15th ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010
10:00 – 12:00 P.M.
3449 Santa Anita Avenue, 3rd Floor
Council Chamber Room
El Monte CA, 91731
MISSION STATEMENT
Access Services promotes access to all modes of transportationand provides quality and safe ADA paratransit serviceon behalf of public transit agencies in Los Angeles County.
DISPOSITIONCALL TO ORDER / ACTION
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
/ PRESENTATIONCUSTOMER RECOGNITION / PRESENTATION
REVIEW & APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 20, 2008 ANNUAL
MEETING MINUTES (page 3)
[Staff Recommendation: Approve] / ACTION
[Vote Required: majority
of quorum by voice
vote]
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
/ INFORMATION2009 SPIRIT OF ACCESSIBILITY AWARD(page 12 ) /
PRESENTATION
2009 JERRY WALKER COMMITMENT TO QUALITYSERVICE AWARD(page 13 ) / PRESENTATION
ACCESS SERVICES IDENTITY PROGRAM / PRESENTATION
AGENCY NAME CHANGE (page 14 )
[Staff Recommendation: Approve name change] / ACTION [Vote required: majority of each of the two classes]
9. / NEW BUSINESS RAISED SUBSEQUENT OF THE
POSTING OF THE AGENDA / POSSIBLE ACTION
10. / ADJOURNMENT / ACTION
Access Services does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Accordingly, Access Services seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities will have an equal opportunity to participate in the range of Access Services events and programs by providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services to facilitate communication. In determining the type of auxiliary aids and services for communication that will be provided, primary consideration is given to the request of the individual with disabilities. However, the final decision belongs to Access Services. To help ensure availability of those auxiliary aids and services you require, please make every effort to notify Access Services of your request at least three (3) business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting in which you wish to utilize those aids or services. You may do so by contacting (213) 270-6000.
Note: ASI board meetings are held pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act [Cal. Gov. Code §54950] and are open to the public. The public may view and obtain all written information supporting this agenda provided to the board both initially and supplementally prior to the meeting at the agency’s offices located at 707 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor, Los Angeles California and on its website at Documents, including Power Point handouts distributed to Board Members by staff or Board members at the meeting will simultaneously be made available to the public. Three opportunities are available for the public to address the board during a board meeting: (1) before closed session regarding matters to be discussed in closed session, (2) before a specific agendized item is debated and voted upon regarding that item and (3) general public comment. The exercise of the right to address the board is subject to restriction as to time and appropriate decorum. All persons wishing to make public comment must fill out a yellow Public Comment Form and submit it to the Secretary to the Board. Public comment is generally limited to three (3) minutes per speaker and the total time available for public comment may be limited at the discretion of the Chairperson. Persons whose speech is impaired such that they are unable to address the board at a normal rate of speed may request the accommodation of a limited amount of additional time from the Chair but only by checking the appropriate box on the Public Comment Form. Granting such an accommodation is in the discretion of the Chair.
The Board of Directors will not and cannot respond during the meeting to matters raised under general public comment. Pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act governing these proceedings, no discussion or action may be taken on these matters unless they are listed on the agenda, or unless certain emergency or special circumstances exist. However, the board may direct staff to investigate and/or schedule certain matters for consideration at a future Board of Directors Meeting and the staff will respond to all public comment in writing prior to the next board meeting.
"Alternative accessible formats available upon request."
ITEM 4
MINUTES
ACCESS SERVICES
14TH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008
CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS
The Access Service 14th Annual Membership meeting convened at 12:16 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at Los Angeles Athletic Club in the Main Dining Room located at 431 West 7th Street, Los Angeles California. The presiding Board Member was Chairperson Doran Barnes. The following Members of Access Services were present, constituting a quorum of the Membership of Access Services:
LOCAL FIXED ROUTE OPERATORSRepresentatives and Proxies / Agencies
Joyce Rooney – Proxy / City of Alhambra
David Lopez / City of Baldwin Park
Frank Johnathan - Proxy / City of Burbank
Joyce Rooney – Proxy / City of Calabasas
Cara Rice / City fo Carson
Eduardo Vega – Proxy / City of Cerritos
Satish Chander / City of Compton
Amelia Jennings / City of Downey
Deborah Moraza / City of El Monte
Jano Baghdanian / City of Glendale
Thomas Uwal – Proxy / City of Inglewood
Ann Meiners – Proxy / Los Angeles County– Department of Public Works
Jose Trejo / City of Lynwood
Martin Gombert / Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority
Catherine Cole / City of Pasadena
Joyce Rooney – Proxy / City of Rosemead
Monica Rincon / City of Santa Fe Springs
Annette Jackson - Proxy / City of West Covina
Joyce Rooney / City of West Hollywood
Joyce Rooney – Proxy / City of Westlake Village
MUNICIPAL FIXED ROUTE OPERATORS
Grace Nadel – Proxy / Culver City Bus
Doran Barnes / Foothill Transit
Robert Hildebrand – Proxy / Gardena Municipal Bus Lines
Shirley Hsiao / Long Beach Transit
John Fong / Los Angeles Department of Transportation
Michael Greenwood / METRO
Edith Martinez – Proxy / Norwalk Transit
Adrian Aguilar / Santa Clarita Transit
Joseph Stitcher / Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus
Dennis Kobata - Proxy / Torrance Transit
Martin Gombert / City of Commerce
BOARD MEMBERS
Doran Barnes, Chair / Municipal Fixed Route Operators
Dolores Nason, Vice Chair / L.A. County Board of Supervisors
Jan Heidt, Treasurer / City Selection Committee Corridor Transportation Services Representative
Joyce Rooney, Secretary / Local Fixed Route Operators
Kurt Hagen / L.A. County Commission on Disabilities
Hugh Hallenberg / Southern California Independent Living Center Collaborative
Theresa De Vera / City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office
Michael Greenwood / METRO
Jano Baghdanian / Local Fixed Route Operators
Joseph Stitcher-Ex-Officio / ASI Transportation Professional Advisory Committee
Shawn Solomon, Ex-Officio / Community Advisory Committee
The following Local Fixed Route Operators were not in attendance: City of Bell Gardens, City of Monrovia, City of Monterey Park, City of La Canada Flintridge, City of Bellflower, City of Sierra Madre, City of Cudahy, City of Duarte, City of Paramount, City of Lawndale, and City of Huntington Park.
The following Municipal Fixed Route Operators were not in attendance: Beach Cities Transit, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, and the City of Montebello.
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
Access Services Executive Director, Shelly Verrinder welcomed everyone to the 14th Annual Membership Meeting for Access Services. Ms Verrinder stated that the meeting location was chosen, in part, for its proximity to public transportation as promised at the last membership annual meeting. She added, just to get everyone thinking about public transit, next year Access Services staff might have a special prize for folks that use public transit to get to the meeting. Ms. Verrinder introduced the members of the Access Services Board of Directors: Chairperson Doran Barnes representing the Los Angeles Municipal Operators, Vice Chairperson Dolores Nason representing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Treasurer Jan Heidt representing the City Selection Committee Corridor Transportation Representatives, Secretary Joyce Rooney representing the Local Fixed Route Operators, Director Jano Baghdanian representing the Local Fixed Route Operators, Director Theresa DeVera representing the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, Director Michael Greenwood representing the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Director Hugh Hallenberg representing the Southern California Independent Living Centers and Director Kurt Hagen representing the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities.
She also introduced the two Ex-Officio members of the Board of Directors Shawn Solomon, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Joseph Stitcher, Chair of the Transportation Professionals Advisory Committee (TPAC) and Access Services Legal Counsel Jim Jones. Ms. Verrinder recognized the two representatives from Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s office Vivian Rescalvo and Cynthia Scott, and the two representatives from the Office of Senator Barbara Boxer’s office Gina Semenza and Juan Camacho.
Ms. Verrinder reported that fiscal year 2008 was a good year for Access Paratransit, ridership increased by 5% and the quality of service delivered was the best yet with on-time performance over 90% systemwide. Hour late trips decreased by over 6%, service related complaints decreased by 9% and 1,997,414 telephone calls were answered with an average initial hold time of 41 seconds which amounts to a 73.33% decrease.
Ms. Verrinder introduced the individuals responsible for the consistently high service quality provided to the riders. For the Eastern Region Access Services Project Administrator David Foster and Stacy Murphy, San Gabriel Transit. For the West/Central Region David Foster and Scott Manchan, Southland Transit. For the Southern Region Access Services Project Administrator Evie Palicz and Lee Habibi, Global Paratransit. For the San Fernando Valley Region Project Administrator Luis Garcia and Walter Andrade, MV Transportation. For the Santa Clarita area Luis Garcia and Matt Atkins, Southland Transit.
Ms. Verrinder concluded her introduction by stating that staff had a great program planned for today’s meeting, which would be spotlighting Access Services technology program.
DRIVING TECHNOLOGY FORWARD
Access Services Director of Administration and Information Technology, F Scott Jewell stated that as one of the largest ADA paratransit operations in the country, the use of technology had been crucial in the expansion and success of Access Services. He stated that a video presentation put together by staff would be presented, highlighting some of the current and future projects.
He thanked Rogelio Gomez, Torrance Johnson and Jeff Mora for their assistance with the production of the video. He also thanked the providers who participated.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 8, 2007 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
On page three of the meeting minutes under the Local Fixed Route Operators, it stated that Amelia Jennings was a proxy for the City of Downey, let the minutes reflect that she was not a proxy. On page four of the meeting minutes under the Local Fixed Route Operators, it stated that Joyce Rooney was a proxy for the City of West Hollywood, let the minutes reflect that she was not a proxy.
On page five of the meeting minutes it stated that Gardena Municipal Bus Lines were not in attendance, let the minutes reflect that Gardena Municipal Bus Lines was in attendance.
On page seven under the “Review and Approval of November 16, 2005 Annual Meeting Minutes,” let the minutes reflect that the date was incorrect and should have been 2006.
Motion:Director Nason moved approval of the minutes from the November 8, 2007 13th Annual Membership Meeting as corrected.
Second:Director Hallenberg seconded the motion.
Discussion:None.
Vote:Via Voice Vote.
In Favor:All were in favor.
Abstention:None.
Pass/Fail:The motion carried.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Gary Jansen expressed his sadness regarding the passing of Joe King who was a friend and would be greatly missed by us all.
Mr. Michael Arrigo, a member of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) stated that he had the opportunity to work with Joe King when he first became involved with the CAC, Mr. Arrigo expressed his sadness and condolences to the King family. He also thanked Access Services Board Member, Director DeVera for appointing him to the CAC.
2008 SPIRIT OF ACCESSIBILITY AWARD
Access Services Board of Directors Chairperson Doran Barnes introduced and turned the floor over to Access Services Director of Strategic Planning Arun Prem. Mr. Prem stated that the Spirit of Accessibility Award was instituted in the year 2000 and was presented annually to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions towards making public transportation in Los Angeles County more accessible for everyone. Mr. Prem announced that this year’s recipient of the “Spirit of Accessibility Award” was Mr. James Hogan, a CAC Member and Access rider.
Access Services Board Member, Director Heidt thanked Mr. Hogan for his commitment and contributions to the City of Santa Clarita as well as to the disabled community. She presented him with the Spirit of Accessibility Award.
Mr. Hogan accepted the award on behalf of the City of Santa Clarita. He also thanked Access Services staff and Board of Directors for their hard work, Director DeVera for being the voice of the community, Director Heidt for encouraging him to use the Metrolink train and lastly, his wife for all her support.
ACCESS SERVICES BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Access Services Director of Governmental Services, Andre Colaiace reviewed the proposed Bylaws Amendments. He explained that the three proposed amendments were developed to improve participation in official Access Services events and election process.
Motion:Director Rooney moved to approve the proposed Bylaw Amendments.
Second:Director DeVera seconded the motion.
Discussion:None.
Vote:Via Voice Vote.
In Favor:All were in favor.
Abstention:None.
Pass/Fail:The motion carried.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEES – BOARD ELECTIONS
Access Services Director of Governmental Services, Andre Colaiace stated that the Access Services Bylaws require the establishment of a Nominating Committees at the Annual Membership meeting to develop a list of candidates for the Municipal and Local Fixed Route Operators Transit Board Member elections.
Mr. Colaiace stated that Mr. Kevin McDonald from Foothill Transit and Mr. Dennis Kobata from Torrance Transit had agreed to serve on the committee for the Municipal Operators and Joyce Rooney from the City of West Hollywood would represent the Local Operators. Mr. Colaiace concluded his presentation by stating that the committee would continue to accept volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee until December 1, 2008.
Motion:Director Heidt moved to approve the establishment of Nominating Committees.
Second:Director Nason seconded the motion.
Discussion:None.
Vote:Via Voice Vote.
In Favor:All were in favor.
Abstention:None.
Pass/Fail:The motion carried.
FISCAL YEAR 2008/2009 FINANCIAL REPORT
Access Services Director of Finance, Lance Sweitzer provided a brief presentation on the Fiscal Year 2008/09 Financial Report. He stated that Access Services ended the fiscal year within 2% of the projected budget and did well considering the economic situation. He reviewed the operating costs and explained how the numbers had increased over the past 10 years.
2008 JERRY WALKER COMMITMENT TO QUALITY SERVICE AWARD
Access Services Acting Manager of Contract Services, Steve Chang and Executive Director Shelly Verrinder presented the 1st Annual Jerry Walker Commitment to Quality Service Award. Mr. Chang stated that Mr. Walker was the General Manager for San Gabriel Transit and was one of the first managers to work with Access Services. Mr. Walker was also instrumental in the development and expansion of ADA Paratransit throughout Los Angeles County and played an essential role in the creation of numerous policies and procedures that are currently in place. The Jerry Walker Commitment to Quality Service Award was established to honor his memory.
Mr. Chang explained that anyone involved with Access Services or its contractors could be nominated for the award. He stated that the award selection committee consisted of Access Services providers and staff. He stated that after reviewing many outstanding nominations, the 2008 Jerry Walker Commitment to Quality Service Award was presented to Mr. Chang Kim, Road Supervisor for Southland Transit.
Ms. Verrinder stated that Mr. Kim began working as a driver for San Gabriel Transit in 2003 prior to becoming a Road Supervisor at Southland Transit. She explained that Mr. Kim is dedicated to helping the drivers improve their on time performance and provide the best possible customer service. She congratulated Mr. Kim on his outstanding achievements. She stated that a trophy will be displayed at Mr. Kim’s work area throughout the year and will hopefully be an inspiration to others to provide the same high level of service.
Mr. Kim stated that he was honored to receive the award and thanked the Access Services Board of Directors, staff and providers for their support.