACTUALLY CAME BACK SAYING A BUS DRIVER SPECIFICALLY TOLD THEM, UM, AND I QUOTE, WE ARE NOT DOING THIS AS WORD ON MY BUS.
AN ELDERLY MAN WITH CANCER WHO IS SLEEPING ON THE HOT CONCRETE AT REPUBLIC SQUARE TOLD US THAT SOMEONE HAD STOLEN HIS CARD THAT QUALIFIED HIM FOR REDUCED BUS FARES.
HE SAID HE HAD EMAILED CAP METRO SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND HAS YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE, UM, OR A REPLACEMENT CARD.
OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS ARE SUFFERING AND ACCESS TO TRANSLATE IS IMPLICITLY LINKED TO THE ABILITY TO GET OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.
PLEASE CONSIDER INSTITUTING A FREE FARES PROGRAM THAT IS LOW BARRIER, DOES NOT REQUIRE LENGTHY LENGTHY PAPERWORK OR A PHONE OR INTERNET ACCESS, AND DOES NOT REQUIRE FOLKS TO CARRY AROUND A CARD THAT IS EASY TO LOSE OR GET STOLEN AND IS HARD TO REPLACE.
UM, MIKE EICHER, EICHER OR ACCURATE ANCHOR.
I RE RE UH, BEING HOMELESS ON MY LAP, BUT, UH, REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY IT WITHOUT CRYING, BUT, BUT, UH, I'M AMERICAN CITIZEN AT TECH STATE REPUBLIC AND, UH, I'M GOING TO BE FREE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO GET A JOB.
I'VE BEEN PARALYZED FREE WALKING AGAIN.
I GOT A BROKE LEG, BUT, UH, Y'ALL HOLD THE KEY TO BEING FREE AND TRULY FREE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? CAUSE Y'ALL, Y'ALL, I AIN'T GOT NO EDUCATION AND I AIN'T GOT NO FANCY BIRDS.
I AIN'T GOT NO FANCY SPEECH, BUT WE, THE PEOPLE TO PETE FREE, HE'D BE TREATED FREE AND NOT HELD BACK BY THINGS THAT HOLD US BACK.
YOU KNOW THAT, I MEAN, I GOT A SIGN, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I CAN GO MAKE A DOLLAR.
[01:25:01]
CORNER, I GOT TO HUSTLE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M PRO BECAUSE I'M FREE.AND I APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S HELPING IN PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION TO GET ME THESE CORNERS WHERE I CAN MAKE IT, BUT YOU KNOW, I'VE, UH, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL YOU THAT.
NO, NO MATTER WHAT, I'M A DIE FREE.
THEN, UH, NEXT IS A VIVE RA AROUND, HEY, GOOD AFTERNOON.
I AM HERE IN MY CAPACITY AS A VOLUNTEER WITH STREET FORUM, UM, A MUTUAL AID ORGANIZATION THAT DOES DIRECT OUTREACH WORK WITH OUR IN-HOUSE COMMUNITY AROUND TOWN, UH, BASED MOSTLY IN REPUBLIC SQUARE, DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.
SO I'M HERE TODAY JUST TO REITERATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE HEARD SPECIFICALLY, ESPECIALLY FROM OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ABOUT WHY PROVIDING A PUBLIC SERVICE THAT IS TRULY A PUBLIC SERVICE.
I E ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY IN AUSTIN, STARTING WITH ITS MOST MARGINALIZED MEMBERS IS A NECESSITY ONE THAT IS LONG OVERDUE.
ONE THAT HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES BETWEEN PROVIDERS, AMONG UNHOUSED PEOPLE FOR YEARS.
I'M GLAD YOU ALL ARE TUNING IN NOW, BUT THIS IS LONG OVERDUE AND IT'S VERY, VERY POSSIBLE.
WE'VE SEEN MANY OTHER CITIES IMPLEMENT SIMILAR THINGS.
WE'VE SEEN AUSTIN IMPLEMENT SIMILAR THINGS.
I KNOW THAT I, AS A UT GRADUATE STUDENT CAN RIDE THE BUS FOR FREE.
UNFORTUNATELY, MY FRIEND MARK HAS TO WALK ON A BROKEN LEG AND CAN'T RIDE THE BUS FOR FREE.
EXPLAIN THAT TO ME, THAT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.
SO WE ARE SEEING FREE BUS FARE PROGRAMS IN AUSTIN, AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
AND I THINK ONE OF THE RICHEST CITIES IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS A DUTY TO EVERYBODY WHO LIVES HERE TO ALL OF US WHO ARE IN THIS CITY AS AUSTINITES, WHETHER WE'RE HOUSED OR UNHOUSED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD DURING THIS PERIOD? IS THERE ANYONE ELSE I'LL ASK A THIRD TIME? IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT.
UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, MAKING YOUR PRESENTATIONS.
UM, AND WE, WE HAVE, UH, IDENTIFIED EVERYONE WHO HAS SPOKEN.
UH, WE CERTAINLY WILL, UH, WE'LL GIVE THIS, UH, TO THE RIGHT PLACE IN THE ORGANIZATION AND WORK AS POLICY BOARD, UH, TO, UH, TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT ARE CRUCIAL TO THE COMMUNITY.
UH, SO THANK YOU FOR COMING AND LETTING YOUR VOICES BE HEARD, RIGHT? UM, KIND OF, YES.
UH, THANK YOU, CHAIR TO CIVILIAN.
I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO JUST SAY, UM, I WOULD SAY I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO CHURCH CIVILIANS, UH, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE COMING TODAY.
WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATION, BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR EVERYBODY ON WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE.
UM, AS, UH, AND I'LL LET YOU SPEAK TO THIS.
AS ERIC HAS SAID, WE HAVE, UH, ASKED FOR, AND OUR STAFF WILL BE GIVING US A MORE DETAILED REPORT ON THE STATUS AT OUR NEXT MEETING OR OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING IN, IN SEPTEMBER, WHICH IS BEFORE OUR NEXT FULL BOARD MEETING, UM, AT OUR NEXT FULL BOARD MEETING, I EXPECT WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION ALSO.
I WANNA THANK, UM, PRESIDENT WATKINS FOR MOVING FORWARD AND WORKING WITH YOU ALL IN THE, IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I WANT TO TELL YOU PERSONALLY FOR MYSELF, AND I'M SURE THIS IS SHARED BY MY COLLEAGUES, IS THAT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.
I AGREE WITH YOU AND I SHARE WHAT YOU WERE SAYING.
CAP METRO IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO FUND OUR SYSTEM.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GET ACCESS TO FREE BUS PASSES AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN QUICKLY.
IF, IF, UH, THERE ARE NO MORE BOARD STATEMENTS, THEN WE WILL MOVE ON, UH, TO OUR BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATES.
I ALREADY SAID WHAT I HAD SAID EARLIER.
UM, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
UH, I DON'T KNOW, PERSONALLY WHAT I DON'T KNOW, AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BEHIND THE SCENES FOR AT LEAST THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN WAYS AND OTHER WAYS IN MY CAPACITY AS A NURSE AND WORKING WITH NURSING STUDENTS AND GOING OUT AND, AND, AND BEING INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECTS AND
[01:30:01]
STUFF WITH THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY, BUT HAD NO IDEA.AND I HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT TRANSIT HAS BEEN, HAS BEEN A BARRIER, BUT WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT WAS TO THIS IMPACT, THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
CLEARLY WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
AND FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE BEHIND THE SCENES.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULES.
I KNOW FOR MANY OF YOU ALL, THIS IS NOT AN EASY THING TO COME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE TO CAPITOL METRO HEADQUARTERS AND SIGN UP AND TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO BE A PART OF THIS.
AS, UH, AS VICE-CHAIR KITCHEN HAS INDICATED, THIS WILL BE AN ITEM ON OUR AGENDA FOR THE OPERATIONS PLANNING AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING.
IT IS NOT AN ITEM FOR ACTION THAT I KNOW OF.
IT WILL BE A, I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE A, UH, AN UPDATED BRIEFING ON THE, ON THE STATUS OF WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO THE MEETING THAT I BELIEVE Y'ALL'S COLLEAGUE, UH, JOHN PAULO CONLEY HAD, UH, HAD MENTIONED IS THAT WAS GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE A MEETING COMING UP AND OTHER MEETINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AROUND THIS ISSUE.
WE, I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HEAR Y'ALL AND UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON NOW MUCH BETTER AND APPRECIATE THAT WE DO WANT TO ADDRESS THIS GOING FORWARD.
I BELIEVE IT'S A MATTER OF OF NOW THEN THE, THE, HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND THE, THE, THE, ON WHAT TIMELINE IN ORDER TO ENSURE WE CAN HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE PROJECT AND PROGRAM GOING FORWARD.
BUT, UH, WE, WE ARE AWARE NOW AT THE BOARD LEVEL AND THE NEXT, THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR AN UPDATE IS, AND, AND DETAILED BRIEFING ON THE SUBJECT IS GOING TO BE AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME.
I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE, UM, YOU ALL'S COMMITMENT TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE.
UM, WANTED TO ASK WHAT THE PROCESS IS TO MAKE IT AN ACTIONABLE ITEM, AND WHETHER THAT COULD BE AN ACTIONABLE ITEM AT THE SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING, DEPENDING ON PROPOSAL.
SO, UM, SO WHAT I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO PUT IT IN THE PURVIEW OF STAFF, ALLOW THEM TO STUDY AND PREPARE.
UM, I MEAN, I IMAGINE IT IS POSSIBLE TO, UH, TO HAVE AN ITEM, BUT IT, I'VE NOT SEEN MANY ISSUES THAT REQUIRE A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION BE SOLVED IN 30 DAYS.
AND, UH, SO YEAH, BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A CHANGE TO THE BOARD'S ADOPTED FARE STRUCTURE.
UM, THAT WOULD BE THE MECHANISM BY WHICH WE WOULD ADOPT SUCH A THING.
UM, ANY CHANGES TO OUR FARE STRUCTURE DO REQUIRE A TITLE, SIX EQUITY ANALYSIS.
SO PART OF WHAT WE'LL BE PRESENTING TO THE COMMITTEE, UM, AT THE SEPTEMBER COMMITTEE MEETING IS OUR PROCESS TO, TO COMPLETE THAT ANALYSIS SO THAT WE MEET THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY CHANGES TO HER.
SO IF I HEAR YOU PROPERLY, WHAT WE CAN PROBABLY EXPECT AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING IS AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT THE PROCESS WILL BE AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT GOING FORWARD.
SO, UH, CAN I ASK ALSO THAT AT OUR OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING, YOU CAN GIVE YOU YOU'LL BE GIVING US A TIMELINE THEN YES.
SO THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING WE'LL HAVE A TIMELINE, UM, AND WE WILL UNDERSTAND, AND I KNOW THAT THAT PRESIDENT WATKINS IS COMMITTED TO MOVING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
SO THERE'S TWO ASPECTS OF THAT.
THERE'S THE PROCESSES WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AS SHE MENTIONED FEDERALLY, BUT THERE'S ALSO JUST SITTING DOWN WITH YOU GUYS AND WORKING OUT EXACTLY THE HIGH FOR THIS, THE HOW FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM.
BUT I THINK TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I THINK WE CAN HAVE A MORE DEFINITIVE TIMELINE AT OUR OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING.
DOES THAT WORK PRESIDENT WELCOME? YES, MA'AM.
I THINK, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE, UH, THAT, THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE AND, AND THAT WE, UH, LAY IT OUT IN A WAY THAT WE DEMONSTRATE WHAT'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSED, AND THAT IS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED.
UH, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU, AS, AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, JP, WHAT YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT IS, UH, SOME TYPE OF PILOT, BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO DETERMINE HOW TO MEASURE IT, UH, WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE.
I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, UH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT NOT ONLY THE MECHANISM TO DESIGN IT, BUT THE MECHANISM TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT, UH, THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO OUR STAFF AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE NUMBER OF PASSES, HOW WE PASS THEM OUT SATURDAY, ET CETERA, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN UNCOMPLICATED THING.
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO IT RIGHT MORE.
I THINK DOING IT RIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING IT QUICK.
AND SIMPLIFYING THE NAME OF THE GAME HERE, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A VERY COMPLEX SYSTEMS. I THINK THAT, THAT, UH, GO AHEAD AND PULL THE CHAIR.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK US WHERE HE HAD OUR HOMEWORK ON THIS.
I DIDN'T HEAR AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF WHAT OTHER CITIES
[01:35:01]
ARE DOING AROUND THIS.AND I THINK PART OF WHAT WE SHOULD ENDEAVOR TO DO IS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE SMARTEST PEOPLE ARE.
MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ARE DOING SO BEST PRACTICES IN HOMELESSNESS, SO WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE, UH, IN DUE COURSE.
WELL, I DON'T MEAN TO ENCOURAGE MORE DIALOGUE AND DECISION.
I THINK WE'VE HEARD 20 NOW BECAUSE WE'RE DOING OUR HOMEWORK.
I THINK WE NEED TO JUST BE APPRISED OF WHAT'S GOING ON OUT IN THE REST OF THE WORLD, JUST TO BE CLEAR, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT QUESTION HAD BEEN ASKED TO ME EARLIER.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DID ANSWER IT APPROPRIATELY.
UM, I, AND WE CAN HAPPILY PROVIDE A LIST OF CITIES.
THERE ARE CITIES LIKE ATLANTA AND SANTA FE, UH, SORRY, SANTA FE.
UM, THERE ARE, THERE ARE CITIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY EXPERIMENTING WITH PROGRAMS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE ADVANCED, WHERE THEY'RE JUST LOOKING AT UNIVERSAL FREE BUS ACCESS.
AND THEN THERE ARE CITIES, MASSACHUSETTS, BOSTON.
AND THERE ARE, UM, WE HAVE A LONG MEETING GOING TODAY AND IF WE DON'T, I MEAN, WE DON'T HAVE ANY PRESENTATION HERE IN DOCUMENTS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW.
AND IF WE DON'T CONTINUE OUR MEETING, I HAVE TO LEAVE.
SO, UH, I'M SORRY, BUT THAT WAS SCHEDULED THAT I NEED TO DO.
AND I'M I'M WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO, UM, I REALLY NEED TO GOT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS TRYING TO BALANCE YEAH.
100% AND I TOTALLY UNDER, I HEAR YOU.
WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF PLACES THAT WE NEED TO GO.
PEOPLE NEED TO GO AFTER THIS MEETING, BUT, UM, JUST TO UNDERSTAND, JUST TO UNDERSTAND THE, THE PROCESS, I'M NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT OR ANYBODY I'M JUST WANTS TO FINISH THIS MEETING BECAUSE I HAVE A FITBIT COMMISSIONER TREVELYAN CAN I JUST QUICKLY WOULD LIKE SOME CLARIFICATION JUST ON THE PROCESS.
SO WHAT CAN THE COMMUNITY EXPECT ON SEPTEMBER 26TH OF TIMELINE IS I THINK A LITTLE, LIKE, WE NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A TIMELINE.
WE NEED TO HAVE LIKE AN UPDATE ABOUT WHAT ARE POSSIBLE.
SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY GET THIS STUFF.
IF I MAY, I THINK REALLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS, IS TO HAVE THE STAFF TAKE IT FROM HERE, UM, SO THAT THEY CAN DO THE LEGWORK AND PROVIDE THE INFORMATION AND, AND THE SPECIFICS AND THE DETAILS.
BUT I DO THINK EVERYBODY FOR COMING HERE TODAY, THIS IS ABOUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN DO UNDER STATE STATUTE, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A, IS IT THIS, ISN'T A NOTICED, UM, AGENDA ITEM.
IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING AND IT'S YOU.
AND WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS PUBLIC HEARING TO A CLOSE.
REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING HERE TODAY.
YOU'VE GOT US, YOU YOU'VE, YOU'VE GOT OUR ATTENTION.
WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.
WE ARE GOING TO, WE ARE LISTENING AND WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD ON IT.
SO LET ME, LET ME JUST MAKE A COMMITMENT TO YOU.
UM, FOR THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, WHICH ERIC CHAIRS, WE WILL HAVE A SPECIFIC TIMELINE AND SPECIFIC STEPS AS THE CHAIR IS SPEAKING TO.
THAT'S WHAT WE CAN COMMIT TO YOU TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT TIME ON IT IS OR EXACTLY WHAT THOSE SPECIFIC STEPS ARE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ALL WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S THE PATH, SO WE CAN COMMIT TO HAVE THAT AT OUR OPERATIONS 14TH, SEPTEMBER 14TH.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, PERHAPS BEFORE THAT, CAUSE I KNOW THAT THAT, UH, PRESIDENT WATKINS IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOU GUYS, SO AT LEAST BY THEN.
BUT, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THIS IN A WAY THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE AND WE'RE ABLE TO BUILD A PILOT THAT IS ACTIONABLE, UH, AND, AND TO PROMISE ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE DISINGENUOUS.
AND, AND WE DON'T PLAN TO DO THAT AND MEETS FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE, WE'VE HEARD EVERYONE ON THAT ISSUE AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE NEXT
[III. Advisory Committee Updates:]
TO OUR BOARD ADVISORY UPDATES.UH, MS. PARA, UM, ARE YOU HERE TO INTRODUCE THE REPORTS JUST SO I UNDERSTAND, WE'LL GET YOU TO GET YOU THERE.
IF, IF THERE'S ANY CONVERSATION, COULD WE CARRY THE CONVERSATION OUTSIDE PLEASE SO THAT WE CAN CONDUCT THE REST OF THE MEETING?
[01:40:01]
ALRIGHT.UM, MS. POWER, COULD YOU, COULD YOU, UM, AGAIN WITH YOUR REPORT, LET'S SEE, GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, CHAIRMAN TREVELYAN VICE-CHAIR KITCHEN, UH, CEO, UH, OF WATKINS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS EDNA PARRA AND I'M THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER FOR CAP METRO, AND ALSO THE STAFF LIAISON FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU, UH, THE AUGUST UPDATE FOR ALL, UM, THREE COMMITTEES.
I'M ALSO HERE WITH, UH, CHAIR HUNT AND CHAIR PAUL POWELL, TO HELP ME WITH ACCESS AND P SAC.
I'LL DO A HIGH LEVEL, A DEBRIEF, AND THEN I'LL PASS IT ONTO THE CHAIRS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HANGING IN THERE WITH US AND APPRECIATE YOU GUYS BEING HERE TODAY.
THEY MET ON AUGUST 3RD AND 10TH, UM, THIS MONTH AND THEY HAD AN UPDATE ON THE STAFF FROM, UM, OPERATIONS BY ANDY
UM, SO WE GOT A LOT OF APPLICATIONS THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING.
WE ALSO DID SOME NOMINATIONS AND WE SHOULD HAVE TWO APPOINTED BY NEXT MONTH.
UM, AND THEN WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THE LAST ONE, UM, FOR C SAC, UH, THAT IS IT.
UM, WE HAD AN UPDATE FROM MR. ERIC ROBBINS.
UM, HE WENT OVER, UH, THE TRANSIT POLICE FORMATION AND ALL THE STEPS THAT'S GONE.
UM, WITH THAT, WE ALSO HAVE, UM, A MEET AND GREET SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER.
UM, THAT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS, BUT WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE'D BE DOING ON THE OFF MONTHS WHEN P SAC DOESN'T MEET.
UM, AND I DID A FERS PROGRAM UPDATE ON THE AMP AND, UM, FAIR CAPPING AND AGRA FAIR PROGRAM TO THE GROUP.
UM, THAT IS ALL I HAVE THIS AFTERNOON.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PASS IT ON TO, UM, CHAIR HUNT FIRST AND THEN, UH, CHAIR PAUL POWELL, BUT IN THE, EVERYBODY THEY HAVE TO DO FEELS LIKE EATING.
DOESN'T IT? UM, I HOPE YOU ALL CAN HEAR ME.
WELL, UM, I DON'T KNOW ALL OF YOUR NAMES.
SO JUST, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND OF COURSE STAFF THAT WE WORK WITH ALL THE TIME.
I REALLY APPRECIATE BEING HERE.
UM, THE KEY POINT THAT CAME OUT OF THE BUDGET IS, UM, ONE OF OUR MEMBERS ASKED THERE WAS A CERTAIN FIGURE OF AMOUNT SPENT FOR OPERATIONS AND, UM, THEY EXPLAINED THE, UH, THEY EXPLAINED TO US BASICALLY THAT A LOT OF THE SERVICES THAT METRO PROVIDES ARE ATTRACTED OUT.
AND THAT WAS, THAT WAS UNDERSTOOD.
UM, WE RECEIVED OUR UPGRADE FROM
UM, WE ARE BASICALLY, UH, ENCOURAGED THAT, UH, SOME OF THE DELAYS ARE GETTING RESOLVED.
I HAVEN'T SEEN AS MANY DELAYS.
I DID SEE A VEHICLE SHORTAGE THIS MORNING, EVEN THOUGH, UH, THERE WAS, THE MECHANICS HAD GONE AROUND THAT BASICALLY TURNED THE CORNER.
UM, BUT I DID HEAR WHEN THIS MORNING THAT SOME ROUTE THAT THEY HAD SOME VEHICLES SHORTAGES, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.
UM, I KEEP TRACK OF THE UPDATES, THE, THE METRO, UM, THE HABIT THAT LIKE AT THE ALERTS WHENEVER SOMETHING'S RUNNING LATE.
UM, ALSO, UM, WE GOT, UM, AN UPDATE ON SERVICE CHANGES, WHICH WAS PRETTY NORMAL.
UM, NORMALLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THEY'RE TURNING ON SOME OF THE ALL SERVICES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS IS QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NIGHT OWL.
SHE LIKES TO USE METRO ACCESS, VIDAL, THAT KIND OF STUFF.
UM, AND WE RECEIVED, UH, AN UPDATE FROM, FROM MARK CREEPY ABOUT, UM, TRANSPORTATION, UH, ABOUT, UH, HOW, UH, METRO ACCESS WORKS WITH, UM, THE FIXED ROUTE SERVICES.
WE DID THAT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THAT I'M, I'M CONFUSED, I'M CONFUSED.
IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RULES, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THE METRO ACCESS AND FIXED ROUTE OR, OR COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES.
UM, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I HAD A CHANCE TO GET OUT AND DO SOME TRAVEL THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND I REALLY ENJOYED USING THE METRO APP.
UM, ESPECIALLY THE NEXT ARCHER INFORMATION.
UM, AND ALSO ANOTHER THING IS WE'VE BEEN, WE'VE HEARD UPDATES ABOUT THE, UH, JENSEN PARLIAMENT FUND, BUT SITTING HERE WAITING AND LISTENING TO THE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION TODAY.
UM, I THINK THE ACCESS COMMITTEE REALLY NEEDS UPDATES ON THE TIMELINES AS WELL.
[01:45:01]
AND I BELIEVE THAT METRO ACCESS WILL SUPPORT, UH, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY GET A CHANCE TO MAKE A MOTION, BUT I BELIEVE THEY'LL PROBABLY SUPPORT, UH, THE PLAN THAT METRO COMES FORWARD WITH.SO ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL MY UPDATES.
CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? YES.
SO THIS IS MY FIRST BOARD MEETING UPDATE AND, UM, YOU KNOW, GRATEFUL AND HONORED TO BE HERE, UH, WITH THE, ALL THE CAP METRO BOARD, I'LL GIVE A, A SPECIFIC NOTE OF GRATITUDE TOWARDS A COUNCIL MEMBER BOARD MEMBER, LESLIE POOL, UM, WHOSE OFFICE HAS BEEN FANTASTIC AND WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPOINTING ME TO THIS, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHERE I WAS ELECTED TO BE THE CHAIR.
SO, UM, THANK YOU CUSTOMER POOL FOR YOUR STAFF AND THAT THEY'RE WORKING THE ENGAGEMENT HERE FOR THE RECORD, UH, IF YOU'LL STATE YOUR NAME SO THAT IT WILL BE IN THE PUBLIC RECORD.
UM, I'LL GIVE MY NAME AND A LITTLE BIT OF MY BACKGROUND TOO.
UM, SO MY NAME'S ADAM POWELL, UH, I SAID, I'M THE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND REALLY COMING FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE AUSTIN AREA, LEANDRA AND SPECIFIC AND SAW A LOT OF THE WAYS IN WHICH CAT MITZVAH REALLY TRANSFORMED THE TRAJECTORY OF THAT CITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO AUSTIN.
UM, AND SO IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW, REALLY SINCE I WAS LIKE NINE OR SO MONTHS AGO WHEN WE STARTED UP THIS COMMITTEE, UM, WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON A LEVEL A NEW COMMITTEE DOES, WHICH IS A LOT OF CONTEXT BUILDING.
UM, A LOT OF UNDERSTANDING OF NOT JUST OUR SCOPE, BUT ALSO THE BACKDROP OF CAP METRO AND WHERE WE FIT INTO THE KIND OF WHERE OUR PUZZLE PIECE FITS INTO THE SYSTEM.
UM, AND THEN IN ADDITION TO WHAT EDNA SHARES, I THINK SHE COVERED THE AGENDA THAT WE COVERED LAST TIME, REALLY WELL.
WE'VE INCREASED OUR PACE NOW TO EVERY OTHER MONTH INSTEAD OF OUR ORIGINAL QUARTERLY PACE.
AND THEN EVERY OTHER MONTH, PACE IS GOING TO BE BETTER NOW THAT WE HAVE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR ERIC ROBBINS HIRED, UM, HE'S GIVING US MORE SPECIFIC, TANGIBLE UPDATES ABOUT THE TRAJECTORY OF THE FORMATION OF TRANSIT POLICE.
AND, UH, THERE'S JUST A LOT MORE FOR US TO KIND OF SINK OUR TEETH INTO NOW ARE A LOT OF THAT EARLY CONTEXT BUILDING HAS BEEN DONE.
SO LAST NIGHT THAT ADD ON IS, UH, THROUGHOUT THIS TIME ON THE COMMITTEE, WE'VE GOTTEN SOME REALLY FANTASTIC UPDATES ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AMBASSADORS AND COMMUNITY INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS.
UM, AND IT IS CERTAINLY MY PERSONAL THOUGHT.
AND I THINK I THOUGHT THAT SHARED, UM, THROUGHOUT THE COMMITTEE THAT THESE ARE WONDERFUL PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO ISSUES THAT WERE COVERED IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT AROUND OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT SOLUTIONS ORIENTED WAYS TO, UH, YOU KNOW, USE KIND OF THE ACCESS, THE CAP METRO HAS TO THAT POPULATION TO DO SOME REALLY POSITIVE, GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHIEF ROBBINS, WE'RE LOOKING TO KIND OF HAVE THAT BE A BIT OF A FOUNDATION GROUNDWORK THAT WE'RE BUILDING OFF OF ON THIS SUBJECT.
UM, SO A LITTLE BIT OF A LONG-WINDED INTRO, BUT WANTED TO GIVE YOU ALL THAT, UH, CONTEXT ON WHERE WE'VE BEEN, UM, AND LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, KEEPING THE ENGAGEMENT GOING AND, UH, COLLABORATION WITH EDNA AND PETER HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL LIAISON, SOME CAP METRO.
AND LET ME KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS HEARING NONE AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE NEED TO DO IN THIS AREA.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT MONTH AS ALWAYS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATIONS.
[IV. Board Committee Updates:]
INTO OUR REGULAR BOARD, UH, COMMITTEE UPDATES, UH, CHAIR STRATTON.WOULD YOU LIKE TO START WITH OPERATIONS AND PLANNING? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN OPERATIONS PLANNING AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MET AT, UH, UH, ON MONDAY, AUGUST THE 15TH AFTER OUR, ESPECIALLY CALLED CAP METRO, A BOARD MEETING.
UH, WE HAD, UH, EIGHT ACTION ITEMS AFTER WE DISPENSE WITH APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES THAT LEFT US WITH SEVEN ITEMS. AND OF THOSE, YOU WILL FIND ALL OF THEM ON OUR AGENDA TODAY.
TWO OF WHICH ARE ON OUR, UM, ACTION ITEMS, AGENDA, AND THE OTHER, UH, WHAT I SAY THAT THE OTHER FIVE ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WELL.
UH, HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME, RIGHT? ANY QUESTIONS BOARD MEMBERS, ALL RIGHT.
UH, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE, WE WILL THANK YOU.
AND WE'LL GO TO OUR FINANCE AUDIT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE UPDATE.
AND I THINK I HAVE THAT REPORT.
UH, I CHAIRED, UM, WHEN, UM, BOARD MEMBER COOPER WAS UNFORTUNATELY NOT ABLE TO JOIN US.
SO WE ALSO MET ON MONDAY, AUGUST 15, UH, IN THE MORNING, UH, THREE OF THE FOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE PRESENT THAT WAS, UM, UH, BOARD MEMBERS, ROSS AND HARRISON POOL.
UM, WE HAD THREE ITEMS THAT, UH, ACTION ITEMS THAT WERE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
ONE APPEARS ON OUR AGENDA ITEM, UH, AS, UH, LET'S SEE, AS AN ACTION ITEM AND IT'S NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS THE DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY.
AND I THINK THERE'S A STAFF PRESENTATION ON THAT.
AND THEN THE OTHER TWO, UH, WERE BOTH ADDED TO THE CONSENTED AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM
[01:50:01]
SIX ON OUR AGENDA.IT'S THE EMPLOYEE TRANSIT PASSES EXTENSION OF THE ILA WITH TRAVIS COUNTY THAT'S ITEM SIX AND, UM, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OUR, UH, PRESIDENT AND CEO TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS FOR BRIGHT HORIZONS, FAMILY SOLUTIONS OF NEW WE'LL FIND THAT AS ITEM SEVEN ON THE AGENDA, WE HAD FOUR PRESENTATIONS AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK PRESENTATION BY PFM.
UH, WE HEARD ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE AND BARGAINING PENSION PLAN, VALUATION UPDATES.
WE HAD A PROPOSED BUDGET UPDATE FOR FISCAL 23 AND LAST, UM, AND NOT LEAST INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN STATUS BY OUR INTERNAL AUDITOR.
WE COMPLETED OUR WORK JUST AFTER 11:00 AM.
OKAY, MR. CHAIR, IF I MAY REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS, I REALIZED I FORGOT SOMETHING.
LET ME DO ONE THING AND CLOSE THIS ONE DOWN JUST BY THANKING BOARD MEMBER POOL, UH, FOR HER WILLINGNESS TO, UH, TO ATTEND AND, AND, UH, CHAIR THE MEETING BECAUSE, UM, UM, BOARD MEMBER COOPER, UH, WAS ATTENDING THE FAMILY BUSINESS AND WE WON, UH, WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, THAT, UM, WE APPRECIATE THE SERVICE THAT YOU PROVIDE, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO PROVIDE OUR CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER.
MY APOLOGIES, MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE ACTUALLY THREE ITEM THREE ACTION ITEMS THAT YOU WILL FIND TODAY ON THE AGENDA THAT WE APPROVED TO BRING TO THE AGENDA.
THE REST WERE ALL ON THE, UH, UH, CONSENSUS.
I SAID, ACTION ITEMS. NUMBER TWO, ACTION ITEM, UH, NUMBER, UH, NUMBER FOUR, AND ACTION ITEM NUMBER FIVE WERE ALL CONSIDERED AND PASSED TO THE, UH, ACTION ITEM AGENDA FROM OUR COMMITTEE, UH, OPERATIONS PLANNING AND SAFETY COMMITTEE ALSO HEARD, UH, SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS, UH, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST OF WHICH I APPRECIATE.
SO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR, FOR US STICKING AROUND FROM THE FAA COMMITTEE FOR THIS WAS AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF PROJECT CONNECT AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ALONG WITH THAT IN ADDITION TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET UPDATE AND THEN THE MONTHLY OPERATIONS UPDATE AS WELL.
WELL, UM, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOU GIVE A THOROUGH REPORT AND ENCOUNTER TODAY.
UM, LET'S SEE, I WILL GIVE THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP UPDATE.
UM, I, THE BOARD MEETING WAS HELD ON AUGUST 24TH AND IT WAS MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THAT BOARD.
UH, WE HEARD REPORTS FROM OUR TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.
UH, WE RECEIVED, UH, PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE, UH, THE BUDGET AND BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS, UH, FROM BRIAN BUCHANAN, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE, THE, UH, PRESENTATION THAT WE WERE GIVEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
UH, OUR TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES EXPRESSED AN INTEREST INTO MAKING SURE THAT WE, UM, THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD AND HAD CLEAR AND SPECIFIC, UH, MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THAT WE MEET REGULARLY AND DEVELOP, UH, SOME TYPE OF STRATEGIC PLAN PLANNING PROCESS AS WE GO FORWARD.
SO THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS WE NEED AND, AND THAT, AND WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE THEM, UM, MORE DIRECT FEEDBACK AS WELL.
WE ALSO RECEIVED A, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FROM, FROM GREG
UH, WE LET'S IN TERMS OF, UH, ACTION ITEMS. WE HAD FOUR, WE APPROVE THE MINUTES, WE APPOINTED A VICE CHAIR, WHICH WILL BE A MAYOR ADLER FOR THE, UH, FOR THE REST OF HIS TERM.
UH, WE IDENTIFIED, UM, WHO WOULD BE SERVING AS A LIAISON TO THE PLANNING, SUSTAINABILITY EQUITY AND DBE, UM, ADVISORY COMMITTEE UNTIL THAT BOARD VACANCY IS FILLED.
THAT'S GOING TO BE, UH, ACM FEE AND DACA.
AND THE BOARD ALSO, UH, WRAPPED UP TWO IMPORTANT DISCUSSION ITEMS. THE FIRST WAS AND UPDATE, UH, FROM, UH, DIANE SEILER ON THE ATP 2023 BUDGET.
AND, UM, AND I THINK THAT, UM, THAT SHE'LL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH MR EASTON TO MAKE SURE, UH, THAT, THAT WE ARE FULLY BRIEFED AND HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT AREA.
AND, AND, UM, IN, IN THAT DISCUSSION, THERE WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, HOW WE WOULD WORK, UH, WHAT FTES OUR FTE EXPANSIONS WOULD LOOK LIKE THE TOTAL NUMBER, WHETHER ANY WOULD BE VACANT
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AND HOW WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT'S NECESSARY AND TO WORK IN COLLABORATION, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUCCESSFUL.AND, UH, LET'S SEE, THEN WE GOT AN UPDATE ON THE 20, 23 AUDIT PLAN AND, UH, AND, AND HAD OUR, THE AUDITOR, UH, TALKED TO US ABOUT JPA COMPLIANCE, COMPLIANCE WITH ATP ISSUES AND ET CETERA.
SO IT WAS A GOOD MEETING AND I THOUGHT WE GOT A LOT DONE.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I MISSED FROM THAT? NO, SIR.
SO, UH, WELL THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR BOARD COMMITTEE UPDATES AND, UM, AND WE'LL GO NOW TO, UM,
[V. Consent Items:]
BOARD CONSENT ITEMS ARE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.IN THIS MONTH, WE HAVE SEVEN ITEMS. I'LL READ EACH OF THESE SEVEN ITEMS, AND IF ANY BOARD MEMBERS WISH TO REMOVE ANY OF THE ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE SAY SO, AND WE'LL MOVE IT TO OUR FULL, UH, ACTION ITEM LIST.
SO I WILL READ FIRST, UH, ITEM NUMBER ONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JULY 25TH, 2022 PUBLIC HEARING AND CAB METRO BOARD MEETING ITEM TWO IS THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, OR THE DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CALDWELL CALDWELL COUNTRY FORD, LLC, TO PURCHASE NINE FORD F FOUR 50 FACILITY MAINTENANCE TRUCKS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,184,366 ITEM NUMBER THREE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CREATIVE BUS SALES, INC.
UTILIZING THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CONTRACT SW 0 7, 9 7 SEAT TO PURCHASE 26 PICKUP VEHICLES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,706,970 FOR THE PURPOSES OF EXPANDING PICKUP SERVICE INTO NEW ZONES.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH TRAMP PEAS SOFTWARE GROUP, INC, UH, TO PROVIDE NEW SOFTWARE AND IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES, TO SUPPORT TWO CAPITAL PROJECTS, UH, O O P S WEB AND RAIL PLANNING AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 250, $2,901.
ITEM NUMBER FIVE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH ETC INSTITUTE TO CONDUCT AN ORIGIN AND DESTINATION SURVEY AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $699,476 ITEM NUMBER SIX APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT ILA WITH TRAVIS COUNTY FOR EMPLOYEE TRANSIT PASSES FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM OCTOBER ONE TO SEPTEMBER 3RD, FROM OCTOBER 1ST, 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023.
AND THAT INCLUDES AN OPTION TO EXTEND THE ILA, UH, FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL 12 MONTH PERIODS.
RIGHT? LET'S SEE AN ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, UH, APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT MODIFICATION WITH BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $448,373 FOR THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2022 TO AUGUST 31ST, 2023.
UM, IT DOES EVERYONE, UH, DOES ANYONE WANT TO PULL ANYTHING OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PUT IT ONTO OUR ACTION ITEMS? AGENDA.
ANYONE WANTED TO PULL AN ITEM? ANYONE PUT ONE TO PULL AN ITEM, HEARING NONE? UH, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION, UH, TO, UH, TO APPROVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
WE'RE A MEMBER POOL GIVES US THE MOTION SECOND.
SO IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT WE APPROVE THE SEVEN ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AGENDA.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION THAT SHOULD, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION
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HEARING NONE? UH, LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE AND APPROVAL.UM, LET IT BE, UH, UH, LET'S SEE.
AND, AND, UH, IS THERE ANYONE THAT IS OPPOSED TO APPROVING THAT MOTION? HEARING NONE.
THE CHAIR WILL MAKE IT UNANIMOUS, UH, THAT APPROVES THE CONSENT AGENDAS ITEMS ONE THROUGH SEVEN.
[VI.1. Approval of a resolution authorizing updates to the Debt Management Policy.]
TO ACTION ITEMS. UM, LET'S SEE, WE WERE POSTED FOR FIVE ACTION ITEMS TODAY.OUR FIRST ITEM, UH, WILL BE TO CONSIDER ACTION ON PROPOSED UPDATES TO THE CAPITAL METRO DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY.
CHAIRMAN CIVILIAN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO WATKINS.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL AND RISK OFFICER HERE AT CAP METRO.
UM, I'M BRINGING FORWARD TODAY, AN UPDATED DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY.
THE LAST TIME WE VISITED THIS POLICY WAS JUNE OF 2012 IN 2017.
OUR BOARD UPDATED THEIR POLICY THAT WE WOULD REVIEW EACH POLICY WITHIN FIVE-YEAR INCREMENTS.
SO WE ARE AT THE TIME LIMIT WHERE WE HAVE TO ADDRESS OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY.
UM, WE HAVE PROVIDED TWO VERSIONS HERE FOR YOU IN YOUR PACKET.
ONE IS A RED LINE DIVERSION WITH ALL OF THE CHANGES.
THE SECOND ONE IS A COMPLETED VERSION.
UM, MAINLY YOU'LL NOTE THAT THE CHANGES HERE, UM, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO LARGE STRATEGIC CHANGES ARE MERELY UPDATES TO OUR WORDMARK TO SOME TITLES FOR ROLES MENTIONED IN SOME WORD CHOICE CHANGES.
AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY, TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICY BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS, UM, AND RECOUP JUST BECAUSE I WAS ABSENT, UH, WE'RE NOT CONTEMPLATING IN THE NEAR TERM, ANY CHANGE TO OUR EXECUTION ON DEBT, CORRECT.
THIS IS JUST A FRESH IN THE POLICY.
SO, UM, I HOPE I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
WE, AS AN AGENCY DO NOT HAVE DEBT.
NOW, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE WOULDN'T TAKE DEBT OPPORTUNISTICALLY IN THE FUTURE, GIVEN FUNDING RATES AND LARGE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE TO FUND.
SO ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF OUR REVIEW SINCE THIS POLICY HAD NOT BEEN VISITED IN 10 YEARS, WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STILL COULD MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY IF WE DID HAVE TO TAKE ON DEBT IN THE FUTURE.
AND SO THERE WERE NO WORDING CHANGES REQUIRED, UM, AT THIS TIME TO THE POLICY.
MY MEMORY IS, AND IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT IN A WHILE THAT WE CAN ONLY BORROW FOR ONE YEAR DURATION OF ONE YEAR.
UH, IT'S VERY SHORT LIVED DEAD.
THE REASONS WE WOULD TAKE ON DEBT FOR EXAMPLE, MIGHT BE FOR A BUS ACQUISITION OR FOR A PROPERTY.
BUT, UM, I, I DON'T KNOW IF IT STIPULATES IN HERE THE LENGTH OF THE DEBT.
UM, IT DOES SAY IN HERE THAT, THAT, OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT LANGUAGE IN HERE AROUND BONDING, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING OUR AGENCY DOES THE ACTUAL ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE LENGTH OF THE DEBT.
UM, VICKY LADY, UM, SHE'D COUNSEL.
UH, THE TERM, THE LENGTH OF THE DEBT IS CAN ONLY BE EXTENDED FOR 12 MONTHS.
SO THAT'S THE EXTENT OF THE, YES, IT'S VERY LIMITING.
AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, UNLESS WE GOT SOME CHANGE TO THAT, I DON'T KNOW HOW, I MEAN, MAYBE WE BORROW FOR A YEAR, BUT THAT'S A CASHFLOW ISSUE MORE THAN A LONG-TERM CAPITAL ISSUE.
SO I JUST WANT TO BE SURE SINCE I'VE MINCED MISSED THE PRIOR EXPLANATION THAT WE WEREN'T CHANGING ANYTHING SUBSTANTIVELY OR CONTEMPLATING LONGER-TERM DEBT, WHICH MAY BE, I KNOW FOR YEARS, WE'VE THOUGHT THAT WE MIGHT NEED TO DO THAT, BUT DIDN'T THINK WE HAD THE INFO THAT THE LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO ACTUALLY DO IT IN A MEANINGFUL FASHION.
SO IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED LONGER TERM THAN WE WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT THIS AGAIN, BUT AT THIS POINT WE DON'T SEE IT.
AND IF I MAY, I BELIEVE THERE'S A STATUTORY LIMITATION ON THAT.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE EASILY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD.
UM, AND THAT'S MY PRIMARY POINT HERE IS THAT IF WE FOUND OURSELVES THINKING IN OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, LONG YEAR PLAN LONG-TERM PLAN, WE MIGHT NEED TO TRY TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE TO GET THAT CLEANED UP.
AND MAYBE IT'S APPROPRIATE TO LOOK AT THAT, BUT ALL RIGHT, THAT WOULD BE AN INDICATION IF THAT WAS SOMETHING WE'D HAVE TO DO LEGAL AND FINANCE WOULD PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER.
WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE TIME PERIOD IN PRIOR LONG-TERM PLANS WHERE WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT NEED DEBT FOR BUS PURCHASES IN PARTICULAR.
SO JUST SOMETHING FOR US TO THINK ABOUT PERHAPS ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND YOU'LL RECALL THE PURCHASE, THE AGREEMENTS TO PURCHASE THAT WE MADE APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO WERE FOR CASH PURCHASES.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, FURTHER DISCUSSION, UH, CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM ACTION.
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ITEM NUMBER ONE.BOARD MEMBER COOPER AND BOARD MEMBER POOL.
UM, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT WE APPROVE.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION HEARING? NONE.
LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.
SAME SIGN, UH, HEARING OPPOSITION I WILL, OR THE BOARD JAIL WILL MAKE IT UNANIMOUS.
[VI.2. Approval of a resolution authorizing the Interim President & CEO, or their designee, to finalize and execute a contract modification with MTM, Inc. (formerly Ride Right, LLC) for operation of the North Demand Response Operation. This resolution is an increase to the total contract amount by $54,984,671 for a total not to exceed amount of $133,658,177.]
UM, LOOKS LIKE WE'LL MOVE INTO ACTION.ITEM NUMBER TWO APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT MODIFICATION WITH MTM INC.
FORMALLY RIDE RIDE, LLC FOR OPERATION OF THE, UH, NORTH DEMAND RESPONSE OPERATION.
THIS RESOLUTION IS AN INCREASE TO THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT BY A F UH, $54,984,671 FOR A TOTAL ON NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF, UH, 8 1 130 $3,658,177.
CHAD, WILL YOU TAKE US INTO THIS CERTAINLY, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, CHAIR TRILLION, PRESIDENT WATKINS, AND THE REST OF THE BOARD.
I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME TODAY.
WE WANTED TO JUST QUICKLY RUN THROUGH THIS IF YOU HAD ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I'M, AGAIN, AS A CHURCH PAVILION MENTIONED, THIS IS FOR THE NORTH BASE, UH, MTM CONTRACT.
UM, AS A REFRESHER, THIS IS THE, UH, FACILITY THAT OPERATES OUR METRO ACCESS.
AND CURRENTLY THEY RUN ALL OF OUR PICKUP SERVICES, UH, FUNDING FOR THE ACTIONS AVAILABLE IN
UM, AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO MENTION THAT WE ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE.
UH, THIS IS A MODIFICATION REALLY JUST TO, UM, DO SOME OTHER MINOR ADJUSTMENTS.
THESE ARE NOT STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENTS.
OUR PRIMARY GOAL HERE IS TO, UM, ADDRESS OPERATOR RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.
WE ARE, UM, I HAVE, WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGE, UM, THROUGH, UH, AND SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE BROUGHT COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BENEFITS.
AND, UM, AND THAT'S WHAT, UH, THIS IS REALLY SURROUNDING.
WE'RE CURRENTLY AROUND 75 VEHICLE OPERATORS SHORT ACROSS ALL OF OUR, UH, DEMAND RESPONSE OPERATIONS.
UM, MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE ARE UP NORTH.
AND WE CURRENTLY LOSE BETWEEN FOUR TO SIX FOLKS ON AVERAGE, AS WE'RE BRINGING PEOPLE IN, WE STILL LOSE LOSE FOLKS.
AND SO, UM, THIS IS REALLY TO STOP THAT AND TO, UM, ADJUST WAGES.
SO THE PRICING IS ESTIMATED BASED ON PENDING MTM AND ATU NEGOTIATIONS.
UH, THE MOST, MOST OF THE COSTS THAT YOU'LL BE SEEING HERE IS REALLY A THREE MAIN ITEMS. AND SO THIS IS, UH, UH, WAGE RATE INCREASES.
THAT'S THE LARGEST ITEM AS WELL AS HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS INCREASES.
SO THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY LIKE THEIR INSURANCE WOULD BE THE SAME AS THE INSURANCE THAT I'VE RECEIVED AND CAP METRO RECEIVES.
AND THEN THIS IS ALSO AN ALIGNMENT OF THE PAID TIME OFF RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS, UM, TO INCREASE THOSE BENEFITS AS WELL.
THE FEW OTHER REMAINING ITEMS ARE TO ACCOUNT FOR AN INCREASE IN FUTURE PICK-UP SERVICES, AS WELL AS INCREASED VEHICLE LEASE COSTS AT THIS FACILITY, WE LEASE OUR VEHICLES CURRENTLY, AS WELL AS, UM, PARKING AND FACILITY LEASE, UH, INCREASES AS WELL.
SO THIS DOES NOT AGAIN INCLUDE ANY STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT.
UM, AND, AND AGAIN, I SHOULD EMPHASIZE, WE ARE HAPPY WITH MTM THEY'RE DOING GREAT JOB.
UM, AND THIS IS HOPEFULLY THE, WHAT THE, THE GOAL WILL BE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.
UM, AND SO I WOULD GLADLY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME, BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD, MR. CHAIR, AS YOU MAY RECALL AT THE, UH, UH, OPS MEETING, WE HAD A PASSES, UH, ITEM ONTO THE, UH, ACTION AGENDA ITEM FOR TODAY, BUT IT REQUESTED THAT THIS ALSO POTENTIALLY BE PUT ONTO A, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION.
UH, I HAD SINCE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH, UH, PRESIDENT CEO WALK-INS ABOUT THIS ITEM, UH, ANY, ANY, UH, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS I HAD, I BELIEVE PERSONALLY WERE ADDRESSED OFFLINE, BUT I DID WANT TO LET THE REST OF THE BOARD KNOW THAT REMIND THE BOARD THAT THAT WAS WHAT WE HAD INSTRUCTED AS WE WERE BRINGING IT ON.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF, IF THERE WAS STILL A DESIRE BY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE OPS COMMITTEE TO TAKE THIS ON.
AND I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN POSTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT, UH, CONTRACTUAL ITEMS. I DON'T KNOW IF WE WERE PLANNING STILL TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT I'M JUST WANTING TO REMIND EVERYBODY OF WHAT ACTION WAS TAKEN AT OPS MEETING AT THAT TIME RELATED TO THIS ITEM.
THE FIRST, UH, MIKE I SAW WAS A BOARD MEMBER COOPER,
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BUT LET'S ASK OUR, UM, OUR GENERAL COUNSEL IS THERE, IS THERE, UH, SOMETHING THAT IF THERE IS UNREADINESS AND WE DO WANT TO TALK IT ON, TALK ABOUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE CAN PULL IT UP, RIGHT.UH, CORRECT IT SINCE IT'S BEEN A POSTED ITEM, THAT'S A, HERE IS ACTION ITEM TWO ON THE AGENDA, A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONTRACT CAN BE HELD SPECIFICALLY IF IT'S FOR LEGAL ADVICE.
UM, THE CONTRACTUAL TERMS THAT ARE PUBLIC ARE HERE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IN PUBLIC, WE HAVE TO DISCUSS SOME OF THOSE THINGS HERE PROBABLY, BUT ANY CONCERNS THAT THAT MIGHT RELATE TO LEGAL ADVICE YES.
SO IF WE DO HAVE ANY LEGAL CONCERNS, WE WILL PULL IT OFF THE AGENDA FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION BOARD MEMBER COOPER DID.
I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERFERE WITH IT.
I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERFERE WITH ANY FOLLOWUP ON SHERIFF'S STRATTON'S CONVERSATION AT A SEPARATE ITEM, BUT I'M READY TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT IF YOU LIKE WITH HIM.
UH, YEAH, I, UM, I'M READY TO GO FORWARD TO, I, I WILL HAVE LEGAL QUESTIONS AT SOME POINT TO ASK ABOUT, UM, OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR SUBCONTRACTORS, BUT NOT AS IT RELATES TO THIS SPECIFIC ITEM.
I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AT SOME POINT ABOUT, ABOUT, UM, THE ROLE THAT WE PLAY VERSUS OUR SUBCONTRACT.
SO YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN PULLING IT OFF TO A BOARD MEMBER GROUP.
WE DID I MISS A QUESTION THAT YOU WERE GOING TO ASK? I HAVE AN UNRELATED QUESTION FOR PLEASE GO AHEAD.
CHAD, I GOT A LITTLE CONFUSED IN THE DOCUMENTS ABOUT HOW MUCH, UH, INCREMENTAL COST THERE IS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAT THERE IS A PARAGRAPH THAT SAYS, UM, IF THE $55 MILLION TWO YEAR OPTION PERIOD IS AN APPROXIMATE $20.5 MILLION INCREASE OVER FISCAL YEAR 22 CURRENT CONTRACT PRICING, AND THEN IT ITEMIZES VARIOUS ITEMS, BUT THE 55 MILLION, AS I UNDERSTAND IT IS INCREMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
SO I'M UNCLEAR AS TO WHAT THE INCREMENT FOR ONE YEAR FOR CURRENT PRICING WOULD BE.
AND IN OTHER WORDS, HOW MUCH ARE WE RAISING OUR ANNUAL COSTS? YEAH.
SO LET ME TAKE A, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
UH, SO OUR ANNUAL COSTS, THIS DOES SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE IT.
SO THAT IS, UM, YEAH, SO THIS WOULD BE A $20 MILLION INCREASE OVER OUR F 22 COSTS, WHICH I GATHER IF YOU 20 OR 30 MILLION W WHAT'S OUR ANNUAL COST AND PROPORTIONATELY, HOW MUCH ARE WE INCREASING OUR COSTS? SO WE ARE INCREASING OUR COST 20, ROUGHLY MORE THAN 20 MILLION PER YEAR ON THIS CONTRACT.
UM, WAS THAT 40%? IT IS NOT QUITE 40, I DON'T BELIEVE, BUT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.
AND MOST OF THAT IS THE WAGES AND THE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS.
THOSE ARE IN THE TEENS OF MILLIONS ON NEED TO, IF, IF I MAY JUST AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THESE, UM, CHANGES WERE KNOWN TO BE IN THE WORKS WHEN WE PREPARED THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 23.
AND SO THESE COSTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED A BUDGET DOCUMENT THAT IS, UM, IT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE BOARD, BUT IT'S A 30% 40% INCREASE IN PICK UP AND WELL, AND THERE'S A COST OF GROWING THE SERVICE, WHICH I UNDERSTAND AS WELL.
WHAT I'M ULTIMATELY TRYING TO GET TO IS THERE WAS A, A NOTE IN OUR BOARD PACKET THAT THE COST OF A METRO ACCESS PICKUP HAD GONE FROM 50, WHERE IT HAD BEEN FOR A PRETTY GOOD WHILE TO $60.
AND I'M GUESSING THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A INCREMENTAL COST FOR OUR METRO ACCESS PICKUP AND FOR OUR PICKUP SERVICE AS WELL.
SO I WAS CURIOUS WHAT THE DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS OF THIS, OF THIS CHANGE.
AND I UNDERSTAND WE ARE WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF NEEDING ADDITIONAL DRIVERS, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT THE COST OF OUR SERVICES GOING TO, WHAT THE IMPACT OF THE COST OF OUR SERVICE WILL BE.
SO AS THIS WILL ALSO BE AN INCREASE IN SERVICE, AS WELL AS YOU KNOW, NOT THE SAME AMOUNT OF SERVICES IN 2022, BUT I HAD THIS.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT 17 MILLION OF THAT.
20 IS REALLY WRAPPED UP IN WAGES AND BENEFITS AND DOES EXTRA BENEFITS OR, UM, THE TIME OFF PAID TIME OFF.
SO THAT WILL ROLL OUT TO, UM, THE SERVICES THAT WILL INCREASE OUR PER HOUR RATE.
THIS WILL COME MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT OUR COSTS ON OUR SOUTH BASE ARE.
SO OURSELVES, OUR NORTH BASE COSTS PER HOUR
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AND OUR, OUR, UM, STANDING MONTHLY RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN OUR SOUTH BASED OPERATIONS, GENERALLY BASED OFF OF WAGES AND BENEFITS.AND SO THIS IS BRINGING US IN SIMILAR IN LINE WITH THE SOUTH BAY.
SO WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A, QUITE A DISPARITY BETWEEN THE COST OF THOSE TWO CONTRACTS.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHY WE'RE INCREASING THIS ONE.
THESE ARE
UH, ONE IS TO, IS TO TRY TO NORMALIZE THE RATES THAT YOU GET NORTH COMPARED TO THE EMPLOYERS THAT WORK SOUTH.
BUT AT SOME POINT WE ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO START TALKING ABOUT IF, IF THE, IF THE PICKUP ROUTE IS GOING TO BE A SOLUTION TO A 40 FOOT BUS, THAT THAT ONLY GETS TO A CERTAIN PLACES WITHIN AN HOUR OR 45 MINUTES WHEN WE'RE TALKING DEATHS, OR WHEN WE'RE TALKING, UM, UM, OUR ROOM, WE'RE TALKING ON LOYOLA.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ALSO START LOOKING AT NOT JUST, UH, SEVEN TO SEVEN ON MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, BUT PROBABLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET TO, UH, FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING SECOND SHIFT, AND THEN ALSO THINKING ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET TO PEOPLE WHO NEED ACCESS TO THE BUS ON SATURDAYS AND THEN ACCESS TO THE BUS ON SUNDAYS AS WELL.
SO I THINK THE EXPECTATION THAT, THAT, THAT THE COSTS WILL GO UP.
SO, UM, UH, HOPEFULLY DRAMATICALLY, BUT PROBABLY SIGNIFICANTLY, UH, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK TOWARDS.
BUT IF, IF THAT IS THE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF A 40 FOOT BUS IN THE AREA, I THINK THE EXPECTATIONS THAT COSTS WILL INCREASE OUR ARE EXPECTED AND PROBABLY REASONABLE.
WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND DEFINE THEM AND, AND MAKE EVERYONE AWARE AS WE GO FORWARD.
WELL, MAYBE THAT'S ULTIMATELY, UH, UH, THE REQUEST I HAVE IS THAT WE TAKE THIS COST INCREASE AND LET US UNDERSTAND WHAT THE IMPACT THE CURRENT RIDERSHIP LEVELS OR ANTICIPATED RIDERSHIP LEVELS IS.
IF WE'VE SEEN A 20% INCREASE IN THE COST OF, UH, OF, UH, UH, UH, METRO ACCESS RIDE, UH, IT'S COSTING US $120 TO GET SOMEBODY TO THE DOCTOR AND BACK, OR TO THEIR JOB AND BACK ON A DAILY BASIS.
AND THEN I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN THE COST PER RIDE ON THE PICKUP ACROSS THE SYSTEM, BUT THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING IN TERMS OF OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OUR THOUGHTS AROUND WAYS THAT WE CAN MITIGATE PERHAPS THE COST OF METRO ACCESS BY CONVERTING IT, IF IT'S CHEAPER TO PICK UP SERVICE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT THERE'S A PRETTY NOTABLE INCREASE IN COST AND AN EXPANSION OF SERVICE.
AND SO I'M JUST TRYING TO FAIR IT DOWN TO GET WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST US PER RIDE ON BOTH THE PICKUP SERVICE AND THE METRO ACCESS? UM, BECAUSE THAT THAT'S, I MEAN, WE'RE IN A WORLD OF INCREASING COSTS, BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT, WHAT OUR COST OF GOODS SOLD IS WHEN I FORMED THE LIST.
I THINK I SAW, UM, LET'S SEE, ERIC STRATTON, I THINK YOU WERE NEXT TO HER, IS YOUR MIC ON ACCIDENTALLY? YEAH, NOT THIS TIME.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THAT PART OF THE ISSUE HERE IS, IS THAT, UM, MTM OPERATES BOTH FACILITIES.
NOW THEY DIDN'T USE TO MANY YEARS AGO, BUT NOT ONLY ARE WE DEALING WITH DIFFERENT CONTRACTS, WE'RE DEALING WITH DIFFERENT LABOR AGREEMENTS.
SO NORTH OPS HAS ONE LATE MTM MAY NOW BE OPERATING BOTH FACILITIES, BUT THAT, BUT AT ONE POINT IN TIME, THEY WEREN'T WHEN THEY WON THE CONTRACT FOR SOUTH FOR THIS FACILITY THAT WE'RE SITTING ON.
WELL, ACTUALLY IT'S NOT THIS FACILITY, IT'S, UH, THE OTHER LITTLE FACILITY THAT'S DOWN THE ROAD.
I'M POINTING IN THE WRONG DIRECTIONS DOWN THE ROAD OF A PIECE BACK DOWN THERE.
UM, THAT FACILITY HAD A DIFFERENT LATE THE, THE PREDECESSOR CONTRACT OR HAD A DIFFERENT LABOR AGREEMENT OR REACHED WITH THE UNION.
AND THEN WHEN EMPTY, WHEN MTM WON THE CONTRACT, THEY THEREFORE INHERITED THAT LABOR AGREEMENT.
AND SO NOW THAT WE'VE GOT, WE'VE GOT BASICALLY THAN MTM ALREADY IS AT NORTH OPS WITH A DIFFERENT LABOR AGREEMENT WITH THE UNION.
SO NOW WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS BASICALLY, I GUESS WHAT I'M, I'M MAKING SURE I UNDERSTAND IN MY HEAD, WHERE IS
[02:20:01]
TO BRING ABOUT PARODY FOR BASICALLY THEIR OPERATORS, ESSENTIALLY DOING THE SAME JOB, JUST AT TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, BUT NOW UNDER THE SAME UMBRELLA OF THE SAME CONTRACT OR AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, 90% EXACTLY ACCURATE.THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.
THERE ARE BOTH OPERATED BY MTM.
UM, THE, THE PARENT COMPANY IS REALLY JUST A, THEY, THEY AWARDED THOSE CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED AT SEPARATE TIMES.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN TWO DIFFERENT, UM, VENDORS.
SO RIGHT NOW THEY'RE OPERATED BY TWO DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.
THE SOUTH BASED CONTRACT IS THE LEGACY CONTRACT THAT STAR TRAN TURNED INTO.
UM, AND THEN IT WAS CONTRACTED OUT IN 2012.
THE NORTH CONTRACT THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY REALLY STARTED AS AN OVERFLOW CONTRACT.
WELL, EIGHT YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A 10 YEAR CONTRACT, EIGHT YEARS AGO, THAT CONTRACT STARTED OUT AS KIND OF AN OVERFLOW SMALL PIECES OF WORK.
WE HAD NO CONCEPT OF WHAT PICKUP WAS EVEN AT THE TIME.
UM, AND SO WE ALSO THEN, UH, TOOK OVER ANOTHER OVERFLOW PROVIDER THAT SHUT DOWN MID RANGE.
SO IT'S, IT'S SLOWLY GROWN INTO SOMETHING THAT IS MUCH MORE ALIGNED WITH WHAT THE SOUTH BASE IS.
AND THIS IS US TRYING TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE GOT THE SAME BENEFITS, WAGES, WORK RULES AND ALL THOSE THINGS.
SO, SO THIS CONTRACT RIGHT HERE ONLY APPLIES TO MTM OPERATIONS AT NORTH OPS.
SO IS THERE A SECOND CONTRACT THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW? THAT IS THE, THAT, THAT THEY'RE WORKING UNDER AT SOUTH OPS, IT'S A DIFFERENT, ARE THOSE CONTRACTS BOTH SET TO EXPIRE ON THIS TIMEFRAME OF WHAT IS THAT I SAW IN THEIR FYI 25? I THINK IT IS THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
SO THOSE WERE, YEAH, THESE ARE, THIS ONE IS SET TO EXPIRE IN TWO YEARS FROM THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.
UM, THE SOUTH BASED ONE ACTUALLY HAS A LOT MORE ROOM IN IT, BUT THAT IS, UH, WE'RE ALIGNING THAT ONE TO ALSO BE UP FOR POTENTIAL RENEWAL IN TWO YEARS AS WELL, SO THAT THEY ALIGN AT THE SAME TIME.
IT HAS MORE OPTIONS, BUT WHAT WE'LL PROBABLY DO IS BRING IT BACK INTO SOME, A COMBINED CONTRACT DOWN.
THAT'S WHAT I'M KIND OF GETTING AT.
IT'S JUST KIND OF UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LONGTERM, WHAT OUR LONG-TERM PLAN IS.
LOOKING AT THIS, GOING FORWARD TO TRY TO HOPEFULLY ELIMINATE SOME OF THESE DISCREPANCIES AND, UH, MISALIGNMENTS AND TRY TO, TO ECONOMIES OF SCALE GOING FORWARD, CREATE SOME ECONOMIES OF SCALE GOING FORWARD, IN FACT, REDUCE SOME CONFUSION.
SO ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY.
UH, IS IT THE WILL OF THE BODY, UH, TO VOTE ON THIS NOW? OR DO WE NEED TO TALK MORE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? UH, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM.
STRATTON IS, IS THE, UM, MOTION MAKER OF THE MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND NEW BOARD MEMBER GETTING INTO THE GAME? OKAY.
IS THAT HIS FIRST SECOND? PROBABLY.
UM, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT WE APPROVE.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION HEARING? NONE.
LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.
THE BOARD CHAIR WILL MAKE IT UNANIMOUS.
[VI.3. Approval of a resolution authorizing the Interim President & CEO, or their designee, to include additional funding of $3,500,000 in an existing contract with Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. for an in-progress Design-Build project for the McKalla Rail Station for a total contract amount not to exceed $20,133,945.]
ITEM NUMBER THREE ON, I THINK MR. CARTWRIGHT IS GOING TO PRESENT THIS, UH, THIS ONE FOR US APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO, UH, TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF 3 MILLION, $500,000 IN AN EXISTING CONTRACT WITH STACY AND WETBACK, INC.UH, FOR AN IN PROGRESS DESIGN BUILD PROJECT FOR THE MCCALLA, A RAIL STATION FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED $20,133,945.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR TO CIVILIAN BOARD MEMBERS, PRESIDENCY WATKINS, I'M KEN CARBIDE, VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES.
AND THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING THIS ACTION ITEM IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, THE BOARD ORIGINALLY APPROVED A DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT WITH STACY AND WHITBECK FOR THE DESIGN BUILD OF THE RAIL STATION MCCALLA RAIL STATION PLATFORM AREA.
AND I WILL SAY THAT THERE ARE THREE DISTINCT CONTRACTS THAT THE BOARD WILL BE AUTHORIZING AS PART OF THE MCCALLA RAIL STATION, ESSENTIALLY WE'RE PHASING THE WORK SO IT CAN STREAMLINE THE SCHEDULE TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.
THE BOARD APPROVED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED A CONTRACT, UH, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN SOME OF THE SITE WORK THAT WORK IS UNDERWAY CURRENTLY THAN THE BOARD APPROVED THE STACEY AND WHITBECK DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT BACK IN MARCH.
AND THEN IN SEPTEMBER, WE'LL BE PRESENTING YOU WITH A THIRD CONTRACT FOR TRACK AND, UH, RAIL SIGNAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
[02:25:01]
AND FINAL CONTRACT ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PROJECT.AND AGAIN, IT'S SEGMENTED TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, UH, THE PRODUCT WHERE THE PROJECT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, UH, DURING THE COURSE OF THE PLANNING FOR THE PROJECT, WE IDENTIFIED THAT THERE IS A 7, 8, 1700 LINEAL FOOT SECTION OF TRACK THAT WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO MOVE FROM THE THIRD CONTRACT TO THE SECOND ONE FROM THE ONE THAT YOU WILL BE CONTEMPLATING IN SEPTEMBER TO THE STACEY AND WOODBURY.
AND THAT WILL BE TO FACILITATE A RAIL TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLATFORM, WHICH WILL, UH, PROCEED SOME OF THE, UH, WORK THAT YOU WILL BE, UH, HOPEFULLY AUTHORIZING IN THE, WITH THE SEPTEMBER CONTRACT.
AND SO WE HAVE WORKED WITH THAT CONTRACT CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE THAT SCOPE FROM THE THIRD CONTRACT THAT YOU'LL CONTEMPLATE INTO THE SECOND ONE WITH STACY AND WETBACK IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE, UH, MINIMIZE DISRUPTION TO OUR COMMUTER AND FREIGHT RAIL SERVICE, UH, WHILE WE ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
SO WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU AUTHORIZE THAT ADDITIONAL 3.5 MILLION IN ORDER TO MOVE THAT SCOPE FROM THE THIRD CONTRACT TO THIS SECOND CONTRACT, IF YOU WILL.
AND SO THERE ARE A FEW RETAINING WALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, BUT ESSENTIALLY IT'S TRACK WORK THAT WE'LL BE CONSTRUCTING, UH, FOR CONTINUITY OF SERVICE.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS ITEM, BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS, ANY QUESTIONS I'LL SEE.
SO, SO BASICALLY, UH, CAN THE, THE, THE PROJECT STILL ESTIMATED OUT OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET TO COST THE COST THE SAME PLUS THE POTENTIAL OVERAGES, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND WHEN YOU'RE YOU GET AROUND IT, WHEN YOU'RE DIGGING AROUND OVER THERE AND THAT SPACE OR WHATEVER.
UM, WE ALWAYS HAVE THOSE POTENTIAL, YOU KNOW, THAT THE, THE, UM, CONTINGENCY FEES ARE ALWAYS BUILT INTO THAT, BUT BASICALLY YOU'RE JUST SHIFTING THE COST FROM ONE CONTRACT DOOR TO THE OTHER.
SO BY MOVING THIS NOW INTO THIS, WE HAVE TO APPROVE THIS INTO THIS CONTRACT, BUT THIS MEANS WHEN YOU BRING THE THIRD PIECE TO US IN SEPTEMBER, IT'LL BE LESS THAN YOU ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED, BUT THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT IS NOT GOING UP.
THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.
THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO GET CLARIFIED.
IF, IF NOT, UM, CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO, UM, TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER THREE.
BOARD MEMBERS STRATTON, IS THERE A SECOND BOARD MEMBER KITCHEN IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT, THAT, UH, ITEM NUMBER THREE, UH, BE APPROVED, UH, ALL IN FAVOR AND LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN HEARING.
THE CHAIR WILL MAKE IT UNANIMOUS.
UM, MR. CARVER, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT YOU FOR, FOR ONE MORE ITEM.
LET ME, LET ME READ IT OUT APPROVAL
[VI.4. Approval of a resolution authorizing the Interim President & CEO, or their designee, to finalize and execute contracts with EEA Consulting Engineers, Jackson & McElhaney Architects, McKinney Architects Inc., MWM Design Group, and Stantec Architecture Inc. for Architecture and Engineering services for a two (2) year base period and three (3) option years on a task order basis in an aggregate amount not to exceed $24,000,000.]
OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE CONTRACTS WITH EEA CONSULTING, ENGINEERS, JACKSON AND MCELHANEY AND ARCHITECTS, MCKINNEY ARCHITECTS, INC MWM DESIGN GROUP AND STANTEC ARCHITECTURE, INC FOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR YEAR BASE PERIOD, AND THREE OPTION YEARS ON A TASK ORDER BASIS AND AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $24 MILLION.UH, TERRITORY REBELLION AGAIN.
IN, IF YOU RECALL IN JULY, JUST LAST MONTH, THE BOARD APPROVED A GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING CONTRACTS.
THESE CONTRACTS ARE THE PARTNER TO THOSE CONTRACTS.
SO WHILE THOSE SERVICES FOCUSED ON ENGINEERING, THESE SERVICES ACTUALLY FOCUSED ON ARCHITECTURE.
SO THESE ARE THE SERVICES THAT WE KEEP UNDER CONTRACT AND UTILIZE FOR, UH, DESIGN OF NEW FACILITIES, AS WELL AS MODIFICATION TO EXISTING FACILITIES.
OUR CURRENT TASK ORDER CONTRACTS ARE ABOUT TO EXPIRE.
SO WE'VE INTERVIEWED A SERIES OF FIRMS IN ORDER TO RE-ESTABLISH THESE CONTRACTS AND THESE FIRMS WERE REVIEWED AND EVALUATED BY THE EVALUATION TEAM AND RECOMMENDED THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY SKILLS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.
THE, A, THERE WAS A 12% DBE GOAL ESTABLISHED FOR THESE CONTRACTS AND ALL OF THESE FIRMS MEET OR EXCEED THAT DBE GOAL.
AND I DO WANT TO, UH, UH, REITERATE, UH, JUST AS WITH THE GEC CONTRACT GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING CONTRACTS, WE ARE NOT COMMITTED TO SPENDING $24 MILLION.
WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND UP TO THAT AMOUNT.
AND THE AMOUNTS THAT WE SPEND ON OUR PROJECTS ARE BUDGETED IN THOSE INDIVIDUAL CAPITAL PROJECTS AND NOT SEPARATELY.
BUT WITH THAT, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
YOU MAY HAVE BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS, THIRD TIME FOR
[02:30:01]
POSTERITY OR BOARD MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT.HEARING NONE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
IS THERE A SECOND IN THE HOUSE? ANYWAY.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT WE APPROVE.
ACTION ON ACTION ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION HEARING NONE.
UH, PLEASE LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE FOR APPROVAL OPPOSED.
THE CHAIR WILL MAKE IT UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
[VI.5. Approval of a resolution authorizing the Interim President & CEO, or their designee, to finalize and execute a contract with ADS System Safety Consulting, LLC for safety and security certification consulting services for CapMetro’s Project Connect and other major capital projects for a base period of three (3) years with seven (7) one-year options in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000]
WE'RE LOOKING AT ACTION ITEM NUMBER FIVE, AND I THINK MR. T-BONE WILL, WILL PRESENT THAT FOR US.LET ME READ IT, UH, APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO FINALIZE AN EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH ADSL SYSTEM SAFETY CONSULTING, LLC, FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CAP METROS, PROJECT CONNECT AND OTHER MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR A BASE PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WITH SEVEN ONE YEAR OPTIONS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10 MILLION.
MR. TIPPER, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN TREVELYAN BOARD MEMBERS AND INTERIM PRESIDENT CEO OF WALK-INS.
MY NAME IS GARDNER TAYVON AND I SERVE AS CAPITOL METRO'S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT SYSTEM WIDE ACCESSIBILITY.
SO SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION, UM, IS A FTA REQUIREMENT FOR MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH A TOTAL OF A TOTAL COST OF 300 MILLION OR MORE WITH A FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $100 MILLION OR MORE.
THE SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION, UH, PROCESS WILL VERIFY THAT THE DESIGN CONSTRUCTION, FABRICATION, INSTALLATION TESTING, AND COMMISSIONING OF ALL CRITICAL ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN EVALUATED FOR CONFORMANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL SAFETY AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS, AND THAT THEY ARE READY FOR OPERATIONAL USE WHERE APPROPRIATE THE FIRM AND SHELL ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT PROCESS ABIDES WITH THE FDA HANDBOOK FOR TRANSIT SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION.
ADDITIONALLY, AS A PART OF THE SAFETY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS, THE F R A THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, UH, REQUIRES AGENCIES WITH COMMUTER RAIL, UM, COMMUTER RAILROADS TO CONDUCT SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY CONCERNS AND HAZARDS ARE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED BEFORE THE INITIATION OF OPERATIONS OR MAJOR PROJECTS TO EXTEND REHABILITATE OR MODIFY AN EXISTING SYSTEM OR REPLACE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT PER THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT, OR JPA DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE OF SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION IS A CAP PETRO RESPONSIBILITY.
I'VE GONE BACK OVER HERE, BACK CONCLUDE BACK INCLUDES MY, MY REQUEST.
SO DO YOU HAVE ANYONE OVER HERE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SO I WILL GIVE YOU THE BROOKLYN PRONUNCIATIONS, MR. TAYLOR.
ARE THERE ANY, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR MR. TABIN.
I'M JUST SAYING, UH, AND JUST AS AN ASIDE, WE DO HAVE JOINING WITH US TODAY.
UH, THE CEO, MR.
UH, WE THOUGHT IT VERY IMPORTANT, UH, GIVEN THE, UH, THE BREADTH OF PROJECTS, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE, UH, THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN THAT WILL, WE WILL BE EMBARKED ON THAT THEY WOULD BE PRESENT, AND THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO FLY IN, UM, FROM VERY FAR TO GET HERE TODAY.
SO IF THEY'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO THE BULLETS, I LIKED THEM.
UH, KALIA, WOULD YOU PLEASE? THANK YOU, SIR.
I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ADSL SYSTEM SAFETY.
UH, WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 10 YEARS AND, UM, I JUST LIKE
[02:35:01]
TO SAY THANK YOU FOR CAPITAL METRO FOR CONSIDERING SMALL BUSINESSES, UH, AS PART OF YOUR PROCUREMENT PROCESS OR MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS.AND, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING THE CITIZENS AND PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
UH, IT'S NOT JUST A MAJOR CORPORATIONS THAT WANT TO COME TO AUSTIN AND DO BUSINESS, UH, SMALL AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.
AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING THE CITIZENS HERE AND BRINGING A VERY NICE STATE-OF-THE-ART TRANSIT SYSTEM TO THIS COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TODAY, OR DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM BOARD MEMBERS AND ANY, ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY BOARD? OKAY.
SEEING NONE, A CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
AND, UH, LET'S SEE, UH, LOOKING FOR A SECOND.
ALRIGHT, WELL, REMEMBER, HARRIS HAS BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED THAT WE APPROVE.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, FURTHER DISCUSSION HEARING? NONE.
LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.
THE CHAIR WILL MAKE IT UNANIMOUS.
UM, SO WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON.
WE ONLY HAVE ONE DISCUSSION ITEM, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT BECAUSE OF WORK, COULDN'T BE HERE AND TOLD US THAT HE WOULD ARRIVE LATE.
SO MR. ANTHONY WALKER, WOULD YOU PLEASE ADDRESS THE BOARD THREE MINUTES, SIR? I KNOW YOU BAPTIST NOW THREE MINUTES.
WE'VE GOT TO PUSH THAT MIC, PUSH THAT BUTTON.
DEAR CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS, CAPTAIN METRO, IN TERMS, CEO AND EVERYONE WHO MADE IT OUT HERE TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO KIND OF JUST TALK TO YOU JUST FOR A MINUTE, BECAUSE AT SOME POINT WE GOT TO HAVE A REAL DIALOGUE, A REAL DISCUSSION.
AT SOME POINT, I'M HOPING THAT Y'ALL HAVE A MEETING WHERE YOU CAN MAKE MITCH WALK-INS THE PERMANENT CEO, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT DIRECTION THAT WE GO IN FOR THE NEXT OR 20 YEARS.
WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO'S THE BOSS.
SO IT IS ALL OUR BEST INTEREST WHERE WE DO SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, MS. WALK-INS IS A MATRIARCH.
AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I WANT TO TELL THE BOARD THAT WHEN Y'ALL MADE A PROMISE TO THE VOTERS, THE TAXPAYERS OF BOSTON ON THE PROJECT CONNECT, THEY BUY INTO YOUR, THEY FELL INTO YOUR PROMISE.
YOU WAS ABLE TO SELL IT TO THEM.
NOW WE GOT TO FULFILL THAT PROMISE WITH NO EXCEPTION, NO EXCUSES.
IN FACT, WE STARTED ACCEPTING FUNDS FOR THOSE PROMISES, BUT I DON'T WANT THIS BOARD TO DO WHAT BEEN DONE IN THE PAST WITH PREVIOUS BOARD.
WELL, THEY WAS ABLE TO MAKE PROMISES ON METRO RAIL AND METRO RAIL CAME.
THEY MADE A LOT OF PROMISE THAT IT'S GOING TO START THIS DAY.
AND WHEN THE DAY CAME ALONG, THEY HAD THE COUNCIL.
THEY SAID, THEY'RE GOING TO START ANOTHER DAY.
WHEN THE DAY CAME ALONG, THEY HAD THE COUNCIL.
IN FACT, THEY HAVE TO CANCEL IT SO MANY TIMES THEY HAD THE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY.
AND BY THE TIME THE METRO RAIL EXTRA STARTED, THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE AS FAR AS PUBLIC TRUST.
SO OVER THE PAST, WHEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND KEPT METRO AS A TEAM, WE WORKED TOGETHER WAS TRYING TO GET SOME TYPE OF RAIL THROUGH IT.
DIDN'T GO THROUGH BECAUSE MANY CITIZENS, THEY VOTED, THEY VOTED OUT OF ANGER.
BECAUSE AT THAT TIME, THAT BOARD DIDN'T FULFILL THAT PROMISE.
SO WHEN YOU MAKE A PROMISE ON WINDY PROJECT, CONNECT ON THEM, START AND HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST BE PACIFIC AND BE FAIR.
AT SOME POINT, WHETHER IT'S 5, 10, 15 TO 20 YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE CITIZENS, THE VOTERS, AND MAYBE ASK FOR MORE BOND MONEY, BUT IT'S EASY TO GO TO THEM.
AND WE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS IS THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
WE'RE GOING WITH SOMETHING RATHER THAN GO WITH NOTHING.
SO WE GOT TO KEEP OUR WORD AND KEEP OUR PROMPTS.
SO LET ME GET BACK TO, UH, ANOTHER TOP OF HIS, BECAUSE I, YOU KNOW, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO SUGAR COAT NOTHING.
I'M TRYING TO, NOT NOBODY CRITICIZED NO BETTER OBJECTION ABOUT, I LOVE MY UNION PRESIDENT.
I FIGHT FOR HIM 1%, BUT WHEN Y'ALL WERE TALKING ABOUT CONTRACT, NOW, LISTEN, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CONTRACTS, RAISES BENEFITS, ALL THAT SOUNDS GOOD.
BUT IF YOU AIN'T TALKING ABOUT NO PITCHING THAT CONTRACT, EVERYTHING IS EROTIC BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED MANY OPERATORS RIGHT NOW CAN'T EVEN RETIRE.
AND I KNOW WE DIDN'T TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.
YOU GOT THE 401K, BUT YOU HAVE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
AFTER 20 YEARS OF YOUR 401K, THEY'RE GOING TO TAX YOU 25,000.
NOW YOU GOT 75,000 LIVE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
HOW FAR ARE YOU GOING TO GO WITH THAT? BUT AT LEAST A PITCHING, YOU CAN PUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY.
YOU CAN BETTER ENJOY THE FUNERAL, YOUR LABORS.
SO THEY NOT TALKING ABOUT A PITCHER, A BEST INTEREST OF OUR, ALL OUR FUTURE AND TRYING
[02:40:01]
TO PAVE THE WAY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS RUN OF IT.
SO WE GOT TO HAVE A REAL DISCUSSION AND REAL TOP DOWN LAW, BECAUSE MANY PEOPLES COMING HERE, THEY GIVE ME YOUR, ALL YOUR ALL.
AND RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DOWN THE ROAD, THEY HAVE NO FUTURE.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU'RE PAYING WHERE YOU'RE GETTING BENEFITS, BUT IT'S ABOUT RETIREMENT.
SETTING THEM UP FOR THE FUTURE.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING, AT SOME POINT, I'M HOPING TO CATCH THE METRO IN THE UNION CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE YOUR REAL DIALOGUE ON HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR MANY GENERATIONS TO COME? BECAUSE PROJECT NICK IS COMING.
WE'RE GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB.
I'M LOOKING FOR GREAT THINGS FOR CATHERINE METRO.
BUT IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE, YOUR EARS AND EYES, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BACKBONE, YOUR SOLDIERS ON THE STREET.
WE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED NOW, THEY JUST HERE JUST TO HEAR JUST LIKE WE WORKING FOR AN AGENCY, BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE A TEMP AGENT WITH BENEFIT.
IF YOU CAN'T RETIRE AND SEE ROBIN, I'M NOT TRYING TO KNOCK
AND WHEN I CAME IN, IT WAS MANY PEOPLE THAT FOUGHT WHERE I BETTER RETIRE ONE DAY AND I APPRECIATE THEM.
BUT THE PEOPLE THAT CAME IN AFTER ME, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A FUTURE WHERE THEY'LL BE TO RETIRE ONE DAY.
SO HOW, WHY, WHAT REASON? WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO STICK AROUND IT? THEN WHEN THEY RETIRED WITH THE 401K, THEY GOT TO GO DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS, GO WORK AT WALMART, YOU WORK ALL THESE YEARS UP HERE.
THEY GAVE ME YOUR ALL AND ALL, AND NOW YOU GOT TO GO GET A PART-TIME JOB JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET BECAUSE THEY'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR.
SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A CONTRACTOR, YOU'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE REAL ISSUE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN A DRAWER, THE FUNERAL, THEY LABOR ONE DAY, EVERYTHING YESTERDAY, BROTHER.
I APPRECIATE Y'ALL DO Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME.
[VII.1. Small Cities Update]
GOT ONE DISCUSSION ITEM AND I THINK WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN UPDATE FROM, UH, FROM HIS BUDGET.AND I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT SMALL CITIES.
I'M CAT METRO'S CHIEF OF STAFF.
I'M HERE TODAY THOUGH ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE STAFFING UP IN THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIVISION, AND I AM PINCH HITTING TODAY.
UM, AS YOU ALSO KNOW, THE CITY COUNCILS OF BOTH MAYNOR AND LAGO VISTA VOTED TO PLACE AN ELECTION ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER 8TH, FOR THEIR RESIDENTS TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO CONTINUE AS MEMBERS IN THE CAP, METRO SERVICE AREA.
I KNOW MANY OF YOU FOUND USEFUL A PRESENTATION THAT WE DID IN THE SPRING WHEN THE LANDER RESIDENTS WERE CONSIDERING SOMETHING SIMILAR.
AND SO, UM, WE'RE HERE TODAY TO GIVE YOU JUST A MORE FULL PICTURE OF THE SERVICES WE'RE PROVIDING IN THESE TWO AREAS AND SOME OF THE FINANCIAL, UH, BENEFITS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO MAINER AND LUG OF VISTA.
ALSO LATER THIS AFTERNOON, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, LEGAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ELECTION OR OTHER LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO THIS, WE'D BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THOSE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH YOU.
I'M GOING TO START WITH LAGO VISTA.
WE PROVIDE A FULL GAMUT OF SERVICES IN LAGO VISTA.
WE PROVIDE A FIXED ROUTE SERVICE IN THE TWO 14 PICKUP SERVICE.
WE HAVE RIDESHARE VAN POOL CUSTOMERS IN THE LOG OF ESTATE AREA, AND WE ALSO PROVIDE METRO ACCESS PARATRANSIT.
THE TWO 14 IS KNOWN AS THE NORTHWEST FEEDER.
UH, IT'S PROVIDED BY CARTS FOR US.
I'M GOING TO START ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MAP AND HEAD TO THE RIGHT.
THE ROUTE BEGINS IN LAGO VISTA HAS 13 STEPS STOPS IN LAGO VISTA, INCLUDING CITY HALL.
AND IT STARTS AT OUR PARKING RIDE DOWN HERE AT NUMBER FIVE, WE TRAVEL THROUGH LAVISTA STOP AT THE JONESTOWN PARKING RIGHTS.
SO WE'RE SURFING JONESTOWN WITH THIS ROUTE AS WELL.
AND THEN THAT DOUBLE BLUE LINE IS, IS US TRAVELING THROUGH CEDAR PARK.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY STOPS IN CEDAR PARK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ACC CYPRESS CREEK RIGHT THERE.
AS YOU GET BACK INTO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, UM, WE HAVE AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH ACC TO PROVIDE SERVICE AT THAT STOP INSIDE OF CEDAR PARK TO SERVE THEIR, UH, STUDENTS THAT ARE COMING OUT TO THAT LOCATION.
AND THEN THE ROUTE PROCEEDS INTO LAKELAND.
AND IT IS CALLED A FEEDER ROUTE BECAUSE IT IS MEANT TO PROVIDE A FEEDER INTO THE MAIN SYSTEM.
WE CURRENTLY RUN 16 WESTBOUND AND EAST 18 EASTBOUND TRIPS WEEKDAYS ONLY ON THE TWO 14.
IT IS A LOCAL ROUTE FAIR, AND WE ARE PROVIDED ROUGHLY 5,000 VEHICLE HOURS LAST YEAR AT A COST OF A LITTLE OVER $400,000 RIDERSHIP.
UM, LAGO VISTA SPECIFIC RIDERSHIP THAT IS FOR THOSE STOPS IN THE LOG OF VISTA AREA IN THE MONTH OF JUNE WAS ABOUT FIVE, WAS NOT ABOUT EXACTLY 528 TRIPS.
UM, AS YOU'LL SEE HERE, I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE RIDERSHIP GRAPHS.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS YOU CAN LOOK AT.
IF YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS, THEY'RE USEFUL INFORMATION.
[02:45:01]
THE, ON THE GRAPH, LIKE ALL OF OUR OTHER SERVICES WE WERE DOING WELL UNTIL THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AND THINGS HAVE BEEN LARGELY EVEN SINCE, UM, JULY, AUGUST OF 2020, UM, AT THE END OF THE GRAPH HERE ON THE FAR, RIGHT, YOU'LL SEE, THERE WERE ALMOST 800 TRIPS ON THE TWO 14 TOTAL IN THE MONTH OF JULY.SO 528 OF THE ALMOST 800 TRIPS WERE ORIGINATING OR ENDING IN LAGO VISTA.
WE ALSO PROVIDE PICKUP SERVICE IN LAGUNA VISTA.
WE BEGAN THIS SERVICE IN AUGUST OF 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC.
THIS WAS A SERVICE THAT WE HAD COMMITTED TO THE RESIDENTS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.
AND, UH, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE RESIDENTS OF LAVISTA WERE REQUESTING.
UM, IT OPERATES WEEKDAYS FROM SEVEN TO SEVEN, UH, JUST LIKE ALL OF OUR OTHER PICKUP SERVICES.
THEY, ORANGE SHADING IS THE PICKUP ZONE.
IT IS LONG AND SKINNY BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE RESIDENTS ARE, UH, RIGHT THERE ALONG THE RIVER, WHICH IS WHERE EVERYBODY HOPES TO BE WELL, AS LONG AS THERE'S WATER IN THE RIVER.
UM, IT ALSO HAS A LOCAL FAIR AND RIDERSHIP IN JULY WAS A LITTLE OVER 1100 WRITERS.
WE PROVIDED 4,600 VEHICLE HOURS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350,000.
RIDERSHIP HAS GROWN STEADILY, PARTICULARLY SINCE FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR.
UM, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT ON THE GRAPH HERE AS WELL.
AND IN YOUR PACKETS, WE PROVIDE METRO ACCESS SERVICE IN LAGO VISTA TO EIGHT CLIENTS.
UM, AS WELL, NOT ALL OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR METRO ACCESS SERVICE.
IT IS PROVIDED WITHIN THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE OF THE ROUTE TO 14 BECAUSE IT IS A FIXED ROUTE SERVICE.
UM, THERE ARE EIGHT CLIENTS THAT TOOK, UH, 172 TRIPS OVER A ONE-YEAR PERIOD THAT AMOUNTED TO A LITTLE OVER 200 VEHICLE HOURS AT A, AT A COST OF ABOUT 20 AND A HALF THOUSAND DOLLARS.
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SERVICE WE'RE PROVIDING IN MAINER? I MEAN, IN LAGO VISTA, BEFORE I MOVE ON TO MAINER MY QUESTIONS RELATE TO WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT AND ALSO WHAT THE AGREEMENT IS WITH THEM.
CAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE TWO, WELL, WE HAVE THREE BASIC TYPES OF SERVICE.
AND SO MY QUESTION IS, IS, WELL, ACTUALLY MY QUESTION IS I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR AGREEMENT IS WITH THEM IN THE, THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT YOU HAVE HERE, IS THIS A COST TO, UM, TO LOG A VISTA OR BECAUSE THEY ARE IN OUR SERVICE AREA, THEY JUST CONTRIBUTE THE SALES TAX.
WE DON'T CHARGE THEM A DOLLAR FIGURE.
WE DON'T HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH LUG OF A START REMAINER TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.
UM, HOWEVER, THE COSTS OF THESE SERVICES ARE REFLECTED IN THE BCT PROGRAM, WHICH I'LL SPEAK TO AT THE END.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO, I WANT TO GET TO THE FINANCES HERE, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT AT THE END, THAT'S FINE.
I MEAN IN MANNER, GOSH, Y'ALL, IT'S LATE IN THE DAY, UH, IN MAYNOR WE PROVIDE THE ROUTE NINE 90, THIS IS EXPRESS SERVICE AND WE HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL PICKUP ZONE IN MAYNOR.
AS I MENTIONED, THE NINE 90 IS EXPRESS SERVICE ON THIS MAP, I'M GOING TO START ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE.
THIS ALSO IS SERVICE PROVIDED BY CARTS.
THERE IS A PARKING RIGHT IN ELGON THAT CARTS PROVIDE SERVICE FROM CARTS, PAYS FOR THE SERVICE FROM ELGON TO TEMANER, TO OUR MAINER PARK AND RIDE.
AND THEN WE PAY FOR THE SERVICE FROM THE MAINER PARKING RIGHT INTO DOWNTOWN.
WE'RE CURRENTLY PROVIDING TWO WESTBOUND AND TWO EASTBOUND TRIPS DURING THE PEAK, UM, BECAUSE THIS IS PURE EXPRESS SERVICE AND IN JULY RIDERSHIP FOR THE ENTIRETY OF, IT WAS, UH, JUST OVER 700 TRIPS.
UM, THE VEHICLE HOURS THAT WE ARE PAYING FOR IN OUR AGREEMENT WITH CARTS IS JUST SHY OF 3000 VEHICLE HOURS AT A COST OF $240,000 A YEAR.
I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND ANY TIME IN THIS.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO LOOK AT IT AND ASK QUESTIONS THOUGH.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW, WAS THAT UPDATED FROM WHEN THIS WAS PUBLISHED ONLINE? I'M SORRY.
I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH, WE WERE ABLE TO UPDATE OUR NUMBERS OVER THE WEEKEND WITH, UH, INFORMATION FROM THE PRIOR MONTH AND MADE SOME CORRECTIONS TO THE PRESENTATION AS WELL.
UNLIKE THE ONE, UNLIKE THE LAGO NUMBERS IS THAT JUNE 22 RIDERSHIP, WHEN YOU SAY IT'S 711, IS THAT JUST BECAUSE IN LAGO, YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO BREAK DOWN THE SPECIFIC LAGO SEGMENT.
THIS IS NOT BROKEN DOWN LIKE THAT, BUT WE CAN.
I LOOKED AT THAT THIS MORNING AND REALIZED WE HADN'T BROKEN THAT DOWN.
[02:50:03]
WE BEGAN OUR PICKUP SERVICE IN MAYNOR IN 2019.THE SEVEN 11 IS THAT TRIPS OR PEOPLE TRIPS.
SO THERE'S THREE ARE 50 PEOPLE ROUGHLY ASSUMING THEY WENT AND CAME BACK ASSUMING THEY WENT AND CAME BACK.
AND THAT IS A VERY GOOD ASSUMPTION ON EXPRESS SERVICE.
IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT ON LOCAL BUS ROUTES, 10 PEOPLE A DAY ON TWO ROUTES.
YOU'RE ASKING A LAWYER TO DO MATH, BUT YES, IT SOUNDS LIKE RIGHT.
THAT? NO, BUT THAT 711 WAS RIDERS GO BACK OUT AND GO BACK ONE MORE SLICE IT'S TRIPS.
W WE USE WRITERS AND TRIPS SORT OF INTERCHANGEABLY, UM, BECAUSE WE CONSIDER A WRITER, ONE PERSON TAKES A TRIP, SO THEY GO ONE WAY.
SO IF WE MAKE THE ASSUMPTION, THEY WENT ROUND TRIP, YOU WOULD DIVIDE THAT INTO.
IF EVERYBODY TOOK A ROUND TRIP, IT'D BE 355 PEOPLE GO ON 20 DAYS, BUSINESS DAYS, A MONTH, 17 PEOPLE A DAY ON TWO ROUTES.
SO EIGHT PEOPLE, EIGHT AND A HALF PEOPLE ON A BUS ON AVERAGE A DAY.
I'M LOOKING AT THE CALCULATOR.
AND YOU SAID, I MEAN, REALLY, I MEAN, IS THAT, I'M SORRY.
I WANT TO UNDERSTAND THOSE NUMBERS, BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF WE'RE JUST GUESSING OR IF WE HAVE MORE DATA TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS.
WE COULD PULL, UM, WE COULD LOOK AT RIDERSHIP PER TRIP AND WHAT IS THE ACTUAL SEAT CAPACITY, BUT ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS SERVICE, IT IS TYPICALLY A ROUTE.
PEOPLE TAKE A ROUND TRIP EACH DAY, AND MOST OF THE WRITERS WRITE EVERY WEEKDAY, BUT WE'D HAVE TO, UM, WE W I'M I WOULD IMAGINE THAT SOME WEEKDAYS WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, A DOZEN PEOPLE PER BUS AND, AND SOME, ONE OF THE TRIPS MIGHT BE HEAVIER THAN THE OTHER.
UM, BUT THAT THE 8.75 IS, IS AN AVERAGE IS WHAT THAT OUT TO MY POINT ONLY IS THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE HERE, BECAUSE YOU'D ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF AN AVERAGE BUS TRIP, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS FOR EXPRESS SERVICE, BUT I SAW IN THE NOTES $9 NOW FOR A BUS TRIP.
AND IF THIS IS COSTING US $40 A HEAD TO RUN, THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE.
AND THEN SALES TAX VERSUS COST IS ANOTHER ALL THAT IT MAY BE EXPENSIVE, BUT WE MAY STILL BE RECOVERING MORE.
SO IT'S HARD TO GET YOUR HEAD WRAPPED AROUND IT, BUT THIS IS A PRETTY SMALL AMOUNT OF SERVICE.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WELL, WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT MAINER PAYS AND YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT THE WHOLE CONSIDERATION IS, WHY DON'T WE WAIT TILL WE GET TO THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT ALL THAT.
IS THAT APPROPRIATE? YEAH, I JUST DID WANT TO CLARIFY, IS THIS, IS THIS THE FULL SIZE COMMUTER BUS, THE SAME AS IT IS COMING OUT OF THE, UH, COMING OUT OF, UM, LIKE IT, LIKE IT IS WITH THE 9 85, 9 87 COMING OUT OF HERTZ OPERATES THIS SERVICE IN A 40 FOOT BUS.
IT'S NOT THE HIGHER CENTER OF GRAVITY COMMUTER COACH, BUT THEY DO HAVE HIGH BACK COMMUTER SEATS IN THEIR BUS.
SO, SO THE, THE CAPACITY, IT'S A 40 FOOT BOOK BUS WITH CAPACITY OF PROBABLY SOMEWHERE IN THE 35 TO 40 RANGE.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT IT IT'S, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT THE LITTLE PICKUP SIZE BUS.
ARE YOU READY FOR ME TO MOVE ON? YEAH.
UM, AS I MENTIONED, WE BEGAN PICKUP SERVICE IN JUNE OF 2019.
THE SERVICE AREAS HERE IN REPRESENTS WHERE THE RESIDENTS AND SERVICES ARE IN MAYNOR JULY RIDERSHIP WAS, UH, ABOUT 3,600, A LITTLE OVER 3,600.
THIS IS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR AND MOST SUBSCRIBED PICKUP ROUTES.
WE PROVIDED 7,200 VEHICLE HOURS AT A COST OF $641,000.
I DO WANT TO NOTE ON THIS ONE, AS YOU LOOK AS AT THE TAM SERVICE AREA, THAT 25% OF THE COST OF THIS PICKUP ZONE AND THE SERVICE IN THIS PICKUP ZONE IS REIMBURSED, REIMBURSED TO US BY TRAVIS COUNTY, BECAUSE WHILE THE, UM, THE RESIDENTS IN RESIDENCES AND PLACES YOU NEED TO GO, UM, ARE IN THIS GENERAL AREA, NOT ALL OF THOSE PLACES ARE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF MAINER.
SO WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE AND PAY FOR THE SERVICE, THE PICKUP SERVICE THAT'S WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
AND IT IS SUPPLEMENTED BY TRAVIS COUNTY FOR THE REMAINING 25%, BECAUSE THERE ARE AREAS OF INTEREST THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS PROPER.
AND AS I RECALL, WE SHIFTED THOSE DOLLARS FROM OUR WEBER VILLE ROUTE, UH, TO, UH, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT BEING USED VERY MUCH TO THIS ONE, WHICH SEEMS TO, TO, TO GET QUITE
[02:55:01]
A BIT OF USE OF QUITE A BIT OF AROUND THE MAINER AREA.AND YOU HIT ON A GOOD POINT AND I'M NOT GETTING TO SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THIS EITHER.
UM, BUT THIS WAS PREVIOUS, THE MAIN OR PICKUP ZONE WAS PREVIOUSLY WHAT WE CALLED THE MAIN OR FLEX ROUTE.
WE HAD A, A BUS ROUTE THAT CIRCULATED IN THE MAINER AREA WITH THE ABILITY TO DEVIATE FROM THE FIXED ROUTE TO PICK UP AND DROP OFF FOLKS ADJACENT TO THE ROUTE.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE ORANGE LINE, UM, IT WAS NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF MAINER.
AND SO THEY ASKED US TO CONSIDER PICKUP.
UM, AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PICKUP STONES THAT WE DID.
AND IT HAS BEEN, AS I SAID, VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE AREA BEFORE.
SO ARE WE READY TO GET INTO THE FINANCIAL CONVERSATION? GREAT.
UM, AS MOST OF YOU RECALL THIS SPRING, WE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME, UH, TALKING ABOUT HOW WE COULD OFFER MORE TO OUR SUBURBAN MEMBER CITIES.
SO THE BOARD APPROVED TWO IMPORTANT ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES IN THE SPRING.
THE FIRST WAS AN ENHANCEMENT TO OUR BUILD CENTRAL TEXAS PROGRAM THAT INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE TO THESE MEMBER CITIES UP TO THE AMOUNT OF THE SALES TAX THAT THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED IN THE PRIOR YEAR, LESS THE TOTAL COST OF SERVICE THEY WERE RECEIVING.
UM, SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, I WILL SHOW YOU SOME OF THE DETAILS OF HOW THAT, UM, SHAPES OUT.
IN ADDITION, THE BOARD APPROVED A ONE-TIME $10 MILLION CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND.
UM, FOR THESE SMALL MEMBER CITIES, THAT'S DIVIDED PROPORTIONALLY, UM, BASED ON THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.
UM, THIS, THESE CAPITAL FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TRANSIT SUPPORTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, SIMILAR TO THE BCT PROGRAM, UM, AND, AND DONE IN THE SAME WAY.
THIS SLIDE PROVIDES A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF THAT ENHANCED, UH, AN EXPANDED BCT PROGRAM AND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR IT, AND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE, UH, UNDER THE
UM, NOTE THAT MAINER IS ELIGIBLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS UNDER THE UPDATED PROGRAM FOR BCT AND ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS IN THE CAPITAL FUND.
LAGO VISTA IS ELIGIBLE FOR ABOUT $130,000 IN EXPANDED BCT FUNDS AND $700,000 IN CAPITAL FUND.
YOU MAY RECALL, WE ASKED THOSE SMALL MEMBER CITIES TO, UM, SUBMIT THEIR PROJECTS FOR THESE EXPANDED USE OF THESE FUNDS THIS SPRING.
UM, THEY HAVE ALL DONE THAT AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE RECEIVED THEIR EXPANDED, UM, LIST OF PROJECTS, UH, AND WE HAVE BEGUN DISTRIBUTING WHEN THEY INVOICE US THE FIRST HALF OF THE PAYMENT FOR THOSE FUNDS.
ALSO, AS YOU'LL RECALL, THE WAY THE PROGRAM IS SET UP, YOU CAN INVOICE CAP METRO FOR HALF OF THE FUNDING YOU HAVE AVAILABLE TO YOU.
AND THEN WE REIMBURSE YOU FOR THIS REMAINING HALF BASED ON DELIVERABLES UNDER, UNDER YOUR PROJECTS.
SO GO AHEAD, A MEMBER STRATEGY AND THEN BOARD MEMBERS.
SO I, I JUST WANT TO TRY TO GET THE CONTEXT HERE FOR HOW THIS APPLIES TO ALL THE SMALL CITIES, BECAUSE I'M LOOKING ON THE LIST HERE AND I'M LOOKING AT IT POINT VENTURE.
AND I'LL JUST SAY I'M PERSONALLY A LITTLE MORE FAMILIAR WITH LAGO AND POINT VENTURE CAUSE CAUSE MY, MY SON HAPPENS TO PLAY GOLF OUT AT POINT VENTURE.
AND SO WE MAKE THAT DRIVE ON A REGULAR BASIS OUT THAT WAY.
AND, UM, SO I DRIVE THROUGH LAGO AND DRIVE OUT TO POINT VENTURES.
SO WHAT I'M SEEING HERE IS IT PV, WE DON'T ACTUALLY PROVIDE SERVICE INTO PV, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE, THEY, THEY ARE A MEMBER CITY AT THIS TIME.
SO AT THIS POINT WE BASICALLY JUST, WE CAPTURE THAT TAX DOLLAR AND WE JUST PASS IT RIGHT BACK THROUGH TO THEM.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, BECAUSE OF THE, THE EXTRA $10 MILLION CAPITAL PROGRAM, THEY ARE IN ADDITION TO THAT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $71,830 ON TOP OF THAT.
BUT JUST FOR FYI 22, JUST FOR THIS YEAR, THAT WAS THE ONE TIME AND SAME WITH SAME WITH SAME WITH SAN LEANNA.
THAT IN ADDITION TO THAT IS RIGHT.
THAT'S THE SAME, BUT THEN JONES SOUND, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE PROVIDING AND I, AND ARE THEY RECEIVING, ARE THEY ALSO, IS THAT, ARE THEY RECEIVING METRO ACCESS SERVICES AS WELL? I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS THAT WASN'T PART OF THE RESEARCH THAT I DID HERE.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IF JONESTOWN HAS ANY METRO ACCESS CUSTOMERS, BUT, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IN SOME WAY FORM FASHION OR ANOTHER, THE SERVICES WE ARE PROVIDING TO JONES TOWN IS EXCEEDING THEIR SALES TAX CAPACITY.
[03:00:01]
WE ARE PROVIDING MORE SERVICES TO THEM THAN THEY ARE PAYING INTO THE SYSTEM AS IT WERE.AND SO THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING BACK ON A REGULAR BCT BASIS, BUT THEY ARE STILL GETTING A, A CHUNK OF THIS EXTRA $10 MILLION PER WHAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZED.
AND THEN UP THERE THEN WHAT LAGO GOT WAS THE 700,000 IN MAIN, THE LITTLE OVER ONE POINT ALMOST 1.6.
IN ADDITION TO WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE OF THEIR SO LAGO FOR LAST, FOR THIS, FOR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR
AND THEN THAT'S IN ADDITION THAT THAT'S JUST NORMAL, NOT COUNTING THE ONES AND KEEP IN MIND, THIS IS WHERE IT GETS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED.
THE AMOUNT THAT THEY ARE ALLOCATED IS A LOOK BACK BACK TO BOTH THE COST OF SERVICE AND THE SALES COMP SALES TAX CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PRIOR YEAR, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GET TO THE END OF FISCAL YEAR, FY 21, DETERMINE WHAT THE COST OF SERVICES WERE FOR THAT YEAR AND, AND RECEIVE FROM THE CONTROLLER, WHAT THEIR TOTAL ANNUAL SALES TAX CONTRIBUTIONS WERE.
SO WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING BACK A YEAR IN BOTH CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING KITCHEN.
UH, JUST A CLARIFICATION QUESTION.
UM, WELL, I, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FIRST OFF.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE THINKING WAS AND WHAT THE CONCERN IS IN BOTH OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, FOR WHY THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, PUTTING IT, PUTTING THIS ON THE BALLOT, BUT FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE.
SO IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CONCERN WAS WANTING TO KEEP ONE OF THE SERVICES, FOR EXAMPLE, WANTING TO KEEP PICKUP, FOR EXAMPLE, BOTH COMMUNITIES APPEAR TO BE, UM, REALLY USING THAT SERVICE PERHAPS MORE THAN THE, THAN THE, THE BUS SERVICE.
THEY COULD CHOOSE JUST ONE OF THOSE SERVICES AND THEN IT WOULD CHANGE THE CALCULATION OF THE SERVICE COST AND THE UPDATED BCT RIGHT.
SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF THEY CHOSE ONLY TO HAVE PICKUP, THEN THE, THE COST OF THE PICKUP ALONE WOULD BE THEIR SERVICE COST INSTEAD OF THE COST OF THE PICKUP.
PLUS THE COST OF THE BUS SERVICE, WE WOULD JUST, WE WOULD JUST NOT CONTINUE THE BUSES IF I CAN POKE IN HERE, UM, FOR THE DURATION THAT THEY ARE MEMBERS OF OUR SERVICE AREA DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED IN THAT AREA ARE ACTUALLY DECISIONS OF THIS BOARD, NOT THE MEMBER CITY.
I HAVE A LITTLE CONCERN ABOUT THAT.
QUITE A BIT OF CONCERN, AND I'M GOING TO STOP BECAUSE I WANT TO ASK AS OUR BOARD MEMBER WHAT SHE THINKS.
SO, AND HAVE YOU HAD CONVERSATIONS IF I MAY WITH TRY TO, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PIN A NEW BUDDY DOWN, SO, BUT JUST IN GENERAL, CAUSE WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.
AND SO TO YOUR POINT, ERIC AND CARRIE JUMP IN HERE, BUT THE, THE MONEY THAT IS THAT EXCEEDS THE COST OF SERVICE UNDERNEATH THE BCT PROGRAM CAN BE SENT BACK TO THE CITIES.
BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THEN THE CITY HAVING THE MONEY JUST BECAUSE THEY STILL HAVE THE MONEY IN THERE AREN'T MEMBERS IS THEY CAN PUT THE MONEY IN THEIR GENERAL FUND TO BE, THEY COULD SPEND IT ON WHATEVER THEY NEED TO UNDERNEATH THE BCT PROGRAM.
ALTHOUGH IT'S, IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM, BUT IT IS LIMITED TO, UM, INFRASTRUCTURE OR TRANSIT ORIENTED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
AND SO IT IS SO FOR INSTANCE, FOR LANDER IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S GREAT BECAUSE WE ARE, WE'RE ABLE TO DO SOME THINGS FOR THAT MONEY.
FOR INSTANCE, UM, CAP METRO IS CURRENTLY FUNDING THE, UM, OUR OLD TOWN MASTER PLAN STUDY ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER THINGS.
SO WE HAD PROJECTS, UM, REALLY TEED UP THAT WE COULDN'T FUND, UM, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THAT BCT MONEY.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT, UM, JUST THE OVERALL BUDGETS OF THE SUBURBAN CITIES AND, YOU KNOW, THERE, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY STRUGGLING WITH JUST SPECIFIC TO LEANDER, UM, THAT WE CAN'T DO, OR WE'RE HAVING TO BE VERY, VERY STRATEGIC ON HOW WE ACCOMPLISH IT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IN OUR GENERAL FUND.
UM, BECAUSE BECAUSE OF THE PENNY GOING TO KENT METRO, IT IS WHAT IT IS AND OUR VOTERS VOTED TO AFFIRM TO STAY IN, BUT IT DOES PREVENT US BEING ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE BCT PROGRAM JUST THE WAY IT, IT WORKS AND ALL THE REGULATIONS AND EVERYTHING AROUND IT, IT'S JUST, IT JUST IS.
[03:05:01]
WHAT, UM, TO GET IN THE HEADS OF SOME OF THE OLDER, SMALL CITIES, BECAUSE THE CONVERSATION SEEMS TO BE HAS IT'S THE SAME ALL THE WAY AROUND AND THE REASON.UM, AND AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN ANYBODY'S MOUTH, BUT THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SUBURBAN CITIES IS THEY NEED MONEY TO BE ABLE TO USE.
AND WHEN YOU HAVE EIGHT PEOPLE ON A BUS, IT'S THE SAME CONVERSATION LANDER HAD, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY AS MUCH AS YOU MAY WANT IT, THE MONEY JUST NEEDS TO BE USED ELSEWHERE.
AND SO I THINK TO SOME OF THESE IS, YOU KNOW, I THINK MAINER SORTA SEES THEMSELVES AS THE NEXT LANDER, RIGHT.
THAT THEY'RE GOING TO END UP AND IF THEY CAN PUT IT ON A BALLOT NOW AND FIGURE OUT SOMETHING, NOW THEN THEY'VE GOT THAT MONEY FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.
UM, IT'S, IT'S A BALANCING ACT.
UM, AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WORKS ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, UM, THAT I THINK WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE WORKING THE BEST WE CAN, BUT I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE WORK THAN THAT DOES NEED TO BE DONE IN THAT REGARD.
W I'M TRYING TO REMIND MYSELF, UH, AND THIS IS A LONGER CONVERSATION THAN PERHAPS WE WANT TO HAVE TODAY, BUT, UM, I WOULD, UH, SO LET ME JUST ASK THIS, HAVE WE HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS? I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO, BUT HAS OUR STAFF HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH, UH, MAINER AND LAGO VISTA? SO, SO I CAN, I CAN JUMP IN ON THAT.
AND IF I'M, AND IF THERE'S MORE, UH, MADER, WE HAVE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO SIT TO TALK TO ME AND HER ABOUT A NUMBER OF THINGS.
UH, WE'VE SAT DOWN, NOT ONLY CAP METRO STAFF, BUT TEXTS THAT STAFF AND COUNTY STAFF AND OTHERS, UH, THEIR INTEREST PRIMARILY IS, UH, MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS.
THEY JUST DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ACCESS TO THEM.
AND, UH, AND BASICALLY WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO DO IS HAVE THEM IDENTIFY THEIR PRIORITIES, UH, PARTICULARLY THEIR TRANSIT PRIORITIES AND HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO, UH, TO WORK WITH US, TO WORK WITH THE FUNDING SYSTEM AND TO SEE, UH, WHAT, WHAT DOLLARS, WHAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS PROJECTS CAN BE FUNDED CAN BE REPLACED BECAUSE, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, PFLUGERVILLE IS A GROUP THAT, THAT PULLED OUT AND REGRETS THAT IT PULLED OUT GIVEN, UH, GIVEN THE GROWTH.
BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE A, UH, CONCERTED AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE AND SEEING WHETHER ANY OF THOSE PRIORITIES FALL WITHIN OUR FUNDING STRUCTURE.
WELL, WHAT ARE THOSE? I MEAN, IN OTHER WORDS, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WE HAD, WE HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH LEANDER IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF YOU AND WE, AND WE WORKED OUT AN ARRANGEMENT THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED.
IT'S STILL CHALLENGES I'M HEARING, BUT SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THE DETAILS.
I'M A BOARD MEMBER HERE, AND I HAVE NO DETAILS ABOUT WHAT OUR CONVERSATIONS ARE WITH MEN WHO ARE IN LAGO VISTA.
AND I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE ARE FIRST OFF AS A BOARD.
WHAT, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THEM? IS THERE A, IS THERE A WIN-WIN UM, SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL US? WE HAVE HAD A VERY LIMITED SORT OF HIGH LEVEL CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINER.
WE WERE SURPRISED THAT THIS ITEM LANDED ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE WE HAD BEEN REACHING OUT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
LAGO VISTA ON THE OTHER HAND HAS HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH US FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THEY HAVE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT THAT THEY NEED THE FUNDING TO DO OTHER THINGS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT AND HAVE BEEN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH LAGO VISTA FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THAT DOESN'T STILL DOESN'T TELL ME SPECIFIC.
THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY ASKS OF US.
AND, AND WE HAVE UM, OFFERED TO BOTH OF THEM, UM, TO WORK WITH THEM ON ANYTHING THAT MIGHT, UM, MAKE CAP METRO MORE VALUABLE TO THEM.
WE REACHED OUT TO OUR FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND MAYNOR UM, NO, WE HAVE, UH, ACTUALLY BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE EXISTING, THE CURRENT MAYOR AND, AND, UH, INCURRENT CITY MANAGER.
I THINK IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TALKING TO THE POLICY MAKERS NOW.
SO, SO, SO WHAT CHAIR, 2 BILLION.
TELL, TELL US WHAT I MEAN, OR PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION OFFLINE.
UM, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE, WE CAN, UH, WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION OFFLINE AND WE CAN ALSO PUT MEETINGS TOGETHER AS WELL.
THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL BECAUSE I THINK THAT, UM, I FEEL LIKE I DON'T DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON THE TABLE AND WOULD LIKE TO, UH, CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION.
I ALSO THINK THAT THE ENTIRE BOARD NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE POTENTIALS ARE AND PERHAPS WE CAN HELP BE CREATIVE.
I KNOW NOVEMBER IS, WE ARE IN SEPTEMBER, WE'RE IN AUGUST AND NOVEMBER IS COMING UP
[03:10:01]
AS SOON AS WE CAN.UM, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL BECAUSE, UM, CARRIE, I KNOW THAT THAT YOU'VE BEEN A, A COUPLE OF PEOPLE DOWN WITH YOUR, UH, WITH THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM.
UM, I DO APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO DO HERE, THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN, UH, THIS IS NOT EASY BECAUSE I, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE MADE, WE CAN MAKE THE ENTREES AND WE CAN REACH OUT.
BUT, BUT I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY THAT IS MY GREATEST FRUSTRATION THAT I WANT TO GO ON RECORD WITH.
WE HAVE A BOARD MEMBER HERE, YOU KNOW, STRUCTURALLY AND, UM, STATUTORILY.
UM, THIS BOARD WAS CREATED IN SUCH A WAY TO ALLOW FOR THE, UH, THE SELECTION OF A BOARD MEMBER TO REPRESENT THE SMALL CITIES.
THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER, ROSS, YOU HAVE DONE THAT.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE OTHER SMALL CITIES.
YOU ENDED UP AS THE SMALL CITIES REPRESENTATIVE, BUT IT FRUSTRATES ME TO HEAR THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THESE SMALL CITIES AND YOU'RE GETTING CRICKETS CHIRPING.
THAT'S NOT VERY, THAT'S NOT VERY HELPFUL TO US.
THAT'S NOT MUCH OF A PARTNERSHIP.
IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DO YOUR JOB AND WE ARE TRYING TO DO OUR JOBS AND WE'RE TRYING TO REACH OUT AND WE'RE NOT GETTING MUCH BACK WHEN WE'RE TRYING, WE, WE JU LOOK HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE GIVING OUT.
IT'S LIKE, IF WE'RE OFFERING TO GIVE THIS MONEY OUT, WE'RE OFFERING TO BE GOOD PARTNERS AND GOOD NEIGHBORS AND WORK WITH THEM.
YOU HAVE HEARD PEOPLE FROM THIS VERY DYESS BESIDES BOARD MEMBER ROSS SAYING, WE NEED TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM, LET'S WORK TOGETHER.
AND THEN THE RESPONSE IS, OH, LET'S PUT YOU ON THE BALLOT AND GET OUT.
WELL, THAT'S FRUSTRATING TO ME.
AND YOU KNOW, AND I'M ONLY A YEAR INTO THIS GIG, BUT, UM, I THINK, I THINK THE SHIFT HAS JUST HAPPENED IN PROBABLY THE LAST YEAR ISH WITH, UM, HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS, BECAUSE I DO THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO THAT PROJECT CONNECT WAS, I MEAN, TRYING TO GET THAT PROCESSED THROUGH THE SYSTEM WAS ALL CONSUMING FOR EVERYONE.
SO REALLY I THINK THAT THE SMALL CITIES AND, AND I THINK THE PERSON SITTING ON THE BOARD DOES CONTRIBUTE FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, UM, TO CREATING THE RELATIONSHIPS.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT THE SMALL CITIES HAVE HAD, HAVE FELT LIKE THEY MATTERED, RIGHT.
AND SO THAT'S JUST STARTING AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE, SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION, BUT, BUT I THINK YOU GOT TO PUT ON YOUR HAT OF YOUR NON AUSTIN PEOPLE TO SEE THAT THEY REALLY HAVEN'T GOTTEN MUCH LOVE FROM CAP METRO EXCEPT IN THE LAST LITTLE BIT.
SO, AND THERE'S BEEN A CONCERTED EFFORT.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWRENCE FROM LEANDER AND HE'S BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE.
UM, I THINK THE RELATIONSHIP IS GOING TO BE GOOD, BUT IT IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE EFFORT ON THE CAP METRO SIDE TOO.
AND AS WE SAID AT THE BOARD, I DON'T KNOW EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT WE WILL BE A REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND PLAN.
NOW I KNOW, BUT PRIOR TO THAT, IT WASN'T THERE.
AND SO WE DIDN'T GIVE IT THE NOD.
SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING ON BOTH SIDES, UM, TO, TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE RELATIONSHIP AND TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE IF THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN, UM, BECAUSE I WOULD, I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY IN MOST OF THE, UH, I MEAN, LIKE IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH ST LEANNA, WHICH I HAVE HAD A FEW CONVERSATIONS, THEY ARE, IT'S LIKE, THEY JUST NEED ROADS, YOU KNOW, AND WE, AT $30,000, THE, IT TAKES THEM FOUR OR FIVE YEARS TO REBUILD A ROAD.
UM, BUT FROM SOME OF THE OTHERS AND MAINERS SPECIFICALLY, AND, YOU KNOW, IN LANDER, IT WAS A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION AND PROBABLY LAGO TO SOME EXTENT IS IT IS SOME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE THE ECONOMIC FUNDS, UM, TO ATTRACT PRIMARY EMPLOYERS BECAUSE WE GIVE THAT PENNY TO CAP METRO.
AND SO IT'S A MATTER OF, OKAY, WELL, HOW CAN WE WORK THIS PARTNERSHIP? UM, SO THAT IT'S ADVANTAGEOUS TO BOTH OF US, BECAUSE IF, FOR INSTANCE, IF LANDER HAS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR MAYNOR HAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THEN IT'S GOING TO BRING, MAYBE BRING PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN AUSTIN.
IT MAY BE BRING SOME OUT TO THE SUBURBS TO WORK AND THEN COMMUTING BACKWARDS, SORT OF THAT REVERSE COMMUTE.
UM, IT'S, IT JUST, IT JUST ALLOWS FOR SO MUCH.
SO IT'S ENCAP METRO'S BEST INTEREST, UM, TO
[03:15:01]
FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT RELATIONSHIP WORK SO THAT WE CAN BE THE REGIONAL SYSTEM THAT WE WANT TO BE IN.AND BECAUSE CAP METRO IS IN A GREAT POSITION AND THE PEOPLE ON STAFF AND ON PRIOR BOARDS HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO PUT CAP METRO IN THE FINANCIAL POSITION IT'S IN AND NOBODY WANTS TO JEOPARDIZE THAT.
AND SO IT'S NOW WE'RE AT A POINT NOW IT'S LIKE, OKAY, AND WE'VE CAST PROJECT CONNECT HAS PASSED.
WE'VE GOT A TON OF WORK TO DO THERE, BUT HOW DO WE WORK TO MAKE IT ALL WORK TOGETHER? AND IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE A CONTINUATION OF THOSE.
AND I, AND I THINK IT'S THE TRUST FACTOR COMES INTO PLAY AND WHY THESE TWO CITIES HAVE IT ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE IT'S LIKE, OH, SO YOU CARE NOW, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST KIND OF DONE.
I, I, I SAY I MADE A NOTES THAT, UM, IT, IN SOME WAYS IT'S LIKE THE, THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN HERE THIS MORNING THAT WERE IN HERE AT THE BEGINNING ABOUT THAT ONE ISSUE ABOUT THE HOME, ABOUT THE HOMELESS, UH, BUS PASS SYSTEM ISSUE.
YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW.
AND, AND I THINK THAT, THAT, BUT THEY WERE ALL HERE TRYING TO SAY, LOOK, THIS IS AN ISSUE, BUT, BUT I, I GUESS WHAT, WHAT I, I GUESS WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO REACH OUT SAYING, HEY, WE'RE HERE TO LET YOU KNOW, CAN WE TALK, BUT I CAN ALSO, I, I SEE WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
IF YOU FLIP THE SCRIPT, THEY'RE, THEY'RE COMING FROM A PERSPECTIVE PERHAPS OF, WE WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOU GUYS FOR 10 YEARS, WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING OUT OF THIS.
I THINK THAT WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.
WE'VE GOT REVENUE CAPS FOR CITIES.
WE'VE GOT REVENUE CAPS WITH COUNTIES.
WE'VE GOT GREAT OUT MIGRATION FROM CITIES, UH, AND, AND PEOPLE NEEDING TO FIND THEIR WAY INTO A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT DON'T EXIST IN THEIR AREA CLINICS BARELY EXIST IN MAYNOR.
UH, YOU KNOW, UM, SO HOW IS IT THAT WE, UH, BEGAN TO TAKE, UH, TO, TO BASICALLY TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO TALK TO THEM BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, UH, THEY'RE, THEY ARE DEALING WITH A LOT MORE PRESSURES AND TRYING TO FIGURE IT, FIGURE IT OUT.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF THE, UM, THE CITY COUNCILS AND SCHOOL BOARDS AND WHATEVER, THEIR NEW ACTORS ON THOSE, ON THOSE BOARDS ARE NOT PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 25 YEARS.
SO THEN IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT, UH, WHAT IS REALLY CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT, BUT WE PROBABLY HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, UH, KITCHEN.
AND THEN, UH, YEAH, I, I AGREE WITH WHAT EVERYONE HAS SAID.
UM, I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE TICKING TIME CLOCK OF NOVEMBER SINCE IT'S ON AN IT'S ON A BALLOT.
AND, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK THAT, UM, AND THAT MAY BE OKAY, THAT MAY BE THE RIGHT RESULT FOR THOSE TWO, FOR EACH OF THOSE COMMUNITIES OR FOR ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE THE RIGHT RESULT FOR THEM TO VOTE, TO GET OUT.
I'M NOT, I'M NOT PASSING, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT, BUT I DO THINK THAT IT'S VERY TIMELY RIGHT NOW THAT, AND MAYBE THIS IS HAPPENING, BUT RIGHT NOW THAT WE'D BE PROACTIVE AND, AND SIT DOWN AND MAKE AN OFFER, YOU KNOW, AND KIND OF TALK TO THEM ABOUT UNDERSTANDING, UH, UNDERSTANDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEY'RE IN.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, COULD WE, COULD WE TALK TO THEM ABOUT IF PICKUP SERVICES WHAT'S REALLY WORKING IN YOUR AREA? HOW COULD WE MAKE SURE THAT THAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN? DOES PICK UP, PICK UP SERVICE ONLY HAPPEN WITH THE OTHER SERVICES THERE WILL, WHY WOULD THAT BE? WHY COULD WE NOT JUST TALK TO THEM ABOUT ONE SERVICE? CAN WE TALK THROUGH WITH THEM THE, WHAT THE SCENARIO WOULD LOOK LIKE IF THEY, YOU KNOW, IF THEY KEPT THEIR OWN SALES TAX, BUT THEN CONTRACTED WITH US? I MEAN, I WANNA MAKE, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING AND THEN I'D LIKE TO HEAR BACK ON WHAT THE RESULTS ARE.
AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE.
SO CERTAINLY I UNDERSTAND BOARD MEMBER COOPER.
WELL, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE ADDITIONAL COMMENT THAT, UH, WHILE MANE OR LAGO VISTA OR INTERESTING SIERRA PARK AND ROUND ROCK PFLUGERVILLE, THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REGIONAL SYSTEM, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO, AS WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO.
AND I THOUGHT THE BOARD AND, AND ESPECIALLY STAFF WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL AND CREATIVE EARLIER TO SAY LEANDER, UH, LOG OF BEST, HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET OUT FOR A LONG TIME.
AND WE WENT, I THINK THEY MESSED UP AND LOST AN ELECTION.
I CAN'T REMEMBER FIVE YEARS AGO.
AND THEN THEY COULDN'T DO IT AGAIN FOR FIVE YEARS, SO FOUR YEARS.
AND THEY TRIED TO GET THE LEGISLATURE TO GET OUT AND WE'RE UNSUCCESSFUL IN THAT AS WELL.
UM, AND THEY HAVE UNIQUE ISSUES OUT THERE THAT WE CAN'T SOLVE EVERYTHING, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY KEEPING OUR EYE ON THE PRIZE.
IF WE WERE TO HAVE A REGIONAL SYSTEM, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE HELP, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A LONG-TERM STRATEGY WITH OUR SUBURBS, UM, TO COLLECTIVELY GO TO THE LEGISLATURE.
[03:20:01]
LIMITED SUCCESS GOING TO THE LEGISLATURE OF LIGHT, BUT, UH, BUT I THINK AS WE THINK ABOUT THESE NEAR TERM ISSUES, WE ALSO NEED TO BE VERY FOCUSED.AND I THINK OUR COLLEAGUE AT THE OTHER END THERE IS RIGHT PROJECT CONNECT ASSUMED, CONSUMED A LOT OF BRAIN SPACE, BUT AS THE SUBURBS ARE THEMSELVES DEALING WITH COMMUTE ISSUES.
AND, AND THEY'LL SEE MORE OF THAT AS WE COME OUT OF THE COVID ERA.
UM, I THINK THEY WILL BE INCREASINGLY INTERESTED IN SITTING DOWN AND FINDING JOINT SOLUTIONS AND WE WILL NEED THEIR SUPPORT AND HELP IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY SUCCESS AT THE LEGISLATURE.
WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF INTERVIEWING AND HIRING A NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
WE HAVE IDENTIFIED TWO PRIORITIES FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL, WHOEVER IS HIRED.
AND ONE OF THEM IS THIS, WHAT IS THE REGIONAL STRATEGY AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE REGION? WELL, I REMEMBER HARRIS, WELL, I JUST WANTED TO ADD, AND I CAN SPEAK MORE PROBABLY MORE SPECIFICALLY TO MAINER MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THE BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR SHIP THAT THE FAMILY I WORK FOR OWNS IS LOCATED OUT IN THERE THAT WAY.
AND WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE NEW MAYOR AND THE NEW CITY MANAGER AND THE NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, UM, ON A LARGE RETAIL PROJECT OUT THERE.
UM, THIS ACTUALLY CAME UP IN DISCUSSIONS WITH, UH, WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON A THREE 80 AGREEMENT WITH THEM AND, UH, TO ECHO AND I FORGOT WHO MADE THE COMMENT.
IT WAS SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF IT WASN'T THAT THEY DIDN'T APPRECIATE THE BCT IN EFFECT.
IT WAS THE FACT THAT IT WAS JUST TARGETED, THAT THEY COULD ONLY SPEND IT ON X.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE FAMILIAR, UM, WITH WHAT'S HAPPENED THERE BASICALLY, YOU'RE THERE, THEY'RE ON 9 73 AND TWO 90, AND THEY'RE ANCHORED ON THE SOUTH BY TESLA.
AND NOW WE HAVE SAMSUNG GOING UP NORTH ON, UM, UP NEAR TAYLOR.
AND THAT AREA OUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY EXPLODED, UH, LAND THAT WAS TRADING, YOU KNOW, FOR, YOU KNOW, 20,000, AN ACRE NOW IS TRADING FOR FOUR OR FIVE BUCKS A FOOT, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, LAST YEAR, UM, AT THE SAME TIME, UH, THEY, THEY ARE DEAD TO YOUR POINT.
THEY ARE DESPERATE FOR SERVICES.
THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THE THINGS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE IN GROCERY STORE BEING THE BIG ONE.
UH, BUT THEY ARE THE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE TO ME BY THE NEW CITY MANAGERS.
THEY JUST, THEY NEED DOLLARS AND THEY NEED DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING.
AND THE OTHER COMMENT THAT I KEEP HEARING IS WHAT OTHER JOBS CAN YOU BRING? WHAT OTHER EMPLOYERS CAN YOU BRING OUT TO MAINER? UM, AND THEY, AND THAT NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR HAS REALLY MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO GO OUT TO LAS VEGAS, TO THE ICSE AND, UH, TRY AND RECRUIT EMPLOYERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO COME OUT THAT DIRECTION.
UM, AND SO THEY'RE, THEY NEED AN EFFECT, THE UNRESTRICTED ABILITY TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS COMING BACK, BECAUSE THEY NEED THAT TO HELP DEAL WITH THIS EXPLOSIVE GROWTH, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE BECOMING APARTMENT CITY.
AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT, I MEAN, THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THE COMMERCIAL TAX BASE WILL FOLLOW, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T HAVE THE COMMERCIAL TAX BASE TO SUPPORT IT.
AND IF WE'RE SUCKING HALF OF THAT OUT TO PROVIDE BUS SERVICE TO THEM, THAT CREATES A REAL FRICTION POINT FOR THEM.
SO, UM, SO, SO JUST THE LAST QUICK POINT IS, UM, IS A COUPLE OF THE THINGS, AND THEY'VE KIND OF BEEN MENTIONED HERE, BUT, UM, IS I THINK SOMETHING THAT, TO YOUR POINT EARLIER, UM, ANNE IS THE CAP.
METRO DOES NEED TO PROVIDE OR CREATE THE SERVICE RIGHT.
AND WHERE WE NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES.
THEY DO, BUT IT'S ALSO CRUCIAL TO HAVE THE SMALL CITIES.
AND I KNOW THAT WASN'T ONE OF THE THINGS IN, IN PART OF ISLE, ALL THE LAND OR ILA WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A VISIT A COUPLE OF VISITS A YEAR TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE, BECAUSE I THINK ON THE SMALL CITY SIDE, THERE ARE THINGS THAT THE CITY KNOWS ABOUT.
THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO BE ON CAP METROS.
AND SO IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT CAP METRO HAS TO DO IT.
IT JUST NEEDS TO BE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.
UM, BECAUSE THAT DOES GO TO SERVICE COST.
AND THAT IS THE CONVERSATION, UM, YOU KNOW, TO YOUR POINT EARLIER OF WHAT DO YOU NEED VERSUS WHAT DO YOU WANT, RIGHT? AND BECAUSE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO LIVE WITH THOSE COSTS, BECAUSE YOU NEED TO, AND YOU DON'T FIND A RIDERSHIP OF EIGHT IS IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU BALANCE ALL THAT? AND THEN ALSO TO THE CEDAR PARKS AND THE PFLUGERVILLE, THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD MAKE THE PIE FULL.
UM, BUT AREN'T MEMBERS OF CAP METRO.
AND PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PENNY TO DEDICATE IS RIGHT.
AND AS THESE GROUP OF MEMBER CITIES,
[03:25:01]
WHAT PERKS FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, DO THEY GET FOR BEING MEMBER CITIES VERSUS BECAUSE THE SCUTTLE BUD THAT GETS BACK CAUSE, OH, WE'LL CUT METROS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH ROUND ROCK AND GEORGETOWN AND ALL THESE PLACES ABOUT CONTRACTING FOR SERVICES.WELL, THE COOL THING ABOUT THAT IS THEY GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT.
AND SO, WHICH IS WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AGAIN AT THE MONEY, THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER, RIGHT? AND SO IT, IT MAKES IT A BETTER OPTION TO BE ABLE TO CONTRACT.
IT'S NOT THAT YOU DON'T WANT SERVICES, BUT AS A CITY, YOU'VE GOT MORE CONTROL OVER THE MONEY YOU SPEND.
AND SO IT'S A BALANCING ACT, BUT THOSE ARE JUST TWO THINGS I WANTED TO, IT IS BALANCING ACT.
AND WE HAVE TO, UH, TO WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO GET THIS DONE.
BUT WHAT WE ALSO HAVE TO REMIND FOLKS IS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WE'RE BECOMING AN APARTMENT CITY IN MAYNOR, WELL, IF YOU HAVE APARTMENTS AND YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GROCERY STORES AND LIBRARIES AND REC CENTERS, THEN YOU QUICKLY BECOME A SLUMP.
AND WHEN, SO WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS WE DO TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE THINGS THAT FAMILIES NEED TO BE STABLE AND HAVE REAL GROWTH.
SO, UH, AND I THINK TRANSIT PUBLIC TRANSIT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.
AS WE HEARD EARLIER WITH THE GROUP COMING IN SAYING, HOW DO I GET TO, WHERE DO I NEED TO GET TO? SO, UM, AND SO, UM, WELL, MR. CHAIRMAN, JUST TO ADD ONE MORE KIND OF POLICY, A PIN IN THIS AND PUT A PIN IN THIS THING TOO, UH, WITH THE LEGISLATURE COMING UP IN, UH, IN JANUARY AND GIVEN WHAT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE MAY WANT TO CONSIDER DOING, AND I DON'T KNOW IF A BOARD MEMBER COOPER FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, UM, WORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE AERO AND OTHERS, OR IF, SOMEHOW WE WANT TO MAYBE START NOW COMING UP ON SEPTEMBER, LOOKING AT A WAY OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO BRING BOTH OUR SMALL CITY MEMBERS.
AND ALSO SOME OF THESE OTHER PLAYERS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT DOING THIS FOR A WHILE NOW, BUT SOMEHOW MAYBE CONVENING SOME MEANING, START PLANNING AWAY TO ADDRESS SOME STRATEGIC IDEAS AND LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IDEAS FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION, PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT AT LEAST, OR AT LEAST KICKING AROUND SOME IDEAS ABOUT.
WE KIND OF KNOW WHAT SOME OF OUR ISSUES ARE, MAYBE START KICKING THIS AROUND, UH, THINK ABOUT IF WE WANT TO PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE OF SOME IDEAS TO TAKE TO THE LEGISLATURE, KIND OF IN LINE IN THE VEIN THAT, THAT WE TALKED, WE WANT TO BE THIS REGIONAL TRAN, UH, TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, LEADER.
AND WE'VE GOT THAT IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.
IF NOW MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO KIND OF AT LEAST START, YOU KNOW, TAKING THE NEXT STEP IN THAT AGAIN, I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A, I HATE TO SAY IT, THIS IS A BAD TIME TO NOT TO HAVE OUR GOVERNMENT RELATION SHOP KIND OF, YOU KNOW, DOWN.
AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE FILLING THAT PRETTY SOON HERE, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT, THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO, TO HAVE, UH, ADDED TO THAT, THAT, UH, PERSON'S RESPONSIBILITY, AS WELL AS LOOKING TO KIND OF BUILD THAT CERTAINLY COALITION TEAM SUDDENLY SHOULD BE A DISCUSSION POINT.
BUT THE ONLY THING THAT I'VE HEARD, UH, COMING OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THAT, THAT THEY ARE SOLIDLY SUPPORTING IS THE EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
SO MAYBE WE OUGHT TO BE TALKING TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE THOSE TYPES OF SERVICES IN AREAS THAT, THAT, UH, THAT ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF.
SO HOW DO WE WORK WITH, BUT IF THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT THE, THAT THERE ARE OTHER FOLKS WITH MORE, UH, POLITICAL ACCESS TO THOSE GUYS, AND MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.
UM, ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU NEED TO COVER WITH US? WE'VE GOT ONE MORE ITEM BEFORE WE ACTUALLY GO AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
[VIII.1. President & CEO Monthly Update]
MORE ITEM THAT WE HAVE BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THAT WOULD BE THE, UH, CEO'S REPORT.AND, UM, WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT FROM THE LAST MONTH OR SO, UM, SINCE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING.
UM, SO WE'LL START WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE GRAND OPENING OF THE TALAVERA LOSS.
UM, TALAVERA LOSSES, UM, THE, UH, LOCATED WITHIN THE PLAZA, LTO TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
UM, YOU MAY RECALL THAT PLAZA LTO IS, UM, BEING DEVELOPED BY ENDEAVOR, UM, AS A PART OF AN AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL METRO.
UM, THEY HAVE A 99 YEAR LAND LEASE ON THE LAND.
UM, THAT GOES BASICALLY FROM THE TRAIN STATION TO THE INTERSTATE, UM, AND NEAREST TO THE TRAIN STATION IS THIS NEW LOSS BUILDING THAT IS AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS BUILDING AND A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE UNITS ARE LOW INCOME AND WORKFORCE HOUSING.
UM, AND SO WE WERE HONORED, UM, LATE LAST MONTH TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR, UM, GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION OF THAT FACILITY.
[03:30:01]
A LOVELY FACILITY.IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO POP BY IT, YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD.
UM, NEXT UP, I, UM, HAD SHARED VIA EMAIL, BUT WANTED TO REPEAT HERE PUBLICLY.
AND FOR EVERYBODY, WHOEVER WATCHES THIS VIDEO ONLINE, UM, THAT CAPITAL METRO HAS RECEIVED $20 MILLION IN FUNDING, UM, FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION AS PART OF THEIR BUS AND BUS FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM.
UM, SO THIS WILL HELP US SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR NORTH BASED DEMAND RESPONSE FACILITY.
UM, THAT SERVICE IS CURRENTLY OPERATED OUT OF A LEASED FACILITY.
UM, AND WE HAVE PROGRAMMED FUNDING, UM, UH, A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.
THIS BOARD AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF THE LAND FOR FACILITY UP THERE, AND WE HAVE FUNDING PROGRAM AND OUR FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO BUILD THE FACILITY.
AND THIS WILL, UM, SUPPORT THAT EFFORT.
UM, WE ARE PLANNING A SUSTAINABLE FACILITY, UM, WITH, UM, BUILDING SPACE AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING, UM, AIMED AT HELPING TO INCREASE FOOD ACCESS AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY UP THERE.
UM, AND THIS OVERALL, UM, WILL REDUCE OUR, THE BURDEN ON OUR FACILITIES BUDGET, UM, BY BRINGING, UM, ADDITIONAL FEDERAL MONEY, UH, HERE TO CENTRAL TEXAS.
SO, UM, WE COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED ABOUT THE AWARD OF THIS GRANT, UM, AND GIVEN ALL OF THE MANY, MANY THINGS THIS COMMUNITY IS LOOKING TO DO WITH SUPPORT OF THE FTA AND THE USDA IN GENERAL.
UM, WE ARE, UM, REALLY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND BEING ABLE TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING ACROSS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AT THE USDA.
SO, UM, ONE DOWN 854 MORE TO GO, WE'LL JUST KEEP GOING AFTER THEM, UM, UNTIL WE GET EVERYTHING WE NEED, UM, ON AUGUST 17TH, UH, AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE, UM, AUSTIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTED THERE, UM, WHAT HAS NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL REGIONAL MOBILITY SUMMIT? UM, OUR OWN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF, UM, PLANNING, UM, SHARMILA MUKERJI, UH, PARTICIPATED IN A PANEL SPECIFICALLY ABOUT TRANSIT AND HOUSING.
UM, BUT THERE WERE ABOUT 600 FOLKS IN ATTENDANCE FOR A LUNCH AND AN AFTERNOON OF BREAKOUT SESSIONS, UM, AND IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS RECOGNIZED MOBILITY AS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDED TO BE FOCUSED ON.
IT WAS JUST AN ABSOLUTELY EXCITING AND ENERGIZING TO WALK INTO A ROOM FULL OF, UM, LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS WHO WERE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ALLOW THIS, UH, REGION TO GROW SMARTLY, UM, AND WITH GOOD, UM, MO WITH GOOD MOBILITY SOLUTIONS.
SO, UM, THERE WASN'T A SINGLE ONE OF THE BREAKOUT SESSIONS THAT DID NOT INCLUDE, UM, SOME ASPECT OF PROJECT CONNECT AND HOW, UM, TRANSIT IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE, THE REGIONAL MOBILITY SOLUTIONS.
SO, UM, THAT WAS QUITE EXCITING TO SEE, UM, NEXT UP, UM, UH, THANK YOU TO BOARD MEMBER KITCHEN FOR COMING OUT TO SAY HELLO DURING, UM, THE AUSTIN PRIDE PARADE.
UM, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE HAD, UM, THE AUSTIN PRIDE PARADE AND, UH, PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVENT AS WE HAVE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
UM, OUR BUSES THEMES CAN'T HIDE OUR PRIDE, UM, AND IT'S REALLY, IT WAS, IT WAS AN EXCELLENT EVENT.
IT WAS VERY WELL TURNED AT VERY GREAT TURN OUT.
UM, THE EVENT HADN'T HAPPENED IN A COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE OF COVID RATES IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO GET, UM, THE BUS OUT THERE, UM, COMPLETE WITH NEON OUTLINES AND LIVE AND A SOUND SYSTEM HOOKED TO THE FRONT.
AND, UM, SO THE COMMUNITY THAT AUSTIN DOES IN FACT, LIKE TO HAVE FUN, UM, HERE'S A DAYTIME PICTURE OF THE BUS, UM, AND, UH, ALSO JUST THE ARTWORK ITSELF.
I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THIS ARTWORK WAS ACTUALLY CREATED BY TWO OF OUR OWN IN-HOUSE, UM, DESIGNERS.
SO, UM, COREY MARK HART AND MEGAN SEXTON, UM, TWO OF OUR VERY TALENTED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS STAFF, UM, CREATED THE BEAUTIFUL LOGO, UM, PUT IT ON THE BUS, PUT IT ON T-SHIRTS.
IT WAS VERY WELL RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY.
SO, UM, THANKS TO THAT STAFFER SUCH GREAT WORK, UM, AND THEN LAST, BUT ABSOLUTELY CERTAINLY NOT LEAST EVERY YEAR, MASS TRANSIT MAGAZINE, UM, HONORS, UM, INDUSTRY LEADERS THAT THEY CALL THEIR TOP 40 UNDER 40, UM, AND IT RECOGNIZES, UH, MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY UNDER 40 YEARS OF AGE THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING HEAVILY.
UM, AND THIS YEAR, OUR VERY OWN MARTIN
UM, IF YOU HAVE NOT MET MARTIN YET, LET ME KNOW, CAUSE YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY MEET HIM.
HE IS A PHENOMENAL HUMAN BEING, UM, THAT ADVOCATES FOR TRANSIT HOLISTICALLY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE PROVIDE GREAT ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND IS THE ONE THAT HAS REALLY TAUGHT ME THAT ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE
[03:35:01]
WITH DISABILITIES, ACTUALLY ADVOCATES FOR BETTER ACCESS FOR ALL PEOPLE.AND SO MARTIN IS, IS PHENOMENAL AND WE ARE SO PROUD, UM, TO NOT ONLY HAVE HIM ON STAFF, BUT TO SEE HIM, UM, HONORED NATIONALLY FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT IS THE LAST SLIDE.
SO BEFORE I CONCLUDE MY REMARKS, I DID WANT TO SAY, UM, A QUICK HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BOARD CHAIR, UM, WHO I UNDERSTAND HOW TO MILESTONE BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY.
AND SO WE HAVE JUST A LITTLE THANK YOU FROM YOUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AND EXECUTIVE STAFF.
VERY KIND OF, YOU LOOK GREAT FOR 40.
HE DOES LOOK GREAT FOR 40 DOESN'T HE SIXTIES, THE NEW 40.
YOU ALL ARE VERY KIND AND, UH, AND I APPRECIATE IT.
UM, MY CHILDREN ARE BRINGING AROUND BLACK BALLOONS AND STUFF EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS.
YOU KNOW, MY MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE MY WILL.
I DON'T KNOW, BUT, BUT, BUT, UH, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UM, AND THAT WAS OUR, UH, FINAL AGENDA ITEM, FINAL PUBLIC AGENDA ITEM TODAY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HEAD
[IX. Executive Session of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code:]
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR A MONTHLY REPORT FROM OUR INTERIM PRESIDENT CEO.AND, UH, I THINK THERE ARE TWO ITEMS THAT WE WILL DISCUSS.
SO LET ME CALL IT IN, UH, LET, WELL, LET ME, LET ME, UM, I GUESS WE'LL RECESS AT FOUR 10, UH, AND, UM, AND WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND, UH, WE WILL NOT MAKE ANY DECISIONS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE WILL, IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT TO BE VOTED UPON, WE WILL BRING IT BACK HERE IN ORDER TO DO SO.
SO THE BOARD WILL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER SECTION 5, 5, 1 0.071 FOR CONSULTATION WITH OUR ATTORNEY REGARDING CURRENT LITIGATION, UH, SECTION 5, 5, 1 0.072 A FOR DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL ESTATE MATTERS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION AND PURCHASE OF LAND AT THE TRAVIS COUNTY EXPO CENTER AND SECTION 5, 5, 1 0.074 FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS, UH, RELATED TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO SEARCH PROCESS.
WE'RE GONE TO SESSION AT FOUR 12, RIGHT?