Santa Cruz County Transit and Transportation Agency Meetings - Audio Tracks

Commissioner's comments and questions on SC Metro's Service Improvement Plans. A question from Commissioner Johnson about free fares, CEO Tree discusses their ambitious goals for increasing ridership - attracting "choice" transit riders to their "world class transit system". That claim is questioned by Commissioner Johnson. Some discussion of the funding needs for programs other than Metro, primar...

SC Metro CEO Michael Tree's update on SC Metro's plans to improve service and ridership. He discusses the Reimagine program and two phases of the new Wave Service in detail. Meeting documents are here: https://sccrtc.org/2023-meetings/ The full video is here: https://youtu.be/FD1JKXBGYtQ?list=PLo9N9AsVOVvRZ52uJW8KW1xLX7iizMk85

Caltrans representative Brandy Rider updates the board on Caltrans activities and fields and comments from the board. Commissioner Schiffren complains about Caltrans' planning oversights on Segment 5 of the Rail Trail. Ms. Rider explains that these things happen and they are doing what they can to work through the latest issues. Meeting documents are here: https://sccrtc.org/2023-meetings/ The ful...

Follow up questions and comments on the deputy director's report in Part 1. Commissioner Schiffren asks about the status of Rail Trail Segments 8 and 9. Brings up potential delays and complications if the rail line is abandoned. Director Mendez adds some comments on railbanking. Commissioner Schiffren adds his opinions on the complications of doing that. Meeting documents are here: https://sccrtc....

Deputy Director Luis Mendez gives a simple overview of the RTC's current activities. Meeting documents are here: https://sccrtc.org/2023-meetings/ The full video is here: https://youtu.be/FD1JKXBGYtQ?list=PLo9N9AsVOVvRZ52uJW8KW1xLX7iizMk85

CEO Michael Tree's CEO Oral Report. SC Metro CEO Tree discussed several key points related to their operations and future plans: Federal Funding for Hydrogen Buses: The company received a $20.4 million Low No Grant from the federal government for hydrogen buses, celebrated in Watsonville with Congressman Panetta and Congresswoman Loughgren attending. California Transportation Commission Funding: T...

Board member questions and comments on Mr Levin and Mr Brandt's presentation. Jamie Levin of CTE and Scott Brandt of ARCHES, several topics related to hydrogen buses and fuel cells are discussed. Key points include: Tier One Initiative & Involvement of Santa Cruz: Jamie Levin clarifies that Santa Cruz's participation in the thousand bus initiative (Tier One) was due to their general manager's...

Scott Brandt, a professor at UC Santa Cruz and interim COO of ARCHES, discusses the ARCHES project's goals, principles, and current status in his presentation. ARCHES, a nonprofit LLC, aims to bring clean, green hydrogen energy to California, focusing on developing a hydrogen market and economy. The project is a collaboration between the University of California, the State of California, the State...

Jaimie Levin, Director of West Coast Operations, Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) introduced H2 technology to the board. Jaimie Levin from CTE (Center for Transportation and the Environment) spoke about the organization's role in promoting zero-emission transportation technologies, particularly focusing on fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. Levin, with a background in tran...

ORAL REPORT ON HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY IN THE MARKET PLACE FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT AND THE ALLIANCE FOR RENEWABLE CLEAN HYDROGEN ENERGY SYSTEMS (ARCHES) Wondimu Mengistu, Capital Planning & Grants Program Manager, spoke to why METRO is looking to hydrogen technology for its operations. He then introduced Jaimie Levin, Director of West Coast Operations, Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE...

Part 9 of this episode is the CEO Oral Report by Michael Tree, CEO of SC Metro. . Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf . Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIpv1xCe4XQ&list=PLo9N9AsVOVvT_Ae6YrLvf_pJKSTzuuMqX&t=1s

Part 8 of this episode is board members questions on the CA State Legislative Update by Michael Pimentel of Shaw, Yoder, Antwih, Schmelzer & Lange, Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIpv1xCe4XQ&list=PLo9N9AsVOVvT_Ae6YrLvf_pJKSTzuuMqX&t=1...

Part 7 of this episode is a fairly weedy presentation of the CA State Legislative Update by Michael Pimentel of Shaw, Yoder, Antwih, Schmelzer & Lange, METRO's legislative advocate at the state level. He is Metro's eyes and ears in Sacramento where a great deal of their funding comes from. He moves through this information quickly and it is not all good news. The YouTube video in the link belo...

Part 6 of this episode is board members questions on the Federal Legislative Update by Chris Giglio of Capital Edge, Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIpv1xCe4XQ&list=PLo9N9AsVOVvT_Ae6YrLvf_pJKSTzuuMqX&t=1s

Part 5 of this episode is a fairly weedy presentation of the Federal Legislative Update by Chris Giglio of Capital Edge, METRO's legislative advocate at the federal level. He is Metro's eyes and ears in Washington where a great deal of their funding comes from. He moves through this information quickly and it is not all good news. The YouTube video in the link below is a good way to see the charts...

Part 4 of this episode is an update on the status of Pacific Station redevelopment and approve the METRO Downtown Transit Center Interim Operations Plan from John Urgo, SC Metro Planning & Development Director. Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...

Part 3 of this episode are additional questions from board members on Chuck Farmer's presentation regarding the FY 2024 Budget, Free Fares and Cabrillo College contracts with SC Metro. Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIpv1xCe4XQ&list=PLo9N9AsV...

Part 2 of this episode are questions from board members on Chuck Farmer's presentation regarding the FY 2024 Budget, Free Fares and the necessity of a sales tax on the Nov 2024 ballot. Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIpv1xCe4XQ&list=PLo9N9AsV...

Part 1 of this episode is a presentation from Chuck Farmer, CFO. He discusses the FY 2024 Budget and the necessity of a sales tax on the Nov 2024 ballot to maintain the increased service levels. I skipped the intro and public comments. Meeting agenda here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/agendas/2023/2023-10-27--BOD-Agenda.pdf Full https://communitytv.org/ video here: https://www...

Update on the Measure D Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP). Tommy Travers - SCCRTC staff

Measure D basics presented by Tommy Travers - staff at the SCCRTC. "In November 2016, over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters approved Measure D – a comprehensive and inclusive package of transportation improvements. The ½-cent, 30-year sales tax provides a steady, direct source of local funding for: Providing safer routes to schools for local students Maintaining mobility and independence for senior...

This is an AI generated summary of the podcast: In this conversation, Commissioner Koenig discusses concerns about funding for the restoration of a rail line. There's a question about the possibility of obtaining state grants to match local funds for faster fixes, specifically addressing the need for approximately $60 million to restore freight service. Executive Director Preston explains that com...

This is an AI generated summary of the podcast: The conversation revolves around the five-year plan, with Commissioners discussing the allocation of funds for trail development, specifically the choice between an interim trail and the ultimate trail. Commissioner Quinn expresses concern about spending money on the ultimate trail before finalizing the decision in March. Executive Director Preston e...

In this conversation, Commissioner Koenig and Commissioner Johnson discuss the proposal to move from a pay-as-you-go model to borrowing for projects. Executive Director Preston explains that while they are not proposing to borrow immediately, they need to consider moving projects forward due to potential increases in project costs, the risk of losing grants, and the benefits to the public. Commiss...