 Good morning folks. This is commissioner Gonzalez Vice chair, and I'm gonna start today the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting Thursday April 2nd It is 917 and we were doing this by teleconference. I have no control over the screen that's in front of me the PDF now and so I I can see my agenda on the inside but You first item is we done roll call already. Do you want to do roll call again? Sure, and I have control of the PDF screen or no, I will control that for you. Do you want to scroll that up? There's there's nothing next until we start our agenda There's nothing what? There's not another PowerPoint screen until we start I thought we were starting Yeah, but when we when we go into like scent item, we'll go ahead and Okay, it's real call Commissioner low here Commissioner Bertrand Commissioner Brown Here Commissioner Bertrand here Commissioner Commissioner Johnson here Commissioner Kaufman Gomez she's having trouble with her audio, but I know she's on Commissioner cap it Commission alternate shifrin here commissioner friend Commissioner Mulher Commissioner Leopold here Commissioner McPherson, I know he's gonna be on shortly commissioner Batur commissioner Gonzales Here and commissioner Rockin Okay, that was your roll call Thank You Sonia Can we Green up on the PDF or the PowerPoint We're on the so we're on the oral communications now on the agenda Is there any anyone in the public they'd like to speak at this moment for oral communications? Commissioner Mike, can you hear me? Yes Well, I guess I get to be the guinea pig here. Here we go Who's speaking this is Michael Saint with camp for sustainable transportation Great. Thank you, Michael. You're welcome. I really appreciate you guys doing this video conferencing and you sinia. You're doing a great job And I just hope everyone's and yourself and your families are doing well, this is a very strange time we're going through but I think Overall, maybe we can learn from this tragic event and find a silver lining somewhere and mixed here We've had our video conferencing Last week at campaign for sustainable transportation It went very well, but as you know, you just we're all trying to do things a little differently. So it's very interesting Watching you you sin you get everybody organized. So I really appreciate it I think there are definitely some comparisons between COVID-19 And climate change two of the things is they're both very very real And they both can affect positive changes in our behavior as a society But I have sent an op-ed to Sentinel, which was accepted a few days ago and Seen several and though in there and mainly the theme of that was that Climate change is still our most serious threat Although this COVID-19 is hitting us personally I feel people I guess it's human nature even though they see people around them getting sick and People dying there are still people out there that are denying that this is actually happening and not following the social distancing Pretty much call this kind of they head in the sand Kind of a characteristic and that has definitely happened with climate change as well as our transportation issues One of the examples I have here personally is my son Matt my wife Elizabeth and Myself are presently all three of us on video conferencing and Telecommunicated and I think what it's done for me. It's hit home on How important this telecommunicating can be To reduce our congestion in Santa Cruz County, and I think if we miss this opportunity We've done a disservice for our community Tell community as well as possibly a bus school program run by Metro Would be two things that I think we should use our some funding for and also do some outreach Metro is hurting definitely and you're going to continue to hurt and I think we need other ways to find some type of Income for them, and if they run a nice Robust busing problem for children you not only help digestion you help Metro So just to end this thing and continue on with your meeting I think a lot of time and money should be spent for promoting these two features Telecommunicating in a school bus program and allow Metro to handle this They think they need to fill up those seats gonna be a little hard Because people are still going to be a little bit cautious about being infected even after the Virus is gone and we have some type of thing to control it But I think there's a two very important things if we don't emphasize those We're going to miss the boat and and miss one of the silver linings in this tragic event Thank you for your time and have a great day Thank You Mike Anybody else would like to speak now in the oral communication. Is there any more public they like to speak during oral communication? I Don't see anyone else. So is there any commissioner they like to speak now during oral communication? No hearing on I'll go ahead and move to item three additions or deletions to consent and regular agenda items Is there any additions or deletions to the consent or regular agenda? There is a handout for item 18. There are no other additions or deletions to the agenda Okay, we're gonna go ahead and move on to the consent agenda item the minutes Consent agenda is up through 16. I would move the consent agenda if it's if it's the appropriate time I'll second This is Andy We have a first by John Leopold and a second by Schifrin Andrew Yes, I guess here we can Do a roll call. Yes, well sure we asked for public commuter if anybody in a public. Oh, yeah Sorry about that back up Is there anybody from the public they like to comment on any other items from the consent agenda on the consent agenda? See none Is there any commissioner? They'd like to pull any items from the consent agenda at this time Very none. We have a motion and a second. Can we have a roll call? Commissioner low commissioner Bertrand Hi Commissioner Brown Hi Commissioner Johnson Commissioner Kauffman Gomez texted a yes vote she's not in issues with her audio Excuse me commissioner cap it Commission alternate Schifrin Hi Commissioner Leopold hi Commissioner Gonzales Yes And commissioner Rockin Commissioner McPherson He's on yet Okay. Okay, move on. We're gonna go ahead and move on to the regular agenda Item number 17 commissioner reports all reports. Is there any commission reports or all reports that they'd like to give now? hearing none I'm gonna go ahead and move on item 18 directors report and the oral report from guy pressing executive director Good morning commissioners and public. Thank you for attending today's meeting As it's evident by today's meeting the regional transportation commission is working We are primarily working at home. There is some essential services being done in our office as well as hosting this morning's meeting other than Hosting meetings at our physical location the general public is The office is closed to the general public, but it is available for Those who need Accessibility for meetings such as this morning all of our staff is doing well and We are definitely moving forward with our programs Starting with the first item on my directors report is an update on the emergency rail line bridge repair project At the March 19th transportation policy workshop meeting staff provided information regarding damage to a Timber-Trestle bridge located on the Santa Cruz branch rail line at mile post four point five seven In order to prevent a potential critical failure to the bridge the commission authorized me to enter into emergency contracts Provide in mark environmental services engineering designs construction management and Construction over the past two weeks. I have entered into the following two contracts a sole source contracts with contract with rail pros incorporated for an amount not to exceed 20,801 Dollars and 33 cents to prepare engineering to replace bent three Armoring around bents three seven eight and ten a drainage ditch and review of contractor falsework plans And a sole source contract with rail and surveyors Engineering incorporated for an amount not to exceed forty six thousand five hundred and twenty five dollars for construction management Staff is negotiating a contract for environmental services, but a contract has not yet been executed Prior to entering into the new contract with rail pros Staff directed Ralph Rose to commence work using RTC's existing contract with them for bridge inspections Added work included the emergency inspection and development of preliminary plans needed for the repair This work was tracked on this existing contract and staff intends to return to the commission next month To amend that contract to replenish its budget an amendment to the original contract with Ralph Rose will be needed to ensure That there are sufficient funds and that contract to complete work Anticipated in the original scope Last week RTC engineer Sarah Christensen performed a pre-construction bid meeting on site with one contractor present And another contractor on Skype the contractor who attended in person is local and is available to mobilize immediately Their expertise is at grade rail infrastructure including earthwork The other contractor is based in Wisconsin and stated that they were willing to reprioritize their work to quickly mobilize from Seattle The Wisconsin contractor has considerable timber trestle bridge experience with material available to be used on the RTC project. I was considering possibly Executing two contracts to take advantage of contractors complimentary services However, since then the Wisconsin contractor has decided not to pursue the work due to concerns associated with the COVID-19 situation RSE who will be managing the construction work has been in contact with additional contractors to gauge interest Our biggest concern has been providing enough detail to quantify the extent of work needed Especially with respect to earthwork and grading bid documents were released to contractors Yesterday April 1st if we cannot get bids with a reasonable level of confidence It may be in the best interest of RTC to enter into one or more construction contracts With qualified contractors on a time and material basis My goal is to get a contractor mobilized as quickly as possible in a matter that will minimize risks and control costs I will provide additional updates at the next RTC meeting I have an update on the impacts of COVID-19 on TDA funded transportation services Starting first with Santa Cruz Metro Santa Cruz Metro is operating their weekend schedule all seven days of the week until further notice This means fewer buses running less frequently with later start time and earlier end times All school term service is suspended until further notice Paracruz Which is a service provided to the elderly and disabled and operated by Santa Cruz Metro is providing Service to and from essential services such as doctor appointment and dialysis In compliance with the shelter-in-place order travel in Santa Cruz County is prohibited Except for essential activities and passengers must maintain six feet of physical distance at all times both on the bus and off the bus Community bridges lift line, which is also a service to provide Transportation for the elderly and disabled and operated by community bridges Expanded its service to provide essential trips to grocery stores pharmacies and other locations Lift line has temporary Temporarily removed the need for an application to schedule rides in order to remove barriers and assess Access to riders until the end of the shelter-in-place order Meals on wheels of Santa Cruz County's congregate dining centers are closed until further notice Participants who need food delivered are being added to home delivery meal routes Shelf stable meals are Being made available to homeless seniors and distributed through local hotspots and shelter coordination Elder day has been reduced to serving To client Excuse me a limited number of clients But due to the lack of financial support to provide these services at home other day is planning to shut down Today April 2nd The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Had to cancel a hundred and eighteen rides for seniors using their transportation program services To meet the needs of their most vulnerable seniors in the community the Volunteer Center developed the grocery shopper program as a fully vetted Volunteer program to provide food groceries and medication pickup services to the most at-risk group of COVID-19 virus The Volunteer Center is also working to screen recruit and train volunteers They will receive grocery requests from participants and will attempt to purchase and deliver using approved physical distancing guidelines Those grocery items and pharmacy medications to the individual The goal is to serve low-income seniors age 60 plus that are health compromise First priority will be to serve those who do not have access to a computer Purchase groceries and those who do not currently have the support of families or friends AmeriCorps tech support will be available by phone for seniors who have computers and need help navigating the various online shopping platform The Volunteer Centers has already begun to support their 135 clients with the new grocery shopper program and on April 1st Yesterday they began to offer support to participants of the senior service provider network I have an update on transit economic stimulus legislation The $2 trillion COVID-19 emergency stabilization Taggage agreed upon by Congress and the White House was signed into law last week The legislation includes 25 billion dollars for public transportation relief with 3.7 billion dollars for California Funds are expected to flow quickly through the federal transit agency Designated recipients via formula and have broad eligibility to find operating expenses including reimbursements for lost revenue Operating costs and other operating expenses related to COVID-19 response Per the funding package transit agencies may use the funds to purchase personal protective equipment and to pay the administrative Leave and operations personnel due to reductions in service Highlights include the following Funding would be a portion no later than seven days after the passage of the funding package Funding would not be subject to obligation limitations Funding expenses would not need to be included in a TIP or RTP Emergency assistance does not require matching funds. There'll be a hundred percent federal In mid-march the transit advocacy group trans center estimated that transit agencies Will experience losses this year anywhere between 26 and 38 billion dollars, which is higher than the transit stimulus funding Tranted agents agencies will need more operating funds to guarantee that they can run enough trains and buses to avoid overcrowding and maintain physical distancing There has been considerable outreach to rtc regarding The impacts on transit. We continue to respond to their surveys and we hope any subsequent stimulus bills will provide even more funding for transit I have an update on tda and measure d allocation estimates to local jurisdictions Each year the regional transportation commission provides allocation estimates To transportation development act and measure d recipient agencies This year's estimates are based on the proposed budget, which is part of today's agenda Although traditional tda funding will be impacted by the effects of covid-19 On economic activity rtc will do everything possible to meet the tda allocation estimate The aforementioned stimulus funding is expected to assist with that effort RTC is also prepared to use tda reserves Which have been set aside for emergencies such as this RT staff rtc staff will continue to monitor tta revenue tda revenues And update the commission and recipient agencies as soon as more information becomes available RTC has notified direct allocation recipients of measure d Who received formula funding that measure d revenue is expected to be less than forecast Due to the national emergency Unlike tda local sales tax did not receive any funding from the recently passed stimulus bill and measure d does not have a reserve fund recipients of direct allocation formula funds were reminded that revenue distributions Will be based on actual actual revenues received Not on the estimates estimates provided RTC and direct recipients have been on a cycle of approving annual five-year program A project updates in the spring Prior to commencement of the new fiscal year and oftentimes as part of their capital improvement program or agency budgets Due to the uncertainty of revenue forecasts RTC plans to delay the approval of this year's five-year program of projects for regional programs until new forecasts can be developed While many direct allocation agencies Prepare their direct allocation five-year plan updates as part of the development of their annual budget for capital improvement budget program Some agencies may want to wait to use more conservative estimates this spring RTC is providing that option More information will be provided as it is developed In the interim the most recent five-year program of projects will be used and can be amended depending on a project's immediate needs I have an unfortunate update on the north coast rail trail segment five funding and schedule The federal highway administration has notified rtc by the attached letter to this report That due to cost overruns on their other projects They are changing the construction programming to mid federal fiscal year 2024 This would correspond to a summer 2024 construction start date, which is almost a three-year delay RTC staff met with the central federal lands team on march 26th to discuss the status of their design work And to come up with a game plan We agreed that we should continue to press forward with all pre construction work on the current schedule CFL has committed the resources to complete the design and we are making good progress on resolving the right-of-weight issues With this effort the full project should be shovel ready by the middle of 2021 as planned CFL has already identified this project as a candidate for potential stimulus funding Therefore continuing to work on our existing schedule is very important to get the project construction ready for this Or other potential funding opportunities We are also planning to apply for phase two of the next planned federal lands access program or flap grant Which is expected to issue a call for projects in the fall 2020, but that funding isn't expected to be available to 2025 Again, I emphasize we are moving forward with this project as we believe Stimulus funding is on the horizon. There has been recent discussions with the federal government and the Congress regarding stimulant but stimulus funding and shovel ready projects are those that will likely be targeted I have an update on enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities project After a march meeting the California Transportation Commission approved funding for the section 5310 enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities projects Which include three projects in Santa Cruz County Community bridges secured $195,537 to replace three paratransit vehicles and operations equipment UCSC secured $168,000 to replace three paratransit Minivans that serve students staff faculty and campus visitors Living with permanent or temporary disabilities who are unable to use the campus shuttle The senior council secured 261,786 dollars for a new For a two-year period to provide mileage reimbursements and or transit fare reimbursements For low-income individuals volunteering with the senior councils foster grandparents and senior companion programs I have an update on transit corridor alternative analysis The transit corridor alternatives analysis team has drafted its results of the initial screening In a short list of alternatives also known as milestone two Input will be solicited from the public and stakeholders on milestone two For a four-week period by means of an online format that is a two-week increase from what we originally Planned due to the COVID-19 issues This item is expected to be brought to the june 4th 2020 RTC meeting with community after community input in order to seek RTC board approval of the screening analysis results in the short list of alternatives The approximate timeline is as followed on april 13th We will start public stakeholder input through our online activities On may 11th will be the end of online activities May 25th, we will Finalize our staff report and on june 4th We will seek approval from the RTC board on screening analysis in the short list of alternatives With that, I would like to again thank all of those individuals who are putting their safety on the line to provide essential services Specifically those related to transportation I provided significant information today on some of those services being provided And the community as a whole really appreciates what those individuals are doing To ensure that transportation services are still provided to our community. With that, I conclude my director's report Looks like Commissioner McPherson is on the line. Commissioner McPherson, is that on the line? This is Mike Rockin. I'm on the line now Okay Do you hear me? I can hear you Okay, I don't want to speak. I just want to let you know I'm here. I was here at 9 15 Thank you, Mike Is there any questions for the director on his report from any commissioner? Yes, this is Andy Go ahead, Andy this has to do actually really maybe with the next item, but since We talked about status of stimulus funding I wonder given the current uncertainty whether it makes sense to continue the budget until our next Meeting when hopefully we'll have more information about How realistic it can be for the 2020-21 year, so I just wanted to ask that question. I think to make sense to Give us Give us more time before making this decision and sending a message to other agencies about what the funding may be That's a very difficult question to answer We put a lot of thought into it. We also looked at what other agencies are doing What we have found is almost uniformly across the state where budgets had already been prepared That agencies are moving forward to get those budgets approved So we have a budget in place at the beginning of the fiscal year Although we may have more information next month We would have to do considerable work to modify the budget and we are looking at possibly doing an amendment as early as may But there's always risk associated with Each time we don't have a budget in place Once the fiscal year begins that we would Potentially not be prepared to continue operations So most agencies are approving their budgets Continuing to do amendments as more information becomes available And i'm moving forward with that sort of a process You know, like you said before You started your comment This item is on the regular agenda and we can have more discussion at a time that we feel is warranted Thank you, andy Is there any other commissioner that has any other questions for the director on his report? I guess I have one more thing Go ahead andy Andy andy, could you do me a favor? Could you speak a little bit closer to your mic or We can't even know it's worse. We can't hear you I haven't had this problem before there you go. You're good good now Okay, I guess the further away I go the better I sound Okay, I wanted to comment on the north coast project and thank the director for his report While it is discouraging that the funding may be Delayed in fact given the history with previous stimulus Grants having shovel ready projects really makes an enormous Difference, so i'm glad that the staff is committed to moving forward as quickly as possible With getting this project to the point where it is shovel ready so that if new money comes along we'll be We'll be ready to move on it. So I just wanted to add my support to the staff This the staff recommendation on that the director's recommendation Thank you, andy There's any other fellow commissioners that like to have a question for the The director's report hearing that we're going to go ahead and move on to the item 19 cal trans report Hello commissioners. Can you hear me? Yes All right. Well, good morning everyone I also would like to thank the commission for carrying on in this format with this meeting It's important for us. I think to come together and do To do the important work group does to Ultimately keep critical infrastructure in place Transportation as you know is identified as one of those elements that's essential to our functioning and As everyone else is cal trans is also working very hard through this COVID-19 pandemic to keep the highways open Number one and to keep our construction contracts on track as best as we can We're continuously evaluating all of our activities to ensure You know ensure the health and safety of all of our employees our contractors and the public We do have about one billion dollars of construction contracts Underway statewide So we're we're working hard to keep keep that moving and then keep the new contracts coming And in support of that we do have a very high proportion of our office staff who are teleworking and Keeping the projects moving keeping our plans going And so forth. So we're doing our best to keep keep things rolling And I would just like to point out The project on your update list there under our item there project number 18 the The pedestrian enhancements project. We did receive the bids. We expect to award the contract By june and get the work underway this summer So I wanted you to know that that was moving along as well Any questions for me? Yeah, elene, I have a question. That's the uh margin and big beach street projects pedestrian number 18 Yes, um, yes, mr. Chair that That location that location is included. Yeah, I know there's multiple ones in Monterey county. Also, there's some Yes Is that like uh, gonna be a 150 day out lead time still from june well, um According to the report. It's yeah, I think yeah From the awarding of the account of the bid. Yeah, there's That's like a specialty item. So they have to order that Construction will start this summer. Uh, if you want the details on each location We we um, I can probably get more information for you But it's uh, it's scheduled to go to go to um construction this summer Okay, thank you Any other questions for Caltrans See you then. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Thank you for participating. Uh, be safe We're gonna go ahead and move on to item 20 approval of fiscal year fiscal 2020-2021 proposed budget staff report Commissioners, this is facing the director of finance and budget You have backfeed from somewhere I think we're ready. Um staff presented the proposed budget at the march 12th budget personnel and administration committee meeting Prior to the outbreak of cobin 19 in the shelter in place As we receive information staff is evaluating and preparing for the fiscal impact Staff is communicating directly with all partner agencies and local jurisdictions We are waiting to hear from our partners at the state about how the federal bill may provide assistance with projected shortfalls and transit funding HDL has provided us with updated projections. Um, as the events unfold, um, we will be bringing this information to the commission And we're waiting to hear more about how the governor's executive order on extending deadlines for tax reporting and payment may impact timing of measure depayments From the california department of tax and fee administration At this time based on all of this information staff is recommending the commission approve the proposed budget drafted before the outbreak of COVID-19 No one knows exactly how long this will go and what the final impact may be on tax revenues We have started to prepare scenarios That we plan to share with the commission in may and update again in june The staff report includes regional programs and project work to be completed during the fiscal year We've listed these in the proposed budget recommendations. I'm happy to go through the highlights or I can answer specific questions Is that is that your report uh tracy? Is there any questions for me commissioner? For the staff Thank you, um If we pass the budget as it is currently structured and we have to make like major amendments For example in the worst-case scenario cutting it lots of funds to various groups Do we face any liability that we've been Sort of set them off on a path of for being believing they have a certain amount of money coming Or is that something that we can just amend if we're forced to do so by the circumstances? That's a staff question. We approve an allocation It's directly to the recipients What the executive director has mentioned earlier in his report is that we are communicating with our The local jurisdictions and recipients about what this shortfall may mean. We do have a reserve budget that's available We would need to come back and possibly Um, I mean, I don't know a lot about the history prior. I do know we have money to cover Um, the near term, but we would have to go back and talk to our partner agencies The local jurisdictions to adjust the allocations Depending on how long this lasts and what the final impact is For measure d we distribute the actual revenues we receive Again, we're communicating with everybody to let them know what our most recent projections are and how we feel this Will impact our cash flow going forward All that Executive director Preston add to this so You know These are very good points. Um, as far as I know Our budget is a separate document and it's not a legal commitment in any agency So when revenues do come in that are less than projected and this has happened in the past We have not been Legally obligated to provide as much as what was provided in the original budget Another good reason to approve the budget as planned today is It'll be able to be used as a tool for us to see what the actual impacts are From the cobit 19 issue compared to what We anticipated when we were originally budgeting and forecasting What our needs were and what our revenues were going to be so um like The news stated we have been in constant communication with our transit agencies With all of our recipients in terms of you know, what the impacts may be We have gotten inquiries from from various different agencies and we've been letting them know Exactly where we stand and where it's going to go We could try to amend it. You know, we we are looking at amending the budget as early as may That forecast likely will not be accurate either. Um, we're going to have to do A lot of budgeting this year and a lot of adjusting this year to try to see where we are And make sure that we don't Over extend ourselves as we move forward during the fiscal year I still recommend that we approve the budget as as currently proposed With full knowledge that we're going to have to come back and make amendments to it To adjust for for the impacts That that stated, um, we do, you know, as this new mention, we do have a tda reserve There is stimulus Funding out there that is going to help Tda there could be future stimulus funding that could help some of our other revenues So I still recommend that we move forward with the budget as planned This is so this is mike I'm persuaded persuaded by the director's Argument that we ought to pass the budget rather than wait till we know more But i'm also concerned that we not simply use our reserves to keep stuff at the current level while we you know We're finding out so that I would not make that presumption In other words, we might rather spread our money out over the year or whatever rather than spend it at the current level With the reserves and then find ourselves with a cliff that we're going to fall off I have a question Can I respond to that? I think Randy had a question Yeah, I just wanted to respond to the concern that mike is I'm acknowledging randy Oh, i'm sorry Yeah, I didn't mean to excuse me interrupt So I guess what bothers me a little bit is that we have a budget committee that makes recommendations And the recommendations apparently came before all the lockdowns from the from both the federal and state governments um so To me it seems a little bit reckless to Approve a budget that we know is going to face severe shortfalls Why wouldn't we want to bring this back? To the budget committee for some very very good scrutiny on where we're going um Right now it seems like this budget is pretty much business as usual and you know With the caveat that hey, maybe in may we'll have to make some adjustments to me That's not good enough really for the taxpayers. I mean they expect us. I mean, we're sending a message that That We're going to prove this and we might make some changes here and there No, I think it needs more scrutiny. I can't support a I can't support voting. Yes on this budget today When the recommendations came from the budget committee Almost um a month ago when things were not severely impacted so What would what would be the problem of us of the of the budget committee? of Forming again looking at this line by line and then going moving forward with at least some Indication of where we're going to be not you know not having to wait for two months and say oh, okay Now we know where we are. I think it's Very important that we as as a commission know where we are financially You know not in may or june But uh in april that's kind of what I have to say and and it does bother me that again the direct revenue from where each of the cities is going to have a You know direct shortfall apparently if I heard died correctly um where Well, some of these other programs. It seems like are not going to be affected. So there's that as well. Thank you. Thank you, randy Go ahead. Andy Acknowledging. Thanks a lot. Can you hear me? Okay? Yes, andy. Yeah, I wanted to respond to mike First in terms of the use of the reserves And why it makes sense to use the reserves if we if in fact the revenue drops during this budget year And that's because all the agencies have prepared their 2021 budgets based on the the allocations that were Granted through the 2021 budget So to the extent that our revenue doesn't meet those levels In the past it would be tremendous hardship for Agencies like the transit district having to redo their budget You know when the year is almost over and absorb about A decline of a couple hundred thousand dollars So that from my understanding is really the purpose of the reserves is to Help get through the current year As a minimum should things Take a nose dive And so I think that rather than thinking of using the reserves over next year We we need to you know try to assure our various agencies that have based their budgets this year on the On the the allocations that we provided that they'll actually get that money to the extent we have the money to do that That's that's what the reserves would do in terms of what what randy was saying and you're holding it off I started out with that notion myself and raised that question during the The director's report. I think the director made a couple of good points in terms of Why it might make sense to approve the budget? as You know as recommended Recognizing it's the fact that it's going to have to be amended To send it back to the budget committee now And as the chair of the budget committee, I was thinking about what that would mean We don't have we have so little information about what the effects are actually going to be We don't know about the stimulus. We don't know about The drop in tda the potential drop in tda revenues. We need to get a new Estimate from the order that we don't know when that's going to come So what I understood guy to be saying is that look If we adopt the budget today, we'll have a base upon which to analyze the changes that are going to have to be made It sounded like he's going to keep that the intention is to keep all the other agencies informed as we have information about the changes But at this point at least we'll have a document that we can be amending At the time that we have more information. I'm not sure that between now and our main meeting We're going to have any definitive information that would Help us understand how this budget has to be changed I think there's no question that it's going to have to be changed But I think having something that's that is the you know, so that the base that we're operating off is Helpful and as long as it's presented to the public in that context that this isn't this is our final budget This is a this is our starting point and once we have additional information will We'll make the changes that that seem prudent and hopefully by next month We'll know enough to be able to come up with some amendments If the if it makes sense to have a special meeting of the budget and administration committee to consider amendments I think that makes sense But at this point it everything seems so uncertain And in term and including when we're even going to get information that you know, my recommendation at this point is that we I adopt the recommend the staff recommendation recommended budget as a preliminary As a preliminary budget With the understanding that it's going to need to be changed based on the effects of the Changes in the economy once we have additional information. That would be my recommendation This is Mike with a comment. Thank you, Andy Mike do you have one more comment? Yes, quickly I I agree. I'm not going to repeat the things Andy said that I agree with I will point out that the transit district always passes a preliminary budget for claims purposes in I think mark Even though we know it's going to be dramatically different by the time we do a final budget in june I don't think there's a problem with having a preliminary budget that's You know, I wouldn't spend a lot of time today going through little points in the budget because it's going to be changed dramatically I think we should just you know, fairly quickly approve their recommended budget just for the purposes that the the director Preston suggested But I went back on the other point about the Reserves, I'm not saying we shouldn't use any reserves. I'm just saying I don't think we should make an assumption on the wholesale basis that we're just going to simply spend the reserves And then find ourselves with no reserves and no way to handle any kind of problems that happen later I think we have to make careful decisions about How much of the reserves we want to use because again both from the city perspective in the past from my experience And from the transit district you make a big mistake when you basically Try and keep stuff up at the current level until you have nothing and then you're forced to have such radical and dramatic cuts that You would destroy the system completely So I think it makes more sense to be very careful about how much of the reserves we use and have a careful discussion about that Before we assume we're going to just use the reserves to spend at the current level Or at the level of the budget that we're probably going to approve today That I think we should not be done. I think we should be more careful about that. That's my comments. Those are my two comments Thank you, Mike. Is there any other commissioners that would like to have any questions for staff on their report Raise my hand Yes, uh Just uh, good morning, everyone just a quick thing In the past when we've had similar situations with the commissioners that is a combination of things and that is use reserves, but also Work to, um, you know, modify The apportionments to the very to the various, uh, jurisdictions if that became necessary So that so that the reserves would not be fully depleted Uh, so it is the commission has has been, you know, responsible in that regard in the past That's what we expect the commission to do in addition Um, this work to then reduce costs, uh, and minimize costs Uh commission and also, um Work, um extra diligently to try to secure Uh additional funds from other socially from the state or federal government and so on and through that sort of strategy that in the past the commission has been, uh, very successful at ensuring that, you know When the commission isn't just relying on the reserves, but using a, you know, uh, a strategy that that combines various Effort to uh to get through these two difficult situations And if I can add on to that too, um payments payments for, um PDA is made via claims And those claims would come to the commission and if There was um the need to dip in to any reserves Or to use other funds to try to make payments We would be able to present that at that time and the commission would have an opportunity to weigh in That'd be fine. That would solve my concern Richard leopold has had his hand up Go ahead commission leopold. I don't see people's hands up on my screen Leopold, commissioner brown, and then um those are the two that i'm showing right now Go ahead commissioner leopold. Uh, thank you. Uh, I support, um passing, uh, this budget recognizing that it's a It's it's a draft budget that's going to see big changes uh to keep the the uh machinery of the RTC going I I think we did we had uh lots of discussion And we even had some disagreements in building up our reserves But we showed foresight In creating those reserves and if there was ever a time to use it that we're obviously going to be in that period I do think it's important, um To get through the end of this fiscal year That we use the reserve to be able to honor the commitments And the projects that are ongoing And when we look at the budget for next year Once we have more information we may decide what level of the of the reserve we want to use But I think it's important to be able to finish this year um with uh With people who have projects that are that may already be on the ground already be under construction or other uh critical moments Uh to make sure that those projects can get done And as over the next couple of months as we learn more about what the real Financial situation is we'll have to make some difficult decisions for what our next fiscal year looks like Good point. Thank you. Thank you commissioner commissioner brown Yeah, I think all of my most of my comments have been covered. I guess I would want to respond to uh commissioner johnson because I agree that um taken out of context Passing this budget does look quite irresponsible. Um, even some of the materials from hgl suggests that um, you know, business would start going back to normal in april We know that's not going to be the case And so I I totally understand those concerns and I share them. I do think that uh providing that context though about understanding this is a uh, the budget will be the projections will be moving target for the at least uh Short term and then probably, you know, the indefinite future. So I think With that I'm also persuaded that um, we should pass a budget today Thank you commissioner brown. Is there any other commissioner? They'd like to comment or have a question on the staff report Commissioner kaufman gomez is having issues with her Audio, but she did send a note saying that this will give us a chance to evaluate how To conservatively use our reserves. We also have a working fluid budget document that we already know We will closely monitor She does agree. We need to document What impact is on our current budget and this covet 19? Impact will have on our agency Um, I also have a comment from commissioner mcpherson. Um, and his is Um, understanding our budget is a moving target. He approves the proposed budget with the expectation It will be amended in the future Thank you. Is there any other commissioner that That has any questions on the staff report I have I have uh, when actually I support, um Doing this, uh, I think it's important that we give a base and continue with that base and then move forward and um to our projects Uh, it's vital. I think that some of these projects continue because it's also part of the economic stimulus for our community um, and so looking at our reserves diligently and and using them, uh appropriately I think it's going to be a really important thing and the flexibility of our of our, uh, budget To be able to amend it will Give us the opportunity to really look at it and give that opportunity for our budget committee to Really dive into the next months. Uh, and try to try to kind of try to predict what's going to happen. Uh, which is An enormous task in itself I do have one question for staff Staff on your report you you've indicated that you've been communicating with the communities What type of communication have you been making? And I guess I want to say directly to the city of watsonville In regards to this budget So rachel marconi is our lead for measure d and she has um been reaching out and communicating with the local jurisdictions about measure d in particular Um for tda, I do know that the executive director has been speaking with the ceo at metro And that the cities and counties have been contacted as well With with the information We would communicate more as we receive it Okay, thank you. I have a question when when you're ready. This is mike mike go ahead mike Yes, so mike my question is to guy or to some of the staff It makes sense to me to adopt this resolution that approves the budget I wonder whether we also have to accept the revenue forecast the other that we had four recommendations on this item And those revenue estimates are what are actually clearly not going to be accurate And I wonder is it possible to pass the budget without approving those Revenue projections, which are clearly off Um, we are obligated by the tda ordinance to provide Estimates to the recipients for tda I don't know and maybe louise can comment on it whether or not it needs to be part of the board's recommendation or not So i'm going to defer To louise as to whether or not that that's a critical part of this Recommendation at this time Go ahead louise. Okay. Well on the The recommendations that are that are before you the revenue Projections that or forecasts that are asked to be Accept they have to do with with measure d because we take We take the revenue estimates from the auditor controls offers for tda And we just And those are the official Those are used by the by the rtc for the budget because that's you know per tda statute, but for measure d that that is an rtc administered Program and it's part of the rtc's function to provide some sort of new forecast for measure d Funds and those of course are based on the on the information that we get from our consultants that HDL services that analyze the revenues and let us know what they are But of course this analysis was prior to covet 19 at this point. They do not know Exactly what the The impact of covet 19 is going to be the revenue estimates will again just provide a base Of for the local jurisdictions that read the And santa criss metro and then communities that receive funds For measure d at this point and it is communicated to everyone That actual revenues they receive are not based on this forecast. They are based on the The actual revenues that come in and and that is you know per What's written in measure d so I think regardless of whether the rtc approves a revenue forecast or not That will continue per measure d to you know to provide everyone with the With the revenues as they come in one One component of the revenue forecast well is the I guess the five-year revenue estimates For the measure d recipients That's what derives partly from the forecast and partly from the Update of the Variables that go into the formula that's specified in measure d for the distribution of funds to the Cities in the county and you remember you call that as a formula that that involves Population it involves road lane miles and also involves The site where the measure d revenues Are derived from so Since that that is information that gets that gets updated each each year, you know I think it is a good idea to accept That that piece is saying okay. It's it does have the updated information and for the formula in itself And it's you know, we we feel it it's acceptable Uh, but then that formula will will get applied to the actual revenues that get received not to the forecast revenues So so my Mike Yes, so my thought is we should uh, I'm hearing that So we should add a whereas To the resolution that appears on 20-7 That in effect Guy could someone you know to summarizing guy's comments Whereas we understand that you know the effect that whereas The could be as a result of the a covet 19 Uh Follow-up from the economic from the COVID-19 virus We and our revenue projections will have to be amended during the year. There's an understanding that in effect This is a preliminary budget That is going to be subject to serious But potentially subject to serious amendment and add that I'd be happy to move this move the staff recommendation on all four points We still need to hear from the public I understand I'm just going to put a motion on the floor so people know where we're going Yes, I would like I would prefer Go ahead until we heard to the public because I'm not I don't agree with that's the best way to make the motion Yeah, I won't accept no motion yet. Uh, I was just a comment. Okay. Let's come back. I'm gonna there. Is there any other questions for the staff from commissioners Hearing none. I'd like to open this up to the public. Is there any public that has um, any questions on the agenda item number 20 approval of fiscal year You mean questions or comments? I assume questions or comments. All right. Thank you. I have my hand up Audience yes, um, this is sally Arnold from friends of the rail and trail Go ahead sally. You've been recognized. Thank you. Uh, well, first of all, of course, thank you everybody for You know, we're all just doing our best to try to keep business moving along and keep the public engaged in these difficult times Um, and we um, you know friends of the rail and trails look this over and we appreciate how hard it is to plan And I mean, you're you know, the discussion here has been very rich and nuanced about wanting to move things along and yet recognize The uncertainties that you know, you're dealing with Um, and so friends of the rail and trail understands that that this is a proposed budget And it's going to be subject to the economic changes that are coming And you know, whenever those changes come, of course, that's going to be reflected. I assume in the work program Um, you know, because less money probably means a different work program And we just request that those changes Be tracked in the work program document using the underline and strike through system So that they're clear to the public because for those of us who are trying to follow these things closely That would just make it a lot easier for us to understand what the on the ground impacts are going to be Of any Um, and other than that, you know, we just support your efforts to to try to keep moving in these hard times. Thank you Thank you, selly Please get your phones if you're Is there anyone else from the public that like to That has a question to take a comment on this item Yeah, michael sing Go ahead, michael Yeah, just a couple questions probably for director preston Um, if if this, you know funding scenario gets quite bleak Um This is maybe down the road. Have you said any priorities for which pieces of the ucis? Uh Pi will be funded in other words. Will you take money from certain pieces to go to other pieces? Or keep the percentages the same no matter what the funding is and then question two the Concern on a piece of pie that I have is with metro's funding Um And with that previous question, would you be able to transfer monies from other pieces of the ucis corridor study by? Uh and transfer to metro to keep them surviving basically as you had stated earlier Funding coming from the federal Is not enough To help help the uh metro to the degree that they may need some help and that's my two questions Thank you, mike. Is there anybody else from the public that like to make comment or question on the item on the agenda number 20 There's a comment from Mr. Clifford on the chat. I'm not sure if he's on the phone Um, Alex, are you on the phone or did you or should I read his comments? Go ahead and read his comment, please Okay Says I concur with guy relative to the budget adoption RTC can amend the budget later when the covet impacts become more clear The impacts both short term and long term of covet on tda is yet to be determined We need to collaborate with the california transit association ASAP To impress upon state officials the need for a state stimulus program that will attempt to fund tda and in parentheses sta and elif ltf At this point if the cares act will allow us to write off subsidy revenue losses against the 5307 grant funding That was it Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Clifford for those comments. Uh, is there anybody else from the public that like to Comment or have question on item 20 of the agenda Hearing none, I'd like to bring this back to the commission uh to hear a motion If I could try to make it which would be to this andy shifrin Go ahead and recognize you. Um, I would move that we approve the recommendations one through four of the budgeted administration personnel committee and add an additional recommendation to Direct staff to return at the main meeting with an update of the budget situation and any recommendations to amend the 2021 budget Or and or the revenue estimates Do I have a second second second by mike that's second by jock I heard right second by jock. Yeah second of my jock Can we have roll call? Commissioner Bertrand Hi Commissioner brown. Hi Uh, uh, johnson no Commissioner cap it Hi Commissioner alternate shifrin Hi Commissioner leopold Hi Commissioner gonzalez Hi Commissioner rockin Hi And commissioner coffin gomez votes yes and bruce votes Yes Thank you that seemed to pass We're gonna go ahead now and Move on to item 21 next meeting Our next meeting for the rtc meeting is scheduled for thursday may 7th At 9 a.m And the next transportation policy workshop meeting is scheduled for thursday april 16th at 9 a.m Right. Thank you guys for your time Thank you for your dedication I have nothing further to say Thank you Good job. Good job. Good job at sharing under difficult conditions Yeah, and yasina you did a great job monitoring. Yes Yes, great job sharing great job sharing when you didn't know you were going to Do we need do we need another practice pretty well they're still Thanks everyone Fighting off bye-bye