Folsom City Council Regular Meeting

>>> good evening everybody. Please call the role. [Roll call]. Would you all please rise. Join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag to the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >>> thank you everybody for joining us this evening. We have exciting things to go over but I will have the city clerk call the first item. >> one item that has been updated. Item 8 c. The correspondence has been at the back table. >>> as a reminder, if anyone out there has the item that is not on the agenda, we require you fill out the blue card. A lot of people here and people wanted to speak on some of the items. To manage the time and the agenda I would like to have them in our hands at 7 o'clock at the latest. We can balance the time to give everybody the opportunity to speak. Please bring the slips up to the officer on the side. >>> no request to speak from business on the floor. >> if anybody has something they want to say, we will move on to the next item pick >> the next item is split -- scheduled presentation of proposed students. >> as the two young ladies come up I will share with you. I had the opportunity to visit a month ago or three weeks ago. I met these two young ladies in a government class. They have a whole bunch of questions and they posed the question to me. If we had a fulsome flag and I said honestly, I think it is ugly. That is our flag. It was done in 1997. The city council did that flag. They asked if they could research and big forward to the city council and community to bring a new flag. Introduce yourselves and the floor is yours. Start your presentation. >> we are here to propose a new city flag. >> we will leave that folsom should have a city flag because we want to be able to have a simple that can stand to represent the things that we find is special about our city. The things that make it unique. We want to create a flag that could show our rich history and community and culture within the city. When people look at the flag they can see those things and to feel proud in the great city that we live in and they can feel unified in this great place and they could know that we are all residents of folsom and we all belong here because this is our home. We wanted to create this flag so it could be a symbol for other cities to know what makes us special and unique and they can see how much we love our city. >> people talked about how there is a great lake and a prison but after living here I realized there was so much more to the city we can be proud of. during the research I came across a quote. If you have a great city flag you have something for people to rally under. So many people that we need to conquer. Folsom can do that and do great things as a community. >> chicago is a city that has an amazing flag. It is benefiting from their flag. We want to talk about this as an example. Chicago's flag is pride. They love their community and they can say that to the flag. It is everywhere on street corners and coffee mugs. Show the love for their city through their flag but even has it on the offices casket when they pass away instead of the U.S. Flag. We wanted to create a flag that could be as special to us and the residents of folsom as chicago's flag is to their people. >> we did research to see what would make a good flag. We came across flag etiquette. What should and should not be on a flag. Keep it simple. Meaningful symbolism because we can communicate history and community gait -- . We don't use lettering or writing because that can distract from the symbolism and things we are trying to communicate through the flag. With all of the research finished a~rqa passion for the flag we were able to come up with and design this flag for folsom. >> the flag is here to symbolize the things that we to to find to be important and rich about our city. The gold stripe that runs through the center of the flag represents the gold rush. It was a huge part of our city and a huge part of what made it what it is today. Not only for the city but for this state. If you will notice the line does not run in one stripe. It meets in the middle and overlaps. We want to represent the convergence of the past and present in the city because we believe the gold rush was a huge part of our city's history but we are still experiencing gold rushes today and our own way with new innovation and technology. Thriving and growing and we want to have that represented in our flag. Not only to the two stripes that come together but they come together at a central point. The past history that is our history. People and supplies came and. People would come here to create a livelihood to create a future for themselves. Folsom is the center place. We are only a days job -- drive from so many places. A central place for a lot of communities and diversity and culture. Also a place that people from all over the world, for jobs, say therms and communicate which is an important part of our city. The black triangles representative of the folsom prison. The second prison in california and the first maximum-security prison in the state. The first in the country to have electricity. It was hugely important to be in our flag represents our history and it plays a pivotal role in our community today. The folsom prison produces license plates, refurbishes old bites, -- bikes. We thought it was necessary to have it in our flag. Lastly we have blue in the flag which is representative of the water. We have the river and the lake and both of those is great recreation for the city for people to come together and to have community. With it the lake comes the dams and the hydroelectric energy that comes with that which is a huge part of the city and important so we wanted to have that in the flag. We also created the triangle that represents the prison because johnny cash is the man in black. An important part of the city because he puts us on the map. We wanted to communicate that. We found out that folsom did not have a flag. We knew that it was important to us to do our best to create something that we could pick proud of -- be proud of to show how special it is. We put our hearts and souls into the research for the flags and we hope that you will love it as much as we do. Thank you. [Applause] when they asked for the challenge, I said that door is open. No one has come since the late 90s. The depth and knowledge and the symbolism of your research and the flag etiquette, no one has done that. You have to be congratulated. I love this. It fit very point that this place is all about in my opinion. I could add a whole lot to it but the strength of what you have shared is the strength and core of the community. Elevating from the past. I like the way you tied in the gold rush because we are still in a gold rush. A different error but we can not forget johnny cash. Wherever we go we always get asked. Johnny cash, prison? I think you hit a homerun with this one. I for one like it very much. I would be very proud if they cancel gave it to the city manager about bringing us for a decision but I really am impressed. It is overwhelming and it was worth a standing ovation. Questions for them? >> I have a comment. Thanks for the great work and symbolism. I have a graduate from folsom and I am interested that you have the royal blue instead of the navy blue. >> great works. >> I am going to comment. I became the executive director. I was asked to redesign that. I had it done. I made the mistake of asking, not asking, the people that designed the first one and i offended a lot of people that spent time doing it. I like what you presented. They have to remember all of the details. Your hair is getting his weight as mine. I don't know. I am not against the flag but I think we have to pay curtesy to the people. To tell you the truth, I did not realize we had a flag. I have been here 32 years but that is all I say. That is up to the city manager to do the homework. Pay the respect to the people that did it. >> I think that person is in the room. Sitting in the second round. >> at the time it seemed like a good idea. I have closing comments. >> I really like this idea. When I was elected, one of the things that I emailed and I said do we have a flag and the fact that you took the initiative to go out. It is no. I would not say I wanted to replace it but I want to have the historical thoughts but the blue and black means a lot. I think of different things like folsom tv and this is a representative of the flag because I graduated mayor steinberg hello. Some things about vista that is cool but things you are claiming your stake in the city. That is what I look at. Finally, this is how we do it. I love looking at it. It brings excitement in my mind. 5'1" -- I would like to see this represent our city. >> any more comments before I close? >> we had the opportunity to meet with the younger full -- wonderful young women. I was so impressed to stand in front of all of these people because of the flag. That is why you are here, right? That takes a lot of guts for anyone. Especially someone in high school and I really appreciate that and thank you for that. >> I would to pay homage to the mayor. He did bring it to us. He represented a lot of things that were important to the heritage. I think what you are doing is addition to all of that. It ties into what is currently on the flag. Some of the colors on here but I do like that. If the council and I would like to have the manager bring it back for the action item, if we do retire it, I want to make sure it is preserved as the first flag if we decide to go with this one. If it is okay, I would like to see it in November. Young ladies, we will see you the second tuesday in November for a decision. Thank you very much. I am so impressed. Thank you for bringing it up to me. It took a lot of guts to do that too. [Applause] >> I was just teasing you, mayor. >> call the next item. >> the next item is the consent calendar. >> I got a couple of questions. >> okay. >> items a and c. I will move on. [Roll call] Struck a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with waterworks for predesigned engineering services for the rehab product -- project. Specked the staff report says -- >> mark this environmental resource. At this point we are unaware of any significant infiltration. Concerns that the prison May have. We understand from the agreement that we looked at their conditions and that is one of the drivers for this study and the project itself. >> what are they building that we don't know about? >> it is just based -- it is under the current agreement. There is up to 2.5 million gallons a day that the prison could contribute to the sewer system. Right now the average day is 1.25, 1.2. Not considering the peaking fatter -- factor. That is the condition it is modeled for. >> my next question. >> I would double check. >> my suggestion is when you are going to do the analysis I am quite certain that if we are talking about an increase, I would like to know the reason for the increasing flow. Given the significant amount of traffic, can we look at pipe bursting as opposed to open trench? >> we will evaluate all the alternatives. Speck it is no secret for many years I have been pushing cdc are to get the medical facility within the folsom prison. We are number 2. I wanted it for many years and for many reasons. And economic generator for the folsom prison and also for economic but what we became would be a lot of high and medical jobs and suppliers and selflessly plumley puppet in the walls they will stop considering relocating. I have been fighting the battle since 1996. I hope it was moved up to the list. Number one doesn't want it and actually we addressed it last week. We want the medical facility. Maybe it is in the works as a standby in case we get word of that. >> I have no problem. >> I appreciate what you are saying. I am pitching this kind of thing. We have no infrastructures. Speck can we talk about this? Six or seven years ago. >> if that is the case they need to make a significant contribution. Specked based on the facility you are describing we would have an analysis to verify that whatever they built does not impact their system and they make the proper upgrades and capital improvements to mitigate those. >> I am sure they will. In the past they have not been good partners for the last 12 years. They are lock stock and barrel with everything they do and we do. I think they will step up which I knew they will expect investigate -- >> they will avoid the destruction. Specked one of the plans is if we build a parallel pipeline that you would have that alternative. You can do a complete investigation inside of the pipeline to identify if there is any capital improvements that we are required for the old lines. >> if that is going to be used, it is way cheaper. >> okay. >> call the roll on the item please. [Roll call] Struck resolution number 10194. Authorizing the city manager to offers -- accept offers of dedication and approval of the lots. Speck -- >> I want to add a comment. I have done with all of these conditions the developer has met although the conditions. >> okay. [Roll call] >> okay. Speck item 8 letter a. We have two resolutions. Resolution approving the proposed boundary map and declaring the intention declaring the necessity for incurring indebtedness for the city. Calling for a public hearing speck that is a mouthful. Speck good evening. I am deputy treasurer. Okay. Tonight we are here because they requested the city of folsom with the facilities at district. The formation of city policies regarding land. Here we have the map of the proposed boundaries for the district and you can either turn your head to the left or it is on the left side of the map. You can see it is bounded by el dorado county to the east. The ranch development to the west. Highway 50 to the north and south. Currently it is comprised of 23 parcels. The development of 22 includes 530 residential units broken down as described and 1124 acres of commercial property near the highway. Number 22 provides infrastructure and facilities necessary for development. From my high-level perspective, these include transportation, water, wastewater and jane inch system improvements and park and open space improvements. A project specific component includes maintenance and maintaining landscaping and enhanced open space and street lights. In response to the inquiry received they will not be providing for school facilities. A comprehensive list about the facilities and services are including as exhibits a and b to resolution 10196. Speck does that mean it is paid separately? >> correct. Speck I did not want anybody to think -- >> I did not think anyone would pay full price. Speck >> the city council discussion with the maximum facility reaching from $2000 to $2900 per unit. Increased annually by 2percent and $40 million for the district. The services special tax would be leveled at city council's discretion. The maximum special tax is $400 for each residential unit and it will be increased as shown not to exceed 4percent. >> why are we using the bay area as measurements? Speck it is to recognize the industry standard. >> I don't know if we want to deviate from one district to the other. Speck if there is a cpi for sacramento, that is what we should be using. >>> the tax rate is 1.8percent. The policy approved by the council. Financing would be provided. The maximum facility special tax would be levied upon the building permit. 100percent to the developers for the first 20 years and 100percent sign -- to the city. City council returns after it is paid and has the right to continue with the special tax. With that they would recommend approval of the resolution 10196. Approve the boundary map that you solve. Improve the resolution and also we ask for approval of resolution 10197. Calls for a public hearing which would be taking place on November 25. speck -- >> okay. When does it come in and everything as far of that dish as of that. Speck in terms of this, any improvements that we provided would have to come after we had a joint community facility agreement. Something they would have to agree upon and come before the council. Speck -- >> avenues to choose what we finance down the road. More avenues than just the city of folsom. Improvements or -- >> are we responsible for maintenance for this area? Does of folsom pay for the infrastructure? Going forward, where does that responsibility lie? >> I don't know about the maintenance. >> good evening. The councilmember and the water facilities. Those facilities in particular and specifically those that would be the responsibility of el dorado because folsom being in the service area, we received a letter about four years ago stating that they want to maintain the responsibility and ownership of the facilities and with that they would have their rates set accordingly to collect the maintenance fees for each of those facilities. We May have an agreement as john mentioned but we also May have one in terms of emergency operations. For some reason the system had a failure and they could not deliver water. The infrastructure is close to the city that we could have a physical area we could open up. Folsom residence are not out of service. >> we will have a tie and for redundancy. The letter four years ago mentioned the lack of water to the area in that territory but with regards to that, I feel like we should have the eyes that darted. >> I will turn that back over to john. >> something far ahead. I want to clarify something. I think I heard you said that they do not supply the water but that is not true. >> in the letter four years ago it stated there was a lack of water and they were not sure if they would have enough to supply the full development. >> I am not aware of that but I do know that eid and I May be speaking a little out of my range but eid has a specific process that they go through where the issue of facility improvement letter and maybe not so close to the will serve letter but the policies are when you submit your fees for connection, that is when they will say yes we will issue a will serve letter. >> still on the hook for maintenance because we are not in the maintenance area and going forward we have agreements in place instead of after the pat -- fact. We have to flip the pipe and more water will supply folsom heights. Looking forward I would like to see that in place. >> I am not sure how we address that with the cfd but it would be my intent that if for some reason they said we need help, we would have the interagency agreement that will cover any cost recovery for the city because we do not have this water system, sewer system built into any current city rates that would absorb any cost down the line. We would have to build in cost recovery or reimbursement. >> let me jump in. I have been sitting up here long enough to see some of these things. You can correct me if I am wrong but we talk about growth paying for themselves and this is a good example. We set up these cfd's getting into the more complicated issue of the fact that we will have two different water districts. We already have two different ones in the city of folsom. The northern end of town and there is a distinct separation. The infrastructure gets built by the developer and the indebtedness of the cfd's. It does not matter who sets it up. The concern that is valid is after that what happens? Eid is the servicer for a portion of this property and they can't abandoned -- abandoned not pick it is their duty and obligation that they maintain the infrastructure. In a way it is very similar to what we have with the san juan water district. At least the retail district. Backup put in a long time ago. Who knows how that got set up but the people pay the water bill to the san juan water district. If the pipes have problems, the district takes care of it. My characterizing that correct? >> the only other thing to add is that we only have interconnection and already have interconnection between the city for purposes of redundancies. Predominantly in the system. >> we have an interconnection with san juan water district. We currently don't have an interconnection. >> we do have a project ready to go if we do need it and if a smaller portion of the city that they would be able to serve. It will be difficult moving water because of elevation differences but there is a proposed project. >> when the water purveyor has a service territory restricted by law that in itself overwrites anything we can do because they have it in here. One thing to possibly do down the line is we have to have this in place in order to start the infrastructure. We will not send any bonds. If you think there is an additional agreement to be had. They have to do it. You describe san juan water. A good point. Education that everyone got here was valid. Let people know that this is not the first one and will not be the last. I can use all that kind of stuff. They are the provider. They have the responsibility. >> I appreciate the details but do not feel comfortable. i am here for this vote. I do not feel comfortable saying it will be taking care of. >> they are the service provider. California law makes them take care of it. We can take it from them. They don't have a choice. >> we would love to have that territory. It was san juan's territory. We will keep the water service. What we have down south and the property. Somewhere down and hazel. We had to service it. We wanted to use it other places but in our service area we had to provide it to find the compromise, I would like you to get together with them. If there is additional language, it is re-validating what their responsibility is. They should not have an issue with it. >> just more item to add. Eid board of directors approved the water supply assessment which is required for development. It identified how much water will be needed in the folsom heights service area. >> the letter four years ago? I cannot remember. That was the one that specifies that they are unsure if they have enough resources to cover the area. That is when we talked about -- I cannot remember when the last one came. Maybe 18 months ago. I just don't have it with me to reference. I am not comfortable with running through all of this. Maybe they know this stuff. not saying that we will not be provide -- providing additional water but we are protected. We are protected from. >> one thing we have to do is that area is currently in the area and we would have to some annex -- somehow put that into the service area so we could legally put it into that area. >> that means just like the same police our -- power. Eid or san juan, if they do not have the water served the residence will be cut back in their district. I hear what you are saying but we are restricted because it is their territory. That was the third phase of water development and they can't say no we cannot serve it. We can do the same thing. The concerns are covered. It is all in there. They have the same powers with water. >> I will take a look. Maybe the letter or staff report pick >> I can see it but the board took a vote and said we can do it. We take our vote and what ever. If we look at what is going on with the water we can withhold the permits. Will it be water? There is other issues we can go into. This is one of many but that is part of the territory. >> are we providing any additional water, wastewater or not waste order -- wastewater but recycle water? >> we will not be providing wastewater services to that area. it should be all ei day. >> in fact you are requiring the installation of the piping. The only potential source of clean water is actually eid. It comes from the wastewater treatment plant. If we built some sewer facility which we are not planning on doing. 40+ miles away from here. You have had conversations with eid with whether or not they could provide reclaimed water because we are downhill from there. >> the logic of this discussion in my mind is if you have the right, and they do by law to service the area, the logic said they you will maintain the maintenance so you can gather the revenue. They would be foolish and I am sure they are not to not provide the maintenance so they continue to get the revenue. Maybe we can make some kind of words but to me, I am going to do my maintenance pick the maintenance collapses the system. They have not got the revenue. >> pretty adamant about not servicing. >> they are responsible for everything in a nutshell. Any more questions before we really back in? Any on the first item? Speakers request? >> anything else you would like to add? >> I will move resolution 10196. >> second. [Roll call]. >> 10197. >> [Roll call] >>> item 8. resolution number 10195. A proven annexation agreement with the regional transit division. >> good evening. Members of the city council. Publix work director. A resolution authorizing the regional transit. The mechanism will be way of and annexation agreement between the city that covers the terms and conditions for the annexation. The draft agreement are incorporated within the resolution including in the packet. To provide background regarding the annexation before you tonight, regional transit has approached the city numerous times to inquire about annexation. Those discussions while they were productive at the times seemed to stall for one reason or the other. Many of the issues revolved around decrease in service levels and negative effects on employees. Earlier this year officials approached the city to investigate annexation. Over the past several months numerous readings have occurred between staff with the city. Some of the pitfalls in the previous discussions. The agreement including the packet represents the outcome of the meetings. Annexation will result in a seamless transition for current transit users and customers which has been a topic of concern for many customers. There is six items within the agreement. employee transition and transit fund balance transfers. The services will remain the same including eligibility, hours of operation, reservations and personal assistance services. All services will remain the same. Transit services will be expanded for folsom residents that will be eligible. They will have the ability to take it anywhere in the area. For the fares will remain the same including the monthly fare which includes unlimited rides. The enhancement is the monthly fare to be reduced from $50 down to $20 per month. For the transit -- transfer of vehicles they will transfer rolling stock vehicles which include buses. They would also include the transfer of five 32 foot buses and two support vehicles. Branding on the vehicles is as is. They will include some regional transit logos to identify them to expect are we going to be compensated? Are we going to be compensated for the current inventory? >> all of them were purchased under federal dollars. They were not fulsome -- folsom money to begin with. There is no money exchange it -- exchanging hands. >> to the employee transition which was another pitfall in our earlier discussions, the current staffing for the division includes five permanent part-time drivers and two permanent full-time drivers and schedulers and one permanent trainer. under the agreement, the city of folsom and transit employees will be given an employment option with a goal of providing each provider -- employee the opportunity to improve their career. They are offering it to all employees not on a probationary period. Two employment options for the bus operators and also positions for non-operators within the type of work in the city. In addition they will provide all employees with a pension compensation package to enjoy the pension plan. For the maintenance, bus shelters will be transferred under the agreement with the contractor. All existing bus stops will be transferred and will be responsible for maintenance. Free parking lots and the historic folsom station will remain under city ownership and maintenance. They will reimburse all maintenance. For the transfer of the transfer of any fund balance. These funds are specifically designated to be used within the city of folsom service area. As part of the transfer, we will gain a greater bidding increasing those taking place at the meeting if it goes forward. With me tonight to answer any questions is the city staff. With the regional transit we have henry lee. With that I would like to turn it over to henry mae for his take on the annexation. Do you want to come up and say a few words? >> I will jump in here. I have been on the board for the last 12 years and I will have additional comments. Henry was general manager for three years or 2 1/2 but there has been a tremendous improvement and the efficiency of the agency and henry is always the first to give credit to the many employees at regional transit. As dave mentioned, this has been thought about. Not just the past few years but probably since I have been on the beard dashboard. Agency had work to do to gain efficiencies and really we felt there was not a lot to gain by pursuing this annexation. I am here today to tell you that it is a very different, very efficient agencies. Really it is operated by a board that cares a great deal and henry and what we have, 1100 employees at sacramento regional transit so I believe there is many more pros and cons to this but with that henry I will review the floor and I will have additional comments later. >> good evening. It is a great honor to speak in front of this great historical moment. About 2 1/2 years ago when they councilmember and his colleagues came out, I heard that they work with the regional partners. Since at that time we have worked with regional representatives and elected officials, community stakeholders and the public to ensure it is a true business enterprise. One that it is transparent and puts customers first. When we applied for $400 million state funding to organize our regional system which is the regional district and economical growth. They strongly suggest it needs to become more rigid in order to better compete. $55 billion for the next 10 years. The federal funding in the deal. A very good conversation with congressional staff this morning. We have made some tremendous strides. Over the last three years and did not just by the service but the improvement in the community and reducing the financial situation by saving up to $50 million within two years. Early this year we are ready to approach with a proposal to apply for state grants. One unified regional transit system instead of competing. This proves to be very effective . Early this year they were awarded over $144 million. $84 million from the state fund and another $60 million from federal and other sources. This is going to allow us to increase the service to 15 minutes . Today we have a great opportunity to solidify a stronger partnership. By entering the annexation agreement I would like to thank folsom city council, Mr. Mayor and the entire counsel for your leadership and putting your confidence and safety and the management team. Specifically I want to thank the councilmember who has served on the board for many years and has provided exceptional leadership in many important initiatives. It requires a strong dedication and leadership to have that happen. So much appreciation goes to the entire team and the community. Thank you very much. We have been a great partner. We have continued to build. In June we secured over $3 million to the extension of the hours into the week night. Looking forward we will have more exciting initiatives ahead of us. First in the near future we will work with city staff to launcher myco transit -- micro transit service. $1 million from sacramento transportation authority specifically for folsom. We promise we are going to enhance the current service. With this additional $1 million this will improve the service by allowing riders in the region. Secondly we will be working on the system for the aging vehicles with no vehicles -- new vehicles. 23 new vehicles. These vehicles will improve the accessibility of the service and in the meantime we will work with engineers to improve traffic. >> thank you. >> we will work with staff for rapid transit project. Sometime over the next year we will be implementing a real-time arrival information system. This means that instead of arrival times on digital boards like that the scheduled time is in real-time and accurate real- time arrival information will be displayed in stations. Additional funding in 2020 would increase the service systemwide improving and enhancing service. Certainly it will result in improved efficiency and save money and allow the division to be more competitive for federal and state grant funding in the future. On behalf of of them I would like to thank you for the approval of this historical action item and we look forward to many years of wonderful partnership ahead of us. Thank you very much. >> I want to thank you for all of the hard work. The conversation that started 20 years ago when I got elected. I was hounded consistently. I think going back then it was rt getting a hold of the money. I would walk away laughing because rts you know was a very very different place 20 years ago. A very different place three years ago. I want to support you and the staff and the significant improvements that rt has made. I am happy we are having this conversation. I am thrilled it turned around so quickly and really happy to see how we can work together to move forward and ensure that the residents get the increase in the level of service. I cannot wait for it to start and the lights get replaced. >> thank you very much. >> any questions? >> don't go too far. In case we have questions. I have to tell you. if it was not for you turning it around we would not have this discussion pick you did an unbelievable job. We have another request to speak. If you know you have a card, you will be one of them when you hear your name. Please come down from the audience and be ready. We have a half hour. Go ahead. maybe we should have the speakers set up at the staff table because there is no one sitting there tonight. >> I am pleased to support the annexation. One of the projects I wanted to bring to your attention to add onto the comments made by the chief executive officer, henry lee is the root optimization study and the coverage scenario , one of the things as you know in the current existing system is that they have to transfer at main and madison and the coverage scenario, the consultants have looked to eliminate such activity by creating a seamless root over madison or greenback from sunrise mall to the historic folsom station. That in and of itself would be a fixed route service improvement that folsom could see if such a thing is implemented for the deliberation and actions coming soon by the regional transit board following outreach from this very important ongoing project right now. If such a thing happens, let me go on record to thank councilmember warren for his hard work and bringing this to the forefront and having the discussions ongoing and the time is right right now. I can paraphrase and say, riders can see clearly now. The rain is gone. They can see all obstacles in their way. Gone will be the dark clouds that have them blind. There will be a bright light sunshiny day. Yes, riders can make it now. The pain will be gone. All of those previous bad feelings will disappear. This and tonight's item is that rainbow they have been looking for. In the future, yes, it will be a bright, bright sunshiny day. I move for approval. next speaker. >> thank you for having us to speak. Real quickly. I don't mean to be the fly in the ointment but I have a question in this proposed annexation. What is in it for rt and what is in it for dial a ride? It is great to talk about this and that but deep down what is really in it to for each party? I would like to have the council consider those questions and the other thing is if it is not broke, don't fix it. I don't own a car and I don't drive. I am on dialysis and I rely on dial a ride to pick me up on monday wednesday and friday for a 6 am chair time. That is near dairy queen and they pick me up. i am on a fixed income. Dial-a-ride is four dollars each way. I have heard of nightmares of the two hour window. I don't want to wait in the cold and I need my 5:30 am pickup time and did not 6:30 am. If I do not have dialysis, I will die. Physically so my thing is, if I can be guaranteed the same level of service and personal service that they pull out and wait for you and not just take off like rt would and I am fine with it but I am leery of such a change for the ability to maintain the same level of service that I believe dial-a-ride provides. >> that is it. Thank you for your time. >> linda davis followed by ellis donovan. >> good evening everyone. Most of my questions were answered. The dial-a-ride is the same. I am apprehensive about the future. Will it continue to be like this ? Maybe after a year that will change and other things. I want to know that. >> we will answer the questions after all of the speakers. >> thank you. >> linda davis followed by ellis donovan followed by robert. >> good evening. Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns. I am very concerned. I want to put it out there to see. Let's suppose you needed to get to austin and a home dish in a hurry. You get on the plane and you think it will take off and it goes to portland and seattle and it goes to vegas and arizona. You don't have any control over it. You did not know all of the stops could be made. You get to austin and you are late for a meeting and you can tell I am vehemently opposed to the annexation and I will tell you why. A couple of years ago I had a six hour test scheduled at the hospital. I left my home at 6 am for an 8:15 am appointment. I got on the bus and I understand a lot of people use this service but it was one step after another to pick people up and drop people off. I did not get to my appointment to 9 am. Three hours. At that point I was there for six hours but everything had to be adjusted so I missed my appointment and sacramento and I waited out front of uc davis hospital for three hours before a paratransit bus would come to pick me up and bring me back home to folsom. I can't express enough how much I appreciate the dial-a-ride service. Safe, dependable with kind and caring people. That has not been my experience with paratransit. You get on the bus and you have no idea how long you will be on the bus. You don't know when you will get to the doctors appointment and when you get there you don't know how long you will be there unless you are a good mindreader and when you get back on the bus you have no idea how long you will be on the bus. I just want to close by saying sincere kudos for the dial-a- ride service that has been extended for these last few years. I vehemently ask you to vote no on the project. I don't think it is ready. I think that the plans are but I don't think the impact on the riders will be what has been projected. I really don't. Thank you for listening. >> ellis donovan followed by probert. >> good evening. Despite what is on the card I am margie donovan. >> my apologies. >> that is my legal name. I want to talk about a number of things like dial-a-ride and our system. I trolled folsom because I retired and moved here. I did not choose sacramento but before I moved here for many years I used sacramento's rt system. I want to tell you some stats that you have not mentioned and it is not in your report paratransit system is the largest were the only system in the united states the charges the most amount of money for the riders on paratransit. System and sacramento is recently limited to monthly tests. 60 rides a month. Do the calculation pick -- I live in the area that I can use rt and I do use rt. I have to plan a whole day. I use folsom -- dial-a-ride eight or nine times a month. Just the other day I was at the gym I got a call at 1 o'clock from one of my doctors. I was able to modify my ride by calling dial-a-ride and he looked at the schedule. I was flexible to be picked up anytime within the next hour. He was able to modify the schedule. Rt will not do that. I would have been taken to that appointment and wait for two hours to get home. Dial-a-ride spoke of part-time drivers. They all work at least 40 hours a week. The city has failed over and over again by understaffing by hiring part-time people and expecting them to work full- time. We have a great system in the city. I am able to get all of my errands done in one day. If we could to rt I read that document. The coordinator worked tirelessly to make this document as selectable. -- acceptable. Another example of our tireless worker and the city. >> your time is about up. Can you wrap up please? >> yes I can. I also am pretty aware that not a single city councilmember uses the system on a daily basis if ever at all. It breaks my heart that you guys will be voting and will pass our lives significantly on a transit system of what you have never used. In closing I am aware that at least two city councilmembers are going off of the council and I would ask to table this until the new city comes in -- city council comes in and you ride the systems so you know exactly what you are voting on. Thank you very much. >> thank you. >>> thank you. I have lived for many years and the adage is if it ain't, don't fix it. I use dial-a-ride and I use rt. I have many wonderful tours of the sacramento area on rt. It should have taken 20 minutes, 30 minutes and has left it just lasted over an hour but I learned a great deal about sacramento county and city. Rt for many years has wanted to take over folsom's transit system. I see no benefit to the ridership that rt does which I hope they don't. The level of service will be the same. Rt will not be providing holiday service which folsom transit does not now. They do not provide weekend service. They do that in the other territories but they are not planning to do it in folsom. I don't know why. If folsom riders want to go out of the city they will get to transfer at these points to get over to rt. That is not a benefit. Rt is not proposing any new routes nor any new schedules. No improvements. Folsom will be abandoning local control of our transit system. I don't see that as a positive. With respect to current employees, I haven't spoken to any of them but I have read your document and I don't see any benefit to the current employees. Especially regards to pensions and retirement. It is a bleak future for them. I see no benefit to folsom's ridership or to the transit system employees. It is not broken. Don't try to fix it. Thank you. >> I just have a quick question tonight. I attended the open house presentation. I thought it looked like it was a good deal but someone mentioned and I know that their intent was to offer all of the employees to maintain their jobs and keep their jobs but someone mentioned that there might be a cut in pay. That is not been verified and I don't know. That would not be inequitable transition for the employees. I would like to take that into consideration. Thank you. thank you for giving me this opportunity. I am sorry I was not at the town hall meeting because I was teaching. To paraphrase one of the speakers I would say that they are not there. I would say that the dial-a-ride is working perfectly fine for the people who use it and people who cannot use the other buses. Compared to that as expressed by many of the other speakers, the system is really not working well for people with disabilities and people who need it. I am and sacramento state university and I use dial-a- ride and take the fight train from there. I have never had any problems getting dial-a-ride within a 15 minute time that I have requested. I still have it on the phone and can verify it. I made a call to rt to book a ride to uc davis hospital for a monday ride and there was 8 people in front of me. It took time to get my ride. That is one example. Then when I asked if it was possible to pick me up at 9:30 am because my appointment was at 11 o'clock. I know that from the horror stories from my riders. I know it takes a long time to reach sacramento using the paratransit system. Now I was told that we don't have anyone to pick you up at 9:30 am. 8:30 am you can be picked up or you can be picked up at 10:30 am. I never heard of this in any of the paratransit services I have used before. I have used services in texas and I have never heard of that. The time you say they are supposed to come 15 minutes before or after. >> your time is up. >> what I would say is that I would ask the members to look into specific data before they make this decision. If there is data from the rt service relative to paratransit what is the average waiting time when you call them? What is the average waiting time when you call them? What is the average waiting time for passengers waiting to be picked up? What is the average time the fulsome writer is going to sacramento and what is the average time? Millions of dollars of services and I am pretty sure that with good data they can get the figures and compare them. Folsom has zero waiting time when it comes to talking to someone. Maximum average time wait would be maximum given that the window would be a half hour. Because the maximum average time would be 5 to 10 minutes. >> you need to wrap it up. Look into the data, compare them. If you want to hear us, look into the data. That will give you more insight whether the services -- just to wrap it up, the thing is that it is too big to be concerned about the paratransit services. Thank you. >> good evening. Support of the resolution. I have to say michael offered you the wording of a recent pop song. It is a really old song. The beach boys don't say anything. This is a serious matter. I do want to say that I have the privilege of being involved early on in the discussions. Over the course of my career I have been involved in a number discussions about the possibility of being with the discussion in the city. None of those had a equal result. Not a fair deal and it is no wonder that the city could not come to an agreement. With respect to the employees, matching the service existing or working collaboratively in the future with the city. As the councilmembers have suggested we have seen a change in the attitude over the past three years. In the early stages of the discussion it was clear that rt was mindful of the concerns the city had and it was going to be something that made the city hall. I did not say in the discussions but I applaud the staff. With respect to dial-a- ride it is my understanding that rt is going to be a situation where we continue exactly what folsom hasn't I would add to to consider that and ask about those circumstances but I think it is a good deal. >>> customer service levels maintained or increased. They are ending up with the equipment or better pay and being compensated for pension. They have been made whole and then some. The additional point. There is more career opportunities for them. They move up to driving trains. >> I make sure that comes out. Obviously the big issue is and probably you can answer this. Very successful dial-a-ride. Dial-a-ride and rt. I understand the differences. What the folks would like to hear and I just heard it again is the dial-a-ride program will work how it will work. >> I think it is an important distinction to make. there is a major difference. The geography or the coverage area under the dial-a-ride boundaries. Those will remain intact, as is, no changes with the possibility of future and hence it. The paratransit is part of the regional transit for eligible ridership. I will let henry take it over. It states there will be no changes to the current dial-a- ride services. >> henry, go to the microphone to get on the record. >> put it up to your mouth. >> I want to wholeheartedly thank the comments from you guys because this is a quick learning experience for me. I should have come to you before this meeting to share with you, communicate with you what this deal is really about. The service level will not change. We would not increase. The quality of service will remain the same and will increase. I don't know if you know what happened. They have a service. They had 30 ridership's and now after we worked with them and micro transit the deller ridership -- deli ridership has increased. The service that you provide to dial-a-ride has increased by 10 times but what I can personally promise and guarantee is that we will definitely keep our agreement and the service level will not reduce and we will try to increase. >> paratransit service is provided by paratransit inc. I am not taking responsibility but I will go back to prove service qualities. Your individual cases -- to make improvements you need and this is the first time I just want to be very honest. This satisfaction demonstrates about paratransit and unfortunately we do not talk to them. This is not acceptable. Especially when we take over the bus service. You guys associate with bus service. Right now the only customers are eligible for the regional paratransit service. Soon of people leaving three quarters of a mile will be eligible for that. Thank you guys and thank you for providing this valuable information to continue to improve. This is great. Thank you. >> I think you pretty much heard from most and one of the questions is what is in it for rt but I think it is what is in it for the region and my colleagues know because we have done it. The process has got hotter and hotter and hotter and as we are pushing to the roadway or improvements on the freeway system you have to basically show regional benefits. The one piece we are missing is the connectivity as far is it is operated with one system. We have actually had a transition to a seamless system. We worked on that for the better part of 10 years with millions of dollars but we are taking at the last link. It has made it more seamless. One bus going here and one going there. The question was what is in it for rt but what is in it for everyone in the region. It will be funding grants, upgrades and everything. The biggest concern is exactly what you asked about. I don't want to see any change in the dial-a-ride service. A commitment made and tracks really -- contractually obligated. He will try to get the functionality straightened out. You folks that are using dial-a- ride, the service is protected. The employees will move straight across and then some. Much more opportunities for advancement and positions we could not offer. Driving change -- trains. We talked to employees because if anybody is watched the council the employees are number one. As far as concerns of the city council. If they were not for we would not have the discussion. That is what is in it for the employees. Guaranteed to move across and get enhancements within the composition and benefits. I think that pretty much covered the questions that I heard so if I Miss Any -- >> one other comment. I think that we had this conversation a couple months ago. The employees that currently work with the city of folsom would have first right of refusal in the city. >> that is correct. >> you May not even get a different driver. >> a lot of the same drivers except for one to pursue opportunities in the other system. They will have local routes. I would ask that henry adjusts the relationship back and forth with customers. I believe with customers with disabilities. I have enjoyed a tenured fun relationship with margie talking about various issues and I think some of the concern might be if I am going to be heard. What happens if I am experiencing delays in my ride? What is a recourse for a person with disabilities or anyone with a concern and how can they get in touch with a real person? I am going to do this straightforward. I will take all of the names on the dial-a-ride service. Look at the data. What is the normal service and make sure I form a task force raising rt to specifically look at the service on the dial-a- ride. Whatever service you enjoy we make sure it does not affect you at all. I have my special assistant and we are working to have a special task force to specifically handle this situation and any concerns you have, the customer service center will be able to respond to you but I will give you my address. I read my email every 15 minutes. When I get you guys sending me email I will make sure we address that quickly. That is something I can definitely do. >> thank you, sir. >>> in the last three weeks I came close to doing that because I was not saying that well. I was a hazard to be on the road. We have the first data come to us. Not directly involved. More involved way back when. Roger had been not that involved. We had our first briefing in the closed session and I personally was a big concern because I enjoy the city. I didn't want to give it up and it is explained that we would be taken care of. We would not separate anything. Part of what we talked to. The service would be equal if not better than what you are getting. I have not heard anything about rt before because I did not have the opportunity to use it. Now I will be conflicted because I am hearing where a man can die if they take him all over for an excursion. That rings a bell with me. I know recent schedules and upside down and possibly over the years that we have done the job and sometimes as a victim of their own expertise and they do correct -- expect high service which I am not advocated to change anything. When we do and we pass it to another agency and expected to transfer over, transfer service and it is nice to know that the employees have opportunities because of the size but it is not necessary to build up the confidence. i came in here very easy to vote because I felt that everything we ask rt to do will be done. I am a little concerned now and I am have to think very hard on this. When we get a conflict like this I am inclined to say give me a trial period. I don't know if that is even possible because of that but it is pretty hard to step out into the dark and see the lights come on like they should work I would like to try the system to see if the system works. I am not criticizing rt. I have no way of reviewing. The past years we would be at this meeting but you did a great job and indications will transfer to the actual system. Systems can be done wrong. Management can write the best clients based on experience but they demand they execute the system to keep it at a high level. The staff can't do it. You can directed but it takes time. It sounds like the system makes a conflict. To tell you the truth, I am not sure which way I want to go. I hate to make a change in the road. I am not willing to go into the roadblock. I haven't heard them yet. Tonight is the first time that I heard margie say a few things. Other than that I haven't heard. I haven't stopped to think what if I have someone take me over. It is scary. All of your life you can handle it yourself. I am wanting and I know what you want to do. How we do it. We will have to talk about it. I know they do a great job. I think I will have to sit and hear the rest of the comments before I make any more decisions. We pride ourselves. I do. All of the years I have been here. If it is a tie it is affected by all of the people. I am not going to discourage the other people or make them look bad. That is not my role. My role is sitting up here at this job and be sure. Which way to jump in or stay on the island. I will listen to a little more before I make a vote. Everything I heard you do was a great job but maybe her we need a trial basis if that is possible. I don't know. We have legal brains also. >> thank you. You have done a great job. I like the way you approach this. I appreciate everything. As an 18-year-old I took it often. I did not rely on it for emergencies. Prior to the meeting I did look up some reviews of paratransit and concerns you addressed. They are on their invisible. Without denigrating the package and the work you put in I would like to see and I mentioned this but a commission put together that addresses all of the issues and working with your staff to ensure the confidence level of the folks that it affects, most of them here are just and upfront and ready to roll prior to flipping the switch. I don't like relinquishing control. That is why we have fire and pd. We partner very well with everybody but I like to have folsom the folsom. I like having this but there is a lot of benefits. I am sure there will be a video of me flip-flopping. Having the benefits mean a lot. I would like to see that partner go more in depth and address the concerns and formulate a condition. That is my thoughts. >> I want to jump in. Some miscommunication with information. We operate dial-a-ride and not paratransit. What I was hearing was one sitting judge city is our system. The general manager from rt obviously will have a conversation with another organization. The dial-a-ride service is not changing. He is going to get individual schedules and people and see how we can make it better. Within the boundaries, nothing is changed. What we have heard and correct me if I am wrong but all of the stories is a system that is not rt but paratransit expect I am aware of the difference. When this happens, folsom is a sub of rk. I am saying there is issues that need to be worked out. i don't want the transfer into the same component. Does that make sense? >> I have a problem and I think they should know. Come back to the mother load and that is the city of folsom to interject to where the problem is. I don't know. I am all for but there is a dark spot where they have to go to rt to interject themselves on the problem. I don't know if we are ready for that yet. I don't know. >> I definitely hear what you are saying. I don't want to say you have a break in the system. You are trying to compare paratransit to a dial-a-ride system. Whether it is cleaned up are connected or interconnected. It already is but you are comparing apples to oranges. No disrespect. Dial-a-ride is very specific. Paratransit carries more than one person and it is known there could be more than one stop. I do not disagree that it is realistic. We don't know it is broke until people share with us. We know that there is issues with paratransit. He has taken names and numbers. Our system is still good and we have a general manager dialed incompletely on where there is issues with paratransit. 24 years dealing with all of the systems for so many years. Especially 10 or 12 years. I think to me and not to sound disparaging but it is apples and oranges in the system but it does not mean we cannot fix the one that is dysfunctional that works. >> you need to come to the microphone. >> it will continue to work together. We already planned to have a meeting between the city staff and the rt step to make sure -- staff to make sure everything is going. That is still a partnership. The second thing is the city council will have of representative. This member will have 10 votes out of 100 votes. We are working to try to make that happened at the next meeting in two weeks. We will have the annexation agreement for the report and for council to approve and we will work with that. The reason we want is because there is a lot of f