The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2005-01 recognizing Danny Avina, Customer Service Supervisor, as MST
Employee of the Month for July 2004.
The MST Board approved the
three-year Affirmative Action Program for submittal to FTA.
The MST Board appointed
Marie Swank to serve as a member of the MST RIDES Advisory Committee. This appointment will provide the committee
with five voting members.
REVISED
ADVERTISING POLICY
The MST Board adopted a
revised advertising policy for commercial ads placed on MST buses and shelters.
The new policy would limit the use of advertising space for the display of
commercial advertising only.
The current policy standards
are insufficient to protect MST’s interests in controlling the types of
advertising it would prefer on board its buses and at bus shelters.
Specifically, allowing non-profit and public service announcements to be displayed
on MST buses as advertisements create the potential for MST advertising space
to be used as a “public forum”. As a public forum, MST would not be able to
control the content of messages to be displayed regardless of whether the
material is considered objectionable by MST or the community at large.
The
MST Board approved the disposal of excess bus repair parts. The book value of
these parts totals $89,660.35. However, the resale value is limited due to the
fact that these buses are quite old and, due to changes in engine emissions
standards, may no longer be operated in California.
Any
unusable repair parts will be offered initially to the Hartnell College diesel
technician program for purchase at reduced cost for use in their curriculum.
SOFTWARE
CONTRACT AWARD
The
MST Board awarded a $485,510 exclusive contract to HASTUS-GIRO Inc. for
purchase and installation of the following integrated software applications:
Vehicle scheduling & run-cutting; Rostering; Dispatching; and Time Keeping.
Purchase of this software will allow MST staff to focus attention to process
management and information analysis in support of the MST business model.
Currently,
MST relies on manual processes to administer daily activities that influence
annual labor and materials costs in excess of $6 million per year. These
processes are not only subject to human error, but are also ineffective in
maximizing the productivity of MST’s vehicles and employees. Software packages
utilize sophisticated mathematical algorithms and optimization features that
consistently deliver an overall reduction in operating expense by increasing
productivity within the transit industry. The new software package is
anticipated to take approximately one year to become fully operational.
MEDICAL
SERVICES CONTRACT
The
MST Board awarded a one-year contract with Workwell Medical Group to provide
additional medical services to MST employees. This includes treatment for
injured workers, drug & alcohol testing, pre-employment physicals and other
services as defined by MST. The Board also authorized staff to extend the
contract for up to two two-year extensions under the same terms, conditions and
prices provided in the response to RFP #04-19.
MST
currently utilized the services of Monterey Bay Urgent Care for employees
working out of the Albert Division in Monterey. Salinas Urgent Care has been
utilized for thoese employees working out of the Wright Division in Salinas.
WorkWell Medical Group offers the services of a physician whose specialty is
Occupational Medicine. It is MST’s intent to provide the most qualified medical
professionals for injured workers.
REAFFIRM
FRAMEWORK FOR BUS ADVERTISING PROGRAM
The
MST Board reaffirmed the framework for the Bus Advertising Program; directed
staff to issue an RFP for transit advertising professional services; and
authorized staff to continue bus-advertising sales while transit advertising
professional services are solicited.
The MST Board approved the
proposed changes to lines 3-Skyline DART, 8-Seaside-Del Rey Oaks DART,
10-Fremont-Ord Grove, 16-Edgewater-Marina, 17-Edgewater-Marina,
20-Monterey-Salinas, 21-Monterey-Salinas via Highway 68, 43-Memorial Hospital,
44-Westridge, and 46-Natividad for implementation on September 11, 2004.
These changes will result in
a cost savings to MST of approximately $137,000 between September 11, 2004 and
June 30, 2004. This also reflects a 2.8% service reduction. Spread equitably
over MST’s service area, these reductions were targeted at times and locations
where fewer than five passengers per hour were riding. Additional proposed
reductions include “tripper” buses that would duplicate service (e.g. extra
capacity) of regular line buses. Resources will also be redistributed that
would provide passengers with limited service on days currently without any
service – Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
REVISION
TO SAND CITY MOU
Due
to decreased city revenues, Sand City can no longer contribute $95,000 for
service to their city. They have also requested to transfer the ownership and
maintenance of the bus shelters to MST. Rehabilitation costs of the shelters
are currently estimated at approximately $13,000. Costs of installation of new
shelters, and other required sigh improvements could exceed $100,000. These
costs are not included in the current approved MST capital budget.
The
MST Board provided direction to staff to pursue the Memorandum of Understanding
with Sand City lowering their financial contribution to $25,000 to help offset
the cost of additional mileage related to the provision of service to
destinations within Sand City. Staff was also directed to continue to negotiate
with Sand City regarding costs associated with the ongoing maintenance and
replacement of bus shelters in Sand City.