Stephen F. Mitchell, Chairman
Presiding........................... 

At 7:03 p.m., a quorum determined to be present; Mr. Mitchell called a Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartford Transit District (the "District") to order in the District's Multipurpose Room at the Union Station Transportation Center (the "Center"), One Union Place, Hartford, Connecticut.  The following Directors were present: Joan Gamble, Bloomfield; Peter J. Bonzani and Marilyn Pet, East Hartford; Gilbert Hayes, East Windsor; James Brislin and Stephen F. Mitchell, Enfield; Russell G. St. John, Granby Frank Lord and Jesse Smith, Hartford; James R. McCavanagh, Manchester; Kevin Chick and William G. Hall, Newington; Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr., Simsbury, Mark Etre, Vernon; and Martin Walsh, Wethersfield.  District staff present were Vicki L. Shotland, Executive Director; Patricia M. Williams, Director of Paratransit Services; Kimberly A. Dunham, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services; and DJ Gonzalez, Operations Administrator. 

The Chairman next asked if there were any members of the public who wished to be heard.   There were none.

The Chairman next asked for consideration of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of May 14, 2008, as amended by the following: The first (1st) paragraph on Page 1 on the Minutes should read, “Martin Walsh” in lieu of “Mark Walsh.” Mr. St. John moved adoption of those Minutes.  Upon seconding by Mr. Hall, the motion passed by a vote of 30.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

Mr. Mitchell requested that one item be taken out of order on the agenda, that being the CRCOG Transportation Committee report given by Mr. Hayes.  Mr. Hayes thanked Mr. Mitchell for giving him the opportunity to serve on this committee; he went on to report that the 5307 funds for Union Station, AVL/GPS and the two-way radio initiatives were approved on the TIP.

The Chairman next requested presentation of the Monthly Financial Report.  Ms. Dunham provided an analysis of fuel utilization for the paratransit service over the past nine years. Expenses associated with this line item have increased considerably during the period, based partially on the number of rides provided and more significantly due to the increased cost of fuel. Mr. Lord inquired if a consumption analysis could be provided. Mr. Mitchell requested a gasoline versus diesel fuel cost per mile analysis. Mr. Hall commented on market projections relating to crude oil in the coming months.

In the General Fund, interest income fiscal year to date has exceeded $50,000 and vehicle sale proceeds equal $53,000. Mr. Gonzalez has been working with the towns and agencies that have vehicles in excess of useful life, to receive their commitment to purchase said vehicles. An additional $30,000 - $35,000 is expected. The District continues to work with the FTA to determine sale prices for the commuter coaches.

With regard to the Enterprise Fund, Ms. Dunham stated that the District has recently discovered that with the new mill rate established by the Hartford City Council and the assessed value of Union Station as of October 1, 2007 will result in $ 246,353 in real estate taxes effective July 1, 2008. Also included in the tax bill are a 12% city-wide surcharge and a 1% mill charge for the Business Improvement District. The District has written to the Tax Assessor requesting additional information as to which buildings (in the City and/or geographic area) were used as comparison sources during the revaluation. The District has also requested an extension of the appeal deadline to dispute the 2007 assessment.
A ten year analysis of Real Estate Taxes was provided to the Board, indicating a 32% increase between fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Mr. Etre mentioned that many taxpayers are winning the appeal process at the state level and Mr. Jansen recommended that the District vigorously pursue the appeal process. Mr. Mitchell stated that the agency’s tax situation actually goes against the current trend of commercial taxes decreasing and residential increasing.  Ms. Shotland indicated that the District will definitely pursue an appeal.

The agency anticipates a grant drawdown of between $150,000 and $175,000 for Union Station operating costs to cover the deficit in the Enterprise Fund that will be processed before fiscal year end. Ms. Dunham reminded the Board that the drawdown will bring this year’s total to $240,000 versus the $400,000 deficit two years ago and efforts continue to close the expense/revenue gap. The Audit Committee will meet on June 17th for preliminary planning discussions with Blum Shapiro and field work will begin on August 18th.

Upon motion by Mr. Hall and seconding by Mr. Bonzani, the monthly financial report was accepted by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

Mr. Mitchell then asked that the Board consider engagement of Foley Services, Inc. as the District’s Third Party Administrator for the Drug and Alcohol Testing Consortium.  Ms. Dunham stated that three proposals had been received and the technical proposal submitted by Foley was outstanding.  The cost proposal submitted has since been negotiated and it is the recommendation of the committee that the Board award the contract to Foley Services.  Brief discussion ensued and upon motion by Mr. St. John and seconding by Mr. Hall, the Board voted to accept the recommendation of the committee by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.

Mr. Mitchell then asked for Program Presentations. Ms. Williams discussed updated ADA/DAR statistics inclusive of April 2008.  Ms. Williams brought to the attention of the Board that the category of “vehicle hours” did not tally properly so she provided those numbers verbally to the Directors.  Several questions were asked by Board members and a recommendation made to change the report; thus providing better clarification of specific statistics.  Staff will accommodate the request and provide a modified version of the report at the next Board meeting.  

Ms. Shotland asked the Directors if they had noticed that the mural on the exterior of the transportation center  is in the final stages of being cleaned.  Mr. Lord suggested that the District bring this to the attention of the Hartford Courant to see if the newspaper is interested in publishing an article.  Ms. Shotland also stated that the District is determining the feasibility of putting a business center for travelers in Union Station.  She also provided an update on the District’s interest in having the Vernon Intermodal Transportation Center earmark redirected to Enfield through legislative enactment since the Town of Vernon withdrew their support of the project.   Mr. Etre provided additional information to the Directors explaining why the project failed to gain support. 

Ms. Gamble moved to continue the Meeting in Executive Session to consider personnel matters regarding the performance and compensation of the Executive Director.   Upon seconding by Mr. Bonzani, the motion passed by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions.  The Meeting continued in Executive Session at 8:18 p.m.  No votes were taken in that Session except that Mr. St. John moved to continue the Meeting in Regular Session.  Upon seconding by Mr. Jansen, the motion passed by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention.  The Meeting continued in Regular Session at 8:40 p.m.  Mr. Lord moved to accept the Report of the Personnel Committee.  Upon seconding by Mr. Bonzani, the motion passed by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. 

Mr. Mitchell then asked if there was any other business to be properly brought before the Board. Mr. Hall moved that the Board support an ad-hoc committee to define a mission statement for the District.  Upon seconding by Mr. Etre the motion passed by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstentions.  Mr. Etre was curious as to the railroad track work being performed on the Springfield border near the Basketball Hall of Fame and did this work have any relevance to the commuter rail project?  Mr. St. John was able to speak in detail about several different rail projects that are being discussed; however; he stated that Amtrak was doing track work and this was not Springfield-Hartford-New Haven related.

The Chairman addressed the Board and stated that he had two items to discuss.  The first was in regard to four letters received from Mr. Bradshaw Smith a resident of Windsor asking for responses to various issues; grants for capital improvements, the Vernon and Enfield intermodal sites, member town contributions, and historic Union Station.  The Chairman stated that he had a written response that was going to be sent to Mr. Smith and that if any Director would like a copy, one would be provided.  The second issue was to notify the Board that Mr. Messenger’s wife had taken ill and that he wanted to apprise them of this news in case they wanted to contact him to send their good thoughts.

There being no further business brought before the Board, Mr. Hall moved that the Meeting be adjourned.  Upon seconding by Mr. Etre, the meeting was adjourned by a vote of 29.84 yea, 0.00 nay and 0.00 abstention. The Meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
James McCavanagh
           Secretary