The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2006-03 recognizing Ricardo Hernandez, Coach Operator, as MST
Employee of the Month for August 2005 for his assertiveness and quick response
for disposing a lit cigarette averting a grass fire on MST property.
The MST Board adopted a
recognition award for Linda Carey for her participation on the MST RIDES
Advisory Committee.
The MST Board authorized
staff to continue to purchase Liability and Physical Damage insurance coverage
with CalTIP for an amount not to exceed $280,327.
The MST Board authorized the
Acting General Manager/CEO or the General Manager/CEO or the Director of
Transportation and Maintenance to execute and file federal, state and local
grant applications. This includes adopting Resolution 2006-04 authorizing
filing and executing federal grant applications.
The
MST Board appointed Janne Bennick to serve as a member of the MST RIDES
Advisory Committee. The MST RIDES
Advisory Committee provides a mechanism for communicating concerns, advice and
recommendations between citizens, MST RIDES passengers and families, frail
elderly and disabled advocacy agencies and the MST Board of Directors. Ms.
Bennick is the supervisor of the Rehabilitation Education Assistance Program at
the Salinas Adult School.
The MST Board authorized
staff to bind coverage for Employment Practices Liability Insurance with
National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA. This coverage is for
damages arising out of wrongful employment actions to include wrongful
termination, sexual harassment and discrimination. This coverage includes
Directors and officers as well as employees of MST.
The
MST Board awarded a contract to Perteet, Inc. for $28,174 to conduct passenger
and non-passenger surveys to gauge opinions of its customers and to find out
information about those individuals who do not currently take public transit.
The data can be used to improve services for existing passengers as well as to
increase ridership by marketing MST more effectively to non-riders.
The
MST Board: 1) Reaffirmed the previous direction to staff to proceed with
publishing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Master Developer of the property
at 280 Reservation Road; and 2) Approved the content of the Scope of Work.
The Draft Scope of Work
reflects a few changes in the vision for the property at 280 Reservation Road,
including the introduction of a new name to identify the project, Marina Central
Village. The recent changes to the Scope allow for a more diverse group of
proposers to closely consider this project.
Language in the draft
continues to express the consensus that MST
should try to develop a mixed-use project on the current site, but eventually
become part of the intermodal transportation center along the TAMC right of way
near Del Monte & Reservation.
The most significant new idea expressed in the Scope
of Work is that the transit components may take on a different configuration
besides an off-street loading platform. MST is willing to look at various
design options, as long as safety, security, and operational requirements are
met. Ultimately, the community and the
City get the benefit of a development plan selected from a more diverse set of
quality solutions to the project.
The MST Board authorized the Acting General
Manager/CEO to enter into an agreement with the City of Monterey to assume the
operation and maintenance of the Clean Air Refueling Station (CARS).
On December 20, 2004 the City of Monterey notified
MST that effective July 1, 2005 they plan to stop maintenance of the CARS
station based on City fleet and maintenance demands, and their discontinued use
of CNG fueled vehicles. The City has agreed to extend the July 1 date until an
agreement can be reached.
MST is the largest user of CNG fuel from this
station, with 17 buses, or 20% of the fleet, and 7 non-revenue vehicles using
CNG. This agreement will allow MST’s CNG fleet to continue to operate until it
is due for replacement in FY2007/2008.
This agreement will terminate on August 15, 2007,
with options for additional two-year increments, up to a total of ten
years. The agreement includes a
provision to return the CARS to the City of Monterey in the event MST no longer
operates CNG vehicles. This provision
is essential given MST’s strategic decision regarding the replacement or rehab
of its CNG bus fleet and questions about the availability of certified bus
engines in the State of California remain unresolved.
The MST Board authorized a public hearing to solicit
input on the draft plan at their September 12, 2005 Board meeting.
The Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) is the primary
planning document for MST, and it is an integral part of the MST Business Plan
that guides the future direction of the agency. The MST Business Plan and SRTP provide the business justification
for projects and service levels during the coming years.