Advisory Board | Vineyard Transit Authority

Meeting date:

Friday, March 30, 2018

The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority Advisory Board met Friday, March 30, 2018 at 9:45 AM in the offices of the Transit Authority, 11 A Street, Edgartown. Present were John Alley (West Tisbury), Lenny Jason (Chilmark), June Manning (Aquinnah) and Lou Paciello (Edgartown). Also present were Angela Grant (VTA) and Lois Craine (VTA). Absent were Alice Butler (Oak Bluffs) and Alexandra Kral (Tisbury)

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM

Meeting Minutes 1.5.2018

Mr. Jason moved to accept the minutes of the meeting of January 5, 2018 and Mr. Paciello seconded. M/s/c. Ms. Manning abstained

Ridership through February, 2018

Ms. Grant reported that ridership was up slightly over the same 8 month period last year, a total of about 5,000 riders despite the off season schedule realignment.

FY 2019 Budget

A Budget of $5,994,564 for FY 2019 was recommended to the Board by the Finance and Audit subcommittee. Mr. Jason moved to accept the FY 19 budget as presented Mr. Paciello seconded. M/s/c

Electric Bus Project Update

Ms. Grant reported that the six buses being built by BYD will be delivered June 15. The 1000-KW transformer is delayed in design at Eversource after recent storms. Chargers for inside the building and in the lot have been delivered. An RFP for permanent and one mobile generator is out and due April 11, 2018 and will be awarded so buses can be charged in the event that Eversource is delayed installing the transformer. Darren Morris and Scott Morgan will travel to Howard County Maryland to observe their 4 electric buses and inductive charging.

Solar RFP Award

Ms. Grant reported that the committee evaluating the three responses to the solar RFP is still in the clarification phase and will most likely recommend a company next week to install solar at no cost to the VTA. Ms. Grant asked the Board for a vote to allow her to award the contract to the most advantageous company, with contract review by VTA legal counsel. Ms. Manning so moved and Mr. Jason seconded. M/s/c

MV Airport

Ms. Grant reported that Board members met with the head of this region of the FAA to discuss the VTA’s request for an exception to the fair market value lease The MV Airport also agreed not to impede the VTA’s solar and electric bus infrastructure. Mr. Jason asked if the solar installation respondents will sign a contract without the VTA securing a 30 year lease. Ms. Grant replied that they have not indicated that they would not. Ms. Grant reported that Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office responded to the VTA’s letter and has sent a letter of support to the FAA. Mr. Jason advised that the VTA can petition the County Commission to extend the lease term. Mr. Alley suggested that other airports with RTAs as tenants be researched.

Documents

Meeting Minutes September 22, 2017
Ridership report through February 2018
Financial Statements through February, 2018
Draft FY 2019 Budget