MST HIGHLIGHTS

DECEMBER 13, 2004 BOARD MEETING

 

DECEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

 

The MST Board adopted Resolution 2005-12 recognizing Jim Lopez, Mechanic, as MST Employee of the Month for December 2004.

 

SERVICE and RETIREMENT AWARDS

 

MST Board members Bruce Delgado and Morris Fisher were recognized for their years of service on the MST Board of Directors. Director Fisher previously served as Chair and Vice-Chair. He is also the longest serving Board member with over 23˝ years of service. Donald Lee, Coach Operator retired after 25 years of service.

 

SMALL CLAIMS

 

The MST Board delegated authority to the General Manager/CEO or is designee to administer small claims not to exceed $25,000 by accepting and settling these matters. Final authority to settle or adjust any claim exceeding $25,000 will be approved by the Board.

 

FORA LIABILITY INSURANCE

 

The Board discussed the purchase of Environmental Liability Insurance for MST properties on the former Fort Ord through the Fort Ord Reuse Authority’s basewide policy.

 

The self-insured retention (SIR) for this policy is $500,000 for pollution conditions and $1 million for munitions and explosives conditions. After the SIR is reached, MST would be covered for up to $2 million in remediation costs if pollution were found on any of its properties as well as for defense costs related to claims from personal injuries and property damages that result from pollution or explosions of munitions. Once the $2 million level has been reached for a single claim or group of claims, MST would be responsible for any additional costs and/or damages.

 

This type of insurance has never been offered before. The FORA Board may require that MST obtain this type of insurance in order to develop its property. No action was taken. This matter will be brought back to the Board for further discussion and possible action.

 

SALINAS INTERMODAL TRANSIT CENTER

 

The MST Board approved the conceptual designs for the purposes of TAMC’s planning process and approved a resolution supporting the Caltrain Extension to Monterey County project.

 

MST’s approval of the Intermodal Transit Center (ITC) conceptual design is needed to move forward with the environmental phase for the Caltrain Extension to Monterey County Project. The design is conceptual for the purposes of the environmental documents and alternatives analysis. There will be opportunities to modify the ITC design in future phases of the project.

 

2005 STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

 

The MST Board adopted the 2005 Legislative Program. The Legislative Program would advocate preservation of existing transportation funding and increased funding for priority projects. The State Legislative Program includes supporting the California Transit Association’s Legislative Program, seeking state funding for critical transit capital projects, and supporting measures for countywide transportation sales or gas taxes. The Federal Legislative Program would include TEA reauthorization, creation of small operator “incentive tier”, and charter regulation reform as key MST issues.

 

The 2005 Legislative Program will be presented to state and federal legislators and will guide MST positions on legislative matters throughout the year. The Legislative Program is also used as a guideline for supporting, opposing, or watching legislation when time does not permit official MST Board action on specific legislation.