Minutes - Port Authority of Allegheny County

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The final resolution authorizes the Authority to continue engineering services with AECOM Technical Services for the North Shore Connector project. On July 26, 2002, the Authority’s Board authorized entering into an agreement with DMJM Harris, now known as AECOM USA, INC., to perform architectural and engineering design and support services for the North Shore Connector project. Previous amendments to the agreement authorized services for a not-to-exceed amount of $48,680,277.00. The continuation of construction support activities is required through June 30, 2012, to support construction, prepare as-built drawings, start-up and revenue operation of the project. This resolution will authorize the Authority to continue services through that period, and to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $1,500,000.00 for the additional services for the project. The total notto-exceed amount of the agreement will be increased to $50,180,277.00. On behalf of the Performance Oversight Committee, Mr. Letwin respectfully requested approval of the resolution as presented. It was moved by Ms Ellenbogen, seconded by Mr. Mattola and unanimously agreed that the resolution be approved as presented. The committee then received a presentation from Chief McCauley of Port Authority police. Mr. Letwin stated that the presentation opened his eyes to see all of the things they do, and thought it might be worthwhile to share it with the entire Board and the public. A video was shown at this time. After the video was shown, Mr. Letwin noted two community outreach projects that the police also participated in. The projects included Adopt a School Program and the Polar Bear Plunge. Eleven officers and their families jumped into the 39 degree river water to raise $2,300 for the Special Olympics Event in December. Mr. Letwin congratulated Chief McCauley and thanked him and all the officers for everything they do. Next the committee heard a report of the Audit of Internal Controls for the Annual Physical Inventory. It was reported that these observations were for FY 2010, and were conducted to ensure that inventory is valued appropriately for financial statement purposes and to ensure that Transit Operations is supported by having the parts and supplies available when needed. These objectives were met and several recommendations for improving business processes were made and implemented. The committee then received an update of the North Shore Connector project by the Project Manager, Keith Wargo. It was reported that overall construction is 88 percent complete, still on schedule and within the project budget, noting that this is amazing for a project of this size. This concluded the report of the Performance Oversight Committee. The Chairman called on Mr. Mattola for a report of the Planning and Development Committee. 8
Mr. Mattola reported that although the Planning and Development Committee did not meet this month, he wanted to report on the information being disseminated by staff regarding the upcoming March 27 service changes. Brochures have been printed summarizing the route changes and suggesting available alternatives. Also, individual route timetables will be available in print form in early March. In addition, all of this information is currently available on Port Authority’s website. Mr. Mattola wanted to emphasize, again, that Port Authority recognizes the impact these changes will have on our employees, our riders and our community as a whole. We have seen the last two years of making the system more efficient and productive through the Transit Development Plan, that there were few underutilized routes left to cut. Unfortunately, many well-used routes will be discontinued or scaled back. Mr. Mattola ended his report by reiterating that we are left with little choice until a sustainable transportation funding solution is found. This concluded the report of the Planning and Development Committee. The Chairman called on Ms. Ellenbogen for a report of the Stakeholder Relations Committee. Ms. Ellenbogen reported that the Stakeholder Relations Committee met on February 3, 2011, where two resolutions were discussed in full, and the committee feels confident in recommending them for the entire Board’s consideration today. The first resolution provides authorization to amend our agreements for legislative consulting and government relations services. Port Authority entered into Agreement No. R05-07-A with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C., in April 2006 and Agreement No. R08-06-C with Greenlee Partners, LLC, in July 2008 to provide certain legislative consulting and government relations services, including proper and appropriate representatives of the Authority before all political units, subdivisions, public branches and branches of government and their agencies, as directed by the Authority. Agreement No. R05-07-A is set to expire on March 31, 2011. Agreement No. R08-06-C is set to expire on June 30, 2011. The agreements have a total, current combined not-to-exceed amount of $2,514,800. Ms. Ellenbogen was pleased to report that these contractors have performed the required services to the satisfaction of the Authority and within budgetary limits. In fact, as of the committee meeting, we still had $1 million left in the budget and these contacts go back to 2006 and 2008. It has, therefore, been determined that it is in our best interest to exercise our option to extend the term of agreement with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney P.C., for two additional years to March 31, 2013, and with Greenlee Partners for an additional 21 months also to March 31, 2013. The proposed amendments to extend the terms will result in no increase to the previously authorized total current combined not-to-exceed amount of the agreements. These agreements are a key part of our efforts in keeping our elected officials informed of the importance of public transit to our county, region and state. Perhaps more important, these firms provide interference for us on political legislation that could hurt our funding and our ability to serve the public. So quite frankly, no one else is going to go to bat for transit riders in this region or those who rely on a quality public transportation system. Ms. Ellenbogen continued reporting that the statewide transportation funding shortage is forcing us to cut service and hindering us from meeting the full transit needs of this community, adding that there is no solution to the statewide crisis in sight. It is vital that we remain engaged, through our lobbyists, 9
Page 1 and 2: PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Page 3 and 4: hearings and allow the citizens an
Page 5 and 6: about four months from now, we are
Page 7: The next resolution authorizes the
Page 11 and 12: collaboratively with numerous commu

Minutes - Port Authority of Allegheny County

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