[00:00:01]
RIGHT.WELCOME, UH, TO TODAY'S MEETING.
[ATD 1. Call to Order]
I AM VICE CHAIR LAURA CABELLA, STANDING IN FOR CHAIR FERNANDO REYES, WHO IS NOT ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY.IT IS NOW 5 0 2 AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE ORDER OF THE APRIL 25TH A T D BOARD MEETING TOGETHER.
LET'S BEGIN WITH ROLL CALL, UH, SECRETARY MALONE HERE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY COOPER HERE.
UH, RIGHT NOW WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD.
JEFF, DO WE WANT TO GO INTO YOUR COMMENTS OR PLEASURE, ALLEGIANCE? WE'LL DO, UH, YEAH.
[ATD 2. Moment of Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance, Announcements]
YES, DO THE PLEASURE, PLEASE.MR. R, DO YOU HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? UH, I DO NOT FOR THE A T D D A T D MEETING.
WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZENS TO BE HEARD? WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CITIZENS FOR THE A T D PORTION OF THE MEETING.
[ATD 4. Consent Agenda]
UH, NUMBER FOUR FOR CONSENT AGENDA TRUSTEES, THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM.IS THERE, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? MOVE ADOPTION SECOND.
ANY OPPOSED? CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
MS. UH, ELDER, IS THERE ANY LEGAL BRIEFING? NO, MA'AM.
WE DO NOT HAVE A LEGAL BRIEFING.
TRUSTEES, WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF OUR MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO END AND A SECOND ADJOURN PLEASE.
AND GO AHEAD AND CALL THE ORDER
[1. Call to Order]
OF THE VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING.IT IS 5 0 4, UH, FOR TODAY, APRIL 25TH.
[3. President/CEO Report]
ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? ACTUALLY, I DO.FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA WISH EVERYBODY HERE, HAPPY FIESTA, AND I THINK, UH, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF HAPPY MESSAGES TO, TO SHARE TODAY.
SO, I'M GOING TO FIRST START WITH, UM, RECOGNIZING OUR STAR OPERATORS OF THE QUARTER PARATRANSIT OPERATOR, JOSEFINA, CASTA, AND BUS OPERATOR, FENI DEBO.
I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'RE HERE, BUT ARE YOU? IF YOU ARE, PLEASE STAND UP.
BUT WE DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM.
JOSEPHINA BEGAN DRIVING FOR VIA TRANS IN 2010, AND SINCE 2021, SHE HAS REMAINED ACCIDENT FREE AND MAINTAINS A GREAT ATTENDANCE RECORD.
DENNIS JOINED VIA IN 2016 AND THE, THE FORMER B AND NCAA BASKETBALL PHENO BRINGS STAR QUALITY TO HIS ROLE AT VIA, INCLUDING MAINTAINING AN OUTSTANDING SAFETY AND DISCIPLINARY RECORD.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO STARS.
NOW, A NUMBER OF STAFF CHANGES HERE TO ANNOUNCE.
I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT JOE BULE HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO THE POSITION OF MANAGER OF INVENTORY AND MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION.
JOE HAS DEDICATED MORE THAN 29 YEARS TO THE MAINTENANCE DIVISION AND HAS HELD MANY POSITIONS OVER THE YEARS.
MOST RECENTLY, AS AN INTERIM MANAGER OF MA INVENTORY AND MATERIAL DIS DISTRIBUTION DURING THIS TIME.
AS INTERIM MANAGER, HE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP THROUGH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS AND THOROUGH AND TIMELY FOLLOW UP, AND WE KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE TO EXCEL IN THIS NEW ROLE.
JOE, ARE YOU HERE? LET'S RECOGNIZE JOE.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING HOME, JOHN TEMAN, A I C P TO VIA IN THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY TEAM.
THIS IS A HOMECOMING FOR JOHN, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS MANAGER OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, UH, AREA.
IN HIS PREVIOUS ROLES, HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN LEADING OUR PUBLIC OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR VIA REIMAGINE, KEEP
[00:05:01]
SAN ANTONIO MOVING VIA LINK AND MORE.BUT IN THIS NEW ROLE, HE WILL BUILD ON THOSE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS TO LEAD OUR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT FOR MAJOR VIA INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT AND OTHER KEEP SAN ANTONIO MOVING PROJECTS.
JOHN IS A CERTIFIED PLANNER, POLICY ANALYST, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL WITH MANY YEARS OF TRANSPORTATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE.
HE OWNS A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PHILOSOPHY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, EXCUSE ME, POLITICAL SCIENCE.
FROM TEXAS, LUTHERAN AND A MASTER'S IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM U T S A WHERE HE WILL SERVE ALSO AS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN URBAN PLANNING NEXT SEMESTER.
SO, UM, I AM SO EXCITED, JOHN, THAT YOU'RE BACK HERE.
WE HATED WHEN WE, WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE, BUT IT'S MADE YOUR RETURN ALL THE SWEETER, SO THANK YOU.
UH, WE, WE ALSO WANT TO GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO ASHLEY MILAM, WHO JOINED US IN MAY AS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CAMIE HORN IN VIA METROPOLITAN'S PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
SHE SERVED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL PAST 20 YEARS ASSISTING A C E O, MANAGING DIRECTORS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS.
UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO ASHLEY'S EXPERTISE AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WILL ADD TO OUR OVERALL TEAM SUCCESS.
I AM PLEASED TO SHARE THAT MANGER, AKA KAKAR WAS NAMED WOMAN OF THE YEAR BY THE WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION SEMINARS.
SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER MANJE SERVES AS VIA VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAM DELIVERY, CAPITAL AND SERVICE PLANNING.
IN THIS ROLE, SHE HELPS OVERSEE MAJOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE REGION'S FIRST ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT, THE VIA RAPID GREEN LINE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE NORTH SOUTH LINE, CONNECTING MAJOR JOB, EDUCATION AND SERVICE DE DESTINATIONS ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES.
MANGER'S TENURE AT VIA HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AND HER FUTURE IS EVEN BRIGHTER.
HER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A MENTOR, A TEACHER, AND A LEADER AMONG TRANSIT PROFESSIONALS, SHE IS CER CERTAINLY DESERVING OF THIS RECOGNITION.
NOW, MANJE IS OFF ON VIA BUSINESS TONIGHT, BUT WE ALL AGAIN WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MANJE.
IT ALSO GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WTS SAN ANTONIO ALSO SELECTED VIAS ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT NETWORK PROJECT TO RECEIVE THE ROSA PARKS DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARD AT THIS YEAR'S AWARD, GALA, THE ARCH PROJECT, OR VIA RAPID WILL SERVE AS A BACKBONE TO A MODERN VIA SYSTEM, MOVING MORE PEOPLE FASTER AND FARTHER, AND HELPING TO REMOVE BARRIERS THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT WOMEN AND MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS.
UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM WHO ARE ALL CHAMPIONED THE PROJECT AND THE BENEFITS IT PROMISES TO DELIVER FOR OUR CITIES, INCLUDING PLANNING AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TEAMS WHO DRIVE OUR PROGRESS ON ON A R T EVERY DAY.
AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, MANJE IS PROJECT MANAGER.
SO IN MANY RESPECTS SHE WAS AWARDED TWICE THAT NIGHT.
SO LET'S RECOGNIZE THE WHOLE TEAM THOUGH.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE CHARLES HALE, WHO HAS JOINED CAPITAL PROGRAMS TEAM AS OUR NEW MANAGER OF ENGINEERING.
HE'S A REGISTERED ARCHITECT, INTERIOR DESIGNER, AND A CERTIFIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL.
CHARLES HAS OVER 30 YEARS OF DESIGN CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE WITH THE LAST 10 YEARS IN VIAS FLEET AND FACILITY DEPARTMENT.
IN HIS NEW ROLE AS MANAGER CHARLES, WE'LL BUILD UPON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS HE GUIDES THE ENGINEERING GROUP TO SUCCESSFUL CAPITAL PROJECT COMPLETION.
AND I WILL NOTE FOR EVERYBODY THAT THE MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECT COMPLETION THAT CHARLES ACHIEVED, NOT SINGLE-HANDEDLY, BUT HAD A VERY STRONG ROLE IN, WAS THE VIA VIA TRANS OPERATIONS CENTER.
IS THAT YOUR PICTURE? IS THAT OH, OKAY.
OH, SO I AM GOING TO SWITCH BACK BECAUSE WE HAVE A GROUP OF GUESTS WITH US TONIGHT JUST ENTERING THE ROOM.
UH, SO PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME SOME GUESTS TO OUR MEETING THIS EVENING.
THE SAN ANTONIO SMART TEAM FROM KEYSTONE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WITH US.
SO I KNOW YOU JUST WALKED IN, BUT COULD YOU PLEASE STAND UP TO BE RECOGNIZED? THESE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE MAYOR'S K THROUGH 12 SMART CITY 2023 CHALLENGE.
HOW CAN SAN ANTONIO BEST DEVELOP TRANSPORTATION OF ALL TYPES TO IMPROVE, IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
[00:10:01]
FOR ALL RESIDENTS? SO YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT BOARDROOM RIGHT NOW.THE STUDENTS ARE CREATING A PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A REWARDS PROGRAM WITH VIA, TO ENCOURAGE MORE RIDERSHIP TO HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC INGESTION IN BEXAR COUNTY.
AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FINAL SUBMISSION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
NOW I JUST HAVE TO FIND MY PLACE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO CAMIE HORN, OUR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF, OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ON HER APPOINTMENT TO THE ADVISORY BOARD OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT MAGAZINE.
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT HAS SERVED THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND IS DEDICATED TO BRINGING THE URBAN TRANS TRANSPORT SECTOR THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM INDUSTRY INSIDERS, INSIDERS, AND EXPERTS, WITH A GLOBAL REACH THAT SPANS ALL SEVEN CON CONTINENTS.
GREAT JOB CAMIE CAMIE IS ALSO, LIKEWISE NOT HERE TONIGHT, BUT I BELIEVE SHE'S TUNED IN.
ALL RIGHT, I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE AVIA HAS RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET.
THIS AWARD IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING, AND IT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT.
VILLA'S BUDGET WAS DEEMED TO HAVE MET PROGRAM CRITERIA AS A POLICY DOCUMENT, AS A FINANCIAL PLAN, AS AN OPERATIONS GUIDE, AND AS A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.
WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET AND THE DIRECTOR OF OMB, AUDREY RIVERA AND HER TEAM AND EVERYONE WHO HELPED PREPARE THE REPORT AND MADE THIS ACHIEVEMENT POSSIBLE.
AUDREY AUDREY'S HERE, RIGHT? STAND UP AUDREY.
I JUST HAVE TO SAY FOR THE FINANCE PEOPLE THAT I'VE BEEN HERE NOW 11 YEARS AND I DON'T THINK WE'VE MISSED A ONE THAT WE DIDN'T GET RECOGNIZED.
SO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT STREAK.
MAY 11TH WILL BE AN EXCITING NIGHT FOR VIAS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AT THE 2023 DELAURO AWARDS BANQUET HELD BY THE SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA OR P R S A THIS YEAR VIA WILL BE HONORED WITH TWO AWARDS FOR WORK DONE IN 2022.
THE FIRST IS LA PLATA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, RECOGNIZING VIAS 2022 UNITED WAY GIVING CAMPAIGN OPERATION TOP GIVE.
WHEN I WEAR THAT SHIRT, INVARIABLY SOMEBODY IS GONNA COME UP IN THE PUBLIC AND ASK ME ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S IT'S SO REMINISCENT OF, OF, OF, UH, TOP GUN AND THE LA PLATA AWARD OF MERIT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE A R T NORTH-SOUTH PUBLIC MEETING SERIES TO INFORM AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PLANNING TEAMS AT VIA AND OUR PARTNERS AT W S P K G B AND PCI FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK.
IT TAKES THE VILLAGE TO WIN THESE THINGS.
AND THAT SAME EVENING, PLEASE JOIN ME IN.
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATING OUR VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY, RACHEL BENITA, WHO WAS NAMED P RS 2023 PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR.
RACHEL HAS BEEN WITH VIA FOR EIGHT YEARS AND LEADS THE AGENCY'S INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENTS AND MESSAGING AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.
AND SHE WILL BE HONORED ALONGSIDE HER TALENTED TEAM AT THAT AT THE P RSA DEL OR AWARDS ON MAY 11TH.
I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT SANDEEP SEND OUR DIRECTOR OF SERVICE PLANNING AND SCHEDULING IS SITTING RIGHT OVER THERE.
NEXT TO TRAMEL HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE ALEX BRENNO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
THIS IS A SEVENTH MONTH PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN TODAY'S WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
THE PROGRAM PROVIDES NETWORKING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WITH EXISTING AND EMERGING CIVIC AND CORPORATE LEADERS IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA, AS WELL AS PROMOTING LEADERSHIP ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
AND IT IS DONE UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SO EARLIER THIS MONTH, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019, UH, TEXAS TRANSIT ASSOCIATION HELD THEIR WHAT IS NORMALLY AN ANNUAL BUS, VAN AND MAINTENANCE RODEO IN CORPUS CHRISTI.
[00:15:01]
AND I HAVE GREAT PRIDE AND PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE DID A VERY GOOD JOB AT THIS YEAR'S RODEO.THE VIA MAINTENANCE TEAM EARNED THE TOP SPOT AMONG SIX STATEWIDE TEAMS. THE FIRST PLACE MAINTENANCE TEAM INCLUDES DAVID BAREZ, JOSHUA MARTINEZ, MANUEL HERNANDEZ, AND HUGO HUGO VILLAREAL, WHO IS THE TEAM COACH AND HECTOR, UH, AGUIAR.
SO IF ARE, ARE ANY OF YOU HERE TODAY MAINTENANCE TEAM? CUZ I SEE THE OPERAT AGENCY, BUT NOT THE MAINTENANCE TEAM.
FIRST PLACE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WE ALSO BROUGHT HOME WINS IN THE BUS AND VAN RODEO COMPETITION OPERATORS MARCUS WHITE AND CHRISTOPHER E. YOUNG PLAYED THIRD PLACE, THIRD AND FOURTH RESPECTIVELY IN THE 40 FOOT BUS CATEGORY.
MARCUS AND CHRISTOPHER STAND UP TO BE RECOGNIZED AND SEE THEY'RE STILL FRIENDS.
AND SO WILL YOU PLEASE STAND UP AS WELL? THERE THEY ARE.
WE ARE ALSO REALLY EXCITED TO SHARE THAT THE 2024 TTA CONFERENCE, EXPO AND RODEO WILL BE HOSTED BY VIA IN SAN, IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT, UM, CORPUS DID A GREAT JOB, BUT SO MANY PEOPLE CAME UP AND SAID THEY WERE WAY EXCITED TO COME TO SAN ANTONIO NEXT YEAR.
UM, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING OUR COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND CONTINUING OUR WINNING STREAK AT COMPETITIONS.
SO HERE IS OUR SHORT VIDEO THAT WE SHOWED IN CORPUS TO KIND OF STIMULATE A DESIRE TO VISIT FROM THE ALAMO TO THE RIVERWALK.
THE GIANT JUSTINS TO THE GHOST SPURS GO.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SAN ANTONIO EXPERIENCE THE TRUE HEART OF TEXAS AT THE 2024 TEXAS TRANSIT ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, EXPO, AND RODEO PRESENTED BY VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT MARCH 15TH THROUGH THE 20TH AT THE STATE-OF-THE-ART HENRY BEACON GONZALEZ CONVENTION CENTER IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S A GREAT TIME TO LEARN, SEE, AND HEAR ABOUT THE LATEST IN TRANSIT INNOVATION AND FROM LEADING VOICES THROUGHOUT OUR INDUSTRY AND ROLL OUT YOUR TOP TEAMS FOR THE ANNUAL BUS, VAN AND MAINTENANCE RODEO.
WE'LL SEE Y'ALL IN SAN ANTONIO FOR TTA 2024 AND AND THE TRUSTEES THAT WERE HERE FOR THE TEXT 21, UH, BACK IN DECEMBER, KNOW WHAT A FANTASTIC JOB THAT THE VIA STAFF DID IN PULLING THAT TOGETHER.
AND I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'RE GONNA OUTDO THEMSELVES WITH THIS EVENT.
WELL, I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE ANOTHER IMPORTANT AWARD FROM THE TTA.
UH, THIS PAST TRANSIT, UH, TEXAS TRANSIT ASSOCIATION MEETING OUR OWN PRESIDENT AND CEO, JEFF A HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GENERAL MANAGER IN TEXAS FOR THE SECOND TIME.
JEFF FIRST RECEIVED THE RECOGNITION FROM TTA IN 2017.
HE ACCEPTED THIS YEAR'S AWARD AT THE TTA CONFERENCE JUST RECENTLY IN CORPUS CHRISTI EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND DEDICATED IT TO THE EMPLOYEES HERE AT VIA WHO HE CREDITS WITH THE AGENCY'S CONTINUOUS SUCCESS.
LONGEST SERVING PRESIDENT AND C E O WITH OVER 10 YEARS AT THE WHEEL LEADING THE AGENCY THROUGH ITS MOST TRANSFORMATIVE PERIOD SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1977.
HIS LEGACY AS AN ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS TO MOBILITY AND EQUITY FOR ALL IS HARD TO BEAT AND AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DENY STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS.
INNOVATION AND INCLUSION ARE HALLMARKS OF HIS LEADERSHIP.
FREQUENCY, FREQUENCY IS HIS BATTLE CRY AND FOCUS OF VS.
KAIN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SAN ANTONIO.
JEFF DESCRIBES HIS NEARLY FOUR DECADES IN TRANSIT AS FINDING HIS CALLING TO DO ALL HE CAN TO ELIMINATE OBSTACLES, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO THE C COMMUNITIES MOST SERVED BY AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.
WHILE AT VIA HE HAS BUILT A LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT REPRESENTS THE STRENGTH AND DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY VIA SERVES AND HIS VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
MOBILITY PRESENTS A PATH FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR THOUSANDS OF SAN ANTONIOS THAT DO NOT EXIST, THAT DID NOT EXIST BEFORE.
THANK YOU JEFF, AND CONGRATULATIONS
[00:20:01]
ON A WELL DESERVED HONOR.SO I HOPE I LIVE UP TO THOSE EXPECTATIONS SOMEDAY.
I WILL REPEAT AGAIN THAT WHENEVER THERE'S AN AWARD FOR A CEO OR A GENERAL MANAGER, UM, THAT THAT PERSON IS SIMPLY REPRESENTING THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE, UM, EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THAT I CANNOT SAFELY OPERATE A BUS AND I WOULDN'T WANT A, ANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS TO EVER FACE THAT.
IT'S OUR OPERATORS THAT DO THAT.
IT'S OUR MECHANICS TO KEEP THE, KEEP THE BUSES RELIABLE.
IT'S THE FOLKS THAT WORK IN FACILITIES MAINTENANCE THAT KEEP OUR TRANSIT CENTERS AND OUR SHELTERS CLEAN.
IT'S THE FINANCE PEOPLE THAT HELP US TO STAY AFLOAT FINANCIALLY, THE PLANNERS, THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, ALL THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO PULL IT ALL TOGETHER.
AND I JUST HAPPEN TO BE A PERSON THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT AND SAY, YEAH, VIAS PRETTY GREAT.
SO, UH, AGAIN, I GIVE IT ALL TO, TO VIA.
SO, UM, SADLY, WE HAVE TO TAKE A MOMENT NOW TO REMEMBER RENEE GARCIA, WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY, APRIL 22ND.
RENEE WAS A PRINCIPAL, THE DREAM ON GROUP IN SAN ANTONIO, AND OUR PARTNER ON THE PROPOSED SCOBY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
RENEE'S WORK WAS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING LIVES AND BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE NEIGHBORS WITH A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.
HE SHARED THAT WE SHARED THAT WITH HIM AND FOUND COMMON GROUND IN HIS VISION FOR TRANSIT-ORIENTED COMMUNITIES THAT CAN BRING US CLOSER TO THAT GOAL.
SO ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD AND VIA FAMILY, I'D LIKE TO OFFER RENEE'S FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT DREAM ON OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES.
IF WE COULD HAVE JUST A MOMENT.
UM, SAD TO END ON SUCH A, YOU KNOW, HIGH NO FROM STAFF AND ACCOLADES THAT YOU'VE BEEN LEADING THROUGH, BUT RENEE WAS A VISIONARY AND, AND SOMEBODY DID BE REMEMBERED AND, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S UNTIMELY ANY DEATH, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE, UM, A VERY ACCELERATED, UH, PATH.
SO OUR CONDOLENCES TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY AND THE DREAM ON COMMUNITY AS WELL.
UM, ON A LIGHTER NOTE, I, I DO WANNA EXTEND AGAIN, UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, UM, AND THE STAFF FOR AN EXCELLENT REPORT HERE.
I CAN'T, TRUSTEES, I CAN'T REMEMBER ANOTHER REPORT WHERE SO MANY ACCOLADES, UH, WERE MENTIONED FROM WOMAN OF THE YEAR TO, UH, YOUR AWARD, UM, TO, UH, PR OF THE YEAR, UH, TO OUR OPERATORS, YOU KNOW, RECEIVING, UH, AND OUR MAINTENANCE TEAM.
UM, THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING, UH, AND, UH, AGAIN, AS TO YEAR LEADERSHIP AND THE EXECUTIVE STAFF'S LEADERSHIP.
SO, UH, YOU KNOW, A SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS FOR PUSHING THINGS FORWARD, UH, FOR US.
THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT VIA AND THE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, AND WE SEE THAT CLEARLY, UM, WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT INTERACTIONS THAT WE'RE HAVING.
AND AGAIN, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH YOUR WAY FORWARD AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S VERY MUCH RECOGNIZED, UM, AND YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT IT, UH, OUTWARDS, UH, IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THEN, UM, ALTOGETHER.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THAT.
[4. Citizens to be Heard (Part 1 of 2) ]
AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.UH, DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZENS? WE HAVE TWO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
IF WE HAVE TWO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD HERE.
UM, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND READ OUR STATEMENT TO THE CITIZENS.
WE NOW COME TO SYNS TO BE HEARD PORTION OF OUR PUBLIC MEETING.
THE BOARD IS INTERESTED IN HEARING THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS FROM OUR PATRONS AND CITIZENS IN THE SAN ANTONIO BEAR COUNTY AREA.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS CONCERNING PUBLIC BUSINESS OR POLICY OVER WHICH THE BOARD HAS SUPERVISION AND CONTROL THAT MAY ARISE DURING THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING MAY BE ADDRESSED AT A LATER DATE BY THE PRESIDENT'S CEO AND HIS STAFF.
THIS PROCESS ASSURES THAT YOU RECEIVED THE MOST ACCURATE RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION OR CONCERN.
AND VIA APPRECIATES YOU TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT TO SHARE YOUR COMMENTS WITH US THIS EVENING.
OUR FIRST CITIZEN TO BE HEARD IS CHRISTOPHER E. FARLEY.
[00:25:09]
GOOD AFTERNOON TO THIS MAY CONCERN.EVER SINCE MY LAST VISIT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, I CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE CITY BUSES.
ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 3RD AND APRIL 6TH, I WAS AT BUS STOP 1 21 53 WAITING FOR THE 6 0 2 TO ARRIVE JUST AFTER 6:00 AM BUT ON THAT MONDAY, THE REGULAR DRIVER WHO WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL RAN JUST LATE ENOUGH WHEN WE WERE ARRIVING AT THE NORTH STAR TRANSIT CENTER.
UH, THE BUS FOUR WAS JUST GETTING READY TO TAKE OFF FROM THERE ON TH ON THAT THURSDAY, THE BUS.
NOW I RAN FIVE MINUTES LATE, BUT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT DRIVE BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND THAT'S WHY WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO NORTH STAR TRANSIT CENTER.
THE BUS NUMBER FOUR HAD ONCE AGAIN TAKEN OFF IN BOTH INSTANCES I HAD TO TAKE THE NUMBER THREE INSTEAD ON GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH, I WAS AT THE BUS STOP ON VA JACKSON COMING FROM THE WESTFALL LIBRARY.
I WAS WAITING FOR THE 96, WHICH WAS COMING FROM DOWNTOWN.
AND JUST WHEN I HAD STOPPED, JUST WHEN IT HAD STOPPED, I WAS READY TO GET ON THE BUS.
AND THE DRIVER WHO WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE HAD ME TO BACK UP BECAUSE HE HAD TO LET OFF A WHEELCHAIR PERSON.
AND SO I GOT ON THE BUS AND WHILE WE WERE GOING TO ADVANCE JACKSON, THE 6 0 2 WAS COMING FROM MEDICAL CENTER.
THIS MARKED THE, SO THIS MARKED THE THIRD TIME THAT WEEK.
ON SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH, I WAS AT BUS STOP NUMBER 1 2 1 5 3 1 SKYWAY FOR THE 6 0 2 TO ARRIVE AT 5:50 AM BUT INSTEAD IT HAD ARRIVED AT 5:55 AM AND ALTHOUGH IT RAN LATE, WE GOT TO A NORTH STAR TRANSIT CENTER JUST IN TIME FOR ME AT CASHTON NUMBER THREE BEFORE IT HAD TAKEN OFF.
MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN ORDER TO THESE BUSES A LITTLE BIT MORE, MORE CLOSELY? UM, THIS PAST SUNDAY, APRIL 23RD, I, I WAS AT EIGHT SEVEN, I WAS AT BUS STOP 8 7 9 5 6, WAITING FOR YOU, THE THREE OR THE FOUR TO RIDE JUST AFTER FOUR.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT RAN LATE ENOUGH TO ME FOR ME TO MISS MY CONNECTING BUS AND NORTH STAR TRANSIT CENTER.
SO I HAD TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 45 MINUTES FOR 6 0 2 TO ARRIVE TO, TO, TO ARRIVE.
UM, IF SOMEONE COULD GET, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME WITH RESPONSE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
PLUS, IN CLOSING, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE FEMALE DRIVERS BEHIND THE WHEEL.
AND I DON'T MEAN ANY DISRESPECT TO MALE DRIVERS, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED MORE FEMALE DRIVERS.
PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
OUR NEXT CITIZEN TO BE HEARD IS WILL MCLEOD VIA AN EMAIL WHICH WILL BE READ BY OUR CUSTOMER RESOLUTION SPECIALIST, DIANA ESTRADA.
VIA BOARD VIA CHAIR FOR THE RECORD.
MY NAME IS WILL MCLEOD AND I AM SENDING YOU THIS COMMENT VIA EMAIL TO TOUCH UP ON A COUPLE OF THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, WE JUST GOT DONE WITH EARTH DAY AND VIA HAS NOT BEEN GOOD STEWARDS TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
WHY DO I SAY THIS? BECAUSE MANY OF YOUR BUS STOPS LACK TRASH CANS AND A LOT OF YOUR BUS STOPS, YOU MAKE THE TRASH CANS SO SMALL, YOU CAN'T EVEN THROW AWAY A BROWN BAGGED LUNCH, ONLY A 20 OUNCE SODA.
IS THERE A REASON WHY YOU HAVE A RING AROUND IT? LOCKING THE LID OF THE TRASH RECEPTACLE ITSELF? IS IT BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT LIKE TO THROW AWAY BANDIT SIGNS THAT WERE AFFIXED TO THE PHONE POLE AND CHOOSE TO SCAR OF THEM IN A TRASHCAN THAT I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR AS A TAXPAYER? SO YOU WANT TO PURCHASE SOLAR, BUT YOU DO NOT WANT TO PURCHASE TRASH CANS.
WHO COMES UP WITH ALL THESE IDEAS ON YOUR AGENDA? ASK FOR THE RANDOLPH PARK AND RIDE.
IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE REMODELED.
WHO IS GETTING THE KICKBACKS IN THIS PROPOSAL? WE NEED MORE BUSES, NOT MORE PARK AND RIDES.
QUIT SPENDING MONEY LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR.
ALSO, WHEN PATRONS REQUEST THE OPERATOR KNEE THE BUS, THEY NEED TO DO SO WITHOUT ANY CONTROVERSY, BIGOTRY, OR OPPOSITION.
YOU NEED TO TEACH ALL YOUR BUS OPERATORS TO REMAIN COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES.
WHEN PATRONS ASK THEM TO KNEEL THE BUS.
IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO PUSH A SIMPLE SWITCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
AND I HAVE ALSO OBSERVED ON THURSDAY WHEN WE HAD THAT BAD STORM BETWEEN NINE 30 TO 10:00 PM THAT BUS 5 52 RANDOLPH BETWEEN INGRAM AND EDWARDS DECIDED TO PULL INTO THE CENTER LANE BYPASSING THE 6 0 7 LEAVING PATRON STRANDED THAT WANTED TO CATCH THE 5 52.
HE WAS TOO BUSY LOOKING FOR FIVE O'CLOCK
[00:30:01]
AND PAYDAY.THERE WAS NO REASON FOR HIM TO DO SO.
YES, YOUR DRIVERS, SOME OF THEM NEED TO WORK ON THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS AND YOUR BUS STOPS.
YOU BUILD THESE NEW SHELTERS, BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE DRAINAGE FOR THESE SHELTERS.
AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, WHEN IT STORMS REALLY BAD, THE BUS STOPS ARE LOCATED WHERE PUDDLES OF WATER POND, THE STREET JUST WAITING FOR DRIVERS TO SPLASH WATER ON VIA PATRONS.
WHOEVER CONSTRUCTS THESE STOPS OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T RIDE THE BUS AS I AM SURE IT IS BENEATH THEM TO DO SO.
YOU ALL CLAIM YOU ARE FOR SAVING THE PLANET EXACTLY HOW MANY VIA EMPLOYEES.
THAT'S THE END OF CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
[5. Consent Agenda]
ITEM NUMBER FIVE, THE CONSENT AGENDA.TRUSTEES, ARE ANY QUESTIONS WITH CONSENT? AGENDA NOT MAY I HAVE A MOTION?
ANY OPPOSE? CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[6. VIA Solar System Information Update]
ITEM NUMBER SIX VIA SOLAR SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE.MR. JOHNS, IF YOU HAVE AN UPDATE FOR US, PLEASE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR AND ALL VIDEO MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS TOMMY JOHNSON AND I'M A DIRECTOR IN THE FLEET AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DIVISION.
THE PURPOSE OF TODAY'S PRESENTATION IS TO PROVIDE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WITH AN UPDATE ON VIAS CURRENT SOLAR SYSTEMS. IN 2014, THE VIA BOARD ADOPTED VIAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM POLICY.
THE POLICY GUIDES VIAS EFFORTS TO INTEGRATE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES INTO NEW AND EXISTING PROPERTIES AND PROJECTS.
THE POLICY ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND FURTHER REDUCE VIAS CARBON FOOTPRINT.
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF VIAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT POLICY.
THE POLICY INCLUDES IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES AND SOLUTIONS, POLLUTION PREVENTION, COMPLIANCE, MINIMIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, AND INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES DURING PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING PROCESSES.
THE LAST BULLET MENTIONS INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
AND THIS IS WHAT THE PRESENTATION WILL FOCUS ON.
SPECIFICALLY THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR AT OUR TRANSIT CENTERS, BUS STOPS AND SHELTERS.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH OUR TRANSIT CENTERS.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE, VIA HAS SEVEN TRANSIT CENTERS THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH SOLAR.
THEY ARE CENTRAL PLAZA MEDICAL CENTER, ROBERT THOMPSON, BROOKS CADILLAC, NORTH STAR, AND MADLA IN 2022.
THESE COMBINED SEVEN PROPERTIES OFFSET VIA HIS ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY APPROXIMATELY 183,500 KILOWATT HOURS.
THAT'S APPROXIMATELY 24,000 IN AVOIDED UTILITY EXPENSE.
UNLIKE OUR TRANSIT CENTERS, OUR BUS STOPS AND SHELTERS ARE SELF-SUSTAINING SOLAR EQUIPPED.
WE HAVE 6,080 BUS STOPS IN WHICH 2,314 ARE SHELTERED.
53% OF THOSE ARE SOLAR LIGHTED.
WE'VE INSTALLED SOLAR POLE LIGHTS AT 44 OF OUR BUS STOPS.
THAT'S 1,220 SHELTERS AND 44 POLE LIGHTS FOR A TOTAL OF 1,264 LIGHTED STOPS.
ANOTHER FACT ABOUT OUR BUS STOPS AND SHELTERS BECAUSE INSTALLING METERED CONNECTIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN COST PROHIBITED.
SOLAR HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE AND COST EFFECTIVE FOR US TO PROVIDE LIGHTING AT THOSE 1,264 BUS STOPS.
MAY NOTICE THE PHOTO ON THE, UH, SCREEN IS FROM OUR FLORIST, UH, NEXT GEN ON OUR FLORIST STREET BEHIND OUR MAINTENANCE FACILITY.
SO WHERE TO NEXT? VIA CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE THE APPLICATION OF SOLAR ENERGY TO HELP THE AGENCY MEET ITS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.
HERE'S SOME OF THE POTENTIAL FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS.
THE EASTSIDE MOBILITY HUB, RANDOLPH PARKING RIDE, ALAMO RANCH PARKING RIDE, THE FUTURE BUS YARD AND, UH, SORRY, FUTURE MAINTENANCE AND BUS YARD FACILITY AND THE VIA TRANS OPERATING FACILITY OF THE V O.
[00:35:03]
SO WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW WITH SOLAR? OUR CURRENT INITIATIVES AT VIA, WE CURRENTLY HAVE A REQUISITION IN PROCUREMENT TO HIRE A CONSULTANT TO ANALYZE THE CURRENT SOLAR EQUIPPED VIA PROPERTIES AND TO STUDY THE REMAINING PROPERTIES TO RECOMMEND ADDITIONAL SOLAR INSTALLATION.THE SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDES PROVIDE A CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF THE STATUS OF THE OPERATION OF EACH OPERATION, EVALUATE POTENTIAL FOR BATTERY STORAGE, PROVIDE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE MEASURES, RECOMMEND ALTERNATIVES OR ENHANCEMENTS AT NEW OR EXISTING LOCATIONS.
PROVIDE ANTICIPATED ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COST OF EACH SOLAR INSTALLATION OPERATION, IMPROVE VIA SOLAR REPORTING SYSTEMS FOR SYSTEMS GENERATION, PROVIDE ANNUAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT WITH THE ENHANCEMENT AND FULL OPERATION OF EACH SOLAR INSTALLATION.
AND FINALLY, TO RESEARCH AND FIND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO CLAIM AND QUALIFYING VIA TO OFFSET SOLAR INSTALLATION, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATIONS COST.
WE RECENTLY MET WITH CPS ENERGY TO HELP US UNDERSTAND OUR SOLAR PROGRAM BECAUSE OUR SOLAR PRODUCTION WAS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND AND OBTAIN VIA REQUESTED A MORE CUSTOMER FRIENDLY CPS BILL THAT INCLUDED THESE REQUESTS.
CPS P AGREED WITH VIA AND IS WORKING TO PROVIDE SOLAR PRODUCTION INFORMATION ON ALL CUSTOMER BILLS WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
AND THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
UH, I THINK AT OUR, UH, WORKSHOP LAST WEEK, WE TALKED ABOUT A TIMELINE OF THE END OF THE SUMMER FOR THAT ASSESSMENT.
IS THAT STILL ACCURATE? AND JEFF, I THINK WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT A, A BUDGET.
ANY QUESTIONS, MR. COOPER? TRUSTEE COOPER? WELL, SINCE YOU'VE BROUGHT UP THE SAVINGS IN, YOU KNOW, 2022, UM, I'D BE REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING THE ECONOMICS OF THIS.
SO WHAT DOES IT COST YOU TO GET THE $24,000 ON WHAT IS YOUR ROIS? AND I I THINK HOPEFULLY WE ALREADY HAVE THOSE NOW, BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN I LOOKED AT AT SOLAR FOR DIFFERENT PROJECTS, IT, IT JUST, IT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE.
UM, I THINK SOME OF THE, UH, BUS STOPS MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, BUT I'D REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE SPENDING IN RETURN OF WHAT WE'RE GAINING.
THAT IS IN THE SCOPE OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE HAVING A CONSULTANT WE'LL BE LOOKING AT AND ROI IS PART, BUT WE NOT KNOW WHAT WE ALREADY SPENT ON ALL THE OTHER ONES BECAUSE YOU SAID ALL THESE ALREADY HAVE 'EM THERE AND YOU SAID WE SAVE $24,000.
WHAT DID WE SPEND ON, ON THIS TO GET TO THAT POINT? AND YOU DON'T HOW TO ANSWER THAT RIGHT NOW? YES, I, WE'D HAVE TO RESEARCH THAT AND, AND GET THAT FIGURE.
I DON'T HAVE THAT READILY AVAILABLE.
AND THEN ARE THESE CONSULTANTS ALSO THE SOLAR PANELS KEEP, UM, EVOLVING LIKE AI I MEAN IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE, WHAT THEIR CAPABILITIES ARE, UM, HOW SMALL SOME CAN BE AND OBTAIN EVEN MORE, UH, POWER THAN SOME OF THE BIG ONES.
ARE WE RESEARCHING THAT TOO? OR, OR ARE WE JUST GOING WITH STANDARD LOOKING ONES AND I MEAN, HOW, HOW DEEP ARE WE GOING INTO THIS? WELL, WE, WE KNOW THAT THE, UH, THE SCOPE OF THE WORK WITH THE PROJECT THAT WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT WILL EVALUATE, UH, OLDER TECHNOLOGY VERSUS NEW TECHNOLOGY.
THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF THAT SCOPE.
SO OBVIOUSLY WE'LL BE LOOKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THAT, UH, THAT CONSULTANT TO GIVE US THE MOST OPTIMUM, UH, PANELS THAT ARE OUT THERE TO, THAT WOULD PRODUCE THE, UH, OPTIMUM AMOUNT OF POWER SUPPLY TO OFFSET OUR COST.
SO ONE COMMENT, UM, UH, TO FOLLOW UP WITH TRUSTEE COOPER'S COMMENTS.
I MEAN, I ASSUME THAT THE UPFRONT COST, THE REALLY WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS WHAT THE LONG TERM SAVINGS IS BECAUSE A PANEL, UH, I THINK LOSES VERY LITTLE OF, OF ITS EFFICIENCY OVER AN ANNUAL PERIOD, RIGHT? AND SO WE HAVE UPFRONT COST, BUT THEN LOOK AT WHEN DOES THAT START MAKING REAL MONEY, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT IN YEAR ONE, YOU MIGHT MAKE IT IN YEAR EIGHT OR NINE.
UM, SO THAT DETAIL I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HONE IN ON.
AND THE SECOND POINT I WAS GONNA MAKE IS, LET'S JUST KEEP OUR EYE ON, ON WHAT CPS IS DOING.
UH, IN THE PAST THEY'VE HAD, UH, PURCHASE POWER AGREEMENTS WITH SOLAR DEVELOPERS.
THOSE SOLAR DEVELOPERS ARE THEN LOOKING FOR FACILITIES, BUILDINGS TO PUT PANELS ON TOP OF THOSE BUILDINGS, UH, AT THEIR OWN COST.
[00:40:01]
SO WE COULD BE A BENEFACTOR OF THAT INVESTMENT IN, UH, IN, IN SOLAR FROM CPS AND THOSE SOLAR DEVELOPERS.SO JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.
UH, MY QUESTION THOUGH IS, UM, THIS IS FANTASTIC AND I'M ACTUALLY GONNA EXPAND MORE ON TRUSTEE BELLS.
I'LL DO IS AND TRUSTEE COOPER'S REMARKS.
AND YOU BROUGHT UP THE UPFRONT COSTS, BUT MY CONCERN IS FOR THE REPLACEMENT COSTS AS WELL, SHOULD SOMETHING OCCUR WITHIN ONE MONTH, TWO MONTHS, SIX MONTHS? SO JUST OVERLOOKING WHAT THE WARRANTY WOULD BE LIKE ON THESE PANELS.
WOULD IT JUST BE ONE SECTION OR ONE, SAY JUST ONE TILE IS DAMAGED? WHAT WOULD BE, AND AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROBABLY A COUPLE MILLIONS OF LIKE THESE LITTLE TINY BLOCKS THAT ARE THAT COMPOSE OF ONE PANEL.
SO, AND THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS HAPPENS.
WHAT WOULD BE THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THESE AND THE COST INCLUDING NOT JUST INCLUDING THE PARTS, BUT ALSO THE LABOR WITH REGARDS TO THIS? CUZ IT'S SUCH A SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY.
YES, THEY, THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE, UH, SCOPE OF WORK TO GIVE US AN ANNUAL, UH, MAINTENANCE, PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROCESS OR MEASURES THAT WE WOULD DO.
AND ALSO IT WAS AN ANNUAL COST OR THE ROI TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDED THE MAINTENANCE COST AND THE MANPOWER THAT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE TO, UH, MAINTAIN THESE AND REPLACE THEM.
SO, UH, THE, THE PROGRAM THAT TRUSTEE FAUL WAS TALKING ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW, 15, 20 YEARS AGO OR SO, I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY HOW LONG AGO IT WAS, BUT I KNOW THAT, UH, I WAS ON A COMMITTEE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO SCHOOL DISTRICT AND I WAS RECOMMENDING THAT WE PARTICIPATE IN THAT CPS PROGRAM.
ALAMO HEIGHTS DID, AND ALAMO HEIGHTS SAVED ALL SORTS OF MONEY AND HAD IT ON THEIR, THEIR WEBSITE.
SO YOU COULD ACTUALLY LOOK AND SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WAS BEING SAVED IN PROPORTION TO HOW MUCH MONEY WAS EXPENDED.
A ACTUALLY IT WAS A, A PROGRAM THAT I THINK, UH, AS A, AS A, UH, JOINT PROGRAM, IT WAS VERY, VERY INEXPENSIVE IN IN PAID GREAT DIVIDENDS.
UH, I BELIEVE IN SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED IN THIS LAST YEAR THAT THERE ARE SOME FEDERAL GRANTS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE THAT WE NEED TO BE EXPLORING.
AND I'M SURE THAT'S THE SCOPE OF WHAT, UH, THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON.
AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE FACILITIES THAT I'VE, UH, OBSERVED HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WHERE THEY HAVE SOLAR INSTALLATIONS, UM, IT WAS A, A PROJECT THAT CPS HAD, UH, GENERATED, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY STILL HAVE THIS AVAILABLE OR IF THEY WILL, UH, ADD TO IT, BUT WHERE THEY ACTUALLY, UH, HAD PEOPLE WHO MAY LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND CAN'T PUT A SOLAR THING ON TOP OF THEIR, THEIR APARTMENT COMPLEX, BUT THEY COULD BUY A SOLAR PANEL AND HAVE IT AS PART OF THIS, UH, THIS COMPLEX AND RECEIVE SOME OF THE TAX CREDITS AND THE BENEFITS OF, UH, PARTICIPATING IN A SOLAR PROGRAM.
SO HOPEFULLY CPS WOULD WORK WITH US ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT SO THAT VIA DOESN'T HAVE TO COME OUT THE MONEY, BUT VIA COULD GET SOME OF THE BENEFITS, UH, OF HAVING SOLAR.
WE HAVE EIGHT, EIGHT ELECTRIC BUSES COMING RIGHT NOW, AND I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE MORE IN THE FUTURE.
SO WE NEED TO BE GENERATING OUR OWN ELECTRICITY.
[4. Citizens to be Heard (Part 2 of 2) ]
TIME WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD BA UH, RETURN BACK TO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.UH, I'D LIKE TO, UH, ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE THE KEYSTONE, UH, STUDENTS THAT ARE HERE AND UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR US.
SO WE ARE ALL IN EIGHTH GRADE.
WE'RE FROM KEYSTONE SCHOOL AND THIS YEAR WE DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SA SMART CHALLENGE WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM IN TRANSPORTATION.
UM, SA SMART PARTNERED WITH VIA, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU GUYS OUR SOLUTION FOR A TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
AND WE CALL IT THE VIA REWARD SYSTEM.
SO MY NAME IS NIJA, I'M ASH BANDE.
UM, MY NAME IS AOKI AND MY NAME IS
[00:45:01]
UM, SO OUR PROBLEM IS THAT SAN ANTONIO'S 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE.
POPULATION IS GROWING RAPIDLY BY 2050 IS POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO TOP 4 MILLION PEOPLE.
SAN ANTONIO'S ROADS ARE ALREADY OVERCROWDED.
AND THIS INCREASE IN POPULATION WILL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE.
MORE CARS WILL ALSO LEAD TO MORE EMISSIONS.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A WAY TO PREVENT MORE CRAMP TRAFFIC.
SO IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO TAKE THE VIA BUSES, WE DE SO WE DECIDED ON A SOLUTION WHICH WOULD BE TO IMPLEMENT A REWARD SYSTEM AND BASICALLY A LOYALTY PROGRAM WHICH COULD BE IMPLEMENTED INTO THIS BUS SYSTEM.
AND WHEN, UH, RIDER THEY RIDE WITH THE VIA BUS SYSTEM, THEY GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF POINTS EACH TIME.
AND, UM, EACH, WHEN THEY EARN POINTS, THEY CAN EARN REWARDS LIKE FREE RIDES OR GIFT CARDS.
UM, SO, UH, HOW THIS WORKS, SO EACH CUSTOMER WOULD SCAN AN ID BARCODE ON THEIR VIA APP, UM, USING THE ALREADY INSTALLED SCANNERS, UM, ON THE VIA BUS.
UM, SO EVERY TIME THEY RIDE WITH VIA, UM, THE SET AMOUNT OF REWARD POINTS WILL BE GIVEN AND HOW MANY REWARD POINTS THEY GET PER RIDE WOULD BE DETERMINED BY, UM, HOW OFTEN THEY RIDE WITH VIA.
AND WE WOULD DETERMINE THIS BY GIVING THEM A SHORT SURVEY WHEN THEY FIRST DOWNLOAD THE APP, ASKING UM, HOW OFTEN THEY RIDE.
SO AT REGULAR INTERVALS, UM, REWARDS WOULD BE GIVEN TO CUSTOMERS.
SO SAY AT EVERY A HUNDRED POINT MILESTONE, A CUSTOMER WOULD EARN, UM, A FREE RIDE.
UM, BUT AT EVERY, UM, 300 MILES POINT MILESTONE, UM, WE, THE CUSTOMER WOULD EARN A GIFT CARD TO A VIA SPONSOR COMPANY.
UM, SO FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A PHONE, THEY CAN LIKE GO TO THE VIA HEADQUARTERS TO GET LIKE A BUS CARD.
SO THIS CARD WILL BE USED TO LIKE TRACK THE CUSTOMER'S REWARD POINTS AND THEY'LL ALSO BE ABLE TO PUT MONEY ON THE CARD AS WELL.
SO, UM, IF THE CUSTOMER WANTS TO BUY LIKE A PASS, UH, THEY CAN DOWNLOAD LIKE THE HERE GO MOBILE PLUS APP AND LIKE PURCHASE 'EM THERE FOR PURCHASING A DAY PASS, THEY'LL RECEIVE AN EXTRA 10 POINTS AND THE AMOUNT OF POINTS WILL INCREASE FOR THE LONGER.
THE PASS IS FOR, UM, WHEN A CUSTOMER DOWNLOADS WILL VIA BUS APP, THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE LIKE A FREE RIDE TO ALLOW THEM TO TRY OUT VIA.
AND THESE FREE RIDES WILL ALSO GIVE THEM REWARD POINTS.
AND WE ARE ALSO GONNA, UH, GAMIFY THE REWARD SYSTEM, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'LL GIVE CUSTOMERS EXTRA REWARD POINTS IF THEY COMPLETE THE SORT OF QUEST AROUND SAN ANTONIO.
CAN WE KEEP GOING? MADAM CHAIR, CAN WE EXTEND THEIR TIME? YES, GO AHEAD.
GO TECHNICAL, CONDENSE, CONDENSE.
SO CONDENSE, WE HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS AND THIS SOLUTION IS VIABLE BECAUSE LOTS OF OTHER COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY USED IT.
A LOT OF, UM, A LOT OF COMPANIES THAT USE CARDS AND REWARD SYSTEMS LIKE DELTA, UNITED AND STARBUCKS HAVE THESE KINDS OF SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTED.
AND FOR EXAMPLE, UH, DELTA'S SKY MALES, UH, BOOSTED THEIR SALES BY OVER 20%, UH, DUE TO THESE KIND OF PROGRAMS, WHICH NOW HAVE OVER 92 MILLION MEMBERS.
NOW SAN ANTONIO ISN'T ON THAT GREAT OF A SCALE, BUT WE'LL STILL SEE WILL WE ESTIMATE TO SEE A RISE IN, UH, BUS USAGE.
AND SO, UM, SO WE TOOK A SURVEY ON SOME OF THE PEOPLE WE KNOW AND SOME SAN ANTONIO CITIZENS AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE SAID THEY WOULD, UM, TRY OUT THIS SYSTEM IF WE WERE TO IMPLEMENT IT.
AND SO, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR, YEAH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING.
THANK YOU KNOW, I THINK NORMALLY WE, WE WOULD NOT AT THIS TIME MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, BUT, UH, JUST AT A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, UH, ATTENDING TODAY'S MEETING.
WE APPRECIATE YOUTH ALWAYS, UM, GETTING INVOLVED IN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UH, AND ESPECIALLY COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION TO, UH, UH, SOMETIMES WHAT WE THINK MAY OR MAY NOT BE ISSUES OR PROBLEMS. AND THIS IS A CREATIVE WAY TO CONTINUE ENGAGEMENT FROM OUR LOYALTY STANDPOINT.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I THINK TRUSTEE WOLF HAD A COMMENT HERE AND WANTED TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU.
I JUST THOUGHT THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY DID A REALLY GOOD JOB THERE.
YOU KNOW, THEY COULD COME LIKE, YOU KNOW, FILL IN OUR SEATS HERE AND, AND HELP US OUT.
THE, Y'ALL READY TO DO THAT? YOU COULD COME SIT RIGHT NEXT TO ME.
HOW ABOUT, HOW ABOUT A PICTURE WITH US
YOU GOT GOT TIME FOR THAT BEFORE WE DO THE PICTURE THOUGH.
I THINK, UH, CHELSEA CUOMO WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING AS WELL.
CAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY'RE GONNA, EVERYBODY'S GONNA DISBAND,
[00:50:01]
SO I GOTTA SAY WATCH OUT.GARY, YOU CAN BE REPLACED, HUH? VERY GOOD ONE.
NO, IT'S VERY, VERY EXCELLENT.
APPRECIATE THE RESEARCH AND THE THOUGHT THAT Y'ALL PUT INTO THIS THING.
AND, UH, I, I HOPE THAT WE CAN, CAN MOVE ON THIS, UM, UH, START BY RIDING THE BUS YOURSELF.
AND YOU CAN GET, UH, THE FEEL OF, OF WHO ELSE IS ON THE BUS WITH YOU AND GET THEIR IDEAS AND IT'S NOTHING.
YOU GOT A PICTURE? MUCH THANKS.
AND MADAM CHAIR, DO YOU MIND IF I DO ONE FINAL? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
UM, SO I WAS REALLY, REALLY EXCITED WHEN I SAW THIS COME OUT THROUGH OUR NEWSLETTER.
AND I JUST WANNA REMIND ALL THE TRUSTEES HERE.
A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN WE HAD OUR RETREAT, OUR NUMBER ONE THING WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR VISION WOULD BE, AND INNOVATION WAS ALWAYS TOP OF THAT.
AND I NEVER LIKE TO SAY THAT KIDS ARE FUTURE LEADERS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE LEADERS THEY ALREADY CURRENTLY ARE.
THEY JUST NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF, UM, COMMUNITY AND THE RIGHT KIND OF SYSTEM OF SUPPORT SURROUNDING THEM TO MAKE THEIR IDEAS INTO REALITIES.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ENTERTAINING ME TODAY, UM, FOR ALLOWING THIS TO OCCUR.
I WAS SO PROUD OF THEM AND I'VE BEEN PROUD OF THEM SINCE THE MOMENT I HEARD ABOUT THEIR PROGRAM AND THEIR, THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS IN, I WANNA SAY JANUARY IS WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT FROM THE HEADMASTER.
NO, IT'S, THEY'RE ALL TALLER THAN EIGHT.
THESE GUYS CAN GO A LITTLE BIT DOWN.
THANK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, SO HAPPY.
WELL NOW NO VIEW A FIESTA TOO, RIGHT? YEAH.
UH, ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, MS. SEL, ANY LEGAL ACTION OR BRIEFING? WE DO NOT HAVE A LEGAL BRIEFING THIS EVENING.
WELL, WE'VE REACHED THE END OF OUR MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND? SO MOVED.
I, I'M GUESSING NOBODY OPPOSES ON THIS FIESTA TUESDAY.