Jun 28, 2022 VIA / ATD Board of Trustees Meeting

[00:00:01]

THIS IS

[ATD 1. Call to Order]

I AM SECRETARY MALONE AND FOR CHAIR REYES, VICE CHAIR BROWN HERE, TRUSTEE BASO DUO HERE.

TRUSTEE VANILLA HERE.

TRUSTEE, COMO TRUSTEE COOPER HERE.

TRUSTEE GONZALEZ HERE.

TRUSTEE PARADIS.

SURE.

TRUSTEE TO WILL.

OKAY.

TRUSTEE WOOL.

HERE WE HAVE A QUORUM.

IF WE CAN PLEASE

[ATD 2. Moment of Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance, Announcements]

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE.

ALL RIGHT.

UH, MR. ARNDT, DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? UH, NOT AT THIS TIME.

ARE THERE ANY CITIZENS TO BE HEARD FOR THE MEETING OF THE ATD? THERE ARE NO CITIZENS TO BE HURT.

OKAY.

TRUSTEES, WE'RE AT THE CONSENT

[ATD 4. Consent Agenda Items for Approval:]

SO MOVE MADAM CHAIR.

SECOND, SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES NEXT ON THE AGENDA

[ATD 5. *Legal Briefing]

SO BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING AS A RESOLUTION REGARDING, UM, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND HOW WE WILL BE MANAGING, UH, CITIZENS TO BE HEARD FOR THE, BOTH THE ATD AND THE VEHICLE, BUT WE'LL START WITH THE ATD, UM, PROCEDURE FOR NOW DURING THIS ATD MEETING, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT MUCH OF THIS IS CODIFYING AND PUTTING FORMALLY IN A POLICY MUCH OF WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING.

AND SO THESE ARE THE PRACTICES THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY AT VIA FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN TWEAKED AND MODIFIED JUST A BIT.

UH, YOU HEARD A PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS PREVIOUSLY, AND SO I'LL JUST WALK THROUGH THE SLIDESHOW, BOTH FOR THE BENEFIT OF REFRESHING THE MEMORY OF EVERYONE THAT'S HERE AND FOR THE PUBLIC, UH, MOVING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.

IF THE BOARD WERE TO PASS THIS THIS EVENING, THEN IT WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

UH, THE NEXT MEETING, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT AS IT RELATES TO OTHER OPTIONS, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT AS DIRECTED BY YOU AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, UM, FOR SOME MECHANISM FOR MORE REMOTE ACCESS FOR CITIZENS TO PROVIDE US WITH COMMENTS SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR THOSE COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PHYSICALLY MAKE IT TO A MEETING, TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK TO THIS BOARD AND TO THIS ENTITY, ET CETERA.

SO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD POLICY OVERALL, OF COURSE, THIS AGENCY AND THE BOARD WELCOMES THOSE COMMENTS FOR THE ATD MEETING.

WE WILL SPECIFICALLY BE TAKING COMMENTS RELATED TO ITEMS THAT APPEAR ON THE AGENDA.

SO YOU CAN SPEAK AT THE ATD MEETING ON AGENDIZE ITEMS, BUT NOT GENERALLY AS TO ANYTHING ELSE OR OTHER OTHER MATTERS, UH, PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD WOULD NEED TO REGISTER AND SIGN UP PRIOR TO THE MEETING,

[00:05:01]

NEXT TIME, EACH SPEAKER WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES MAXIMUM TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.

WHEN THE SPEAKER TIME, WHEN THE SPEAKERS TIME HAS EXPIRED, THEY SHOULD REFRAIN FROM FURTHER COMMENT AND REALLY RELINQUISH THE PODIUM OR THE MICROPHONE.

THERE IS THE ABILITY FOR AN ADDITIONAL SPEAKER OR FOR A SPEAKER TO YIELD TIME TO A SPEAKER.

SO ONE SPEAKER CAN SPEAK FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES, UM, AT THAT IF THAT PERSON HAS RECEIVED YIELDED TIME FROM ANOTHER PERSON, A PERSON THAT IS YIELDING MEATS TO BE PRESENT REGISTERED, AND IN THE MEETING SPACE, THERE ARE NO PHANTOM FOLKS THAT CAN YIELD TIME TO ANYONE YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BE HERE IN ORDER FOR THAT TO OCCUR.

UH, ANY OF THOSE TIME LIMITS CAN BE MODIFIED BY THE BOARD CHAIR BASED ON WHAT'S GOING ON AT A PARTICULAR MEETING ON A PARTICULAR DAY, OR IF THERE ARE ISSUES THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY, THE BOARD WILL NOT DISCUSS OR DISCUSS OR ACT ON ANY NON-AGENDA ISSUE.

AND AGAIN, ALL COMMENTS MUST CONCERN ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA, PROFANITY, PURELY PERSONAL ATTACKS, COMMENTS, OR THREATS TOWARDS ANY INDIVIDUAL WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

AND ANY SPEAKER THAT ENGAGES IN BEHAVIOR THAT DISRUPTS THE BOARD MEETING WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE AND MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE MEETING SPACE.

SO THAT IS IN A NUTSHELL, THERE'S NOT, THAT'S A HIGH-LEVEL DISCUSSION OF WHAT WILL BE IN THE POLICY.

UM, THERE ARE SOME THAT WILL BE PROVIDED, UH, TO THE PUBLIC THAT WILL BE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM AND CITIZENS COME TO SIGN IN AND WE'LL BE DOING OTHER, UM, SOCIAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS THAT.

SO, SORRY, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AND WITH THAT, THERE, THERE SHOULD BE A RESOLUTION, UM, FOR YOU, IF YOU, IF SOMEONE WOULD PLEASE MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, THEN WE WILL.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION BONNIE BEFORE MY MOTION.

UM, IF WE CAN GO BACK A FEW SLIDES RO THE ONE QUESTION THAT I HAD AROUND AGENDIZED ITEMS ON THE ATD AGENDA ON THE ATD AGENDA.

OKAY.

SO WE DON'T GENERALLY HAVE ITEMS. SO IF, IF IT WAS A CONSENT ITEM, OKAY.

I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.

SO EVEN IF IT'S A CONSENT ITEM FOR THE ATD FUNDING, FINANCIAL REPORT.

OKAY.

THAT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE.

I JUST WANT, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY WITH THAT, UH, MADAM CHAIRS, SO MOVE, OR WE, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE OF THIS POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD A SECOND MOTION.

OKAY.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

UH, THAT WE HAVE REACHED A GERMAN.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.

UH, WE

[1. Call to Order]

[2. Moment of Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance, Announcements]

UH, I WILL BEGIN AGAIN WITH THE STAR OF THE QUARTER.

SO THIS QUARTER, OR THIS MONTH IS THE STAR ADMINISTRATOR OF THE QUARTER AND OUR STAR AWARD RECIPIENT IS EXECUTIVE AND BOARD SUPPORT DEBRA LONGORIA.

OF COURSE I HAD TO DO THIS BECAUSE WE'RE ABOUT TO GO INTO A RETREAT.

AND I, WE ALL REMEMBER THE RULE FROM LAST YEAR, RIGHT.

BUT NO, I DID NOT HAVE TO DO IT.

UH, DEBORAH IS THE LIAISON FOR THE, UH, FOR THE BOARD AND OUR SERVICE TO VIA AND TO THE VIA BOARD HAS BEEN EXEMPLARY, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID-19, BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN RESPONSIBLE COORDINATING, COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD, KEEPING THEM FOR ALL THE TRANSITIONS WE GO, WHETHER WE'RE IN PERSON OR NOT IN PERSON AND HOW THAT'S ALL GOING TO WORK.

UH, THESE EFFORTS INCLUDED EDUCATING AND INFORMING THE STAFF AND THE BOARD OF THESE CHANGES RELATED TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS, EXECUTIVE SESSIONS AND THE EBBS AND FLOWS OF MEETINGS AND MEETING TYPES.

AND SHE MANAGED IT WITH EXTRAORDINARY PATIENTS, GRACE, AND A COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT AS SHE APPROACHES EVERY ITEM THAT SHE DEALS WITH.

AND SO, UH, CONGRATULATIONS, DEBRA

[00:10:01]

WE'RE PLEASED TO INFORM THE BOARD THAT VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT HAS WON FIRST PLACE AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSOCIATIONS, 2022 ANNUAL AD WILLS AWARD COMPETITION FOR OUTSTANDING MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS WORK.

THE IT'S SO EASY CAMPAIGN FEATURING THE CAMEO BY THE PUPPET RECEIVED TOP HONORS AND THE COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN CATEGORY FOR BEST MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS TO SUPPORT RIDERSHIP.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, JOHN GARY HERRERA, THE ENTIRE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AND TO OUR PARTNERS AT KGB, TEXAS, UH, FOR DEVELOPING THIS EXCELLENT EFFECTIVE.

AND NOW AWARD-WINNING CAMPAIGN NEXT, UH, WE'RE VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, CAMMIE OR HORN HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A WINNER OF THE SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS.

JOURNAL'S 2022 WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AWARDS.

THE AWARD CEREMONY WILL HONOR WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP, AND IT WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 11TH.

CONGRATULATIONS CAMMIE ON THIS PRESTIGIOUS HONOR AT THE 2022 TOP 25 PRIME CONTRACTOR, SOME CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AWARDS LUNCHEON THAT WAS HELD THIS MONTH IN HOUSTON VIA WAS SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE SUPPLIER DIVERSITY CHAMPION AWARD.

THESE AWARDS CELEBRATE THE COMPANIES AND AGENCIES WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO FOSTER BUSINESS GROWTH WITHIN MINORITY COMMUNITIES BY SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE DIVERSITY INITIATIVES.

AND MORE, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURE, MAURICE BRIDGES, OUR DIRECTOR OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AND THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND FEDERAL COMPLIANCE WAS ON HAND AT THE CEREMONY TO ACCEPT THE AWARD FOR VIA.

IT'S REALLY ALWAYS GRATIFYING TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THIS WAY.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE TEAM, BOTH THOSE THAT WORK FOR MARISE AND THOSE THAT WORK THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY THAT PUT TOGETHER PACKAGES.

SO THEY CAN, SO THAT MAURICE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN HIS ENDEAVORS.

ALL RIGHT, SO THE STATE OF TRANSIT PRESENTATION WAS HELD ON JUNE 17TH AT THE WITTY MAZE FAMILY CENTER.

AND OUR FOCUS WAS ON THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS.

THAT V IS WORKING TO KEEP SAN ANTONIO MOVING FASTER, FURTHER AND MORE FREQUENT ESPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDED MAYOR RON NIERENBERG, JUDGE NELSON WOLF, SAM CO-CHAIR, AL AL ARRIOLA, AND THE RETURN OF OUR 2021 MC SARAH LOU, SARAH, A GREAT FRIEND TO VIA AND TRANSIT, AND WHO ALWAYS DOES A REMARKABLE JOB.

UH, WE ALSO WANT TO THANK SAMCO AND BECAUSE THEY PUT THESE EVENTS TOGETHER AND ALSO OUR THINGS GO TO THE VIA TRANSIT, UH, VIA BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE ABLE TO ATTEND AND TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

UH, I WANNA, I'M GONNA GO THROUGH A BUNCH OF NAMES BECAUSE THEY, IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO DO, UH, UH, STATE OF TRANSIT.

SO I ESPECIALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR EVENTS MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, LAUREN, SAN CHOO, UH, AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, OUR MARKETING DIRECTOR, JESSICA GONZALES, LEAD DESIGNER, RICK FISHER, AND OUR DESIGN AND MARKETING TEAM, INCLUDING OUR PARTNERS AGAIN AT KGB, TEXAS MEMBERS OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FROM PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PLANNING, INCLUDING OUR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, JOHN GARY HERRERA, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DEVELOPMENT, CAMMIE HORN, OUR VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAM DELIVERY MANAGERIAL CALLED COD CAR AND CHIEF EXTERNAL AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS.

OFFICER LEROY ALLOWAY.

I LEFT ONE NAME OUT OF THAT BECAUSE, AND I HAVEN'T CONFERRED WITH JOHN GARY, BUT I THINK THAT WE WOULD ALL AGREE THAT RACHEL BENEVIDEZ WAS OUR MVP FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT.

AND SO I WANT TO REALLY RECOGNIZE HER, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE WORK SHE DID IN SO MANY ASPECTS OF, OF THE STATE OF TRANSIT.

I THINK PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED WERE EXCITED TO HEAR OUR STORY, BUT FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT JOIN, WE'VE CONVINCED ONE HOUR OR TWO ABOUT TWO MINUTES.

AND WE'LL SEE THAT NEXT.

I WILL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, I THINK PERHAPS THE FIFTH OR SIXTH OF THESE EVENTS.

AND I THINK FOR THE FIRST FIVE OR SIX EVENTS, THE MAIN THING PEOPLE WALKED AWAY WITH IS THAT FREQUENCY IS IMPORTANT TO SERVICE TODAY WHILE FREQUENCY IS STILL IMPORTANT.

AND I DON'T DENY THAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT SEVERAL OF THE WAYS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WITH FEDERAL FUNDING PROGRAMS. AND THAT'S OPENED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR, TO INTRODUCE RAPID TRANSIT TO SAN ANTONIO FOR THE FIRST TIME.

[00:15:03]

AND THEN JUST EVERYONE HERE IN THE ROOM TODAY, JUST SHOWING LOVE TO VIA AND TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON WHAT YOU DID DURING THE COVID CRISIS.

THEY DIDN'T STOP SERVING PEOPLE.

THEY MADE IT WHERE THEIR BUSES WOULD BE SAFE.

THEY SEPARATED PEOPLE APART.

THEY DID THE SANITATION AND IT KEPT THE BUSES RUNNING MY MESSAGE TO YOU ALL ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS WE ARE READY TO DO ALL WE NEED TO DO TO BRING THOSE FUNDS HOME TO SAN ANTONIO, TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, EVERY MODERN MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.

AND WE STAND READY TO PARTNER WITH YOU AND THE ENTIRE REGION AND HELPING DEMONSTRATE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WE WERE MAKING A SOUND AND NEEDED AN INVESTMENT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

AND WE CAN BRING A NEW, BETTER, FASTER SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO GREATER OPPORTUNITY.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED PUT THAT TOGETHER.

AND THEN FINALLY, I WANT TO END ON A VERY HIGH NOTE.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING TRUSTEE, JAVIER, PAT EDUS, WHO RECENTLY EARNED HIS US CITIZENSHIP STATUS AND HONOR ACHIEVED THROUGH GREAT EFFORT AND SINCERITY THIS MONTH, THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZED JAVIER AND PRESENTED HIM WITH A US FLAG AND A TEXAS FLAG ALONG WITH HIS CERTIFICATE FOR THIS WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT.

SO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US, UH, I WANT TO JUST AGAIN, SAY CONGRATULATIONS WELL DONE.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY ANNOUNCEMENTS, ODYSSEY,

[3. Citizens to be Heard]

OUR FIRST CITIZEN HAS TIME YIELDED TO HIM FROM EMILIO SOTO FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES.

ONE OF MAYA, WE CAN HEAR ME.

WE HAVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

MY NAME IS .

I'M THE UNION PRESIDENT FOR THE EMPLOYMENT HERE VIA, UH, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS DO.

JAVIER .

UH, THE REASON THAT I'M HERE IS I HAVE, UH, A FEW, UH, CONCERNS THAT I NEED TO ADDRESS.

ONE OF THEM IS THAT WE NEED TO OPEN A WORK IN AGREEMENT DUE TO INFLATION, WHICH IS VERY HIGH WHILE WE'RE MAKING RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

EVEN A STARTING PAY FOR OPERATORS, CORPUS CHRISTI, AUSTIN, HOUSTON, DALLAS, THEY'RE WAY ABOVE US, COMPARED TO WHAT WE MAKE HERE, STARTING BUS OPERATOR.

SO ONE OF MY THINGS HERE, MY FIRST ISSUE WITH VIS ALWAYS SAID THAT THE HOURLY EMPLOYEES, BOTH OPERATOR THEN OPERATORS AND MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES ARE THE FOUNDATION OF THIS COMPANY.

THE HOURLY EMPLOYEES ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE MOVING THE CITY.

WE COME TO WORK EVERY DAY AND ALMOST EVERY DAY WE GET VERBALLY AND PHYSICALLY ABUSED DUE TO FAIR DISPUTES, MASS CONCERNS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE PASSENGER CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ENFORCING.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, AFTER WE DO THAT, WE GET DISCIPLINED FOR DEFENDING OURSELVES FROM THE PASSENGERS BY GETTING RIGHT UP REPRIMANDS BY THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT, THE LACK OF ACCOMMODATION DURING THE PANDEMIC WORKER SHORTAGE AND HOSTILITY AT TIME FROM THOSE WHO RIDE

[00:20:01]

EVEN THE VIA LITERATURE REALLY UNDERSTOOD AND REALLY CARED FOR HIS EMPLOYEES.

IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A CHALLENGE TO NEGOTIATE, BETTER, PAY, BETTER BENEFITS, BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND BONUSES AND SHOWN APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF US WHO HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO BE AT THE RISK OF DRIVING OUR BUSES.

YES, WE PUT SOME SHIELDS TO ASSIST US, TO HELP US TO KEEP IT AWAY FROM HARM, BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK.

AND AGAIN, I REPEAT, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SAME TEAM WITH THE SAME GOAL.

WHAT IS THE FAIRNESS, INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING, I OFFEND YOU, WE ARE AND HOW GREAT WE ARE.

WE THERE, WE RATHER VIA SHOW US OPEN OUR WORKING AGREEMENTS SO WE CAN RENEGOTIATE.

THE OTHER CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE RIGHT NOW, DUE TO HOW EXPENSIVE OUR HEALTH INSURANCE IS.

THEY CAN EVEN RETIRE THEY'RE OF AGE, YOU KNOW, A $4,200 BENEFIT AFTER TAXES AFTER THE HEALTH INSURANCE, AFTER EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH IT.

IF YOU GET $1,800 A MONTH, WHICH IS NOT A LIVABLE WAGE FOR A FAMILY, YOU KNOW, I FED, WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM, BUT YET THE MAJORITY OF MANAGEMENT VIA WORKS WITH US FOR SOME REASON, IN MY, IN THE MAIN DEPARTMENT, THERE'S A MANAGEMENT LEADER IN THERE THAT FOR SOME REASON, HE DOES NOT WANT TO WORK WITH THE ATU LEADERSHIP.

HE WANTS TO DO HIS BUSINESS HIS OWN WAY.

AND THAT TO ME, CREATES A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.

AND I BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO THE CEO AND THE DEPUTY CEO, BUT STILL REMAINS.

IF HE CONTINUES, IT STILL DOESN'T WANT TO WORK WITH US.

AND THIRD, AND THE LAST THING THAT I'LL ASK, AND IF WE CONTINUE TO CONTRACT OUR ROUTES OUT AND WE KEEP BLAMING IT ON THE WORKFORCE THAT WE SHORT, THAT WE SHORT, WE HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WISH WE HAD MORE AND WE CONTINUE TO HIRE, BUT THIS VIA LINK KEEPS TAKING OUR WORK AWAY UNION WORK BUS ROUTES, MANY WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THIS.

WHY CAN'T WE BUY OUR OWN VANS AND HAVE OUR OWN DRIVERS TO DO THIS WORK.

SO I'M JUST HERE TO ADDRESS THOSE STUDENTS, LEARN THAT THE MEMBERSHIP HAS.

WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE ALL WANT TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM.

WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT EVERYTHING WE HAVE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

AND AGAIN, THANK YOU, WILLIAM JOHNSON.

OKAY.

PARDON ME? I DON'T CLAIM TO BE A BUS RIDE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I HAVE TODAY.

I DID CHOOSE TO, TO BRING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO RIDE THE BUS IF I, IF I CHOOSE TO, BUT I'M HERE PRIMARILY TO, UH, ENCOURAGE THE B A BOARD TO, UH, DO WHAT YOU CAN AS PUBLIC SERVANT, UH, TO ENSURE THAT THE CITIZENRY, UH, WELL, THIRD, AND THAT'S A BIG JOB REALLY SERVING AS TRUSTEES ON ANY BOARD.

I KNOW VEER BOARD COME WITH SOME CHALLENGES, AND I WOULD HOPE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, NANDA, TOMAS, UH, WHO HAS AN ORGANIZATION.

SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB IN MY OPINION OF, UH, BRINGING ISSUES, UH, TO BEAR ON ORGANIZATIONS BASED ON WHAT THE INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS ARE.

PARTICULARLY IN MY CASE, I'M CONCERNED THAT, UH, THE BEER

[00:25:01]

YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU CAN BE A POLICE AND STILL BE PEOPLE FRIENDLY.

UH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO AROUND HAVING PEOPLE TO HATE YOU.

AND WHAT HAVE YOU, IN ORDER TO BE A GOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT INDIVIDUAL.

UH, I KNOW THERE ARE EXAMPLES IN THIS TOWN, INDEED EXAMPLES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS ENCOUNTERS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, BY A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

AND SINCE VIA HAS A POLICE, UH, ORGANIZATION POLICE FORCE, IF YOU WILL, I'M SURE THINGS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT, UH, THAT YOU'VE HOPEFULLY TAKEN ACTION ON.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU'RE NOT, UH, AN UNFRIENDLY GROUP THAT YOU'VE DONE THINGS TO MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD IN A WAY THAT THE CITIZENS, UH, WILL BE WELL-SERVED WHEN IT COME TO POLICE, I'M HERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO BE SHY, TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY, TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHO, WHO THE BOSS ARE, ULTIMATELY THE BOSS OR THE PEOPLE.

THOSE OF US WHO PAYS THE SALARIES, THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT BEER, UH, WORKS WITH DOING EACH, UH, CYCLE, UH, COMES FROM SOMEPLACE.

AND ULTIMATELY IT COMES FROM THE PEOPLE.

BUT I THINK EVEN THE CUP, EXCUSE ME, IT COME TO THE USE OF FORCE, YOU KNOW, UH, UH, BODY CAMERAS AND, UH, THE TIME THAT A LOT TO VOTE TO, UH, TO, UH, SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE IN A REASONABLE WAY.

I MEAN, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? UH, IT SHOULDN'T TAKE TOO VERY LONG TO SHARE INFORMATION UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING TO HIDE.

AND I WOULD THINK THAT THE VIA BOARD, CERTAINLY ONE.

OKAY.

IS THAT IT? OKAY.

THANK YOU, THOMAS.

ALL RIGHT.

PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT.

I'M LEARNING TODAY.

UH, MY NAME IS AMANDA THOMAS AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ACT FOUR ESSAY.

SINCE FEBRUARY.

WE HAVE ENGAGED IN TALKS WITH VIA EXECUTIVES ON NEED, NEEDED UPDATES TO THE TRANSIT POLICE DEPARTMENT'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, MANUAL COMMUNITY DEMANDS INCLUDED IMPLEMENTATION OF A BODY CAMERA RELEASE POLICY FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS, INCLUSION OF THE COUNTY SITE AND RELEASE PROGRAM TO REDUCE ARREST FOR LOW LEVEL MISDEMEANORS UPDATES TO DEESCALATION OF FORCE POLICY, A TOTAL BAN OF CHO COLDS AND USE OF NON-GENDER ASSUMING LANGUAGE IN THE MANUAL.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE QUICK RESPONSE THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM VIA, UH, TO THE COMMUNITY ON THIS.

IT IS VERY RARE THAT WE GET THIS TYPE OF QUICK RESPONSE FROM A POLICE DEPARTMENT OR ANY ORGANIZATION, UH, WHEN WE'RE CALLING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

AND LAST WEEK, I HAD A GREAT MEETING ALONG WITH FRANK AND JOHN, GARY AND LEROY, UM, REVEALING THAT MOST OF OUR DEMANDS HAVE BEEN MET.

HOWEVER, WE STILL HAVE A FEW IMPORTANT ITEMS MISSING.

AND I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU AS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AS OUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY TO HELP US PUSH THESE CONVERSATIONS FORWARD, BOTH WITH VIA LEADERSHIP AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE, AS WE CONTINUE TO REIMAGINE POLICING HERE IN BEAR COUNTY AND ACROSS THE NATION, IT WAS DISCUSSED IN LAST WEEK'S MEETING THAT THE POLICY FOR THE RELEASE OF BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE TO THE PUBLIC FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS, WHICH MEANS A DEATH IN CUSTODY OR AN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS STILL HAS TO GO THROUGH AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST.

THIS PROCESS TAKES TIME AND OFTEN GETS PUSHED UP TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO CAN DENY SUCH A REQUEST OR SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS OVER MONTHS TO BE SPECIFIC.

WE ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT CHANGING THE POLICY FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS, NOT FOR ANY, NOT FOR EVERY REQUEST FOR BODY CAMERAS OR, UM, OTHER CAMERAS ON THE BUS.

THIS TYPE OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AFTER A DEADLY POLICE INTERACTION OF WHAT YOU'VE HAD TO OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF WITH VIA TO WE'RE WAITING FOR A FULL LIST OF THE TYPE OF TRAINING THAT HAPPENS ANNUALLY OUTSIDE OF CONTINUING ACCREDITATION PROCESSES, BUT A PARTICULAR CONCERN AND SOMETHING THAT WANT YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER IS THE INCLUSION OF TRAINING ON INTERACTIONS WITH HOUSELESS POPULATIONS, SPECIAL CONSIDERATION CONTACTS, SUCH AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING, VICTIMS, JUVENILES, AND REFUGEES, AS WELL AS AN INVESTIGATION INTO INCLUDING THE EPIC TRAINING PROGRAM.

THIS IS IMPLEMENTED IN NEW ORLEANS AND SPECIFICALLY REFERS

[00:30:01]

FINALLY, WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE OUT ROUTE OUTRIGHT BAN OF CHO COLTS.

I KNOW THAT YOUR POLICY ON SHOW COATS FOLLOWS WHAT, UM, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS LAID OUT, BUT TWO STATES, WASHINGTON AND WISCONSIN HAVE COMPLETELY BANNED CHOKE HOLDS IN ANY INSTANCE, INCLUDING THE RENO POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD DO THE SAME.

THANK YOU, INSULAR.

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO I'M HERE ALSO TO TALK ABOUT VIA POLICE.

I WANT TO THANK VIA THE TEAM, EVERYONE WHO SAT DOWN AND TO MAKE ALL THE PROGRESS POSSIBLE.

SO FAR, WE HAVE A LOT OF DEMANDS THAT ARE COMING FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT FOR A FEW YEARS NOW.

AND SO TO SEE THIS PROGRESS MADE IS MEANS A LOT TO US.

UM, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT DOING THE BARE MINIMUM.

UM, THAT WAS UNFORTUNATELY THE MESSAGE THAT WE HEARD FROM THE CHIEF.

AND, UM, AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID THAT HAS ANSWERS TO ALL OF YOU.

SO WE'RE HERE TO ASK YOU TO WORK WITH US.

WE'RE GOING TO BE REACHING OUT.

WE WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS, EVERYTHING ANONYMOUS MENTIONED, WE'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING UP.

UM, WE THINK THAT BIA NEEDS TO LEVEL UP TO ALL OF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

UM, SOME OF THESE POLICIES NEED TO BE ENACTED.

NOW, TRANSPARENCY IS IMPORTANT AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LIVES.

UH, THE FIRST IS A BODY CAM POLICY.

UM, RIGHT NOW WE JUST DEFER TO THE AG.

EVERY SINGLE REQUEST FOR BODY CAM FOOTAGE THAT HAS BEEN MADE TO VIA IN THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN SINCE THE AIG AND DENIED.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CRITICAL INCIDENTS IN CUSTODY, INCLUDING TWO DEATHS.

AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A FOOTAGE OF THOSE.

WE NEED TO BE BANNING CHOKEHOLD OUTRIGHT.

WE SEE THAT THEY'RE EXAMPLES, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THAT WE CAN FOLLOW, AND WE NEED TO BE SETTING THOSE AS WELL.

UM, YOU KNOW, WE EXPECT YOU TO TAKE THIS ROLE AS STEWARDS OF OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY SERIOUSLY, AND WE WILL MAKING CONTACT HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.

UM, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE ENHANCED LIBRARY CARDS, WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, AGREED TO DO.

UM, I THINK WE CAN SET AN EXAMPLE FOR LAW AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, UM, BY, BY LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AND DOING THE WORK TO MAKE THINGS TRANSPARENT FOR ALL OF US.

THANK YOU.

WHY NOT? PERFECT.

OKAY.

FIRST I WANT TO THANK VIA AS AN ORGANIZATION, UH, FOR DOING ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING IT COULD SO FAR TO IMPROVE THE PRACTICES, CODE AND PROTOCOLS FOR VIA TRANSIT POLICE.

UM, I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THE MONTEL XANDER, UH, FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY'S VOICE AND DEMANDS ARE HEARD, UM, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE BOARDROOMS, BUT ANY FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO VIA TRANSIT POLICE PROTOCOL NEEDS TO BE MADE BY THIS BOARD OR MANDATED BY THIS BOARD OR SO WE'RE HEARING.

AND SO I READ VISA'S OFFICIAL MISSION STATEMENT, AND IT GOES VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT PROVIDES REGIONAL MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS THAT CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY TO OPPORTUNITY SUPPORT ECONOMIC VITALITY AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.

LET ME REPEAT THE LAST BIT ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.

SO I HAVE TO ASK IS ALLOWING CHOKE HOLDS BY VIA TRANSIT POLICE ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT OUR REGION IS WITHHOLDING BODY CAM FOOTAGE FROM THOSE GRIEVING LOSS OF LIFE, TO POLICE VIOLENCE, ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT OUR REGION FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS HERE TODAY.

WHEN YOU JOIN A BORDER COMMISSION, THERE'S TYPICALLY A PHASE WHERE YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST PRIOR TO BECOMING A VOTING MEMBER AND WORKING AGAINST YOUR ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS A CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

SO I'M HERE TO MAKE THE CASE THAT IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH PROTECTING LIVES FROM CHOKE HOLDS YOUR APPOINTMENT TO THIS BOARD IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

IF YOU DENIED THE RELEASE OF BODY CAM FOOTAGE OF THOSE LIVES LOST TO POLICE VIOLENCE, YOUR APPOINTMENT TO THIS BOARD IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

AND IF YOU'RE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO THIS BOARD, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO STEP DOWN AND CREATE SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WILLING TO UPHOLD VISA'S MISSION AND THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF LIFE.

THIS IS NOT ME CALLING ON ANYBODY TO STEP DOWN.

THIS IS ME ASKING YOU ALL TO FOLLOW VIEW'S.

LEAD OF ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO BANJO CODES OUTRIGHT.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO RELEASE BODY CAM FOOTAGE.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO NOT ONLY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS AS MBS TRYING TO DO YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SAVE LIVES, AND THIS IS NOT GOING TO TOUCH, MODIFY, OR

[00:35:01]

SO I HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU MEMBERS WOULD SUPPORT, UH, IN STATING THESE POLICIES.

THANK YOU, FRANK GARCIA.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.

MY NAME IS FRANK .

I'M HERE, UH, REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR COMMUNITY OF COLOR.

UM, I STAND FIRM WITH AMANDA THOMAS, UH, IN REFERENCE TO HAVING CHANGES DONE TO TRANSIT POLICE.

UH, FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA THANK TRANSIT, UH, UH, EMPLOYEE, OR SHOULD I SAY LEROY GALLOWAY, UH, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, UH, FOR HIS GREAT MEETING LAST TIME WITH JOHN HIDETADA BIP, UH, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, UM, REACHED OUT TO US AND, UH, WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE CHANGES.

AND, UH, I GUESS MY CONCERN WOULD BE THE TRANSPARENCY AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING, LOCAL FUNDING AND BOND MONEY THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO YOU GUYS.

UH, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE USE THAT RESPONSIBLY, UH, ALSO THAT THERE IS TRANSPARENCY IN REFERENCE TO BODY CAMERAS, UH, BEING ABLE TO REACH OUT TO YOU AND, AND, AND, AND BE ASSURED THAT THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES MADE.

UH, SAN ANTONIO POLICE, UH, HAS CERTAIN POLICIES THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO, UH, PARAPHRASE OR ADAPT TO IN REFERENCE TO BEING ABLE TO RELEASE SOME FOOTAGE.

UH, UH, I STAND FIRM WITH ALL OUR COMMUNITIES HERE THAT, UH, TRANSIT POLICE TREAT US FAIR, UH, WITH DIGNITY, UH, NOT BECAUSE YOU LIVE ON THE WEST SIDE OR THE EAST SIDE OR THE NORTH SIDE, THERE SHOULD BE NO DISPARITY BETWEEN ONE AND THE OTHER.

UH, IF A YOUNG LADY IS ON THE NORTH SIDE SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME WAY AS A YOUNG LADY ON THE EAST SIDE.

UH, SOMETIMES IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

SOMETIMES IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DEESCALATED.

UH, YOU GUYS, UH, BE A POLICE SHOULD BE TRAINED ANNUALLY.

IF YOU'RE TICO CERTIFIED TO LEARN HOW TO DEESCALATE.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A ROUGH POSITION.

WE JUST CAME FROM THE PANDEMIC.

UH, I THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK.

UH, WE'RE ASKING FOR CHANGES.

UM, PLEASE WORK WITH US.

WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU GUYS.

WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT ALL OUR ENTITIES IN, AND AGAIN, TRANSPARENCY IF POSSIBLE.

WE'D LOVE ANY CHANGES DONE TO BE PUT ON PAPER.

SO SAY YOU GOOD.

PEOPLE ARE NOT HERE IN TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE PRECEDENT SET IT'S SET ALREADY SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GO BACK, CHECK OUR MINUTES AND FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF CHANGES WE MADE.

AGAIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE ALL Y'ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

YOU HAVE A GREAT, GREAT AFTERNOON.

GOD BLESS GOLDEN.

HEAR ME NOW.

OKAY.

UM, I FIRST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU FOR THE WILLINGNESS YOU'VE SHOWN TO DATE TO, UM, RECONSIDER SOME OF THE POLICIES AND FIND AGREEMENT WITH THE REQUESTS OF OUT FOR SAN ANTONIO.

I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO SPEAK TO THE ISSUE, UM, ANNUAL AND ONGOING, UH, TRAINING FOR DEALING WITH PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ISSUES INVOLVING RACIAL BIAS OR POTENTIAL FOR THAT.

AND MY PRIOR CAREER, I WORKED, UM, IN HOUSING OR PROVISION OF HOUSING FOR HOUSELESS PEOPLE.

AND IN THAT CAPACITY ATTENDED A WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY DIRECTOR OF A HOUSING SHELTER IN SAN FRANCISCO.

ONE OF THE ATTENDEES AND NOT A WORKSHOP WAS CLEARLY AGITATED AND PROBABLY CERTIFIABLE.

HE WAS MAKING THESE GESTURES PHYSICALLY AND OUTBURSTS VERBALLY DISRUPTING.

AND I COME FROM A BACKGROUND OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE.

SO WHEN I HEAR PEOPLE SPEAKING ON LOUD VOICES, OR SEE SOME KIND OF CONFRONTATION, MY ALERT IS LIKE ON RED.

AND I'M SITTING THERE AS AN ADULT THINKING, WHAT IS THIS PERSON GOING TO DO? WHO IS GOING TO STEP DOWN AND TAKE CARE OF IT? AND I JUST HAD ALL OF THESE FEARS RUNNING THROUGH MY HEAD, WHICH I'M SURE MIGHT BE SIMILAR TO WHAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSON MIGHT ENCOUNTER, BUT

[00:40:01]

AND THROUGHOUT THE HOUR OF HER PRESENTATION, SHE SPOKE TO THIS INDIVIDUAL WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

SHE ACKNOWLEDGED HIS CONCERNS.

SHE VALIDATED, UM, THAT HE, YOU KNOW, HE HAD CONCERNS THAT WERE LEGITIMATE AND THAT SHE WOULD ADDRESS THEM ONE TO ONE WHEN SHE WAS FINISHED WITH HER PRESENTATION AND ASKING FOR HIS COOPERATION AND NOT ONCE, DID SHE LOSE HER PATIENCE WITH THEM, OR DID SHE SHOW A LACK OF RESPECT FOR HIS HUMANITY? AND THAT TO ME IS LIKE THE BIGGEST LESSON I HAVE EVER HAD AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAINED TO DEAL WITH THOSE VERY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS THAT CAN FEEL THREATENING TO YOU OR THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

AND SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE SERIOUSLY THAT NEED TO CONTINUE A SPECIFIC TRAINING.

THANK YOU, JOHN JAY, I HATE TO PILE ON WITH THE BODY CAM STUFF, BUT, UH, LUCKY TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THAT AND ESTABLISH SOME POLICY THAT, UH, WOULD ALLOW RELEASE OF THE BODY CAM FOOTAGE WITHIN 48 HOURS OR SO REALLY GET ON IT TO DO OTHERWISE.

I THINK ONLY CRANKS UP THE, UH, CONSPIRACY MALE AND, UH, IT JUST MAKES PEOPLE LOOK BAD OFFICERS AND ADMIN FOLKS JUST LOOK BAD.

SO URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT THAT CONCLUDES THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

WE

[4. Consent Agenda]

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SECOND, SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES NEXT ON

[5. August 2022 Service Changes]

MS. DIAZ, WELLS.

OKAY, GOOD EVENING.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS .

I'M THE MANAGER OF SERVICE PLANNING.

UH, I HAVE WITH ME TODAY.

UM, MS. , SHE'S THE MANAGER OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS.

UH, SHE'S CO-PRESENTING, SHE'LL BE PRESENTING THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FEEDBACK AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION, THE SERVICE CHANGES ARE PROPOSED FOR ACTION AND DISCUSSION TODAY.

SO THE PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES FOR AUGUST INCLUDE A CHANGE IN MODE FROM FIXED ROUTE TO VIA LINK A REALIGNMENT FOR ROUTE SEVEN IN ANTICIPATION OF ART AND FOR, UH, OTHER ROUTES RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY PARK AND RIDE.

AND WE ALSO HAVE ONE FREQUENCY CHANGE.

WE ARE PLANNING THE FEELINGS, A ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.

UM, THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS A PILOT FOR ONE YEAR.

THE SERVICE WILL KICK OFF ON AUGUST 8TH.

THE BOUNDARY ENCOMPASSES RETAIL ALONG MILITARY.

IT ENCOMPASSES BOTTLE ALTO, COLLEGE, TEXAS, A M UNI UNIVERSITY, THE TOYOTA TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING PLANT, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMMUNITIES, UH, CONNECTIONS TO THE REST OF THE NETWORK ARE AT MILITARY AND MADELEINE TRANSIT CENTER.

THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE FROM 5:30 AM TO 9:30 PM, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH WAIT TIMES BETWEEN 20 TO 30 MINUTES.

OVERLAPPING SERVICE IS PROPOSED TO RETIRE AFTER A PERIOD OF UP TO 60 DAYS, THIS WILL INCLUDE RETIRING ROUTE 6 72 AND THE 5 24 BRANCH BETWEEN TEXAS VISTA MEDICAL CENTER AND BOLO ALTO COLLEGE.

WE ARE PROPOSING TO REROUTE ROUTE SEVEN.

OH, I'M SORRY.

I'M OUT OF ORDER HERE.

[00:45:03]

I'M SORRY.

I DID.

I SKIPPED A SLIDE.

FORGIVE ME OF, SO WE ARE PROPOSING TO REROUTE ROUTE SEVEN TO SERVICE THE AIRPORT IN ANTICIPATION OF A R T OR ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT.

UH, THE NORTH SOUTH LINE SINCE, UH, ART IS EXPECTED TO SERVE THE AIRPORT.

UH, THIS CHANGE WILL BUILD RIDERSHIP TO COMPLIMENT FUTURE ART SERVICE.

IT'LL LEVERAGE STONE, OAK PARK AND RIDE AND BROOKS TRANSIT CENTER INVESTMENTS.

AND IT'LL PROVIDE NON-STOP CONNECTION BETWEEN AIRPORT AND DOWNTOWN THIS ALONG WITH OTHER FIXED ROUTE SERVICES PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION ON AUGUST 22ND.

OKAY, SO WE'RE AT SIX 50.

ONE IS PLANNED FOR A FREQUENCY ADJUSTMENT, UH, FROM 90 MINUTES FROM I'M SORRY, FROM 70 MINUTES TO 90 MINUTES AND A WEEKEND FREQUENCY FROM 65 TO 90 MINUTES TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY.

THIS ADJUSTMENT ALLOWED US TO ADD MORE TIME IN THE SCHEDULE TO HELP KEEP THIS ROUTE ON TIME.

TXDOT WE'LL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AT 1604 AND INTERSTATE 10.

THIS IS THE LOCATION OF OUR UNIVERSITY PARK AND RIDE TRANSIT CENTER.

CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN AUGUST AND IS EXPECTED TO LAST FIVE YEARS BECAUSE WORKING ON A PARKING MITIGATION PLAN FOR PEOPLE THAT USE THE PARK AND RIDE TO EITHER CARPOOL OR TO PARK AND THEN CATCH THE CATCH TRANSIT, FOUR ROUTES ARE IMPACTED ROUTES 93, 5 0 1 AND 603 ARE PICTURED ON THIS SLIDE.

THEY WILL BE REROUTED TO CIRCUMVENT THE CONSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY PARK.

AND RIGHT, THIS IS THE FOURTH ROUTE, ROUTE 97.

UM, AND IT'S PROPOSED TO REALIGN, TO VANCE JACKSON, TO SEV TO SERVE SEVERAL, UH, MULTI-FAMILY COMMUNITIES.

A PATRON MAY TRANSFER AT THE RIM TO ROUTE 93 TO GET TO UTC.

THIS IS THE AUGUST 22 SERVICE CHANGES TIMELINE.

LAST MONTH WE PRESENTED THESE SERVICE CHANGES AS INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR ACTION TO APPROVE THESE PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES.

WE PROPOSED TO BEGIN SERVICE AT VIA LINK SOUTH, UH, ZONE ON AUGUST EIGHT AND FOUR BUS SERVICE ON AUGUST 22ND.

IN OCTOBER, WE PROPOSE TO RETIRE THE FIXED ROUTE SERVICE OVERLAPPING VIA LINK, UH, SOUTH STONE, UM, PUBLIC OUTREACH OUTREACH IS CONCLUDED AND MS. SPACEK WILL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THAT.

OKAY.

SO AS YOU'RE FAMILIAR, THE PROPOSED AUGUST, 2022 SERVICE CHANGES, UM, I'M GOING TO PRESENT THE RECAP FOR THE ENGAGEMENT.

SO WE WENT AHEAD AND, UM, PUBLISHED THE WEBSITE, WHICH INCLUDED ENGLISH AND SPANISH VERSIONS OF THE POWERPOINT AS WELL AS A BUTTON.

SO FOLKS COULD COME ON AND CLICK ON THAT AND CHAT WITH US AND ALSO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS, UH, AS WELL AS ANY QUESTIONS, AS FAR AS THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICES, THOSE WERE PUBLISHED IN THE EXPRESS NEWS, AS WELL AS THE SOUTH SIDE REPORTER.

UH, WE HAD ONE IN-PERSON PUBLIC HEARING AT THE VO METRO CENTER, WHICH IS HERE ON JUNE 8TH, WHICH YIELDED FIVE ATTENDEES.

WE ALSO CONDUCTED TWO VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARINGS, JUNE 13TH AND JUNE 14TH, ONE IN ENGLISH AND ONE IN SPANISH, THOSE YIELDED 13 REAL TIME ATTENDEES.

AND WE'VE HAD OVER 70 VIEWS ONLINE OF THOSE MEETINGS.

OUR STAFF ALSO CLOCKED 45 HOURS OF IN-PERSON OUTREACH, AND THAT WAS AT THE 14 TRANSIT CENTERS, PARKS AND RIDES.

AND ALSO THE TRANSFER LOCATIONS.

WE ALSO WERE ABLE TO GET FLYERS OUT TO 1100 PEOPLE OF THE, UH, NOTIFICATIONS FOR THOSE HEARINGS.

AS FAR AS ENGAGEMENT, WE ENGAGED AT, UH, FOLKS AT THE 14 TRANSIT CENTERS, AS WELL AS WE PROVIDED NOTICE TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WITHIN THOSE ELECTED OFFICES, WE REACHED OUT TO 430 NEIGHBORHOODS AND ALSO NOTIFIED A TOTAL OF 144 CONTACTS, WHICH INCLUDES THE 430 NEIGHBORHOODS WERE ABLE TO ACCESS THOSE 430 HOA IS THROUGH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S ONLINE SYSTEM.

WE DID ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AT HEB TARGET, UH, THE ACADEMY AND THE SOUTH PARK MALL.

IN ADDITION TO THE TARGETED OUTREACH LIST THAT WAS PROVIDED TO YOU, UH, EARLIER

[00:50:02]

SO THE COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN, THREE OF THOSE WERE ACTUAL COMMENTS ON THE SURVEY, UH, PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES.

AND ONE OF THE COMMENTS WAS WITH REGARDS TO ROUTE SEVEN.

ALL THE OTHER WAS RE WITH REGARDS TO ROUTE 6 51.

THE LAST COMMENT WAS THE REQUEST TO INCLUDE MISSION DEL LAGO NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE VIA LINK SOUTH ZONE.

THE FOUR OTHER COMMENTS THAT WERE RECEIVED HAD TO DO WITH OTHER ROUTES THAT WERE NOT PART OF THE SERVICE CHANGE.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? TRUSTEES? DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED SECOND, SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES NEXT

[6. *Legal Briefing]

SIMILAR TO THE BRIEFING THAT WE HAD IN THE EARLIER MEETING AND I'M WORKING AROUND.

WOW.

UM, SO THERE IS A POWERPOINT, NEVER WOULD YOU, AND HERE THEY COME, UH, POLICY.

SO I'LL JUST GO INTO THE PREVIEW OF THIS.

AGAIN, AS WE WERE SPEAKING EARLIER, MUCH OF THIS IS CODIFIED, UH, IS NOT CODIFIED.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PUTTING WHAT WE'VE PRACTICED INTO A POLICY INTO A WRITTEN POLICY.

SO IT CAN BE, UH, DISTRIBUTED AND PUBLICIZED THROUGH THE, UH, THE INTERNET AND PLACED IN THE BACK.

SO, AND THEN WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY COME TO THE MEETINGS, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO, UM, SEE OUR POLICY, UNDERSTAND IT, AND ASK QUESTIONS IF THEY HAVE IT.

IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS POLICY THAT YOU JUST SAW.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT FOR THE VIA BOARD MEETING, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BIT MORE EXPANSIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO SPEAK.

AND INSTEAD OF IT JUST BEING FOR THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY ON THE AGENDA, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT ANY PUBLIC BUSINESS OR POLICY OVER WHICH THE BOARD HAS SUPERVISION OR CONTROL.

SO IT WILL ALLOW FOR BROADER DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS THAT COME TO THE BOARD TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT.

BUT IT WOULD RESTRICT THOSE COMMENTS THAT ARE ABOUT, UH, PUPPIES OR BUTTERFLIES, WHICH WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST OR ANY OTHER CURRENT EVENTS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION OR THE THINGS THAT THIS BOARD HAS UNDER THEIR PURVIEW.

SO THAT IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO POLICIES.

THE ATD BOARD MEETINGS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA.

AND THE VIA BOARD MEETINGS WE'LL HAVE THE ABILITY FOR PERSONS TO SPEAK ABOUT ANY OF THOSE THINGS, POLICY, UM, OR OPERATIONAL THAT MAY NOT BE ON THE AGENDA, BUT MAYBE THINGS THAT THIS BOARD WOULD WANT TO HEAR ABOUT AS IT RELATES TO TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION OR OTHER MATTERS IN THE CITY, UM, OR IN OUR BE A SERVICE AREA, WHICH WOULD BE BEYOND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

SO ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SEPARATE POLICY? SO THEY'RE TWO SEPARATE POLICIES, ONE FOR THE VIA BOARD MEETINGS AND ONE FOR THE ATD MEETINGS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER AT THIS TIME OR TAKE A MOTION AT THIS TIME.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU.

WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE END OF OUR AGENDA.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT? SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.

AYE.

WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED.