[00:00:01]
GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.[ATD 1. Call to Order]
IT IS 5:05 PM I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE.UH, AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE ORDER THE DECEMBER 19, A TD BOARD MEETING.
LET'S BEGIN WITH THE ROLL CALL.
UH, VICE CHAIR CABILLA PRESENT.
I THINK SHE MAY SHOW UP LATER.
OKAY, I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR OUR QUORUM.
[ATD 2. Moment of Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance, Announcements]
THE, UH, MOMENT OF REFLECTIONS.PLEASE STAND FOR THE ALLEGIANCE OF THE US AND TEXAS FLAG.
I, I ALLEGIANCE THE FLAG IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL HONOR BY EFFECTIVE FLAG.
OKAY, WE HAVE NOW REACHED A CITIZENS TO BE HEARD PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZENS TO BE HEARD? MR. CHAIR? FOR THE ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
OKAY, NOW WE GO TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR,
[ATD 4. Consent Agenda]
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM TRUSTEES.ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION? A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM AS PRESENTED.
THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM IS APPROVED.
MS. ELDER, DO WE HAVE A LEGAL BRIEFING? NO, SIR.
WE DO NOT HAVE A LEGAL THANK YOU TRUSTEES.
WE'LL REACH THE END OF OUR MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING? SO MOVE SECOND.
THE A TD MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
[1. Call to Order]
I'M CALLING TO ORDER THE DECEMBER 19TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.ITEM NUMBER TWO WAS ADDRESSED AT THE A TD MEETING.
SO WE WILL MOVE TO OUR NEXT ITEM.
[3. President/CEO Report]
THREE, PRESIDENT, CEO OF MR. A REPORT.ALRIGHT, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
THEY'RE VERY CLOSE AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME DURING THIS BUSY PERIOD OF THE YEAR TO, UH, SPEND TIME WITH VIA.
I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR STAR ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE QUARTER IS MANAGER OF GRANTS.
CHRISTINA, IS CHRISTINA HERE ONLY IN PICTURE? WELL, THERE SHE IS.
CHRISTINA IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HER IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO V'S.
WORK TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW ERP SYSTEM CALLED INFOR.
SHE HAS SHOWN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN MANY ASPECTS OF THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENSURE THAT FISCAL MANAGEMENT TEAM IS INVOLVED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS THAT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT, WHICH IS PROBABLY 95% OF ALL OF 'EM, RIGHT? UH, SHE ALSO COURTS COORDINATES AND COMMUNICATES WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHEN BUSINESS DECISIONS OR SYSTEM PROCESSES IMPACT THEIR AREA.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS RECOGNITION.
CHRISTINA, WE'LL CLAP FOR YOU TO BE.
I KNOW THE NEXT PERSON IS HERE.
RACHEL HAS WAS ALSO SELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP FOR THE COMING YEAR AND THEN WILL BEGIN HER PRESIDENCY IN 2025.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, PRSA RECOGNIZED RACHEL AS THE PR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR FOR HER COMMUNICATIONS WORK AT VIA AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PR PROFESSION.
[00:05:01]
REPRESENT VIA AND CONTINUE TO TELL OUR STORY, ADVANCE OUR MISSION IN THE COMMUNITY.IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT V'S.
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER SLASH PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER DR.
LORRAINE POLITO HAS BEEN VOTED TO LEAD THE BROOKS COMMUNITY AS THEIR FIRST WOMAN CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
POLITO HAS BEEN ON THE BROOKS BOARD SINCE 2018 AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A BODY'S VICE CHAIR IN 2019.
SHE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE BROOKS REGION FOR A LONG TIME AND HAS SERVED AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE BROOK BROOKS 5 0 1 C3 NONPROFIT.
BROOKS GIVES BACKBOARD HER SELECTION TO LEAD.
BROOKS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS WELL DESERVED AND HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED HER ACHIEVEMENT WITH A SPECIAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE BY COUNCILWOMAN DR.
ADRIANA ROCHA GARCIA DURING THEIR MEETING OF DECEMBER 7TH.
SO, LORRAINE, SHE'S BACK THERE.
THERE SHE IS ALREADY STANDING.
LOREN IS ALSO A GRADUATE OF HARLANDALE HIGH SCHOOL.
UH, WE WENT TO CONGRATULATE SANDEEP SEN, OUR DIRECTOR OF SERVICE PLANNING AND SCHEDULING FOR HIS GRADUATION FROM THE ALEX ZENIO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON DECEMBER 7TH, 2023.
THIS PROGRAM IS NAMED AFTER THE RETIRED CITY MANAGER AND FORMER VIA BOARD CHAIR ALEX ALEXANDER ZENIO AND IS GROUNDED IN HIS LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY OF CIA ONG PRACTICE MANAGEMENT WITH COMPASSION AS WELL AS HIS LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES.
SANDEEP WENT THROUGH THIS SEVEN MONTH PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED HIM WITH NETWORKING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WITH EXISTING AND EMERGING CIVIC AND CORPORATE LEADERS IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA.
ALTHOUGH BONNIE MAY DEBATE CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER FOR BONNIE PROSSER ELDER, OUR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF LEGAL AND GENERAL COUNSEL, AND JOSH BALL, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, RIGHT SEATED MODESTLY.
YOU CAN STAND UP RASH
THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION IS CHARGED WITH REVIEWING FOUR KEY AREAS, INCLUDING ETHICS, GOVERNANCE, IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL AND REPRESENTATION, MODERNIZATION, AND WILL MAKE RES RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL BY NEXT SUMMER ON WHAT SHOULD BE PLACED BEFORE THE PUBLIC, THE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER.
BONNIE WILL SERVE AS CO-CHAIR.
UH, THIS IS YOUR SECOND STINT RIGHT AS CO-CHAIR, SO HOPEFULLY YOU GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME.
NO, WE'RE THEY, THEY CHOSE ONLY THE BEST TO CHAIR AND JOSH, WERE AND JOSH BOTH BONNIE AND JOSH WERE SWORN IN LAST NIGHT BEGINNING THE SERVICE WITH THE COMMISSION'S INITIAL MEETING.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU ON YOUR APPOINTMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S REALLY PRETTY COOL THAT VIA HAS TWO VOICES IN THAT GROUP AND, AND FRANK WHO KEEPS EVERYBODY IN LINE JUST LIKE HE DOES HERE.
SO, I'D LIKE TO EX, UH, EXTEND SINCERE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED OUR EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION CELEBRATION ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15TH, PARTICULARLY INCLUDING THE TEAM WHO ORGANIZED AND STAFFED THE DAY LONG EVENT TO EVERYONE AND TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED.
GAVE US ALL A CHANCE TO GATHER, ENJOY BREAKFAST, LUNCH, OR DINNER DEPENDING UPON OUR SCHEDULE AND SHIFT AND SHARE SOME HOLIDAY CHEER WITH TEAM MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.
I WAS JUST SO HAPPY TO BE HERE AT 5:00 AM FOR SOME DELICIOUS BREAKFAST WITH OUR EARLY MORNING CREW, BUT I WILL SAY THAT IT WAS A GOOD TIME, BUT ALSO FOR ME, A GOOD REMINDER, UH, AND A LITTLE TASTE OF WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUR OPERATIONS GOING EVERY MORNING.
THE HOLIDAYS EVENTS TOOK PLACE BEGINNING AT 3:00 AM AND ENDING AT 1:30 AM SO WHEN WE SAY IT'S AN ALL DAY EVENT, IT'S ALMOST 24 HOURS.
IT WAS QUITE THE MARATHON EVENT DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE OUR AWESOME EMPLOYEES WHO KEEP US MOVING AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY OR NIGHT.
[00:10:05]
NEXT, PLEASE, UH, JOIN ME IN THANKING THE VIA CARESS VOLUNTEERS WHO CAME OUT ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 16TH TO SUPPORT THE ELF LOUISE PROJECT.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT ELF LOUISE, IT'S A BELOVED SAN ANTONIO TRADITION THAT BEGAN IN 1969 WITH LOUISE LOCKER, A THEN COLLEGE STUDENT AND NOW ICON WHO MADE IT HER LIFELONG MISSION TO MAKE SURE BOTH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED COULD EXPERIENCE THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS.
FOR 54 YEARS, ELF LOUISE HAS COLLECTED GIFTS AND ORGANIZED ARMIES OF VOLUNTEERS TO DELIVER A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHEER TO LOCAL CHILDREN.
SIX VIA CARES TEAM MEMBERS ASSEMBLED ON SATURDAY MORNING DONNING SANTA SUITS AND ELF HATS TO SET OUT TO, TO DELIVER GIFTS.
I'M SO PROUD AGAIN THAT VIA COULD BE PART OF THIS ANNUAL TRADITION THAT BRINGS A LITTLE, A LITTLE CHRISTMAS TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.
THANK YOU TO EACH VOLUNTEER WHO GAVE THEIR TIME, AND THANKS TO THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR LAUREN SANU AND TEAM LEADER MELISSA DE ENTENTE, WHO AND EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART IN MAKING IT POSSIBLE.
UM, MELISSA AND LAUREN, IF YOU'D STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED ALSO ON SATURDAY VIA BROUGHT A LITTLE SPARKLE TO DOWNTOWN AT SAN ANTONIO'S FIRST HOLIDAYS ON HOUSTON STREET EVENT.
OUR TALENTED FLEET AND FACILITIES TEAM DID THEIR USUAL AND CREDIBLE JOB TRANSFORMING A VIA TROLLEY INTO A RIDE FIT FOR SANTA.
THE HOLIDAY TROLLEY INCLUDED THOUSANDS OF TWINKLING LIGHTS.
IT COULD BE SEEN FOR BLOCKS ON HOUSTON, AND THAT'S ABOUT HOW LONG THE LINE WAS TO BOARD THE TROLLEY.
MEET PRIMO SANTA AND SNAP SOME PICTURES WITH THE DAZZLING DISPLAY VIA AMBASSADORS.
WELCOME TO BOARD VISITORS AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT VIAS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AMBASSADORS.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE FIRST THIS FIRST HOLIDAYS ON HOUSTON STREET.
A SUCCESS, AS YOU CAN SEE, A VERY, A VERY GOOD SHOWING.
UM, I'M ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE AND CELEBRATE TONIGHT THE SUCCESS OF OUR 2023 UNITED WAY FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN THAT THIS YEAR RAISED OVER $65,000 FOR NEIGHBORS AND NEEDS.
AND THAT'S $20,000 ABOVE OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL.
AND PLEDGES ARE STILL COMING IN.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PROUD IT MAKES ME AND SHOULD MAKE ALL OF US HERE THAT VIA EMPLOYEES CONTINUE TO COME TOGETHER TO GIVE BACK AND HELP MEET THE MANY NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR GIFTS WILL MAKE SURE LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CAN HAVE FOOD, EMERGENCY SHELTER, CLOTHES, SUPPLIES TO ATTEND, SCHOOL ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE WITH OVERCOMING ADDICTION, HOMELESSNESS, AND OTHER CRISES YOUR HEART REALLY SHINED THIS YEAR VIA TO OUR FAMILY.
I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS GIVING SPIRIT OF THE TEAM.
WHO PLEDGE, WHO SUPPORTED THE FOOD SALES, ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO ORGANIZED AND RAN AN INCREDIBLE TWO WEEK CAMPAIGN.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IS A HERO.
JUST WANNA POINT OUT IN THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER THAT THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY STAND IN A LIVING SNOW GLOBE WITH SANTA CLAUS, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS VERY COOL.
UH, FINALLY, LET ME PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF REFLECTION AND REMEMBRANCE FOR RETIRED VIA BUS OPERATOR LESTER BUSTER HAZEL, WHO PASSED AWAY ON DECEMBER 9TH AT THE AGE OF 61.
MR. HAZEL RETIRED IN 2020 AND WE THANK HIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE.
HE'S REMEMBERED FONDLY BY THOSE WHO KNEW HIM, INCLUDING HIS COLLEAGUES AT VIA AND IN OUR RETIRED OPERATOR COMMUNITY.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS WIFE, MARTHA AND HIS CHILDREN, INCLUDING MONA HAZEL, WHO REMAINS A VALUED PART OF THE VIA TEAM IN THE PUBLIC AND ENGAGEMENT GROUP.
SO LET'S PLEASE PAUSE AND REMEMBER MR. HAZEL AND HIS FAMILY.
LAST THING I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT TO, AND YOU CAN ALL SEE IT FROM HERE, THE BACK WALL.
THAT IS OUR, THOSE THAT WILL BE OUR WALL OF HONOR.
WE EXPECT THAT IN JANUARY WE WILL BEGIN PLACING WORTHY RECIPIENTS AS YOU HAVE ALL VOTED ON, UH, TO A,
[00:15:01]
TO THE WALL OF HONOR.SO THAT'S JUST A, A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME.
I ALSO WANNA CONGRATULATE AND THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT, UH, WERE INVOLVED IN ALL THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT
UH, I'VE, I'VE SAID THIS FROM DAY ONE THAT I WALKED IN HERE, THAT I THINK WE HAVE A TERRIFIC TEAM.
WE HAVE GREAT EMPLOYEES, UH, WE HAVE GREAT STAFF, AND EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE WORKING TO MAKE SAN ANTONIO A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK AND ALL THE HARD THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
UH, BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY, UH, A, MY SECRETARY MALONE ON RUNNING THE MEETING FOR ME LAST TUESDAY, UH, SINCE I WAS OUT.
ALSO, LAURA, YOU'VE DONE THAT FOR ME ALSO.
SEEMS LIKE I'VE HAD TO TRAVEL A LITTLE BIT MORE THIS YEAR THAN OTHER YEARS.
BUT THANK YOU ALL BOTH FOR ALL EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
[4. Texas Police Chief’s Association Recognition]
THE, UH, POLICE, TEXAS POLICE CHIEF ASSOCIATION RECOGNITION.UH, GOOD EVENING, CHAIR REYES.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIR REYES AND DISTINGUISHED BOARD MEMBERS.
UH, AGAIN, MY NAME IS MARK WITHERELL.
I'M THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND SYSTEM SECURITY HERE AT VM METROPOLITAN TRANSIT.
I'VE SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY SINCE 2016, AND MY PRESENTATION TODAY IS INFORMATIONAL AND, UH, THERE'S NO NEEDED ACTION BY THE BOARD.
UH, AS WE TALKED ON TUESDAY IN THE BOARD WORK SESSION VIA TRANSIT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS EARNED THE, UH, TEXAS POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION ACCREDITATION PROCESS, UH, STATUS WE FIRST EARNED IN 2019 AND WE RE RE RECENTLY WERE RE-ACCREDITED UNTIL 2027.
UH, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO, IF I CAN, UH, AS I HAVE THREE FOLKS WITH ME IN THE BACK, I'D ASK 'EM TO STAND, IS LIZ REYES, STEVEN BAKER AND JORDAN SIMMONS.
SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS, UH, SERVED AS THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS AND, UH, OFFICER BAKER'S BEEN HERE ABOUT SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS.
OFFICER SIMMONS HAS BEEN HERE ABOUT SIX AND A HALF.
AND LIZ REYES, WHO, UH, AS ANYBODY KNOWS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, BASICALLY RUNS THE SHOW.
UH, SHE'S BEEN MY BOSS FOR ABOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS.
UH, CHIEF RUBIN IS THE CHIEF OF POLICE AT, UH, BLANCO, TEXAS.
HE'S BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR OVER 30 YEARS WITH, UH, UH, ABOUT 25 OF 'EM IN THE CHIEF'S OFFICE.
SO IF YOU WOULD, UH, LET ME TURN THE MICROPHONE OVER TO HIM.
HONORABLE CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF THE VIA METRO COMMUNITY.
I'M THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE BLANCO POLICE DEPARTMENT, PAST PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, AND I'M HONORED TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
REPRESENTING THE TPCA ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE.
THE TEXAS POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION IS MADE UP OF OVER 1700 PROFESSIONAL POLICE CHIEFS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO ARE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY POLICE SERVICES.
I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT THE VIA METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THEIR CERTIFICATE OF RE-ACCREDITATION FOR CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT'S BEST PRACTICES PROGRAM FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE TEXAS POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, EXCUSE ME, DEVELOPED AN ACCREDITATION PROGRAM FOR TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT.
MANY OF YOU KNOW ABOUT ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, AND HOSPITALS.
THEY'RE ALL PROGRAMS OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AND ALL REQUIRE PROOF OF COMPLIANCE WITH A SET OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
IT'S A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM WHERE AGENCIES MUST PROVE THEY MEET OR EXCEED 173 DIFFICULT STANDARDS.
THE STANDARDS ARE BASED ON TEXAS LAW, TEXAS COURT DECISIONS, AND CONTEMPORARY BEST PRACTICES AS IDENTIFIED BY THE TEXAS POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.
THESE STANDARDS ADDRESS THE FULL RANGE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BECOME THE NEW GOLD STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN TEXAS, AND AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS.
APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS AGO, THE VIA METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT FIRST TAINED THEIR ACCREDITED STATUS WITH THE TPCA.
THE AGENCY HAD TO CONDUCT A COMPLETE AUDIT OF ALL ITS POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO MEET THESE STANDARDS.
SINCE THAT TIME, THE AGENCY HAS SUBMITTED ANNUAL REPORTS THAT WERE REVIEWED TO ENSURE THEY CONTINUE TO MEET THE STANDARDS AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF VIA METRO WITH EFFECTIVE POLICE SERVICES.
IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR, TRAINED ASSESSORS, POLICE CHIEFS, AND COMMAND OFFICERS
[00:20:01]
FROM OTHER PARTS OF OUR STATE, SPENT TWO DAYS CONDUCTING ANOTHER ASSESSMENT OF YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.THESE ASSESSORS INTERVIEWED STAFF INSPECTED FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS, MET WITH FIELD OFFICERS AND INSURED COMPLIANCE WITH ALL STANDARDS.
THEIR REPORT WAS THEN SENT TO THE ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE, COMPRISED OF NINE ACTIVE POLICE CHIEFS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHO REVIEWED THE REPORT AND VOTED TO AWARD ACCREDITED STATUS.
DURING THIS PROCESS, THE VIA METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ONCE AGAIN PROVEN THAT IT MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE BEST PRACTICES FOR PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN TEXAS OF OVER 2,800 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN TEXAS, ONLY 203 AGENCIES HAVE ACHIEVED ACCREDITED STATUS, AND FEWER THAN THAT HAVE BEEN RE-ACCREDITED.
THIS EVENING, WE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED VIA METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY? THE ACCREDITATION PROGRAM ASSURES BOTH VIA MANAGEMENT AND THE CITIZENS OF THE VIA METRO COMMUNITY THAT THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING IN A MANNER THAT REFLECTS THE CURRENT BEST PRACTICES OF TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IT MEANS YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUALLY STRIVING FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE.
YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST IN THIS STATE.
THE CERTIFICATE WE PRESENT THIS EVENING IS SYMBOLIC.
WHAT IS CLEARLY THE MARK OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE.
THE REAL VALUE OF THE PROGRAM IS THE PROCESS THEY MUST COMPLETE TO RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE.
ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS TO ASSURE CONTINUED COMPLIANCE, AND IN FOUR YEARS, WE'LL BE BACK FOR ANOTHER ONSITE INSPECTION.
TO ENSURE YOUR AGENCY IS CONTINUING TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE STANDARDS, THE VIA METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A LEADER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN TEXAS.
YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
CHIEF, WILL YOU ACCEPT MY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR EXCELLENT WORK.
UH, THIS AGAIN WAS JUST AN INFORMATION, UH, ITEM AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER BERT? UM, I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION.
I JUST WANNA CONGRATULATE ALL OF Y'ALL AGAIN.
UM, THIS IS REALLY, REALLY OUTSTANDING WORK AND I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT EASY TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT, AND SO WE'RE JUST ALL VERY PROUD OF Y'ALL.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE STAFF.
Y'ALL DO A TREMENDOUS JOB, UM, BEING OUT THERE EVERY DAY.
UH, WE KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB.
WE KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT AND IN SOME CASES IT MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS.
UH, BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT, FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO, TO HELP VIA AND TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.
RE I, I'M, I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THIS, BUT I'M GONNA CALL OUT MY WIFE
AND, UH, THAT SHOWS HOW OLD SHE IS, SO I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.
YEAH, WE, WE KNOW EXACTLY HOW THAT GOES.
[5. Citizens to be Heard ]
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD AND WE ANY CITIZENS REGISTERED TO SPEAK.UH, MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE ONE CITIZEN TO BE HEARD.
UH, SINCE WE HAVE ONE CITIZEN, I WILL READ THIS STATEMENT.
WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE CITIZEN SUPER HEARD PORTION OF OUR PUBLIC MEETING.
THE BOARD IS INTERESTED IN HEARING THE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS FROM OUR PATRONS AND CITIZENS IN SAN ANTONIO BEAR COUNTY AREA.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS CONCERNING PUBLIC BUSINESS OR POLICY OVER WHICH THE BOARD HAS SUPERVISION AND CONTROL MAY BE ADDRESSED AT A LATER DATE BY THE PRESIDENT, CEO AND HIS STAFF.
THIS PROCESS ASSURES THAT YOU RECEIVE THE MOST ACCURATE RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION OR CONCERN.
AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT TO SHARE YOUR COMMENTS WITH US THIS EVENING.
[00:25:01]
MR. RICHARD MOORE? YEAH, I'LL, SORRY.THE SPEAKER GENTLEMEN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FIRST OF ALL,
I AM HERE AGAIN WHEN I WAS HERE 12 TO 13 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS VERY CRITICAL OF THE DESIGN.
AND I HOPE THAT TODAY YOU DON'T TAKE MY COMMENTS AS NEGATIVE, BUT IT'S A CHALLENGE THAT HOPEFULLY ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL TAKE CHARGE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PROPER AESTHETIC, GOOD DESIGN OF YOUR BUS STOP SHELTERS.
SOME OF THEM ARE ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE TO HAVE A LITTLE ROUND TRASH CAN NEXT TO A, A METAL SHED THAT I CALL IT IS, IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.
UH, I'M ONE OF THE PRESIDENTS OF TOGAN HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATE, AND EVERY PROJECT THAT COMES THROUGH FOR APPROVAL HAS TO COME THROUGH THE ASSOCIATIONS, EVERYTHING AT THE PEARL, ALL THE HIGH RISE BUILDINGS, ALL THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE TOGAN HILL AREA HAS TO COME THROUGH THE, THE BOARD PRESIDENTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS I SERVED VERY, VERY WILLINGLY WHEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WAS EMBARKING ON THE DESIGN FOR THE NEW, UH, LIBRARY, MAIN LIBRARY.
THAT IS A GORGEOUS PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE DONE BY AN INTERNATIONAL WELL KNOWN ARCHITECT, RICARDO DETA.
YOUR SHELTERS ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.
ANY CARPENTER WITH, WITH A CAMERA IN THE SAL COULD DESIGNED THE SHELTERS THAT YOU HAVE SURROUNDING THE ENTIRE CITY.
WHY? 12, 15 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS HERE TO TELL YOU THAT YOU COULD DO DESIGN WORK, HIRE, UH, HIRE A GOOD DESIGNER, OR, OR, OR, OR CHECK THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, THE ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT AND SEND IT TO YOUR COLLEGE OR THE, OR THE ARCHITECTS AND DEPARTMENT OF UTSA OR RUN A COMPETITION.
YOU COULD COME IN WITH SOME BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURED CONCRETE STRUCTURES, UH, DESIGNED PROPERLY.
UH, YOU COULD USE, UH, COOL WHITE, UH, CONCRETE ON THE SIDEWALK.
INSTEAD OF USING CONCRETE, YOU COULD USE INTERLOCKING PAVERS TO ALLOW THE WATER TO PER, PER PERCOLATE INTO THE SOIL.
AT THAT TIME, I ASKED YOU TO, WHY DON'T YOU PLANT TREES AROUND YOUR FACILITIES? I WAS, I WAS THE ARCHITECT ON THE SHRINE IN SAN JUAN, TEXAS.
I PLANTED 250 OAK TREES, FOUR INCH OAK TREES.
THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL FOREST OF OAK TREES.
THEY ARE, THEY'RE EIGHT TO 10 INCHES THAT THOSE COULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN SHAPE TODAY, 15 YEARS LATER, 43 YEARS LATER, YOU'LL HAVE A FULL GROWN EIGHT INCH TO 10 INCH OAK TREE.
I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU HAVE TO HAVE METAL SCULPTURES IN, IN, I MEAN, NOT METAL SCULPTURES, METAL SHEDS ALL OVER OUR CITY.
I DON'T WANNA SOUND NEGATIVE, BUT I HOPE THAT ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HERE WILL TAKE IT AS A CHALLENGE AND FORM A, A REVIEW COMMITTEE AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO OTHER THAN WHAT WE'VE DONE? THOSE SCULPTURES THAT YOU DID AT FREDERICKSBURG ROAD, I'D LIKE FOR Y'ALL MEMBERS TO GO OVER THERE AND STAND UNDER 'EM UNDER A RAIN.
A RAIN SO YOU CAN GET SOAKING WET.
THEY PROVIDE NO PROTECTION FROM THE SUN OR RAIN.
AND I HOPE THE GATE THAT I DON'T SOUND NEGATIVE, BUT I WANT TO CHALLENGE Y'ALL TO COME UP AND IMPROVE THE, THE, WHAT WE CALL STREET SCAPE.
THAT'S WHAT'S CALLED STREET SCAPE.
AND YOU'RE AT ALMOST EVERY CORNER IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
UH, SO TAKE IT AS A CHALLENGE.
I DON'T WANNA SOUND NEGATIVE, BUT I, I'M WILLING TO SERVE ON A COMMITTEE FREE OF CHARGE SO THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME GOOD DESIGN.
I HOPE THAT'S NOT THE THREE MINUTES, THAT'S THE THREE.
I DON'T WANT TO, 15 YEARS FROM NOW, I'LL BE DEAD.
I'M 88 YEARS OLD NOW, SO I DON'T WANT TO COME, UH, OR I, I'LL TALK TO FELLOW ARCHITECTS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THE CHALLENGE OF, OF THIS BOARD TO COME OUT WITH GOOD DESIGN.
AND I, I HOPE I'VE SPOKEN POSITIVE OF VIA, WHICH THEY DO GOOD.
AND I RIDE THE BUS NUMBER FIVE GOING FROM MY OFFICE TO PANTOS AND PANTOS HERE.
SO I'M A BUS RIDER 'CAUSE I'M, I'M 90% BLIND, BUT, UH, I'M STILL PRACTICING ARCHITECTURE.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME BEFORE YOUR BOARD AND I HOPE ONE OF YOU MEMBERS, WHICHEVER ONE WILL TAKE THE CHALLENGE.
[00:30:02]
THANK YOU.MR. CHAIR THAT ENDS CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
[6. Consent Agenda]
IS ITEM NUMBER SIX, CONSENT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS AN ACTION ITEM.TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION? A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CAS CONSENT AGENDA ITEM AS PRESENTED.
ANY OPPOSED? NAY CASINDA AGENDA ITEM IS APPROVED.
[7. *Board of Trustees]
IS THE ORDER OF BUSINESS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A, THE ELECTION OF BOARD VICE CHAIR AND VIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ONE YEAR TERM, BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, 2024, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2024.UH, OR UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN ELECTED AND QUALIFIED TO HOLD OFFICE.
THE NOMINATION PROCESS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD CHAIR WAS INITIATED.
TRUSTEE LAURA BERNE WAS NOMINATED, EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SERVING AS THE BOARD VICE CHAIR.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD VICE CHAIR? THERE BEING NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD OF VICE CHAIR.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CLOSE THE NOMINATION FOR BOARD VICE CHAIR? SO MOVED.
MS. CABILLA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AT THIS TIME? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO MY FELLOW BOARD TRUSTEES.
UH, THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT 2023 YEAR, UH, FOR ALL OF US STAFF INCLUDED.
UH, AND, UH, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO 2024.
THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BE AT VIA, UM, AND, UH, I TRULY APPRECIATE, UH, THE CHAIR'S LEADERSHIP HERE AND GUIDING THIS THROUGH, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER.
I THINK WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS AMONGST EACH OTHER.
SOMETIMES WE AGREE, SOMETIMES WE DON'T.
BUT I, I THINK THAT'S HELPFUL DIALOGUE, UM, AND, UH, AND THE STRENGTH OF THIS BOARD.
SO, UH, IN THE END, UH, AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR, UM, CHOOSING ME TO BE YOUR VICE CHAIR.
WE WILL NOW ELECT THE BOARD, VICE CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS.
PLEASE PREPARE FOR A ROLL CALL FOR THE ELECTION OF BOARD VICE CHAIR.
UH, SINCE WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER, UH, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST CALL ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
PLEASE SAY AYE AND THEN OPPOSED NAY.
AND IF THERE IS A CHALLENGE, THEN WE'LL, UH, WE'LL DO AVO A VOICE, AN INDIVIDUAL VOTE.
SO, ALL IN FAVOR, MS. CABILLA.
TRUSTEE, UH, LAURA CABILLA FOR THE POSITION OF BOARD, VICE CHAIR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? MS. CABIA HAS BEEN ELECTED BOARD VICE-CHAIR BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN B, THE ELECTION OF BOARD TO SECRETARY OF THE VIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ONE YEAR TERM BEGINNING JANUARY 21ST, 2024, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 OR UNTIL HIS, A SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN ELECTED AND QUALIFIED TO HOLD OFFICE.
THE NOMINATION FOR THE ELECTION VIA BOARD SECRETARY WAS INITIATED ON NOVEMBER 16TH, 2023.
TRUSTEE ATHLETE MALONE WAS NOMINATED AND EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SERVING AS THE BOARD SECRETARY.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS, UH, FROM THE FLOOR FOR THE BOARD SECRETARY THERE BEING NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD.
SEC SECRETARY, MAY I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS FOR A SECRETARY? UH, FOR THE BOARD SECRETARY? SO MOVED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
ANY AGAINST? MOTION PASSES ALL, ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT REQUIRED, IF THE NOMINEE FOR THE POSITION OF BOARD SECRETARY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS TO THE BOARD, UH, THIS WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE WHO NOMINATED ME AND ALSO TO THANK THOSE FOR ALL THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST YEAR TO GET VIA TO WHERE IT IS AND FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN TO A GREATER SUCCESS IN THE COMING YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL THAT YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CARRY ON ON A STEADY BOAT.
WE'LL NOW ELECT THE BOARD SECRETARY BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE PREPARE FOR A ROLL CALL FOR THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD SECRETARY.
AGAIN, SINCE WE ONLY HAVE ONE CANDIDATE, I'LL JUST ASK FOR ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
AND IF WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION, THEN UH, WE'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR FOR THE CANDIDATE, TRUSTEE MALONE
[00:35:01]
FOR THE POSITION OF BOARD SECRETARY? AYE.MS. MALONE HAS BEEN ELECTED BOARD SECRETARY BY MAJORITY VOTE BY THE VIA METRO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN B, THE ELECTION OF ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY OF THE VIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ONE YEAR TERM BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, 2024, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 OR UNTIL HIS SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN ELECTED AND QUALIFIED TO HOLD OFFICE.
THE NOMINATION PROCESS FOR THE ELECTION OF VIA ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY WAS INITIATED ON NOVEMBER 16TH, 2023.
TRUSTEE LEWIS COOPER WAS NOMINATED AND EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SERVING AS THE ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS ON THE FLOOR FOR ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY? THERE BE NO FURTHER NOMINATION FOR ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY.
I MIGHT HAVE A MOTION SECOND TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD OF SECRETARY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT REQUIRED, IF THE NOMINEE FOR THIS POSITION OF THE BOARD ASSISTANT SECRETARY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS TO THE BOARD, THIS WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
THANK ALL OF YOU BOARD MEMBERS.
I APPRECIATE IT AND STAFF FOR THE TRUST THAT YOU'RE PUTTING ON ME HERE.
AND I'D LIKE LOVE BEING THE ASSISTANT TO MS. MALONE.
NO, BUT, UH, WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL BOARD HERE AND I, I REALLY ENJOY IT AND I THINK WE'RE DOING GREAT THINGS FOR VIA AND I'M GLAD TO BE A PART OF IT.
WE'LL NOW ELECT THE ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY BOARD MEMBERS.
PLEASE PREPARE FOR A ROLL CALL FOR THE ELECTION OF ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY.
AGAIN, SINCE WE ONLY HAVE ONE CANDIDATE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOICE VOTE.
IF THERE IS A CHALLENGE, THEN UH, WE WILL ASK FOR INDIVIDUAL VOTES.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF CANDIDATE TRUSTEE COOPER LEWIS COOPER, FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? MR. COOPER HAS BEEN ELECTED ASSISTANT BOARD SECRETARY BY THE MAJORITY VOTE OF THE VIA METRO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'D, I'D LIKE THE, UH, RECORD TO, TO SHOW THAT NOT ONLY WAS IT A MAJORITY VOTE, IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE.
WELL, THANK YOU ALL THREE FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ANOTHER YEAR IN IN THE POSITIONS.
UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
UH, I KNOW MIA IS VIA IS MOVING INTO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS AND, UH, WITH THE, WITH THE BOARD THAT I HAVE AND WORKING WITH ME, UH, I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHERE WE DO SOME OUTSTANDING THINGS THAT WE'LL TRY TO WORK VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY, UH, IS REFLECTED OF THE NEEDS THAT THEY WANT AND THAT WE SUPPORT THEM.
SO, WITH THAT, UH, AGAIN, I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND PLEASE BE SAFE.
UH, BUT BEFORE I LET YOU ALL GO, WE HAVE TO HAVE MISS ELDERS.
DO WE HAVE A LEGAL BRIEFING? NO, SIR, WE DO NOT.
WE'LL REACH THE END OF OUR MEETING.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? A SECOND TO ADJOURN? SO MOVE SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.